JP6257937B2 - GAME SYSTEM, GAME DEVICE, AND GAME PROCESSING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is provided corresponding to the game machine at the store, stores identifiable store identification information the store, the game that corresponds to negotiable value accepted the accepting negotiable value available in a game A gaming device that performs an enabling process that can be used for gaming on a machine, and is provided outside the store, can communicate with the gaming device, and manages the value provided for the enabling process An out-of-store management device, provided in the store , stores the store identification information, can communicate with the gaming device and the out-of-store management device, and is more difficult to move from the store than the gaming device. It is related with the game system provided with the processing apparatus for games which performs the process regarding a game, the said game apparatus, and the processing apparatus for games.

  Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, a valuable value (money or card) provided for a gaming machine in a store is received and the received valuable value is received by the corresponding gaming machine. A gaming device that performs an enabling process (payment process or card verification process) that can be used for gaming, and is provided in the store, can communicate with the gaming device, and is used for the enabling process 2. Description of the Related Art A gaming system including a management device that manages a valuable value is known.

JP 2006-075180 A

  Here, in the gaming system shown in Patent Document 1, the management device is an out-of-store management device provided outside the store (so-called cloud), thereby eliminating the management device provided in the store and reducing the cost of the system. However, even if the gaming device and the out-of-store management device become incapable of communication (offline), if the gaming device can accept the valuable value, the gaming device is moved out of the store. After taking out and accepting the valuable value, it is returned to the store and the received valuable value is used.

  The present invention has been made based on such a background, and the object thereof is not to provide a management device for managing the valuable value provided for the enabling process in the store, An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming system, a gaming device, and a gaming processing device capable of preventing the reception of unauthorized valuable value outside the store even when communication with the management device outside the store is impossible.

  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 means 1
Store identification information (store code) that is provided corresponding to a gaming machine (pachinko machine 10) in a store (game hall) and that can identify the store , and that can be used for games (remaining value and retained value) number of balls to be identified card 3, the banknote 2, enabling processing lifting balls) to accept the available game in the gaming machine that corresponds to negotiable value accepted the (card acceptance processing of S211b, the S212a A game device (ball lending unit 20) for performing the remaining amount addition processing, the number of possession balls of S213a),
An out-of-store management device (50) that is provided outside the store, is communicable with the gaming device, and manages the value provided for the enabling process (in the value management DB);
Processing related to a game that is provided in a store , stores the store identification information, is communicable with the gaming device and the outside management device, and is more difficult to move from the store than the gaming device. Game processing device (settlement device 40, POS terminal) that performs (settlement of remaining amount, exchange of prizes for the number of coins),
A gaming system (1) comprising:
The gaming device is:
Communication enable / disable determining means for determining whether communication with the out-of-store management device is possible (control unit 21 for performing communication determination processing);
An authentication request for transmitting an authentication request for the gaming device including the stored store identification information to the gaming processing device based on the determination that communication is impossible by the communication availability determining means. Transmission means (control unit 21 that performs the process of S305),
The gaming processing device comprises:
Based on the reception of the authentication request from the gaming device, an authentication means (control unit) authenticates the gaming device by using the store identification information included in the authentication request and the stored store identification information. 42)
Authentication result return means (control unit 42) for returning an authentication result by the authentication means to the gaming device;
The gaming device can accept the valuable value based on the fact that the authentication result returned from the authentication result reply means has obtained authentication (YES in S307) (acceptance of the banknote 2 in S312). , S313 to wait for counting the number of possessed balls).
According to this, since the outside management device that manages the valuable value provided for the enabling process is provided, it is not necessary to provide a management device with the same function in the store, and the gaming device and the outside management device Even if the communication is impossible, if the authentication is obtained by transmitting the authentication request from the gaming device to the gaming processing device, the gaming device can accept the valuable value. Unauthorized receipt of valuable value can be prevented.
In addition, since the gaming processing device is more difficult to move than the gaming device, it is possible to prevent the gaming processing device from being taken out of the store together with the gaming device and receiving illegal value.
Further, since the authentication is not obtained if the store identification information stored in the game processing device and the game device is different, the game device is taken out from one store and an illegal value is received at another store. Can be prevented.

The invention according to means 2
A gaming system according to means 1, comprising:
The gaming processing apparatus is a gaming system characterized by difficulty in movement.
According to this, since it is difficult to move the gaming processing device, it is possible to prevent the gaming processing device from being taken out of the store together with the gaming device and receiving illegal value.

The invention according to means 3 is
A gaming system according to means 1 or 2, wherein
The outside-store management device further includes sales information transmitting means (control unit 52) for transmitting sales information that can identify at least sales for each store, which is a valuable value used for gaming in the gaming machine,
The game system is provided outside the store, and based on the receipt of the sales information, the sales management device (60) for managing the sales identified from the sales information (at the sales management DB) at least for each store It is further provided with the game system characterized by the above-mentioned.
According to this, the sales of each store can be managed.

The invention according to means 4 is
A gaming system described in any one of means 1 to 3,
The game processing device further includes an authentication history storage unit (authentication history DB) for storing an authentication history by the authentication unit;
The gaming device sends a communication return notification (online return notification) to the gaming process based on determining that communication is possible (YES in S323) after determining that communication is impossible by the communication availability determination unit. A communication return notification transmission means (control unit 21 that performs the process of S325) that transmits to the apparatus;
The game processing device transmits an authentication history stored in the authentication history storage unit to the out-of-store management device (control unit 42) based on the reception of the communication return notification. ) Is further provided.
According to this, since the management performed outside the store that has received the authentication history can reflect the processing performed when communication with the gaming device is disabled, fraud can be prevented.

The invention according to means 5 is
A gaming system described in any one of means 1 to 4,
The gaming device and the gaming processing device store store identification information (store code) capable of identifying the store where the gaming device and the gaming processing device are installed,
The authentication request transmission means transmits the authentication request including store identification information stored in the gaming device,
In the gaming system, the authentication unit authenticates the gaming device based on the store identification information included in the authentication request and the store identification information stored in the gaming processing device. is there.
According to this, since authentication is not obtained if the store identification information is different, it is possible to prevent the gaming device from being taken out of one store and receiving an illegal value from another store.

The invention according to means 6 is
A gaming system according to means 5, comprising:
The valuable value (remaining amount and number of possessions) is issued to the player by the store, and the record information of the game recording medium (card 3) in which store identification information (store code) of the store is recorded ( Card ID),
The gaming device accepts the game recording medium (YES in S211), and the store identification information recorded on the accepted game recording medium matches the stored store identification information. The gaming system is characterized in that the enabling process (the card receiving process in S211b) of the valuable value specified from the received record information of the game recording medium is performed on the condition (YES in S211a). .
According to this, if the store identification information is different, the enabling process of the valuable value specified from the record information of the game recording medium is not performed, so the game device is taken out from one store and another store In this way, it is possible to further prevent an unauthorized receipt of valuable value.

The invention according to means 7
A gaming system according to any one of means 1 to 6, wherein
The gaming device can communicate with a transmission history storage unit (transmission history DB) that stores a transmission history of the authentication request and after the communication availability determination unit determines that communication is impossible (YES in S323). Based on the determination, the apparatus further includes a transmission history transmission unit (the control unit 21 that performs the process of S324) that transmits the transmission history stored in the transmission history storage unit to the management apparatus outside the store. This is a gaming system.
According to this, since it is possible to reflect the processing performed in the communication disabled state with the gaming device in the management apparatus outside the store that has received the transmission history, fraud can be prevented.

The invention according to means 8
A gaming system according to any one of means 1 to 7, comprising:
Even when the gaming device determines that communication is impossible by the communication availability determining means (YES in S102), the valuable value provided for the enabling process can be used for the game. Is a gaming system characterized by
According to this, since the valuable value provided for the enabling process when communication is possible can be used for games even when communication is not possible, the disadvantage of the player when communication is not possible can be alleviated.

The invention according to means 9 is
Store identification information (store code) that is provided corresponding to a gaming machine (pachinko machine 10) in a store (game hall) and that can identify the store , and that can be used for games (remaining value and retained value) number of balls to be identified card 3, the banknote 2, enabling processing lifting balls) to accept the available game in the gaming machine that corresponds to negotiable value accepted the (card acceptance processing of S211b, the S212a balance addition processing, a lifting piece count of S213a addition process) apparatus for row cormorants game (the ball lending unit 20),
It is possible to communicate with an outside-store management device (50) that manages the valuable value provided outside the store and used for the enabling process (in the value management DB), and is provided in the store and stores the store identification information. A game processing device (payment device 40, POS terminal) that is more difficult to move from the store than the game device, and performs processing related to the game (payment of remaining amount, exchange of prizes for the number of coins); Can communicate ,
Communication enable / disable determining means for determining whether communication with the out-of-store management device is possible (control unit 21 for performing communication determination processing);
An authentication request for transmitting an authentication request for the gaming device including the stored store identification information to the gaming processing device based on the determination that communication is impossible by the communication availability determining means. A transmission means (the control unit 21 that performs the process of S305);
An authentication result receiving means (external communication unit 21b) for receiving an authentication result of the gaming device based on the store identification information included in the transmitted authentication request and the store identification information stored in the gaming processing device ; Have
Based on the fact that authentication has been obtained by the authentication result received by the authentication result receiving means (YES in S307), it is possible to accept the valuable value (accepting the bill 2 in S312 and counting the number of coins in S313). It is a gaming apparatus characterized by waiting).
According to this, even if the gaming device and the management device outside the store cannot communicate with each other, if authentication is obtained by transmitting an authentication request from the gaming device to the gaming processing device, the gaming device Since it is possible to receive valuable value, it is possible to prevent unauthorized reception of valuable value outside the store.
In addition, since the gaming processing device is more difficult to move than the gaming device, it is possible to prevent the gaming processing device from being taken out of the store together with the gaming device and receiving illegal value.
Further, since the authentication is not obtained if the store identification information stored in the game processing device and the game device is different, the game device is taken out from one store and an illegal value is received at another store. Can be prevented.

Furthermore, the invention according to means 10
Store identification information (store code) that is provided corresponding to a gaming machine (pachinko machine 10) in a store (game hall) and that can identify the store , and that can be used for games (remaining value and retained value) number of balls to be identified card 3, the banknote 2, enabling processing lifting balls) to accept the available game in the gaming machine that corresponds to negotiable value accepted the (card acceptance processing of S211b, the S212a It is possible to communicate with the gaming machine (ball lending unit 20) that performs the remaining amount addition processing and the number of possessed balls in S213a), and the valuable value provided outside the store and used for the enabling processing (value) It is communicable with a management device outside the store (50) to be managed (in the management DB), provided in the store , stores the store identification information, and is more difficult to move from the store than the gaming device, Game related That process a (settlement of balance, prize exchange of lifting piece count) for a game processing apparatus for performing (settlement device 40, POS terminals),
The gaming device includes the store identification information stored in the gaming device , transmitted from the gaming device based on the fact that the gaming device and the outside management device cannot communicate with each other . An authentication request receiving means (communication unit 41) for receiving an authentication request;
Based on the reception of the authentication request from the gaming device, an authentication means (control unit) authenticates the gaming device by using the store identification information included in the authentication request and the stored store identification information. 42)
Based on the fact that the gaming device has been authenticated by the authentication means, it is possible to accept the valuable value in the gaming device (accepting the bill 2 in S312 and waiting for counting the possession in S313). And an authentication result return means (control unit 42) for returning an authentication result for the game device.
According to this, even if the gaming device and the management device outside the store cannot communicate with each other, if authentication is obtained by transmitting an authentication request from the gaming device to the gaming processing device, the gaming device Since it is possible to receive valuable value, it is possible to prevent unauthorized reception of valuable value outside the store.
In addition, since the gaming processing device is more difficult to move than the gaming device, it is possible to prevent the gaming processing device from being taken out of the store together with the gaming device and receiving illegal value.
Further, since the authentication is not obtained if the store identification information stored in the game processing device and the game device is different, the game device is taken out from one store and an illegal value is received at another store. Can be prevented.

It is a block diagram showing an example of the game system. (A) is a front view showing an example of a pachinko machine, a ball lending unit, and each counter, and (b) is a left side sectional view showing an example of a ball lending unit. It is a perspective view showing an example of a payment apparatus. (A) is a value management DB stored in the management device outside the store, (b) is a transmission history DB stored in the ball rental unit, (c) is an authentication history DB stored in the settlement device, (d ) Represents an example of a sales management DB stored in the sales management apparatus. It is a flowchart showing an example of the communication determination process which a ball lending unit performs. It is a flowchart showing an example of the online process which a ball lending unit performs. It is a flowchart showing an example of the offline process which a ball lending unit performs.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a gaming system 1 according to the present invention is provided corresponding to a gaming machine (pachinko machine 10) in a store (game hall) and can be used for gaming (remaining value and number of balls). Game device (ball lending unit 20) that accepts a card 3, a bill 2, and a ball that can be identified and makes the received valuable value usable for a game in the corresponding gaming machine And an out-of-store management device 50 that is provided outside the store and is communicable with the gaming device and manages the valuable value provided for the enabling process, and the gaming device and the outside management provided in the store. A game processing device (settlement device 40) that is communicable with the device 50 and performs processing related to the game (settlement of the balance). As described above, since the management device outside the store for managing the valuable value provided for the enabling process is provided (so-called cloudization is realized), it is not necessary to provide a management device having the same function in the store.

  In the following, an example in which the store is a game arcade, the gaming machine is a pachinko machine 10, and the game medium is a pachinko ball will be described, the reader / writer is “R / W”, the database is “DB”, Step S is abbreviated as “S”.

  First, the configuration of the gaming system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the gaming system 1 of this example, as shown in FIG. 1, in each store (for example, each of the game halls A, B, and C), the ball lending unit 20 corresponding to each of the plurality of pachinko machines 10 and the number of each car are counted. The machine 30, a predetermined number (for example, one to several units) of the settlement apparatus 40, and the router 5 that connects the plurality of ball lending units 20 and the settlement apparatus 40 so as to communicate with each other are provided. Here, since each store has the same configuration, the game hall A will be described below. The router 5 of each store is communicably connected to the management device 50 outside the store, and the management device 50 outside the store is connected so as to be communicable with the sales management device 60. At the time of installing the ball lending unit 20 and the payment device 40 in each store, a store code that is store identification information that can identify the store is transferred from the store management device 50 via the router 5 to each ball lending unit 20 and It is distributed to the checkout device 40 and stored there.

  In this gaming system 1, bills 2 and cards 3 are used. The banknote 2 is an example of money, and as shown in FIG. 2 (b), here, four kinds of 1000 yen banknote, 2000 yen banknote, 5000 yen banknote, and 10000 yen banknote are used. The card 3 is an example of a game recording medium, in which a card ID capable of individually identifying the game recording medium and store identification information (store code) capable of identifying the issuing store of the card 3 are recorded. . This card 3 is formed by forming a recording area (not shown) in which a card ID, a store code, and the like are recorded at a predetermined portion of a thin plastic plate having a rectangular shape. This is an IC card equipped with a non-contact type integrated circuit including a nonvolatile EEPROM (registered trademark). This card 3 is issued by the ball lending unit 20 or a card issuing machine (not shown).

  Here, in the management apparatus 50 outside a store, as shown to Fig.4 (a), the data table for every store is provided in value management DB, In the data table of each store, several issued by the said store are provided. In association with each card ID of the card 3 of the card, the remaining amount obtained by subtracting the amount used (game lending) from the deposited amount and the number of balls counted by each counter 30 are used (returned) ) And the number of holding balls obtained by subtracting the number of balls. This value management DB manages the valuable value provided to the enabling process for making the valuable value received by the ball lending unit 20 usable for a game in the corresponding pachinko machine 10.

  Note that the remaining amount and the number of possessed balls are not recorded on the card 3, and the remaining amount and the number of retained balls are completely managed by the outside management device 50. Then, unlike the case where the remaining amount and the number of possessed balls are recorded on the card 3, when the card 3 is inserted by the ball lending unit 20 and the card ID is read, the card ID is transmitted to the management apparatus 50 outside the store. The remaining amount and the number of possessed balls stored in the value management DB in association with the card ID are specified by the management apparatus 50 outside the store, and the data of the remaining amount and the number of retained balls are transmitted to the ball lending unit 20. As a result, the remaining amount and the number of balls in the ball lending unit 20 can be used.

  When this card 3 is received by the card R / W 23 of the ball lending unit 20, the remaining amount managed by the management apparatus 50 outside the store in association with the card ID of the card 3 is loaned (ball lending). And the number of possessed balls managed by the outside-store management device 50 in association with the card ID of the card 3 can be returned. In addition, when the card 3 is received by the card R / W 44 of the settlement apparatus 40, the remaining amount managed by the outside management apparatus 50 in association with the card ID of the card 3 can be settled. Furthermore, when the card 3 is received by a POS terminal (not shown), the number of possessed balls managed in association with the card ID of the card 3 and managed by the management apparatus 50 outside the store can be used for prize exchange.

  The pachinko machine 10 provided corresponding to the ball lending unit 20 is an example of a gaming machine, and plays a game by driving a pachinko ball that is a game medium into the game area. Here, the corresponding ball lending unit 20 Is a so-called CR-type pachinko machine in which ball lending processing is performed by exchanging signals regarding lending of pachinko balls. The pachinko machine 10 is installed according to the model of the pachinko machine 10 and the like on a game machine installation island (not shown) arranged in the game hall.

  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 thereof, a remaining frequency indicator 14, a ball lending button 15, and a card return. As shown in FIG. 1, a button 16 is provided, and a game control board 11, a payout control board 12, a ball payout device 13 and the like are provided therein, and these components are connected as shown in FIG. ing.

  The game control board 11 controls the gaming state in the pachinko machine 10. The payout control board 12 is communicably connected to a ball lending communication unit 21a described later of the ball lending unit 20, and when a ball lending process described later is performed, a pachinko ball between the pachinko machine 10 and the ball lending unit 20 is used. Signal exchanges related to lending are performed. The payout control board 12 is connected to the ball payout device 13 and controls the ball payout device 13. Further, the payout control board 12 is also connected to a remaining frequency indicator 14, a ball lending button 15, and a card return button 16. The ball payout device 13 pays out a pachinko ball lent to a player through ball lending processing and a pachinko ball (so-called prize ball) given to the player as a result of the game. Here, the remaining frequency indicator 14, the ball lending button 15, and the card return button 16 are arranged on the front surface of the pachinko machine 10, but can communicate with the ball lending unit 20 via the payout control board 12. , It belongs to the ball lending unit 20.

  The remaining number indicator 14 is a display for displaying the integer part of the quotient obtained by dividing the remaining amount stored in the RAM of the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 by the unit usage amount (for example, 100 yen) as the remaining number. Yes, here is a 2-digit 7-segment display. The ball lending button 15 is a button for accepting a ball lending operation using the remaining amount stored in the RAM of the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 from the player. The card return button 16 is a button for accepting a return operation of the card 3 accepted by the card R / W 23 described later from the player.

  Each counter 30 is provided in correspondence with the pachinko machine 10 and counts pachinko balls (that is, player's balls) paid out from the pachinko machine 10. The count value of each counter 30 is input to the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 and is stored in the RAM of the control unit 21 as the number of balls, and is displayed on the ball number display 24. .

  The ball lending unit 20 is an example of the gaming device and is provided corresponding to the pachinko machine 10 and has a vertically long box shape. As shown in FIG. A bill insertion slot 22a, a number-of-balls display 24, a ball return button 25, a card insertion slot 23a, etc. are provided, and as shown in FIG. A lending communication unit 21a, an external communication unit 21b, a card R / W 23, and the like are provided, and these components are connected as shown in FIG. The ball lending unit 20 can identify each ball lending unit 20 individually by a unit ID.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, and the like, and each processing element stored in the ROM is executed by the CPU using the RAM as a work area, whereby each component included in the ball lending unit 20 is provided. These operations are performed to perform various processes, and the operation will be described later with reference to FIGS. The EEPROM, which is a non-volatile recording area, stores the unit ID and the store code. The EEPROM stores a transmission history DB shown in FIG. 4B, which will be described later.

  The control unit 21 is provided with a ball lending communication unit 21a and an external communication unit 21b. As described above, the ball lending communication unit 21a is communicably connected to the payout control board 12 of the pachinko machine 10. The external communication unit 21b is communicably connected to the communication unit 41 of the settlement apparatus 40 and the communication unit 51 of the outside management apparatus via the router 5. Since the information (request or notification) transmitted from the external communication unit 21b includes the unit ID, the management apparatus 50 outside the store uses the unit ID received together with the information at the transmission source of the information. A certain ball lending unit 20 can be specified.

  The bill validator 22 is an example of money accepting means, and accepts money. Here, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the insertion of the four kinds of bills 2 is accepted from the bill insertion slot 22a. It is a discriminator for identifying the authenticity and denomination of the accepted bill 2. The banknote 2 received by the banknote identification machine 22 is discharged from the back of the ball lending unit 20 to the outside through the banknote passage 22b, and is transported by a banknote transport mechanism (not shown) provided on the gaming machine installation island. It is collected (not shown).

  The card R / W 23 receives the card 3 inserted from the card insertion slot 23a and reads the card ID of the received card 3. Behind this card R / W 23, a card stocker 23b for storing the card 3 is provided. When the remaining amount specified from the card ID of the card 3 received by the card R / W23 becomes zero by the ball lending process, and the number of balls specified from the card ID becomes zero by the ball return process, The card 3 is stored in the card stocker 23b. On the other hand, when the banknote 2 is received in the state where the card 3 is not received by the card R / W 23 or the counting by each counter 30 is performed, one of the cards 3 stored in the card stocker 23b is stored. The card is taken out and set in the card R / W 23.

  The number-of-balls display 24 is a display for displaying the number of balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 21 and is a 5-digit 7-segment display here. The possession ball return button 25 is a button for accepting from the player a possession ball return operation using the number of possession balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 21.

  The settlement apparatus 40 is an example of the game processing apparatus, and receives the card 3 and corresponds to the remaining amount (settlement amount) managed by the management apparatus 50 outside the store in association with the card ID of the received card 3. The money to be paid is paid out. This checkout device 40 is difficult to move (for example, relatively larger and heavier than the ball lending unit 20) at a predetermined location in the game hall (for example, near the end of the gaming machine installation island or the prize exchange counter), and 3 or a place where the monitoring of the clerk is sufficiently monitored), and has a kiosk terminal type shape as shown in FIG. 44a, a bill payout outlet 46a, a coin payout outlet 47a and the like, and as shown in FIG. 1, a communication part 41, a control part 42, a card R / W 44, a bill payer 46, a coin payer 47, etc. These components are connected as shown in FIG.

  The communication unit 41 is communicably connected to the external communication unit 21b of all ball rental units 20 provided in the store via the router 5, and can also communicate with the communication unit 51 of the management device 50 outside the store. It is connected. The control unit 42 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, and the like. When the processing program stored in the ROM is executed by the CPU using the RAM as a work area, each component included in the settlement apparatus 40 is controlled. Various operations are performed by controlling the operation. The EEPROM, which is a non-volatile recording area, stores the store code. The EEPROM stores an authentication history DB shown in FIG. 4C, which will be described later.

  The display 43 is a display device for displaying various information. On the display 43, when the card 3 can be accepted, a message to prompt the user to insert the card 3 is displayed. Further, when paying out money, a message indicating that the remaining amount is to be returned is displayed. When the payment is further completed, an instruction to instruct to remove the card 3 or an indication to collect the card 3 is displayed.

  The card R / W 44 receives the card 3 inserted from the card insertion slot 64a and reads the card ID of the received card 3. The card 3 that has been settled in the settlement apparatus 40 is ejected from the card insertion slot 64a if it has the number of possessed balls specified from the card ID, and returned to the player. It is stored inside the checkout device 40.

  The banknote dispenser 46 and the coin dispenser 47 are for paying out the money for the settlement amount. Specifically, a predetermined type and a predetermined number of banknotes are provided from the banknote storage unit 66b provided behind the banknote dispenser 46. The banknote 2 is taken out and paid out from the banknote payout outlet 46a, and a predetermined type and a predetermined number of coins are taken out from the coin storage portion 67b provided at the upper part of the coin payout machine 47, and are discharged from the coin payout outlet 47a.

  The outside-store management device 50 is a computer including a communication unit 51, a control unit 52, a display 53, an input device 54, a hard disk 55, and the like connected as shown in FIG. The hard disk 55 stores the value management DB shown in FIG. In addition, although not shown, the hard disk 55 has sales (that is, a used amount that is a remaining amount used for ball lending and a used number of balls that are returned) that is a valuable value used for a game in the pachinko machine 10. ) At least for each store.

  As described above, the communication unit 51 is communicably connected to the external communication units 21b of all the ball lending units 20 provided in the store via the router 5 provided in each store. It is connected so that communication is also possible with the communication part 41 of the payment apparatus 40 provided in. The communication unit 51 is also communicably connected to the sales management device 60, and transmits to the sales management device 60 sales information that can identify at least the sales stored in the hard disk 55 for each store. It functions as sales information transmission means. The transmission timing of the sales information is not particularly limited. For example, the sales information may be sent after the business of each store is ended, or may be every predetermined time during the business of each store.

  The control unit 52 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and each component included in the management apparatus 50 outside the store is executed by the CPU executing a processing program stored in the hard disk 55 using the RAM as a work area. The various operations are performed by controlling the operation. The display 53 is a display device for displaying various types of information, and the input device 54 is an input device for receiving various types of input.

  The sales management device 60 is provided outside the store, and manages sales specified from the sales information at least for each store based on the receipt of the sales information from the management device 50 outside the store. The sales management DB shown in (d) is stored. In this sales management DB, a data table for each date is provided, and in the data table for each date, the amount used and the number of balls used are stored for that game hall for each game hall. When the sales information is received for one game hall, the amount used and the number of used balls included in the sales information are added to the amount used and the number of used balls stored for the game hall. According to this, the sales of each store can be managed.

  Next, the operation of the gaming system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a communication determination process performed by the ball lending unit 20. In this communication determination process, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 sends a confirmation signal for determining whether or not communication with the management apparatus 50 outside the store is possible from the external communication unit 21b via the router 5 outside the store. The information is transmitted to the management device 50 (S101), and the timer starts counting until the timer times out (for example, 1 sec) (S102). It waits for reception of an incoming response signal (S103). The control unit 21 that performs the processes of S101 to S103 functions as a communication availability determination unit that determines whether or not communication with the out-of-store management apparatus 50 is possible.

  If it is determined that the response signal is received before the time-out (YES in S103), that is, it is determined that the online state is communicable with the management apparatus 50 outside the store, the process proceeds to the online process shown in FIG. 6 (S105). When the online processing ends, the process returns to S101. On the other hand, if a response signal is not received and a time-out occurs (YES in S102), that is, it is determined that the offline state is incapable of communicating with the management apparatus 50 outside the store, the process proceeds to offline processing shown in FIG. 7 (S104), When the offline processing ends, the process returns to S101.

  Next, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of online processing performed by the ball lending unit 20. In this online processing, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 receives the card 3 (S211), the banknote 2 (S212), the pachinko ball counting by each counter 30 (S213), the ball lending button 15 The system waits for the operation (S214), the operation of the holding ball return button 25 (S215), and the operation of the card return button 16 (S216). If NO in S211 to S216, the online processing is terminated, and S101 in FIG. Return to.

  When the card 3 is accepted in S211 (YES), that is, when the card 3 inserted from the card insertion slot 23a is accepted, the card ID and the store code are read from the received card 3 by the card R / W 23, and the store code determination is made. Processing (S211a) is performed. In this store code determination process, the control unit 21 of the ball rental unit 20 determines whether or not the read store code matches the store code stored in the EEPROM. The accepted card 3 is ejected, the online process is terminated, the process returns to S101 in FIG. 5, and if they match, a card acceptance process (S211b) is performed. That is, the ball lending unit 20 receives the card 3 and records the received card 3 on condition that the store code recorded on the received card 3 matches the stored store code. The process for enabling the use of the valuable value (remaining amount and number of coins) specified from the information (card ID) (card reception process) is performed. According to this, if the store code is different, the remaining amount specified from the card ID of the card and the number of balls to be used are not enabled, so the ball lending unit 20 is taken out from one store and another store It is possible to prevent unauthorized receipt of valuable value (payment or counting).

  In the card acceptance process of S211b, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 transmits the read card ID from the external communication unit 21b to the management apparatus 50 outside the store via the router 5. The control unit 52 of the out-of-store management device 50 identifies the remaining amount and the number of possessed balls managed in the value management DB in association with the card ID received from the ball lending unit 20, and the identified remaining amount and the number of retained balls. Is returned to the ball lending unit 20. The control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 stores the remaining amount and the number of possessed balls received from the outside management device 50 in the RAM, displays the remaining frequency corresponding to the remaining amount on the remaining frequency display 14, and The number of balls is displayed on the number-of-balls display 24, the card acceptance process is terminated, the online process is terminated, and the process returns to S101 in FIG. This card acceptance process accepts a valuable value that can be used for a game (here, the card 3 that can specify the remaining amount and the number of possessions) and makes the accepted valuable value usable for a game in the corresponding pachinko machine 10. Enable processing.

  In S212, the banknote 2 is received (YES), that is, when the banknote 2 inserted from the banknote insertion slot 22a is received, the authenticity of the received banknote 2 is identified by the banknote discriminator 22, and is the banknote 2 of the bag. When the banknote 2 is identified, the accepted banknote 2 is discharged, the online processing is terminated, and the process returns to S101 in FIG. 5. When the banknote is identified as the true banknote 2, the accepted banknote 2 is taken in. Then, the remaining amount addition processing (S212a) is performed.

  In this remaining amount addition processing, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 sends the card ID and the deposit amount that is the amount of the accepted banknote 2 from the external communication unit 21b to the outside management device 50 via the router 5. Send to. The card ID transmitted here is the card ID read from the accepted card 3 when the card 3 is being accepted, and from the card stocker 23b when the card 3 is not being accepted. This is the card ID read from the card 3 moved to W23. The control unit 52 of the out-of-store management device 50 adds the received deposit amount to the remaining amount managed by the value management DB in association with the card ID received from the ball lending unit 20, and the remaining amount after the addition Is returned to the ball lending unit 20. And the control part 21 of the ball lending unit 20 memorize | stores the remaining amount after the addition received from the management apparatus 50 outside a store in RAM, displays the remaining frequency corresponding to this remaining amount on the remaining frequency display 14, and a remaining amount addition process Is terminated, the online processing is terminated, and the process returns to S101 in FIG. This remaining amount addition process is an enabling process for accepting a valuable value (in this case, banknote 2) that can be used for a game and making the accepted valuable value usable for a game in the corresponding pachinko machine 10.

  If there is a pachinko ball count by each counter 30 in S213 (YES), the number of balls is added (S213a).

  In this ball number adding process, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 sends the card ID and the count value obtained by each counter 30 to the outside management device 50 from the external communication unit 21b via the router 5. Send to. The card ID transmitted here is the card ID read from the accepted card 3 when the card 3 is being accepted, as in S212a, and the card ID when the card 3 is not being accepted. This is the card ID read from the card 3 moved from the stocker 23b to the card R / W 23. The control unit 52 of the management apparatus 50 outside the store adds the received count value to the number of balls managed in the value management DB in association with the card ID received from the ball lending unit 20, and after the addition Is returned to the ball lending unit 20. And the control part 21 of the ball lending unit 20 memorize | stores the number of possessed balls after the addition received from the management apparatus 50 outside a store in RAM, displays this number of retained balls with the number-of-balls display 24, and the number of possessed balls The addition process is terminated, the online process is terminated, and the process returns to S101 in FIG. This number-of-balls adding process is an enabling process that accepts a valuable value that can be used for a game (here, a ball) and makes the accepted valuable value usable for a game in the corresponding pachinko machine 10.

  If the ball lending button 15 is operated in S214 (YES), if the remaining amount stored in the RAM is zero, the operation of the ball lending button 15 is invalidated, the online processing is terminated, and S101 in FIG. If the remaining amount is not zero, the remaining amount subtraction process is performed (S214a).

  In this remaining amount subtraction process, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 obtains the card ID of the accepted card 3 and the amount used for the ball lending process from the external communication unit 21b via the router 5 outside the store. It transmits to the management apparatus 50. The usage amount transmitted here is the unit ball lending amount when the remaining amount is equal to or larger than a predetermined unit ball lending amount (for example, 500 yen), and when the remaining amount is less than the predetermined unit ball lending amount, The remaining amount. The control unit 52 of the out-of-store management device 50 subtracts the received used amount from the remaining amount managed by the value management DB in association with the card ID received from the ball lending unit 20, and the remaining amount after the subtraction Is returned to the ball lending unit 20. And the control part 21 of the ball lending unit 20 memorize | stores the remaining amount after the subtraction received from the management apparatus 50 outside a store in RAM, displays the remaining frequency corresponding to this remaining amount on the remaining frequency display 14, and a remaining amount subtraction process And the ball lending process (S214b) is performed. In this ball lending process, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 transmits a number of pachinko balls corresponding to the amount used to the payout control board 12 of the pachinko machine 10 from the ball lending communication unit 21a, The pachinko machine 10 pays out the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the amount of use from the ball payout device 13. When the ball lending process ends, the online process ends, and the process returns to S101 in FIG.

  If there is an operation of the possessed ball return button 25 in S215 (YES), if the number of retained balls stored in the RAM is less than the unit return number (for example, 125 balls), the operation of the retained ball return button 25 is invalidated. The online process is terminated, and the process returns to S101 in FIG. 5. If the number of possessed balls is equal to or greater than the unit return number, the number of possessed balls is subtracted (S215a).

  In this number-of-balls subtraction process, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 determines the card ID of the card 3 being received and the number of balls returned in the ball-returning process (that is, the unit return number) from the outside. It transmits to the management apparatus 50 outside a store via the router 5 from the communication part 21b. The control unit 52 of the out-of-store management device 50 subtracts the received number of returned balls from the number of possessed balls managed in the value management DB in association with the card ID received from the ball lending unit 20, and performs the subtraction. The subsequent number of possessed balls is returned to the ball lending unit 20. And the control part 21 of the ball lending unit 20 memorize | stores the number of balls after subtraction received from the management apparatus 50 outside a store by RAM, displays this number of balls on the number-of-balls display 24, and has the number of balls. The subtraction process is terminated, and the holding ball return process (S215b) is performed. In this holding ball return process, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 transmits a payout of the number of pachinko balls to be returned to the payout control board 12 of the pachinko machine 10 from the ball loan communication unit 21a. 10 pays out the pachinko balls of the number of returned balls from the ball dispensing device 13. Then, when the possession ball return process ends, the online process ends, and the process returns to S101 in FIG.

  If there is an operation of the card return button 16 in S216 (YES), if the card R / W 23 is not accepting the card 3, the operation of the card return button 16 is invalidated, the online processing is terminated, and the process shown in FIG. Returning to S101, if the card 3 is being received, value verification processing is performed (S216a).

  In this value verification process, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 obtains the card ID of the card 3 being received, the remaining amount and the number of balls stored in the RAM from the external communication unit 21b via the router 5. It transmits with respect to the management apparatus 50 outside a store. The control unit 52 of the out-of-store management apparatus 50 collates the remaining amount and the number of possessed balls managed in the value management DB in association with the card ID received from the ball lending unit 20 with the received remaining amount and the number of retained balls. If the verification does not match, a predetermined error process is performed. If the verification matches, a card return notification is returned to the ball lending unit 20. And the control part 21 of the ball lending unit 20 will perform the card return process (S216b) which discharge | releases the card | curd 3 in reception, if a card return notification is received from the management apparatus 50 outside a shop, complete | finishes an online process, FIG. Return to S101.

  Next, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of offline processing performed by the ball lending unit 20. In this offline processing, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 sends a confirmation signal for determining whether or not communication with the settlement apparatus 40 is possible to the settlement apparatus 40 from the external communication section 21b via the router 5. (S301), the timer starts counting, and until the timer times out (for example, 1 sec elapses) (S302), it waits for reception of the response signal transmitted from the settlement apparatus 40 that has received the confirmation signal. (S303).

  If no response signal is received and a time-out occurs (YES in S302), that is, if it is determined that communication with the settlement apparatus 40 is not possible, the reception of the card 3, the reception of the banknote 2, and the counting of the holding balls are performed. Forbid (S304), end the offline processing, and return to S101 in FIG. In S304, for example, even if the card 3 is inserted from the card insertion slot 23a, the card 3 is returned or closed, and the reception of the card 3 is prohibited. For example, even if the banknote 2 is inserted from the banknote insertion port 22a, it is returned or the banknote insertion port 22a is closed, thereby prohibiting acceptance of the banknote 2. Further, the counting of the holding balls is prohibited by closing the opening of the holding balls in each counter 30.

  In other words, in a state where it is offline with the management apparatus 50 outside the store and cannot communicate with the settlement apparatus 40, the reception of the card 3, the reception of the banknote 2, and the holding ball until the online management apparatus 50 returns to the online state. Cannot be counted, and the operation of the ball lending button 15, the operation of the holding ball return button 25, and the operation of the card return button 16 cannot be performed. In addition, if it returns to an on-store management apparatus 50 and an online state, the prohibition of the reception of the card | curd 3, the reception of the banknote 2, and the counting of a ball performed in S304 will be cancelled | released.

  On the other hand, if the response signal is received before the time-out (YES in S303), that is, if it is determined that communication with the settlement apparatus 40 is possible, an authentication request is transmitted to the settlement apparatus 40 (S305), The transmission history of the authentication request is stored in the transmission history DB shown in FIG. 4B (S306). In this transmission history DB, the time when the authentication request is transmitted to the settlement apparatus 40 based on the occurrence of the offline with the management apparatus 50 outside the store, and the time when the management apparatus 50 outside the store returns online are stored. The This transmission history DB functions as transmission history storage means for storing the transmission history of authentication requests. The authentication request transmitted in S305 includes a store code stored in the RAM. The control unit 21 that performs the process of S305 transmits an authentication request for the ball lending unit 20 to the settlement apparatus 40 based on the determination that communication is not possible (offline state) by the communication availability determination unit. It functions as an authentication request transmission means.

  The checkout device 40 authenticates the store code (that is, determines whether or not the store code included in the received authentication request matches the store code stored in the EEPROM of the control unit 42). The history is stored in the authentication history DB shown in FIG. 4C and the authentication result is returned to the ball lending unit 20. Based on the receipt of the authentication request from the ball lending unit 20, the control unit 42 that performs this processing, based on the store code included in the authentication request and the store code stored in the settlement apparatus 40, It functions as an authentication means for authenticating the unit 20 and also functions as an authentication result return means for returning an authentication result by the authentication means to the ball rental unit 20. According to this, since the authentication is not obtained if the store codes are different, it is possible to prevent the ball lending unit 20 from being taken out of one store and receiving an unauthorized value from another store. Also, in the authentication history DB, the time when the authentication request is received, the unit ID of the ball rental unit 20 that is the transmission source of the authentication request, and the authentication result (OK when the store code matches, OK when the store code does not match) NG) and the time when the ball lending unit 20 returns to the outside management apparatus 50 and online. The authentication history DB functions as an authentication history storage unit that stores an authentication history by the authentication unit.

  And the control part 21 of the ball lending unit 20 will determine whether this authentication result is OK, if the said authentication result is received (S307). If the authentication result is NG in S307 (NO), the process proceeds to S304. In other words, even if the off-store management device 50 is in an off-line state and can communicate with the settlement device 40, authentication of the ball lending unit 20 cannot be obtained (for example, the ball lending unit 20 is removed from one game hall). In the case of being brought into another game arcade and connected to the checkout device 40 at the other game arcade), the card 3 and banknote 2 are accepted until the online management device 50 returns to the online state. , And balls cannot be counted, and the operation of the ball lending button 15, the operation of the ball return button 25, and the operation of the card return button 16 cannot be performed. In addition, if it returns to an on-store management apparatus 50 and an online state, the prohibition of the reception of the card | curd 3, the reception of the banknote 2, and the counting of a ball performed in S304 will be cancelled | released.

  On the other hand, if the authentication result is OK in S307 (YES), it is determined whether or not the card 3 is being accepted (S311), the bill 2 is accepted (S312), and the pachinko ball by each counter 30 is received. Waiting for counting (S313), operation of the ball lending button 15 (S314), operation of the holding ball return button 25 (S315), operation of the card return button 16 (S316), the processing of S321 to S325 is performed. The control unit 21 that performs this process is capable of accepting the valuable value based on the fact that the authentication is obtained from the authentication result returned from the authentication result returning means. According to this, even if the ball lending unit 20 and the outside management device 50 cannot communicate, if the authentication request is obtained from the ball lending unit 20 to the settlement device 40 and the authentication is obtained, the ball lending unit Since the unit 20 can accept the valuable value, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized receipt of the valuable value outside the store. Further, since the settlement apparatus 40 is difficult to move as described above, it is possible to prevent the settlement apparatus 40 from being taken out of the store together with the ball lending unit 20 and receiving an illegal value.

  When it is determined in S311 that the card 3 is being accepted (YES), the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 stores the remaining amount and the number of possessed balls stored in the RAM in the settlement device 40 for the game. Value storage processing for use is performed (S311a), and the process proceeds to S312. In this value storage process, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 determines the accepted card ID, the remaining amount and the number of balls stored in the RAM from the external communication unit 21b via the router 5, and the settlement device 40. Send to. The control unit 42 of the payment apparatus 40 stores the remaining amount and the number of balls in association with the received card ID, and returns a storage completion notification to the ball lending unit 20. Thereby, even if it becomes offline with the management apparatus 50 outside a store, since the valuable value (that is, the remaining amount and the number of balls currently stored in the RAM) that has already been provided for the enabling process can be used for the game, Can alleviate the player's disadvantage when offline.

  When it is determined in S311 that the card 3 is not being accepted (NO), and when the processing of S311a is completed, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 accepts the banknote 2 (S312), each counter 30 Waits for pachinko ball counting (S313), operation of ball lending button 15 (S314), operation of holding ball return button 25 (S315), operation of card return button 16 (S316), NO in S311 to S316 If so, the process proceeds to S321.

  Here, the remaining amount addition processing of S312a performed in the case of YES in S312 is substantially the same as the remaining amount addition processing of S212a, and the number-of-balls adding processing in S313a performed in the case of YES in S313 is the same as the remaining amount addition processing of S213a. This is substantially the same as the number of balls adding process, and the remaining amount subtracting process of S314a performed when YES in S314 is substantially the same as the remaining amount subtracting process of S214a, and the number of balls held in S315a performed when YES is determined in S315. The subtraction process is substantially the same as the number-of-balls subtraction process of S215a, and the value verification process of S316a performed in the case of YES in S316 is substantially the same as the value verification process of S216a, but S211a to S216a. Since this process is online with the management apparatus 50 outside the store, it communicates with the management apparatus 50 outside the store, whereas this S311a Processing of S316a, since the shop managed out device 50 offline, except that communicates with settlement device 40 in place of the outside the store management device 50. In the online process shown in FIG. 6, the card 3 is accepted (S211), but in the offline process shown in FIG. 7, the card 3 is not accepted. This is because even if the card 3 is received, it is offline with the outside-store management device 50, so the remaining amount and the number of balls cannot be specified from the card ID of the received card 3.

  In S312, there is reception of the banknote 2 (YES), that is, when the banknote 2 inserted from the banknote insertion slot 22a is received, the authenticity of the received banknote 2 is identified by the banknote identification machine 22, and is banknote 2 If the banknote 2 is identified, the accepted banknote 2 is discharged, and the process returns to S312. If the banknote 2 is identified, the accepted banknote 2 is taken in and the remaining amount addition process (S312a) is performed. .

  In this remaining amount addition processing, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 sends the card ID and the deposit amount, which is the amount of the accepted banknote 2, to the settlement apparatus 40 from the external communication unit 21b via the router 5. Send. The card ID transmitted here is the card ID read from the accepted card 3 when the card 3 is being accepted, and from the card stocker 23b when the card 3 is not being accepted. This is the card ID read from the card 3 moved to W23. When the control unit 42 of the settlement apparatus 40 stores the remaining amount in association with the card ID received from the ball lending unit 20, the received deposit amount is added to the stored remaining amount, The remaining amount after the addition is returned to the ball lending unit 20. If the card ID and the remaining amount received from the ball lending unit 20 are not stored, the remaining amount is stored in association with the card ID, and the remaining amount after the storage is returned to the ball lending unit 20. To do. And the control part 21 of the ball lending unit 20 memorize | stores the remaining amount after the addition (or after memory | storage) received from the payment apparatus 40 with RAM, and displays the remaining frequency corresponding to this remaining amount with the remaining frequency display 14, The remaining amount addition process is terminated, and the process returns to S312. This remaining amount addition process is an enabling process for accepting a valuable value (in this case, banknote 2) that can be used for a game and making the accepted valuable value usable for a game in the corresponding pachinko machine 10.

  If there is a pachinko ball count by each counter 30 in S313 (YES), the number of balls is added (S313a).

  In this ball number addition process, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 sends the card ID and the count value obtained by each counter 30 to the settlement device 40 from the external communication unit 21b via the router 5. Send. The card ID transmitted here is the card ID read from the accepted card 3 when the card 3 is being accepted, as in S312a, and when the card 3 is not being accepted, the card ID is This is the card ID read from the card 3 moved from the stocker 23b to the card R / W 23. When the control unit 42 of the settlement apparatus 40 stores the number of possessed balls in association with the card ID received from the ball lending unit 20, the received count value is added to the stored number of retained balls. Then, the number of possessed balls after the addition is returned to the ball lending unit 20. If the card ID and the number of balls received from the ball lending unit 20 are not stored, the count value is stored as the number of balls in association with the card ID, Reply to the ball lending unit 20. And the control part 21 of the ball lending unit 20 memorize | stores the number of balls after the addition (or after memory | storage) received from the settlement apparatus 40 with RAM, and displays this number of balls on the number-of-balls display 24, The number-of-balls adding process is terminated, and the process returns to S312. This number-of-balls adding process is an enabling process that accepts a valuable value that can be used for a game (here, a ball) and makes the accepted valuable value usable for a game in the corresponding pachinko machine 10.

  If there is an operation of the ball lending button 15 in S314 (YES), if the remaining amount stored in the RAM is zero, the operation of the ball lending button 15 is invalidated and the process returns to S312 and the remaining amount is not zero. Then, the remaining amount subtraction process is performed (S314a).

  In this remaining amount subtraction process, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 determines the card ID of the accepted card 3 and the amount used for the ball lending process from the external communication unit 21b via the router 5. 40 is transmitted. The usage amount transmitted here is the unit ball lending amount when the remaining amount is equal to or larger than a predetermined unit ball lending amount (for example, 500 yen), and when the remaining amount is less than the predetermined unit ball lending amount, The remaining amount. The control unit 42 of the settlement apparatus 40 subtracts the received used amount from the remaining amount stored in association with the card ID received from the ball lending unit 20, and uses the remaining amount after the subtraction as the ball lending unit. Reply to 20 Then, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 stores the remaining amount after subtraction received from the settlement device 40 in the RAM, displays the remaining number corresponding to the remaining amount on the remaining number display 14, and ends the remaining amount subtraction process. The ball lending process (S314b) is performed. The ball lending process in S314b is the same as the ball lending process in S214b. When the ball lending process is completed, the process returns to S312.

  If there is an operation on the ball return button 25 in S315 (YES), if the number of balls stored in the RAM is less than the unit return number (for example, 125 balls), the operation of the ball return button 25 is invalidated. Returning to S312, if the number of possessed balls is equal to or greater than the unit return number, the number of possessed balls is subtracted (S315a).

  In this number-of-balls subtraction process, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 determines the card ID of the card 3 being received and the number of balls returned in the ball-returning process (that is, the unit return number) from the outside. The data is transmitted from the communication unit 21b to the settlement apparatus 40 via the router 5. The control unit 42 of the settlement apparatus 40 subtracts the received number of returned balls from the number of balls managed in the value management DB in association with the card ID received from the ball lending unit 20, and after the subtraction The number of possessed balls is returned to the ball lending unit 20. And the control part 21 of the ball lending unit 20 memorize | stores the number of balls after subtraction received from the adjustment apparatus 40 with RAM, displays this number of balls on the number-of-balls display 24, and performs the number-of-balls subtraction process. Is finished, and a ball return process (S315b) is performed. The ball return process in S315b is the same as the ball return process in S215b. When the ball return process is completed, the process returns to S312.

  If there is an operation of the card return button 16 in S316 (YES), if the card R / W 23 is not accepting the card 3, the operation of the card return button 16 is invalidated and the process returns to S312 to accept the card 3 If there is, a card return process is performed (S316a).

  In this card return process, the control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 obtains the card ID of the accepted card 3 and the remaining amount and the number of balls stored in the RAM from the external communication unit 21b via the router 5. It transmits to the settlement apparatus 40. The control unit 42 of the settlement apparatus 40 collates the remaining amount and the number of possessed balls stored in association with the card ID received from the ball lending unit 20 with the received remaining amount and the number of possessed balls, and the collation matches. If not, a predetermined error process is performed, and if the verification matches, a card return notification is returned to the ball lending unit 20. And the control part 21 of the ball lending unit 20 will perform the card return process (S316b) which discharge | releases the card | curd 3 in reception, if a card return notification is received from the payment apparatus 40, and returns to S312.

  When the card 3 returned by the offline processing is inserted into the settlement apparatus 40, the remaining amount stored in the settlement apparatus 40 in association with the card ID of the card 3 (that is, the remaining amount deposited by the offline processing) is stored. You can pay.

  The control unit 21 of the ball lending unit 20 determines whether or not communication with the management apparatus 50 outside the store is possible (that is, whether or not the online state has been restored) by the function as the communication availability determination unit. A confirmation signal is transmitted from the external communication unit 21b to the management apparatus 50 outside the store via the router 5 (S321), and a timer is started, until the timer times out (for example, 1 sec elapses) (S322). Then, it waits for reception of a response signal transmitted from the management apparatus 50 outside the store that has received the confirmation signal (S323).

  If no response signal is received and a time-out occurs (YES in S322), that is, if it is determined that an offline state incapable of communicating with the management apparatus 50 outside the store continues, the process returns to S312. On the other hand, if it is determined that the response signal has been received before the time-out (YES in S323), that is, it has been returned to the online state in which communication with the outside management apparatus 50 is possible, the transmission history DB shown in FIG. Is transmitted from the external communication unit 21b to the outside store management device 50 via the router 5 (S324), and an online return notification is sent from the external communication unit 21b via the router 5 to the checkout device. 40 (S325), the offline process is terminated, and the process returns to S101 in FIG.

  Here, the control unit 21 that performs the process of S324 determines that the communication is possible after the communication availability determination unit determines that communication is not possible, and the transmission history stored in the transmission history DB is stored outside the store. It functions as a transmission history transmission means for transmitting to the management device 50. According to this, since the processing performed when the communication with the ball lending unit 20 is disabled in the management apparatus 50 outside the store that has received the transmission history, fraud can be prevented.

  Further, the control unit 21 that performs the process of S325 transmits an online return notification to the settlement apparatus 40 based on determining that communication is possible after determining that communication is impossible by the communication availability determination unit. It functions as notification transmission means. Further, the control unit 42 of the settlement apparatus 40 receives the authentication history of the ball lending unit 20 stored in the authentication history DB shown in FIG. 50 functions as an authentication history transmitting means for transmitting to 50. According to this, since the processing performed when the communication with the ball lending unit 20 is disabled in the management apparatus 50 outside the store that has received the authentication history, fraud can be prevented.

  Finally, a modification of the present invention will be described.

  In the above embodiment, communication between devices is not limited to being performed by wire, but may be performed by wireless.

  In said embodiment, as shown in FIG.2 (b), the types of the banknote 2 which can be received with the banknote identification machine 22 are four types, 1000 yen banknote, 2000 yen banknote, 5000 yen banknote, and 10000 yen banknote. Although an example was demonstrated, not only this but the kind of banknote 2 which can be received may be arbitrary 1 type or 2 types or more of these 4 types. In addition, the currency is not limited to the banknote 2 and may accept coins, and may be intangible money (for example, amount data corresponding to money amount such as electronic money, credit amount specified from a credit card, A deposit amount specified from a debit card) may be received in a contact or non-contact manner.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the card 3 is a non-contact type IC card has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the game recording medium is a contact type integrated circuit, magnetic, two-dimensional code (for example, bar code). Information may be recorded by a three-dimensional code, optical interference (for example, hologram), or the like. The shape of the game recording medium is not limited to the card type, and may be a coin type. Further, although an example in which the value (remaining amount, number of possessions) is not recorded on the card 3 has been described, the value may be recorded.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the gaming machine is the pachinko machine 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the gaming machine is, for example, a slot machine that uses medals as gaming media, and a slot that uses pachinko balls as gaming media. Pachinko machines, slot machines, and pachinko machines that can be played using score data without using pachinko balls or medals. Alternatively, an image-type pachinko machine in which pachinko balls are displayed as images, an image-type slot machine in which reels are displayed as images, or the like may be used.

  In the above embodiment, when the ball lending process is performed, the ball lending unit 20 and the pachinko machine 10 exchange signals related to the lending of the pachinko balls, and the balls provided in the pachinko machine 10 Although an example in which a pachinko ball is paid out and lent out from the payout device 13 has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a ball payout device may be provided in the ball lending unit 20 to pay out and rent the pachinko ball.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the game processing device is the settlement device 40 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the game processing device performs processing for using, for example, the number of possessed balls for prize exchange. A POS terminal or a card issuing machine that issues the card 3 may be used. In other words, the game processing device is provided in the store, can communicate with the game device (the ball rental unit 20) and the outside management device 50, and can perform processing related to the game, and is preferably difficult to move. .

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the outside management device 50 and the sales management device 60 provided outside the store are separate devices has been described. However, the outside management device 50 and the sales management device 60 are an integrated device. May be.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 (d), an example in which the sales amount and the number of balls used are managed separately as sales in the sales management device 60 has been described. Then, you may manage the sales combined with the amount used.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the example in which the ball lending processing (S214b, S314b) is performed after the remaining amount subtraction processing (S214a, S314a) is performed has been described. The remaining amount subtraction process may be performed after the process is performed. Similarly, the example in which the retained ball return process (S215b, S315b) is performed after the retained ball number subtraction process (S215a, S315a) has been described, but conversely the number of retained balls after the retained ball return process is performed. A subtraction process may be performed.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which four types of banknotes 2 such as 1000 yen banknotes, 2000 yen banknotes, 5000 yen banknotes, and 10000 yen banknotes can be received in the offline processing shown in FIG. In processing, it is good also as accepting the banknote 2 (for example, only 1000 yen banknote) which limited the kind.

  In the above embodiment, when the card 3 returned in the offline processing shown in FIG. 7 is inserted into the settlement apparatus 40, the balance (ie, offline processing) stored in the settlement apparatus 40 in association with the card ID of the card 3 is stored. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the remaining amount stored in the card 3 is stored for the settlement of the remaining amount deposited in the offline processing, and stored in the card 3. You may be able to settle the remaining balance.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game system 2 ... Banknote 3 ... Card 5 ... Router 10 ... Pachinko machine 20 ... Ball lending unit 21 ... Control part 21b ... External communication part 22 ... Banknote identification machine 23 ... Card R / W
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Each counter 40 ... Checking device 41 ... Communication part 42 ... Control part 50 ... Outside store management apparatus 51 ... Communication part 52 ... Control part 53 ... Display 54 ... Input device 55 ... Hard disk 60 ... Sales management apparatus

Claims (3)

Provided corresponding to the gaming machine in the shop, the game of the shop stores identifiable store identification information, in accepting negotiable value usable in a game game machine that corresponds to valuable resource accepted the A gaming device for performing the enabling process to be usable for
An out-of-store management device that is provided outside the store, is communicable with the gaming device, and manages the value provided for the enabling process;
Processing related to a game that is provided in a store , stores the store identification information, is communicable with the gaming device and the outside management device, and is more difficult to move from the store than the gaming device. A processing device for gaming,
A gaming system comprising:
The gaming device is:
Communication enable / disable determining means for determining whether or not communication with the out-of-store management device is possible;
An authentication request for transmitting an authentication request for the gaming device including the stored store identification information to the gaming processing device based on the determination that communication is impossible by the communication availability determining means. A transmission means;
The gaming processing device comprises:
An authentication means for authenticating the gaming device based on the store identification information included in the authentication request and the stored store identification information based on the reception of the authentication request from the gaming device;
Authentication result return means for returning an authentication result by the authentication means to the gaming device;
The gaming system is capable of accepting the valuable value based on the fact that authentication has been obtained based on the authentication result returned from the authentication result return means. Provided corresponding to the gaming machine in the shop, the game of the store stores the identifiable store identification information, in accepting negotiable value usable in a game game machine that corresponds to negotiable value accepted the enabling processing to enable a row cormorants gaming device,
It is communicable with an out-of-store management device that manages the valuable value provided for the enabling process provided outside the store, is provided in the store, stores the store identification information, and from the gaming device Are also difficult to move from the store, can communicate with a gaming processing device that performs processing related to gaming ,
Communication enable / disable determining means for determining whether or not communication with the outside management apparatus is possible;
An authentication request for transmitting an authentication request for the gaming device including the stored store identification information to the gaming processing device based on the determination that communication is impossible by the communication availability determining means. A transmission means;
Authentication result receiving means for receiving an authentication result of the gaming device based on the store identification information included in the transmitted authentication request and the store identification information stored in the gaming processing device ;
A gaming apparatus characterized in that the valuable value can be received based on the fact that the authentication result is received by the authentication result receiving means. Provided corresponding to the gaming machine in the shop, the game of the store stores the identifiable store identification information, in accepting negotiable value usable in a game game machine that corresponds to negotiable value accepted the It is possible to communicate with a gaming device that performs the enabling process that can be used in the store, and it is possible to communicate with an out-of-store management device that is provided outside the store and manages the value provided for the enabling process. A game processing device that is provided in a store, stores the store identification information, is more difficult to move from the store than the gaming device, and performs processing related to a game,
The gaming device includes the store identification information stored in the gaming device , transmitted from the gaming device based on the fact that the gaming device and the outside management device cannot communicate with each other . An authentication request receiving means for receiving an authentication request;
An authentication means for authenticating the gaming device based on the store identification information included in the authentication request and the stored store identification information based on the reception of the authentication request from the gaming device;
An authentication result return means for returning an authentication result for enabling acceptance of the valuable value in the gaming apparatus to the gaming apparatus based on the authentication means being able to authenticate the gaming apparatus. And a game processing device.

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