JP5809037B2 - Game equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming apparatus that is attached to a gaming machine and converts the inserted money into a gaming value that can be used in gaming.

  A conventional pachinko gaming machine is generally of a type called a CR (card reading) machine. The CR machine adopts a prepaid system, and the prepaid balance is settled at the end of the game.

Japanese Patent No. 3342024

Such a CR machine is configured to lend gaming balls within the prepaid balance by operating a lending switch arranged on the front surface of the main body. There is a case that the loan switch is operated accidentally even though it is not. In order to prevent such unnecessary lending, for example, it is considered that lending is prohibited when a big hit occurs (see cited document 1).
However, even if there are actually enough balls, there are cases where you want to use the balance to lend to save the effort of clearing the balance, and the lending prohibition function as described above gets in the way. There was a case.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming apparatus that prevents unnecessary lending as much as possible against a player's intention as much as possible and does not prohibit necessary lending. is there.

The present invention relates to a gaming device attached to a gaming machine for converting inserted money into a gaming value that can be used in a game.
An inserted amount storage means for storing the inserted amount of money, an operating means operated by a player to convert the inserted amount into the game value, and when the operating means is operated, Game value conversion means for executing a conversion process for converting a predetermined unit amount into a game value, game value storage means for storing the total game value possessed by the player, and the game value among the input amounts A recording medium issuing means capable of issuing a recording medium that records an input amount that has not been converted into a conversion amount, and when the total of the game values is equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit, the conversion is performed when the operation means is operated. A message output means for outputting a message for confirming whether or not to execute the process, and the conversion process is executed when a message is output by the message output means Confirmation operation means operated by the player for instructing again, the message output means when the input amount stored in the input amount storage means is less than or equal to a predetermined lower limit value Prohibits the output of the message regardless of whether or not the total gaming value stored in the gaming value storage means is equal to or greater than the lower limit value, and the gaming value conversion means sends a message by the message output means. Is output, the conversion process is executed only when the confirmation operation unit is operated, while the conversion process is stopped when the confirmation operation unit is not operated ( Claim 1).

The gaming device according to claim 1,
A player specifying means for specifying a player who is playing a game is provided, and the message output means is specified by the player specifying means when the game value converting means performs conversion processing when outputting the message. The output of the message may be prohibited until the player to be changed (claim 2).

According to the invention of claim 1, in the state where the game value possessed by the player is equal to or higher than the lower limit value, a confirmation message is output before executing the conversion process to the game value. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation where the game value is accidentally converted into a game value. However, since the conversion process is performed as usual without outputting a confirmation message when the balance of the input amount is small, it is troublesome for the player to execute the conversion process in order to save the trouble of clearing the balance. I have no thoughts.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the confirmation message from being repeatedly output while the same player is continuing the game.

The figure which shows schematically the whole structure of the system for game centers in one Embodiment of this invention. Block diagram showing the configuration of each counter

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 schematically shows the entire configuration of a game hall system to which a game hall management apparatus is applied. A plurality of types and a plurality of game machines 1 are installed in the game hall, and each machine counter 2 (corresponding to a game device) is installed corresponding to each game machine 1. The gaming machine 1 and each counter 2 are connected to the gaming machine terminal 4 via the LAN 3. The gaming machine terminal 4 transfers a gaming signal, which will be described later, output from a gaming machine side device such as the gaming machine 1 or each counter 2 to the management device 5 and also has a calling function or a gaming machine for calling an employee of the gaming hall. It also has a data display function for displaying one operation data. The management device 5 is installed in, for example, an office in the game hall, and is connected to a keyboard 6 as input means, a monitor 7 as output means, a printer (not shown), and the like, and a prize exchange terminal via the LAN 8 (POS) 9 is also connected. In such a game hall, for example, several hundred gaming machines 1 are installed and are managed by the management device 5.

  The gaming machine 1 has a well-known configuration as a pachinko gaming machine, a handle 11 for firing a pachinko ball on the board surface 10, a display unit 12 provided on the board surface 10, and a diagram in which the launched pachinko ball can win a prize. Winning entrance 13, starting winning opening 14, electric tulip type starting winning opening 15, large winning opening 16, upper plate 17 in which pachinko balls paid out from the gaming machine 1 are stored, and pachinko balls overflowing from the upper plate 17 Is provided with a lower tray 18 and the like.

  This gaming machine 1 pays out a specified number of pachinko balls (the number of award balls) when the fired pachinko balls win the start winning openings 14 and 15 (so-called ordinary actors), which are special figure winning openings. A lottery is executed to determine whether or not a big win and if a big win is to occur, a probability variation state is determined. This internal lottery is executed based on a predetermined jackpot winning probability, receives the lottery result of the internal lottery, determines the type of special figure to be stopped and displayed on the display unit 12, and starts symbol variation. At this time, when the special figure stopped and displayed is a jackpot symbol, a jackpot state is generated, and the big winning opening 16 is repeatedly opened a predetermined number of times. When a pachinko ball is awarded to the big winning opening 16, generally a larger number of pachinko balls are paid out than when the winning winning openings 14 and 15 are won. For this reason, when a big hit state occurs, a large amount of pachinko balls are paid out, and the player can acquire a large amount of pachinko balls.

  The gaming machine 1 and its peripheral devices having such a configuration are used to send various game signals along with the progress of the game, such as driving a pachinko ball by a player (starting) and starting winnings to the starting winning ports 14 and 15 described above. Output. This game signal is output from an out BOX (not shown) that collects used balls, for example, and is an out signal that can specify an out (number of used media) that is the number of pachinko balls fired on the board 10. Is a safe signal that can specify the safe (number of payout media) that is the number of pachinko balls that have been paid out in accordance with winning at each winning opening, and winning (starting winning) at the starting winning openings 14, 15 These are a start winning signal that can be identified, a symbol variation signal that can identify a symbol variation (actual operation) that starts variation (actuation) in response to a start winning to the start winning ports 14 and 15, and the like. In addition, the gaming machine 1 outputs a jackpot signal indicating that it is a jackpot state and a probability variation signal indicating that it is in a probability variation state, and the number of pachinko balls lent out according to the inserted money. A sales signal is also output.

The management device 5 is composed of a computer having a control unit made up of a CPU (not shown), a storage unit made up of ROM, RAM, HDD, and the like, and an input / output unit that is an input means for transmitting and receiving the game signals described above. . The management device 5 operates according to the control program stored in the storage unit, and for each gaming machine 1 and each model of the gaming machine 1 based on the gaming signal from the gaming machine side device input to the input / output unit. Calculate and aggregate operating data.
Specifically, the management device 5 is based on the game signal input from the gaming machine side, out, safe, difference ball, symbol variation count (start count), jackpot count (number of jackpot state occurrence), probability variation count Known operation data such as (number of occurrences of probability fluctuation state) and sales are calculated and aggregated for each gaming machine 1 and each model of gaming machine 1.

The management device 5 records, as card data, ID information, an issue number, and counting information, which will be described later, output from each counter.
The prize exchange terminal 9 executes a prize exchange process based on the number of pachinko balls specified by the counting information recorded on a coin-to-ball ticket (or member card) (corresponding to a recording medium) made of an IC card. In this prize exchange process, the counted pachinko balls are exchanged for so-called special prizes and general prizes according to the exchange rate set for each game hall. The result of the prize exchange performed at the prize exchange terminal 9 is transmitted to the management apparatus 5 and is managed by the management apparatus 5 in association with the coin card. That is, the management device 5 associates the ID information recorded on the coin-to-ball ticket (including the membership card) with the gift exchange process and stores it as gift exchange completed information.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of each counter. Each counter 2 is composed mainly of a control unit 19. The control unit 19 includes a CPU 20 (corresponding to game value conversion means and message output means), a ROM 21, RAM 22 (corresponding to input money storage means and game value storage means), an I / O 23 which is an input / output means for inputting and outputting signals, and the like. The operation of each counter 2 is controlled based on a control program stored in the ROM 21 or the like. Each counter 2 is assigned unique ID information and is provided on the gaming machine 1 on a one-to-one basis.

  The control unit 19 includes an I / F unit 24, a banknote processing unit 25, a display unit 26, a coin card issue unit 27 (corresponding to a recording medium issuing unit), an operation unit 29 (corresponding to an operation unit and a confirmation operation unit), a payout The unit 30 and the counting unit 31 are connected. The I / F unit 24 transmits / receives information to / from the management device 5 and the gaming machine 1. The banknote processing unit 25 determines the authenticity of the banknote inserted from the banknote insertion slot 32 shown in FIG. 1, and if true, takes in the banknote and outputs a sales signal. The counting unit 31 counts the number of pachinko balls that have fallen from the lower plate 18 of the gaming machine 1 and received by the ball receiving unit 33. The display unit 26 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or various display lamps, and is recorded on the number of pachinko balls counted by the counting unit 31 or on a coin card 28 inserted in the card insertion slot 34 shown in FIG. The displayed data is displayed and the operation data is displayed along with the player's game.

  The possession ticket issuing unit 27 is provided with a reader / writer corresponding to the card insertion slot 34 shown in FIG. 1, and reads data recorded in the possession ticket 28 inserted into the card insertion slot 34, and A coin card 28 in which the number of pachinko balls counted by the counting unit 31 and data such as ID information individually assigned to each counter 2 is recorded is issued. A unique number that is individually identifiable is assigned to each of the coin-to-ball tickets 28, and each coin counter 28 to be issued has ID information, an issue number, and a count counted by the counting unit 31. Information is recorded. These ID information, issue number, and count information are also transmitted to the management device 5 when the coin card 28 is issued, and are also recorded on the management device 5 side. This bead card 28 can be issued when the number of balls counted by the counting unit 31 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 100 balls). Collected. In addition, the coin-to-ball ticket issuing unit 27 is configured to be able to read not only the coin-bearing ticket 28 but also a member card inserted into the card insertion slot 34 and record ID information and counting information on the member card. Yes.

  The operation unit 29 includes, for example, a touch panel provided on the display unit 26 and switches (not shown). The operation unit 29 accepts a player's operation and also accepts a player's operation to issue a coin card 28. The payout unit 30 is connected to the pachinko ball through the ball payout nozzle 35 shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the operation input from the operation unit 29 within the range of the number of pachinko balls (holding balls) counted by the counting unit 31. To pay.

  The gaming machine 1 is of a type called a CR (Card Reader) machine, and includes a lending button 36 and a return button 37, and each deposit counter 2 receives a deposit balance (“input amount not converted into gaming value”). When the lending button 36 is pushed down with a signal indicating that there is an equivalent), for example, a number corresponding to 1000 yen (250 in the case of 4 yen exchange) pachinko balls (corresponding to game value) ) And a signal indicating the payout is output to each counter 2. When the return button 37 is pressed, a signal indicating that the return button 37 is returned is output to each counter 2.

Now, each counter 2 displays the pachinko balls counted by the counter 31 as described above as holding balls, and can be paid out from the ball dispensing nozzle 35 to the upper plate 17 of the gaming machine 1 by the player's dispensing operation. On the other hand, it is possible to issue a coin card 28 that records the deposit balance and the number of coins, and its function will be described in detail. In addition, since the operation | movement at the time of receiving a membership card is also the same, the description is abbreviate | omitted.
(1) The coin-carrying ticket 28 can be received at the card insertion slot 34, and when a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 32 in the received state, the deposit amount is stored in the coin-carrying ticket 28.
(2) When a predetermined number (about 5) of the Jongyue tickets 28 can be stocked and banknotes are received in a state where the Jingyue tickets 28 are not received, the deposit balance is recorded on the stocked Jongyoma tickets 28. Then, the coin-carrying ticket 28 is put into a reception state.
(3) When the lending button 36 provided in the gaming machine 1 is pressed in a state in which 1000 yen or more is stored as a deposit balance in the accepted coin voucher 28, a sales signal is transmitted to the management device 5 Then, the deposit balance stored in the holding ticket 28 is updated by a decrease of 1000 yen.
(4) When the payout button 38 shown in FIG. 1 is pressed, the counting balls (holding balls) are paid back for 1 unit of payout (125 balls).
(5) When the issuance button 39 shown in FIG. 1 is pressed, among the accepted juggling tickets 28 or the stocking juggling tickets 28, the juggling vouchers 28 with the latest acceptance order are issued. To do. Two types of issuance processing are possible as issuance processing for issuing the juggling ticket 28. In other words, all issuing processes for issuing all the holding balls in response to pressing of the issuing button 39 in a state where all holding balls (corresponding to the total gaming value) are specified, and a state in which a part of the holding balls is specified Thus, there is a divided issue process in which a holding ball which is an issue target specified in response to the press of the issue button 39 is issued.

(6) In response to an operation of the return button 37 provided on the gaming machine 1, (a) a holding ball and a deposit balance, (b) a deposit balance only, and (c) a display button only for a possession are displayed on the display unit 26. The player can select one of the display buttons. In the initial state, (a) is set, and when a predetermined time elapses without selecting anything, both the holding ball and the deposit balance are recorded on the holding ball ticket 28.
That is, when no operation is performed on the operation unit 29, a coin-ball ticket 28 in which the possession ball and the deposit balance are recorded is issued, and when the “deposit balance only” button is selected, only the deposit balance is recorded. Is issued, and when the “only possession” button is selected, the possession coupon 28 in which only the possession is recorded is issued. Accordingly, it is possible to issue a coin-to-ball ticket 28 in which information desired by the player is stored.

  (7) The number of separately issued balls can be set in the operation unit 29. The number of balls issued separately is the number of balls that the player wishes to issue the coupon card 28. When this number of balls issued is set, the number of balls issued when the number of balls issued reaches the number of balls issued separately. The number of separately issued balls is stored in the holding ball ticket 28, and a refund from the number of separately issued balls after that is prohibited. In this case, when paying back the number of separately issued balls from the number of separately issued balls, the operation unit 29 needs to perform an operation for canceling the divided issue. Therefore, when the number of balls is more than the number of split issued balls even once, it is possible to issue a ball ticket 28 in which the number of separately issued balls is recorded by the issuing operation.

  On the other hand, when the number of split issued balls is set, but the number of held balls is less than the number of split issued balls, the number of held balls is converted into the number of split issued balls in exchange for cash by cash compensation operation on the operation unit 29. It is possible to increase it. For example, if the number of separately issued balls = 2500 balls, the number of holding balls = 2300 balls, and the deposit balance = 5000 yen, the number of issued balls is increased by increasing the number of balls by 200 in exchange for a deposit balance of 800 yen. It can be stored in the ticket 28. In this case, the deposit balance is 4200 yen.

(8) When the lending button 36 of the gaming machine 1 is operated in a state where the number of holding balls is greater than or equal to the number of payout units (corresponding to the lower limit value), it is determined whether or not the deposit balance is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. If the amount is less than or equal to the amount, the lending is executed as it is, while if the amount exceeds the predetermined amount, a lending confirmation message is displayed, and lending processing is executed when there is a lending confirmation operation. Therefore, careless lending in a state where there is a ball can be prevented.
That is, when the payout operation is performed when the balance amount is 1000 yen or more and there is no ball, lending is executed in units of 1000 yen (when the lending unit is 1000 yen) within the range of the balance amount. On the other hand, when the lending button 36 is operated in a state where the number of holding balls is equal to or more than the number of payout units, it is confirmed whether or not payout is performed. In this case, if the balance is 1000 yen, the loan is executed, and if the balance is 2000 yen or more, a message for confirming the loan is displayed. As this lending confirmation message, “OK” button and “Cancel” button are displayed. When “OK” button is selected, pachinko balls are paid out as if there is a lending confirmation operation, and “Cancel” button is selected If you do, return to the original screen.

  According to such an embodiment, when the lending button 36 is operated in a state where there are more than the number of payout units, when the balance exceeds a predetermined amount, a lending confirmation message is displayed, and the lending confirmation operation is performed. Since the lending process is executed when it occurs, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the lending process is erroneously executed even though it is not necessary. However, when the balance is small, the lending process is performed as usual without displaying a confirmation message. Therefore, when executing the lending process using the balance in order to save the balance clearing, the player There is no annoying thought.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified or expanded as follows.
The period in which the same coin card is inserted is regarded as the period in which the same player continues to play (corresponding to the player identification means), and when the lending process is executed even once after the confirmation message is output The output of the confirmation message may be prohibited (corresponding to claim 2).
You may make it perform the lending of a ball | bowl and the paying-out of a ball using the payout mechanism inside a game machine. In this case, the ball dispensing nozzle 35 becomes unnecessary.
The counting unit 31 may be provided separately from each counter.
The lower limit value of the game value (money ball) and the lower limit value of the input amount (payment balance) are not limited to the above embodiment, and can be set as appropriate.
The gaming machine may be an enclosed gaming machine that adds and stores electronic data without paying out gaming media.
The gaming machine is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine, and may be a slot machine, for example.

  In the drawings, 1 is a gaming machine, 2 is a counter for each machine (corresponding to a gaming device), 20 is a CPU (game value conversion means, message output means), 22 is a RAM (input amount storage means, game value storage means). , 27 is a holding ball ticket issuing unit (recording medium issuing unit), 28 is a holding ball ticket (recording medium), and 29 is an operation unit (operating unit, confirmation operating unit).

Claims (2)

In a gaming device attached to a gaming machine and converting the inserted money into a gaming value that can be used in gaming,
Input amount storage means for storing the amount of money input;
An operating means operated by a player to convert the input amount into the gaming value;
Game value conversion means for executing a conversion process for converting a predetermined unit amount of money into the game value when the operation means is operated;
Game value storage means for storing the total game value owned by the player;
A recording medium issuing means capable of issuing a recording medium that records an input amount that has not yet been converted into a game value among the input amount;
A message output means for outputting a message for confirming whether or not to execute the conversion process when the operation means is operated when the total gaming value is equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit;
Confirmation operation means operated by a player to instruct again to execute the conversion process when a message is output by the message output means,
When the input amount stored in the input amount storage means is less than or equal to a predetermined lower limit value, the message output means determines that the total game value stored in the game value storage means is the lower limit value. Regardless of whether or not it is, the output of the message is prohibited,
The game value conversion means executes the conversion process only when the confirmation operation means is operated when a message is output from the message output means, while when the confirmation operation means is not operated. Stops the execution of the conversion process. A player identification means for identifying a player in game,
The message output means prohibits output of the message until the player specified by the player specifying means is changed if the game value converting means executes conversion processing when the message is output. The gaming device according to claim 1.

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