JP5714244B2 - Game equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is provided in a one-to-one correspondence to the gaming machine counts the Yu technique medium, it performs processing for paid out gaming media in the range of the number of counting game media, general recording medium or for members The present invention relates to a gaming apparatus that accepts a recording medium and performs a specifying process so that the number of counted gaming media can be specified by a general recording medium or a member recording medium .

Conventionally, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707, each of the counter-type gaming devices that accept member cards communicates with the member server, and the member server manages the number of balls in association with the ID of the member card In the system, when the member card is returned to the gaming device, if the gaming device and the member server are offline, the member card is returned and the number of balls counted by the gaming device is recorded. There are some that issue a count receipt of the finished paper.

Further, as shown in Patent Document 2, there is a prize exchange system in which a player can exchange a desired article by using, for example, a wagon service or the like using the number of stored game media acquired and stored by a player. In this prize exchange system, when the card unit receives the order data of the desired article transmitted from the remote controller operated by the attendant at the game hall, the number of game media corresponding to the article indicated by the order data is saved by the player. It is configured to deduct from the number of media.

JP-A-11-104344 JP-A-9-276519

However, in the system of Patent Document 1, the number of balls counted by the gaming device in which the offline has occurred is recorded and issued on a paper counting receipt, so that the number of counting balls corresponds to other gaming devices. There is a first problem that the game machine cannot be used for games.

In addition, when each game counting type gaming device is applied to the prize exchange system of Patent Document 2, the number of gaming media counted by the gaming device acquired by the player today and the number of gaming media before the player today It is possible to pay out game media and exchange them with goods using the number of saved game media obtained by storing the game media acquired in the above, but when exchanging with the goods, simply count the number of game media or saved games. There is a second problem that there may be a disadvantage for the player just by deducting from one of the media numbers.

In other words, in the case of exchange for goods, no fee will be collected for any game venue using either the number of counted game media or the number of saved game media. Amusement halls do not collect fees even if they use the number of counted game media, but they may operate to collect fees if the number of saved game media is used. If the number is deducted from the number of counted game media, the number of counted game media for which no fee is collected is reduced in the case of paying out the game media, resulting in a disadvantage to the player.

The present invention has been made on the basis of this background, an object of the eliminated first problem, others counting game media is counted by the incommunicable gaming device and the management unit Can be used for gaming on a gaming machine corresponding to the gaming device of the above, and when the player exchanges an article using the acquired ball acquired by the player to solve the second problem as much as possible, An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming apparatus that is controlled so as not to be disadvantageous.

The present invention adopts the following means in order to solve the above problems. The reference numerals used in the description of the best mode for carrying out the invention and the drawings to be described later are appended in parentheses for reference, but the constituent elements of the present invention are not limited to the appended description.
First, the invention according to claim 1
There is a one-to-one correspondence with gaming machines,
Counting means for counting game media acquired in the game;
A payout processing means for performing a process for paying out to the gaming machine a game medium within the range of the number of game media counted as the number of game media counted by the counting means;
A receiving means for receiving a general recording medium or a member recording medium issued to a registered member;
A specification processing means for performing a specification process for enabling the number of the counted game media to be specified by the general recording medium or the member recording medium;
A discharge processing means for performing a process of discharging the general recording medium received by the receiving means or the member recording medium;
Storage means for storing a new general recording medium so as to be supplied to the receiving means;
First communication means for communicating with first management means for managing the number of counted game media;
Determination means for determining a communication state with the first management means;
A gaming device comprising:
The specification processing means includes the specification processing as:
When the general-purpose recording medium is accepted by the accepting means, regardless of the determination of the communication state by the determining means, a general specification process is performed to record the number of counted game media on the general-purpose recording medium,
When the member recording medium is received by the receiving unit and the determination unit determines that communication is possible, the identification information read from the member recording medium and the count are determined with respect to the first management unit. When communication is possible to send the number of game media and perform member identification processing,
When the member recording medium is received by the receiving unit and the determining unit determines that communication is impossible, the member recording medium received is discharged by the discharge processing unit and stored in the storage unit. A member identification process is performed when communication is impossible to record the number of counted game media in the new general recording medium,
The gaming device is:
Communicating with the second management means for managing the number of stored game media acquired and stored by the player in association with the identification information of the recording medium for members;
The identification information of the member recording medium received by the receiving means is transmitted to the second management means, and the number of stored game media managed by the second management means is specified in association with the transmitted identification information. Second communication means for receiving information for
Exchange operation accepting means for accepting an exchange operation for exchanging a predetermined number of game media and desired articles,
The second communication means includes
When the exchange operation is accepted and the number of stored game media managed by the second management means exceeds the predetermined number, the second management means manages regardless of the presence or absence of the count game media number. A subtraction request for subtracting the predetermined number from the number of stored game media being sent to the second management means;
When the exchange operation is accepted and the number of saving game media managed by the second management means is less than the predetermined number, the saving that the second management means manages a specific number smaller than the predetermined number Sending a subtraction request for subtracting from the number of game media to the second management means,
The gaming device further includes:
When the exchange operation is accepted and the number of stored game media managed by the second management means is less than the predetermined number, a difference game medium number that is a difference between the predetermined number and the specific number is counted. Subtracting means for subtracting from the number of media;
A gaming device comprising: a difference subtraction display means for identifiably indicating that the process of subtraction by the difference subtraction means has been performed.
According to the gaming apparatus of claim 1, when it is determined that the member recording medium is accepted and communication with the management apparatus is impossible, the accepted member recording medium is ejected and a new general-purpose recording medium is discharged. Since the number of counting game media is recorded on the recording medium and discharged, the general recording medium is received by another game device, so that the number of counting game media recorded on the general recording medium is determined by the other game device. Since it can be used for a game on a gaming machine corresponding to the device for use, it can be eliminated that the member player suffers damage. In addition, when an exchange operation for exchanging a predetermined number of game media with a desired article is accepted and the number of stored game media managed by the management means exceeds a predetermined number required for exchanging the article, Regardless of the number of game media, in order to subtract the predetermined number from the number of stored game media managed by the management means, generally counting game media, which is a game media that does not charge a fee, is preserved as much as possible. It can be used for games. As a result, it is advantageous for the player in the game hall that currently collects a fee for the game usage of the number of saving game media managed by the management means, and the saving game media managed by the management means In a game hall that has not yet collected a fee for the use of a number of games, it will be advantageous to the player when a future fee is collected. Further, according to such a configuration, when the exchange operation is accepted and the number of saving game media managed by the management means is less than the predetermined number required for exchanging the article, the predetermined number and the predetermined number are more than Since the number of differential game media, which is a difference from a small specific number, is subtracted from the number of counted game media, the number of differential game media is preferentially used for exchanging goods by managing the number of stored game media managed by the management means. Therefore, the counting game medium, which is generally a game medium that does not charge a fee, is preserved as much as possible and can be used for the game. As a result, it is advantageous for the player in the game hall that currently collects a fee for the game usage of the number of saving game media managed by the management means, and the saving game media managed by the management means In a game hall that has not yet collected a fee for the use of a number of games, it will be advantageous to the player when a future fee is collected. Further, according to such a configuration, since it is identifiable that the process of subtracting the number of differential game media has been performed, the player can easily recognize that, and the player's recognition and subtraction process It is possible to prevent as much as possible the inconvenience that occurs.
The invention according to claim 2
There is a one-to-one correspondence with gaming machines,
Counting means for counting game media acquired in the game;
A payout processing means for performing a process for paying out to the gaming machine a game medium within the range of the number of game media counted as the number of game media counted by the counting means;
A receiving means for receiving a general recording medium or a member recording medium issued to a registered member;
A specification processing means for performing a specification process for enabling the number of the counted game media to be specified by the general recording medium or the member recording medium;
A discharge processing means for performing a process of discharging the general recording medium received by the receiving means or the member recording medium;
Storage means for storing a new general recording medium so as to be supplied to the receiving means;
First communication means for communicating with first management means for managing the number of counted game media;
Determination means for determining a communication state with the first management means;
A gaming device comprising:
The specification processing means includes the specification processing as:
When the general-purpose recording medium is accepted by the accepting means, regardless of the determination of the communication state by the determining means, a general specification process is performed to record the number of counted game media on the general-purpose recording medium,
When the member recording medium is received by the receiving unit and the determination unit determines that communication is possible, the identification information read from the member recording medium and the count are determined with respect to the first management unit. When communication is possible to send the number of game media and perform member identification processing,
When the member recording medium is received by the receiving unit and the determining unit determines that communication is impossible, the member recording medium received is discharged by the discharge processing unit and stored in the storage unit. A member identification process is performed when communication is impossible to record the number of counted game media in the new general recording medium,
The gaming device is:
Communicating with the second management means for managing the number of stored game media acquired and stored by the player in association with the identification information of the recording medium for members;
The identification information of the member recording medium received by the receiving means is transmitted to the second management means, and the number of stored game media managed by the second management means is specified in association with the transmitted identification information. Second communication means for receiving information for
Exchange operation accepting means for accepting an exchange operation for exchanging a predetermined number of game media and a desired article;
When the exchange operation is accepted and the number of stored game media managed by the second management means exceeds the predetermined number, the predetermined number is calculated from the number of stored game media regardless of the presence of the number of counted game media. Subtracting means for calculating a subtraction result obtained by subtracting
The second communication means includes
When the exchange operation is accepted and the number of saving game media managed by the second management means exceeds the predetermined number, the number of saving game media managed by the second management means is calculated by the subtraction means. Sending an update request for updating to the number of stored game media according to the calculated subtraction result to the second management means;
When the exchange operation is accepted and the number of saving game media managed by the second management means is less than the predetermined number, the number of saving game media managed by the second management means is set to the second management An update request for updating the number of savings game media managed by the means to be the number of savings game media according to the result of subtracting a specific number less than the predetermined number from the number of savings game media managed by the means is sent to the second management means,
The gaming device further includes:
When the exchange operation is accepted and the number of stored game media managed by the second management means is less than the predetermined number, a difference game medium number that is a difference between the predetermined number and the specific number is counted. Subtracting means for subtracting from the number of media;
A gaming device comprising: a difference subtraction display means for identifiably indicating that the process of subtraction by the difference subtraction means has been performed.
According to the gaming apparatus according to claim 2, when it is determined that the member recording medium is accepted and communication with the management apparatus is impossible, the accepted member recording medium is ejected and a new general-purpose recording medium is discharged. Since the number of counting game media is recorded on the recording medium and discharged, the general recording medium is received by another game device, so that the number of counting game media recorded on the general recording medium is determined by the other game device. Since it can be used for a game on a gaming machine corresponding to the device for use, it can be eliminated that the member player suffers damage. An exchange operation for exchanging a predetermined number of game media with a desired article is accepted, and a specific number of game media specified by the received information for specifying the number of game media is a predetermined required for exchanging the article When the number is exceeded, regardless of the number of counting game media, regardless of the number of counting game media, in order to subtract the predetermined number from the number of specific game media, the counting game media, which is generally a game media that does not charge a fee, is preserved as much as possible. It can be used for games. As a result, it is advantageous for the player in the game hall that currently collects a fee for the use of a specific number of game media, and it still collects a fee for the use of a specific number of game media at the present time. In game halls that are not available, it will be advantageous to the player when a future fee is collected. Further, according to such a configuration, when the exchange operation is accepted and the number of stored game media is less than the predetermined number required for exchanging the article, the difference between the predetermined number and the specific number less than the predetermined number Since a certain number of difference game media is subtracted from the number of counted game media, the number of saved game media is preferentially used for exchanging goods, and the number of difference game media is subtracted from the number of counted game media. In other words, the counting game medium, which is a game medium that does not incur a fee, is preserved as much as possible and can be used for the game. As a result, it is advantageous for the player in the game hall that currently collects fees for the game usage of the number of saved game media, and at the moment still collects fees for the game usage of the number of saved game media. In game halls that are not available, it will be advantageous to the player when a future fee is collected. Further, according to such a configuration, since it is identifiable that the process of subtracting the number of differential game media has been performed, the player can easily recognize that, and the player's recognition and subtraction process It is possible to prevent as much as possible the inconvenience that occurs.

The present application includes the following inventions.
First, the invention according to means 1
Provided corresponding to the gaming machine (pachinko machine 10),
A counting unit (30) having counting means (ball counter 35) for counting game media (pachinko balls) acquired by the player;
Lending process for paying out and lending a gaming medium corresponding to the magnitude of the gaming value owned by the player (prepaid balance) by lending with the corresponding gaming machine (the ball lending process of Sa12) Lending processing means (ball lending ticket control unit 22), counting storage means (card table) for storing the number of counting game media (counting balls) counted by the counting means, and the counting storage means The payout processing means (ball lending ticket control unit 22) for performing payout processing (ball lending process of Sa14) for paying out game media within the range of the number of counted game media, and the count storage means store them. A discharge process (Sa17 card return process) is performed to discharge the game recording medium (member card 2, visitor card 3) in which the count game medium number specifying information (card ID) capable of specifying the count game medium number is recorded. Control unit and a left processing unit (ball lending ticket control unit 22) and (ball lending issuing processor 20), includes a,
A gaming device (each unit counting unit 50) capable of communication between the counting unit and the control unit,
The counting unit is
Counting abnormality determining means (counting control unit 31) for determining abnormality related to counting by the counting means;
Count information transmitting means (count control section 31) for transmitting count information (operation instruction response) capable of specifying the number of game media (count value) counted by the counting means to the control section. ,
The controller is
Counting information receiving means (ball lending ticket control unit 22) for receiving the counting information transmitted from the counting information transmitting means;
Game medium number abnormality determination means (ball lending ticket control unit 22) for determining abnormality based on the number of game media specified from the count information received by the count information receiving means;
The gaming device is:
Count abnormality notification processing means (count control unit 31) for performing a count abnormality notification process (S302, S304, S354) for notifying that there is an abnormality based on the abnormality determination by the counting abnormality determination means ,
Based on the abnormality determination by the game medium number abnormality determination means, the game medium number abnormality notification processing means (ball lending ticket control) for performing the game medium number abnormality notification process (S402) for notifying that there is an abnormality. Part 22), and
The controller is
(Sn01) communication means (in-field communication unit 21b, ball lending ticket control unit 22) for receiving a processing request at the time of closing (closing process signal) transmitted at the end of the business;
Based on the fact that the processing request at the end of business has been received (YES in Sn01), the discharging process is performed on condition that there is a count game medium number stored in the count storage means (YES in Sn21). In addition, the game apparatus further includes invalidation processing means (ball lending ticket control unit 22) for performing invalidation processing (Sn22) for invalidating the number of counted game media.
According to the gaming apparatus according to the means 1, it is possible to specify the number of counted gaming media counted and stored by the counting means only by transmitting a processing request at the end of business to the gaming apparatus at the end of business. Since the number of counted game media is invalidated without ejecting the game recording medium in which the number of counted game media number identification information is recorded, it is necessary to search and collect cards ejected from the game device, There is no need to bring the collected cards into the card processing machine and insert them one by one, and the workload and work time at the end of business can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to monitor abnormalities related to counting in the counting unit, and it is possible to monitor abnormalities in the control unit of the number of game media specified from the count information transmitted from the counting unit to the control unit, so compared with the case where only the former is monitored. Thus, it is possible to more accurately monitor the abnormality associated with the counting performed by the gaming apparatus.

The invention according to means 2
A gaming device (each unit counting unit 50) described in the means 1,
The said discharge processing means (ball lending ticket control part 22) is the said game recording medium (visitor card 3) which recorded the count game medium number (the number of hand possession balls) memorize | stored in the said count memory | storage means (card table). The discharge process (Sa17 card return process)
Accepting means (card R / W23) for accepting the game recording medium;
Based on the reception of the game recording medium by the receiving means (YES in Sa01), a storage process (Sb13) for storing the number of counted game media recorded in the game recording medium in the count storage means (Sb13) Storage processing means (ball lending ticket control unit 22),
A determination unit (ball lending ticket control unit 22) for determining whether or not there is the number of counted game media recorded in the game recording medium received by the reception unit;
Storage means (card stocker 23b) for storing the game recording medium,
The invalidation processing unit (ball lending ticket control unit 22) invalidates the record on the condition that the determination unit determines that the number of counted game media exists (YES in Sn11). The gaming apparatus is characterized by performing the invalidation process including the enabling process (Sn12) and storing the game recording medium in the storage means (Sn15).
According to the gaming device according to the means 2, even when the number of counted game media recorded on the game recording media being accepted exists, the number of counted game media is invalidated and the game recording is performed. Since the medium is stored, the trouble of collecting the number of game recording media discharged without invalidating the number of counted game media and invalidating the number of counted game media with a card processor, and the number of counted game media are reduced. The trouble of replenishing the invalidated game recording medium to the game device can be eliminated.

The invention according to means 3 is
A gaming device (each unit counting unit 50) described in the means 2,
The game recording medium is a general-purpose recording medium (visitor card 3) in which the number of counted game media (the number of balls in hand) is valid only on the counted date, or after the counted date Recording medium type information (card ID) capable of identifying whether the number of game media (number of stored balls) is a valid member recording medium (member card 2),
The invalidation processing means (ball lending ticket control unit 22) is configured such that the game recording medium is the general use based on the recording medium type information of the game recording medium accepted by the accepting means (card R / W 23). On the condition that it is identified as a recording medium (NO in Sn03), the recording invalidation process (Sn12) is performed, and the general recording medium is stored in the storage means (card stocker 23b) (Sn15) On the condition that the game recording medium is identified as the member recording medium (YES in Sn03), the member recording medium is ejected from the receiving means without performing the recording invalidation process (Sn04). This is a gaming device characterized by that.
According to the gaming device according to the means 3, even if the member recording medium is forgotten in the gaming device, the number of counting game media specified from the counting game medium number specifying information of the member recording medium is invalid. Therefore, there is no need for the member to be penalized, so there is no need to check whether the member's recording medium has been forgotten in the game device when sending the processing request at the time of closing. The forgoing work load and working time can be further reduced, and the forgotten member recording medium is automatically ejected, so that the member recording medium can be easily collected.

The invention according to means 4 is
A gaming device (each unit counting unit 50) described in any one of means 1 to 3,
In the game recording medium (visitor card 3), game value specifying information (card ID, prepaid balance) capable of specifying the magnitude of game value (prepaid balance) usable in the game is recorded,
The magnitude of the game value specified from the game value specifying information of the game recording medium received by the receiving means (card R / W 23) is used for the game in the corresponding game machine (pachinko machine 10). And use processing means (ball lending ticket control unit 22) for performing a use process (Sa12 ball lending process of Sa12) for subtracting and updating the magnitude of the used gaming value,
The invalidation processing means (ball lending ticket control unit 22) is a game value specified from the game value specifying information of the game recording medium in which the number of counted game media is invalidated by the invalidation process (Sn22). The game recording medium is ejected from the receiving means (Sn15) on condition that there is a size of (Yes in Sn14).
According to the gaming apparatus according to the means 4, if there is a gaming value in the gaming recording medium in which the number of counting gaming media is invalidated, the gaming recording medium is ejected without invalidating the gaming value. In addition, the owner of the game recording medium can use the game value for the game by receiving the return of the discharged game recording medium, so that the player is not disadvantaged with respect to the game value. Or, a game recording medium having a game value that needs to be returned to the owner is automatically identified and discharged, so that the game recording medium having the game value can be easily collected. Can do.

The invention according to means 5 is
A gaming device (each counting unit 50) described in any one of means 1 to 4,
Invalidation information that can specify the number of counting game media (counted balls) invalidated by the invalidation processing (Sn22) is transmitted to the management means (acquired ball number management device 61) (Sn23). It is a gaming apparatus characterized by further having a transmission means (in-field communication unit 21b, ball rental ticket control unit 22).
According to the gaming device according to the means 5, the number of counting game media invalidated in each gaming device can be grasped, and the number of counting gaming media invalidated in each gaming device is totaled. Thus, the total number of invalidated count game media can be accurately and easily grasped.

The invention according to means 6 is
A gaming device (each counter unit 50) described in any one of means 1 to 5,
The game medium number abnormality determining means (ball lending ticket control unit 22) is a predetermined unit specified from the counting information (operation instruction response) received by the counting information receiving means (ball lending ticket control unit 22). The gaming device is characterized in that an abnormality is determined on the condition that an increase amount (variation amount) of the number of game media per hour exceeds a predetermined threshold.
According to the gaming device according to the means 6, since it is determined to be abnormal when the amount of increase in the number of game media per unit time exceeds a threshold value, notification is made, so that notification is made when there is a high possibility of fraud. It can be performed.

The invention according to means 7
A gaming device (each unit counting unit 50) described in the means 6,
The counting information transmission means (counting control unit 31) provides the counting information (operation instruction response) that can specify the number of game media (count value) counted by the counting means (ball counter 35) per unit time. The game apparatus is characterized by being transmitted to the control unit (ball lending ticket processing unit 20).
According to the gaming apparatus according to the means 7, the control unit can determine the unit based on the count information that can specify the number of game media per unit time transmitted from the counting unit without measuring the time. Since the amount of increase in the number of game media per hour can be specified, the processing in the control unit can be simplified.

Furthermore, the invention according to means 8
A gaming device (each counting unit 50) described in any one of means 1 to 7,
The counting unit (30)
Game medium number storage means (count control unit 31) for storing the number of game media (count value) counted by the counting means (ball counter 35);
Transmission of counting information (operation instruction response) by the counting information transmitting means (counting control unit 31) and / or processing performed by the control unit and the counting unit in accordance with transmission of the counting information is normally performed. Transmission determination means (counting control unit 31) for determining whether or not (S126);
Based on the fact that the transmission determining means determines that the game has been normally performed (S126), a game medium number erasure process (S127) for erasing the number of game media stored in the game medium number storage means is performed. A gaming apparatus, further comprising: a game medium number erasure processing means (counting control unit 31).
According to the gaming device according to the means 8, the counting unit is provided on condition that transmission of the counting information and / or processing performed by the control unit and the counting unit in accordance with the transmission of the counting information is normally performed. By erasing the stored number of game media, the counting unit does not always need to store the number of game media, so the storage burden on the counting unit can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a gaming system including each unit counting unit which is a gaming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of each unit counting unit, in which (a) is a front view and (b) is a cross-sectional right side view of a ball lending ticket processing unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a card table stored in the EEPROM of the ball lending ticket control unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a main screen displayed on the display of each unit counting unit. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an example of the counting unit, in which FIG. 5A is a front view, FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional front view of the external unit, and FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional left side view of the internal unit. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the structure of the inflow path and the ball counter. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an acquired number of balls table stored in the hard disk of the acquired number of balls management device, where (a) is a member acquired number of balls table and (b) is a visitor acquired number of balls table. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of counting processing performed by the ball lending ticket control unit and the counting control unit. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the case where polling interruption is detected in the counting process. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the types of errors in the abnormality determination process performed by the counting control unit. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example when the count control unit determines that an abnormality has occurred. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the counting abnormality 3. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating each error in the count value abnormality determination process performed by the ball lending ticket control unit. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a case where the ball rental ticket control unit makes an abnormality determination. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a business process performed by the ball rental ticket control unit. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a card acceptance process performed by the ball rental ticket control unit. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a card reception notification reception process performed by the acquired number-of-balls management apparatus. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a payout process performed by the ball rental ticket control unit. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of a unit payout process performed by the ball rental ticket control unit. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the less-unit payout process performed by the ball rental ticket control unit. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of a payout process performed by the ball lending ticket control unit and the counting control unit. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of a replay process performed by the ball lending ticket control unit and the acquired ball number management device. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the exchange process performed by the ball rental ticket control unit and the acquired ball number management device. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of a card return process performed by the ball rental ticket control unit. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of the membership card return process performed by the ball rental ticket control unit. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of a member card return notification reception process performed by the acquired number-of-balls management apparatus. FIG. 27 is a first diagram illustrating the exchange of information between each unit counting unit and the acquired number of balls management device at the time of receiving and returning a membership card. FIG. 28 is a second diagram illustrating information exchange between each unit counting unit and the acquired number of balls management device when the membership card is returned and received (when the membership card return notification is not delivered to the acquired number of balls management device). FIG. FIG. 29 is a third diagram showing information exchange (when the card update result does not arrive at each unit counting unit) between each unit counting unit and the acquired number-of-balls management device when the member card is returned and received. is there. FIG. 30 is a fourth diagram showing information exchange between each unit counting unit and the acquired number of balls management device when the membership card is returned (when the number of held balls fails in the acquired number of balls management device). is there. FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an example of a closing process performed by the ball rental ticket control unit. FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing an example of power-on processing performed by the ball lending ticket control unit and the counting control unit. FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the ball lending ticket control unit and the count control unit when power interruption and counting occur during counting determination. FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing another example of processing performed by the ball lending ticket control unit and the count control unit when a power interruption and a count occur during counting. FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a power-on process performed by the ball rental ticket control unit and the count control unit in the second embodiment. FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by the ball lending ticket control unit and the counting control unit when power interruption and counting occur during counting determination in the second embodiment. FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing another example of processing performed by the ball lending ticket control unit and the counting control unit when power interruption and counting occur during counting determination in the second embodiment. FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a replay process performed by the ball rental ticket control unit and the acquired ball number management device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the exchange process performed by the ball rental ticket control unit and the acquired ball number management device according to the third embodiment. 40A and 40B are views showing a first modification of the gaming apparatus according to the present invention, in which FIG. 40A is a front view and FIG. 40B is a cross-sectional right side view of the holding card unit. 41A and 41B are views showing a second modification of the gaming apparatus according to the present invention, in which FIG. 41A is a front view and FIG. 41B is a cross-sectional right side view of a ball lending ticket processing unit.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the database is abbreviated as “DB”, the reader / writer is abbreviated as “R / W”, and step S is abbreviated as “S”.

  The gaming device (each unit counting unit 50) according to the present invention is provided corresponding to the gaming machine (pachinko machine 10) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and as shown in FIGS. Counting means (ball counter 35) for receiving and counting game media (pachinko balls) and payout processing for paying out game media within the range of the number of counted game media (counted ball count) counted by the counting means. This is a so-called counter-counting game device having at least a payout processing means (ball lending ticket control unit 22).

  In each of the counter counting units 50, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that is a payout processing means is provided in the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 that is individually identified by the ticket issuing unit ID stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22. The ball counter 35 as a counting means is provided in the counting unit 30 that is individually identified by the counting unit ID stored in the counting control unit 31, and the ball rental ticket processing unit 20 and the counting unit 30 are Communication is possible, and at least one of the ball rental ticket processing unit 20 and the counting unit 30 is detachable. That is, each unit counting unit 50 is composed of a combination of a ball lending ticket processing unit 20 having an arbitrary ticketing unit ID and a counting unit 30 having an arbitrary counting unit ID, and one of the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 and the counting unit 30 is In the case of a failure or the like, the defective ball lending ticket processing unit 20 or the counting unit 30 can be operated again by replacing the defective ball lending ticket processing unit 20 or the counting unit 30 with a non-failed ball lending ticket processing unit 20 or the counting unit 30.

  The ball lending ticket processing unit 20 also includes a count storage means (card table) for storing the number of count game media (count ball count) counted by the count means, and the number of count game media stored in the count value storage means. The payout request transmitting means for transmitting a payout request for executing the payout process for paying out the game medium within the range is further included, and the counting unit 30 performs the payout process based on the reception of the payout request. It also functions as a payout control unit having payout means to be executed.

  In each unit counting unit 50, the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 or the counting unit 30 that has failed is replaced or a power interruption occurs during counting of game media or game media payout processing. When the storage of the count value by the lending ticket control unit 22 and the payout process by the count control unit 31 are not normally performed, the player can perform the count value recovery process and the payout recovery process under certain conditions, thereby allowing the player to It is characterized in that it does not suffer from disadvantages. Here, in the present invention, the first embodiment (FIG. 32) in which the ball lending ticket control unit 22 determines whether or not to perform the count value recovery process and the payout recovery process, and the count control unit 31 performs the first determination. Two embodiments (FIG. 35) are included.

  Further, in each unit counting unit 50, the counting unit 30 determines an abnormality relating to counting by the ball counter 35 as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, and the count value counted by the ball counter 35 as shown in FIG. Is transmitted to the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 which is the control unit, and the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 receives the received operation instruction as shown in FIGS. Abnormality is determined on the basis of the count value specified from the response, and as shown in FIG. 11, the abnormality determination processing (S304, S307, S354) is performed based on the abnormality determination by the counting unit 30 (S301). As shown in FIG. 14, the game medium number abnormality notification process (S402) is performed based on the abnormality determination by the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 (S401), whereby the counting in the counting unit 30 is performed. Compared to the case where only the abnormality monitoring is performed, the abnormality in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 of the number of game media can be monitored, so that the abnormality associated with the counting performed by each unit counting unit 50 can be monitored more accurately. There is.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the gaming system 1 according to the present invention includes the gaming device (each unit counting unit 50) and a management device (acquired ball number management device 61) that can communicate with each unit counting unit 50. ) At least. This acquired number-of-balls management device 61 is associated with a card ID, which is identification information of the member card 2 issued to a member player, in the member acquired number-of-balls table shown in FIG. The number of possessed balls, the number of stored balls, and the transaction serial number are stored and managed, and in the visitor-acquired ball number table shown in FIG. 15B, the identification information of the visitor card 3 issued to the visitor player The number of balls is stored and managed in association with a certain card ID. This number of balls is the number of balls that can be used for prize exchanges and games only on the day of the player's acquisition, and the number of stored balls is also used for prize exchange and games after the day of acquisition and saving by the player. This is the number of acquired balls that can be used. Further, the transaction serial number is set and stored in response to reception of a member card reception notification (to be described later) transmitted from each vehicle counting unit 50, and is transmitted to each vehicle counting unit 50 in a card reception result to be described later. Code stored in the card table. In the following, when the membership card 2 and the visitor card 3 are not distinguished from each other, they are simply referred to as “cards”, and when the membership acquisition ball number table and the visitor acquisition ball number table are not distinguished from each other, simply “acquisition”. This is referred to as a “ball count table”.

  Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 stores the stored ball in the member acquisition ball count table in association with the card ID of the received member card 2 based on the reception of the member card 2 by the card R / W 23. In a payout process for paying out game media within a range of numbers, when a predetermined fee (for example, 10 fee balls for a payout set number of 125 balls) is set, the fee is calculated from the number of stored balls A first payout process (replay process) for paying out game media is performed within the range of the number of stored balls obtained by subtracting the minutes. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 stores the number of balls counted by the ball counter 35 and stored in the acquired ball number table in association with the card ID of the card. A second payout process (payout process) for paying out the game medium is performed within the range of the number of hand-held balls that is a total value with the number of held balls. In the second payout process, unlike the first payout process, no fee is collected.

  In addition, the ball rental ticket control unit 22 is a remote controller (not shown) operated by a game shop clerk to exchange a predetermined number of game media owned by the player and a desired article (for example, a wagon service drink). When the exchange request indicating the predetermined number (that is, the number of exchanged balls) is received, an exchange process for subtracting the predetermined number from the number of stored balls, the number of held balls, and / or the number of counted balls is performed. In this exchange process, priority is given to the number of stored balls for which fees are collected in the replay process by subtracting the number of stored balls → number of held balls → counted number of balls while accepting the membership card 2. The feature is that the number of balls that are not collected in the payout process and the number of balls that have been counted are preserved as much as possible so that the player is not disadvantaged as much as possible. While the visitor card 3 is being received, the subtraction is performed in the order of the number of possessed balls → the number of counted balls. Here, the present invention includes the first embodiment (FIG. 23) in which the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 performs subtraction of the number of stored balls and the third embodiment (FIG. 39) in which the ball rental ticket control unit 22 performs. It is.

  Further, when the ball lending ticket control unit 22 accepts the end operation (operation of the card return button 16) while accepting the membership card 2, it stores if each of the unit counting units 50 and the acquired number of balls management device 61 are online. An update request is sent to the acquired number-of-balls managing device 61 to update the number of counted balls in association with the card ID of the member card 2 to the number of possessed balls stored in the member acquired number-of-balls table. Then, the member card 2 is returned, and if each unit counting unit 50 and the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 are offline, the member card 2 is returned and the stored number of counting balls is recorded. Processing to eject the visitor card 3 is performed. In this way, the visitor card 3 on which the number of counting balls is recorded is discharged, and the visitor card 3 is received by each of the other unit counting units 50, whereby the counting number of balls recorded on the visitor card 3 is changed to the other counting card. It is characterized in that it can be used for games in the pachinko machine 10 corresponding to each counter unit 50.

  In addition, when the ball lending ticket control unit 22 accepts the end operation while the membership card 2 is not accepted, if each unit counting unit 50 and the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 are online, An update request for adding and updating the number of possessed balls stored in the visitor acquired number-of-balls table in association with the card ID of the visitor card 3 is transmitted to the acquired number-of-balls management device 61, and the counted number of balls is recorded. If the visitor card 3 is discharged, and each of the counting units 50 and the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 are offline, the process of discharging the visitor card 3 in which the stored number of balls is recorded is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming system 1 according to the present invention also includes the gaming device (each unit counting unit 50) and a remaining amount management device 60 that can communicate with each unit counting unit 50. This remaining amount management device 60 stores and manages a prepaid remaining amount that can be used for a game in association with the card ID of the card in the remaining amount DB. Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 communicates with the corresponding pachinko machine 10 and pays out and lends the game medium corresponding to the magnitude of the gaming value (prepaid balance) owned by the player from the gaming machine. Lending process (ball lending process).

  In the following, the first embodiment will be described first, then the second embodiment and the third embodiment will be described only with respect to differences from the first embodiment, and finally the modified example will be described.

[1. Each unit counting unit 50 and gaming system 1 according to the first embodiment]
First, the configuration of the present invention according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, a gaming system 1 including each vehicle counting unit 50 that is a gaming apparatus according to the present invention includes an island computer 63 provided on each of a plurality of gaming islands, and each gaming island. Can communicate with the island computer 63 provided on the game island, and can communicate with the plurality of pachinko machines 10 arranged on the game island and the island computer 63 provided on each game island. Each unit counting unit 50 (ball lending ticket processing unit 20 + counting unit 30) provided corresponding to each of the pachinko machines 10, a remaining amount management device 60 that can communicate with all the island computers 63, an acquired number of balls management device 61, And a hall computer 62.

  In the gaming apparatus and gaming system 1, as shown in FIG. 2B, a membership card 2 and a visitor card 3 which are gaming recording media are used. These cards include a non-contact type IC chip having a nonvolatile EEPROM as a recording area at a predetermined portion of a thin plastic plate having a rectangular shape. Incidentally, the card here includes a coin having a circular shape.

  The membership card 2 is a member recording medium issued to a player (member player) who has registered as a member at the game hall, and a card ID, which is information that can individually identify the recording medium, is an IC chip. Recorded in advance. This card ID is made up of an initial letter M indicating a member player, followed by a unique 5-digit number, and is recording medium type information that can be identified as a recording medium for a member. It is also the member identification information that can be identified. In addition, although the prepaid balance is recorded on the IC chip of the membership card 2, the number of possessed balls and the number of stored balls are not recorded.

  When this member card 2 is received by the card R / W 23 of the ball lending ticket processing unit 20, the ball lending process using the prepaid balance managed by the balance management device 60 in association with the card ID of the member card 2 is performed. It is possible to be managed by the acquired number-of-balls managing device 61 in association with the card ID, on condition that the password managed by the acquired number-of-balls managing device 61 is authenticated in association with the card ID. Replay processing using the number of stored balls can be performed, and payout processing using the number of balls managed by the acquired ball number management device 61 in association with the card ID can be performed. Exchange processing using numbers becomes possible.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 28 to 30 to be described later, when the membership card 2 is returned from each unit counting unit 50, each unit counting unit 50 and the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 go offline (Sm20). When each unit counting unit 50 enters the trouble mode by a remote control operation by an attendant at the game hall (Sm21), recovery information is recorded on the IC chip of the member card 2 and the member card 2 is returned (Sm22). ).

  Here, the recovery information is an update confirmation for confirming and correcting whether or not the number of counting balls stored in each card counting unit 50 in the card table is added to the number of possessed balls in the member acquired number of balls table. It is correction information, and includes a transaction serial number and an update unknown count ball number. The transaction sequence number is a transaction sequence number stored in the card table when offline detection is performed, and the update unknown count ball number is the count ball number stored in the card table when offline detection is detected.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 27, the transaction serial number is a code stored in common in the member acquisition ball number table of the acquired ball number management device 61 and the card table of each unit counting unit 50. The serial number is set based on the fact that the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 has received the membership card 2 (Sm01) and received the card acceptance notification (Sm02) transmitted from each unit counting unit 50 (Sm03). The transaction number in the table is stored based on the fact that each unit counting unit 50 has received the card acceptance result (Sm04) including the transaction number transmitted from the acquired ball number management device 61 for which the transaction number has been set in Sm03. (Sm05). Also, the transaction number of the member acquired number of balls table is the member acquired number of balls table received by receiving the member card return notification (Sm12) transmitted from each unit counting unit 50 that received the operation of the card return button 16 (Sm11). The number of balls managed is updated based on the updated number of balls managed (Sm13) (Sm14), and the transaction number of the card table is the number of balls acquired by each unit counting unit 50 updated the number of balls The card is counted up based on the reception of the card update result (Sm15) of the update OK transmitted from 61 (Sm16).

  The visitor card 3 is a general recording medium and a count recording medium that are issued to a player (visitor player) in a game hall, and a card ID, which is information that can individually identify the recording medium, is stored in an IC chip. Pre-recorded. This card ID is made up of an initial letter V indicating a visitor player, followed by a unique 5-digit number, and is also recording medium type information that can identify a general recording medium. The IC chip also records the prepaid balance and the number of balls.

  When this visitor card 3 is received by the card R / W 23 of the ball lending ticket processing unit 20, a ball lending process using the remaining amount managed by the remaining amount management device 60 in association with the card ID of the visitor card 3 is possible. In addition, a payout process using the number of balls managed by the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 in association with the card ID can be performed, and further, an exchange process using the number of balls can be performed. A visitor player, unlike a member player, cannot save money.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 28 to 30 to be described later, when the membership card 2 is returned from each unit counting unit 50, each unit counting unit 50 and the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 go offline (Sm20). When each unit counting unit 50 enters the trouble mode by a remote control operation by an attendant at the game hall (Sm21), the number of unknown update counting balls is placed on the IC chip of the visitor card 3 conveyed from the card stocker 23b to the card R / W 23. Is recorded as the number of holding balls, an offline flag is recorded, and the visitor card 3 is returned (Sm23). Here, the offline flag is information indicating that the visitor card 3 has been issued in an offline state.

  Here, the remaining amount management device 60, the acquired number of balls management device 61, the hall computer 62, and the island computer 63 will be described with reference to FIG. These balance management device 60, earned ball number management device 61, hall computer 62, and island computer 63 include a communication unit, a control unit, a storage device (hard disk), a display device (display), and an input device (input device). It has a computer.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the remaining amount management device 60 is a gaming value possessed by a player in association with the card ID of the member card 2 or the visitor card 3 in the remaining amount DB, and the player has paid in advance. A prepaid balance that is a prepaid value is stored and managed. When the remaining amount management device 60 receives an addition request including the card ID and the deposit amount provided for the deposit process from the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 that performs the deposit process (Sa13 in FIG. 15), the remaining amount management apparatus 60 responds to the card ID. Then, the deposit amount is added to the prepaid balance managed and attached, and an addition completion notice is returned. When receiving a subtraction request including the card ID and the used amount used for the ball lending process from the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 that performs the ball lending process (S12a in FIG. 15), the card lending process is associated with the card ID and managed. The used amount is subtracted from the remaining prepaid amount, and a subtraction completion notice is returned.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 associates the card ID of the member card 2 with the PIN number, the number of balls, the number of stored balls (the number of stored game media) in the member acquired number-of-balls table. ), And transaction serial numbers are stored and managed. Here, the number of possessed balls + the number of accumulated balls is the number of balls acquired by the member player. Although not shown, the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 associates the card ID of the member card 2 with the personal information (name, postal code, address, and telephone number) of the member player registered at the time of member registration. Etc.) are also stored and managed.

  When the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 receives a card reception notification including the card ID and password of the member card 2 from the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 that performs the card reception processing (Sa11 in FIG. 15), the card reception processing is performed. A condition is that the collation between the personal identification number included in the notification and the personal identification number stored in the member acquisition ball number table in association with the card ID included in the card acceptance notification is OK (YES in Sc21 in FIG. 17). In addition, the card acceptance result of the verification OK including the number of possessed balls, the number of accumulated balls, and the transaction serial number stored in the member acquisition ball number table in association with the card ID is returned (Sc30). The processing in the case where the received card reception notification includes recovery information (transaction serial number and update unknown count ball number) will be described later.

  Further, when the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 receives a ball subtraction request including the card ID of the member card 2 and the number of balls to be paid out from the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 that performs a payout process (Sa14 in FIG. 15), By subtracting the number of payout balls included in the holding ball subtraction request from the number of balls stored in the member acquisition ball number table in association with the card ID included in the ball subtraction request, the number of balls after subtraction is included. It returns a response to subtract the ball.

  In addition, the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 sends a set number of withdrawals (for example, 125 balls), which is a subtraction value from the card ID of the member card 2 and the number of accumulated balls, from the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 that performs the replay process (Sa15 in FIG. 15). ) + Reserved ball subtraction request (Sh13 in FIG. 22) including the number of commission balls (for example, 10 balls), the stored ball stored in the member acquired ball number table in association with the card ID included in the stored ball subtraction request The subtraction value (the number of payouts + the number of commission balls) included in the storage ball subtraction request is subtracted from the number (same as Sh14), and a storage ball subtraction response including the number of storage balls after subtraction is returned (S15).

  Further, the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 sends a storage-subtraction request (Si13 in FIG. 23) including the card ID of the member card 2 and the subtraction value of the number of stored balls from the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 that performs the exchange process (Sa16 in FIG. 15). ) Is subtracted from the number of stored balls associated with the card ID included in the stored ball subtraction request and stored in the member acquired ball number table (same as Si14). A stored ball subtraction response including the number of stored balls is returned (Si 15). Since the number of stored balls is less than the number of exchanged balls (that is, the number of exchanged balls cannot be subtracted from the number of stored balls alone, it is necessary to subtract from the number of held balls), the card ID of the member card 2 and the number of stored balls When a storage ball subtraction request (the same Si33) including the subtraction value and the subtraction value of the number of balls is received, the storage ball stored in the member acquisition ball number table in association with the card ID included in the storage ball subtraction request The subtraction value of the number of stored balls included in the stored ball subtraction request is subtracted from the number (Si34), and the number of held balls included in the stored ball subtraction request is subtracted from the number of held balls stored in the member acquired ball number table. The value is subtracted (Si 35), and a stored ball subtraction response including the number of stored balls and the number of possessed balls after the subtraction is returned (Si 36).

  Also, the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 returns the membership card including the card ID of the membership card 2 and the number of balls in hand from the ball lending ticket processing section 20 that performs the card return processing of the membership card 2 (Sa17 in FIG. 15). When the notification (Sm12 in FIG. 27) is received, the number of coins stored in the member acquisition ball count table in association with the card ID included in the member card return notification is included in the member card return notification. (Sm13), the transaction serial number is counted up (Sm14), and the card update result of the update OK is returned (Sm15).

  Also, when the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 receives a prize exchange request including the card ID of the member card 2 and the number of balls used for the prize exchange from a POS terminal (not shown) that performs the prize exchange process, the card ID The number of balls used for exchanging prizes is subtracted from the number of stored balls stored in the member acquired number-of-balls table in association with the stored number of balls including the card ID of the member card 2 and the number of balls to be stored from the POS terminal. When the request is received, the number of balls to be stored is added to the number of balls stored in association with the card ID.

  Further, the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 deletes the number of balls held associated with the card ID of the member card 2 and adds it to the number of balls after the business day ends. That is, the number of possessed balls associated with the card ID of the member card 2 is automatically reflected in the number of stored balls after the end of the business day, and can be used from the next day.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7B, the acquired ball number management device 61 stores and manages the number of balls in association with the card ID of the visitor card 3 in the visitor acquired ball number table. Here, the number of balls is the number of balls acquired by the visitor player.

  When the acquired ball number management device 61 receives a card reception notification including the card ID of the visitor card 3 and the number of balls from the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 that performs the card reception process (Sa11 in FIG. 15), the card Matching the number of balls included in the reception notification with the number of balls stored in the visitor acquisition ball number table in association with the card ID included in the card reception notification is OK (YES in Sc15 in FIG. 17). ) On the condition, the card acceptance result of verification OK including the number of balls is returned (Sc13). The processing when the received card acceptance notification includes an offline flag will be described later.

  Further, when the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 receives a ball subtraction request including the card ID of the visitor card 3 and the number of balls to be paid out from the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 that performs a payout process (Sa14 in FIG. 15), By subtracting the number of payout balls included in the holding ball subtraction request from the number of balls stored in the visitor acquired ball number table in association with the card ID included in the ball subtraction request, the number of balls after subtraction is included. It returns a response to subtract the ball.

  Further, the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 receives a savings ball subtraction request including the card ID of the member card 2 and the set number of withdrawals + the number of commission balls from the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 that performs the replay process (Sa15 in FIG. 15). Then, after subtracting the set number of payouts + the number of commission balls included in the storage ball subtraction request from the number of storage balls stored in the member acquisition ball number table in association with the card ID included in the storage ball subtraction request, Returns a savings subtraction response including the number of savings.

  Also, when the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 receives a ball subtraction request including the card ID of the visitor card 3 and the subtraction value of the number of balls from the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 that performs the exchange process (Sa16 in FIG. 15). The number of balls after subtraction is obtained by subtracting the subtraction value included in the holding ball subtraction request from the number of balls stored in the visitor acquisition ball number table in association with the card ID included in the holding ball subtraction request. Reply with a ball subtraction response containing.

  Further, when the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 receives a stored ball subtraction request including the card ID of the member card 2 and the subtracted value of the number of stored balls from the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 that performs the exchange process (Sa16 in FIG. 15), By subtracting the subtraction value included in the storage ball subtraction request from the storage ball number stored in the member acquisition ball number table in association with the card ID included in the storage ball subtraction request, a storage ball subtraction response including the number of storage balls after the subtraction is obtained. Send back. In addition, when the subtraction value of the number of balls is included in the storage ball subtraction request, it is included in the storage ball subtraction request from the number of balls stored in the member acquisition ball number table in association with the card ID included in the storage ball subtraction request. The subtraction value to be subtracted is subtracted, and a storage ball subtraction response including the number of retained balls after the subtraction is returned.

  Further, the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 sends a visitor card return notification including the card ID of the visitor card 3 and the number of balls in hand from the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 that performs the card return process of the visitor card 3 (Sa17 in FIG. 15). Is updated to the number of possessed balls included in the visitor card return notification, the number of possessed balls stored in the visitor acquired ball count table in association with the card ID included in the visitor card return notification, Reply notification of update completion.

  Further, the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 sends a membership card return notification including the card ID of the membership card 2 and the number of balls in hand from the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 that performs the card return processing of the membership card 2 (Sa17 in FIG. 15). Is received, the number of possessed balls stored in the member acquisition ball count table in association with the card ID included in the member card return notification is updated to the number of possessed balls included in the member card return notification, Reply the card update result.

  Furthermore, the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 deletes the number of balls that are associated with the card ID of the visitor card 3 after the business day ends. That is, the number of balls associated with the card ID of the visitor card 3 is automatically deleted after the business day ends and becomes invalid. Further, the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 transmits a tightening process signal to all the counting units 50 after the end of business on that day.

  The hall computer 62 passes through each of the plurality of island computers 63 to each of the plurality of pachinko machines 10 and the respective unit counting units 50 (the communication unit 21b in the ball rental ticket processing unit 20) under the control of each island computer 63. It is connected so as to be communicable with each other and collects various game information.

  The island computer 63 is connected to each pachinko machine 10 and each unit counting unit 50 that is connected (that is, disposed on the amusement island where the island computer 63 is provided), the remaining amount management device 60, the acquired ball number management device 61, and the hall. This is a relay device that relays data communication with the computer 62.

  The gaming system 1 supports a plurality of pachinko ball lending rates (for example, 4 yen and 1 yen). Specifically, the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 stores the number of held balls and the number of stored balls for each loan rate. Further, each of the counting units 50 stores the lending rate applied to itself in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 and the counting control unit 31, and acquires the number of balls stored and the number of balls held at the lending rate. Memorize at the card table. The loan rate is stored in each unit counting unit 50. First, the loan rate control unit 22 uses a loan rate storage unit (not shown) for the loan rate transmitted from the remaining amount management device 60 or the acquired number of balls management device 61. The stored loan rate is transmitted from the ball lending ticket control unit 22 to the count control unit 31, and the count control unit 31 uses the loan rate storage unit (not shown) to transmit the transmitted loan rate. Remember. In the following, an example in which the lending rate stored in each unit counting unit 50 is 4 yen will be described.

  Next, the pachinko machine 10 will be described. The pachinko machine 10 is an example of a gaming machine, and corresponds to each unit counting unit 50 (here, adjacent to the right side of the ball lending ticket processing unit 20) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A. The pachinko ball is paid out from the pachinko machine 10 according to the ball lending processing performed by the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 by communicating with the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 of each corresponding counter unit 50 provided. This is a so-called CR-type pachinko machine. This pachinko machine 10 is arranged according to the model of the pachinko machine 10 on the game island provided in the game hall, and is individually identified by a unique machine number.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the pachinko machine 10 is provided with a game area, an upper plate, a lower plate, a launching handle, and the like on the front surface, and a remaining frequency indicator 14, a ball lending button 15, And a card return button 16, and as shown in FIG. 1, a game control board 11, a payout control board 12, a ball payout device 13, etc. are provided therein, and each of these components is as shown in FIG. It is connected to the.

  The game control board 11 controls the gaming state in the pachinko machine 10. The payout control board 12 is communicably connected to the ball lending communication unit 21a of the ball lending ticket processing unit 20, and manages communication between the pachinko machine 10 and the ball lending ticket processing unit 20. Thereby, in the ball lending process (Sa12 in FIG. 15), the payout process (Sa14), and the replay process (Sa15), signals are exchanged with the ball lending ticket processing unit 20. The payout control board 12 is connected to the ball payout device 13 and controls the ball payout device 13. The ball payout device 13 pays out a pachinko ball in a ball lending process, a payout process, and a replay process, and also pays out a pachinko ball (so-called prize ball) given to a player as a result of the game.

  The remaining frequency indicator 14 is a prepaid balance (that is, a card table shown in FIG. 3) recorded on the card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) received by the card R / W 23 of the corresponding ball lending ticket processing unit 20. It is a display for displaying the remaining frequency specified from the stored prepaid balance, and here it is constituted by a 2-digit 7-segment display. In this remaining frequency indicator 14, the remaining frequency is displayed by inputting a frequency display signal indicating the remaining frequency from the ball lending communication unit 21a. The remaining frequency included in the frequency display signal is a quotient calculated by the formula “prepaid balance / minimum unit value (100 yen in this case)”. The remaining frequency displayed on the remaining frequency display 14 is updated and displayed every time the prepaid balance stored in the card table is updated.

  The ball lending button 15 is for performing a ball lending process using the prepaid balance recorded on the card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) received by the card R / W 23 of the corresponding ball lending ticket processing unit 20. A button for accepting a ball lending operation. When this ball lending button 15 is operated, a lending input signal is sent to the ball lending communication unit 21a via a lending input signal line provided via a detection circuit (not shown) between the ball lending communication unit 21a. , And the detection circuit detects the input of the lending input signal, so that the ball lending ticket control unit 22 recognizes that the ball lending button 15 has been operated, and the ball lending process (Sa12 in FIG. 15). I do.

  The card return button 16 is a button for receiving a return operation for returning the card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) received by the card R / W 23 of the corresponding ball lending ticket processing unit 20. When this card return button 16 is operated, a return input signal is sent to the ball lending communication unit 21a via a return input signal line provided between the ball lending communication unit 21a and a detection circuit (not shown). Is detected and the detection circuit detects the input of the return input signal, so that the ball lending ticket control unit 22 recognizes that the card return button 16 has been operated, and the card return process (Sa17 in FIG. 15). I do.

  The remaining frequency indicator 14, the ball lending button 15, and the card return button 16 are provided on the front surface (here, the upper plate) of the pachinko machine 10, as shown in FIG. Since it is connected to the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 as shown in FIG. 4, it belongs to the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 constituting the gaming apparatus.

  In this pachinko machine 10, when the launch handle is operated, the pachinko balls on the upper plate are driven into the game area and a game is played. Then, when the hit ball that has been driven into the game area wins the start winning opening, the variable display device starts to fluctuate. When the display result of the symbol displayed on the variable display device is in a specific mode, a big hit occurs. . Further, when the hitting ball wins a winning opening (a start winning opening, a general winning opening, or a large winning opening that is opened when a big hit is made), a prize ball is paid out from the ball dispensing device 13 under the control of the dispensing control board 12. The paid-out prize ball is first guided to the upper plate, and when the upper plate is full, it is guided to the lower plate. Then, when the drop lever (not shown) is operated, the prize ball guided to the lower plate falls from the lower plate and is received by the ball receiving unit 32 of the counting unit 30. Although not shown, the hit balls are collected by an out tank provided behind the pachinko machine 10, counted by a hit ball counter, and taken into the game island after counting.

  Next, the ball rental ticket processing unit 20 of each unit counting unit 50 will be described. The ball lending ticket processing unit 20 constitutes a gaming device, and corresponds to the pachinko machine 10 that is a gaming machine (here, the left side of the pachinko machine 10), as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), and has a vertically long box shape. As shown in FIG. 2 (a), a multi-function lamp 26, a bill insertion slot 25a, a protrusion 20a, and a card are inserted on the front surface thereof. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), a bill discriminator 25, a ball lending communication unit 21a, an on-site communication unit 21b, a ball lending ticket control unit 22, an infrared light receiving unit 27, a card R / W23, a card stocker 23b, and the like, and a touch panel display 24 is provided on the right side of the projecting portion 20a (that is, the side facing the player), and these components are connected as shown in FIG.

  In addition, in the lower part of the ball lending ticket processing unit 20, an external unit 30a of the counting unit 30 is arranged on the front surface, and an internal unit 30b of the counting unit 30 is arranged inside, which will be described later. In addition, a supply path 28 for guiding the pachinko balls supplied from the game island to the internal unit 30b is provided inside the ball rental ticket processing unit 20. The ball lending ticket processing unit 20 and the counting unit 30 constitute each unit counting unit 50 that is a gaming device, and each unit counting unit 50 is individually identified by the unit number of the corresponding pachinko machine 10. .

  As described above, the ball lending communication unit 21a is communicably connected to the payout control board 12 of the pachinko machine 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the on-site communication unit 21b is communicably connected to the remaining amount management device 60, the acquired number-of-balls management device 61, and the hall computer 62 via the island computer 63. This unit controls communication with the unit 20 (each unit counting unit 50).

  The ball lending ticket control unit 22 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, and the like. The processing program stored in the ROM is executed by the CPU using the RAM as a work area, so that the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 Various operations are performed by controlling the operation of each component provided.

  The EEPROM of the ball rental ticket control unit 22 stores a card table shown in FIG. In this card table, the card ID read from the card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) received by the card R / W 23, the prepaid balance corresponding to the card ID, the number of balls, the number of balls, the number of balls, and The transaction serial number is stored and updated (however, the number of stored balls and the transaction serial number are accepted only when the member card 2 is accepted). As described above, the number of balls and the number of stored balls stored here are the number of balls and the number of stored balls at the loan rate stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22. Further, the total value of the number of balls and the number of balls that are stored here is the number of balls on hand. Furthermore, the number of stored balls and the transaction serial number are stored only when the member card 2 is accepted.

  Here, the card ID is stored in the card reception process. The prepaid balance is stored in the card reception process, subtracted and updated in the ball lending process, and added and updated in the deposit process. Further, the number of balls to be counted may be added and updated when counting is performed by the ball counter 35, may be subtracted and updated by a payout process, and may be further subtracted and updated by a replacement process. The number of possessed balls is stored in the card reception process and may be subtracted and updated in the payout process, or may be subtracted and updated in the exchange process. Further, the number of stored balls may be stored in the card reception process, subtracted and updated in the replay process, and subtracted and updated in the exchange process. The transaction serial number is stored in the card reception process and updated in the card return process. The stored contents of these card tables are erased by the card return process.

  The EEPROM of the ball rental ticket control unit 22 stores a storage table shown in FIG. In this storage table, the ticket issuing unit ID of the ball rental ticket processing unit 20, the counting sequence number that is the second counting processing information, the count value, and the dispensing sequence number that is the first dispensing processing information are stored in association with each other. The Here, the ticket issuing unit ID is stored in advance. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the counting sequence number is updated and stored in S124 based on the reception of the operation instruction response D (that is, the count end notification) in S123 indicating that counting is not in progress. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the count value is updated and stored in S115 based on the reception of the operation instruction response B (ie, count information) in S114 indicating the count value in the middle of counting (cumulative value from the start of counting). At the same time, based on the reception of the operation instruction response C (ie, count information) in S119 indicating the count value after completion of counting (cumulative value from the start of counting), it is updated and stored in S120. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the payout sequence number is updated at Sg01 based on the start of the payout process (in other words, with the transmission of the operation instruction G of Sg02 indicating the start of payout (ie, payout request)). Remembered.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the card R / W 23 accepts insertion of a card (member card 2 or visitor card) from the card insertion slot 23a and reads the card ID and the prepaid balance from the IC chip of the card. It is. The card stocker 23b is provided behind the card R / W 23 and stores a predetermined number (for example, 10) of visitor cards 3. In this card stocker 23b, the ball lending process is performed, the prepaid balance becomes zero, and the visitor card 3 having the number of possessed balls is taken in and stored. The visitor card 3 stored in the card stocker 23b is referred to as a “stock card”.

  The touch panel display 24 is a display device that displays various types of information and an input device that accepts input of various types of information. On the display 24, a main screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. In this main screen, the number of hand possessions stored in the card table of FIG. 3 is displayed, and a “payout” button for accepting a payout operation for performing a payout process using the number of hand possessions is displayed. The When the number of stored balls is stored in the card table (that is, when a member card is accepted at the card R / W 23), the number of stored balls is displayed and replay processing using the number of stored balls is performed. A “replay” button for accepting a replay operation for performing is displayed. In addition, the number of hand held balls and the number of stored balls displayed on the main screen are updated and displayed each time the number of hand held balls and the number of stored balls stored in the card table are updated.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the bill validator 25 accepts insertion of bills (1000 yen bills, 2000 yen bills, 5000 yen bills, or 10000 yen bills) from the bill insertion slot 25a and identifies the bills. To do. The identified banknotes are transported through the banknote passage 25b provided behind the banknote discriminator 25, taken into the game island, and collected in a safe provided at the end of the game island through the transport path provided in the game island. Is done.

  The multi-function lamp 26 emits light by lighting and / or blinking in various colors, thereby notifying according to the light emission mode, for example, communication abnormality notification shown in S204 of FIG. 9, S305 of FIG. In addition, the count abnormality notification shown in S355, the count value abnormality notification shown in S402 in FIG.

  The infrared light receiving unit 27 receives a signal transmitted from a remote controller operated by a store clerk in the game hall, and the reception of the signal is recognized by the ball lending ticket control unit 22. The infrared light receiving unit 27 transmits a predetermined number (that is, the number of exchanged balls) transmitted from the remote controller when exchanging a predetermined number of game media owned by the player and a desired article (for example, a drink of a wagon service). ), The ball rental ticket control unit 22 recognizes the reception of the update request (determines YES in Sa06 in FIG. 15), and performs the exchange process (same Sa16). Further, when the infrared light receiving unit 27 receives a trouble mode shift request transmitted from the remote controller when an off-line occurs between each unit counting unit 50 and the acquired number-of-balls management device 61, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 Recognizes the reception of the shift request and shifts to the trouble mode (Sm21 in FIGS. 28 to 30).

  Next, the counting unit 30 of each unit counting unit 50 will be described. The counting unit 30 constitutes a part of the gaming apparatus, and has a ball counter 35 that is a counting unit that receives and counts pachinko balls that are game media, and also functions as a payout unit that pays out pachinko balls. To do. The pachinko balls counted by the ball counter 35 are taken into the game island. As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the counting unit 30 includes an external unit 30a disposed on the front surface in the lower part of the ball lending ticket processing unit 20, and a ball lending ticket processing unit as shown in FIG. 2 (b). The counting unit 30 and the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 constitute an individual unit counting unit 50 that is a gaming device. Hereinafter, the structure of the counting unit 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

  Inside the external unit 30a, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), a ball receiving portion 32 that receives a pachinko ball dropped from the lower plate of the pachinko machine 10, and a downstream side of the ball receiving portion 32, A shutter 33 that enables or disables pachinko balls on the ball receiving portion 32 to be received by the ball counter 35 and a tray 40 provided above the ball receiving portion 32 are provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, an LED (light emitting diode) 41 is provided on the front surface of the external unit 30a.

  Here, the shutter 33 is opened on the condition that there is a stock card in the card stocker 23b, and is closed when there is no stock card. Further, even if there is a stock card in the card stocker 23b, the shutter 33 is closed when counting is prohibited in the counting unit 30. Further, the shutter 33 is urged by a spring force in a closing (closing) direction, and is released by exciting a solenoid (not shown) corresponding to the shutter 33 under the control of the counting control unit 31. Accordingly, when the power of each counter unit 50 is turned off, the solenoid is not excited and the shutter 33 is closed by the urging force. According to this, since the shutter 33 is in an unacceptable state when the power is turned off, it is possible to prevent counting at the time of power interruption after closing the store or during a power failure during business.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), the internal unit 30 b communicates with the end portion on the downstream side of the ball receiving portion 32 to guide the pachinko balls received in the ball receiving portion 32 to the amusement island. An inflow path 34, a ball counter 35 that is provided on the downstream side of the inflow path 34 and counts pachinko balls flowing down in the inflow path 34, and receives the pachinko balls supplied from the supply path 28 to receive the tray 40. A discharge path 36 for leading to the discharge path, a ball detection sensor 37 provided on the upstream side of the discharge path 36 for detecting whether pachinko balls are supplied from the supply path 28, and the discharge path 36 A sprocket 38 is provided downstream of the ball detection sensor 37 and rotates to send out pachinko balls one by one to the downstream, and is provided downstream of the sprocket 38 in the discharge path 36. A payout counter 39 is provided for counting the pachinko balls fed one by one by the rotation of the socket 38.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a solenoid (not shown) for driving the shutter 33, each counting sensor provided in the ball counter 35, a ball detection sensor 37, a motor (not shown) for driving the sprocket 38, and a payout counter 39 are provided. The payout sensor and the LED 41 are connected to the counting control unit 31 of the counting unit 30.

  Here, the counting control unit 31 functions as a shutter control unit that controls the shutter 33 in an acceptable state (open state) in which pachinko balls can be received or in an unacceptable state (closed state) in which pachinko balls cannot be received. Here, based on the fact that a predetermined counting prohibition condition is satisfied, the shutter 33 is controlled to an unacceptable state. The counting prohibition conditions include, for example, no stock card, no card acceptance, no PIN number input, maintenance, and error.

  The counting control unit 31 is communicably connected to the ball lending ticket control unit 22 of the ball lending ticket processing unit 20, and communication by polling is performed between the two at a predetermined interval (for example, 500 msec interval). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8 and the like which will be described later, first, an operation instruction is transmitted from the ball lending ticket control unit 22 to the count control unit 31 at intervals of 500 msec, and count control is performed according to the operation instruction. An operation instruction response is returned from the unit 31 to the ball rental ticket control unit 22. Communication between the two will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The EEPROM of the counting control unit 31 stores a storage table shown in FIG. In this storage table, the ticket issuing unit ID of the currently installed ball rental ticket processing unit 20, the counting sequence number that is the first counting processing information, the count value, the dispensing sequence number that is the second dispensing processing information, and the payout schedule The number and the paid-out number are stored in association with each other. Here, as shown in FIG. 32, the ticket issuing unit ID is transmitted from the corresponding ball rental ticket control unit 22 and is a connected device confirmation instruction in S1001 indicating the ticket issuing unit ID of the corresponding ball rental ticket processing unit 20. Based on the reception, it is stored in S1022, S1043, or S1053. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the counting sequence number is updated and stored in S112 based on the occurrence of counting. Further, the count value is added and updated according to the progress of the count and stored. As shown in FIG. 21, the payout serial number is updated and stored in Sg03 based on the reception of the operation instruction G (that is, payout request) of Sg02 indicating the start of payout. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the scheduled payout number is stored in Sg03 based on the reception of the operation instruction G (that is, the payout request) of Sg02 indicating the payout number. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the number of paid-outs is added and updated as the payout progresses and stored.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 6, the structure of the inflow path 34 and the ball counter 35 is demonstrated. The inflow channel 34 includes a first lane 341 and a second lane 342 which are parallel in plan view. The ball counter 35 includes a counting sensor 351a provided on the upstream side of the first lane 341, a counting sensor 351b provided on the downstream side of the first lane 341, a counting sensor 352a provided on the upstream side of the second lane 342, It consists of a counting sensor 352b provided on the downstream side of the second lane 342. Hereinafter, the counting sensors 351a, 351b, 352a, and 352b may be simply referred to as “counting sensors”.

  These counting sensors are photosensors. When the pachinko ball passes through the upstream counting sensor 351b and then passes through the downstream counting sensor 351b in the first lane 341, the pulse width corresponding to the passage time between the two counting sensors. Is output to the ball lending ticket control unit 22, and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 performs a plus count and increments the count value by one. Similarly, in the second lane 342, when the pachinko ball passes the downstream counting sensor 352b after passing the upstream counting sensor 352a, a counting pulse having a pulse width corresponding to the passing time between both counting sensors is output. It is input to the ball lending ticket control unit 22, and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 performs a plus count and increments the count value by one.

  If a pachinko ball flows backward due to a failure or the like, and the pachinko ball passes through the counting sensor 351a on the upstream side after passing the counting sensor 351b on the downstream side in the first lane 341, a pulse corresponding to the passing time between both counting sensors. A width counting pulse is output and input to the ball lending ticket control unit 22, and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 performs a negative count to decrement the count value. Similarly, in the second lane 342, when the pachinko ball passes the downstream counting sensor 352a after passing the downstream counting sensor 352b, a counting pulse having a pulse width corresponding to the passing time between both counting sensors is output. It is input to the ball lending ticket control unit 22, and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 performs a minus count and decrements the count value by −1.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the flow of the pachinko balls in the counting unit 30 will be described. When a pachinko ball is dropped from the lower plate of the pachinko machine 10 during standby (that is, when the shutter 33 is open) shown in FIG. 8 to be described later, the pachinko ball is received by the ball receiving portion 32 and flows down downstream. Then, after passing through the shutter 33, it flows down in the inflow path 34 and is counted by the ball counter 35. The pachinko balls counted by the ball counter 35 are taken into the game island. The count value obtained by the ball counter 35 is detected by the count control unit 31 and transmitted to the ball lending ticket control unit 22 of the ball lending ticket processing unit 20. Will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 34, the operation of each vehicle counting unit 50 and the acquired number of balls management device 61 according to the first embodiment will be described. In each of the counting units 50, first, before starting the business, the power is turned on and the power-on process is performed. During the business, the business process and the counting process are performed. The closing process signal is received from 61, and the closing process is performed. Here, for convenience of explanation, the counting process and related processes will be described first with reference to FIGS. Referring to FIG. 30, the business process and the related process will be described. Next, with reference to FIG. 31, the closing process will be described. Finally, with reference to FIGS. Processing and related processing will be described.

  First, with reference to FIG. 8 to FIG. 14, the counting process performed by each unit counting unit 50 and the process related thereto will be described. In each unit counting unit 50, as shown in FIG. 8, the ball control unit 31 of the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 and the count control unit 31 of the counting unit 30 communicate with each other so that the counting control unit 31 The count value obtained by the ball counter 35 is stored in a storage table, and the count value is transmitted to the ball rental ticket control unit 22. The ball rental ticket control unit 22 stores the count value in the storage table, and the counting is completed. When the notification (operation instruction response D in S123) is received, the count value stored in the storage table is added to the number of counting balls stored in the card table, and the result is determined. Here, the confirmation process means that the counting balls are stored in the member earning ball count table or the visitor earning ball count table as the counting ball count, so that it can be used in the prize exchange or other unit counting unit 50. Specifically, when there is an operation of the card return button 16, a member card return notification or visitor card return notification including the number of hands held including the counted number of balls is sent to the acquired number management device 61. By performing the process to be transmitted as a confirmation process, the number of hand possessed balls included in the member card return notice or visitor card return notice is stored in the member acquired ball number table or visitor acquired ball number table. 10 to 12, the count control unit 31 performs a count abnormality determination process, and as illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 14, the ball rental ticket control unit 22 performs a count value abnormality determination process.

  First, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the counting process performed by each counter unit 50. Here, both the ball lending ticket control unit 22 and the count control unit 31 store the count sequence number as described above. This counting sequence number is the same during counting standby, and is shifted by one from the start of counting until the next standby (specifically, the counting sequence number of the count control unit 31 is incremented by one). Number). Furthermore, the counting control unit 31 stores “not counting” as the counting state in the counting state storage unit (not shown) unless counting is performed by the ball counter 35, and the counting by the ball counter 35 is performed. Then, “counting in progress” is stored, and when a series of counting ends, “counting end detection” is stored.

  When the ball lending ticket control unit 22 accepts the card by the card R / W 23 in S101 (YES in Sa01 in FIG. 15), in S102, the count is permitted and the count can be sucked up (that is, the count value can be stored in the storage table). ) Is transmitted to the count control unit 31 by polling, and the count control unit 31 that has received the operation command A stores “not counting” as the count state. Then, an operation instruction response A indicating that there is no error and counting is not performed is returned to the ball rental ticket control unit 22. Upon receiving the operation instruction response A, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 transmits an operation instruction B indicating that there is no instruction and counting up is possible to the count control unit 31 by polling in S104, and the operation instruction B In S105, the count control unit 31 that has received the response returns the operation instruction response A to the ball rental ticket control unit 22. The ball lending ticket control unit 22 and the count control unit 31 repeat S104 to S105 until counting by the ball counter 35 is started. Here, the period between S102 and S105 is waiting for counting.

  When the counting by the ball counter 35 is started in S111 while waiting for the counting, the counting control unit 31 counts the count value by the ball counter 35 unless it is determined to be abnormal by a counting abnormality determination process described later. The accumulated value from the start is stored in the storage table, and in S112, the count sequence number stored in the storage table is incremented by 1, the stored count state is updated to “counting”, and the count start date and time is set. . When the counting sequence number is incremented by 1, the counting sequence number stored in the counting control unit 31 and the counting sequence number stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 are shifted during counting. Next, in S113, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 transmits the operation instruction B to the count control unit 31 by polling, and the count control unit 31 that has received the operation instruction B receives “ In step S114, an operation instruction response B indicating no error, the updated counting sequence number, that counting is in progress, the cumulative value of the counting value from the count start, and the set count start date and time is displayed. To the ball rental ticket control unit 22.

  Here, the count control unit 31 that performs the processing of S111 functions as a game medium number storage unit that stores the number of game media counted by the ball counter 35 (accumulated value of the count value). In addition, the count control unit 31 that performs the processing of S114 provides counting information (operation instruction response) that can specify the number of game media (cumulative value of count values) counted by the ball counter 35 every unit time (every 500 msec). It functions as counting information transmission means for transmitting to the lending ticket processing unit 20. The ball lending ticket control unit 22 that receives the operation instruction response in S114 functions as a count information receiving unit that receives the count information (operation instruction response) transmitted from the count information transmitting unit.

  The ball lending ticket control unit 22 that has received the operation instruction response B, based on the accumulated value of the count value indicated by the operation instruction response B in S115, unless determined to be abnormal in a count value abnormality determination process described later, Update the count value in the storage table. Specifically, by subtracting the accumulated value of the count value indicated by the operation instruction response B received last time from the accumulated value of the count value indicated by the operation instruction response B received this time, a predetermined unit time (here, An increase amount of the count value every 500 msec) is specified (see FIG. 13), and the specified increase amount is added to the count value of the storage table unless it is determined to be abnormal in a count value abnormality determination process described later. The ball lending ticket control unit 22 and the count control unit 31 repeat S113 to S115 until a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) elapses from the final count by the ball counter 35. The predetermined time can be arbitrarily changed, and may be, for example, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, or the like.

  Next, after determining that a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) has elapsed from the final count by the ball counter 35 in S116, the count control unit 31 transmits the polling ticket control unit 22 by polling in S117. When the operation instruction B is received, the stored count state is updated to “count end detection” in S118, and in S119, there is no error, the count sequence number, the count end is detected, and the accumulated value of the count value (ie, the final value) An operation instruction response C indicating a typical count value) is returned to the ball rental ticket control unit 22. Here, the period from S112 to S116 is counting, and is a period for performing the counting abnormality determination process described later.

  Here, the counting control unit 31 that performs the processing of S116 determines that a series of counting by the ball counter 35 has been completed based on the fact that a predetermined time has elapsed since the counting by the ball counter 35 was interrupted. It functions as counting end determination means.

  The ball lending ticket control unit 22 that has received the operation instruction response C sets the accumulated value of the count value indicated by the operation instruction response C in S120 unless it is determined in S120 that the count value abnormality determination process described later is abnormal. Based on this, the count value of the storage table is updated. Specifically, the cumulative value of the count value indicated by the previously received operation instruction response B is subtracted from the cumulative value of the count value indicated by the operation instruction response C received this time (ie, the final count value) in advance. A count value increase amount is determined every predetermined unit time (500 msec in this case) (see FIG. 13), and the specified increase amount is stored in the storage table unless it is determined to be abnormal in a count value abnormality determination process described later. Is added to the count value. Here, the period from S115 to S120 is a period during which a count value abnormality determination process described later is performed.

  Then, in S121, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 polls the count control unit 31 by polling for the count confirmation command and the operation command C indicating that the count siphoning is possible, based on the fact that the operation command response C indicates the completion of counting. In S122, the count control unit 31 that has received the operation instruction C transmits the stored count state to “not counting” based on the fact that the operation instruction C indicates a count confirmation instruction. In step S123, the operation instruction response D indicating that there is no error, the counting sequence number, and that the counting is not being performed is returned to the ball lending ticket control unit 22.

  The ball lending ticket control unit 22 that has received the operation instruction response D increments the counting sequence number stored in the storage table by 1 based on the fact that the operation instruction response D indicates that the operation instruction response D is not being counted in S124. By adding the count value stored in the storage table to the count ball stored in the card table and erasing it, the count value is set as a target for the determination process. Here, when the counting sequence number is incremented by 1, the counting sequence number stored in the counting control unit 31 and the counting sequence number stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 are shifted during counting. Will match. Then, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 updates the counting sequence number, and in S125, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 sends an operation instruction D indicating that the counting is permitted, the updated counting sequence number, and the count siphoning permission to the counting control unit 31 by polling. Send to. After the process of S125, the process of S104 is performed.

  Upon receiving the operation instruction D, the count control unit 31 receives an operation instruction response indicating a count value based on the fact that the count sequence number stored in the storage table matches the count sequence number indicated by the operation instruction D in S126. With the transmission of B and C and the transmission of the operation instruction response, it is determined that the processing of S112 to S124 performed by the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 and the counting unit 30 has been performed normally, and stored in the storage table in S127 Delete the accumulated value of the count value. In S127, a minus count value of counting abnormality 3 described later is also deleted, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Here, the count control unit 31 that performs the processing of S126 transmits the count information (operation instruction response) by the count information transmission unit and / or the ball rental ticket processing unit 20 and the count unit 30 in accordance with the transmission of the count information. Functions as a transmission determination means for determining whether or not the processing performed by and has been performed normally. In addition, the count control unit 31 that performs the process of S127 stores the number of game media based on the determination that the series of counting is completed by the counting end determining unit and that the transmission determining unit determines that the counting is normally performed. It functions as game medium number erasure processing means for performing game medium number erasure processing for erasing the number of game media (accumulated value of count values) stored by the means.

  According to this, on the condition that the processing performed by the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 and the counting unit 30 with the transmission of the operation instruction response and / or the transmission of the operation instruction response is normally performed, the counting unit 30 Since the accumulated value of the count values stored in the memory is deleted, the counting unit 30 does not need to always store the count value, so that the memory load on the counting unit 30 can be reduced. Further, on the condition that the series of counts is completed, the cumulative value of the count values stored in the count unit 30 is deleted, so that the count unit 30 stores the count values every time the series of counts is completed. Since it is not necessary, the storage burden of the counting unit 30 can be further reduced. In addition, since a series of counts is managed by the counting sequence number, the counting date and time and the count value can be easily confirmed based on the counting sequence number.

  In addition, when the count is generated in the counting unit 30 from the return of the operation instruction response C (S119) indicating that the count end is detected to the reception of the operation instruction C (S121) indicating the count confirmation instruction, the count control is performed. The unit 31 returns the operation instruction response B to the ball rental ticket control unit 22 without performing the processing of S122 and S123, and the ball rental ticket control unit 22 that has received the operation instruction response B performs the process of S124. The process of S115 is performed without performing.

  In addition, when the counting unit 30 counts while the ball lending ticket control unit 22 is updating the counting sequence number, the counting control unit 31 adds and updates the stored count value, but stores the stored count value. If the operation instruction transmitted by polling from the ball lending ticket control unit 22 is received without updating the counting sequence number being stored, the stored counting sequence number matches the counting sequence number indicated by the operation instruction (that is, the ball lending) The stored count sequence number is updated on the condition that the ticketing control unit 22 has updated the count sequence number), and the subsequent count is performed with the updated count sequence number, while the stored count The processing of S112 to S124 is stored on condition that the serial number and the counting serial number indicated by the operation instruction do not match (that is, the counting serial number is not updated by the ball lending ticket control unit 22) ( That is, it is performed with the counting sequence number (before update).

  In this counting process, if a power interruption occurs before the operation instruction response D of S123 reaches the ball lending ticket control unit 22, the payout serial number stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 and the counting control unit 31 are stored. In the ball lending ticket control unit 22, the count value after the end of the count is not stored in the storage table, or the count value is not stored even if the count value after the end of the count is stored. Since it is not added to the number of counting balls, it will be in the state which is not the object of a finalization process. When the power is turned on in this state, the count value recovery process of S1013 is performed as will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Even when the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 or the counting unit 30 is replaced, when the power is turned on after the replacement, the count value recovery processing of S1017 is performed as will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a case where polling interruption is detected in the counting process. During the repetition of S113 to S115 described with reference to FIG. 8, the counting control unit 31 determines that the operation instruction B in S113 is not received even after a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds), as shown in S201 of FIG. If so, in S202, the shutter 33 is closed to stop counting, and the LED 41 blinks in a predetermined manner to notify that there is a communication abnormality.

  Here, the count control unit 31 that performs the process of S201 functions as a communication abnormality determination unit that determines an abnormality in communication with the ball lending ticket processing unit 20, and the count control unit 31 that performs the process of S202 includes Based on the abnormality determination by the communication abnormality determination means, it functions as a count stop processing means for performing a count stop process (here, closing the shutter 33) for stopping the counting by the ball counter 35.

  According to this, if the communication between the counting unit 30 and the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 is normal, the counting is performed by the counting unit 30, and if the communication is abnormal, the counting is stopped. In this case, it is possible to leave the pachinko balls acquired by the player without counting, and disadvantageous to the player (for example, the operation instruction response is not transmitted even if counting, so the count value becomes the count value of the storage table. It is possible to prevent occurrence of disadvantages such as a disadvantage of not being added and a disadvantage that even if counting is performed, the count value becomes an incorrect value.

  Moreover, since it is possible to stop counting when there is an abnormality in communication between the counting unit 30 and the ball lending ticket processing unit 20, it is possible to prevent an act of fraud by generating an offline. In this case, if the counting is not stopped even when offline occurs and the count value stored in the counting control unit 31 is transmitted to the ball lending ticket control unit 22 after returning to the online state, the counting is performed. Since there is room for fraud with respect to the count value stored in the control unit 31, it is inconvenient for the player, but the counting is stopped so that the pachinko ball remains at the player's hand is there.

  In addition, based on the fact that the ball rental ticket control unit 22 does not receive the operation instruction response C corresponding to the operation instruction B in S203, the multifunctional lamp 26 emits light in a predetermined manner in S204, indicating that there is a communication abnormality. Is notified.

  Next, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the types of errors in the abnormality determination process performed by the count control unit 31. The counting control unit 31 functions as counting abnormality determining means for determining abnormality relating to counting by the ball counter 35. Specifically, during the counting, the counting abnormality 1 (too fast) and counting shown in FIG. A counting abnormality determination process is performed to detect each error of abnormality 1 (too late), counting abnormality 1 (continuing in the same cycle), counting abnormality 2, and counting abnormality 3. The count control unit 31 also detects each error of radio wave abnormality, single flow abnormality, sensor abnormality (when the power is turned on), sensor abnormality (both lanes clogged), and ball dispensing abnormality shown in FIG. Hereinafter, each error will be described.

  First, “counting abnormality 1 (too fast)” shown in FIG. 10 is a case where the pulse width or pulse interval of the counting pulse output from the ball counter 35 is abnormally short. Specifically, first, the maximum value of the count value when there is no abnormality determined by the mass and size of the pachinko balls, the inclination and friction of the inflow passage 34 (when the pachinko balls flow continuously without a gap) The shortest pulse width and pulse interval when there is no abnormality is specified based on, for example, 20 balls / second per lane), and the shorter pulse width and pulse interval are set in advance as determination values. Based on the counting pulse (plus counting pulse) output from the counting ball counter 35, whether or not the pulse width of each counting pulse is equal to or smaller than the determination value, and the pulse interval of each counting pulse is the determination. It is determined whether or not the value is equal to or less than the value. If at least one of the pulse width and the pulse interval is equal to or less than the determination value, the counting abnormality 1 (too fast) is detected. As described above, when the pulse width or pulse interval of the counting pulse output from the ball counter 35 is abnormally short, there is a high possibility that fraud has been performed, and thus the abnormality is detected. It is also possible to make a determination only for either the pulse width or the pulse interval instead of making a determination for both the pulse width and the pulse interval.

  Further, “counting abnormality 1 (too late)” shown in FIG. 10 is a case where the pulse width of the counting pulse output from the ball counter 35 is abnormally long. Specifically, first, the maximum value of the count value when there is no abnormality determined by the mass and size of the pachinko ball, the inclination and friction of the inflow passage 34 (when the pachinko ball flows continuously without a gap) The shortest pulse width when there is no abnormality is specified based on, for example, 20 balls / second per lane), and a longer pulse width (for example, 500 msec / ball or more) is preset as a determination value. Then, based on the counting pulse (plus count pulse) output from the counting ball counter 35, it is determined whether or not the pulse width of each counting pulse is equal to or greater than the determination value, and the pulse width is equal to or greater than the determination value. If there is, counting abnormality 1 (too late) is detected. As described above, even when the pulse width of the counting pulse output from the ball counter 35 is abnormally long, there is a high possibility that fraud is being performed, and thus the abnormality is detected. The reason why the pulse interval is not determined is that even if there is no abnormality, the pachinko balls may flow at intervals, in which case the pulse interval becomes longer.

  Further, “counting abnormality 1 (continuous in the same cycle)” shown in FIG. 10 is a case where the pulse width or pulse interval of the counting pulse output from the ball counter 35 continues in the same cycle for a predetermined period. Specifically, based on the counting pulse (plus counting pulse) output from the ball counter 35 during counting, the pulse width of each counting pulse continues for the predetermined period (for example, X seconds or Y times). And whether or not the pulse interval of each counting pulse continues for a predetermined period (for example, X seconds or Y times) in the same cycle, and at least one of the pulse width or the pulse interval is continued. For example, counting abnormality 1 (continuation with the same period) is detected. When counting pachinko balls that naturally flow down the inflow path 34, it is natural that the pulse widths and pulse intervals of the counting pulses vary, so the pulse widths and pulse intervals of the counting pulses have the same period and a predetermined period. It is unnatural to continue, and in such a case, it is highly likely that fraud (for example, fraud that sends a constant pulse width or pulse interval count pulse from the outside) is being performed, so the abnormality is detected. To do.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 11A, the counting control unit 31 detects the counting abnormality 1 (too fast), the counting abnormality 1 (too slow), or the counting abnormality 1 (continuing in the same cycle) in S301. In step S302, the shutter 33 is closed to stop counting, and the stored counting state is updated to “counting end detection”. In step S303, an operation instruction transmitted by polling from the ball rental ticket control unit 22 is performed. When B is received, in S304, a ball lending ticket is issued with an operation instruction response E1 indicating that the counting abnormality 1 is detected, the counting sequence number, the counting end is detected, and the accumulated value of the counting value (ie, the final counting value). A reply is sent to the control unit 22.

  Upon receiving the operation instruction response E1, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 emits the multi-function lamp 26 in a predetermined manner based on the fact that the operation instruction response E1 indicates that the counting abnormality 1 is detected in S305. In step S306, an operation instruction C ′ indicating a count confirmation instruction, count siphoning permission, count serial number, and LED blinking request is transmitted to the count control unit 31 by polling. In step S307, the count control unit 31 that has received the operation instruction C ′ notifies the LED 41 that the count abnormality is 1 by blinking the LED 41 in a predetermined manner based on the LED blink request. At the same time, the stored count state is updated to “not counting”, and the operation instruction response D ′ indicating that the counting abnormality 1 is detected in S308 ′, the counting sequence number, and the counting not being performed is controlled by the ball lending ticket control. Reply to part 22 That.

  Receiving the operation instruction response D ′, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 increments the stored count sequence number by 1 based on the fact that the operation instruction response D ′ indicates that the operation instruction response D ′ is not being counted in S 309. Here, when the counting sequence number is incremented by 1, the counting sequence number stored in the counting control unit 31 and the counting sequence number stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 are shifted during counting. Will match. Then, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 updates the counting sequence number, and in S310, the counting control unit 31 polls the operation instruction D ′ indicating that the counting is prohibited, the updated counting sequence number, and the count siphoning is possible. Send to.

  Upon receiving the operation instruction D ′, the count control unit 31 receives an operation instruction response indicating a count value based on the fact that the stored count sequence number matches the count sequence number indicated by the operation instruction D ′ in S311. With the transmission of E1 and the transmission of the operation instruction response, it is determined that the processing of S305 to S310 performed by the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 and the counting unit 30 has been normally performed, and in S311, the stored meter Clear the accumulated value of the numerical value. In S311, a negative count value of counting abnormality 3 described later is also deleted, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

  As described above, when counting abnormality 1 occurs, the counting stops, but the counting determination sequence of S302 to S311 is performed in substantially the same manner as S118 to S127 of FIG. Here, the count confirmation sequence is performed to invalidate the count value after detection of count abnormality 1, but protect the player by confirming and validating the count value before detection of count abnormality 1. It is to do.

  Here, the count control unit 31 that performs the process of S304 functions as a count abnormality notification processing unit that performs a count abnormality notification process for notifying that there is an abnormality based on the abnormality determination by the counting abnormality determination unit. Here, in order to perform notification by the multi-function lamp 26 and notification by the LED 41, the process of S304 for returning the operation instruction response E1 is performed.

  Next, “counting abnormality 2” shown in FIG. 10 is a case where the counting sensor of the ball counter 35 detects the counting ball while the shutter 33 is closed. If the shutter 33 is closed, the pachinko ball will not flow into the inflow path 34, and if the counting sensor of the ball counter 35 detects the counting ball, fraud may be performed. This is because the abnormality is high.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, the counting control unit 31 detects counting abnormality 2 in S352 when counting is prohibited = when counting is performed by the counting sensor of the ball counter 35 in S351 when the shutter 33 is closed. In S353, when the operation instruction B ′ transmitted from the ball lending ticket control unit 22 by polling and indicating that there is no instruction while the count is prohibited because the count is prohibited is received, in S354, An operation instruction response E2 indicating that the counting abnormality 2 is detected, the counting sequence number, the counting end is detected, and the accumulated value of the counting value is returned to the ball lending ticket control unit 22.

  Upon receiving the operation instruction response E2, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 emits the multi-function lamp 26 in a predetermined manner based on the fact that the operation instruction response E2 indicates that the counting abnormality 2 is detected in S355. To notify that the count abnormality is 2. Then, the ball rental ticket control unit 22 and the count control unit 31 repeat S353 to S355 until the predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) elapses from the final count by the ball counter 35.

  Then, the counting control unit 31 determines that a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) has elapsed from the final counting by the ball counter 35 in S356, and then, in S357, the operation transmitted by polling from the ball rental ticket control unit 22. When the instruction B ′ is received, in S358, the operation instruction response C ′ indicating that the count abnormality 2 is detected, the count sequence number, the count end is detected, and the accumulated value of the count value (that is, the final count value) is received. Reply to the ball rental ticket control unit 22.

  As described above, the counting is not stopped even when the counting abnormality 2 occurs, but the counting determination sequence is not performed because the counting is prohibited. Here, the counting determination sequence is not performed because the subject that manages the count value is the ball lending ticket control unit 22. It is because it does not perform.

  Here, the count control unit 31 that performs the process of S354 functions as a count abnormality notification processing unit that performs a count abnormality notification process to notify that there is an abnormality based on the abnormality determination by the counting abnormality determination unit. Here, in order to perform notification by the multi-function lamp 26, the process of S354 for returning the operation instruction response E2 is performed.

  Next, “counting abnormality 3” shown in FIG. 10 is a case where the ball counter 35 detects the minus count. When counting pachinko balls that naturally flow down the inflow path 34, a negative count will not occur if it is originally, and if the negative count is detected, there is a high possibility of a failure or the like. Is detected.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12A, in principle, when the number of occurrences of minus count reaches a predetermined threshold value (for example, 5 times), the count abnormality 3 is detected. For example, when counting pulses A to M are output as shown in the figure, the number of occurrences of minus count reaches the threshold value of 5 when the counting pulse L is output. To do. However, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the count pulse starts from the plus count, the count value becomes minus (the count pulse G shown in the figure) even if the number of occurrences of minus count does not reach the threshold value. Is detected), the count abnormality 3 is detected. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12C, when the counting pulse starts from minus count, the count value becomes positive before the number of occurrences of minus count reaches the threshold (counting pulse E shown in the figure). When the number of occurrences of minus count reaches a threshold value after that, counting abnormality 3 is detected as a rule.

  When the counting control unit 31 detects the counting abnormality 3, the counting control unit 31 and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 perform the same processing as described with reference to FIG. Note that, as indicated by S127 in FIG. 8 and S311 in FIG. 11 (a), the negative count value is deleted together with the stored count value, and the negative count value starts from zero in the next count. .

  Next, “radio wave abnormality” shown in FIG. 10 is a case where a radio wave sensor (not shown) provided in the counting unit 30 detects radio waves in a specific frequency band. The “single flow abnormality” is detected by a counting sensor provided in one of the first lane 341 and the second lane 342 of the inflow channel 34, but is not detected in the counting sensor provided in the other lane. Is not detected. Further, “sensor abnormality (when power is on)” is a case where the presence of a ball is detected when at least one of the counting sensor or the payout sensor when the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 and the counting unit 30 are powered on. In addition, “sensor abnormality (both lanes clogged)” indicates that a counting sensor provided in both lanes of the first lane 341 or the second lane 342 of the inflow channel 34 detects the presence of a ball, and then both lanes have a predetermined time (for example, This is a case where the presence of a ball is continuously detected for 15 seconds. Furthermore, the “ball payout abnormality” is a case where the payout sensor does not detect a payout ball within a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) after the ball lending ticket control unit 22 issues a payout instruction in the fraction payout process.

  When the count control unit 31 detects each of the radio wave abnormality, single-flow abnormality, sensor abnormality (when the power is turned on), sensor abnormality (both lanes clogged), or ball payout abnormality, the count control unit 31 closes the shutter 33. When the operation instruction transmitted by polling from the ball lending ticket control unit 22 is received, an operation instruction response indicating each error is returned to the ball lending ticket control unit 22, and the operation instruction response The ball lending ticket control unit 22 that received the light emits and notifies the multi-function lamp 26 in a manner corresponding to each error indicated by the operation instruction response.

  Next, FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating each error in the count value abnormality determination process performed by the ball lending ticket control unit 22. The ball rental ticket control unit 22 functions as a game medium number abnormality determination unit that determines abnormality based on the number of game media (count value) specified from the count information (operation instruction response) received by the count information reception unit. Specifically, based on the reception of the operation instruction responses B and C indicating the accumulated value of the count value, the count value abnormality A shown in FIG. 13A and the count value shown in FIG. A count value abnormality determination process for detecting each error of abnormality B is performed.

  First, “count value abnormality A” shown in FIG. 13 (a) indicates that the fluctuation amount of the count value determined in advance for each predetermined unit time (500 msec in this case) specified from the received operation instruction responses B and C is determined in advance. This is a case where a predetermined threshold value (for example, 25 balls or more) is exceeded. Specifically, based on the mass and size of the pachinko balls, and the maximum flow rate of the pachinko balls determined by the inclination and friction of the inflow passage 34 (for example, 20 balls / 500 msec in 2 lanes), it is abnormally higher than the maximum flow rate. A flow rate (for example, 25 balls or more in 2 lanes / 500 msec) is preset as a threshold value. In this example, since the operation instruction responses B and C indicating the accumulated value of the count value per unit time are received every unit time, the operation instruction response received this time is received every time the operation instruction response is received. By subtracting the accumulated value of the count value indicated by the operation instruction response received last time from the accumulated value of the indicated count value, the fluctuation amount (increase amount) of the count value per predetermined unit time (500 msec in this case) is obtained. It is calculated and it is determined whether or not the calculated fluctuation amount exceeds the set threshold value. If the fluctuation amount exceeds the threshold value, the count value abnormality A is detected. In this way, when the fluctuation amount exceeds the threshold value, there is a high possibility that fraud is being performed, and thus the abnormality is detected.

  As described above, when the increment of the count value per unit time exceeds the threshold value, it is determined that there is an abnormality, and the notification is made. Therefore, it is possible to notify when there is a high possibility that fraud has been performed. Further, the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 does not measure the time, but based on the counting information (operation instruction response) that can specify the count value for each unit time transmitted from the counting unit 30, for each unit time. Therefore, the processing in the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 can be simplified.

  In addition, the “count value abnormality B” shown in FIG. 13B has the same amount of change in the count value for each predetermined unit time (500 msec in this case) specified from the received operation instruction responses B and C. This is a case where a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times) is continued. Specifically, in the same manner as in the case of the count value abnormality A, the variation amount (increase amount) of the count value per predetermined unit time (here, 500 msec) is calculated, and the calculated variation amount is It is determined whether or not the same number is continued for a predetermined number of times. If the predetermined number of times is continued, a count value abnormality B is detected. When counting pachinko balls that naturally flow down the inflow passage 34, it is natural that the fluctuation amount of the count value per unit time varies, so it is not possible to continue the predetermined number of times while the fluctuation amount remains the same. Natural and fraudulent in such a case (for example, fraud such as sending an operation instruction response indicating a certain count value from a hanging board provided between the counting control unit 31 and the ball lending ticket control unit 22) Therefore, the abnormality is detected.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 14, when the ball lending ticket control unit 22 detects the count value abnormality A or the count value abnormality B in S401, the multifunctional lamp 26 emits light in a predetermined manner in S402. An operation instruction F indicating that the numerical value is abnormal is notified, and the operation instruction F indicating that the counting is prohibited and the counting operation cannot be performed is transmitted to the counting control unit 31 by polling. Returns the operation instruction response B to the ball rental ticket control unit 22 in S404. The ball lending ticket control unit 22 and the count control unit 31 repeat S403 to S404 until a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) elapses from the final count by the ball counter 35.

  Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the process of S402, based on the abnormality determination by the game medium number abnormality determination means, a game medium number abnormality notification process (count value) for notifying that there is an abnormality. It functions as an abnormality notification processing means for the number of game media for performing (abnormality notification processing).

  Next, after determining that a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) has elapsed from the final count by the ball counter 35 in S405, the counting control unit 31 transmits the polling ticket control unit 22 by polling in S406. When the operation instruction F is received, the stored count state is updated to “counting end detection” in S407, and the operation instruction response C is returned to the ball rental ticket control unit 22 in S408.

  As described above, counting does not stop even if a counting value abnormality occurs, but counting is prohibited, so the ball lending ticket control unit 22 does not suck up the counting value and also performs a counting determination sequence. Absent. The reason why the counting confirmation sequence is not performed here is that there is a possibility that the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 is out of order, and thus the ball lending ticket control unit 22 of the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 that has failed in this way. This is because it is not appropriate to take up and confirm the count value. When the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 is out of order, the counting unit 30 is connected to another ball lending ticket processing unit 20 that is not out of order so that the counting unit 30 in the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 The stored count value can be taken up and confirmed.

  According to the present invention described above, an abnormality relating to counting in the counting unit 30 can be monitored, and the number of game media specified from the counting information (operation instruction response) transmitted from the counting unit 30 to the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 Since the abnormality in the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 of (count value) can be monitored, the abnormality associated with the counting performed by each counter unit 50 can be monitored more accurately than in the case where only the former is monitored. In particular, when the count value abnormality notifying process by the ball lending ticket control unit 22 is performed even though the count abnormality notifying process by the count control unit 31 is not performed, the counting unit 30 and the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 Specified that an abnormality occurred in communication between the two (for example, fraud such as sending an operation instruction response indicating a certain count value from a hanging board provided between the counting control unit 31 and the ball lending ticket control unit 22) can do.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 15 to 30, the counting process performed by each unit counting unit 50 and the processes related thereto will be described. First, FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the business process performed by the ball rental ticket control unit 22. The ball lending ticket control unit 22 accepts a card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) by the card R / W 23 at Sa01, operates the ball lending button 15 at Sa02, and operates the bill recognizing machine 25 at Sa03. Reception, operation of a payout button displayed on the display 24 at Sa04, operation of a replay button displayed on the display 24 during reception of the membership card 2 at Sa05, reception of an exchange request from the remote controller by the infrared light receiving unit 27 at Sa06 , And Sa07 are waiting for the operation of the card return button 16.

  If the card is accepted at Sa01 (YES), the card acceptance process is performed at Sa11, and if the ball lending button 15 is operated at Sa02 (YES), the ball lending process is performed at Sa12, and the banknote is accepted at Sa03. If there is (YES), the deposit process is performed at Sa13, and if the payout button is operated at Sa04 (YES), the payout process is performed at Sa14, and the replay button is operated while accepting the membership card 2 at Sa05. (YES), a replay process is performed at Sa15, and if an exchange request is received at Sa06 (YES), an exchange process is performed at Sa16, and an operation of the card return button 16 is performed at Sa07 (YES), a card at Sa17 Perform return processing. Hereinafter, each process of Sa11-Sa17 is demonstrated.

  First, the card acceptance process shown by Sa11 in FIG. 15 will be described with reference to FIG. When a card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) is received at Sa01 in FIG. 15, the card R / W 23 reads information recorded on the IC chip of the received card. Specifically, if the member card 2 is accepted, at least the card ID and the prepaid balance are read, and if the transaction serial number and the number of unknown updates are recorded as recovery information, the transaction serial number and the update unknown Read the number of balls. If the visitor card 3 is accepted, at least the card ID, the prepaid balance, and the number of possessed balls are read. If the offline flag is recorded, the offline flag is also read.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 determines whether or not the card ID read by the card R / W 23 is the card ID of the member card 2 in Sb01, that is, whether or not the card ID starts with M. Determine whether. If it is determined in Sb01 that the card ID is not the member card 2 (NO), that is, the card ID is the card ID of the visitor card 3 starting with V, the process proceeds to Sb02. On the other hand, if it is determined in Sb01 that it is the card ID of the member card 2 (YES), that is, the card ID starts with M, in Sb03, it is requested to input the personal identification number, and the personal identification number is input. Is displayed on the display 24, and in Sb04, input of the password is awaited. If a password is entered in Sb04 (YES), the process proceeds to Sb02.

  In Sb02, an authentication request including the card ID read by the card R / W 23 and the prepaid balance is transmitted to the balance management device 60, and in Sb05, the authentication result transmitted from the balance management device 60 is received. Wait. The balance management device 60 that has received the authentication request determines whether or not the prepaid balance included in the authentication request matches the prepaid balance stored in the balance DB in association with the card ID included in the authentication request. If they match, an authentication OK authentication result is returned, and if they do not match, an authentication NG authentication result is returned to each counter 50.

  If the authentication result is received in Sb05 (YES), it is determined in Sb06 whether or not the authentication result is authentication OK. If it is determined in Sb06 that the authentication is NG (NO), the card accepted in Sa01 is returned in Sb07, and the card acceptance process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the authentication is OK in Sb06 (YES), the card ID and prepaid balance read by the card R / W 23 are stored in the card table in Sb08, and a card acceptance notification is acquired in Sb09. This is transmitted to the number of balls managing device 61, and in Sb10, the reception of the card acceptance result transmitted from the obtained number of balls managing device 61 is awaited.

  In Sb09, if the accepted card is a membership card 2, the card R / W 23 includes at least the card ID read by the card R / W 23, the password entered in Sb04, and the loan rate stored by itself. When the R / W 23 reads the recovery information (transaction serial number and update unknown count ball number), a card acceptance notification including the recovery information is transmitted. In Sb09, if the received card is a visitor card 3, the card R / W 23 includes at least the card ID and the number of possessed balls read by the card R / W 23 and the loan rate stored by the card R / W 23. When the offline flag is read, a card acceptance notification including the offline flag is transmitted.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 17, the process at the time of the card | curd reception notification reception which the control part (not shown) of the acquisition number management apparatus 61 performs is demonstrated. The acquired number-of-balls management device 61 that has received the card reception notification determines whether or not the card ID included in the card reception notification is the card ID of the member card 2 in Sc01, that is, whether or not the card ID starts with M. Determine.

  If it is determined in Sc01 that the card ID is not the membership card 2 (NO), that is, if the card ID is the card ID of the visitor card 3 starting with V, an offline flag is included in the card reception notification in Sc11. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined in Sc11 that the offline flag is not included (NO), in Sc12, the number of balls acquired in association with the number of balls included in the card reception notification and the card ID included in the card reception notification It is checked whether or not the number of balls in the loan rate included in the card acceptance notification stored in the table matches, and in Sc13, it is determined whether or not the check is OK. If it is determined in this Sc13 that the collation is NG (NO), that is, the number of possessed balls does not match, in Sc14, the card acceptance notification of the collation NG is returned to each unit counting unit 50, and the card acceptance notification The process at the time of reception ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in Sc13 that the collation is OK (YES), that is, it is determined that the number of possessed balls is the same, in Sc15, the card acceptance result of the collation OK including the number of possessed balls is returned to each counting unit 50 Then, the card reception notification reception process is terminated.

  If it is determined in Sc11 that an offline flag is included (YES), in Sc16, the number of balls that are included in the card reception notification (that is, the number of unknown counting balls) is used as the card ID included in the card reception notification. Correspondingly, in the visitor acquired number-of-balls table, it is stored as the number of balls in the loan rate included in the card reception notification, and in Sc15, the card reception result of verification OK including the number of balls is stored in each counter unit 50. In response, the card reception notification reception process is terminated. Thus, the visitor card 3 in which the number of balls with unknown update count is recorded as the number of balls is received by each unit counting unit 50, and the number of balls with unknown update count is stored in the acquired ball count management device 61 as the number of balls in possession. Thus, it can be used for a game in the pachinko machine 10 corresponding to each counter unit 50.

  If it is determined in Sc01 that the card ID of the membership card 2 is “YES”, that is, if the card ID starts with M, the personal identification number included in the card reception notification and the card included in the card reception notification are determined in Sc21. It is checked whether or not the personal identification number stored in the member acquisition ball number table in association with the ID matches, and in Sc22, it is determined whether or not the verification is OK. If it is determined in step Sc22 that the verification is NG (NO), that is, the passwords do not match, a verification NG card reception notification is returned to each unit counting unit 50 in step Sc23, and the card reception notification is received. End time processing.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the verification is OK in Sc22 (YES), that is, if the PIN numbers match, it is determined in Sc24 whether recovery information (transaction serial number and number of unknown counting balls) is included in the card reception notification. Determine. If it is determined that the recovery information is not included in this Sc24 (NO), the card reception notification stored in the member acquisition ball count table in association with the card ID included in the card reception notification in Sc28. The number of possessed balls and the number of stored balls included in the loan rate are specified, a transaction serial number is set in Sc29, and the set transaction serial number is associated with the card ID included in the card reception notification to obtain a member acquired number of balls table In step SC30, a card acceptance notification of verification OK including the specified number of possessed balls and the number of accumulated balls and the set transaction serial number is returned to each unit counting unit 50, and processing upon receipt of the card acceptance notification is performed. Exit.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in Sc24 that the recovery information is included (YES), in Sc25, it is stored in the member acquisition ball count table in association with the transaction serial number as the recovery information and the card ID included in the card reception notification. The transaction sequence number is compared with each other, and it is determined in Sc26 whether or not the transaction sequence numbers match. If they match (YES), the process proceeds to Sc28, and if they do not match (NO), in Sc27, The recovery unknown count ball number as the recovery information is subtracted from the ball number stored in the member acquisition ball number table in association with the card ID included in the card reception notification, and the process proceeds to Sc28. This will be described later with reference to FIGS. 28 and 29.

  Returning to FIG. 16, when the card acceptance result is received at Sb10 (YES), the ball lending ticket control unit 22 determines whether the card acceptance result is a verification OK card acceptance result at Sb11. . If it is determined in Sb11 that the result is a card acceptance result of verification NG (NO), the stored contents of the card table are erased in Sb12, the card accepted in Sa01 is returned in Sb07, and the card acceptance processing is performed. Exit.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in Sb11 that the result is the card acceptance result of the verification OK (YES), the data included in the card acceptance result is stored in the card table in Sb13, and the process proceeds to Sb14. Specifically, when the visitor card 3 has received the card acceptance result of Sc14, the number of balls included in the card acceptance result is stored in the card table. When the member card 2 has received the card acceptance result of the Sc30, the number of held balls, the number of balls stored, and the transaction serial number included in the card acceptance result are stored in the card table.

  In Sb14, it is determined whether or not the visitor card 3 has received and the visitor card 3 has a record of an offline flag, and NO (that is, the member card 2 has received or has been received). If the visitor card 3 has no offline flag recorded), the process proceeds to Sb16. If YES, the recorded offline flag is erased in Sb15, and the card acceptance process is terminated.

  In Sb16, it is determined whether or not the member card 2 has been received and the recovery information is recorded on the member card 2, and NO (that is, the visitor card 3 has been received or has been received). If the recovery information is not recorded even for the membership card 2, the card acceptance process is terminated. If YES, the recorded recovery information is erased and the card acceptance process is terminated in Sb17.

  Next, the ball lending process indicated by Sa12 in FIG. 15 will be described. When there is an operation of the ball lending button 15 in Sa02 of FIG. 15, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 has a prepaid balance stored in the card table equal to or larger than a predetermined ball lending set amount (for example, 5 times = 500 yen). If the prepaid balance is equal to or larger than the ball lending set amount, the ball lending set amount is specified as a used amount. If the prepaid remaining amount is less than the ball lending set amount, the prepaid remaining amount is used. The amount is specified as a forehead, and the payout control board 12 of the pachinko machine 10 is instructed to pay out the pachinko balls for the specified amount used, and a subtraction request including the card ID and the amount used is sent to the balance management device 60 Send. The remaining amount management device 60 that has received the subtraction request subtracts the used amount included in the subtraction request from the prepaid remaining amount stored in the remaining amount DB in association with the card ID included in the subtraction request, and notifies the completion of subtraction. Is returned to each unit counting unit 50.

  Upon receiving the subtraction completion notice, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 updates the used amount by subtracting the prepaid balance from the prepaid balance and records the prepaid balance after the subtraction update on the card being accepted by the card R / W 23. To complete the ball lending process. When the ball lending ticket control unit 22 receives the visitor card 3 after the ball lending process and the remaining prepaid amount and the number of balls stored in the card table are zero, the visitor card 3 is stored in the card stocker 23b. Import and erase the contents of the card table.

  The ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the ball lending process pays out the pachinko ball corresponding to the used amount of the prepaid balance owned by the player from the pachinko machine 10 by communicating with the corresponding pachinko machine 10. It functions as a lending processing means for performing lending processing for lending.

  Next, the deposit process shown at Sa13 in FIG. 15 will be described. When there is acceptance of a bill at Sa02 in FIG. 15, the bill validator 25 identifies the accepted bill, returns the bill if it cannot be identified, and takes in the bill if it can be identified. If the card R / W 23 is not accepting a card (member card 2 or visitor card 3), the ball rental ticket control unit 22 controls the card stocker 23b to store the visitor card 3 stored in the card stocker 23b. One of the cards is conveyed to the card R / W 23. The card R / W 23 sets the conveyed visitor card 3 and sets the card ID, prepaid balance (in this case, zero) from the IC chip, and The number of possessed balls (in this case, zero) is read, and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 stores the read card ID, the prepaid balance, and the number of retained balls in a card table.

  Next, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 transmits an addition request including the card ID stored in the card table and the identified bill amount (that is, the deposit amount provided for deposit processing) to the remaining amount management device 60. To do. The remaining amount management device 60 that has received the addition request adds the deposit amount included in the addition request to the prepaid balance (in this case, zero) that is managed in association with the card ID included in the addition request. Then, an addition completion notice is returned to each counter unit 50. Upon receiving the addition completion notification, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 adds and updates the deposit amount to the prepaid balance in the card table, and also adds the prepaid balance after the addition update to the card being accepted by the card R / W The recording process is performed and the deposit process is terminated.

  Next, the payout process indicated by Sa14 in FIG. 15 will be described with reference to FIG. When there is an operation of the payout button in Sa04 in FIG. 15, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 determines in Sd01 whether or not the number of possessed balls on the card table is zero. If it is determined in Sd01 that the number of balls in hand is zero (YES), in Sd06, an error is displayed to display on the display 24 that the payout process cannot be performed because the number of balls in hand is zero. The payout process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined in Sd01 that the number of balls in hand is not zero (NO), in Sd02, the number of balls in hand is a predetermined predetermined payout setting number (for example, 125 balls for 5 degrees). It is determined whether it is above.

  If it is determined in Sd02 that the number of balls at hand is equal to or greater than the set number of payouts (YES), unit payout processing is performed for the set number of payouts in Sd08, and the payout process is terminated. This unit payout process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in Sd02 that the number of balls in hand is less than the set number of payouts (NO), in Sd03, the number of balls in hand is the number of payout units (25 balls for one time in this example). It is determined whether it is above.

  If it is determined in Sd03 that the number of balls in hand is equal to or greater than the number of payout units (YES), in Sd09, the number of balls in hand is an integral multiple of the number of payout units (that is, 25 balls for 2 times, 2 50 balls for frequency, 75 balls for 3 times, or 100 balls for 4 times). When it is determined in Sd09 that the number of balls in hand is an integral multiple of the number of payout units (YES), in Sd12, the payout frequency is specified based on the number of balls in hand. Specifically, if the number of balls on hand is 25, the payout frequency is 1 degree, if the number of balls on hand is 50, the payout frequency is 2 times, and if the number of balls on hand is 75, the payout frequency is If the number of balls is 3 and the number of balls at hand is 100, the payout frequency is specified as 4 times. In Sd13, the unit payout process for the specified payout frequency is performed, and the payout process is terminated. This unit payout process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in Sd09 that the number of balls in hand is not an integral multiple of the number of payout units (NO), that is, it is determined that the number of balls in hand includes fractions less than the unit, in Sd10, the payout is based on the number of balls in hand Specify frequency and payout fraction. For example, if the hand possession number is 40 balls, the payout frequency is 1 degree and the payout fraction is 15 balls. If the hand possession number is 60 balls, the payout frequency is 2 degrees and the payout fraction is 10 balls. If 80 balls, the payout frequency is 3 and the payout fraction is 5 balls, and if the hand holding ball is 120 balls, the payout frequency is 4 and the payout fraction is 20 balls. Then, in Sd11, a unit payout process corresponding to the specified payout frequency is performed. After the unit payout process is completed, a payout process less than a unit corresponding to the specified payout fraction is performed in Sd05, and the payout process is ended. The unit payout process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 19, and the less than unit payout process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When it is determined in Sd03 that the number of balls in hand is less than the payout unit number (NO), that is, the number of balls in hand is a fraction of a unit, in Sd04, the number of balls in hand is specified as the payout fraction. In Sd05, a payout process of less than a unit corresponding to the specified payout fraction is performed, and the payout process is terminated. That is, in this payout process, if the number of held balls is less than the set number of payouts and exceeds the payout unit, the unit payout process (Sd11) is performed after the unit payout process (Sd11), and the When the number is less than the set number of payouts and does not exceed the payout unit, the payout process for less than unit (Sd05) is performed. Then, with the execution of these less-unit payout processes, payout notifications shown in Sf11 and Df11 in FIG. 20 described later are performed, so that it is possible to effectively prevent the player from being confused about the payout.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 19, the unit payout process performed by the ball lending ticket control unit 22 of each counter unit 50 will be described.

  In this unit payout process, first, in Se01, it is determined whether or not a payout enable signal (PRDY LOW) transmitted from the pachinko machine 10 is being detected. If it is determined in Se01 that a payout enable signal is not being detected (NO), an error process for stopping the unit payout process is performed in Se02. On the other hand, if it is determined in Se01 that a payout enable signal is being detected (YES), the payout remaining frequency is set. Specifically, in the unit payout process shown in Sd08 of FIG. 18, 5 degrees corresponding to 125 payouts set as the payout set number is set as the remaining payout number, and in the unit payout process shown in Sd13, the payout specified in Sd12 The frequency is set as the remaining payout frequency, and in the unit payout process of Sd11, the payout frequency specified in Sd10 is set as the remaining payout frequency.

  Next, in Se11, as shown in De11, on the display 24, the set payout remaining frequency is displayed, and the upper plate 23 blinks on the icon of the pachinko machine 10 (indicated by shading in the figure). The blinking upper plate 23 is pointed out by an arrow, and further, by displaying the word “I will pay out from the pachinko machine”, a payout notification is made to notify that the pachinko ball is to be paid out from the pachinko machine 10 to the upper plate. Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the process of Se11 and the display 24 that displays the display of De11 are payout notifications for notifying the player of the pachinko ball payout from the pachinko machine 10 based on the unit payout process. It functions as a means. According to this, in addition to the payout notification based on the under-unit payout process shown in Sf11 and Df11 in FIG. 20 to be described later, payout of the payout unit (25 balls) based on the unit payout process is performed from the pachinko machine 10. The player can easily determine whether the payout from the pachinko machine 10 based on the unit payout process or the payout from the counting unit 30 of each unit counting unit 50 based on the subunit payout process is performed. Can be recognized.

  Next, in Se12, by setting BRQ to LOW, a ball lending request signal for requesting one-time pachinko ball payout is transmitted to the pachinko machine 10, and in Se13, a request acknowledge signal is received (EXS When the request acknowledgment signal is received (YES), the BRQ is switched to HIGH at Se14, and the ball lending command signal is transmitted to the pachinko machine 10 at Se14. When waiting for the lending completion signal (switching of EXS to HIGH) and receiving the ball lending completion signal (YES), assuming that the payout for one number of times is completed, in Se16, the number of balls on hand from the card table is 1 While subtracting and updating 25 balls for the frequency, as shown at De16, the one frequency is subtracted from the payout remaining frequency displayed on the display 24, and the payout after the subtraction is performed at Se17. Power is equal to or zero, it returns to Se12 if not zero, and ends the unit payout processing if zero.

  In addition, the subtraction of the number of hand possession performed in Se16 is prioritized and subtracted from the count number of balls over the number of possession balls, and when subtracting the number of possession balls, a subtraction request for the number of possession balls is acquired. Transmit to device 61. Specifically, as shown in the card table of FIG. 3, when performing unit payout processing for 5 times in a state where the number of balls is 82 + the number of balls held is 324 balls = the number of balls in hand is 406 balls, For the first 3 times, 25 balls are subtracted from the number of balls, and for the next 1 time, 7 balls are subtracted from the number of balls (the number of balls will be zero by this subtraction) and the number of balls 18 balls are subtracted from the number of balls, and 25 balls are subtracted from the number of balls for the last one time, and a subtraction request for subtracting 43 balls from the number of balls is transmitted to the acquired ball number management device 61. If you want to send a subtraction request to subtract 43 balls in total, you may send a subtraction request for 43 balls only once, and send a subtraction request for 18 balls and a subtraction request for 25 balls separately. Alternatively, a subtraction request for one ball may be transmitted 43 times, or a subtraction request for an arbitrary number of balls may be transmitted a plurality of times so that 43 balls are subtracted in total. In this way, subtracting from the number of balls in preference to the number of balls is subtracting from the number of balls, while it is not necessary to communicate with the acquired ball number management device 61 and send a subtraction request, Since it is necessary to communicate with the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 and send a subtraction request if it is a subtraction from the number of balls, the communication with the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 should be avoided as much as possible to reduce the load on the system. This is to reduce.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 20, the less-than-unit payout process performed by the ball lending ticket control unit 22 of each unit counting unit 50 will be described.

  In this less-unit payout process, first, the payout fraction is set in Sf01. Specifically, the payout fraction specified in Sd04 in FIG. 18 is set. Next, in Sf02, it is determined whether or not a pachinko ball supplied from the game island via the supply path 28 is being detected by the ball detection sensor 37. If it is determined in Sf02 that a pachinko ball has not been detected (NO), in Sf03, the lighting state of the multi-function lamp 26 is turned on in a predetermined lighting mode for notifying that a ball supply error has occurred. As a result, a ball supply error notification is performed, and the system waits for the error to be resolved in Sf04. The staff member who has grasped the error by notifying the ball supply error eliminates the clogging in the supply path 28, for example, thereby eliminating the error. If the error is resolved in Sf04 (YES), the process proceeds to Sf11. On the other hand, also when it determines with the pachinko ball being detected by Sf02 (YES), it progresses to Sf11.

  In Sf11, as shown in Df11, the display 24 displays the remaining payout number that is the set payout fraction, and the counting unit 30 blinks on the icon of the pachinko machine 10 (indicated by shading in the figure). Then, the blinking counting unit 30 is pointed by an arrow, and further, by displaying the word “I will pay out from the counting unit”, a payout notification for notifying that the pachinko ball is paid out from the counting unit 30 is performed. Here, the ball rental ticket control unit 22 that performs the process of Sf11 and the display 24 that displays the Df11 perform a payout notification for allowing the player to recognize the payout of the pachinko ball from the counting unit 30 based on at least the unit-less payout process. It functions as a payout notification means to be performed. According to this, by performing the payout notification, the payout of the pachinko balls having a fractional unit fraction based on the payout processing less than the unit is performed not from the pachinko machine 10 but from the counting unit 30 of each counter unit 50. Can be recognized by the player, so that the player can be prevented from being confused about the payout.

  That is, when the pachinko ball payout process based on the number of balls is performed, if the number of balls is equal to or greater than the number of payouts set (for example, 125 balls) as described with reference to FIG. Even if the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the set number of payouts is paid out only from the pachinko machine 10 (Sd08) and the number of balls is less than the set number of payouts (NO in Sd02), the number of balls is equal to or greater than the number of payout units ( If it is an integral multiple of the number of payout units (YES in Sd03) (YES in Sd09), the pachinko balls corresponding to the integral multiple of the payout unit number are paid out only from the pachinko machine 10 (Sd13). The number of balls to be paid out is less than the set number of payouts and not an integral multiple of the number of payout units (YES in Sd03 → NO in Sd09), and the number of balls is less than the number of payout units (NO in Sd03). Limited to Therefore, when there is a problem that the payout from the counting unit 30 is difficult to understand and the player is confused with the payout, the payout notification can be made to allow the player to recognize the payout. It is.

  Next, in Sf12, a pachinko ball payout instruction for the remaining payout amount (that is, the payout fraction set in Sf01) is output to the counting unit 30, thereby starting the payout of pachinko balls. In the counting unit 30 to which the payout instruction is inputted, the sprocket 38 is driven and the payout counter 39 is opened, whereby the pachinko balls in the discharge path 36 are drawn out by the sprocket 38 and pass through the payout counter 39. When the count value of the payout counter 39 reaches the payout number, the driving of the sprocket 38 is stopped and the payout counter 39 is closed. The pachinko balls that have passed through the payout counter 39 are received by the tray 40, and the player can use the pachinko balls for the game by supplying the pachinko balls to the upper plate of the pachinko machine 10.

  Next, at Sf13, every time a single pachinko ball is paid out is detected (YES), at Sf14, the one ball is subtracted from the number of balls on hand of the card table, and displayed on the display 24 as shown at Df14. The one ball is subtracted from the payout remaining number, and it is determined in Sf15 whether or not the payout remaining number after the subtraction is zero. If it is not zero, the process returns to Sf13. Proceed to Here, the ball rental ticket control unit 22 that performs the process of Sf14 and the display 24 that displays the Df14 update the number of pachinko balls to be paid out each time a single pachinko ball is paid out by performing a less-unit payout process. It functions as a game medium number update display means for displaying (subtracting and updating the payout remaining number). According to this, it is possible to prevent the player from being suspicious of the payout.

  In addition, the subtraction of the number of hand holding balls performed in Sf14 is performed by subtracting the number of holding balls and subtracting the number of holding balls prior to the counting ball number for the same reason as described in Se16 of FIG. Is sent to the acquired ball number management device 61.

  Next, in Sf16, as indicated by Df16, the counting unit 30 blinks on the icon of the pachinko machine 10 on the display 24 (indicated by shading in the figure), the blinking counting unit 30 is indicated by an arrow, By displaying the words “payout is over” and “please be careful about forgetting to remove”, a forgetting prevention notification is made to notify that the prevention of forgetting is prevented, and the fractional unit fraction ends. Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the process of Sf16 and the display 24 that displays the Df16 are payout notification means for performing a notification to prevent the player from forgetting to take out the pachinko ball paid out by the less than unit payout process. It functions as. According to this, it is possible to prevent forgetting to take out the pachinko balls paid out in the unit-less payout process. The display of Df16 is erased after a predetermined time (for example, 15 seconds) has elapsed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 21, the payout process performed by the ball lending ticket control unit 22 and the counting control unit 31 of each of the counting units 50 will be described. Here, both the ball lending ticket control unit 22 and the counting control unit 31 store a payout serial number as described above. This payout serial number is shifted by one (specifically, after the ball lending ticket control unit 22 transmits the payout request (operation instruction G of Sg02) until the counting control unit 31 receives the payout request (specifically, The payout serial number of the ball lending ticket control unit 22 is decremented by 1), and the count control unit 31 is the same number during the payout performed when the payout request is received. Further, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 and the counting control unit 31 store “paying” or “not paying” as the payout state in the payout state storage unit (not shown).

  When starting the payout process in S312 of FIG. 20, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 increments the payout serial number stored in the storage table by 1 and updates the stored payout state to “Paying Out” in Sg01. In Sg02, the operation instruction G indicating the payout start, the updated payout serial number, and the payout planned number (that is, the payout fraction set in S301 in FIG. 20) is sent to the count control unit 31 by polling as a payout request. Send. When the payout serial number is incremented by 1 at Sg01, the payout serial number stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 and the count control unit 31 are stored until the operation instruction G of Sg02 reaches the count control unit 31. The payout serial number is shifted.

  Upon receiving the operation instruction G of Sg02, the count control unit 31 increments the payout serial number stored in the storage table by 1 in Sg03, updates the stored payout state to “dispensing”, and the operation instruction G indicates The number of payouts is stored in the storage table, and the payout of the pachinko balls is started in Sg04. In Sg05, the payout number is added and updated in the storage table as the payout progresses, and in Sg06, An operation instruction response G indicating that the payout is in progress is returned to the ball rental ticket control unit 22 as a payout start notification. Since the payout serial number is incremented by 1 in Sg03, the payout serial number stored in the counting control unit 31 and the payout serial number stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 are in a state of being in agreement. It will be. Upon receiving the operation instruction response G of Sg06, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 stores that the operation instruction response G has been received, and transmits the operation instruction H to the count control unit 31 by polling at Sg07. The counting control unit 31 that has received the operation instruction H returns the operation instruction response G to the ball lending ticket control unit 22 in Sg08 if paying out. The ball lending ticket control unit 22 and the counting control unit 31 repeat Sg07 to Sg08 until the payout is completed.

  When the number of payouts stored in the storage table reaches the stored payout number in Sg11, the counting control unit 31 ends payout in Sg12 and sets the stored payout state to “Paying out”. If the operation instruction H is received at Sg13, the error indicating no error and no payout is performed at Sg14. The instruction response H is returned to the ball lending ticket control unit 22 as a payout completion notification. Upon receiving the operation instruction response H, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 sets the stored payout state to “payout”. Update to “not in” and end the payout process.

  In this payout process, if a power interruption occurs before the operation instruction G of Sg02 reaches the count control unit 31, the payout serial number stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 and the payout stored in the count control unit 31 The serial number does not match, the storage table of the counting control unit 31 does not store the scheduled payout number, and the payout is not started. When the power is turned on in this state, the first payout recovery process of S1015 is performed as will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In the payout process, if a power interruption occurs during the payout from when the counting control unit 31 transmits the operation instruction response G of Sg06 until the operation instruction response H of Sg14 is transmitted, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 stores it. The payout serial number matches the payout serial number stored in the counting control unit 31, and the storage table of the counting control unit 31 stores the number of payouts and the number of payouts, and the payout is stopped during the payout. It becomes a state. When the power is turned on in this state, the second payout recovery process of S1016 is performed as will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Even when the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 or the counting unit 30 is replaced, when the power is turned on after the replacement, the first payout recovery process of S1018 is performed as will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the replay process indicated by Sa15 in FIG. 15 will be described with reference to FIG. If there is a re-play button operation while accepting the membership card 2 at Sa05 in FIG. 15, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 at Sh01, the number of stored balls stored in the card table is set in advance. It is determined whether or not the set number of payouts (for example, 125 balls) + the number of fee balls (for example, 10 balls) collected when paying out the set number of payouts.

  If it is determined in this Sh01 that the number of stored balls is less than the set number of payouts + the number of commission balls (NO), an error display is displayed to display on the display 24 that the replay process cannot be performed because the number of stored balls is insufficient. To finish the replay process. On the other hand, if it is determined in Sh01 that the number of stored balls is equal to or greater than the set number of payouts + the number of fee balls (YES), in Sh02, the payout amount is used as a subtraction value from the number of stored balls managed in the member acquisition number of balls table. Set the set number + the number of commission balls (here, a total of 135 balls).

  Then, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 transmits a storage ball subtraction start notification to the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 in Sh11, and the control unit of the acquired ball number management device 61 that has received the storage-ball subtraction start notification in Sh11 Then, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that has returned the response to start of subtraction of the storage balls to each unit counting unit 50 and has received the response to start of the storage subtraction is set in Sh13 with the card ID stored in the card table and the Sh02. The control unit of the acquired ball number management device 61 that has transmitted the stored ball subtraction request including the subtracted value to the acquired ball number management device 61 and received the stored ball subtraction request is included in the stored ball subtraction request in Sh14. Subtract the subtraction value included in the storage ball subtraction request from the number of storage balls stored in the member acquisition ball number table in association with the card ID, and each of the storage ball subtraction responses including the number of storage balls after the subtraction in Sh15 Stand To reply to unit 50.

  In the following, a storage ball subtraction start notification is transmitted from the ball rental ticket control unit 22 to the acquired ball number management device 61 (here, Sh11), and a storage ball subtraction start response from the acquired ball number management device 61 to the ball rental ticket control unit 22 Transmission (here Sh12), transmission of a storage ball subtraction request from the ball lending ticket control unit 22 to the acquired ball number management device 61 (here Sh13), and storage of balls from the acquired ball number management device 61 to the ball lending ticket control unit 22 Transmission of the subtraction response (here Sh15) is referred to as a “subtraction sequence”. Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the communication of Sh11 to Sh15, with the payout of the pachinko ball by the replay process, calculates the payout set number + the number of commission balls from the number of stored balls stored in the member acquired ball number table. It functions as communication means for performing communication for subtraction according to the predetermined subtraction sequence.

  The ball lending ticket control unit 22 that has received the stored ball subtraction response updates the number of stored balls stored in the card table to the number of stored balls after subtraction included in the stored ball subtraction response in Sh16, and sets the payout in Sh17. A unit payout process is performed for several minutes, and the replay process is terminated. The unit payout process performed in Sh17 is substantially the same as that described with reference to FIG. 19. However, since the number of stored balls is subtracted in Sh16, the number of hand held balls in Se16 is not subtracted.

  Next, the exchange process indicated by Sa16 in FIG. 15 will be described with reference to FIG. If the exchange request indicating the number of exchanged balls is received at Sa06 in FIG. That is, it is determined whether or not the card ID starts with M.

  If it is determined in Si01 that the card ID of the membership card 2 is not (NO), that is, if the card ID is the card ID of the visitor card 3 starting with V, the number of hand possessions stored in the card table in Si02 Is greater than or equal to the number of exchange balls indicated by the exchange request. If it is determined in Si02 that the number of balls in hand is less than the number of balls to be exchanged (NO), an error is displayed on the display 24 to indicate that the exchange processing cannot be performed because the number of balls in hand is insufficient. Then, the exchange process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined at Si02 that the number of balls in hand is equal to or greater than the number of balls to be exchanged (YES), the number of balls to be exchanged is subtracted from the number of balls at hand at Si03. The subtraction completion notification for displaying on the display 24 that the number of exchange balls has been subtracted from is performed, and the exchange process is terminated. The store clerk who transmitted the exchange request by operating the remote controller confirms the notification of Si04 and provides the player with the exchanged number of articles (for example, a drink of a wagon service).

  In addition, the subtraction of the number of hand possession performed in Si03 is prioritized from the number of possession over the number of possession, and when subtracting the number of possession, a subtraction request for the number of possession is acquired. Transmit to device 61. In this way, the number of balls is prioritized and subtracted over the number of balls. In this way, in the payout process, if the subtraction is from the counted number of balls, the subtraction request is transmitted by communicating with the acquired number-of-balls management device 61. While there is no need, if it is a subtraction from the number of balls, it is necessary to communicate with the acquired ball number management device 61 and send a subtraction request. Therefore, it is obtained in the payout process by preserving the number of balls as much as possible. This is to reduce the load on the system by avoiding communication with the ball count management device 61 as much as possible.

  If it is determined in Si01 that the card ID of the membership card 2 is “YES”, that is, the card ID starts with M, in Si05, the number of stored balls + the number of possessed balls stored in the card table is the exchange request. It is determined whether or not the number of exchange balls indicated by. If it is determined in this Si05 that the number of stored balls + the number of possessed balls is less than the number of exchanged balls (NO), the display 24 indicates that the replacement process cannot be performed because the number of accumulated balls + the number of retained hands is insufficient. An error message to be displayed is displayed and the exchange process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in Si05 that the number of stored balls + the number of balls in hand is equal to or greater than the number of replacement balls (YES), it is determined in Si06 whether the number of stored balls is equal to or greater than the number of replacement balls.

  If it is determined that the number of stored balls is equal to or greater than the number of exchanged balls in Si06 (YES), the number of exchanged balls is set as a subtraction value from the number of stored balls managed in the member acquisition number-of-balls table in Si07. Similarly to the subtraction sequence of FIG. 22, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 transmits a stored ball subtraction start notification to the acquired ball number management device 61 and receives the stored ball subtraction start notification in Si11. The control unit 61 of the management device 61 returns a storage ball subtraction start response to each unit counting unit 50 in Si12, and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that has received the storage ball subtraction start response stores the card storage table in Si13. The control unit of the acquired ball number management device 61 that has transmitted the stored ball subtraction request including the card ID and the subtraction value set in the Si07 to the acquired ball number management device 61 and received the stored ball subtraction request is , Si 4, the subtraction value included in the storage ball subtraction request is subtracted from the number of storage balls stored in the member acquisition ball number table in association with the card ID included in the storage ball subtraction request. The ball lending ticket control unit 22 that has returned the stored ball subtraction response including the number of stored balls to each unit counting unit 50 and has received the stored ball subtraction response, stores the number of stored balls stored in the card table in Si16. The number of stored balls after subtraction included in the subtraction response is updated, and in Si17, a subtraction completion notification is displayed to display on the display 24 that the number of exchanged balls has been subtracted from the “number of stored balls”, and the exchange process is terminated. The store clerk who transmitted the exchange request by operating the remote controller confirms the notification of the Si 17 and provides the player with the exchanged number of articles (for example, a drink of a wagon service).

  Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the processing of Si06, Si07, and Si13 receives the exchange operation (has received the exchange request at Sa06), and the number of stored balls is equal to or greater than the number of exchanged balls. As a condition, it functions as a communication means for transmitting a stored ball subtraction request for subtracting the number of exchanged balls from the number of stored balls to the acquired number-of-balls management device 61, regardless of whether or not there is a hand on hand. The control unit of the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 that performs the process of Si14 subtracts the number of exchanged games from the number of stored balls stored in the member-acquired number-of-balls table, based on the reception of the accumulated ball subtraction request. It functions as a subtracting means.

  According to this, if the number of stored balls managed by the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 is equal to or larger than a predetermined number (number of exchanged balls) necessary for exchange with a desired article, regardless of the number of balls on hand, Since the number of exchanged balls is subtracted from the number of stored balls, the number of stored balls is preferentially used for exchanging articles, and the number of balls on hand is preserved as much as possible. As a result, it is advantageous for players at the game hall that currently collects fees for paying pachinko balls using the number of balls, and future fees will be collected at game venues that have not yet collected fees. When this happens, it will be advantageous for the player.

  In other words, in the case of exchange for goods, no fee is collected for any game hall using either the number of possession balls or the number of balls in hand, but in the case of paying out pachinko balls, some amusement halls No fee is collected even if the number of balls in hand is used, but there is a case where a fee is collected if the number of stored balls is used. Withdrawing from the number of possessions at hand will result in a disadvantage that the player will be disadvantaged because the number of possessions at hand will not be collected in the case of paying out the game media, resulting in a disadvantage for the player. For example, the problem can be solved and the player can be controlled so as not to be disadvantaged as much as possible when the goods are exchanged by using the number of stored balls or the number of possessed balls.

  In addition, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs communication of Si11 to Si15 also performs communication for transmitting a storage ball subtraction request for subtracting the number of exchanged balls from the number of stored balls in the exchange process, and a predetermined subtraction sequence in the replay process. It functions as a communication means to perform according to. This is preferable because the same subtraction sequence as the subtraction sequence of the replay process is used for the exchange process and the same can be used.

  When it is determined in Si06 that the number of stored balls is less than the number of exchanged balls (NO), the total number of stored balls is subtracted, and the shortage obtained by subtracting the number of stored balls from the number of exchanged balls is subtracted from the number of balls on hand. For this purpose, the processing below Si21 is performed. In addition, the subtraction of the shortage from the number of balls in hand is subtracted from the number of balls prior to the number of balls already counted for the same reason as described in Si03, and when the number of balls is subtracted. Transmits a stored ball subtraction request for subtracting the number of possessed balls to the acquired ball number management device 61.

  First, in Si21, it is determined whether or not the number of possessed balls stored in the card table is equal to or more than the shortage. If it is determined that the number of possessed balls is not less than the shortage in Si21 (YES), that is, it is possible to subtract all of the shortage from only the number of possessed balls, in Si22, from the number of retained balls stored in the card table Subtract the shortage, and at Si23, set the number of stored balls as a subtracted value from the number of stored balls managed in the member acquired number of balls table, and from the number of held balls managed in the member acquired number of balls table The shortage is set as a subtraction value, and the process proceeds to Si31. On the other hand, if it is determined in Si21 that the number of possessed balls is less than the shortage (NO), that is, it is determined that all of the shortage cannot be subtracted from the number of possessed balls alone, the card table is stored in Si24 The total number of balls is subtracted to zero, and (the shortage minus the number of balls) is subtracted from the number of balls stored in the card table. The number of stored balls is set as a subtracted value from the number of stored balls, and the number of held balls is set as a subtracted value from the number of owned balls managed in the member acquired number-of-balls table, and the process proceeds to Si31.

  Then, similarly to the subtraction sequence in FIG. 22, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 transmits a storage ball subtraction start notification to the acquired ball number management device 61 and receives the storage ball subtraction start notification in Si31. The control unit of the management device 61 returns a storage ball subtraction start response to each unit counting unit 50 in Si32, and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that has received the storage ball subtraction start response stores the card storage table in Si33. Control of the acquired ball number management device 61 that has transmitted the stored ball subtraction request including the card ID and the subtraction value set in the Si 23 or Si 25 to the acquired ball number management device 61 and received the stored ball subtraction request The part subtracts the subtraction value from the number of stored balls included in the stored ball subtraction request from the number of stored balls associated with the card ID included in the stored ball subtraction request in Si34. From the number of possessed balls included in the accumulated ball subtraction request from the number of possessed balls stored in the member acquisition number-of-balls table in association with the card ID included in the accumulated ball subtraction request in Si35. The ball lending ticket control which has returned the stored ball subtraction response including the number of stored balls and the number of held balls to each vehicle counting unit 50 and received the stored ball subtracted response in Si36. The unit 22 updates the number of stored balls stored in the card table to the number of stored balls after subtraction included in the stored ball subtraction response and updates the number of held balls stored in the card table to the outside subtraction response. Is updated to the number of possessed balls after subtraction, and the replacement processing is performed by displaying on the display 24 that the number of exchanged balls has been subtracted from the “number of accumulated balls” and the “number of possessed balls” in Si38. Exit. The store clerk who transmitted the exchange request by operating the remote controller confirms the notification of the Si 38 and provides the player with the exchanged number of articles (for example, a drink of a wagon service).

  Since the Si33 storage ball subtraction request includes a subtraction value from the number of storage balls and a subtraction value from the number of possession balls, the control unit of the acquired ball number management device 61 that has received the storage ball subtraction request The subtraction (Si34) from the number of stored balls stored in the number table and the subtraction (Si35) from the number of possessed balls are performed. The subtraction sequence itself is the same as the subtraction sequence of FIG.

  Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the processing of Si06, Si22, and Si24 confirms that the number of stored balls is less than the number of exchanged balls based on accepting the exchange operation (having received the exchange request in Sa06). As a condition, it functions as a shortage subtracting means for subtracting the shortage with respect to the number of exchangeable balls from the number of balls on hand, and the ball rental ticket control unit 22 that performs the processing of Si38 has performed the shortage subtraction processing. The ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the process of Si33 obtains a storage subtraction request for subtracting a sufficient amount for the exchanged ball number from the stored ball number. It functions as a communication means for transmitting to the management device 61.

  According to this, when the number of stored balls managed by the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 is less than a predetermined number (number of exchanged balls) necessary for exchange with a desired article, only the shortage with respect to the number of exchanged balls, Since it is subtracted from the number of balls in hand, the number of balls stored is preferentially used for exchanging goods, and the shortage is subtracted from the number of balls in hand, so that the number of balls in hand is preserved as much as possible. As a result, it is advantageous for players at the game hall that currently collects fees for paying pachinko balls using the number of balls, and future fees will be collected at game venues that have not yet collected fees. When this happens, it will be advantageous for the player.

  Here, when the exchange process is performed in the state shown in FIG. 3 (that is, a state where 82 counting balls, 324 holding balls, and 427 storing balls are stored), the number of replacement balls is 300 balls and 600 balls. , Or 800 balls will be specifically described.

  First, when the number of exchanged balls is 300 balls, the number of stored balls is 427 balls + the number of hand held balls is 406 balls or more, so it is determined as YES in Si05, and the number of stored balls is more than the number of exchanged balls. It determines with YES by Si06, performs the process below Si07, subtracts this exchange ball number from the number of stored balls, and the number of stored balls after subtraction becomes 127 balls.

  Secondly, when the number of exchanged balls is 600 balls, the number of stored balls is 427 balls + the number of balls on hand is 406 balls or more, so it is determined as YES in Si05, but the number of stored balls is less than the number of exchanged balls Therefore, it is determined as NO in Si06, and the number of balls 324 is more than the shortage (the number of replacement balls is 600 balls-the number of stored balls is 427 balls = 173 balls). By subtracting 427 balls from the number of balls and 173 balls from the number of balls, the total number of exchanged balls is subtracted, and the number of balls after subtraction is 0 balls and the number of balls is 151 balls.

  Thirdly, when the number of exchanged balls is 800 balls, the number of stored balls is 427 balls + the number of balls on hand is 406 balls or more, so it is determined as YES in Si05, but the number of stored balls is less than the number of exchanged balls Therefore, it is determined as NO in Si06, and the number of possessed balls is less than 324 balls (the number of replacement balls is 800-the number of stored balls is 427 balls = 873 balls). By subtracting 427 balls from the number, 373 balls from the number of balls, and 49 balls from the number of balls counted, the total number of exchanged balls is subtracted, the number of stored balls after subtraction is 0 balls, the number of balls is 0 balls , Counting balls will be 33 balls.

  Next, the card return process shown in Sa17 of FIG. 15 will be described with reference to FIG. When there is an operation of the card return button 16 at Sa07 in FIG. 15, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 determines whether there is a card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) being accepted at the card R / W 23 at Sj01. Determine. If it is determined in Sj01 that there is no card being accepted (NO), in Sj02, the operation of the card return button 16 accepted in Sa07 is invalidated, and the card return process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in Sj01 that there is a card being accepted (YES), a count prohibition instruction is output to the count control unit 31 in Sj03 to prohibit new counting. In the count control unit 31 to which this count prohibition instruction has been input, counting of new pachinko balls is prohibited by closing the shutter 33.

  Next, in Sj04, it is determined whether or not the card being accepted at the card R / W 23 is the membership card 2. If it is determined in Sj04 that the card being accepted is the member card 2 (YES), the member card return process shown in FIG. 25 described later is performed in Sj50, and the count prohibition in the count control unit 31 is prohibited in Sj15. Release the card return process. In the membership card return process shown in FIG. 25, since the membership card 2 being accepted is returned, the membership card 2 is different from the case of the visitor card 3 described later, whether or not the prepaid balance is zero, Regardless of whether or not the number of balls in hand is a fractional unit, it is always returned.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in Sj04 that the card being accepted is the visitor card 3 (NO), the prepaid balance stored in the card table (ie, the prepaid balance recorded in the visitor card 3) is stored in Sj20. It is determined whether or not is zero.

  If it is determined in Sj20 that the prepaid balance is not zero (NO), it is determined in Sj21 whether or not the number of possessed balls stored in the card table is a fractional unit (24 or less in this example). judge. If it is determined in Sj21 that the number of balls in hand is not a fraction less than the unit (NO), that is, the number of balls in hand is more than the payout unit, the number of balls in hand is recorded in the visitor card 3 in Sj22. , Go to Sj16. On the other hand, if it is determined in Sj21 that the number of balls in hand is a fraction less than a unit (YES), in Sj23, in order to pay out the pachinko balls having a fraction less than a unit from the counting unit 30 and return them to the player, The under-unit payout process described with reference to FIG. 20 is performed, the number of balls in hand (in this case, zero) is recorded on the visitor card 3, and the process proceeds to Sj16. If it is determined in Sj21 that the number of balls in hand is zero, the process proceeds to Sj16 without performing the process of Sj23.

  Next, in Sj16, a visitor card return notice including the card ID of the visitor card 3 stored in the card table and the number of balls in hand is transmitted to the acquired number-of-balls management device 61. In Sj17, the acquired number of balls is acquired. It waits for the reception of the update completion notification transmitted from the number management device 61. The acquired number-of-balls managing device 61 that has received the visitor card return notification receives the received number of balls stored in association with the card ID included in the received visitor card return notification in the visitor acquired number-of-balls table. It updates to the number of possession balls included in the card return notification, and returns an update completion notification to each unit counting unit 50.

  When receiving an update completion notification at Sj17 (YES), the ball lending ticket control unit 22 ejects and returns the accepted visitor card 3 at Sj18, and resets the card table (deletes the stored contents) at Sj19. And the process proceeds to Sj15. That is, the visitor card 3 that is being accepted by each counter unit 50 is always returned when the prepaid balance is not zero. Thus, since the visitor card 3 whose prepaid balance is not zero is always returned, as a modified example, when it is determined YES in Sj21, it does not proceed to Sj23, but proceeds to Sj22 and has a fractional unit handball The number may be recorded on the visitor card 3 and the visitor card 3 may be returned.

  Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the processing of Sj22 and Sj18 is not accepting the card ID of the membership card 2 (here, the visitor card 3 is being accepted and the card ID of the visitor card 3 is stored in the card table) In response to the completion operation (operation of the card return button 16) in the middle), the member who performs the discharge process of discharging the visitor card 3 recorded with the number of balls stored as the number of balls stored in the card table. It functions as a receiving end processing means.

  If it is determined in Sj20 that the prepaid balance is zero (YES), in Sj31, the number of balls in hand stored in the card table is less than the unit (24 balls or less in this example) as in Sj21. ). If it is determined in Sj31 that the number of balls in hand is not a fraction less than the unit (NO), that is, the number of balls in hand is greater than or equal to the payout unit, in Sj32, the number of balls in hand is set to the visitor as in Sj22. The data is recorded on the card 3, and the process proceeds to Sj16. That is, the visitor card 3 that is being received by each unit counting unit 50 is returned on condition that the number of balls on hand is not zero when the prepaid balance is zero.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in Sj31 that the number of balls in hand is a fractional unit (YES), in Sj33, in the same manner as in Sj23, a pachinko ball having a fractional unit fraction is paid out and returned to the player. Then, the under-unit payout process described with reference to FIG. 20 is performed, the number of balls in hand (here, zero) is recorded on the visitor card 3, and the process proceeds to Sj41. If it is determined in Sj31 that the number of balls in hand is zero, the process proceeds to Sj41 without performing the process in Sj33. In Sj41, an acquisition notification including the card ID of the visitor card 3 stored in the card table is transmitted to the acquired number-of-balls management device 61. In Sj42, the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 transmits the notification. Wait for an update completion notification to come. The acquired number-of-balls management device 61 that has received the notification of acquisition updates the number of balls that are stored in association with the card ID included in the received notification of acquisition in the visitor acquired number-of-balls table to zero, An update completion notification is returned to each of the counting units 50.

  The ball lending ticket control unit 22 receives an update completion notification in Sj42 (YES), and in Sj43, performs a fetching process of fetching the accepted visitor card 3 and storing it in the card stocker 23b, in Sj19. move on. That is, the visitor card 3 that is being received by each unit counting unit 50 is taken in without being returned when the prepaid balance is zero and the number of possession balls is less than a unit. According to this, it is possible to prevent the loss of the game hall due to the return of the visitor card 3 on which a small number of possession balls are recorded and being discarded.

  Next, the membership card return process shown in Sj50 of FIG. 24 will be described with reference to FIG. The ball rental ticket control unit 22 transmits a member card return notification including the card ID of the member card 2 stored in the card table to the acquired ball number management device 61 in Sk01.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 26, the member card return notification reception process performed by the control unit (not shown) of the acquired number of balls management device 61 will be described. The acquired number-of-balls management apparatus 61 that has received the membership card return notification returns the number of balls stored in the member acquired number-of-balls table in SL01 in association with the card ID included in the membership card return notification. It updates to the number of hand possessions included in the notification, and determines whether or not the update is successful in SL02. Here, it is determined whether or not the update is successful because the operation of the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 is unstable or the membership card return notification is not normally received, so that the number of possessed balls fails to be updated. Because there are cases.

  If it is determined that the update is successful (YES) in SL02, the transaction serial number stored in the member acquisition number table is counted up in SL03 in association with the card ID included in the member card return notification. , SL04 returns the card update result of the update OK to each unit counting unit 50, and the member card return notification reception process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the update has failed (NO) at SL02, the display (not shown) indicates that the update has failed at SL05, and the card update result of the update NG is displayed at SL06. A reply is sent to each unit counting unit 50, and the member card return notification receiving process is terminated.

  Returning to FIG. 25, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that has transmitted the member card return notification to the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 in Sk01 indicates the card update result transmitted from the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 in Sk02. While waiting for reception, in Sk03, it waits for offline detection. The ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the processing of Sk03 functions as a communication determination unit that determines whether communication with the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 is possible. Specifically, the acquired ball number Whether or not communication is possible (online) or communication is not possible (offline) can be detected based on whether or not an online confirmation request transmitted periodically (for example, every 10 seconds) is received from the number management device 61. ing.

  If it is determined that there is offline detection (YES) in Sk03, the process proceeds to Sk21 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined at Sk02 that the card update result is received (YES), it is determined at Sk04 whether the card update result is a card update result of update OK. If it is determined that the card update result of the update NG is NO at Sk04 (NO), an error notification and a communication interruption notification (FIN) are transmitted to the acquired ball number management device 61 at Sk05, and offline at Sk06. The process shifts to the state and proceeds to Sk21 described later. This communication interruption notification is a command for informing the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 that the communication will be disconnected until the next transmission of some command.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the result of the card update is “OK” in Sk04 (YES), the transaction serial number stored in the card table is counted up in Sk07, and the accepted membership card 2 is discharged in Sk08. Then, in Sk09, the card table is reset (stored contents are erased), and the membership card return process is terminated.

  Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the processing of Sk01, Sk08, and Sk09 is accepting the card ID of the member card 2 (here, the member card 2 is being accepted and the card ID of the member card 2 in the card table). Is stored), and the member acquisition ball number table manages the count ball number stored in the card table in association with the card ID based on receiving the end operation (operation of the card return button 16). A membership card return notification for updating the number of possessed balls is sent to the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 and the acceptance status of the card ID of the membership card 2 is canceled (the membership card 2 is returned at Sk08). The card ID of the member card 2 stored in the card table is erased with Sk09).

  In the Sk03 YES, or in the Sk21 advanced from the Sk06, the multi-function lamp 26 is lit in a predetermined manner to notify that the offline is detected, and in the Sk22 the game hall that has confirmed the notification. It waits for reception of a trouble mode shift request transmitted from the remote controller operated by the store clerk.

  If a trouble mode shift request is received at Sk22 (YES), the trouble mode is shifted at Sk23, and at Sk24, the member card 2 being accepted is updated with the number of counting balls stored in the card table. The number of unknown counting balls and the transaction serial number are recorded as recovery information, and the member card 2 is discharged and returned at Sk25. Next, in Sk26, one of the visitor cards 3 stored in the card stocker 23b is transported to the card R / W 23, and the visitor card 3 has the number of counting balls stored in the card table. A certain number of unknown counting balls is recorded as the number of possessed balls, and an offline flag is recorded. At Sk27, the visitor card 3 is ejected and returned.

  Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the processing of Sk24 to Sk27 is accepting the card ID of the member card 2 (here, the member card 2 is being accepted and the card ID of the member card 2 is being stored in the card table). ) On the condition that the communication determination means determines that communication is not possible (offline) based on the reception of the end operation (operation of the card return button 16). Release (return the membership card 2 and erase the card ID of the membership card 2 stored in the card table with Sk09), and eject the visitor card 3 that records the number of possessed balls. It functions as a member receiving end processing means for processing.

  According to this, when an end operation is received while the card ID of the member card 2 is received, if each of the counting units 50 and the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 cannot communicate, the card ID of the member card 2 Since the visitor card 3 in which the number of balls is recorded as the number of balls is discharged while the acceptance state is cancelled, the visitor card 3 is accepted by each of the other unit counting units 50, so that FIG. 16 and FIG. As shown, the number of possessed balls recorded on the visitor card 3 can be used for a game in the pachinko machine 10 corresponding to each other unit counting unit 50.

  Next, in Sk28, when the transition is made to the offline state in Sk06, the transition is made to the online state again, and in Sk29, the online detection is waited. If there is an online detection in Sk29, that is, if there is an online confirmation request sent from the acquired ball number management device 61 (YES), a processing history in trouble mode is sent to the hall computer 62 in Sk30. Proceed to Sk09. The hall computer 62 can grasp the processing contents in the trouble mode by receiving the processing history.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 27 to FIG. 30, information exchange between each vehicle counting unit 50 and the acquired ball number management device 61 at the time of receiving and returning the member card 2 will be described. That is, FIG. 27 to FIG. 30 are diagrams explaining the above-described FIG. 16, FIG. 17, and FIG. In the description of FIG. 27 to FIG. 30, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 of each unit counting unit 50 indicates that the processing is performed by each unit counting unit 50, and The processing performed by the control unit (not shown) is referred to as “acquired ball number management device 61 performs processing”.

  First, FIG. 27 is a first diagram, and shows a case where no offline occurs between each vehicle counting unit 50 and the acquired number-of-balls management device 61. First, each unit counting unit 50 receives the member card 2 in Sm01, and in Sm02, transmits a card reception notification including the card ID of the member card 2 and the entered password, and receives the card reception notification. The acquired number-of-balls management device 61 sets a transaction serial number (here, X) in Sm03, stores it in the member acquired number-of-balls table in association with the card ID included in the card reception notification, and in Sm04, Send the card acceptance result of verification OK including the number of possessed balls, the number of accumulated balls, and the transaction serial number stored in the member acquisition number of balls table in association with the card ID included in the card acceptance notification, and receive the card acceptance result Each unit counting unit 50 stores the number of possessed balls, the number of stored balls, and the transaction serial number included in the card reception result in a card table in Sm05.

  Next, when each unit counting unit 50 accepts the operation of the card return button 16 in Sm11, in Sm12, it transmits a member card return notification including the card ID stored in the card table and the number of possessed balls, The acquired number-of-balls management device 61 that has received the member card return notification, in Sm13, associates the number of balls held in the member acquired number-of-balls table in association with the card ID included in the member card return notification into the member card. When it is updated to the number of possession balls included in the return notification and the update is successful, the transaction number stored in the member acquisition number of balls table is counted up at Sm14 (here, X + 1), and at Sm15 Each card counting unit 50 that has transmitted the card update result of the update OK and received the card update result of the update OK receives the transaction information stored in the card table in Sm16. They were counted up, in Sm17, to discharge the membership card 2 in the reception.

  Next, FIG. 28 is a second diagram, in which an off-line occurs between each unit counting unit 50 and the acquired number-of-balls management device 61, and the member card return notification is not received by the acquired number-of-balls management device 61. Show. Each unit counting unit 50 stores the number of counting balls in the card table when there is a count in Sm10 during reception of the membership card 2 subjected to the processing of Sm01 to Sm05, and in Sm11, the card return button When the operation of 16 is received, in Sm12, a membership card return notification including the card ID stored in the card table and the number of possession balls is transmitted.

  Here, when each unit counting unit 50 and the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 go offline, the member card return notification has not reached the acquired number-of-balls management device 61, so the processing from Sm13 onward in FIG. 27 is not performed. . Therefore, in the member acquisition ball number table of the acquired ball number management device 61, the number of balls in hand (that is, the number of balls included in the number of balls in hand) is not stored, and the transaction serial number is counted. The transaction number is not counted up in the card table of each counter unit 50. In each unit counting unit 50, if the card update result of the update OK corresponding to the card return notification is not received from the acquired ball number management device 61, it is unknown whether the update is successful or not. In order to recover the number, it is moved to an error state.

  In the offline state, each counter unit 50 receives the trouble mode shift request from the remote controller in Sm21, shifts to the trouble mode, and stores it in the accepted member card 2 in the card table in Sm22. The number of balls whose update is unknown and the transaction serial number are recorded as recovery information, and the member card 2 is ejected. In Sm23, the card is stored in the visitor card 3 conveyed from the card stocker 23b in a card table. The number of counting balls (the number of counting balls whose update is unknown) is recorded as the number of balls, and an offline flag is recorded, and the visitor card 3 is discharged. When the visitor card 3 in which the offline flag is recorded is received by the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 and each other unit counting unit 50 in the online state, the number of possessed balls recorded in the visitor card 3 is the number of acquired members. It is stored in a table (Sc16 in FIG. 17), and the number of possessed balls (that is, the number of unknown counting balls) can be used.

  Further, when the member card 2 on which the recovery information is recorded is received by the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 and each other unit counting unit 50 in the online state, each unit counting unit 50 receives the member card 2 in Sm02a. A card reception notification including the card ID and the input password, and further including a transaction serial number (X in this case) as recovery information recorded on the member card 2 and the number of unknown update counting balls, The acquired number-of-balls management device 61 that has received the card reception notification determines whether or not the transaction sequence number included in the card reception notification matches the transaction sequence number included in the card reception notification in Sm02b. Since it is determined to be YES (YES), the number of possessed balls stored in the member acquisition number-of-balls table is not corrected in Sm02c.

  That is, when the member card return notice of Sm12 goes offline without reaching the acquired number-of-balls management device 61, the update unknown count number is recorded on the visitor card 3 and can be used. Since it is not stored in the acquired number-of-balls table, there is no need to correct the number of held balls stored in the member-acquired number-of-balls table.

  Next, the acquired ball number management device 61 sets a transaction serial number (here, X) in Sm03 and stores it in the member acquired ball number table, and stores it in the member acquired ball number table in Sm04. Each unit counting unit 50 that has transmitted the card acceptance result of the verification OK including the number of possessed balls, the number of stored balls, and the transaction serial number, and received the card acceptance result, in Sm05, The number of stored balls and the transaction serial number are stored in the card table, and the recovery information recorded on the member card 2 being accepted is deleted in Sm06.

  Next, FIG. 29 is a third diagram, and shows a case where an off-line occurs between each unit counting unit 50 and the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 and the card update result does not arrive at each unit counting unit 50. Each unit counting unit 50 performs the processing of Sm10 to Sm12 in FIG. 28, and the acquired ball number management device 61 that has received the membership card return notification of Sm12 receives the card included in the membership card return notification in Sm13. The number of possessed balls stored in the member earned ball number table in association with the ID is updated to the number of possessed balls included in the member card return notification, and when the update is successful, the number of member acquired balls is obtained in Sm14. The transaction serial number stored in the table is counted up (in this case, X + 1), and the card update result of update OK is transmitted in Sm15.

  Here, if each unit counting unit 50 and the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 go offline, the card update result of the update OK has not reached each unit counting unit 50, so the processing below Sm16 in FIG. 27 is performed. Absent. Therefore, in the member acquisition ball number table of the acquired ball number management device 61, the number of balls in hand (that is, the number of balls included in the number of balls in hand) is stored, and the transaction serial number is Although it is counted up, the transaction sequence number is not counted up in the card table of each counter unit 50. In each unit counting unit 50, if the card update result of the update OK corresponding to the card return notification is not received from the acquired ball number management device 61, it is unknown whether the update is successful or not. In order to recover the number, it is moved to an error state. In the offline state, each counter unit 50 receives the trouble mode shift request from the remote controller in Sm21, shifts to the trouble mode, and performs the processes of Sm22 and Sm23 in FIG.

  When the member card 2 on which the recovery information is recorded is received by the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 and each other unit counting unit 50 in the online state, each unit counting unit 50 receives the member card 2 in Sm02a. A card reception notification including a transaction serial number (in this case, X) and an update unknown counting ball number as recovery information recorded in the membership card 2, The acquired number-of-balls management device 61 that has received the card reception notification determines whether or not the transaction serial number included in the card reception notification matches the transaction serial number included in the card reception notification in Sm02b. Since the transaction sequence number of the card acceptance notification is X and the transaction sequence number of the member acquisition number of balls table is X + 1, it is determined that they do not match (NO), so in Sm02d, the card Correction is performed to subtract the number of updated unknown count ball contained with the notification from the lifting piece count which is stored in the card table.

  In other words, when the member card return notification of Sm12 reaches the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 and goes offline, the update-unknown counting number is recorded on the visitor card 3 and can be used. It is also stored in the acquired number of balls table, and if the number of balls stored in the member acquired number of balls table is used in this state, there will be a disadvantage to the playground. The correction is performed by subtracting the number of unknown counting balls from the number of holding balls. Thereafter, the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 performs the processes of Sm03 and Sm04 in FIG. 28, and each unit counting unit 50 performs the processes of Sm05 and Sm06.

  According to the processing shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the acquired ball number management device 61 and each non-offline unit counting unit 50 receive the card ID and the recovery information from the member card 2 on which the recovery information is recorded. Since the number of possessed balls managed in the member earned ball number table in association with the member card 2 is corrected, the number of earned balls can be obtained without waiting for each unit counting unit 50 that has gone offline. Appropriate management of the number of balls in the management device 61 can be performed.

  Furthermore, FIG. 30 is a fourth diagram, and shows a case where the number of possessed balls has failed to be updated in the acquired number-of-balls management device 61. Each unit counting unit 50 performs the processing of Sm10 to Sm12 in FIGS. 28 and 29, and the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 that has received the membership card return notification of Sm12 updates the number of balls in Sm13. However, if the update of the number of possessed balls fails in Sm13a, each card counting unit 50 that has transmitted the card update result of the update NG in Sm14a and received the card update result of the update NG notifies the error notification in Sm14b. Is transmitted, a communication interruption notification (FIN) is transmitted in Sm14c, and the offline state is entered in Sm20. In the offline state, each counter unit 50 receives the trouble mode shift request from the remote controller in Sm21, shifts to the trouble mode, performs the processes of Sm22 and Sm23 in FIGS. 28 and 29, and in Sm24. Transition to online status. When the member card 2 discharged in Sm23 is received by the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 and the other online counting units 50, the processing from Sm02 in FIG.

  According to the processing shown in FIG. 30, when the number of possessed balls cannot be updated by the acquired number-of-balls management device 61, non-updatable information (update result of updated NG card) is transmitted to each unit counting unit 50. Each counter unit 50 that has received the non-updatable information shifts to an offline state incapable of communicating with the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 and cannot communicate when accepting an end operation (operation of the card return button 16). Similarly, since the visitor card 3 in which the number of balls whose update is unknown is recorded as the number of balls, the special card corresponding to the case where it is impossible to update the number of balls in the acquired ball number management device 61 is prepared in advance. It is possible to assure the player with an unknown number of updates.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 31, the closing process performed by each counter unit 50 will be described. First, as described above, the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 transmits a business end processing request (tightening processing signal) to all the counting units 50 after the business ends on that day. The ball lending ticket control unit 22 of each unit counting unit 50 waits for reception of the tightening processing signal transmitted from the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 in Sn01, and if there is reception of the tightening processing signal (YES), In Sn02, it is determined whether or not the card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) is being accepted by the card R / W 23. If it is determined in Sn02 that the card is not being accepted (NO), the process proceeds to Sn21.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in Sn02 that the card is being accepted (YES), it is determined in Sn03 whether the member card 2 is being accepted. If it is determined in Sn03 that the visitor card 3 is being accepted (NO), it is determined in Sn11 whether or not there is a record of the number of balls in the visitor card 3. If it is determined that there is no record of the number of balls in this Sn11 (NO), the process proceeds to Sn14. On the other hand, if it is determined at Sn11 that there is a record of the number of possessed balls (YES), at Sn12, the number of retained balls stored in the card table is erased and the number of retained balls is erased. A recording invalidation process is performed, and in Sn13, invalidation information including the card ID of the visitor card 3 is transmitted to the acquired ball number management device 61, and the process proceeds to Sn14.

  Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the processing of Sn13 transmits invalidation information (here, a card ID) that can specify the number of possessed balls invalidated by the record invalidation processing to the acquired ball number management device 61. It functions as an invalidation information transmission means. The acquired number-of-balls management device 61 that has received this invalidation information erases the number of balls stored in the visitor-acquired number-of-balls table in association with the card ID included in the invalidation information, and erases (invalidates) ) Count the number of balls. According to this, in the acquired number-of-balls management device 61, the number of held balls invalidated by each unit counting unit 50 here can be grasped, and the number of retained balls invalidated by each individual unit counting unit 50 The total number of invalidated balls can be grasped accurately and simply.

  In Sn14, it is determined whether there is a prepaid balance stored in the card table. If it is determined in Sn14 that the prepaid balance is not stored (NO), the accepted visitor card 3 is taken into the card stocker 23b in Sn15, and the process proceeds to Sn21. Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the processing of Sn12 and Sn15 identifies that the card being accepted is the visitor card 3, and determines that the number of possessed balls recorded in the visitor card 3 exists. As a condition, it performs invalidation processing including recording invalidation processing for invalidating the number of possessed balls, and functions as invalidation processing means for storing the visitor card 3 in the card stocker 23b. According to this, even when there is the number of balls that are recorded in the visitor card 3 being accepted, the number of balls is invalidated and the visitor card 3 is stored, so Recovering the visitor card 3 discharged without being invalidated and invalidating the number of possessed balls by the card processing machine, or replenishing each unit counting unit 50 with the visitor card 3 invalidating the number of possessed balls Can be eliminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in Sn14 that the prepaid balance is stored (YES), the received visitor card 3 is ejected in Sn16, and the process proceeds to Sn21. Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the process of Sn16 is specified from the card ID of the visitor card 3 that has performed the invalidation process of deleting the number of balls in Sn12 or deleting the number of balls in Sn22 described later. It functions as an invalidation processing means for discharging the visitor card 3 from the card R / W 23 on condition that there is a prepaid balance. According to this, if there is a prepaid balance in the visitor card 3 in which the number of held balls or the counted number of balls is invalidated, the visitor card 3 is discharged without invalidating the prepaid balance, and the visitor card 3 The owner of the can receive the returned visitor card 3 and use the prepaid balance for the game, so the player will not be penalized for the prepaid balance, and the prepaid must be returned to the owner Since the visitor card 3 having the remaining amount is automatically determined and discharged, the visitor card 3 having the remaining prepaid amount can be easily collected.

  If it is determined in Sn03 that the membership card 2 is being accepted (YES), the membership card return process of FIG. 25 is performed in Sn04, and the process proceeds to Sn21. In this member card return process, the invalidation information is not transmitted to the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 as in the case of Sn13. Therefore, the member acquired number-of-balls table is associated with the card ID of the returned member card 2. The number of possessed balls stored in is not invalidated. Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the membership card return process of Sn04 recognizes that the accepted card is the membership card 2, and the membership card 2 is processed without performing the record invalidation process. A process of discharging from the card R / W 23 is performed. According to this, even if the membership card 2 is forgotten in each of the counting units 50, the number of balls specified from the card ID of the membership card 2 is invalidated and the member does not suffer disadvantage. Therefore, when transmitting the tightening processing signal, it is not necessary to confirm whether or not the membership card 2 has been forgotten in each unit counting unit 50, and it is possible to further reduce the work load and work time at the end of business. At the same time, since the forgotten member card 2 is automatically discharged, the member card 2 can be easily collected.

  In Sn21, it is determined whether there is a counting ball number stored in the card table. If it is determined that the number of balls is not stored (NO) in Sn21, the process proceeds to Sn31. On the other hand, if it is determined in Sn21 that the number of counting balls is stored (YES), the counting ball number stored in the card table is deleted in Sn22, and invalidation including the counting ball number is performed in Sn23. Information is transmitted to the acquired number-of-balls management device 61, and the process proceeds to Sn31. In other words, the number of balls remaining by the player after the store is closed is managed as an invalid ball number that cannot be used for prize exchange or gaming.

  Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the processing of Sn22 can specify the number of counting balls on the condition that there is the number of counting balls based on the reception of the processing end time processing request (tightening processing signal) Invalidating to invalidate the counting ball without performing the process of discharging the card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) in which the number-counting game medium number identification information (card ID) is recorded It functions as a processing unit. According to this, the count ball count is invalid only by transmitting a tightening processing signal from the acquired ball count management device 61 at the end of business without discharging a card on which information capable of specifying the count ball count is discharged. Therefore, it is not necessary to search and collect the cards ejected from each unit counting unit 50, or to bring the collected cards to the card processing machine and insert them one by one. And work time can be reduced.

  Further, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the processing of Sn13 transmits invalidation information (here, a card ID) that can specify the number of possessed balls invalidated by the record invalidation processing to the acquired ball number management device 61. It functions as invalidation information transmission means. The acquired number-of-balls management device 61 that has received this invalidation information erases the number of balls stored in the visitor-acquired number-of-balls table in association with the card ID included in the invalidation information, and erases (invalidates) ) Count the number of balls. According to this, in the acquired number-of-balls management device 61, the number of held balls invalidated by each unit counting unit 50 here can be grasped, and the number of retained balls invalidated by each individual unit counting unit 50 The total number of invalidated balls can be grasped accurately and simply.

  In Sn31, a shutter release signal is output to the count control unit 31, and the count control unit 31 that has received the shutter release signal allows the pachinko ball to be counted by opening the shutter 33. Here, the counting control unit 31 determines whether or not a counting prohibition condition (for example, no stock card, no card reception, no password input, maintenance, error, etc.) is established based on the reception of the tightening processing signal. Regardless of this, it functions as a shutter control means for controlling the shutter 33 to an acceptable state (open state). According to this, the pachinko balls received after receiving the tightening processing signal can be taken into the game island at the position of each pachinko machine 10 without counting them as the number of counting balls.

  Next, at Sn32, the ball counter 35 waits for counting, and at Sn33, the elapse of a predetermined time is waited. Here, the predetermined time is the time from when the tightening signal is received until the store clerk makes a round of the game hall and throws the spilled balls and remaining balls into each unit counting unit 50 to finish counting the pachinko balls (for example, 1 hour) is preferably set.

  If there is a count in this Sn32 (YES), the number of balls counted is stored as an invalid count ball count in Sn34, and the stored invalid count ball count is stored in the acquired ball count management device 61 in Sn35. Transmit and return to Sn32. If it is determined at Sn33 that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES), the function of each counter unit 50 is stopped and the closing process is terminated.

  Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the processing of Sn34 does not perform counting as the number of pachinko balls received by the ball counter 35 after the reception based on the reception of the closing processing signal. It functions as invalid retrieval processing means for performing invalid retrieval processing to be taken into the amusement island, and stores the counted invalid counting balls. According to this, on the basis of the reception of the tightening processing signal from the acquired number-of-balls management device 61, the pachinko machine 10 does not perform counting as the number of pachinko balls received after receiving the tightening processing signal. Since it can be taken into the amusement island at the location, the work load on the store clerk can be reduced.

  In addition, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the process of Sn35 functions as an output unit that outputs total information indicating the number of invalid count balls in order to total the number of invalid count balls stored. The acquired number-of-balls management device 61 that has received this total information totals the number of invalid count balls. According to this, it is possible to accurately grasp the number of invalid count balls based on the total information and total profit.

  Although not shown in the figure, even when the store opening signal transmitted from the acquired number of balls management device 61 is received after the power of each unit counting unit 50 is turned on and before the game hall starts business, the closing process shown in FIG. The same opening process is performed. Prior to the start of business at the game hall, counting and paying may be performed in each unit counting unit 50 by test mode or trial hitting, and the number of balls counted may be stored in the card table. If the business is started with the memory carried over, the business will be hindered. Therefore, the stored contents of the card table are reset by performing the opening process. It should be noted that spilled balls generated before the start of business are irrelevant to the calculation of operating profit and do not need to be counted as invalid counting balls. Therefore, in the opening process, the processing after Sn31 in FIG. 31 is not performed. Also good.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 32 to 34, the power-on process performed by each counter unit 50 and the process related thereto will be described.

  First, FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing an example of a power-on process performed by each counter unit 50. In each unit counting unit 50, when the power is turned on in S1000, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 in S1001, issues a connected device confirmation instruction indicating the ticket issuing unit ID and the counting sequence number stored in the storage table, In S1002, the count control unit 31 that transmits the connection confirmation request to the count control unit 31 and receives the connected device confirmation instruction receives the ticket issuing unit ID, count sequence number, count value, and A connection device confirmation response indicating the payout serial number is returned as connection information to the ball rental ticket control unit 22. If the ticket issuing unit ID, the counting sequence number, the count value, and / or the dispensing sequence number stored in the storage table does not exist (for example, when the counting unit 30 is first mounted), the connection does not include the nonexistent data. A device confirmation response is returned.

  In S1010, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that has received the connected device confirmation response and the ticket issuing unit ID indicated by the connected device confirmation response (that is, the ticket issuing unit ID stored in the storage table of the counting control unit 31) and its own It is determined whether or not the ticket issuing unit ID (that is, the ticket issuing unit ID stored in the storage table of the ball rental ticket control unit 22) matches. If the ticket issuing unit ID, the counting sequence number, and / or the dispensing sequence number are not included in the connected device confirmation response, it is determined that the ticket issuing unit ID, the counting sequence number, and the dispensing sequence number are inconsistent in the following.

  If it is determined in S1010 that the ticket issuing unit IDs do not match (NO), that is, the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 or the counting unit 30 has been replaced, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 performs the count value recovery process in S1017. In step S1018, the first payout recovery process is performed, and the power-on process ends.

  In this count value recovery process, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 updates the count sequence number stored in the storage table to the count sequence number indicated by the connected device confirmation response received in S1002 in S1031, and sets the count sequence number. Correspondingly, the count value included in the connected device confirmation response is stored, and the count value is added to the number of balls in the card table. According to this, even if the count control unit 31 and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 become unable to communicate due to exchange or the like, after the communication is established, the ticket issuing unit ID and the ball lending stored in the count control unit 31 are established. On condition that the ticket issuing unit ID of the ticket issuing control unit 22 does not match, the count value transmitted from the count control unit 31 is stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 in association with the count serial number, and the count value is further counted. Since it is added to the number of balls and stored, and the counted number of balls is a target of the determination process, the player is not disadvantaged.

  In the first payout recovery process, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 determines in S1041 that there is payout recovery, the counting sequence number stored in the storage table, the payout serial number, and the planned payout number to be paid out in the payout process. Is sent to the count control unit 31 as a payout recovery request for requesting execution of the payout process. The counting control unit 31 that has received the activation instruction B indicating the presence of the payout recovery pays out the number of pachinko balls to be paid out indicated by the activation instruction B in S1042, and in S1043, issues the ticket issuing unit ID received in S1001. And the payout sequence number received in S1041 is stored in a storage table, the count value, the expected payout number, and the payout number stored in the storage table are deleted, and in S1044, an activation instruction response is issued as a ball rental ticket. A reply is sent to the control unit 22. According to this, even if the count control unit 31 and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 become unable to communicate due to exchange or the like, after the communication is established, the ticket issuing unit ID and the ball lending stored in the count control unit 31 are established. On the condition that the ticket issuing unit ID of the ticket issuing control unit 22 does not match, a payout recovery request (start-up instruction B) is transmitted from the ball lending ticket control unit 22 to the counting control unit 31, and the counting control unit 31 issues a payment. Since processing is performed, the player is not disadvantaged.

  If it is determined in S1010 that the ticket issuing unit IDs match (YES), the ball lending ticket control unit 22 stores the counting sequence number (that is, the storage table of the counting control unit 31) indicated by the connected device confirmation response in S1011. The counting sequence number stored in the own storage table matches with the counting sequence number stored in its own storage table. If it is determined in S1011 that the counting sequence number matches (YES), in S1012 It is determined whether or not the payout serial number indicated by the connected device confirmation response (that is, the payout serial number stored in the storage table of the counting control unit 31) matches the payout serial number stored in its own storage table, If it is determined in S1012 that the payout sequence numbers match (YES), in S1021, an activation instruction A indicating no payout recovery, the counting sequence number stored in the storage table, and the payout sequence number is displayed. It transmits to the counting control unit 31. The count control unit 31 that has received the activation instruction A indicating no payout recovery determines whether the payout state stored in the payout state storage unit (not shown) is “paying” or “not paying out”. In this case, since it is “not paying out”, in S1022, the ticket issuing unit ID received in S1001 and the payout serial number received in S1021 are stored in the storage table, and the count value stored in the storage table and the payout schedule are stored. The number and the paid-out number are deleted, and an activation instruction response is returned to the ball rental ticket control unit 22 in S1023. In S1022, the payout serial number stored in the count control unit 31 is updated to the payout serial number received in S1021. In this case, the payout serial number stored in the count control unit 31 is updated. Since it is the payout serial number −1 stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22, the payout serial number stored in the count control unit 31 may be updated by +1 in S1022.

  If it is determined in S1011 that the counting sequence numbers do not match (NO), in S1013, a count value recovery process (that is, the process of S1031 as in S1017) is performed, and the process proceeds to S1012. According to this, even if the count control unit 31 and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 become unable to communicate due to power interruption or the like, after the communication is established, the ticket issuing unit ID and ball stored in the count control unit 31 are established. Count control on condition that the counting sequence number stored in the counting unit 30 and the counting sequence number stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 do not match even if the ticketing unit ID of the lending ticket control unit 22 matches. The count value transmitted from the unit 31 is stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 in association with the count sequence number, and further the count value is added to the count ball number and stored. As a result, the player is not disadvantaged.

  If it is determined in S1012 that the payout serial numbers do not match (NO), it is determined in S1014 whether or not the operation instruction response G in Sg06 of FIG. 21 has been received. If it is determined in S1014 that it has not been received (NO), in S1015, the first payout recovery process (that is, the process of S1041 as in S1018) is performed. According to this, even if the count control unit 31 and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 become unable to communicate due to power interruption or the like, after the communication is established, the ticket issuing unit ID and ball stored in the count control unit 31 are established. Payout on condition that the payout serial number stored in the counting control unit 31 and the payout serial number stored in the ball rental ticket control unit 22 do not match even if the ticket issuing unit ID of the loaned ticket control unit 22 matches. Since the recovery request (start-up instruction B) is transmitted from the ball lending ticket control unit 22 to the counting control unit 31 and the payout process is performed in the counting control unit 31, the player is not disadvantaged. In the first payout recovery process performed when the ticket issuing unit IDs do not match (NO in S1010), the payout serial number stored in the count control unit 31 in S1043 is changed to the payout serial number received in S1041. In the first payout recovery process performed when the ticket issuer IDs match (YES in S1010), the payout serial number stored in the count control unit 31 is stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 Since the payout serial number is -1, the payout serial number stored in the count control unit 31 may be incremented by 1 in S1043.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1014 that it has been received (YES), the second payout recovery process is performed in S1016. In this second payout recovery process, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 sends a start instruction C indicating no payout recovery, the count sequence number stored in the storage table, and the payout sequence number in S1051, to the count control unit 31. Send to. The count control unit 31 that has received the activation instruction C indicating that there is no payout recovery determines whether the payout state stored in the payout state storage unit (not shown) is “paying” or “not paying out”. In this case, since it is “paying out”, the pachinko balls are paid out in S1052 until the number of payouts stored in the storage table reaches the planned payout number. In S1053, the ticket issuing unit ID received in S1001 and the The payout sequence number received in S1051 is stored in a storage table, the count value, the expected payout number, and the payout number stored in the storage table are deleted, and in S1054, an activation instruction response is sent to the ball rental ticket control unit. Reply to 22 According to this, if the count control unit 31 has received a payout request (operation instruction G), even if the count control unit 31 and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 become unable to communicate with each other, Since the payout process is performed based on this, it is possible to prevent the player from suffering a disadvantage. That is, when the counting control unit 31 has received the payout request, the payout number is stored based on the receipt of the payout request, the payout of the pachinko balls is started, and the payout number is stored. After power interruption occurs after receiving the payout request and the power is turned on, the pachinko balls are paid out based on the planned payout number and the payout number stored in the counting control unit 31.

  Next, FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by each unit counting unit 50 when power interruption and counting occur during counting determination. Specifically, counting ends in the counting processing of FIG. Then, the processing of S116 to S123 is performed, but this is processing when the operation instruction response D of S123 does not reach the ball lending ticket control unit 22 due to occurrence of power interruption, and a count occurs during the power interruption. . In this example, when a power interruption occurs, the count control unit 31 stores the count sequence number “5” updated in the process of S112, and the ball rental ticket control unit 22 does not perform the process of S124. It is assumed that an unupdated counting sequence number “4” is stored.

  First, in S1100, the count control unit 31 stores a value counted during power interruption as a count value during power interruption in a count value storage unit (not shown) during power interruption. Next, in each unit counting unit 50, when the power is turned on in S1000, the ball rental ticket control unit 22 in S1001, the ticket issuing unit ID stored in the storage table and the counting serial number (here, “4”). ) Is transmitted to the counting control unit 31 as a connection confirmation request. In S1101, the count control unit 31 that has received the connected device confirmation instruction matches the count sequence number indicated by the connected device confirmation instruction with the count sequence number (here, “5”) stored in its own storage table. In the example shown in FIG. 33, it is determined that the counting sequence numbers do not match (NO). Therefore, in S1102, the ticket issuing unit ID and the counting sequence number stored in the storage table (here, “5” is determined). )), And the connected device confirmation response indicating the payout serial number and the count value of the count serial number stored in the storage table + the count value during power interruption as connection information to the ball lending ticket control unit 22 Reply. Upon receiving the connected device confirmation response, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 performs the processing of S1010 and subsequent steps in FIG.

  Next, FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing another example of processing performed by each unit counting unit 50 when power interruption and counting occur during counting determination. Specifically, counting is performed in the counting processing of FIG. Then, the processing of S116 to S125 is performed (that is, the operation instruction response D of S123 has reached the ball lending ticket control unit 22). This process is performed when a count occurs during the power interruption. In this example, when a power interruption occurs, the count control unit 31 stores the count sequence number “5” updated in the process of S112, and the ball rental ticket control unit 22 performs the process of S124. It is assumed that the updated counting sequence number “5” is stored.

  First, in S1100, the count control unit 31 stores a value counted during power interruption as a count value during power interruption in a count value storage unit (not shown) during power interruption. Next, in each unit counting unit 50, when the power is turned on in S1000, the ball rental ticket control unit 22 in S1001, the ticket issuing unit ID stored in the storage table and the counting sequence number (here, “5”). ) Is transmitted to the counting control unit 31 as a connection confirmation request. In S1101, the count control unit 31 that has received the connected device confirmation instruction matches the count sequence number indicated by the connected device confirmation instruction with the count sequence number (here, “5”) stored in its own storage table. In the example shown in FIG. 34, it is determined that the counting sequence numbers match (YES), so in S1111, the counting sequence number stored in the storage table is incremented by 1, and the updated counting sequence number is determined. (The count value during power interruption is stored as a count value in association with (here, “6”), and the ticket issuing unit ID, count sequence number (here, “6”), count value stored in the storage table in S1112 The connection device confirmation response indicating the count value (that is, the original count value during power interruption) and the payout serial number is returned to the ball rental ticket control unit 22 as connection information. Upon receiving the connected device confirmation response, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 performs the processing of S1010 and subsequent steps in FIG.

  According to each unit counting unit 50 that performs the processing shown in FIG. 33 and FIG. 34 described above, the count control unit 31 transmits a count end notification (operation instruction response D in S123) and then a count confirmation notification (in S125 Even if the count is generated in a state where communication with the ball lending ticket control unit 22 is disabled before the operation instruction D) is received, depending on whether or not the counting serial number is updated in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 Thus, since the count value during power interruption is accurately stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22, the player is not disadvantaged. That is, when the count end notification has not reached the ball lending ticket control unit 22, the counting sequence number has not been updated in the ball lending ticket control unit 22, and as shown in FIG. Assuming that the count value corresponding to is not fixed, a value obtained by adding the count value during power interruption to the count value stored in the count control unit 31 is transmitted to the ball lending ticket control unit 22 and stored. On the other hand, when the count end notification has reached the ball lending ticket control unit 22, the counting sequence number has been updated in the ball lending ticket control unit 22, and therefore, as shown in FIG. Assuming that the count value corresponding to the serial number is fixed, the count value during power interruption is transmitted and stored as a new count value to the ball lending ticket control unit 22.

[2. Each unit counting unit 50 according to the second embodiment]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 35-37, the effect | action of each stand counting unit 50 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated. In the first embodiment, as described above, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 determines whether or not to perform the count value recovery process and the payout recovery process (FIG. 32). In the second embodiment, the determination is made. The point that the counting control unit 31 performs is greatly different (FIG. 35), and other configurations and operations are the same. The

  In the first embodiment, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 and the counting control unit 31 store the storage table shown in FIG. 8, but in the second embodiment, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 and the counting control unit 31. Stores the storage table shown in FIG. The storage table shown in FIG. 35 is different in that the counting unit ID is stored instead of the ticket issuing unit ID of the storage table shown in FIG. 8, and the other storage contents are the same. Here, the counting unit ID in the storage table of the counting control unit 31 is stored in advance. On the other hand, the counting unit ID in the storage table of the ball lending ticket control unit 22 is acquired and stored from the counting control unit 31 after the power-on process shown in FIG.

  First, FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing an example of a power-on process performed by each unit counting unit 50 in the second embodiment, and is a process performed in place of the process shown in FIG. 32 in the second embodiment. In each unit counting unit 50, when the power is turned on in S1000 ', the counting control unit 31 confirms the connected device indicating the counting unit ID, the counting sequence number, and the payout sequence number stored in the storage table in S1001'. The ball rental ticket control unit 22 that transmits the instruction as a connection confirmation request to the ball rental ticket control unit 22 and receives the connection device confirmation instruction, the counting unit ID stored in the storage table in S1002 ′. , The connected device confirmation response indicating the counting serial number, the paying out serial number, and the number of payouts scheduled to be paid out in the payout process is returned to the counting control unit 31 as connection information, and an activation instruction is issued in S1003 ′. The count control unit 31 that has transmitted and received the activation instruction returns an activation instruction response to the ball rental ticket control unit 22 in S1004 ′. In addition, when there is no counting unit ID, counting sequence number, and / or payout sequence number stored in the storage table (for example, when the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 is mounted for the first time), a connection that does not include the nonexistent data A device confirmation response is returned.

  In S1010 ′, the count control unit 31 that has received the connection device confirmation response and the count unit ID indicated by the connection device confirmation response (that is, the count unit ID stored in the storage table of the ball lending ticket control unit 22) and the self It is determined whether or not the counting unit IDs (that is, the counting unit IDs stored in the storage table of the counting control unit 31) match. When the connected device confirmation response does not include the counting unit ID, the counting sequence number, and / or the paying out sequence number, it is determined that the counting unit ID, the counting sequence number, and the paying out sequence number do not match as described below.

  If it is determined in S1010 ′ that the counting unit IDs do not match (NO), that is, the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 or the counting unit 30 has been replaced, the counting control unit 31 performs the count value recovery processing in S1017 ′. In step S1018 ′, the first payout recovery process is performed, and the power-on process ends.

  In this count value recovery process, the count control unit 31 performs the processes in and after S119 of FIG. 8. In S119, there is no error, the count sequence number and count value stored in the storage table, and the count end detection. Is transmitted as count information to the ball lending ticket control unit 22, and then the ball lending ticket control unit 22 performs the processes of S120 and S124. According to this, even when the count control unit 31 and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 become unable to communicate due to exchange or the like, after the communication is established, the counting unit ID stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 and On the condition that the counting unit ID of the counting control unit 31 does not match, the counting information capable of specifying the count value stored in the counting control unit 31 is transmitted to the ball lending ticket control unit 22, The numerical value is added and stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 and the number of counted balls is a target of the determination process, so that the player is not disadvantaged.

  In the first payout recovery process, the count control unit 31 performs a process after Sg03 in FIG. According to this, even when the count control unit 31 and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 become unable to communicate due to exchange or the like, after the communication is established, the counting unit ID stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 and Since the payout process is performed in the counting control unit 31 on condition that the counting unit ID of the counting control unit 31 does not match, the player is not disadvantaged.

  If it is determined in S1010 ′ that the counting unit IDs match (YES), the counting control unit 31 determines in S1011 ′ the counting sequence number indicated by the connected device confirmation response (ie, the storage table of the ball lending ticket control unit 22). And the counting sequence number stored in its own storage table match. If it is determined in S1011 ′ that the counting sequence number matches (YES), In S1012 ′, whether or not the payout serial number (that is, the payout serial number stored in the storage table of the ball lending ticket control unit 22) indicated by the connected device confirmation response matches the payout serial number stored in the own storage table. If it is determined in S1012 ′ that the payout sequence numbers match (YES), in S1014 ′, there is a payout remaining number obtained by subtracting the payout number from the planned payout number stored in the storage table. Determines whether, if it is determined that the number of payouts remaining no (NO) in the S1014 'becomes as waiting.

  If it is determined in S1011 ′ that the count sequence numbers do not match (NO), in S1013 ′, the count value recovery process (that is, the process after S119 in FIG. 8 as in S1017 ′) is performed, The process proceeds to S1012 ′. According to this, even if the count control unit 31 and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 become unable to communicate due to power interruption or the like, after the communication is established, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 Even if the stored counting unit ID and the counting unit ID of the counting control unit 31 match, the counting sequence number stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 matches the counting sequence number stored in the counting control unit 31. On the condition that the count value stored in the count control unit 31 is not transmitted to the ball lending ticket control unit 22, the count value stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 is counted. Since it is added to the number and stored, and the number of counting balls is a target of the determination process, the player is not disadvantaged.

  If it is determined in S1012 'that the payout serial numbers do not match (NO), in S1015', the first payout recovery process (that is, the process from Sg03 in FIG. 21 onward as in S1018 ') is performed. According to this, even when the count control unit 31 and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 become unable to communicate due to exchange or the like, after the communication is established, the counting unit ID stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 and Even if the counting unit ID of the counting control unit 31 matches, the counting control number stored on the ball lending ticket control unit 22 and the counting sequence number stored on the counting control unit 31 do not match. Since the payout process is performed in the unit 31, the player is not disadvantaged.

  If it is determined in S1014 'that there is a payout remaining number (YES), a second payout recovery process is performed in S1016'. In the second payout recovery process, the count control unit 31 pays out pachinko balls until the payout number stored in the storage table reaches the payout planned number, and performs the processes from Sg11 onward in FIG. According to this, if the count control unit 31 has received a payout request (operation instruction G), even if the count control unit 31 and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 become unable to communicate with each other, Since the payout process is performed based on this, it is possible to prevent the player from suffering a disadvantage. That is, when the counting control unit 31 has received the payout request, the payout number is stored based on the receipt of the payout request, the payout of the pachinko balls is started, and the payout number is stored. After power interruption occurs after receiving the payout request and the power is turned on, the pachinko balls are paid out based on the planned payout number and the payout number stored in the counting control unit 31.

  Next, FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by each unit counting unit 50 when power interruption and counting occur during counting determination in the second embodiment. Specifically, the counting of FIG. In the processing, the counting is completed and the processing of S116 to S123 is performed, but due to the occurrence of power interruption, the operation instruction response D of S123 does not reach the ball lending ticket control unit 22, and the counting occurred during the power interruption. Process. In this example, when a power interruption occurs, the count control unit 31 stores the count sequence number “5” updated in the process of S112, and the ball rental ticket control unit 22 does not perform the process of S124. It is assumed that an unupdated counting sequence number “4” is stored.

  First, in S1100, the count control unit 31 stores a value counted during power interruption as a count value during power interruption in a count value storage unit (not shown) during power interruption. Next, in each unit counting unit 50, when the power is turned on in S1000 ′, the counting control unit 31 in S1001 ′, the counting unit ID stored in the storage table and the counting sequence number (here, “5”). , And a connected device confirmation instruction indicating a payout serial number is transmitted to the ball rental ticket control unit 22 as a connection confirmation request. In S1002 ′, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that has received the connected device confirmation instruction pays the counting unit ID, the counting sequence number (here “4”), the dispensing sequence number, and the dispensing sequence number stored in the storage table. The connected device confirmation response indicating the number of payouts to be issued is returned as connection information to the count control unit 31. In S1003 ′, the start instruction is transmitted, and the count control unit 31 that has received the start instruction is received. Returns an activation instruction response to the ball rental ticket control unit 22 in S1004 ′.

  The count control unit 31 that has received the connected device confirmation response in S1002 ′ obtains the count sequence number indicated by the connected device confirmation response and the count sequence number (here, “5”) stored in its own storage table in S1101 ′. In the example shown in FIG. 36, it is determined that the counting sequence numbers do not match (NO). Therefore, the processing after S119 in FIG. 8 is performed, and in S119, there is no error. An operation instruction response C indicating the count sequence number stored in the storage table, the count value of the count sequence number stored in the storage table + the count value during power interruption, and the count end detection is used as count information. It transmits with respect to the ball rental ticket control part 22, and this ball loan ticket control part 22 performs the process of said S120 and S124 after that.

  Next, FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing another example of processing performed by each unit counting unit 50 when power interruption and counting occur during counting in the second embodiment. Specifically, FIG. In the counting process, the counting is completed, and the processing of S116 to S125 is performed (that is, the operation instruction response D of S123 has reached the ball lending ticket control unit 22). Is processing when the count does not reach the count control unit 31 and a count occurs during the power interruption. In this example, when a power interruption occurs, the count control unit 31 stores the count sequence number “5” updated in the process of S112, and the ball rental ticket control unit 22 performs the process of S124. It is assumed that the updated counting sequence number “5” is stored.

  First, in S1100, the count control unit 31 stores a value counted during power interruption as a count value during power interruption in a count value storage unit (not shown) during power interruption. Next, in each unit counting unit 50, when the power is turned on in S1000 ′, the counting control unit 31 in S1001 ′, the counting unit ID stored in the storage table and the counting sequence number (here, “5”). , And a connected device confirmation instruction indicating a payout serial number is transmitted to the ball rental ticket control unit 22 as a connection confirmation request. In S1002 ′, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that has received the connected device confirmation instruction pays the counting unit ID, the counting sequence number (“5” in this case), the dispensing sequence number stored in the storage table, and the dispensing process. The connected device confirmation response indicating the number of payouts to be issued is returned as connection information to the count control unit 31. In S1003 ′, the start instruction is transmitted, and the count control unit 31 that has received the start instruction is received. Returns an activation instruction response to the ball rental ticket control unit 22 in S1004 ′.

  The count control unit 31 that has received the connected device confirmation response in S1002 ′ obtains the count sequence number indicated by the connected device confirmation response and the count sequence number (here, “5”) stored in its own storage table in S1101 ′. In the example shown in FIG. 37, it is determined that the counting sequence numbers match (YES). Therefore, in S1111 ′, the counting sequence number stored in the storage table is incremented by one, and The count value during power interruption is stored as a count value in association with the updated count sequence number (here, “6”), and the processing of S119 and subsequent steps in FIG. 8 is performed. An operation instruction response C indicating the stored count sequence number and count value (that is, the original count value during power interruption) and the count end detection is transmitted as count information to the ball lending ticket control unit 22, Thereafter, the ball rental ticket control unit 22 Performs the process of the S120 and S124.

  According to each unit counting unit 50 performing the processing shown in FIG. 36 and FIG. 37 described above, the count control unit 31 transmits the count end notification (operation instruction response D in S123), and then the count confirmation notification (in S125). Even if the count is generated in a state where communication with the ball lending ticket control unit 22 is disabled before the operation instruction D) is received, depending on whether or not the counting serial number is updated in the ball lending ticket control unit 22 Thus, since the count value during power interruption is accurately stored in the ball lending ticket control unit 22, the player is not disadvantaged. That is, when the count end notification has not reached the ball lending ticket control unit 22, the counting sequence number has not been updated in the ball lending ticket control unit 22, and therefore, as shown in FIG. Assuming that the count value corresponding to is not fixed, a value obtained by adding the count value during power interruption to the count value stored in the count control unit 31 is transmitted to the ball lending ticket control unit 22 and stored. On the other hand, when the count end notification has reached the ball lending ticket control unit 22, the counting sequence number has been updated in the ball lending ticket control unit 22, and therefore, as shown in FIG. Assuming that the count value corresponding to the serial number is fixed, the count value during power interruption is transmitted and stored as a new count value to the ball lending ticket control unit 22.

[3. Each unit counting unit 50 and game system 1 according to the third embodiment]
Next, with reference to FIG. 38 and FIG. 39, the operation of each unit counting unit 50 and the gaming system 1 according to the third embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, as described above, in the replay process of FIG. 22, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 gives the number of balls to be acquired to the acquired number-of-balls management device 61. (S13), the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 that has received the stored-ball subtraction request stores it in the member-acquired number-of-balls table in association with the card ID included in the stored-ball subtraction request. The payout set number included in the stored ball subtraction request + the number of commission balls is subtracted from the number of stored balls (Sh14), and in the exchange process of FIG. A storage ball subtraction request including a card ID and a subtraction value to be subtracted from the number of stored balls is transmitted (Si13, Si33), and the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 that has received the storage ball subtraction request receives the card ID included in the storage ball subtraction request. Correspondingly, the subtraction value included in the stored ball subtraction request is subtracted from the stored ball number stored in the member acquired ball number table (Si14, Si34), but in the third embodiment, the ball rental ticket control unit 22 stores the number of stored balls. The acquired number-of-balls management device 61 is greatly different in that the stored number of stored balls is updated to the number of stored balls after the subtraction, and the other configurations and operations are the same.

  First, FIG. 38 is a diagram instead of FIG. 22 showing the replay process in the first embodiment. If the ball lending ticket control unit 22 determines that the number of stored balls is equal to or greater than the set number of payouts + the number of fee balls (YES) in Sh01, the set number of payouts is calculated from the number of stored balls stored in the card table in Sh01a. + Subtract the number of commission balls, and in Sh02a, set the new number of balls after the subtraction as the updated value of the number of balls managed in the member earned ball number table.

  Then, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 transmits a storage ball update start notification to the acquired ball number management device 61 in Sh11a, and the control unit of the acquired ball number management device 61 that has received the storage ball update start notification is the Sh12a. The ball lending ticket control unit 22 that has returned the storage ball update start response to each unit counting unit 50 and has received the storage ball update start response is set in Sh13a with the card ID stored in the card table and the Sh02a. The control unit of the acquired ball number management device 61 that has transmitted the stored ball update request including the updated value to the acquired ball number management device 61 and received the stored ball update request is included in the stored ball update request at Sh14a. The number of stored balls stored in the member acquisition ball number table in association with the card ID to be updated is updated to the update value included in the stored ball update request, and the storage ball update response is sent to each unit counting unit 5 in Sh15a. To reply to.

  In the following, a storage ball update start notification is transmitted from the ball rental ticket control unit 22 to the acquired ball number management device 61 (here, Sh11a), and a storage ball update start response from the acquired ball number management device 61 to the ball rental ticket control unit 22 Transmission (here Sh12a), transmission of a storage ball update request from the ball lending ticket control unit 22 to the acquired ball number management device 61 (here Sh13a), and storage of balls from the acquired ball number management device 61 to the ball lending ticket control unit 22 The transmission of the update response (here, Sh15a) is referred to as an “update sequence”.

  The ball lending ticket control unit 22 that has received the stored ball update response performs unit payout processing for the set number of payouts in Sh17 and ends the replay processing. The unit payout process performed in Sh17 is substantially the same as that described with reference to FIG. 19. However, since the number of stored balls is subtracted in Sh02a, the number of hand held balls in Se16 is not subtracted.

  Next, FIG. 39 is a diagram instead of FIG. 22 showing the replay process in the first embodiment. The ball lending ticket control unit 22 subtracts the number of exchanged balls from the number of stored balls stored in the card table in Si07a when it is determined that the number of stored balls is equal to or more than the number of exchanged balls in Si06 (YES), In Si07b, the new number of stored balls after the subtraction is set as an updated value of the number of stored balls managed in the member acquisition number-of-balls table. Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the processing of Si07a receives the exchange operation (receives the exchange request), and the obtained ball number management device 61 received from the obtained ball number management device 61. The number of stored balls (that is, the number of stored balls stored in the card table) specified from the number-of-sales-game-medium specifying information (card acceptance notification of verification OK shown in Sh30 in FIG. 17) that can specify the number of stored balls managed by the It functions as a subtraction result calculation means for calculating a subtraction result (new number of stored balls) by subtracting the number of held balls from the number of stored balls, regardless of whether or not there is a handed number of balls, on condition that the number is more than the number of exchanged balls. is there.

  38, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 transmits a stored ball update start notification to the acquired ball number management device 61 and receives the stored ball update start notification in Si11a. The control unit of the management device 61 returns a storage ball update start response to each unit counting unit 50 with Si12a, and the ball lending ticket control unit 22a that has received the storage ball update start response stores the card storage table with Si13. The control unit of the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 that has transmitted the stored ball update request including the card ID and the update value set in the Si07b to the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 and received the stored ball update request is , Si14a updates the stored ball number stored in the member acquisition ball number table in association with the card ID included in the stored ball update request to the update value included in the stored ball update request. , It returns the 貯玉 update response to the base counting unit 50, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 which has received 該貯 ball update response carries out processing of the Si17.

  Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the process of Si13a is updated so that the number of stored balls stored in the member acquired number-of-balls table becomes the number of stored balls (that is, the number of new stored balls) according to the subtraction result. It functions as a communication means for transmitting a stored ball update request to the acquired ball number management device 61, and the control unit of the acquired ball number management device 61 that performs the processing of Si 14a is based on receiving the stored ball update request. The storage game medium number updating means for updating so that the number of stored balls stored in the member acquired number-of-balls table becomes the number of stored balls according to the subtraction result.

  According to this, the number of stored balls managed by the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 can be specified, and the specific game medium specified from the stored game medium number specifying information (card reception result) received from the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 If the number (the number of stored balls stored in the card table) is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (the number of exchanged balls) required for exchange with the desired article, the number of exchanged balls is calculated from the number of stored balls regardless of the number of balls on hand. Therefore, the number of stored balls is preferentially used for exchanging goods, and the number of balls on hand is preserved as much as possible. As a result, it is advantageous for players at the game hall that currently collects fees for paying pachinko balls using the number of balls, and future fees will be collected at game venues that have not yet collected fees. When this happens, it will be advantageous for the player.

  In this example, the subtraction result (that is, the number of new storage balls) is included in the Si 13a storage ball update request, and the number of storage balls in the member acquisition ball number table is updated to the new storage ball number in Si 14a. For example, the number of exchanged balls as a subtraction value may be included in the stored ball update request of Si13a, and the number of exchanged balls may be updated from the number of stored balls in the member acquisition ball number table at Si14a. That is, if the storage update request of the Si 13a includes information for updating so that the storage number stored in the member acquisition number table becomes the storage number (that is, the new storage number) according to the subtraction result. The process of Si14a may be a process of updating so that the number of stored balls stored in the member acquisition number-of-balls table becomes the number of stored balls according to the subtraction result.

  When it is determined in Si06 that the number of stored balls is less than the number of exchanged balls (NO), the total number of stored balls is subtracted, and the deficit obtained by subtracting the number of stored balls from the number of exchanged balls is subtracted from the number of held balls. Therefore, the process below Si20a is performed. In addition, the subtraction of the shortage from the number of balls in hand is subtracted from the number of balls prior to the number of balls already counted for the same reason as described in Si03, and when the number of balls is subtracted. Transmits a stored ball update request for subtracting the number of possessed balls to the acquired ball number management device 61.

  First, in Si20a, the number of stored balls stored in the card table is all subtracted to zero, and in Si21, it is determined whether the number of held balls stored in the card table is equal to or more than the shortage. If it is determined that the number of possessed balls is greater than or equal to the shortage in Si21 (YES), that is, it is determined that all the shortage can be subtracted from only the number of possessed balls, the number of retained balls stored in the card table in Si22 After subtracting the deficiency, the new number of stored balls (in this case zero) after subtraction in Si20a is set as the updated value of the number of stored balls managed in the member acquired number of balls table in Si23a, and the number of acquired members As the updated value of the number of balls managed in the table, the new number of balls after subtraction in Si22 is set, and the process proceeds to Si31a. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of possessed balls is less than the shortage in Si21 (NO), that is, it is not possible to subtract all of the shortage from the number of possessions alone, the card is stored in the card table in Si24. Subtract all the remaining balls to zero and subtract (the shortage minus the number of balls) from the number of balls stored in the card table. As the updated value of the number of stored balls, the new number of stored balls (in this case, zero) after subtraction in Si20a is set, and as the updated value of the number of owned balls managed in the member acquisition number of balls table, subtracted in Si24 Set the number of new balls (zero here) and go to Si31a.

  Then, similarly to the update sequence of FIG. 38, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 transmits the stored ball update start notification to the acquired ball number management device 61 and receives the stored ball update start notification in Si 31a. The control unit of the management device 61 returns a storage ball update start response to each unit counting unit 50 by Si32a, and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that has received the storage ball update start response stores the card storage table by Si33a. Control of the acquired ball number management device 61 that has transmitted the stored ball update request including the card ID and the update value set in the Si 23a or Si 25a to the acquired ball number management device 61 and received the stored ball update request The section updates the number of stored balls stored in the member acquisition number-of-balls table in association with the card ID included in the stored-ball update request to the new stored-ball number included in the stored-ball update request at Si34a. In addition, the number of balls stored in the member acquisition ball number table in association with the card ID included in the stored ball update request is changed to the new stored ball number included in the stored ball update request. The ball renewal response is returned to each of the counter counting units 50 in Si 36a, and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that has received the ball renewal response performs the process of Si38.

  In addition, since the stored ball update request of Si33a includes an updated value of the number of stored balls and an updated value of the number of held balls, the control unit of the acquired ball number management device 61 that has received the stored ball update request receives the member acquired ball number table. The number of stored balls (Si34a) and the number of possessed balls (Si35a) stored in (1) are updated. The update sequence itself is the same as the update sequence shown in FIG.

  Here, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 that performs the process of Si33a functions as a communication unit that transmits a stored ball update request for updating the number of stored balls to zero to the acquired ball number management device 61.

  According to this, the number of stored balls managed by the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 can be specified, and the specific game medium specified from the stored game medium number specifying information (card reception result) received from the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 When the number (the number of stored balls stored in the card table) is less than the predetermined number (the number of exchanged balls) necessary for exchange with a desired article, the shortage relative to the number of exchanged balls is subtracted from the number of possessed balls Therefore, the number of stored balls is preferentially used for exchanging goods, and the shortage is subtracted from the number of balls on hand, and the number of balls on hand is preserved as much as possible. As a result, it is advantageous for players at the game hall that currently collects fees for paying pachinko balls using the number of balls, and future fees will be collected at game venues that have not yet collected fees. When this happens, it will be advantageous for the player.

[4. Modifications 1 and 2]
Next, with reference to FIG. 40, the modification 1 of this invention is demonstrated. In the first modification, the gaming device provided corresponding to the pachinko machine 10 is composed of a ball lending ticket processing unit 20 ′, the counting unit 30, and a possession card unit 50 ′. The mode of the confirmation process is different from that of the apparatus for use (that is, each unit counting unit 50 = ball lending ticket processing unit 20 + counting unit 30). Here, the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 ′ is different from the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 only in that the internal unit 30b is not arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 40 (a), the holding card unit 50 ′ is provided adjacent to the left side of the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 ′, and has a vertically long box shape. A ticket issuing button 51 ′, a storage ball button 52 ′, a possession card insertion slot 53a ′ and the like are provided, and as shown in FIG. 40B, a possession card R / W 53 ′ and a possession card stocker 53b ′ are provided therein. The ticket issuing button 51 ′, the storage ball button 52 ′, and the possession card R / W 53 ′ are communicably connected to the ball lending ticket control unit 22 of the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 ′. Note that the external unit 30a of the counting unit 30 is disposed on the front surface and the internal unit 30b of the counting unit 30 is disposed on the lower side of the holding card unit 50 '.

  In the gaming apparatus of the first modification, when the player desires to move the table or exchange prizes, when the ticket issuing button 51 ′ is operated in a state where the number of balls in hand is stored in the card table, The possession card stocker 53b ′ storing the possession card 5 conveys one of the retained possession cards 5 to the possession card R / W 53 ′, and the possession card R / W 53 ′. W53 ′ performs a process of associating the ID of the carried possession card 5 with the number of possession balls (here, a process of recording the number of possession balls as the number of possessions on the possession card 5), and The card 5 is discharged from the holding card insertion slot 53a ′ and issued. In the first modification, the issue of the possession card 5 corresponds to the confirmation process.

  By inserting the ball card 5 issued in this way into the ball card R / W 53 ′ of the ball card unit 50 ′ corresponding to another pachinko machine 10, it corresponds to the ID of the ball card 5 The payout process can be performed by using the number of possessed balls. In addition, it is possible to exchange prizes at the POS terminal using the number of possessed balls. Note that the member card 2 visitor card 3 being received at the card R / W 23 of the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 ′ is returned when the card return button 16 is operated.

  That is, in the first modification, the number of possessed balls is not managed by the acquired number-of-balls managing device 61 in association with the card ID of the member card 2 or the visitor card 3, but the number of possessed balls is used as the ID of the retained card 5. It is associated. The association between the ID of the possession card 5 and the number of possession balls is not limited to the example in which the number of possession balls is recorded on the possession card 5, and the number of possession balls is not recorded on the possession card 5. The number management device 61 may manage the ID of the possession card 5 and the number of possession balls in association with each other. That is, whether or not to record the number of balls on the ball card 5 is not particularly limited.

  Further, in the gaming apparatus of the first modification, when the member player wishes to save the balls, the number of balls in hand is stored in the card table, and the card R / W 23 of the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 ′. When the stored ball button 52 ′ is operated while the member card 2 is being received, a stored ball request including the card ID of the member card 2 and the number of balls to be stored is transmitted to the acquired ball number management device 61. The acquired number-of-balls management device 61 that has received the stored-ball request adds the number of balls to be stored included in the stored-ball request to the number of stored balls managed in association with the card ID included in the stored-ball request as described above. . Then, the member card 2 being accepted by the card R / W 23 of the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 ′ is returned when the card return button 16 is operated. In the first modification, the return of the member card 2 corresponds to the confirmation process.

  The member card 2 returned in this way is acquired in association with the card ID of the member card 2 by inserting it into the card R / W 23 of the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 ′ corresponding to the other pachinko machine 10. The replay process can be performed using the number of stored balls managed by the number-of-balls management device 61. Further, it is possible to exchange prizes at the POS terminal using the number of stored balls. Unlike the case where the ticket issuing button 51 'is operated, the possession card 5 is not issued.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 41, the modification 2 of this invention is demonstrated. In the second modification, a gaming device provided corresponding to the pachinko machine 10 is composed of a ball lending ticket processing unit 20 ″ and the counting unit 30, and the gaming device (that is, each unit counting unit). 50 = ball lending ticket processing unit 20 + counting unit 30), and the mode of the confirmation process is different. Here, the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 ″ is compared with the ball lending ticket processing unit 20 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 41 (a), the mobile phone proximity portion 26a is further provided on the front surface thereof, and as shown in FIG. 41 (b), the IC chip R / W 26 is further provided therein. A point that is communicably connected to the ticketing control unit 22, a member card 2 and a visitor card 3 are not used, and the card R / W 23 receives a prepaid card 6 that can specify a prepaid balance, and a card stocker 23b. prepare for No points are different.

  In the gaming apparatus of the second modification, when the player wishes to move the table or exchange prizes, the mobile phone 7 including the IC chip is stored in the mobile phone 7 with the number of balls in hand stored in the card table. The identification information (chip ID, telephone number, etc., hereinafter referred to as “mobile ID”) of the mobile phone 7 is read from the IC chip of the mobile phone 7 by the IC chip R / W 26 in proximity to the proximity portion 26a. When an issue button (not shown) displayed on the display 24 is operated, the number of balls and the mobile ID are stored in association with each other (stored in the IC chip of the mobile phone 7 or stored in the management device). The storage process is performed. In the second modification, the storage process corresponds to the determination process.

[4. Other variations]
Finally, other modifications of the present invention will be described.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an example in which the gaming machine is a pachinko machine 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the gaming machine may be a slot machine or a game machine. .

  In the above embodiment, the number of balls held is not recorded on the member card 2 but the number of balls held is recorded on the visitor card 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be recorded or the number of balls in the visitor card 3 may not be recorded. In the above embodiment, the example in which the number of stored balls is not recorded on the member card 2 has been described.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the member recording medium is the member card 2 and the reception unit is the card R / W 23 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the member recording medium is not limited to the modification shown in FIG. The reception means may be an IC chip R / W that reads the identification information in a non-contact manner in a mobile phone that stores identification information (for example, a mobile ID) using an IC chip. In this case, the mobile phone is an IC When the card ID is read from the mobile phone in the vicinity of the chip R / W and stored in the card table, the card ID is accepted, and the card ID is deleted from the card table. The card ID acceptance status is cancelled.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, an example in which the number of counting balls is stored in the card table of the gaming apparatus (each unit counting unit 50) is described, but the number of counting balls is not limited thereto. Can be managed by the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 and when the counted number of balls is used, an inquiry may be made to the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 each time.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, an example has been described in which the card table of the gaming device (each unit counting unit 50) stores the number of counting balls and the number of holding balls separately. Not limited to this, the number of balls to be counted and the number of balls in possession may be stored together as the number of balls in hand without distinction.

  In the above embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the example in which the acquired value acquired by the player is managed as the number of possessed balls or the number of stored balls has been described. The acquired value may be managed by the amount or frequency converted from.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in S114 of FIG. 8 and the like, the count control unit 31 uses the count information indicating the accumulated value of the count value as the count information (operation instruction response) for each unit time. Although the example which transmits with respect to 22 was demonstrated, not only this but the count control part 31 memorize | stores the log data which matched count time and the count value, and after completion | finish of a count, this log data is a ball rental ticket It may be transmitted to the control unit 22, and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 may specify a count value for each unit time based on the count time and the count value indicated by the log data.

  Further, every time a counting pulse is output from the ball counter 35, the counting control unit 31 transmits an operation instruction response indicating 1 as a count value to the ball lending ticket control unit 22, and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 A count value per unit time may be specified based on the reception time of the operation instruction response (that is, the count value is specified from the number of operation instruction responses received within 500 msec).

  That is, the count information may be information that can specify at least the count value counted by the ball counter 35.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in S114 of FIG. 8 and the like, the count control unit 31 uses the count information indicating the accumulated value of the count value as the count information (operation instruction response) for each unit time. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIGS. 13 (a ′) and 13 (b ′), the count information indicating the amount of change in the count value per unit time is displayed for each unit time. May be transmitted to the ball rental ticket control unit 22. In this case, in the determination of the count value abnormality A shown in FIG. 13 (a ′), the ball lending ticket control unit 22 determines whether or not the received fluctuation amount exceeds the set threshold value, and the fluctuation amount is the threshold value. Is exceeded, the count value abnormality A is detected, and in the determination of the count value abnormality B shown in FIG. 13 (b '), it is determined whether or not the received fluctuation amount remains the same for a predetermined number of times. If it continues for a predetermined number of times, a count value abnormality B is detected. According to this, since the processing for calculating the fluctuation amount of the count value is eliminated in the ball lending ticket control unit 22, the processing load on the ball lending ticket control unit 22 can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, in the determination of the count value abnormality B shown in FIGS. 13B and 13B, the count value abnormality B is detected when the variation amount of the count value continues for a predetermined number of times (10 times). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the count value abnormality B may be detected when the variation amount of the count value continues for a predetermined period (for example, 5 seconds).

  In the above embodiment, as shown in S127 of FIG. 8, the example in which the count value is erased based on the reception of the operation instruction D of S125 has been described. The count value may be deleted after C is transmitted. That is, the game medium number erasure process may be performed based on the determination that the transmission of the count information (operation instruction response C) is normally performed.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in S127 of FIG. 8, the example in which the count value is erased every time a series of counts is finished is described. The erasure may be performed at an arbitrary timing without erasing the count value. Further, the count value may be stored as it is without erasing the count value.

  In the above embodiment, as illustrated in S202 of FIG. 9 or S302 of FIG. 11A, the example in which the count stop process is the closing of the shutter 33 has been described. When the pachinko ball on the ball receiving portion 32 is configured to be fed into the ball counter 35, the process of stopping the motor may be used.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11A, the counting control unit 31 performs the processing of S304 as the counting abnormality notification processing, and the counting abnormality 1 is detected by the multi-function lamp 26 of the ball lending ticket control unit 22. Although the example notified is demonstrated, not only this but the count control part 31 may perform the process which blinks LED41 itself, and may alert | report count abnormality 1, and the count control part 31 is, for example, By outputting an error signal to the hall computer 62, the hall computer 62 may notify the counting abnormality 1.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), even when the counting abnormality 1 is detected, the count value before the counting abnormality 1 is detected by performing the counting determination sequence of S302 to S311. In the above example, the player is protected by confirming and validating. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and before detecting the counting abnormality 1 without performing the counting determination sequence when the counting abnormality 1 is detected. The count value may also be invalidated.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the ball lending ticket control unit 22 performs the process of S <b> 402 as a game medium number abnormality notification process (count value abnormality notification process), and the multi-function lamp 26 performs a count value abnormality. The ball lending ticket control unit 22 transmits an error signal to the count control unit 31, and the count control unit 31 performs a process of blinking the LED 41 to calculate A numerical value abnormality may be reported, and the ball lending ticket control unit 22 outputs an error signal to the hall computer 62, for example, thereby notifying the numerical value abnormality in the hall computer 62. May be.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the ball lending ticket control unit 22 and the count control unit 31 of each unit counting unit 50 store the loan rate transmitted from the remaining amount management device 60 or the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the loan rate transmitted from the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 or the hall computer 62 may be stored. That is, each vehicle counting unit 50 only needs to store the loan rate transmitted from the host device of each vehicle counting unit 50. Each unit counting unit 50 may store a loan rate transmitted from the remote controller, or may store a loan rate set by operating a dip switch provided in each unit counting unit 50. good.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the first counting process information stored in the storage table of the counting control unit 31 is the counting sequence number, and the first counting process information stored in the storage table of the ball lending ticket control unit 22 is stored. Although the example in which the 2-count processing information is a count sequence number has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first count process information and the second count process information may be skip numbers instead of serial numbers, and may be symbols instead of numbers. Also good. That is, the first counting process information and the second counting process information may be information that matches and matches each other. The update of the first count process information is a process of incrementing by 1 as shown in S112 of FIG. 8, and the update of the second count process information is also a process of incrementing by 1 as shown in S124. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be a process of updating according to a certain rule so as to be +10 with each other, or a process of receiving the first count process information and storing the received first count process information as the second count process information. That is, any process may be used as long as the second count process information is updated so that the second count process information matches the first count process information after the second count process information is updated.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the first payout processing information stored in the storage table of the ball lending ticket control unit 22 is the payout serial number, and is stored in the storage table of the count control unit 31. Although an example in which the two payout processing information is a payout serial number has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first payout processing information and the second payout processing information may be skip numbers instead of serial numbers, and may be symbols instead of numbers. Also good. In other words, the first payout process information and the second payout process information may be information that matches and matches each other. The update of the first payout process information is a process of adding +1 as shown in Sg01 in FIG. 21, and the update of the second payout process information is also a process of adding up as shown in Sg03, but this is not restrictive. For example, it may be a process of updating according to a certain rule so as to be +10 with each other, or a process of receiving the first payout process information and storing the received first payout process information as the second payout process information. That is, any process may be used as long as the second payout process information is updated so that the second payout process information matches the first payout process information after the second payout process information is updated.

  In the above embodiment, as shown by Sa12 in FIG. 15, an example in which the use process for using the game value is a ball lending process has been described. May be a medal lending process for using a slot machine, a process for converting a game value into a score and using it on a game machine, or the like.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, when it is determined that the member card 2 has been accepted (YES in Sb01), an input of a personal identification number is accepted (Sb02), and the inputted personal identification number is received. Assuming that the authentication is successfully obtained, the card acceptance result of verification OK is transmitted from the acquired number-of-balls management device 61, and the number of held balls and the number of stored balls are stored in the card table and can be used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and even if it is determined that the member card 2 is accepted, the number of possessed balls and the number of accumulated balls are acquired from the acquired number-of-balls management device 61 without accepting the input of the password. And store it in the card table before using the number of possessed balls and the number of stored balls (that is, when accepting the operation of the payout button, accepting the operation of the replay button, or receiving an exchange request from the remote control) Accepting an input of a personal identification number, the fact that authentication of the entered personal identification number has been established on the condition, but may be able to use the lifting piece count and 貯玉 number stored in the card table.

  In the embodiment described above, in the payout process illustrated in FIG. 18, the example in which only the pachinko balls with a fractional unit fraction are paid out from the counting unit 30 is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the total number of pachinko balls to be paid out It may be paid out from the counting unit 30. Similarly, in the above embodiment, the example in which the pachinko balls are paid out from the pachinko machine 10 in the replay process shown in FIG. 22 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the pachinko balls are paid out from the counting unit 30. There may be.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the pachinko balls supplied from the game island via the supply path 28 are paid out from the counting unit 30 in the less-unit payout process shown in FIG. 20 is described. The part 30 may be provided with a ball storage part that stores a part of the counted pachinko balls, and in the less-unit payout process, the pachinko balls stored in the ball storage part may be paid out. Further, the paid-out pachinko balls may not be stored in the tray 40 but may be supplied to the upper plate of the pachinko machine 10 through a nozzle.

  In the above embodiment, in the unit payout process shown in FIG. 19 or the less than unit payout process shown in FIG. 20, when subtracting from the number of balls in hand at Se16 or Sf14, the number of balls is prioritized over the number of balls in hand. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of balls may be subtracted with priority over the number of balls.

  In the above embodiment, in the payout process shown in FIG. 21, an example in which a payout request (operation instruction G) is transmitted in Sg02 after the payout serial number is updated in Sg01 has been described. The payout serial number may be updated after the transmission. In other words, the payout sequence number may be updated with the transmission of the payout request.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the exchange process illustrated in FIG. 23 is performed on the assumption that the exchange operation has been received based on the receipt of the exchange request from the remote controller is not limited thereto. The exchange process may be performed on the assumption that the exchange operation is accepted by accepting designation of a desired article on the display 24.

  In the above embodiment, in the exchange process shown in FIG. 23, when subtracting from the number of possession balls with Si03 or Si24, an example in which the number of possession balls is prioritized and subtracted over the count number of balls has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of balls may be subtracted in preference to the number of balls.

  In the first embodiment described above, the example of proceeding to S1012 after the processing of S1013 shown in FIG. 32 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when payout during counting is prohibited, the counting serial numbers do not match and are paid out. Since the serial numbers do not become inconsistent, the process may proceed to S1021 instead of S1012 after the process of S1013. Similarly, in the above-described second embodiment, the example of proceeding to S1012 ′ after the processing of S1013 ′ illustrated in FIG. 35 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when payout during counting is prohibited, counting is performed. Since the serial numbers do not match and the payout serial numbers do not match, after the processing of S1013 ′, it may be possible to stand by without proceeding to S1012 ′.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 32, the count control unit 31 that has received the activation instruction A (S1021) or the activation instruction C (S1051) indicating no payout recovery is a payout state storage unit (not shown). An example is described in which it is determined whether the payout state stored in is “paying” or “not paying”, and if “not paying”, the process of S1022 is performed, and if “paying”, the process of S1052 is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the activation instruction A or C is received, it is determined whether or not there is a storage of the number of payouts and the number of payouts, and if there is no storage, the processing of S1022 is performed. If there is, the process of S1052 may be performed. This is because when the payout is completed, the planned payout number and the payout number are erased (Sg12 in FIG. 21), so that it is possible to determine that a power interruption has occurred during the payout. In S1051, instead of indicating no payout recovery, the count control unit 31 that has transmitted the start instruction C indicating that there is a payout recovery (for example, with the second payout recovery) different from S1041, The processing of S1052 may be performed without determining the payout state and determining whether or not the payout amount and the payout number are stored.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the counting unit 30 is the counting unit (the ball counter 35), the dispensing unit, and the dispensing control unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the counting unit 30 includes only the counting unit. The payout means and the payout control unit may be provided in the gaming apparatus (each counter counting unit 50) separately from the counting unit 30.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game system 2 ... Member card 3 ... Visitor card 10 ... Pachinko machine 15 ... Ball lending button 16 ... Card return button 20 ... Ball lending ticket processing part 22 ... Ball lending ticket control part 23 ... Card R / W
23b ... Card stocker 24 ... (Touch panel type) display 27 ... Infrared light receiving unit 30 ... Counting unit 30a ... External unit 30b ... Internal unit 31 ... Counting control unit 32 ... Ball receiving unit 33 ... Shutter 34 ... Inflow path 341 ... First Lane 342 ... 2nd lane 35 ... Ball counter 351a ... (1st lane upstream) Count sensor 351b ... (1st lane downstream) Count sensor 352a ... (2nd lane upstream) Count sensor 352b ... (2nd lane downstream) Count sensor 36 ... Discharge path 37 ... Ball detection sensor 38 ... Sprocket 39 ... Discharge counter 40 ... Receptacle 41 ... LED
50 ... Each unit counting unit 60 ... Remaining amount management device 61 ... Acquired ball number management device

Claims (2)

There is a one-to-one correspondence with gaming machines,
A counting means to count the game medium that has been acquired in the game,
A payout processing means for performing a process for paying out to the gaming machine a game medium within the range of the number of game media counted as the number of game media counted by the counting means;
A receiving means for receiving a general recording medium or a member recording medium issued to a registered member;
A specification processing means for performing a specification process for enabling the number of the counted game media to be specified by the general recording medium or the member recording medium;
A discharge processing means for performing a process of discharging the general recording medium received by the receiving means or the member recording medium;
Storage means for storing a new general recording medium so as to be supplied to the receiving means;
First communication means for communicating with first management means for managing the number of counted game media;
Determination means for determining a communication state with the first management means;
A gaming device comprising:
The specification processing means includes the specification processing as:
When the general-purpose recording medium is accepted by the accepting means, regardless of the determination of the communication state by the determining means, a general specification process is performed to record the number of counted game media on the general-purpose recording medium,
When the member recording medium is received by the receiving unit and the determination unit determines that communication is possible, the identification information read from the member recording medium and the count are determined with respect to the first management unit. When communication is possible to send the number of game media and perform member identification processing,
When the member recording medium is received by the receiving unit and the determining unit determines that communication is impossible, the member recording medium received is discharged by the discharge processing unit and stored in the storage unit. A member identification process is performed when communication is impossible to record the number of counted game media in the new general recording medium,
The gaming device is:
Communicating with the second management means for managing the number of stored game media acquired and stored by the player in association with the identification information of the recording medium for members;
The identification information of the member recording medium received by the receiving means is transmitted to the second management means, and the number of stored game media managed by the second management means is specified in association with the transmitted identification information. Second communication means for receiving information for
Exchange operation accepting means for accepting an exchange operation for exchanging a predetermined number of game media and desired articles,
The second communication means includes
When the exchange operation is accepted and the number of stored game media managed by the second management means exceeds the predetermined number, the second management means manages regardless of the presence or absence of the count game media number. A subtraction request for subtracting the predetermined number from the number of stored game media being sent to the second management means;
When the exchange operation is accepted and the number of saving game media managed by the second management means is less than the predetermined number, the saving that the second management means manages a specific number smaller than the predetermined number Sending a subtraction request for subtracting from the number of game media to the second management means,
The gaming device further includes:
When the exchange operation is accepted and the number of stored game media managed by the second management means is less than the predetermined number, a difference game medium number that is a difference between the predetermined number and the specific number is counted. Subtracting means for subtracting from the number of media;
A game device comprising: a difference subtraction display means for identifiably indicating that the process of subtraction by the difference subtraction means has been performed. There is a one-to-one correspondence with gaming machines,
Counting means for counting game media acquired in the game;
A payout processing means for performing a process for paying out to the gaming machine a game medium within the range of the number of game media counted as the number of game media counted by the counting means;
A receiving means for receiving a general recording medium or a member recording medium issued to a registered member;
A specification processing means for performing a specification process for enabling the number of the counted game media to be specified by the general recording medium or the member recording medium;
A discharge processing means for performing a process of discharging the general recording medium received by the receiving means or the member recording medium;
Storage means for storing a new general recording medium so as to be supplied to the receiving means;
First communication means for communicating with first management means for managing the number of counted game media;
Determination means for determining a communication state with the first management means;
A gaming device comprising:
The specification processing means includes the specification processing as:
When the general-purpose recording medium is accepted by the accepting means, regardless of the determination of the communication state by the determining means, a general specification process is performed to record the number of counted game media on the general-purpose recording medium,
When the member recording medium is received by the receiving unit and the determination unit determines that communication is possible, the identification information read from the member recording medium and the count are determined with respect to the first management unit. When communication is possible to send the number of game media and perform member identification processing,
When the member recording medium is received by the receiving unit and the determining unit determines that communication is impossible, the member recording medium received is discharged by the discharge processing unit and stored in the storage unit. A member identification process is performed when communication is impossible to record the number of counted game media in the new general recording medium,
The gaming device is:
Communicating with the second management means for managing the number of stored game media acquired and stored by the player in association with the identification information of the recording medium for members;
The identification information of the member recording medium received by the receiving means is transmitted to the second management means, and the number of stored game media managed by the second management means is specified in association with the transmitted identification information. Second communication means for receiving information for
Exchange operation accepting means for accepting an exchange operation for exchanging a predetermined number of game media and a desired article;
When the exchange operation is accepted and the number of stored game media managed by the second management means exceeds the predetermined number, the predetermined number is calculated from the number of stored game media regardless of the presence of the number of counted game media. Subtracting means for calculating a subtraction result obtained by subtracting
The second communication means includes
When the exchange operation is accepted and the number of saving game media managed by the second management means exceeds the predetermined number, the number of saving game media managed by the second management means is calculated by the subtraction means. Sending an update request for updating to the number of stored game media according to the calculated subtraction result to the second management means;
When the exchange operation is accepted and the number of saving game media managed by the second management means is less than the predetermined number, the number of saving game media managed by the second management means is set to the second management An update request for updating the number of savings game media managed by the means to be the number of savings game media according to the result of subtracting a specific number less than the predetermined number from the number of savings game media managed by the means is sent to the second management means,
The gaming device further includes:
When the exchange operation is accepted and the number of stored game media managed by the second management means is less than the predetermined number, a difference game medium number that is a difference between the predetermined number and the specific number is counted. Subtracting means for subtracting from the number of media;
A game device comprising: a difference subtraction display means for identifiably indicating that the process of subtraction by the difference subtraction means has been performed.

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