JP6546015B2 - Game system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game arcade system.

  Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, a plurality of POS as a prize exchange device are installed in a prize exchange counter of a game arcade, and an employee operates the POS according to a player's request, It is designed to perform a predetermined prize exchange operation.

JP, 2008-136720, A

  However, in the above-mentioned prize exchange operation, there are many players and few players who wish to exchange prizes depending on the time zone, and an appropriate number of employees are made to respond according to the actual situation. However, when the number of players desiring to exchange prizes suddenly increases, the employee does not notice the situation and there is a problem that the response is delayed and the player is kept waiting for a long time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is that, when there is a shortage of employees performing a prize exchange operation, an employee in the premium exchange operation promptly supports other employees. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game arcade system capable of requesting a game.

  According to the game arcade system of claim 1, when the player desiring to exchange the prize suddenly increases and the player can be queued, the support request operation means provided by the employee to the prize exchange device By operating the system, it is possible to prompt other employees for support. Therefore, it becomes possible for other employees to rush to support and respond smoothly, and the impression given to the player is also good.

The whole block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention External perspective view of the POS seen from the employee side Functional block diagram of POS Diagram showing the screen before the start of the prize exchange process Figure showing the screen when reading game value Flow chart showing the flow of the prize exchange process Flow chart showing the flow of request response processing

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of a game arcade system 100. As shown in FIG.
A plurality of gaming machines 1 are installed in the game arcade, and counting and lending units 2 are installed corresponding to the respective gaming machines 1. The gaming machine 1 and the counting and lending unit 2 are connected to the relay device 3 a plurality of each. The relay device 3 is connected to the management device 5 via the LAN 4. The management device 5 receives gaming signals transmitted from the gaming machine-side devices such as the gaming machine 1 and the counting and lending unit 2 etc., thereby providing gaming data for each gaming machine 1 and personal data for each member player registered as a member. Manage etc. Although not illustrated in detail, for example, several hundred gaming machines are installed in the game arcade, and a plurality of gaming machine islands having different rental unit prices (loan unit prices) of game media are formed. FIG. 1 exemplifies a gaming machine island (4 yen pachinko island) with a rental price of 4 yen for balls as game media and a 1 yen gaming machine island (1 yen pachinko island).

  In the game arcade, the POS 6 and the settlement device 7 are also installed, and the POS 6 and the settlement device 7 are also connected to the management device 5 via the LAN 4. A plurality of POSs 6 are installed in a prize exchange corner (prize exchange counter) for the player to exchange gaming value with a prize. The POS 6 is connected to the attached card processor 8. As will be described later in detail, when the number of balls (game value) recorded in the general card and the membership card (indicated by reference numerals 9 and 10 respectively in FIG. 3) is read by the card processor 8, The POS 6 executes a predetermined prize exchange process based on the number of balls in accordance with the operation of the employee. When the POS 6 is output to the management device 5, it is possible to identify which one of the plurality of POSs 6 in the prize exchange counter is the signal output from the POS No. (Device ID) is added.

  When the general card 9 or the membership card 10 is inserted into the card insertion slot 7a, the settlement apparatus 7 reads the payment balance recorded in the inserted card 9, 10 with a card reader / writer (not shown), and reads it A return process is performed to pay back the banknotes or coins corresponding to the deposited balance from the return slot 7b. When the settlement apparatus 7 and the POS 6 handle the gaming value recorded in each of the cards 9 and 10, the management apparatus 5 collates with the size of the gaming value stored in advance in correspondence with each of the cards 9 and 10. And enable the handling of gaming value.

  The management device 5 installed in the game arcade is provided with a control unit (determination means) including a CPU and a storage unit (not shown), a transmission / reception unit, an output unit such as a monitor 5b and a printer, and an operation unit such as a keyboard 5a and a mouse. It manages the operating status of the gaming machine 1, the counting and lending unit 2, the POS 6, etc. in the hall. In addition, the control unit of the management device 5 (hereinafter referred to as the management device 5) determines the size of the gaming value for each player based on various signals received from the gaming machine side, the POS 6, etc. The number (in the case of a member), deposit balance, etc. are stored and managed: Balls are balls counted on the day, and balls are balls counted on or before the previous day.

  In the game arcade, an on-site broadcasting device (broadcasting device 11) connected to the LAN 4 is installed, and the management device 5 transmits various broadcasting command signals to the broadcasting device 11. The broadcast device 11 outputs various automatic voice messages according to the received broadcast command signal.

  The gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a CR pachinko machine and has an operation handle 12, an upper receiving tray 13 and a lower receiving tray 14 which constitute a launcher for firing balls on a board surface 1a. It has the starting opening 16 and the big winning opening 17. When the player operates the operation handle 12, the ball is fired to the board surface 1a, and when the pachinko ball wins the start opening 16, the pachinko balls having the number of balls corresponding to the win are paid out or the jackpot lottery is performed. In the big hit lottery, symbol variation with so-called special symbols is executed in the liquid crystal display unit 15, and a big hit occurs when the symbol displayed in a stopped state is a big hit symbol. When a jackpot occurs, for example, the big winning opening 17 is opened for 15 rounds.

  From the device on the gaming machine side, according to the progress of the game, such as the ball hitting by the player and the start winning at the starting opening 16, identifying the number of out balls indicating the number of game media inserted in the gaming machine 1 Various possible signals such as a possible out signal, a safe signal capable of specifying the number of safe balls indicating the number of gaming media paid out from the gaming machine 1 and a status signal capable of identifying the jackpot state etc. generated in the gaming machine 1 Send a game signal.

  In addition, the counting and lending unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 receives a state display unit 22 indicating the current operation state (normal state, error state, etc.), a bill insertion slot 23 into which a bill is inserted, and an operation input from the player. , Liquid crystal display unit 24 of touch panel type that displays various data such as deposit balance, number of balls and number of balls, payout button 25 for dispensing balls of 1 unit (equivalent to 500 yen), and dispensed It has a dispensing nozzle 26 through which the ball passes, a card insertion slot 27 into which the general card 9 or the membership card 10 is inserted, and a counting tray 28 detachably connected to the lower tray 14 of the gaming machine 1. The counting and lending unit 2 can detect the operation of the lending button 30 and the return button 31 provided on the gaming machine 1. Although not shown, inside the counting and lending unit 2, for example, a card stock unit capable of stocking up to 10 general cards 9 and various information recorded on the respective cards 9, 10 or A card reader / writer for writing, a counting unit for counting balls flowing in from the counting saucer 28, and the like are provided.

  The general card 9 is a card which is valid only for the day, and has an IC chip 9a built therein. In the IC chip 9a, a general ID capable of specifying a card is recorded, and the balance of money deposited in the counting and lending unit 2 and the number of balls possessed for each unit price are recorded. The membership card 10 is a card which is valid until a preset expiration date (for example, three years), and includes the IC chip 10a. In the IC chip 10a, a member ID capable of specifying a card member is recorded, and in the same manner as the IC chip 9a of the general card 9, a deposit balance and the number of balls for each rental unit price are recorded. Further, the number of stored balls corresponding to the membership card 10 is stored in the membership account of the management device 5.

The counting and lending unit 2 has the following functions.
(1) When a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 23, the amount of money (in units of 1000 yen) of the inserted bill is stored, and the inserted amount (payment balance) is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 24.

  (2) When the lending button 30 of the gaming machine 1 is operated, the number of balls corresponding to one frequency (500 yen) within the deposit balance range according to the operation of the lending button 30 is Perform loan processing to lend out from the payment mechanism. If the counting and lending unit 2 installed on the 4 yen pachinko island pays out 125 balls, if the counting and lending unit 2 located on 1 yen pachinko island pays out 500 balls. At this time, a signal indicating that the gaming machine 1 pays out balls for one degree is sent to the counting and lending unit 2, so one time (500 yen) is deducted from the payment balance displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 24. At the same time, a sales signal capable of specifying the number of borrowed balls indicating the number of borrowed balls is transmitted. In this sales signal, one pulse is transmitted each time a ball is paid out, so one pulse is specified as a sales amount of 500 yen.

  (3) When the balls dropped from the lower tray 14 of the gaming machine 1 are received by the counting tray 28, the balls received by the counting tray 28 flow into the counting unit to flow into the counting unit. Is counted, and the number of counting balls, which is the number of counting balls, is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 24.

  (4) When the payout button 25 is operated, the number of balls counted (number of balls held) or the number of balls stored (in the case of a member player) is 1 degree (500 yen) according to the operation of the payout button 25 The balls corresponding to the number of balls are paid out from the payout mechanism inside the gaming machine 1.

  (5) When the return button 31 of the gaming machine 1 is operated, the deposit balance and the number of balls are recorded in the general card 9 or the member card 10 according to the operation of the return button 31 and issued (the game medium is returned Do the processing). If neither the general card 9 nor the membership card 10 is inserted into the card insertion slot 27, the deposit balance and the number of balls are recorded by the card reader / writer in the general card 9 stocked in the card stock section. To issue. When the membership card 10 is inserted into the card insertion slot 27, the deposit balance is recorded in the membership card 10, and the number of balls is transmitted to the management device 5 on the condition of the input of the personal identification number to issue the membership card 10. . Then, when the general card 9 or the member card 10 is issued, the management device 5 can issue an issuance signal that can specify the deposited balance and the number of balls recorded on the general card 9 or the member card 10 together with the general ID and the member ID that can specify the card. By transmitting to the management card 5, the deposit balance and the number of balls held on the general card 9 or the membership card 10 are also stored on the management apparatus 5 side.

  (6) When the general card 9 is inserted into the card insertion slot 27, the deposit balance and the number of balls stored in the general card 9 are read by the card reader / writer and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 24. When the general card 9 is received, the lending / returning process is performed within the deposit balance and the number of balls stored in the general card 9. When the payout processing is performed when the number of balls recorded in the general card 9 is less than the number of balls corresponding to one degree, all the number of balls less than the number of balls corresponding to one degree is paid put out.

  (7) When the membership card 10 is inserted into the card insertion slot 27, the deposit balance recorded in the membership card 10 is read by the card reader / writer and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 24, and the condition for the input of the PIN is set. The number of balls stored in the member account of the management device 5 is also displayed. When the membership card 10 is received, the deposited balance and the number of balls recorded in the membership card 10, and the number of balls stored in the management apparatus 5 corresponding to the membership card 10 are lent and returned. Do the processing. In addition, the information which concerns on the above-mentioned number of balls is matched with the information on a rental rate, and is recorded on the general card 9 or the member card 10. FIG.

The POS 6 shown in FIG. 2 includes a card processor 8 and a second display unit 42 (shown only in FIG. 3) as attached devices separate from the main unit 40.
The main body 40 of the POS 6 is disposed in the first direction D1 where the employee is located in the prize exchange counter, and the first display 41 and the operation unit 43 visible from the first direction D1 side are arranged. Integrally prepare. The operation unit 43 of the main body unit 40 has a warehousing button 43a for performing warehousing operation and the like of prizes, various operation buttons 43b, an exchange button 43c for performing exchange operation for special prizes, and for ending the prize exchange process. It has an end button 43d, a PLU button 43e for selecting a type of prize, a cancel button 43f for canceling each operation, and a ten key 43g for inputting the quantity of each prize. Further, in the main body 40, the printer 44 is provided at the upper position of the operation unit 43, and the scanner 45 is provided on the left side.

  The first display unit 41 displays the display content for employees, and is formed of, for example, a liquid crystal display. A first touch panel 41 a made of, for example, a transparent electrode is provided on the front surface of the first display unit 41. Therefore, it is possible for an employee to perform an operation of the first touch panel 41a (hereinafter, abbreviated as a touch operation) with fingers while looking at the first display unit 41.

  On the other hand, the card processor 8 is provided to be communicable with the main unit 40 of the POS 6, and can receive the touch panel liquid crystal display 8a and the general card 9 without contact (without taking in) A reader / writer unit 8b, and a membership card reception unit (reader / writer unit) 8c capable of receiving and accepting the membership card 10 are provided. The card processor 8 shown in FIG. 2 is shown side by side with the main unit 40 of the POS 6 for the convenience of description, but in the same direction. However, the player inserts the member card 10 into the reception unit 8c and the password number on the liquid crystal display unit 8a. In order to enable the touch operation such as the input of the card, the card processor 8 is installed toward the player at the prize exchange counter.

  The second display unit 42 is arranged, for example, at the prize exchange counter, toward the player opposite to the arrow D1 of FIG. 2 in a state of back-to-back with the first display unit 41 of the POS 6, Display the display contents of. Similar to the first display unit 41, for example, the second display unit 42 is configured of a liquid crystal display, and a second touch panel (not shown) is provided on the front surface of the second display unit 42.

  FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the POS 6. The POS 6 includes a control unit 47 (game value specifying means, prize specifying means) configured by a microcomputer having a CPU 47a, a ROM 47b, a RAM 47c, and an I / O 47d, and a peripheral portion connected to the control unit 47. As the peripheral unit, an I / F unit 48 that transmits and receives various signals and various information to and from the management device 5 and the card processor 8, the first touch panel 41a, the first display unit 41, and the various buttons 43a to 43g (Operation unit 43), a scanner 45, and a printer 44 are included. Further, the peripheral portion includes a second display unit 42 having the second touch panel, and an employee card reader 49 (shown only in FIG. 3). The employee card reader 49 is provided in the main unit 40 to authenticate the employee at the POS 6, but the card processor 8 receives the IC card (not shown) of the employee (the card The function of the reader 49 may be shared.

  Although the details will be described later, the control unit 47 of the POS 6 (hereinafter, appropriately abbreviated as POS 6) performs the following prize exchange processing based on the gaming value specified by the general card 9 received by the card processing device 8. Run with

  (1) The number of balls possessed by the general card 9 placed on the general card reception unit 8b of the card processor 8 is read. At this time, the size of the read gaming value (that is, the number of balls possessed by the rental unit price) is specified as the size of the owned game value owned by the player, and the first display portion 41 and the second display portion 42 are displayed. Display each one. In addition, the management apparatus 5 is requested to send (check) information on the number of balls possessed, for comparison.

  (2) When the handling of information on the number of balls is made effective based on the collation result transmitted from the management device 5, the number of special prizes that can be exchanged with the number of balls is calculated for each rental unit price, and the first display is displayed If the information regarding the number of balls is not made valid based on the comparison result while being displayed on the unit 41 and the second display unit 42, the employee in charge is displayed by displaying this as an “error” on at least the first display unit 41. Urge the card to verify the authenticity of the card.

  (3) With regard to selection of a prize, any one of touch operation on the first display unit 41 (first touch panel 41a), touch operation on the second display unit 42 (second touch panel), and button operation on the operation unit 43 The type of the prize is specified based on the operation input, or the type of the prize desired to be exchanged by the player is specified based on the operation input by the reading operation of the identification code (for example, bar code) of the prize by the scanner 45. Further, calculation processing is performed to specify the number of balls (prize value) corresponding to the specified prize.

  (4) A prize to be exchanged is determined, and the result obtained by subtracting the prize value from the owned game value is calculated as the number of remaining balls. Incidentally, after the premium is determined by the POS 6, the employee in charge will hand over the premium.

  (5) When the calculated number of remaining balls or payment balance is not 0, the number of remaining balls or payment balance is recorded in the general card 9 by the general card reception unit 8b. The general card 9 on which this recording has been performed will be returned to the player by the responsible employee.

Further, the POS 6 executes a prize exchange process according to the membership card 10 in the following procedure.
(1) The number of balls possessed by the membership card 10 inserted from the insertion slot of the membership card acceptance unit 8c in the card processing machine 8 is read, and the number of balls possessed for each unit price read is displayed as the first display 41 and the second display. The information is displayed on the section 42 respectively. Further, as in the case of the general card 9, the information on the number of balls is transmitted to the management device 5 to request collation.

  (2) When a personal identification number is input by a touch operation on the liquid crystal display unit 8a of the card processing machine 8, the management device 5 is requested to receive the number of balls of the corresponding member, and the number of balls transmitted from the management device 5 is indicate. The display of the number of balls is the total number of balls (number of balls + number of balls) obtained by adding the number of balls and the number of balls read from the member card 10 to the first display portion 41 and the second display portion 42. It does by displaying each.

  (3) As in the case of the general card 9, when the handling of information on the number of balls is enabled, the number of special prizes that can be exchanged for the number of balls or the number of combined balls is calculated for each rental unit price and each display unit 41 , 42, while if the information on the number of balls is not made valid based on the comparison result, this is displayed on the first display section 41 as an "error". Further, based on the operation input of either the first touch panel 41a or the second touch panel or the operation using the operation unit 43 or the scanner 45, identification of a prize and the prize value thereof are identified.

  (4) As in the case of the general card 9, the prize to be exchanged is determined, and the result obtained by subtracting the number of balls for the prize as the prize value from the number of balls possessed as the possessed game value or the number of combined balls is left Calculated as the number of balls.

  (5) When the calculated number of remaining balls or deposit balance is not 0, the number of remaining balls or deposit balance is recorded in the membership card 10 by the member card accepting unit 8c. The member card 10 after the recording is returned to the player by the responsible employee.

  The data read in the POS 6 includes the general ID and the member ID, and the management apparatus 5 collates the number of balls for each rental unit price corresponding to the ID. Hereinafter, the general card 9 and the membership card 10 will be collectively referred to simply as a "card", and card information including an ID, the number of balls possessed, etc. will be referred to simply as "card information".

  In addition, the above-mentioned special prize and the general prize are set as the prizes of the present embodiment. That is, three types of special prizes are available: special prize size (hereinafter, also referred to as "large"), special prize (hereinafter, also referred to as "middle"), and special prize small (hereinafter, also referred to as "small"). It is done. For example, the special prize size is set at 5,000 yen, the special prize size is at 1,000 yen, and the special prize small amount is at 200 yen. The general prize is, for example, a general prize such as confectionery (hereinafter simply referred to as a prize), and various prizes are prepared in the prize exchange counter.

  The POS 6 is provided with operation means operated by a responsible employee who is performing an operation for executing a prize exchange process to request another employee to support or replace. The prize exchange process and the operation means will be described with reference to the screen of the first display unit 41 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

  FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the screen of the first display unit 41 before the start of the prize exchange process. An employee in charge of prize exchange reads in advance an employee IC card in which operator information including his / her name and the like is recorded by the employee card reader 49 of the POS 6. As a result, the name of the person in charge is automatically displayed in the date and time column 51 shown at the top of FIG. 4 and the operator information is transmitted to the management apparatus 5 and stored. In the "type" column 52 below, "4P" or "1P" corresponding to 4-yen pachinko or 1-yen pachinko is displayed as the type of the game value read from the card. In addition, for cards, "input" that represents the number of read cards, "total number" that represents the total number of read balls and total balls, and the size of the game value that can be exchanged for special prizes among the total numbers. There is provided a column 53 for displaying “replaceable number” representing “,” “fraction (total number-replaceable number)” obtained by subtracting the replaceable number from the total number, and “0” is displayed in each state before reading Be done. In addition, a column 54 indicating the number of special prizes of "large", "medium" and "small", and a column 55 indicating one kind of "prestige name", "unit price" and "number" of the above mentioned prizes. However, in the state before the reading of the card, both are "0" and blank (blank).

  At the upper right side of the screen, a "support request" button key 56a and an "alternate request" button key 56b are vertically arranged. The first display unit 41 and the first touch panel 41a related to the display and operation of the button keys 56a and 56b correspond to a cheering request operation means and a substitution request operation means, and any one of the button keys 56a and 56b is touch-operated. Thus, it is possible to execute support request operation and shift request operation described later. As described above, by providing the button keys 56a and 56b for requesting support and replacement for the exchange of prizes to the POS 6 itself, it is possible to perform support and request for replacement smoothly while performing the work of gift exchange. There is. In addition to this, on the right side of the screen, a "premium selection" for transitioning to a screen (not shown) of a prize selection panel that displays as a list the prizes that can be exchanged within the range of fractions (or within the range of owned game value). A key 57, a "member management" key 59 for transitioning to a member management menu screen for performing member registration, membership information inquiry, etc., and for causing the management apparatus 5 to store the number of unexchanged balls for the member as the number of stored balls. A "pool" key 58a and an "end" key 58b for ending the prize exchange process are provided.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the screen of the first display section 41 when the number of balls held is read from the card. In this case, the card information is read with regard to the number of balls acquired by the player in the game with a 4-yen pachinko, and the result of automatically calculating the number of special prizes and the like is represented. That is, the POS 6 executes the reading process of a card (for example, one card) provided by the player to specify the “type (4 yen pachinko)” and the “total number: 3456” of the number of balls held. Further, the POS 6 multiplies the value of the rental unit price by the specified total number to obtain the total amount (3456 balls × 4 yen = 13824 yen). Next, the remainder of the POS 6 is minimized by, for example, sequentially dividing the obtained total amount by the corresponding amount of 5000 yen for "large", 1000 yen for "middle", and 200 yen for "small". Find the number of special prizes. At this time, the POS 6 displays the numbers of “large”, “medium”, and “small” calculated by the following division in the column 54.

13824 yen ÷ 5000 yen = "large" 2 pieces ... remainder 3824 yen 24 1000 yen = "medium" 3 pieces ... 824 yen 824 yen ÷ 200 yen = "small" 4 pieces ... remainder 24 yen Thus, POS6 is In accordance with specifying “total number: 3456”, the number of special prizes that can be exchanged for the total number is specified. Further, the POS 6 calculates and displays "the number of exchangeables: 3450" and the "fraction: 6" from the values (13,800 yen and 24 yen) obtained by the above division and the rental unit price. When the POS 6 specifies a specific prize (for example, a plurality of prizes exceeding 200 yen) by the operation input, the POS 6 subtracts the number of balls for the prize, and then "large", "middle", " Each number of "small" is determined by recalculation. Although the money amount is converted when calculating the number of exchangeable special prizes, it may be calculated by the ball number without converting the money amount. In this case, "large" is calculated as 1250 balls, "medium" as 250 balls, and "small" as 50 balls.

  Although illustration is omitted, in the screen of the second display unit 42, similarly to the first display unit 41, a column indicating the type such as 4-yen pachinko or 1-yen pachinko, "total number" and "fraction" are displayed. In addition to a field for displaying the number of special prizes and a field for displaying the number of special prizes, a field for representing a prize selected by the player on the prize selection panel or the prize selection panel is displayed.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a prize exchange process executed by the POS 6 in a predetermined cycle, and FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a request response process executed by the management apparatus 5 in response to a cheering request or a substitution request. The POS 6 determines the start timing of the prize exchange processing during the execution of the main processing, and if it is determined that the start timing has come, the main processing is shifted to start the following premium exchange processing. .

  When starting the prize exchange process, the POS 6 stands by until a predetermined input signal is obtained from the first touch panel 41 a or the card processor 8. That is, the POS 6 determines whether or not the support request button key 56a has been touched (S1). When the POS 6 determines that the support request button key 56a is not touched (S1: NO), it determines whether the shift request button key 56b is touched (S3).

  When the POS 6 determines that the shift request button key 56b is not touched (S3: NO), it determines whether the card is accepted by the card processor 8 (S5). When the POS 6 determines that the card is not accepted by the card processor 8 (S5: NO), it determines whether card information is stored in its own RAM 47c (S11). When it is determined that the card information is not stored in the RAM 47c (S11: NO), the POS 6 stands by until the touch operation of the button keys 56a and 56b or the reception of the card by the card processor 8 is received (S1, S3). , S5, S11).

  Here, first, the process in the case where the card is received will be described. When it is determined that the general card 9 is placed in the general card reception unit 8b or the membership card 10 is inserted into the membership card reception unit 8c and the card processor 8 receives the general card 9 (S5: YES), The ID recorded in the card and the number of balls (owned game value) for each unit price are read, and the card information is expanded (stored) in the RAM 47c (S6). Further, the POS 6 transmits a collation request signal capable of specifying the read ID and the number of balls possessed for each rental unit price to the management device 5 (S7), and waits for reception of the collation result signal from the management device 5. When the management device 5 receives the collation request signal from the POS 6, the management device 5 holds the number of balls for each rental price corresponding to the ID specified by the collation request signal, and holds for each rental price corresponding to the ID stored in itself. The number of balls is compared, and the comparison result signal is transmitted to the POS 6.

  When the POS 6 receives the collation result signal from the management device 5 and does not validate the handling of the card information based on the collation result signal (S 8: YES), this is displayed as an “error” on the first display unit 41 Error notification is performed (S18). In this case, the POS 6 waits for error release until, for example, the end button 43d or the key 58b is operated, prompts the employee in charge to confirm the authenticity of the card, and the end button 43d or the key 58b is operated. And the gift replacement process is ended (return to the main process).

  On the other hand, when the POS 6 validates the handling of the card information based on the collation result signal (S 8: YES), the “exchangeable number”, “large”, based on the collated ball count for each rental unit price. The number of "medium" and "small" special prizes and the "fraction" are respectively calculated by the above-mentioned calculation method (S9). In this case, the POS 6 displays on the first display unit 41 and the second display unit 42 the calculated exchangeable number, the number and fraction of special prizes, and the type and total number (specified game value) specified above (S10) ). In addition, the POS 6 extracts, from among a plurality of types of prizes stored in advance, prizes that can be exchanged based on the calculated fraction, and generates display data represented as the prize selection panel.

  Subsequently, if the POS 6 determines that the card information is not stored in the RAM 47 c (S 11: NO), it returns to the first step S 1 while determining that the card information in the RAM 47 c is stored (S 11: YES) It is determined whether or not a prize is selected (S12). Here, it is assumed that the POS 6 determines that a prize is selected, for example, when a prize desired by the player is touched on the prize selection panel of the second display unit 42 (S12: YES). In this case, the POS 6 specifies the type of prize and the prize value, subtracts the prize value from the fraction, and recalculates the fraction. Thereby, the POS 6 specifies the exchangeable prize based on the fraction after the recalculation, and updates the display of the corresponding columns 53 and 55 of the first and second display portions 41 and 42 and the prize selection panel (S19) . For example, in FIG. 5, a confectionery equivalent to 5 balls can be selected with 4 yen as a prize corresponding to “fraction: 6”, and the value of the fraction is obtained by subtracting the prize value (5 balls) of the confectionery “ Updated to 1 ". Thereafter, the POS 6 returns to the first step S1.

  If the POS 6 determines that a prize is not selected (S12: NO) and determines that the fraction is not less than a predetermined value (for example, less than 20) (S13: NO), it returns to the first step S1. Furthermore, even if the POS 6 determines that the fraction is less than 20 (S13: YES), if it is determined that the end button 43d or the key 58b is not operated (no end operation is performed) (S14: NO), the first step Return to S1. Thus, in the prize exchange process, as long as the card information is valid and there is no end operation (S8: YES and S14: NO), the above-described steps S1 to S13 and S19 are repeatedly executed. When the POS 6 determines that the fraction is less than 20 (S13: YES) and the end button 43d or the key 58b is operated (S14: YES), the processing information (prize for the card information in the card processor 8) Rewriting according to the exchange information (S15), transmits the rewritten card information and the premium exchange information to the management device 5 (S16), initializes the card information of the RAM 47c (S17), and ends the premium exchange process Do. Thus, the employee in charge hands the special prize and the prize, which are confirmed on the first and second display portions 41 and 42, to the player.

  Here, for example, when it is a time zone where players wishing to exchange prizes increase and the prize exchange counter becomes congested, the employee in charge touches the support request button key 56a of the second display section 42. At this time, the POS 6 sequentially determines the presence or absence of the touch operation of the support request button key 56a and the replacement request button key 56b in the above-mentioned prize exchange process, and determines that the support request button key 56a is touched (S1) : YES). In this case, POS 6 has its own POS No. Is sent to the management apparatus 5 (S2).

  Also, for example, when the employee in charge of performing a prize exchange process at POS 6 shifts work for a prize exchange job (or wishes to do so for his own convenience), the shift request button key 56b is touch operated Do. At this time, when the POS 6 determines that the support request button key 56 a has been touched (S 3: YES), the POS No. Is sent to the management apparatus 5 (S4).

  On the other hand, the management device 5 executes the request handling process shown in FIG. 7 in response to the input from the POS 6. That is, the management device 5 determines whether or not the support request signal is received from the POS 6 in the request response process (S21). When determining that the support request signal has been received (S21: YES), the management device 5 determines whether a support request is required for another employee (S22).

  Specifically, for example, the management device 5 communicates with the POS 6 other than the POS 6 specified by at least the support request signal among the plurality of POS 6 installed in the prize exchange counter, and executes the prize exchange processing. It is determined whether it is necessary to request a support by determining whether there is a POS 6 which is not in operation (or in the standby state). Here, when it is determined that the non-operating POS 6 is present (S22: YES), the management device 5 transmits a broadcast command signal instructing broadcast of the support request to the POS 6 to the broadcast device 11 (S23). Thus, the broadcast device 11 outputs an automatic voice message regarding the POS 6 specified based on the received broadcast command signal. The content of the output voice is, for example, the content of "Please turn to business contact, support for POS ○ POS", and the output operation of the voice corresponds to a support request operation.

  Even when the management device 5 receives the support request signal from the POS 6 (S21: YES), when it is determined that the non-operating POS 6 is not present (S22: NO), the support request operation is executed to the broadcasting device 11. There is nothing to do. Further, in this case, the management device 5 transmits a command signal for setting the operation of the cheering request button key 56a to an invalid state (or a impossible state) to the POS 6 that is the transmission source of the cheering request signal (S27). As a result, for example, at the transmission source POS 6, the support request button key 56 a is grayed out until the other POS 6 is inactivated, and the operation of the button key 56 a is not accepted (operation input is invalidated) Be done.

  Further, the management apparatus 5 determines whether or not the shift request signal has been received from the POS 6 (S24), and determines that it is possible to switch with another employee if it is determined that the support request signal is received (YES). (S25).

  Specifically, for example, shift data in which the shift work time zone in the game arcade is associated with all the employees including the employee in charge of the prize exchange is registered in advance in the management device 5. As a result, the management apparatus 5 receives the shift data and the operator information and POS No. It is determined whether or not replacement is possible for the identified POS 6 on the basis of. Here, when it is determined that replacement is possible (S25: YES), the management device 5 transmits a broadcast command signal instructing broadcast of a replacement request for the POS 6 to the broadcast device 11 (S26). Thus, the broadcast device 11 outputs an automatic voice message regarding the POS 6 specified based on the received broadcast command signal. The content of the output voice is, for example, the content of "business communication, change POS position ○", and the output operation of the voice corresponds to the replacement request operation.

  Even when the management apparatus 5 receives the substitution request signal from the POS 6 (S24: YES), the management apparatus 5 does not cause the broadcasting apparatus 11 to execute the substitution request operation when it is determined that substitution is not possible (S25: NO). Further, in this case, the management device 5 transmits a command signal for setting the operation of the shift request button key 56b to an impossible state (or an invalid state) to the POS 6 that is the transmission source of the shift request signal (S28). Thus, for example, in the POS 6 of the transmission source, the alternation request button key 56b is grayed out until it is determined that the alternation is possible by the management device 5, and the operation of the button key 56a is not received. Thus, after the management apparatus 5 responds to the broadcast apparatus 11 or the POS 6, this process ends (returns to the main process of the management apparatus 5).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
When a player desiring to exchange prizes suddenly increases and queues the player, the employee operates the cheering request button key 56a provided on the POS 6 to the other employee. You can immediately request support. Therefore, it becomes possible for other employees to rush to support and respond smoothly, and the impression given to the player is also good.
In step S22, when it is determined that all the POSs 6 installed in the prize exchange counter are operating (NO), the operation of the support request button key 56a is invalidated or disabled, thus unnecessary support request Can be prevented.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be modified or expanded as follows, each modification may be combined with the above-described embodiment, or each modification may be combined.
One or more prize exchange counters in the game arcade may be provided. The number of POSs 6 installed in one prize exchange counter may be any number as long as another POS 6 is installed in the game arcade.

  Although the configuration for performing broadcasting to request support and replacement by the broadcasting device 11 is exemplified, the support requesting means and the replacement requesting means are not limited to the broadcasting device 11. For example, the support or shift request operation may be executed by outputting a voice to the effect that the employee is asking for support or shift to an income device (not shown) worn by the employee. Specifically, the income device is provided with a headset that can communicate with the management device 5 and provides voice guidance of the above-described automatic voice message directly to the employee. Also with this income device, it is possible for the employee to take prompt action, and the same effect as requesting the support or replacement by the broadcast device 11 is achieved.

Although each request button key 56a, 56b is provided on the first display unit 41 (first touch panel 41a) for employees, it may be provided as a button that can be pressed and operated on the operation surface of the operation unit 43. .
The management device 5 determines at any time whether support and replacement are possible regardless of whether the support request signal and the replacement request signal are received from the POS 6, and if it is determined that the support request button key 56a and A command may be sent to the POS 6 to invalidate the replacement request button key 56b.

Further, although the management apparatus 5 determines whether or not the support request or the replacement request operation needs to be performed, any one of the POSs 6 of the prize exchange counter detects the operation status of the other POS 6 and performs the above determination, etc. The above determination may be performed by another device in the game arcade.
Although a pachinko gaming machine has been exemplified as the gaming machine 1, it may be a slot machine. Also, although a ball is illustrated as a game medium, it may be a medal.
Although the gaming machine 1 of the type that pays out the actual gaming medium according to the winning is illustrated, it may be a gaming machine of a type that gives a score instead of paying out the gaming medium.

The rental rate of the game media can be arbitrarily set by the game arcade side within the range defined by the rules. The rental unit price is not limited to two types of 4 yen and 1 yen, and may be three or more types. Further, each of the other numerical values is an exemplification, any numerical value may be adopted, and a corresponding expression such as “not reached” is possible for “less than” described above.
Although it has been premised that each gaming machine 1 has a counting and lending unit 2 as a counting machine, one counting machine may be installed for a plurality of gaming machines 1. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which one counter (an island counter) is installed for each gaming machine island.

  In the drawing, 5 is a control unit (judgment means) of the management apparatus, 6 is a POS (prize exchange apparatus), 11 is an indoor broadcast apparatus (support and shift request means), 41 is a first display section (support and shift request operation means 41a is a first touch panel (support and shift request operation means), 56a and 56b are button keys (support and shift request operation means), 47 is a control unit (game value specification means, prize specification means), 100 is a game arcade System.

Claims (5)

In a game arcade system in a game arcade where a plurality of prize exchange devices for performing predetermined prize exchange processing according to an operation of an employee are installed on a prize exchange counter for a player to exchange gaming value for a prize.
Support request operation means provided in the prize exchange device and operated by an employee who is performing an operation to execute the prize exchange process to request another employee to support the operation;
A determination unit that determines whether or not there is a non-operating prize exchange device that is not executing a prize exchange process among the plurality of prize exchange devices installed;
When the support request operation means is operated, if the determination means determines that there is the non-operating state benefit exchange device other than the benefit exchange device corresponding to the support request operation means , the other employee Support request means for executing a support request operation for requesting an operation for executing a prize exchange process by the prize exchange device in the non-operating state ;
A game arcade system characterized by comprising.
Shift request operation means operated by an employee who is performing an operation for executing the prize exchange process to request another employee to change;
2. The game arcade system according to claim 1, further comprising shift request means for executing a predetermined shift request operation when the shift request operation means is operated.   3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the determination means determines that the non-operating prize exchange device does not exist, the operation of the support request operation means is disabled or disabled. The game arcade system described in.   The support request means broadcasts a request for support by the on-premises broadcast device, or outputs a sound to request support from an income device worn by an employee. 4. A game arcade system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The prize exchange apparatus comprises: game value specifying means for specifying a game value owned by a player as an owned game value; and a prize specification means for specifying a value of a prize that the player wishes to exchange as a prize value.
The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the prize exchange process, the prize value is subtracted from the owned game value.

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