JP7053414B2 - Game management system and game management method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a game management system and a game management method for managing a game in a game store in which a game machine for playing a game using a game medium is installed.

Conventionally, a game store has provided a game intervening with a game medium. For example, in a pachinko game, a game ball is used as a game medium, and the game ball is driven into the surface of the game board to play a game. A plurality of winning areas (winning openings) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined number of game balls are given as prize balls based on the fact that the game balls have passed through the winning areas. In this way, the number of game media increases or decreases depending on the result of the game, and the player can exchange the acquired game media for a prize.

Generally, each gaming machine is equipped with a device for each machine. Each device accepts payment and lends out a game medium. In addition, each device manages the number of game media acquired by the game as the number of game media, and performs a replay process of subtracting the number of possessed game media to pay out the game media (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .).

Each device is provided with a display unit for displaying the deposit amount, the number of game media, and the like. Further, a configuration is also considered in which a display device having a screen larger than the display unit of each device is externally connected to each device. The display device externally connected to each stand device is referred to as each stand display device for convenience. In addition to displaying the deposit amount and the number of gaming media, each of these display devices can be used for providing various guidance to the players, providing information on the gaming machines, assisting the production of the gaming machines, and the like.

In particular, in an enclosed gaming machine (see, for example, Patent Document 2) in which gaming balls enclosed inside the gaming machine are circulated to play a game, the number of game media that can be launched (hereinafter referred to as the number of playable numbers) is data. However, each unit display device can also be used for displaying and outputting such data.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-131037 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-233635

However, with the conventional technology, there is a problem that it is difficult to properly control each display device. Since each display device performs various displays on a large screen, the size of data for display becomes large. Each unit display device that controls the display of each unit display device is connected to a higher-level management device for processing related to the game medium, but for each unit display device via the management device and each unit device. If the data is transmitted, there is a risk that the processing related to the game medium, which is the original use, will be hindered. Further, if an abnormality occurs in the operation of each unit display device, the display of each unit display device cannot be performed even though the unit display device itself is normal.

From these facts, it has been an important issue how to properly control each display device connected to each device and realize effective use of the display by each display device.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to appropriately control each display device connected to each device to realize effective use of the display by each display device. The purpose is a game management system and a game management method that can be performed.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention is attached to a game machine that plays a game using a game medium, and is connected to each device that performs processing related to the game medium and each device. Each unit display device that outputs a display based on the display control from the unit unit device, and a display data server device that is connected to the unit display device and provides display data used for the display output are provided. The display data server device is characterized in that it controls the display of each display device when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Further, in the present invention, the present invention further includes a management device connected to the respective stand devices and managing information related to the game medium, and the display data server device includes the management device and the respective stand devices. It is characterized in that the communication state of the above is determined, and when an abnormality is detected in the communication state, the display control of each display device is performed.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the display data server device executes a process of updating the display data of each display device according to the state of the management device.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the management device sets the display of each display device according to the state of the display data server device.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the display data server device controls the display of the display devices on the condition that the devices are not used by the player.

Further, in the present invention, in the above invention, when the display device of each unit performs display output based on the display control from the device of each unit, the display received and stored in advance from the display data server device. It is characterized by using data.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the gaming machine is an enclosed gaming machine that plays a game using a gaming medium enclosed inside.

Further, the present invention is attached to a game machine that plays a game using a game medium, each unit device that performs processing related to the game medium, each unit display device connected to each unit unit device, and each unit. A game management method in a game management system having a display device and a display data server device connected to the display device, wherein the display data server device provides display data to the display devices of each unit, and the display device of each unit. However, the step of displaying and outputting the display data based on the display control from each device and the display data server device determine whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the predetermined condition is satisfied. In some cases, it is characterized by including a step of controlling the display of each display device.

According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately control each unit display device connected to each unit display device and realize effective use of the display by each unit display device.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of the game management system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a game store. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the inter-unit card processing machine. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-unit card processor shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the inter-unit card processor. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of each display device. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the display data server device. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of display control by the display data server device. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an update processing procedure by the display data server device.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the game management system and the game management method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the present specification, the possession ball is data indicating the game medium acquired by the player in the game or the number of the game media, and may be re-used for the game only during the day (time before the store closes). Say what you can do. The ball storage is data indicating the game medium acquired by the player in the game or the number of the game media, and can be used again for the game from the next day onward (time after the store is closed). The pachinko ball can be used by both general and member pachinko players, and is used when the gaming machine used for the game is changed (so-called platform movement). The ball storage is usually available only to member players, and is used when the acquired game medium is used for games on the next day or later. A predetermined fee may be levied on the use of the stored balls.

First, the concept of the game management system according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of the game management system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1 (a), a plurality of gaming machines 20 are installed in a gaming store, and each gaming machine 20 is provided with a machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 which is a device for each machine.

The gaming machine 20 is an enclosed game machine having a structure in which the player does not touch the gaming ball, which is a gaming medium, and manages the number of game balls that can be fired as the playable number. A large number of obstacle nails are planted on the game board surface of the game machine 20, and the game balls fired on the game board surface by the handle operation fall between the obstacle nails and win a prize at the winning opening and the starting opening. Or, it is discharged to the outside of the game board from the out opening of the game board without winning a prize. The gaming balls discharged from the gaming board surface are conveyed inside the gaming machine 20 and used again for firing.

The inter-unit card processing machine 10 is a unit device that executes processing such as acceptance of payment and lending of game balls. The game balls are lent out by adding the number of game machines that can be played, instead of paying out the game balls in kind. Further, the inter-table card processing machine 10 can count the game balls by shifting the playable number managed by the game machine 20 to the possession balls managed by the own device.

When the player finishes the game, the number of possible games is transferred to the ball, and the ball is associated with the card and discharged. Alternatively, the game is ended by using up all the playable numbers. Therefore, if the player properly finishes the game, after the business hours are finished, the game machine 20 is in a state where the playable number does not remain.

Each unit display device 110 is externally connected to the unit-to-unit card processing machine 10. Although each machine display device 110 is located in front of the gaming machine 20, the input / output control thereof is performed by the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), the inter-unit card processor 10 can communicate with the card management device 40, and each unit display device 110 can communicate with the display data server device 100.

The card management device 40, which is a higher-level management device connected to the inter-unit card processing machine 10, manages data related to games such as holding balls in association with a card ID. The display data server device 100 provides display data which is data used for display output by each display device 110. Further, the display data server device 100 can control the display of each display device 110 when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Specifically, first, the display data server device 100 transmits display data to each display device 110 (S1), and each display device 110 stores the display data (S2). It is preferable that the display data is transmitted and stored outside the business hours of the amusement store, but it can also be performed during the business hours if necessary. Further, communication between the display data server device 100 and each display device 110 is possible without going through the card management device 40 or the inter-unit card processing machine 10.

When the platform card processor 10 receives an operation (payment or card insertion) related to the start of the game during business hours, the platform card processor 10 and the card management device 40 send and receive data related to the game (the game-related data is transmitted and received). S3), the inter-table card processing machine 10 is in a state of being played. The inter-table card processing machine 10 in the game-in-game state performs processing related to the game ball while transmitting / receiving data to / from the card management device 40 as necessary.

The display data server device 100 determines the communication state between the inter-table card processing machine 10 and the card management device 40 during the game (S4). When the communication state between the inter-unit card processing machine 10 and the card management device 40 is normal, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 controls the display of each unit display device 110 (S5a). On the other hand, if an abnormality is detected in the communication state between the inter-unit card processing machine 10 and the card management device 40, the display data server device 100 controls the display of each unit display device 110 (S5b).

When the inter-unit card processing machine 10 controls the display of each unit display device 110, the display data stored in each unit display device 110 is used. When the display data server device 100 controls the display of each display device 110, display data for when a communication error occurs can be appropriately transmitted and used.

As described above, in the game management system, the display data server device 100 provides the inter-unit card processing machine 10 with display data for each unit display device 110, and each unit display device 110 displays from the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Since the display data is displayed and output based on the control, and the display data server device 100 is configured to control the display of each display device 110 when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the display data is connected to the inter-unit card processor 10. It is possible to appropriately control each unit display device 110 and realize effective use of the display by each unit display device 110.

Next, the system configuration of the amusement shop will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a game store. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of gaming machines 20 and an inter-table card processing machine 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20 are installed in the gaming store. The inter-unit card processor 10 connects to a communication line, which is a network in the store, via the island controller 30. The island controller 30, the card management device 40, the member management device 50, the prize management device 60, and the checkout machine 80 are connected to the communication line.

The gaming machine 20 is a device for playing a game by driving a gaming ball enclosed inside the apparatus into a gaming board surface. A plurality of prize areas (winning openings) are provided on the game board surface of the game machine 20, and a predetermined number of game balls are awarded as prize balls based on the fact that the game balls have passed through the prize areas. It has become. Further, a predetermined number of starting areas (starting openings) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined lottery is performed based on the passage of the game balls through the starting areas. If the lottery is a big hit, the operation of a predetermined movable member or the like is performed to perform an operation that is advantageous in terms of the game, such as improving the probability of passing the game ball to the above-mentioned winning area or another starting area. It is also possible to provide an area that serves as both a starting area and a winning area.

The winning area is provided with a winning sensor for detecting the passage of the game ball to the winning area, and the passing (winning) of the game ball driven into the winning area by this winning sensor is detected. It has become. Further, the control unit of the gaming machine 20 has a prize ball memory for storing the number of game balls to be given as prize balls for each winning area, and a gameable number memory indicating the number of balls that can be thrown by the player. There is.

Therefore, when the passing of the driven game ball to a specific winning area is detected by the winning sensor, the game machine 20 should give the game ball based on the stored contents of the prize ball memory and the number of game balls that have passed through the winning area. The number of prize balls can be determined and the determined number of prize balls can be paid out.

In the enclosed game machine 20, the payout process of the number of prize balls is performed by adding the number of prize balls to the number of playable numbers stored in the playable number memory and updating the stored contents. Further, when the number of playable numbers is transferred as the number of balls possessed by the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the number of playable numbers held in the playable number memory is notified to the inter-unit card processing machine 10 so that the number of playable numbers can be played. To zero. Further, when the notification of the addition of the playable number by the ball lending operation or the like is received from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the notified number of balls is added to the playable number and the stored contents are updated.

The machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 accepts deposits, rents out gaming balls, communicates with the card management device 40, and communicates with the gaming machine 20. When the inter-unit card processing machine 10 receives a bill inserted by a player, it transmits payment notification data including the amount of the bill to the card management device 40, and the amount is set to the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. Add the numbers according to. Then, when the predetermined ball lending operation is performed, the ball lending request is transmitted to the card management device 40, the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40 is subtracted, and the number of games corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value is played. Performs ball payout processing.

In the enclosed gaming machine 20, the payout process of the gaming ball based on the ball lending is performed by notifying the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value and adding it to the playable number.

Further, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of the card, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 transmits the card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. Further, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 receives data including the prepaid value, the number of balls held, and the number of stored balls from the card management device 40, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 stores the received prepaid value, the number of balls held, and the number of stored balls. Then, if the number of balls held is stored, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 transmits the ball holding subtraction request data to the card management device 40 to reduce the number of balls held by the card management device 40 to zero. clear.

Further, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts the ball holding replay operation, a predetermined number is subtracted from the number of balls stored in the own device, and the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted number of balls is paid out. conduct. Further, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts the ball storage replay operation, it transmits the ball storage replay request data to the card management device 40, thereby subtracting a predetermined number from the number of balls stored managed by the member management device 50. Then, the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted number of stored balls is paid out. The payout process of the game balls based on the replay of the possessed balls and the replay of the stored balls is also performed by notifying the game machine 20 of the corresponding number and adding it to the playable number.

Further, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts the card return operation, it transmits the ball holding ball addition request data including the number of balls held by the own device to the card management device 40, and the card management device 40 holds the balls. After adding the numbers, the card ejection notification data is transmitted to the card management device 40 to control the ejection of the cards. It is desirable that the card ejection control is performed on the condition that the playable number of the gaming machines 20 is zero.

Further, the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 has a function of acquiring a gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 and authenticating the gaming machine 20 using the acquired gaming machine ID and an authentication key received from the card management device 40. Have. This authentication is performed at the time of opening the store, and the gaming machine 20 can be played on condition that the authentication is successful.

The island controller 30 is a relay device for bundling a group of gaming machines 20 and an inter-unit card processing machine 10 provided on a gaming island.

The card management device 40 is a device that manages the prepaid value of the card, the number of balls held, and the like as card data. When the card management device 40 receives the card insertion notification data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 manages the card ID of the inserted card in association with the device ID of the inter-unit card processing machine 10, and manages the card ID. The prepaid value and the number of balls held in association with the above are transmitted to the inter-unit card processor 10. When the card ID shown in the card insertion notification data is the card ID of the membership card, the card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data to the member management device 50 and receives it from the member management device 50. The stored ball replay data is transmitted to the inter-unit card processor 10.

Further, when the card management device 40 receives the ball holding ball subtraction request data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 clears the number of balls held to zero. Further, when the card management device 40 receives the ball addition request data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the number of balls included in the ball addition request data is set to the number of balls managed by the card management device 40. to add.

Further, when the card management device 40 receives the ball lending request data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID, and the ball lending permission data is the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Send to. Then, when the ball storage replay request data is received, the ball storage replay request data is transmitted to the member management device 50, and when the member management device 50 outputs the ball storage replay data, the ball storage replay data is transferred to the unit. It is transmitted to the card processor 10.

Further, when the card management device 40 receives the card ID from the prize management device 60, the card management device 40 notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls held associated with the card ID. Further, when the card ID is received from the payment machine 80, the prepaid value associated with the card ID is notified to the payment machine 80.

Further, the card management device 40 acquires a gaming machine ID from the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 and manages the gaming machine 20 installed in its own store. Then, the authentication key for authenticating the gaming machine 20 set in the own store is acquired from the authentication key management center outside the gaming store, and the authentication key is distributed to the inter-unit card processing machine 10.

The member management device 50 is a management device that manages member management data of members registered as members in a game store. Specifically, the number of stored balls, the number of points, the password, the name, etc. are managed in association with the membership card ID issued to the member.

When the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the member management device 50 uses the stored ball replay data including the number of stored balls and the password associated with the card ID shown in the card insertion notification data. It is transmitted to the card processing machine 10. Further, when the member management device 50 receives the ball storage replay request data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the member management device 50 subtracts a predetermined number from the number of balls stored associated with the card ID shown in the ball storage replay request data. The stored ball replay data including the number of stored balls after subtraction is transmitted to the inter-unit card processing machine 10. The communication between the inter-unit card processing machine 10 and the member management device 50 is performed via the card management device 40.

Further, when the member management device 50 receives an inquiry about the number of stored balls from the prize management device 60, the member management device 50 notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of stored balls corresponding to the designated card ID.

The prize management device 60 is a terminal device for exchanging prizes attached to a prize exchange counter in the game store, and performs a prize exchange process for exchanging acquired balls, the number of stored balls, and the number of balls held for prizes. The prize management device 60 is connected to a card reader that reads the card ID from the card and a prize payout device that pays out the prize. When the prize management device 60 reads the card ID from the general card or the membership card (or when the identification data corresponding to the card ID is read from the mobile terminal or the like), the prize management device 60 transmits the card ID to the card management device 40. The number of balls possessed by the card ID is requested. When exchanging prizes for the number of stored balls, the member management device 50 is requested to store the number of stored balls.

When the card with which the prepaid value is associated is inserted, the checkout machine 80 transmits the card ID of this card to the card management device 40 and receives the response data to acquire the prepaid value associated with the card. Then, the money is paid out according to the acquired prepaid value.

In addition to these configurations, each unit display device 110 is externally connected to the inter-unit card processing machine 10 as described above, and each unit display device 110 is communicably connected to the display data server device 100. It is desirable that the communication line connecting each display device 110 and the display data server device 100 is a communication line different from the communication line to which the island controller 30 or the like is connected. Further, the display data server device 100 can communicate with the card management device 40.

Next, the ball lending process of the game system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When the player performs a ball lending operation on the platform card processor 10, the platform card processor 10 transmits ball lending request data to the card management device 40. The ball lending request data includes a card ID of a card inserted in the inter-unit card processing machine 10, an address that identifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 as a transmission source, or arbitrary identification data.

Upon receiving the ball lending request data, the card management device 40 subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID of the ball lending request data. Then, the card management device 40 transmits the ball lending permission data to the inter-unit card processing machine 10 of the transmission source. The inter-unit card processing machine 10 that has received the ball lending permission data performs a payout process of the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value.

Next, the ball holding replay process when the holding ball is replayed by the game system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a general card or a membership card, it transmits the card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. The card insertion notification data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-unit card processing machine 10, an address that identifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 as the sender, or arbitrary identification data, and the inter-unit card processing machine. Includes data for identifying rates of 10.

When the card management device 40 receives the card insertion notification data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 transfers the number of balls held at each rate associated with the card ID in the card insertion notification data to the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Notice.

The inter-unit card processing machine 10 stores the number of balls held from the card management device 40. Then, the card ID, the data for specifying the rate, and the ball subtraction request data indicating that the number of balls held is cleared to zero are transmitted to the card management device 40. When the card management device 40 receives the ball subtraction request data, the card management device 40 clears the number of balls held at each rate specified by the card ID to zero. Further, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts the ball holding replay operation and performs the holding ball replay, the table-to-table card processing machine 10 subtracts a predetermined number from the stored number of holding balls and performs a payout process of the corresponding game ball number. .. Here, in the case where the inter-unit card processing machine 10 has a number of balls held other than the rate of its own machine, replay of the balls held using the number of balls held other than the rate of its own machine is permitted. If it is set, the number of balls held other than the rate of the player can be converted into the number of balls held at the rate of the player and the ball can be replayed according to the operation of the player. Here, assuming that the unit price per game medium of another rate is A and the unit price of the own machine's rate is B, X x (A / B) payout processing is performed by subtracting X balls of other rates. It can be performed.

When the machine-to-machine card processor 10 receives the management transition request data from the game machine 20 to transfer the management by using the playable number of the game machine 20 as the possession ball of the machine-to-machine card processor 10, the management shift. The number of games that can be played shown in the request data is added to the number of balls held by the own device. After that, when the card return operation is accepted, the inter-unit card processor 10 transmits the ball addition request data to the card management device 40. The ball addition request data includes the card ID of the card to be returned, the address specifying the inter-unit card processing machine 10 as the sender, or arbitrary identification data, and the number of balls held at each rate. ..

When the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts the card return operation, it transmits the possession ball addition request data to the card management device 40. The ball addition request data includes the card ID of the card to be returned, the address specifying the inter-unit card processing machine 10 as the sender, or arbitrary identification data, and the number of balls held at each rate. ..

When the card management device 40 receives the ball addition request data, the card management device 40 adds the number of balls included in the ball addition request data to the number of balls held at each rate associated with the card ID. After that, the inter-unit card processor 10 transmits the card ejection notification data to the card management device 40.

Next, the ball storage replay process in the game system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. After reading the card ID from the membership card or the mobile terminal that can be used as the membership card, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 transmits the card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. The card insertion notification data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-unit card processing machine 10, an address that identifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 as the sender, or arbitrary identification data, and the inter-unit card processing machine. Includes data for identifying rates of 10.

The card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data received from the inter-unit card processor 10 to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification data, the member management device 50 has a password associated with the card ID in the card insertion notification data and the number of stored balls at the rate specified by the card insertion notification data. And, the stored ball replay data including the possible number of stored ball replays is transmitted to the inter-unit card processing machine 10. The number of possible ball storage replays indicates the number of times the ball storage replay can be performed, and corresponds to the quotient obtained by dividing the number of stored balls by the number of game ball payout units in the ball storage replay. However, if an upper limit is set for the ball storage replay, this upper limit limits the number of ball storage replays that can be performed.

The inter-unit card processing machine 10 stores the received ball storage replay data, and can accept the ball storage replay operation when the number of possible ball storage replays shown in the ball storage replay data is 1 or more.

When the inter-unit card processing machine 10 first accepts the ball storage replay operation after storing the ball storage replay data, the player is requested to input a password, and the entered password is the ball storage replay data. It is determined whether or not it matches the password shown in.

When the passwords match, the inter-unit card processor 10 transmits the ball storage replay request data to the card management device 40. The ball storage replay request data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the address that identifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 that is the transmission source, or arbitrary identification data, and the inter-unit card processing. Includes data for identifying the rate of the machine 10.

The card management device 40 transmits the ball storage replay request data to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives the stored ball replay request data, the member management device 50 subtracts a predetermined value from the balance of the stored balls at the rate specified by the telegram among the stored balls associated with the card ID in the stored ball replay request data. Then, recalculate the possible number of ball storage replays. Then, the stored ball replay data including the balance after subtraction and the possible number of stored ball replays is transmitted to the inter-unit card processing machine 10.

The inter-unit card processing machine 10 updates the number of stored balls to be stored, and performs a payout process of the number of game balls corresponding to the number of payout units for the replay of the stored balls. Here, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is set to allow replay of stored balls using the number of stored balls other than the rate of the own machine when the number of stored balls other than the rate of the own machine exists. If this is the case, as in the case of replaying the ball, the number of balls stored other than the rate of the player can be converted into the number of balls stored at the rate of the player and the ball can be replayed according to the operation of the player. can. Further, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 determines whether or not the number of possible number of replays of stored balls after the update is 1 or more after the payout process. If the number of possible ball storage replays is 0, the ball storage replay operation cannot be accepted. If the number of possible ball storage replays after the update is 1 or more, the ball storage replay operation can be accepted again. It is not necessary to confirm the PIN for the second and subsequent replays of the stored balls. The password may be confirmed every time. Further, although the case where the member management device 50 subtracts the balance of the stored balls and then the inter-unit card processing machine 10 performs the game ball payout process is illustrated here, the game ball payout process is performed based on the stored ball replay request. After that, you may subtract the balance of the stored balls. This is because the number of possible ball storage replays is shown in the ball storage replay data before the ball storage replay request, and it does not happen that the balance shortage is found after the ball storage replay request is accepted.

Next, the transition from holding balls to storing balls in the closing process will be described. The card management device 40 confirms the number of balls held in the card management data at the time of closing the store, and if there is a record associated with the number of balls held larger than zero, the number of balls held in the record is combined with the card ID and the rate. Notify the member management device 50. The member management device 50 adds the number of balls held from the card management device 40 to the number of stored balls specified by the card ID and the rate. After that, the card management device 40 clears the number of balls held to zero.

Next, the appearance of the inter-table card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20. Further, although FIG. 3 shows the inter-table card processing machine 10 that accepts only banknotes, a unit for accepting coins can also be provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-table card processing machine 10 has a status display unit 11, a bill insertion slot 12a, a display operation unit 13, a card insertion slot 14a, and a holding portion 14b, and is externally connected to each stand display device 110. ing.

The status display unit 11 displays the status of the device of the inter-unit card processor 10 by lighting or blinking a lamp of a predetermined color. The bill insertion slot 12a is an insertion slot for various bills required for lending game balls. The display operation unit 13 is a device that accepts the display of operation buttons such as a touch panel type liquid crystal display and the input operation by the operation buttons.

The card insertion slot 14a is a card insertion slot owned by the player. The holding unit 14b is a portion for holding the mobile terminal used for membership registration, and when the mobile terminal is held over the holding unit 14b, data such as a unique ID (for example, IDm) of the mobile terminal is read from the mobile terminal.

The gaming machine 20 is provided with a gaming board surface, a handle 21 used for throwing the enclosed gaming ball onto the gaming board surface, and a counting button 23.

The counting button 23 subtracts the playable number of the game machine 20 and adds the corresponding number to the balls held by the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10, so that the number of balls that can be thrown is managed from the game machine 20 to the machine. It is an operation button for performing a management transition to shift to the card processing machine 10. This management shift corresponds to a counting process in which the payout game balls are counted by the inter-unit card processing machine 10 and added to the possessed balls in the open-type gaming machine in which the actual game balls are paid out by winning a prize.

Next, the configurations of the inter-table card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configurations of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the inter-table card processing machine 10 includes a bill transport unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a holding unit 14b, a communication unit 15, a game management unit 18, and a storage unit. It has 16 and a control unit 17.

The bill transport unit 12 is a transport unit that transports bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 12a to a bill storage unit (not shown) while discriminating the denomination and authenticity of the bill. The display operation unit 13 is an input / output device such as a touch panel type liquid crystal display that displays various information such as the prepaid value, the number of balls held, and the number of stored balls that can be used for ball lending, and accepts various operations such as ball lending operations. Is.

The reader / writer 14 is a device that reads a card ID from a card inserted in the card insertion slot 14a. The card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a is stored in a card storage unit (not shown) via the reader / writer 14. The holding unit 14b is an interface unit that reads various information such as a unique ID (for example, IDm) of the mobile terminal by short-range wireless communication when the mobile terminal or the like is held over, and is associated with the mobile terminal possessed by the player. It is used for replaying the number of stored balls. Further, the reader / writer 14 has a function of associating a card stored in the card storage unit with valuable values such as a ball and a prepaid value shown in the card data 16b in response to a player's return operation and issuing a new card. Also has. However, if the prepaid value shown in the card data 16b is 0 and the number of balls held is less than a certain number, the card is controlled not to be returned even if there is a return operation. This is a control for preventing a game store from losing money by discarding a card associated with a small amount of balls. As a fixed number, for example, the value obtained by multiplying the number of balls held by the lending unit price per ball can be set to be the card price or the lowest price prize in the game store, but the game is not limited to this. It can be set freely according to the store policy. In addition, when controlling not to return the card even if there is a return operation, it is possible to send the stored balls to the gaming machine 20 as the number of playable balls, but it is said that the cards cannot be returned. A display prompting replay may be displayed.

The communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication with the card management device 40 and the like via the island controller 30.

The storage unit 16 is a storage device including a hard disk device, a non-volatile memory, and the like. The storage unit 16 stores the own device state data 16a and the card data 16b.

The own device state data 16a is data indicating the state of the inter-unit card processing machine 10. The own device state data 16a includes the device ID of the inter-unit card processor and the game setting. The device ID of the inter-unit card processing machine is identification data for uniquely identifying the inter-unit card processing machine 10 in the game store. The game setting is data indicating a game type or the like set in the inter-unit card processing machine 10. When handling multiple rate game balls in a game store, "ball 1" for a 4-yen rate game ball, "ball 2" for a 2-yen rate game ball, and "ball 3" for a 1-yen rate game ball. , A game type name is set and managed for each rate, such as "ball 4" for a game ball at a 0.5 yen rate. The inter-unit card processor 10 selects a rate to be used for the game from these game types and stores it as a game setting.

The card data 16b is data related to the card being used by the player. The card data 16b includes a card ID, a prepaid value, a possession ball, a ball storage, a possible number of ball storage replays, and the like. The card ID is a card ID read by the reader / writer 14. When a card is transported from a card storage unit (not shown) to the card insertion slot 14a and the card is ejected, the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during the transport. Further, even when a card is transported from the card insertion slot 14a to a card storage unit (not shown), the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during the transport.

The game management unit 18 is a processing unit that performs processing related to authentication and communication with the game machine 20. It is desirable that the game management unit 18 be formed on a substrate different from the control unit 17. The game management unit 18 includes an authentication processing unit 18a, an authentication key management unit 18b, and a game machine state management unit 18c.

The authentication processing unit 18a authenticates the gaming machine 20 using the authentication key received from the card management device 40. If the authentication is successful, the authentication processing unit 18a transmits an operation permission to the gaming machine 20. Even if the authentication fails, the authentication processing unit 18a transmits an operation permission to the gaming machine 20 within a predetermined period from the last successful authentication, but after the predetermined period has elapsed from the last successful authentication. Does not send the operation permission to the gaming machine 20, and prohibits the use of the gaming machine 20. The authentication processing unit 18a transmits the authentication result such as the success or failure of the authentication to the card management device 40, and appropriately displays and controls the display operation unit 13.

The authentication key management unit 18b is a processing unit that manages the authentication key. The usage time is set for the authentication key, and when the cumulative operating time of the gaming machine 20 reaches the usage time of the authentication key, the authentication key becomes unusable. Specifically, the authentication key management unit 18b manages the usage time of the authentication key by using the energization time of the substrate on which the game management unit 18 is formed as the operating time of the game machine 20. When the authentication key becomes unusable, the authentication key management unit 18b acquires a new authentication key from the authentication key management center via the card management device 40, and updates the authentication key.

The gaming machine state management unit 18c is a processing unit that communicates with the gaming machine 20 and manages the state of the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20, sends a request for addition to the playable number by ball lending, and changes the number of balls from the possessed ball to the playable number by replaying the ball. Sending a management transition request, sending a request to add to the number of playable balls by replaying the stored balls, receiving game results such as the number of balls hit and the number of prizes paid out in the game machine 20, and counting the number of playable balls to the possessed balls Receive management transition request. Further, the gaming machine state management unit 18c periodically acquires the playable number of the gaming machine 20 as a reference value. The gameable number acquired by the gaming machine state management unit 18c can be displayed and controlled by the display operation unit 13 and the like. The communication between the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 may be performed by cryptographic communication using a predetermined encryption method.

The gaming machine state management unit 18c may further acquire the current playable number of the gaming machine 20, the state set for the game such as "big hit", and the operating state of the handle 21. It is desirable that the time interval for the gaming machine state management unit 18c to acquire the state of the gaming machine 20 is set shorter than the interval at which the gaming ball is fired (used) in the gaming machine 20.

The control unit 17 is a control unit that controls the entire unit-to-table card processing machine 10, and includes a data management unit 17a, a game setting processing unit 17b, and a display device control unit 17c.

When the card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits the card insertion notification data including the device ID of the own device status data 16a and the card ID of the card data 16b to the card management device 40. Further, when the data management unit 17a receives data including a valuable value (at least one of the prepaid value, the number of balls held and the number of stored balls) from the card management device 40, the data management unit 17a updates the card data 16b with the received valuable value. .. The data management unit 17a appropriately displays and controls the prepaid value, the number of balls held, and the number of stored balls shown in the card data 16b on the display operation unit 13.

Further, when the bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 12a, the data management unit 17a transmits the payment notification data including the amount of the inserted bill, the card ID, and the inter-unit card processing machine ID to the card management device 40.

Further, the data management unit 17a transmits the ball lending request data including the card ID and the device ID to the card management device 40 when the ball lending operation is performed by the player. When the ball lending permission data is received as a response to the ball lending request data, the data management unit 17a instructs the game management unit 18 to add a predetermined number of balls to the playable number of the game machine 20. Perform the payout process at.

Further, the data management unit 17a subtracts a predetermined number from the number of balls held in the card data 16b when the player performs a ball holding replay operation, and sets the corresponding number of balls in the game of the gaming machine 20. The payout process is performed by instructing the game management unit 18 to add to the possible number.

Further, when the number of possible ball storage replays shown in the card data 16b is 1 or more, the data management unit 17a can display the ball storage replay button on the display operation unit 13 and accept the ball storage replay operation. And. When the player performs the ball storage replay operation, the data management unit 17a transmits the ball storage replay request data including the card ID and the inter-unit card processing machine ID to the member management device 50. When the ball storage replay data is received as a response to the ball storage replay request data, the game is to update the number of balls stored in the card data 16b and add the number of payout units for the ball storage replay to the playable number of the gaming machine 20. The payout process is performed by instructing the management unit 18. At the time of the first ball storage replay operation, the input of the password is requested, and the ball storage replay request data is transmitted on condition that the password matches the password shown in the card data 16b.

Further, when the game management unit 18 receives the game ball transfer request from the game machine 20, the data management unit 17a adds the number of balls instructed to the game management unit 18 to the balls held by the card data 16b. Update.

Further, when the card return operation is performed by the player, the data management unit 17a transmits the ball holding ball addition request data including the card ID, the device ID, and the number of balls held to the card management device 40, and the card data 16b. After clearing the number of balls held to zero, the card ejection notification data is transmitted to the card management device 40, and the card is ejected.

The game setting processing unit 17b displays the rate corresponding to the current game type set in the game setting of the own device status data 16a to the display operation unit 13 or each unit display device 110, and displays the rate corresponding to the current game type set by the player. If the selection is set to be accepted, the selectable rate is displayed on the display operation unit 13 or each display device 110. When the player selects a desired rate, the game setting processing unit 17b updates the game setting of the own device state data 16a according to the game type corresponding to the selected rate. On the other hand, if the setting for accepting the selection of the rate by the player is not set, the selectable rate is not displayed during the game. In this case, the selectable rate is displayed on condition that the remote control operation by the employee is accepted and the authentication is performed. When the employee selects a rate, the game setting processing unit 17b updates the game setting of the own device state data 16a according to the game type corresponding to the selected rate. Further, in this case, when there is a signal instructing the selection of the game type from a higher-level device such as the card management device 40, the own device state data 16a is performed according to the instructed game type without displaying the selectable rate. Update the game settings of.

The display device control unit 17c is a processing unit that controls the display of each display device 110. The display device control unit 17c gives control rights related to the display of each display device 110 when the operation of the inter-unit card processor 10 such as communication with the card management device 40 is normal and the game is in progress. Have.

Specifically, the display device control unit 17c can display the prepaid value, the ball possession, the stored ball, and the like of the card data 16b on the display device 110 of each unit. Further, the display device control unit 17c can display the gameable number of the game machines 20 acquired via the game management unit 18 on each display device 110. Further, the display device control unit 17c can make each machine display device 110 display the display related to the effect of the gaming machine 20.

Next, the internal configuration of the gaming machine 20 will be described. The gaming machine 20 has a communication control unit 24, an effect control unit 25, a game control unit 26, and a game ball control unit 27. The communication control unit 24 is a control unit for controlling data communication with the inter-unit card processor 10. For communication with the inter-unit card processor 10, encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method may be used.

When the gaming machine 20 is started, the communication control unit 24 reads identification information from the control CPU provided in the game control unit 26 and / or the game ball control unit 27, confirms whether the identification information is appropriate, and if it is appropriate. , Communication with the inter-machine card processor 10 is established and the machine enters a standby state. When the operation permission is received from the machine-to-table card processor 10 in the standby state, the effect control unit 25, the game control unit 26, and the game ball control unit 27 are activated to enable the game.

The game control unit 26 is a control unit that controls the game by the game machine 20. Specifically, the game control unit 26 controls the launch of the game ball to the game board surface by detecting the handle operation, detects the game ball that has entered the winning opening on the game board surface, and the random number (0 to 0) by the game ball that has entered the starting opening. Among the random number values of 65535, acquisition and lottery (special symbols and ordinary symbols) of acquisition and lottery (special symbols and ordinary symbols) of big hits, small hits, and outliers assigned to each predetermined range, movable members (tulips, etc.) provided on the game board surface ), Display control of the special symbol display device provided on the game board surface, detection of abnormalities that may be fraudulent (the front frame is open, vibration detected, etc.), and notification to the host device.

A large number of obstacle nails are planted on the game board surface, and the game ball fired on the game board surface by operating the handle falls between the obstacle nails and wins a prize at the winning opening and the starting opening, or wins a prize. It is discharged to the outside of the game board surface from the out opening of the game board surface. A lottery is held when a game ball wins a prize in the starting opening, and when a big hit is made, a big hit game is performed in which a predetermined winning opening on the game board is controlled to be open multiple times, and the winning opening is won. By making it easier, a prize ball is given to the player.

Further, the jackpot includes a jackpot game with a privilege that grants a predetermined privilege game to the player after the jackpot game is completed. The jackpot game with benefits includes a probability fluctuation jackpot and a time-saving jackpot. The probability fluctuation jackpot and the time saving jackpot are to give the probability fluctuation game and the time saving game as privilege games after the jackpot, respectively. In the time-saving game, the variable time (from the start of the lottery process to the display of the result) of the normal symbol lottery (the above-mentioned opening / closing lottery of the movable member) and / or the special symbol lottery (the above-mentioned big hit lottery by winning the game ball). By shortening the time), the number of lottery per unit time is increased, and the probability of winning a big hit per unit time is increased. This privilege game may include a normal symbol probability variation that increases the winning probability of the normal symbol. The time-saving game by the time-saving jackpot ends when the number of lottery of the special symbol lottery is performed a predetermined number of times after the jackpot. The probability fluctuation game will be described later.

The game control unit 26 has a probability variation function. The probability fluctuation function controls to change (generally about 10 times) the random number range of the big hit to be used for the next lottery when the lottery result falls within the random number range specified in particular among the big hits. It is a function. In the probability fluctuation game, a special symbol lottery is performed using the changed probability. The probability fluctuation game will continue until the next big hit. Further, the probability fluctuation game and the time saving game may be given at the same time. However, in order to prevent unexpected damage to the game store, if the player acquires a certain game medium after the start of the probability fluctuation game or the time-saving game, it will be stopped (the card will be ejected once, and the prize will be exchanged or the table will be moved. It may be a process. In this case, the game machine 20 counts the number of game media acquired after the probability-variable game state is reached, and when the counted value reaches a predetermined value, the game stop control such as stopping the firing of the game ball is performed. It can be realized by.

The effect control unit 25 is a control unit that controls the effect during the game, and has an effect symbol lottery unit 25a and an effect lottery unit 25b. The effect symbol lottery unit 25a is a lottery (specifically, the display is finally displayed) of the effect symbols (designs displayed by the effect symbol display device such as the display device on the game board surface) based on the special symbol lottery in the game control unit 26. Whether to stop at 7, 7, 7 etc.).

The effect lottery unit 25b performs a lottery of the type of effect (such as when a character comes out to perform a reach effect) until the lottery result based on the effect symbol is displayed. Such an effect is set so that the effect selected for the main lottery result is different.

The effect control unit 25 stores the effect data of each effect. Further, the effect control unit 25 controls the display of the effect symbol display device, and when the effect is executed, the effect data is superimposed on the background symbol data to display the effect. In addition, when the probability fluctuates, background color data different from the normal state is set.

The game ball control unit 27 is a control unit that controls the number of games that can be played. Specifically, the number of playable numbers is stored in the playable number memory 27a, the playable number is subtracted by "1" each time a game ball is fired, and the number of prize balls given by winning is added to the playable number. .. Further, when the number of balls is notified by the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the notified number of balls is added to the playable number stored in the playable number memory 27a, and the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is notified. A confirmation signal indicating that the game has been added to the number of games that can be played is transmitted. Further, the gaming ball control unit 27 can also perform cleaning control of the gaming balls (circulating balls) enclosed in the gaming machine 20.

Further, the game ball control unit 27 periodically transmits the gameable number stored in the gameable number memory 27a to the inter-unit card processing machine 10. In this case, the game ball control unit 27 does not clear the contents of the gameable number memory 27a to zero, keeps updating the gameable number depending on the game state, and at the time of data acquisition to the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Send the number of games that can be played.

Further, the gaming machine 20 is provided with a counting button 23, and a signal indicating that the counting button 23 is pressed is input to the game ball control unit 27. The game ball control unit 27 detects the pressing operation of the counting button 23, and if the period from the rise to the fall of the detection signal is less than a certain time, a fixed number of games (for example, 100 balls per operation) can be played. A management transition request is transmitted to the inter-unit card processor 10 together with the data of. Then, the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is subtracted (invalidated) from the playable number. Further, when the pressing operation of the counting button 23 is detected and the falling is not detected for a predetermined time or more after the detection signal is raised, a fixed number of the detection signal is raised every time the detection signal is raised for a certain period of time (for example, per 5 seconds). A management transition request is transmitted to the inter-unit card processor 10 together with the data on the number of playable numbers (200 balls). Then, the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is subtracted (invalidated) from the playable number. When subtracting from the number of games that can be played, the method of decrementing the value to be subtracted from the value of 1 stored in the memory, the value stored in the memory is updated with the value after subtraction, and the value before subtraction is deleted or logical. A method of deleting and invalidating the value can be considered, but the value is not particularly limited as long as the value after subtraction can be specified.

The game control unit 26 and the game ball control unit 27 are respectively configured on separate boards. The game control board in which the game control unit 26 is configured and the game ball control board in which the game ball control unit 27 is configured each have a unique ID. The gaming machine 20 combines the ID of the gaming control board and the ID of the gaming ball control board and uses them as the gaming machine ID.

Next, an example of the data stored in the storage unit 16 of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit 16 of the inter-unit card processing machine 10.

The own device state data 16a shown in FIG. 5A shows a state in which the device ID of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is "3001" and "ball 3" is set as the game type of the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Shows.

The card data 16b shown in FIG. 5B shows a state in which the ID of the card inserted in the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is "2002". Here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, the card whose first digit is "1" is a general card, and the card whose first digit is "2" is a membership card. Further, the card data 16b indicates a state in which the prepaid value is "2000 degrees". Here, the frequency of the prepaid value is equivalent to 1 yen per frequency. Further, in the card data 16b, the number of balls held by ball 1 is "0 balls", the number of balls held by ball 2 is "0 balls", the number of balls held by ball 3 is "875 balls", and the number of balls held by ball 4 is "0 balls". It shows the state of "500 balls".

Further, in the card data 16b, the password for replaying the stored balls is "7777", the number of possible replays of the stored balls is "1", the number of stored balls of the ball 1 is "250", and the number of balls 2 is 2. It shows a state in which the number of stored balls is "0 balls", the number of stored balls of balls 3 is "50 balls", and the number of stored balls of balls 4 is "0 balls". Further, although not shown, the card management device 40 stores ON / OFF of the "lock" flag indicating the validity / invalidity of the card in addition to the possessed ball, the stored ball, and the prepaid value in association with the card ID. , When the theft of the card is discovered, it is turned on by the employee operation. These data are also included in the card data 16b and stored. Furthermore, this "lock" flag can be set for each function ("use of stored balls", "boarding", etc.). For example, only the "boarding" function is subject to "locking" at the request of the player. It can also be used to prevent erroneous operation.

Next, the configuration of each display device 110 will be described. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of each unit display device 110. As shown in FIG. 6, each display device 110 includes a communication unit 111, a control unit 112, a display unit 113, an operation unit 114, and a storage unit 115.

The communication unit 111 is an interface for data communication with the inter-unit card processor 10 and the display data server device 100. The display unit 113 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and the operation unit 114 is an operation device such as a touch panel, keys, and switches. A touch panel display can also be obtained by combining the liquid crystal display of the display unit 113 and the touch panel of the operation unit 114. The storage unit 115 is a storage device such as a non-volatile memory, and stores the display data 115a.

The control unit 112 controls the entire display device 110 for each unit. Specifically, when the control unit 112 receives the display data from the display data server device 100, the control unit 112 stores the display data as the display data 115a in the storage unit 115.

Further, the control unit 112 executes the display output by the display unit 113. Specifically, when the operation of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 such as communication with the card management device 40 is normal and the game is in progress, the control unit 112 controls the display by the inter-unit card processing machine 10. In response to this, the display output by the display unit 113 is executed. In the display output based on the display control by the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10, the prepaid value, the balls held, the stored balls, the number of possible games, and the like are displayed, and the display related to the production of the game machine 20 is performed. Here, the display related to the effect of the gaming machine 20 assists the effect of the gaming machine 20, for example, and the corresponding display data 115a is read out and used.

On the other hand, if there is an abnormality in the operation of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 such as communication with the card management device 40, or if there is an empty state during the game, the control unit 112 controls the display by the display data server device 100. In response to this, the display output by the display unit 113 can be executed. In the display output based on the display control by the display data server device 100, the display data appropriately received from the display data server device 100 is used.

For example, when there is an abnormality in the operation of the inter-unit card processor 10, display data notifying the occurrence of the abnormality and display data notifying the coping method may be received from the display data server device 100 and displayed / output. can. Further, in the case of a free state, display data for effect utilizing the free state can be received from the display data server device 100 and displayed and output. The effect utilizing the vacant state may be an effect in which a plurality of display devices 110 are interlocked with each other.

Next, the configuration of the display data server device 100 will be described. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the display data server device 100. As shown in FIG. 7, the display data server device 100 includes a display unit 101, an input unit 102, a communication unit 103, a storage unit 104, and a control unit 105.

The display unit 101 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device. The input unit 102 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The communication unit 103 is an interface for data communication with other devices. Specifically, the communication unit 103 performs data communication with each display device 110 and the card management device 40.

The storage unit 104 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a non-volatile memory, and stores display data 104a to be transmitted to each display device 110.

The control unit 105 is a control unit that controls the entire display data server device 100, and includes a state determination unit 105a, a data transmission control unit 105b, and a display device control unit 105c. Actually, by storing the programs corresponding to these functional units in a ROM or non-volatile memory (not shown), loading these programs into the CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executing the programs, the state determination unit 105a, The data transmission control unit 105b and the display device control unit 105c are to execute the corresponding processes.

The state determination unit 105a is a processing unit that determines the state of the card management device 40, the inter-unit card processing machine 10, each unit display device 110, and the like. Specifically, the state determination unit 105a communicates with the card management device 40 and inquires whether or not the communication between the card management device 40 and the inter-unit card processor 10 is normal. Further, the state determination unit 105a communicates with the card management device 40 and inquires whether or not the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is in the gaming state. Further, the state determination unit 105a determines whether or not each display device 110 needs to be updated. The state in which the display device 110 of each unit needs to be updated is when the display data is added or changed, or when the setting of the display device 110 of each unit is changed.

The data transmission control unit 105b is a processing unit that controls the transmission of data to each display device 110. Specifically, the data transmission control unit 105b needs to update the display device 110 of each unit, and when the display device 110 of each unit can be updated, the data transmission control unit 105b outputs the data for update to the display device 110 of each unit. Send. For example, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is playing a game, the display data cannot be updated, and the data waits until it can be updated. In addition, the conditions for determining that the settings can be updated may differ depending on the content of the update, such as allowing the settings to be updated only after the end of business hours.

The display device control unit 105c is a processing unit that controls the display of each display device 110. When the display device control unit 17c detects an abnormality in the operation of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 such as communication with the card management device 40, or when it is in a vacant state during non-game, the display device control unit 17c displays on each unit display device 110. Has such control rights.

Specifically, the display device control unit 105c transmits display data according to the state of the inter-unit card processing machine 10, and causes each unit display device 110 to display the display data. For example, when there is an abnormality in the operation of the inter-unit card processing machine 10, display data for notifying the occurrence of the abnormality and display data for notifying the coping method are transmitted to each unit display device 110 and displayed. Further, in the case of a vacant state, display data for an effect utilizing the vacant state is transmitted to each display device 110 and displayed. If a plurality of inter-unit card processing machines 10 installed in close proximity to each other are in an empty state, it is possible to perform an effect by interlocking the corresponding plurality of each unit display device 110.

Next, the processing procedure of the display control by the display data server device 100 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of display control by the display data server device 100. First, the state determination unit 105a of the display data server device 100 determines the states of the card management device 40, the inter-unit card processing machine 10, each unit display device 110, and the like (step S101).

As a result of the determination, if an abnormality is detected in the communication between the card management device 40 and the inter-unit card processor 10 (step S102; No), the display device control unit 105c causes a communication abnormality with respect to each unit display device 110. The corresponding display control, that is, the display control for offline is executed (step S104), and the process is terminated.

As a result of the determination, if the communication between the card management device 40 and the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is normal (step S102; Yes) and the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is in an empty state (step S103; No), the display is displayed. The device control unit 105c executes display control corresponding to the vacant state, that is, display control for vacant units (step S105) for each unit display device 110, and ends the process.

If the communication between the card management device 40 and the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is normal (step S102; Yes), and the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is in the gaming state (step S103; Yes), the display device control The process ends without performing display control of each display device 110 by unit 105c. That is, in this case, the inter-unit card processor 10 controls the display of each unit display device 110.

Next, the update processing procedure by the display data server device 100 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an update processing procedure by the display data server device 100. First, the state determination unit 105a of the display data server device 100 determines whether or not each display device 110 needs to be updated (step S201).

As a result of the determination, if the update is not necessary (step S202; No), the process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the update is necessary (step S202; Yes), the state determination unit 105a determines whether or not the update is possible from the state of each display device 110 (step S203). If each display device is not in an updatable state (step S204; No), the process proceeds to step S203 to determine the state and waits until the state can be updated.

If each unit display device 110 is in an updatable state (step S204; Yes), the data transmission control unit 105b transmits update data to each unit display device 110 (step S205), and ends the process.

In this way, the display data server device 100 can wait for data transmission according to the state of each display device 110. Regarding the transmission of data to the display data server device 100 and the change of settings, the process waits according to the state of the display data server device 100. Specifically, when the card management device 40 changes the settings related to the display control of each display device 110 with respect to the display data server device 100, the card management device 40 changes the state of the display data server device 100. judge. If the display data server device 100 performs display control or update of each display device 110, the card management device 40 waits until the display control or update by the display data server device 100 is completed, and then displays. Execute the setting change of the data server device 100.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the display data server device 100 provides the inter-unit card processing machine 10 with display data for each unit display device 110, and each unit display device 110 is connected to the inter-unit card processing machine 10. The display data is displayed and output based on the display control of the above, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the display data server device 100 is configured to control the display of each display device 110. It is possible to appropriately control each connected display device 110 and realize effective use of the display by each display device 110.

Further, the display data server device 100 determines the communication state between the card management device 40 and the inter-unit card processing machine 10, and controls the display of each unit display device 110 when an abnormality is detected in the communication state. Each unit display device 110 can be used for notifying the occurrence of an abnormality and supporting recovery.

Further, the display data server device 100 determines whether the display data of each display device can be updated from the state of the card management device 40, waits until the display data can be updated, and updates the display data. Can be updated appropriately.

Further, since the card management device 40 sets the display of each display device 110 according to the state of the display data server device 100, the setting of the display data server device 100 can be appropriately updated.

Further, the display data server device 100 controls the display of each unit display device 110 on the condition that the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is not used by the player, so that each unit display device is in an empty state. 110 can be effectively used.

Further, when the display output is performed based on the display control from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, each unit display device 110 uses the display data received and stored in advance from the display data server device 100, so that the game can be played. The communication load inside can be reduced.

The display data in the above-described embodiment is, for example, data of the image itself displayed on the screen. It is also possible to provide a program for generating an image displayed on the screen as display data.

In the above-described embodiment, an enclosed gaming machine that plays a game using an enclosed gaming medium has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be applied to open-type gaming machines that accept input and pay out prize balls.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the game ball is used as the game medium has been described as an example, but it can also be applied to the case where a medal for a slot machine is used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the detailed description of the form of the card which is the medium for associating the number of game media is omitted, but the card includes a magnetic card, an IC card, and the like. Further, although the "card" has been described as an example here for convenience of explanation, the present invention can be applied when a chip, a stick, a mobile terminal, or the like is used in addition to the card.

Further, each of the illustrated configurations is a schematic function, and does not necessarily have to be physically illustrated. That is, the form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or part of them may be functionally or physically distributed / integrated in any unit according to various loads and usage conditions. Can be configured.

For example, an integrated management server having both a function of the card management device 40 and a function of the member management device 50 may be provided.

As described above, the game management system and the game management method according to the present invention are suitable for appropriately controlling each unit display device connected to each unit display device and effectively using the display by each unit display device. ..

10 Card processing machine 11 Status display unit 12 Bill carrier 12a Bill insertion slot 13 Display operation unit 14 Reader / writer 14a Card insertion slot 14b Holding section 15, 111, 103 Communication section 16, 104, 115 Storage section 16a Own device status Data 16b Card data 17, 112 Control unit 17a Data management unit 17b Game setting processing unit 17c, 105c Display device control unit 18 Game management unit 18a Authentication processing unit 18b Authentication key management unit 18c Game machine status management unit 20 Game machine 21 Handle 23 Count button 24 Communication control unit 25 Production control unit 25a Production design lottery unit 25b Production lottery unit 26 Game control unit 27 Game ball control unit 27a Gameable number memory 30 Island controller 40 Card management device 50 Member management device 60 Prize management device 80 Settlement Machine 100 Display data server device 101, 113 Display unit 102 Input unit 104a, 115a Display data 105a Status determination unit 105b Data transmission control unit 110 Each unit display device 114 Operation unit

Claims (8)

A machine that is installed in a gaming machine that plays a game using a gaming medium and that performs processing related to the gaming medium, and a device for each machine.
Each unit display device that is connected to the unit unit device and outputs a display based on the display control from the unit unit device,
It is provided with a display data server device that is connected to each of the display devices and provides display data used for the display output.
The display data server device is a game management system characterized in that the display control of each display device is performed when a predetermined condition is satisfied. A management device that is connected to each of the above-mentioned units and manages information related to the game medium is further provided.
The claim is characterized in that the display data server device determines the communication state between the management device and each of the units, and controls the display of each of the display devices when an abnormality is detected in the communication state. The game management system according to 1. The game management system according to claim 2, wherein the display data server device executes a process of updating the display data of each display device according to the state of the management device. The game management system according to claim 2, wherein the management device sets the display of each display device according to the state of the display data server device. The display data server device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the display data server device controls the display of the display devices on the condition that the devices are not used by the player. Game management system. The claim is characterized in that each of the display devices uses display data received and stored in advance from the display data server device when performing display output based on display control from each of the display devices. The game management system according to any one of 1 to 5. The game management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the gaming machine is an enclosed gaming machine that plays a game using an enclosed gaming medium. It is attached to a game machine that plays a game using a game medium, and is connected to each machine device that performs processing related to the game medium, each machine display device connected to each machine device, and each machine display device. It is a game management method in a game management system having a display data server device.
A step in which the display data server device provides display data to each display device,
A step in which the display device of each unit performs display output of the display data based on the display control from the device of each unit.
A game management method comprising the step of determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied by the display data server device and controlling the display of each display device when the predetermined condition is satisfied. ..

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