JP5735286B2 - GAME MEDIUM COUNTER AND GAME AREA SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game medium counting device that accepts and counts game media acquired by a player, and issues a recording medium on which the count results are recorded, and a game hall system including the game media counting device.

  In recent game halls (pachinko parlors), a counter is installed that receives and counts the game media acquired by the player and issues a recording medium that records the count results. Conventional counting machines often employ receipts (paper media), which are excellent in cost, as recording media. However, when the counted gaming media are used for re-playing, the recording media are repeatedly used. In view of the fact that the receipt has a problem in durability, an IC card having excellent durability is generally used as a recording medium (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Recently, it has also been proposed that when a recording medium is issued, the type of the recording medium (receipt or IC card) can be selected.

JP 2008-86437 A

  As described above, if the format of the recording medium can be selected, there is a merit that the convenience of the player can be improved while realizing cost reduction, while the problem of erroneous selection of the format is avoided. I can't. In other words, if a player wishes to replay after counting, an IC card that can be used for replay should be selected and issued, but it cannot be used for replay by mistake. There is a possibility that problems such as selecting and issuing possible receipts may occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and its purpose is to select a recording medium format, even if the recording medium is issued by mistake when selecting the format. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game medium counting device and a game hall system that can cope with the demands.

The game medium counting device according to claim 1, wherein the game medium counting device accepts and counts game media acquired by a player and issues a recording medium on which the counting result is recorded, and the recording medium on which the counting result is recorded. A selection operation means that operates to select one of the recording medium among a receipt dedicated to the exchange of prizes and a card having an IC chip capable of exchanging and replaying the prizes, and an operation by the selection operation means Recording medium issuing means for issuing a recording medium selected according to the recording medium, issuance history storage means for storing history information about the recording medium issued by the recording medium issuing means, and history information stored by the issuance history storage means The history information display means for reading and displaying, and the counting result recorded on the recording medium specified by the history information arbitrarily selected from the history information, A first re-issuing means for issuing recorded in a recording medium of the same type as the recording medium, a counting result recorded in the receipt that is identified by the history information selected arbitrarily from among the history information, the re And second reissuing means for recording and issuing on a card .

Game arcade for systems described 請 Motomeko 2, a game media counting apparatus according to claim 1, and executable prize exchange apparatus prize exchange process on the basis of the counting result recorded in the receipt and the card And a game medium payout device capable of executing a game medium payout process based on the counting result recorded on the card .

According to the gaming medium counting apparatus described in claim 1, when the count result recorded on the recording medium specified by the history information arbitrarily selected from the history information issued from the recording medium is reissued, It is possible to select whether to record and issue on a recording medium of the same format as the recording medium, or to record and issue the counting result recorded on the receipt again. Even in such a case, it can be recorded again on the (correct) recording medium desired by the player and reissued, so that the player can take action according to the player's desire. In other words, even if the player wishes to replay, but has issued a receipt by mistake, it is convenient for the player to replay by issuing an IC card again. Can be planned.

According to the system for a game hall described in claim 2 , a prize can be exchanged by receiving either a receipt or a card in the prize exchange device, and a game can be obtained by receiving the card in the game medium dispensing device. Media can be dispensed.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. Functional block diagram of each counter External perspective view of island edge counter Functional block diagram of island edge counter (A) is a counting screen, (b) is a counting completion screen (A) is an issue history screen, (b) is a diagram showing a reissue execution screen

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of a game hall system. In the amusement hall (pachinko parlor), there are a counter-counting island 1 and an island-counting island 2 side by side. Each counter 1 is provided with a counter 4 (corresponding to a game medium payout device) for each gaming machine 3. The plurality of gaming machines 3 and the plurality of counters 4 are connected to the LAN 5. Via the relay device 6. On the island edge counting island 2, a rental machine 8 is installed for each gaming machine 7, and the plurality of gaming machines 7 and the plurality of rental machines 8 are connected to the relay device 10 via the LAN 9. The relay device 6 and the relay device 10 are connected to a management device 12, an island edge counter 13 (corresponding to a game medium counting device), and a prize exchange device (POS terminal) 14 via a LAN 11.

  The gaming machine 3 and the gaming machine 7 are well-known pachinko machines as so-called digipachis, and when a player operates a handle, a pachinko ball (game medium) is fired on the board surface and the pachinko ball wins a winning opening. , Paying out the number of pachinko balls according to the prize, or drawing lottery. In the jackpot lottery, a symbol variation based on a so-called special symbol (special symbol) is executed, and a jackpot is generated when the symbol that is stopped and displayed is a jackpot symbol. When a big hit occurs, the big winning opening is opened for 15 rounds, for example. It should be noted that the gaming machine 3 and the gaming machine 7 have an out signal that can specify the number of inserted pachinko balls, which is the number of pachinko balls that have been driven in, and the number of pachinko balls that have been paid out as the game progresses by the player. Various game signals such as a safe signal that can identify the number of payout media and a jackpot signal that can identify a jackpot state are output. The gaming machine 3 installed on each counter counting island 1 and the gaming machine 7 installed on the island edge counting island 2 are, for example, pachinko machines in which the gaming machine 3 uses a single pachinko ball as a replacement unit price of 1 yen. On the other hand, the business form is different, such as the gaming machine 7 is a pachinko machine in which one pachinko ball has a replacement unit price of 4 yen.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of each counter 4 installed for each gaming machine 3 in each counter counting island 1. Each counter 4 includes a control unit 15 having a CPU, ROM, RAM, and I / O, a counting unit 16 that counts pachinko balls, a display unit 17 that displays various information, and an operation unit 18 that includes various keys and buttons. A coin-to-ball ticket issuing unit 21 that issues a coin-to-ball ticket 19 (corresponding to the second recording medium) that records a count value that is a counting result counted by the counting unit 16 from a coin-card insertion slot 20 (see FIG. 1); The upper tray of the gaming machine 3 through a ball dispenser 22 and a ball dispensing nozzle that read the count value recorded on the coin voucher 19 in response to the possessed coin voucher 19 being inserted into the coin vault insertion slot 20. A payout unit 23 for paying out pachinko balls, a transmission / reception unit 24 for transmitting and receiving various signals, and a CR unit 25 for performing overall processing for lending pachinko balls (money reception processing, processing for outputting a rental command to the gaming machine 3, etc.) Etc. are provided. That is, each counter 4 has a function equivalent to a lending machine 8 described later.

  The possession card 19 is an IC card incorporating an IC chip having a memory capable of recording a count value, and is also referred to as an IC possession card. In addition to the count value, the issued ball ticket 19 includes an issue time, which is an issued time, a owned ball ticket ID that can identify the owned ball ticket 19, and each of the issuing counters 4 that can be specified. A table counter ID and the like are also recorded. Each counter 4 also includes a status display LED (not shown) for displaying the status of the device, a signal receiving unit for receiving a signal transmitted from an employee remote control owned by the employee, and the like. .

  Each counter 4 receives a pachinko ball that has been dropped by opening the lower tray of the gaming machine 3 at the tray, and counts the pachinko ball received by the counter 16 and completes the count. The count value which is the result is specified as a holding ball, and the counting value specified as the holding ball is displayed on the display unit 17. Here, when the player operates the issuance button provided on the operation unit 18, the possession ticket 19 in which the count value counted by the counting unit 16 is recorded is inserted from the possession ticket insertion slot 20 by the possession ticket issuing unit 21. Issue. In this case, when the player operates the numeric keypad provided on the operation unit 18 and inputs and specifies a part of the count value specified as a holding ball, the holding ball ticket 19 recording only the specified number of balls. Is issued from the juggling ticket insertion slot 20 by the juggling ticket issuing unit 21. When the player operates a payout button provided on the operation unit 18, the pachinko ball is discharged from the payout unit 23 through the ball payout nozzle within the range of the count value counted by the counting unit 16, and the upper tray of the gaming machine 3 is used. To pay.

  Further, when the player inserts the possession ticket 19 into the possession ticket insertion slot 20, the count value recorded in the inserted possession ticket 19 is read by the possession ticket reader 22, and the count value thus read is read. Within the range, the pachinko balls are paid out from the payout portion 23 to the upper tray of the gaming machine 3 through the ball payout nozzle. In addition, each counter 4 can stock up to a predetermined number (10) of the own coin tickets 19 and stocks a plurality of possession tickets 19 in the order of acceptance. A stock ball ticket 19 with the latest order of receipt is issued among stock ball tickets.

  The lending machine 8 installed for each gaming machine 7 on the island edge counting island 2 is a so-called CR unit having a money insertion slot for inputting money, and a control unit having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, A transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving signals is provided. The lending machine 8 pays out the pachinko balls of the number of balls in the payout unit to the gaming machine 7 when the player operates the lending button with the money being inserted into the money slot.

  The management device 12 is installed in, for example, an office room in a game hall, and includes a control unit having a CPU, ROM, RAM, and I / O, a transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives various signals, an output unit that includes a monitor, a printer, and the like. It is configured. The management device 12 includes a gaming machine 3 and each counter 4 installed on each counter island 1, a gaming machine 7 and a lending machine 8 installed on the island counter island 2, an island counter 13, and a prize. By sending and receiving various signals to and from the exchange device 14 and the like, game information such as the well-known payout rate is totaled, the issuance status of the coin cards 19 from each counter 4 and the island edge count described later For example, the issuing status of the coin voucher 19 and receipt 27 (corresponding to the first recording medium, see FIG. 4) from the machine 13 is managed.

  The island edge counter 13 is a device for counting the pachinko balls acquired by the gaming machine 7 installed on the island edge island 2, and is installed at the island edge of the island edge island 2 in the game hall. FIG. 3 shows an external perspective view of the island edge counter 13. The island edge counter 13 has a receipt issuing port 28 for issuing a receipt 27, a juggling ticket issuing port 29 for issuing the above-mentioned juggling ticket 19, and an employee card 30 held by the employee (FIG. 4). Employee card reader 31 for reading employee data, a display unit 32 (corresponding to a history information display means) composed of a touch panel liquid crystal display, a return ball payout outlet 33 for paying out return balls (remaining balls), a manual open / close type A slide cover 34 and the like are provided. In addition, when actually counting pachinko balls with the island edge counter 13, the player himself may count alone or prohibits counting by the player for the purpose of preventing fraud. You may make it count.

  The receipt 27 is a paper medium on which a count value is recorded by, for example, a two-dimensional code. In addition to the count value, the receipt 27 includes an issuance time, which is an issuance time, a receipt ID that can identify the receipt 27, an island edge counter ID that can identify the island edge counter 13 of the issuer, and the like. To be recorded. The employee card 30 is an IC card having a built-in IC chip having a memory in which employee data capable of identifying the employee is recorded.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the island edge counter 13. The island edge counter 13 is formed in a control unit 35 having a CPU, ROM, RAM, and I / O, a counting unit 36 that counts pachinko balls, the employee card reader 31, the display unit 32, and the display unit 32 described above. Operation unit 37 composed of various touch keys, and a coin-to-ball ticket issuing unit 38 for issuing the coin-to-ball ticket 19 in which the count value is recorded from the above-mentioned coin-card issuing port 29 (recording medium issuing means, second reissuing means) Corresponding), the coin-to-ball ticket reader 39 that reads the count value recorded on the coin-to-ball ticket 19 when the coin-to-ball ticket 19 is inserted into the coin-to-ball ticket issuing slot 29, and the receipt 27 on which the count value is printed Receipt issuing unit 40 (corresponding to recording medium issuing means, first reissuing means) issued from the receipt issuing port 28, a payout unit 41 for paying out pachinko balls, a storage unit 42 (corresponding to issue history storage means), various signals Send / receive It is configured to include a 43 or the like.

  In the island edge counter 13, the control unit 35 receives the pachinko balls, which are the acquisition medium acquired by the player, from the receiving opening when the slide cover 34 is opened, and counts the received pachinko balls. When started by the unit 36, when counting is in progress, a counting screen 51 indicating that counting is in progress is displayed on the display unit 32 as shown in FIG. In this case, the control unit 35 displays the count value being counted (“2125” in FIG. 5A) in the count value display area 51a, and the holding card 19 and the receipt 27 are recorded as recording media on which the count value is recorded. A selection button 51b capable of selecting which one to issue is displayed. Here, the employee or the player can select which of the coin-to-ball ticket 19 and the receipt 27 is issued by pressing the selection button 51b.

  When determining that the counting is completed, the control unit 35 displays a counting completion screen 52 indicating that the counting is completed on the display unit 32 as shown in FIG. The control unit 35 displays the count value (“3852” in FIG. 5B), which is the count result, in the count value display area 52a. In this case as well, the coin card 19 and the receipt as a recording medium on which the count value is recorded are displayed. 27, a selection button 52b capable of selecting which one to issue is continuously displayed from the counting screen 51, and a settlement button 52c (an “all ticket issue” button and a “less return” button) is displayed. When the “all ticketing” button is pressed, a coin voucher 19 or a receipt 27 in which all the count values are recorded is issued, and when the “less return” button is pressed, the count value is the number of exchanged balls for a specific prize. A coin bead 19 or a receipt 27 in which a count value corresponding to the quotient divided by (the remainder is paid out from the return ball payout outlet 33) is recorded is issued. Here again, the employee or the player can select which of the coin-to-ball ticket 19 and the receipt 27 is issued by pressing the selection button 52b. FIG. 5 shows a case where the selection button 51b in the counting completion 51 and the selection button 52b in the counting completion screen 52 both select the issue on the receipt 27. Further, the initial setting may be either issuance with a receipt 27 or issuance with a coin ticket 19.

  When the control unit 35 determines that the settlement button 52c has been pressed in a state where the issue with the holding ball ticket 19 is selected, the holding ball ticket 19 having the count value recorded thereon is transferred to the holding ball ticket issuing unit 38 by the holding ball ticket issuing unit 38. 27, if it is determined that the settlement button 52c has been pressed in a state in which the issue with the receipt 27 is selected, the receipt 27 in which the count value is recorded is issued from the receipt issuing port 28 by the receipt issuing unit 40. In this way, the employee or the player presses the selection button 51b of the counting screen 51 displayed during counting or presses the selection button 52b of the counting completion screen 52 displayed after the counting is completed. As the recording medium on which the count value is recorded, it is possible to select which of the coin betting ticket 19 and the receipt 27 is to be issued, and by pressing the settlement button 52c on the counting completion screen 52, the selected recording medium is Can be issued. In addition, when an employee or a player chooses the issuance of a coin card 19 and the employee or player inputs and designates a part of the count value, the possession ball in which only the designated number of balls is recorded. A ticket 19 may be issued. Further, when the player inserts the possession ticket 19 into the possession ticket issuing slot 29, the control unit 35 reads the count value recorded in the inserted possession ticket 19 by the possession ticket reader 39, Pachinko balls are paid out from the payout unit 41 within the range of the read count value.

  The prize exchange device 14 is a device that employees handle in order to exchange prizes, and is installed in a prize exchange counter in the amusement hall. The gift exchange device 14 includes a control unit having a CPU, ROM, RAM, and I / O, a transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives various signals, and the like. The gift exchange device 14 has a scanner capable of reading the count value recorded on the receipt 27, reads the count value recorded on the receipt 27 submitted by the player, and the read count value. The number of prizes (for example, special prizes) corresponding to is calculated, and the calculation result is displayed on the display unit. Also, the gift exchange device 14 has a holding ticket insertion slot into which the above-described holding card 19 can be inserted, and the count value recorded on the holding card 19 submitted by the player is stored as a holding card reader. In this case as well, the number of prizes corresponding to the read count value is calculated, and the calculation result is displayed on the display unit. In other words, the player can exchange prizes by using either the receipt 27 or the possession ticket 19.

  In the above-described configuration, the island edge counter 13 can be selected by the island edge counter 13 as to which of the coin card 19 and the receipt 27 is to be issued as the recording medium on which the employee or the player has recorded the count value. However, if the player correctly issues a receipt 27 that cannot be replayed by mistake, the player may issue a receipt 27 that cannot be replayed, or a mechanical such as a paper jam. There may be a case where the receipt 27 cannot be issued normally due to a malfunction. In consideration of such circumstances, the present embodiment has the following functions.

  In the island edge counter 13, each time the receipt 27 is issued from the receipt issuing port 28 by the receipt issuing unit 40, the control unit 35 can identify the issue time that is the time when the receipt 27 is issued and the receipt 27. The receipt ID (“No” in FIG. 6) and the count value recorded in the receipt 27 are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 42 as an issue history. Then, when an employee or player performs an issue history read operation, the control unit 35 displays an issue history screen 53 showing the issue history stored in the storage unit 42 as shown in FIG. Displayed on the display unit 32. In this case, the control unit 35 records a plurality of (five in FIG. 6A) records with the correspondence between the issue time, the receipt ID, and the count value as one unit, for example, from the latest order (the order from the latest issue time). In the display area 53a, an up scroll button 53b, a down scroll button 53c, an execution button 53d, and a return button 53e are displayed. An employee or player can select any record as a reissue target by pressing the up scroll button 53b or the down scroll button 53c, and can select the selected record by pressing the execution button 53d. Can be confirmed as a reissue target.

  If the control unit 35 determines that any one of the records has been determined as a reissue target, the control unit 35 displays a reissue execution screen 54 on the display unit 32 as illustrated in FIG. In this case, the control unit 35 displays a receipt button 54a and a coin card button 54b. When the control unit 35 determines that the receipt button 54a is pressed, that is, the reissue on the receipt 27 is selected, the control unit 35 records the receipt 27 on which the count value of the record determined as the reissue target is recorded. 40 is issued from the receipt issuing port 28. On the other hand, when the control unit 35 determines that the coin-to-ball ticket button 54b is pressed, that is, reissue with the coin-to-ball ticket 19 is selected, the control unit 35 records the count value of the record determined as the reissue object. A ticket 19 is issued from the coin ticket issuing slot 27 by the coin ticket issuing unit 38.

  In this way, even if the employee or the player issues the receipt 27 by mistake, the employee 27 or the player confirms the receipt 27 that has been wrongly issued as a reissue target, and selects reissuance with the coin voucher 19. Thus, it is possible to issue (re-issue) a coin-card 19 that records the count value of the record corresponding to the receipt 27 issued in error, and to issue the receipt 27 normally due to a paper jam or the like, for example. If the receipt 27 that could not be issued normally is confirmed as the reissue target and the reissue on the receipt 27 is selected, it cannot be issued normally. The receipt 27 in which the count value of the record corresponding to the receipt 27 is recorded can be newly issued (reissued).

  In addition, when the control unit 35 reissues one of the coin-to-betting ticket 19 and the receipt 27 in this way, information on the receipt 27 to be reissued (issue time, receipt ID, count value, etc.) ) And information on the reissued coin voucher 19 (issue time, coin voucher ID, count value, etc.) or receipt 27 information (issue time, receipt ID, count value, etc.) The signal is output from the transmission / reception unit 43 to the management device 12. The management device 12 has a function of managing the correspondence between the information on the receipt 27 to be reissued and the information on the reissued coin voucher 19 and the receipt 27 as a reissue history. When the output reissue specific signal is received, the reissue specific signal is analyzed, and the correspondence between the information on the receipt 27 to be reissued and the information on the reissued coin betting ticket 19 and the receipt 27 is specified. .

  When the prize exchange device 14 reads the count value recorded on the receipt 27 or the coin-to-behind ticket 19 submitted by the player by the scanner, it is recorded on the receipt ID or the coin-to-behind ticket 19 recorded on the receipt 27. It also reads the received coin voucher ID, and outputs a prize exchange inquiry signal that can specify the read receipt ID, coin voucher ID, and count value from the transmission / reception unit to the management device 12. When the management device 12 receives the gift exchange inquiry signal output from the gift exchange device 14, the management device 12 analyzes the gift exchange inquiry signal, receives the receipt ID of the receipt 27 requesting the gift exchange, and the coin voucher 19 It is determined whether or not the receipt 27 or the coined ticket 19 requesting the gift exchange has been reissued by identifying the coined ticket ID and referring to the reissue history. If it is determined that the gift has been exchanged for the (original) receipt 27 to be reissued, it is determined whether or not the gift has been exchanged for the original receipt 27. While the permission signal is output to the prize exchange device 14, if it is determined that the prize exchange for the original receipt 27 has been performed, the prize exchange prohibition signal is output to the prize exchange device 14.

  When the gift exchange device 14 receives the gift exchange permission signal output from the management device 12, the gift exchange device 14 permits the gift exchange for the receipt 27 or the handed ticket 19 requesting the gift exchange, while being output from the management device 12. When the premium exchange prohibition signal is received, the premium exchange for the receipt 27 and the coin voucher 19 requesting the premium exchange is prohibited. The management device 12 invalidates the receipt 27 that has been reissued in this way.

  In addition, since the receipt 27 is targeted for reissuing, but the coined ticket 19 is not targeted for reissuing, after reissuing with the receipt 27, the receipt 27 is reissued with the reissued receipt 27 as a reissuing target. It is possible, however, that after reissuing with the own coin voucher 19, it is impossible to reissue the receipt 27 with the reissued coin voucher 19 as a reissue object.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the island edge counter 13, when issuing a receipt 27 that records a count value obtained by counting the pachinko balls acquired by the player, the issue history is stored, When re-issuing the counting result of a record arbitrarily selected from the issuance history, it is possible to select whether to issue a receipt 27 or a coin voucher 19 again. Can be recorded again on the (correct) recording medium desired by the player, and can be reissued, and a response in accordance with the player's wish can be performed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified or expanded as follows.
The target gaming machine is not limited to a pachinko machine but may be a slot machine.
A limit may be imposed on the number of times the receipt 27 is reissued.
By managing the frequency at which the receipt 27 is reissued (number of times per unit period) in the management device 12, it is possible to grasp the frequency of paper jams and to grasp the timing of parts replacement and maintenance.

  In the drawings, 4 is each counter (game media dispensing device), 13 is an island edge counter (game media counting device), 14 is a prize exchange device, 19 is a coin card (second recording medium), and 27 is a receipt. (First recording medium), 32 is a display unit (history information display means), 38 is a coin ticket issuing unit (recording medium issuing means, second reissuing means), and 40 is a receipt issuing unit (recording medium issuing means, second recording means). 1 reissue means) and 42 are storage sections (issue history storage means).

Claims (2)

In a game medium counting device that accepts and counts game media acquired by a player and issues a recording medium that records the count result,
Selection operation means for operating to select one of a recording medium on which the counting result is recorded, a receipt dedicated to prize exchange, and a card incorporating an IC chip capable of exchanging prizes and replaying When,
Recording medium issuing means for issuing a recording medium selected in accordance with an operation by the selection operation means;
Issuance history storage means for storing history information relating to the recording medium issued by the recording medium issuing means;
History information display means for reading and displaying the history information stored in the issuance history storage means;
A first reissue means for recording and issuing a count result recorded on a recording medium specified by the history information arbitrarily selected from the history information on a recording medium of the same format as the recording medium;
Characterized in that a counting result recorded in the receipt that is identified by the history information selected arbitrarily from among the history information, provided with a second re-issuing means for issuing recorded on the card again Game media counting device. A game medium counting device according to claim 1;
A prize exchange device capable of executing a prize exchange process based on a count result recorded on the receipt and the card;
A game hall system comprising: a game medium payout device capable of executing a game medium payout process based on a counting result recorded on the card .

Images