JP7374470B2 - Game machine peripherals - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed in this specification relates to gaming machine peripheral equipment that lends out gaming media used in gaming machines.

Conventionally, at game parlors, users (players) rent game media for which one type of rental unit price has been set in advance using predetermined rental equipment, and then use the game media to play games on game machines. . On the other hand, some users desire to play games with game media with different unit prices depending on their own economic situation. For this reason, in recent gaming parlors, different gaming areas are provided for each of a plurality of types of rental unit prices, and a plurality of gaming machines are sometimes installed in each gaming area.

Such gaming parlors take unique measures to prevent gaming media with different rental unit prices from being mixed together, such as prohibiting the movement of gaming media between gaming areas with different rental unit prices. Furthermore, as in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a technique is also known in which game media having different physical properties are used for each rental unit price.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-147718

However, setting up multiple gaming areas with different rental unit prices and installing similar gaming machines in each gaming area will result in the need to install gaming machines of duplicate models in each area, which will cause problems on the gaming parlor side. It's a big burden. On the other hand, if the gaming machines installed in each gaming area are different, the gaming area where the user is staying and the rental unit price may not have the gaming machine of the type the user wants to play, and the user may feel unsatisfied. There may also be situations where you are not able to obtain it. There is a need for new technology when gaming media with different rental unit prices are used.

This specification discloses a technology that allows a user to play a game on a game machine using game media of a desired rental unit price.

The game machine peripheral device disclosed in this specification is a game machine peripheral device that lends game media used in the game machine. The game machine peripheral device includes an operation unit for a user to input an instruction, and a setting instruction related to a rental unit price of the gaming medium inputted in the operation unit, and sets the rental unit price to a first price and a first price. and a control unit that executes a setting process to set one of the plurality of prices including the price of No. 2.

The above-mentioned "gaming machine" includes any gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine. It is preferable that the above-mentioned "gaming machine peripheral equipment" be provided corresponding to one gaming machine. The above-mentioned "gaming machine peripheral equipment" includes not only the rental machine installed in correspondence with the gaming machine, but also the calling device (tabletop lamp, call push button, etc.) installed in correspondence with the gaming machine, and the gaming machine. Information collection equipment installed on each island (sand, stand unit, island unit, etc.), card unit that issues prepaid cards, etc., counting machine, information management equipment (hall computer, member server, etc.), various performances and displays It may also include various types of game hall equipment such as equipment. The above-mentioned "user" includes any user such as a player, a game parlor staff member, a game parlor manager, and the like. The above-mentioned "game media" includes, for example, pachinko balls when the game machine is a pachinko machine, medals when the game machine is a slot machine, and data representing the value that can be used for games with the game machine (for example, pachinko balls). The information may be data indicating the number of balls, the number of medals, etc.).

According to the above configuration, the gaming machine peripheral device can set the rental unit price of gaming media to a desired unit price in accordance with the setting instruction input by the user on the operation unit. That is, according to the above configuration, a user can play a game on a gaming machine using gaming media of a desired rental unit price.

The gaming machine peripheral device may further include a display section capable of displaying information. The control unit may further display unit price information indicating the set rental unit price on the display unit.

The above-mentioned "display section" includes, for example, a display provided in the rental machine. The display may be a touch panel that also functions as an operation unit. Further, the "display section" may be a display section of an information display device provided separately from the rental machine.

According to this configuration, users, game parlor staff, etc. (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "users, etc.") can grasp the currently set rental unit price by looking at the display section. It is possible to prevent a situation in which a user or the like misidentifies the currently set rental unit price.

The gaming machine peripheral device may further include a display body capable of displaying a notification in a manner corresponding to the set rental unit price. The control unit may further cause the display body to perform a notification display in a mode corresponding to the set rental unit price.

The above-mentioned "display body" may be, for example, a lamp that is visible from the end of the game parlor and that can cause a built-in LED to emit light in a plurality of ways. Further, the "display body" may be any other display body.

According to this configuration, the user or the like can grasp the currently set rental unit price by looking at the display. For example, if the display is a lamp or the like that can be seen from the edge of the game parlor, the user or the like can grasp the rental unit price without having to approach the game machine.

If the rental unit price is not specified by the user, the control unit may set a predetermined initial unit price among the plurality of prices as the rental unit price.

According to this configuration, the initial unit price can be set as the rental unit price even when the user does not specify the rental unit price, such as when no one is playing a game on the gaming machine. A game parlor manager or the like can manage rental unit prices relatively easily.

The gaming machine peripheral device accepts a card owned by the user and on which identification information for identifying the user is recorded, and further includes a card reading unit capable of reading the identification information recorded on the card. You may be prepared. When the identification information is read by the card reader, the control unit may set a user unit price associated with the read identification information among the plurality of prices as the rental unit price.

The above-mentioned "card" is, for example, a membership card issued by a game parlor to a user who has registered as a member.

According to this configuration, the user can set the user unit price associated with the identification information as the rental unit price by having the card reader read the card that the user owns and on which the identification information is recorded. Therefore, by associating the desired rental unit price with the identification information as the user unit price in advance, the user can set the desired rental unit price without giving a setting instruction or the like. The effort required by the user to input setting instructions can be reduced.

The control unit executes the setting process when the setting instruction is input by the user in a situation where there is no playable medium that is a playable game medium in the gaming machine. In the gaming machine, in a situation where the playable medium is present, the setting process may not be executed even if the setting instruction is input.

The above-mentioned "gameable media" includes gaming media that exists in a playable state on a gaming machine. For example, playable media include gaming media lent according to the set rental unit price (not limited to pachinko balls and medals, but may also be data indicating the value that can be used for gaming), and gaming media that are paid out from gaming machines. This includes game media, etc., before they are counted and recorded (that is, before they are recorded as balls on a membership card, visitor card, etc.).

If new game media with different rental unit prices are rented out while the above-mentioned playable media are present in the gaming machine, there is a risk that gaming media with different unit prices will be mixed together, which is not favorable for the gaming parlor. . In this regard, according to the above configuration, in a situation where playable media exist, even if a setting instruction is input, the control unit does not perform the setting process. Therefore, if playable media exist, the rental unit price is not changed based on the user's setting instructions. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which game media having different unit prices are mixed together. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the gaming machine peripheral device can change the rental unit price based on the user's setting instruction at an appropriate timing.

In the gaming machine, the control unit executes the setting process when the setting instruction is input by the user in a situation where a gaming state of the gaming machine is not advantageous to the user; In a gaming machine, in a situation where a gaming state of the gaming machine is advantageous to the user, the setting process may not be executed even if the setting instruction is input.
The above-mentioned "states that are not advantageous to the user" are conditions in which the gaming state of the gaming machine is advantageous to the user in some way, such as a special prize state, a probability variable state, a state in which a winning flag has been established internally even though it is not a special prize state or a probability variable state. This includes a state where no game content is occurring. Specifically, for example, "a state that is not advantageous for the user" includes (1) a normal state, (2) a normal state and a variable latency state in a pachinko machine, and (3) a normal state and a variable latency state in a pachinko machine. , advantageous sections in slot machines, (4) normal state and symbol variation state, (5) all states other than special prize state, probability variation state, time saving state, and symbol variation state, (6) other than special prize state and probability variation state It may be in any of the following states. On the other hand, the above-mentioned "advantageous state for the user" means that the gaming state of the gaming machine is in some way that is beneficial to the user, such as a special prize state, a probability variable state, a state in which a winning flag is established internally even though it is not a special prize state or a probability variable state. This includes a state where advantageous game content is occurring.

If the rental unit price of gaming media is changed while the gaming state of the gaming machine is advantageous for the user (e.g., special prize state, probability fluctuation state, etc.), for example, before the special prize state starts, There is a possibility that the unit price is conveniently switched depending on the gaming state of the gaming machine, such as playing a game at a low unit price and switching to a higher unit price after the special prize state has started, which is not desirable for the game parlor. In this regard, according to the above configuration, while the gaming state of the gaming machine is advantageous to the user, even if a setting instruction is input, the control unit does not perform the setting process. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation where the unit price is conveniently changed depending on the gaming state of the gaming machine. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the gaming machine peripheral device can change the rental unit price based on the user's setting instruction at an appropriate timing.

The control unit is capable of setting the rental unit price to any one of the plurality of prices during a first time period, and during a second time period different from the first time period. The rental unit price may be set to one or more of the plurality of prices excluding at least the first price.

According to this configuration, the gaming machine peripheral device can change the settable unit price depending on, for example, the day of the week or the time of day (morning, daytime, night, etc.). A game parlor manager or the like can appropriately determine settable unit prices depending on the number of visitors to the gaming parlor.

An overview of the management system 2 will be shown. The appearance of Sand 100 is schematically shown. A block diagram of a relay device 20 is shown. A flowchart of the rental unit price management process executed by the control unit 120 of the Sando 100 is shown. An example of a screen displayed on the touch panel 104 of the sand 100 is shown. An example of the flow of a rental unit price setting operation performed by Sando 100 is shown.

(First example)
(System overview; Figures 1 to 3)
The management system 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a system for managing the gaming status of each gaming machine, the rental unit price of gaming media, etc. in a gaming parlor such as a pachinko parlor. As shown in FIG. 1, the management system 2 of this embodiment includes a management device 70, an island unit (“SU” in FIG. 1) 90, a stand unit (“DU” in FIG. 1) 80, and a It includes a large number of gaming machines 10, a relay device 20 installed corresponding to each gaming machine 10, and an information display device 30 installed corresponding to each gaming machine 10. In this embodiment, the management device 70, the island unit 90, the machine unit 80, the game machine 10, the relay device 20, and the information display device 30 are all provided within the game store.

The management device 70, each island unit 90, each information display device 30, and each relay device 20 in the game store are connected to the LAN 60. Each island unit 90 is communicably connected to the corresponding platform unit 80. Further, the island units 90 within the game store are also connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other. Each unit 80 is communicably connected to a corresponding relay device 20. Further, the machine units 80 in the game parlor are also connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other. Further, each information display device 30 is also communicably connected to the corresponding relay device 20. The relay device 20 is communicably connected to the corresponding gaming machine 10.

Next, the specific configuration of each device constituting the management system 2 of this embodiment will be explained.

(Configuration of gaming machine 10)
In this embodiment, the gaming machine 10 is a pachinko machine whose gaming medium is data having value that can be used for gaming. In a modified example, the gaming machine 10 may be a slot machine whose gaming medium is data having value that can be used for gaming. In yet another example, the gaming machine 10 may be a pachinko machine that uses pachinko balls as a gaming medium, or a slot machine that uses darts as a gaming medium. In this embodiment, an example in which the gaming machine 10 is a pachinko machine whose gaming medium is data having value that can be used for gaming will be mainly explained, but the same applies to cases where the gaming machine 10 is other equipment. It is. As described above, each gaming machine 10 is communicably connected to the corresponding relay device 20. Each gaming machine 10 is assigned a gaming machine ID (for example, "P01", "P11", etc. in FIG. 1). The gaming machine ID is, for example, a machine number assigned to each gaming machine 10 at a gaming parlor. In another example, the gaming machine ID may be unique identification information for each gaming machine 10. The gaming machine ID assigned to the gaming machine 10 may be displayed directly on the gaming machine 10, or may be displayed on the corresponding information display device 30.

In this embodiment, each gaming machine 10 has a similar configuration. Each gaming machine 10 includes a control section and a memory (not shown). The control unit executes various processes according to programs stored in the memory. The memory stores various programs.

The control unit of each gaming machine 10 transmits various signals (out signal, safe signal, special prize signal, symbol change signal, door opening/closing signal, etc.) indicating the state of the machine to the relay device 20 to which the machine is connected. (See Figure 2).

The out signal is a signal indicating that the game medium is used for a game in the game machine 10. The safe signal is a signal indicating that game media have been paid out from the gaming machine 10. The special prize signal is a signal indicating that the gaming machine 10 has been switched to the special prize state or that the special prize state of the gaming machine 10 has ended. The symbol variation signal is a signal indicating that a symbol variation has been performed in the gaming machine 10. The door opening/closing signal is a signal indicating that the front door of the gaming machine 10 is opened or closed. In this embodiment, the gaming machine 10 outputs the various signals described above.

(Configuration of relay device 20)
In this embodiment, the relay device 20 is composed of one or more devices including the sand 100 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In addition to the sand 100, the relay device 20 may include a relay device (not shown) that relays communication between the gaming machine 10 and the information display device 30. As described above, the relay device 20 is provided at a position to relay between the gaming machine 10 and the information display device 30, and at a position to relay between the gaming machine 10 and the machine unit 80, , and are communicatively connected to the stand unit 80. Each relay device 20 is also given the same gaming machine ID (“P01”, “P11”, etc.) as the gaming machine ID of the corresponding gaming machine 10.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sand 100 includes a touch panel 104, a card processing section 106, a banknote processing section 108, a notification lamp 110, a communication interface 112, a control section 120, and a memory 122. Be prepared. Of these, the touch panel 104, the card processing section 106, the banknote processing section 108, and the notification lamp 110 are provided in a manner that can be visually recognized from the outside of the housing. The communication interface 112, the control unit 120, and the memory 122 are provided in such a manner that they are not visible from outside the housing. In the following, the interface will be referred to as "I/F". Note that in the examples of FIGS. 2 and 3, devices other than the Sando 100 in the relay device 20 are not shown; however, as described above, the relay device 20 includes relay devices other than the Sando 100. You can stay there.

The touch panel 104 functions both as a display unit (display) for displaying various information and as an operation unit that allows the user to input various instructions to the sand 100 by touching the display. . In a modified example, instead of the touch panel 104, a display section and an operation section may be provided separately.

For example, the user operates the touch panel 104 to lend game media (data having value that can be used for games). Generally, Sando 100 lends out a fixed amount (for example, 500 yen worth) of game media when a user performs one lending operation. The lent game media are held in the gaming machine 10 in a state where they can be played on the gaming machine 10. Hereinafter, game media that is lent and exists in a playable state on the gaming machine 10 may be referred to as "playable media."

The number of gaming media lent out in one lending operation varies depending on the rental unit price of the gaming media. For example, in the case of game media, the rental unit price is often 4 yen, 2 yen, 1 yen, or 0.5 yen. For example, if the rental unit price is 4 yen, the number of game media (e.g., the number corresponding to virtual pachinko balls) that can be lent in one rental operation is 125. In the case of 1 yen, it is equivalent to 500 pieces. In a modified example, if the rental unit price is small, the amount lent out in one rental operation can be reduced (for example, if the rental unit price is 1 yen, one rental operation will yield 200 yen worth of game media). (In other words, 200 items may be set to be lent).

The above-mentioned rental unit price is set in advance to Sando 100 as an initial unit price (for example, 1 yen), but in the process in which the control unit 120 of Sando 100 executes the rental unit price management process (see FIG. 4) described later. However, the unit price may be changed to another price. In this embodiment, the sand 100 can be rented out according to the rental unit price that is set at the time the rental operation is performed, out of a plurality of rental unit prices (for example, 4 yen and 1 yen).

The card processing unit 106 executes various processes related to visitor cards, such as ejecting, reading, and collecting visitor cards, and various processes related to membership cards, such as issuing, ejecting, reading, and collecting member cards.

The visitor card is an information recording card stored in advance in the sandwich. For example, when a user who is a visitor (i.e., a user who is not a member) wishes to end a game on the gaming machine 10, he performs a predetermined card ejection operation, and the remaining playable media are counted and The number of balls held is recorded on the visitor card and ejected from the card processing section 106. When there is a remaining money in the sand 100 (the amount that is not used for renting game media out of the amount corresponding to the inserted banknotes), information indicating the remaining money is also recorded on the visitor card. However, in a modified example, information regarding the number of balls and balance may also be managed by the management device 70, and only the card ID may be recorded on the visitor card.

On the other hand, a membership card is a card issued when a user operates a touch panel and performs a predetermined membership registration process. In this embodiment, identification information (specifically, a member ID) for identifying a user who is a member is recorded on the membership card. In addition, information regarding the number of balls held and remaining balance is also recorded on the membership card, similar to the visitor card. The management device 70 stores and manages various information such as information regarding the accumulated balls of the user who is a member and other information regarding the user (personal information such as age, gender, address, etc.) in association with the identification information of the member. There is. Furthermore, the management device 70 also stores information indicating a user unit price, which is a rental unit price desired by a user who is a member, and which is specified in advance by the user who is a member, in association with the member ID. The user unit price may be rephrased as a default setting unit price for each member user. In this embodiment, only the minimum information such as a member ID is recorded on the membership card in order to prevent information leakage in case of loss, but the management device 70 records various information regarding the member in association with the member ID. are stored and managed.

The banknote processing unit 108 receives banknotes inserted by the user and executes various processes. Note that in a modified example in which the sandwich 100 has a cashless payment function or the like, the banknote processing unit 108 may be omitted.

The notification lamp 110 is an LED lamp that emits light in a light emission mode (for example, a light emission color) according to the rental unit price currently set for the sand 100. The notification lamp 110 is provided at a position where it can be seen even from a position away from the game machine 10, such as the top of the housing of the sand 100, such as the end of an island in the game store.

The communication I/F 112 is an I/F for communicating with the corresponding gaming machine 10, information display device 30, and machine unit 80. Furthermore, the communication I/F 112 is also connected to the LAN 60. The control unit 120 of the sandbox 100 can also communicate directly with the management device 70 via the LAN 60.

The control unit 120 executes various processes according to a program (not shown) stored in the memory 122 (see FIG. 4). Further, the control section 120 transmits signals (deposit signal and rental signal) and card information (visitor card ID, member ID, etc.) to the stand unit 80 to which the control section 120 is connected. The memory 122 is composed of ROM, RAM, etc., and stores various programs. The memory 122 also includes a storage area for storing information obtained when the control unit 120 executes processing. In this embodiment, the memory 122 also stores information indicating the currently set rental unit price (for example, either 1 yen or 4 yen).

(Configuration of information display device 30)
The information display device 30 is a device provided for displaying information on the gaming machine 10. The information display device 30 may also be referred to as a "call lamp." The information display device 30 includes a display section 32, an operation section 34, and a control section 36. Although not shown, the information display device 30 further includes a speaker, a light emitting unit, etc. for calling operations.

The display unit 32 is a display (for example, a liquid crystal display) for displaying various information. The display section 32 is provided on the front of the casing of the information display device 30. For example, the display unit 32 can display graphs and tables showing information indicating the status of games being played on the gaming machine 10, information on gaming results of the gaming machine 10 in a predetermined period in the past, and the like.

The operation unit 34 includes a plurality of buttons including a normal call button, a service call button, and the like. A player playing a game on the gaming machine 10 can input various instructions to the information display device 30 by operating buttons. The normal call button is a button operated by a player who is playing a game on the game machine 10 in order to call an attendant at the game parlor for reasons related to the game (for example, running out of balls or trouble with the game machine 10). The service call button is a button operated by a player playing a game on the gaming machine 10 in order to call an attendant at the gaming parlor for services unrelated to the game (for example, drinks, towels, etc.).

The control unit 36 is a controller that is electrically connected to the display unit 32, the operation unit 34, etc., and controls each of these elements. The control unit 36 executes various processes according to pre-stored programs. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 36 is built into the housing.

(Configuration of stand unit 80)
The machine unit 80 is an information processing device that is provided one for each of the plurality of gaming machines 10. Each unit 80 includes a control section and a memory (not shown). The control unit executes various processes according to programs stored in the memory. The memory stores various programs. As described above, the machine unit 80 is communicably connected to the relay device 20 corresponding to each of the four corresponding gaming machines 10. Note that in FIG. 1, only one of the four game machines 10 corresponding to one machine unit 80 is illustrated. The control unit of the machine unit 80 acquires various signals (for example, player information, card information, deposit signal, lending signal, etc.) output from the relay device 20 corresponding to each of the four corresponding gaming machines 10. , to the corresponding island unit 90.

(Configuration of island unit 90)
The island unit 90 of this embodiment is an information processing device provided on a corresponding island. Each island unit 90 includes a control section and a memory (not shown). The control unit executes various processes according to programs stored in the memory. The memory stores various programs. The control section of the island unit 90 acquires various signals from the stand unit 80 and transmits the acquired various signals to the management device 70.

(Configuration of management device 70)
The management device 70 is a management server installed at a game parlor. As described above, the management device 70 manages various information within the gaming parlor. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the management device 70 is configured to be divided into a hall computer, a member server, a ball storage server, and a ball holding server. The hall computer, member server, ball storage server, and ball holding server can communicate with each other. In this specification, a detailed explanation of each device including the hall computer, member server, ball storage server, and ball holding server will be omitted. Furthermore, the management device 70 stores and manages various signals output by each gaming machine 10 and relay device 20 in the gaming parlor for each gaming machine ID.

(Transmission path of signals and information between each device of management system 2)
Next, the signal transmission paths between each device of the management system 2 will be explained. The control unit of the gaming machine 10 outputs various signals (out signal, safe signal, special prize signal, symbol change signal, etc.) according to changes in the situation of the gaming machine 10 (for example, progress of the game, opening and closing of the door, changes in settings, etc.). , door opening/closing signal, setting change signal, etc.) are transmitted to the relay device 20.

The control unit of the relay device 20 (specifically, the control unit 120 of the sand 100) receives various signals (out signal, safe signal, special prize signal, symbol change signal, door opening/closing signal, setting change signal, etc.) received from the gaming machine 10. ) is transmitted to the information display device 30 at a predetermined timing. Further, the control unit of the relay device 20 also transmits unit price information indicating the rental unit price currently set in the sand 100 to the information display device 30. Thereby, the information display device 30 can display various information on the display unit 32, such as information regarding the operating status of the corresponding gaming machine 10 and the unit price being set, based on various signals received from the gaming machine 10. . Further, the control unit of the relay device 20 sends various signals (specifically, sends a deposit signal, lending signal, etc.) and/or various card information (visitor card ID, member ID, etc.) to the information display device 30.

The control unit of the information display device 30 receives various signals (out signal, safe signal, special prize signal, symbol change signal, door opening/closing signal, setting change signal, deposit signal, lending signal, etc.) received from the relay device 20, unit price, etc. The information and various card information (visitor card ID, member ID, etc.) may be transmitted to the management device 70 via the LAN 60 at a predetermined timing. Note that in the modification, the control unit of the information display device 30 does not need to transmit various signals and information received from the relay device 20 to the management device 70.

On the other hand, the control unit of the relay device 20 (specifically, the control unit 120 of the sand 100) receives various signals (out signal, safe signal, special prize signal, symbol fluctuation signal, door opening/closing signal, setting change signal, etc.) from the gaming machine 10. signals, etc.) are also transmitted to the corresponding platform unit 80 at a predetermined timing. Further, the control unit of the relay device 20 transmits unit price information indicating the rental unit price currently set in the sand 100 to the corresponding stand unit 80. Further, the control unit of the relay device 20 sends various signals (specifically, sends a deposit signal, rental signal, etc.) and/or various card information (visitor card ID, member ID, etc.) to the corresponding stand unit 80. That is, the control section of the relay device 20 also transmits signals, information, etc. similar to those transmitted to the information display device 30 to the stand unit 80.

The control section of the machine unit 80 receives various signals from the corresponding relay device 20 (i.e., various signals originating from the gaming machine 10 (out signal, safe signal, special prize signal, symbol change signal, door opening/closing signal, setting change signal, etc.) ), various signals (deposit signal, lending signal, etc.) derived from operations on the relay device 20, and various card information are transmitted to the corresponding island unit 90 at predetermined timing.

The control section of the island unit 90 transmits various signals and various card information received from the corresponding platform unit 80 to the management device 70 via the LAN 60 at predetermined timing.

Further, the control unit of the relay device 20 directly sends some or all of the above-mentioned various signals, unit price information, and various card information transmitted to the corresponding stand unit 80 to the management device 70 via the LAN 60. You can also send it.

When the control unit of the management device 70 receives various signals, unit price information, and various card information from the corresponding island unit 90 (or directly from the relay device 20), the control section of the management device 70 receives the various signals, unit price information, and various card information from the corresponding island unit 90 (or directly from the relay device 20). , the gaming machine ID (for example, machine number) indicating the gaming machine 10 or the relay device 20 that is the output source is specified, and the received various information is stored in the memory for each specified gaming machine ID.

(Rental unit price management process; Figure 4, Figure 5)
As described above, in this embodiment, Sando 100 sets the rental unit price of the game medium to one of a plurality of unit prices (for example, 4 yen and 1 yen), and then performs the rental operation on touch panel 104. be able to. The rental unit price management process executed by the control unit 120 of the Sando 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the rental unit price management process executed by the control unit 120 of the Sando 100. When the sand 100 is powered on, the control unit 120 starts the rental unit price management process shown in FIG. 4 . At this point, the control unit 120 sets the rental unit price to an initial unit price predetermined by the gaming parlor manager. Note that at this point, there is no playable media (i.e., game media that exists in a playable state) in the gaming machine 10, and the gaming state in the gaming machine 10 is not advantageous for the user (i.e., there is no special prize). This is a state in which some kind of advantageous game content for the user does not occur, such as a state in which a winning flag is internally established although it is not a special prize state or a probability variable state. When the rental unit price management process is started, the control unit 120 starts monitoring each of S10, S20, and S30. At this time, the control unit 120 can cause the touch panel 104 to display a current unit price display screen 200 as shown in FIG. 5(a). As shown in FIG. 5(a), the current unit price display screen 200 includes a current unit price display section 202 that displays the current unit price (1 yen in the example shown), and a current unit price display section 202 that displays the current unit price (1 yen in the example shown in the figure), and a current unit price display section 202 that allows the user to change the rental unit price. A start button 204 is displayed.

In S10, the control unit 120 monitors whether a setting instruction is input by the user. The user can input predetermined setting instructions by operating the touch panel 104 while the current unit price display screen 200 (see FIG. 5(a)) is displayed on the touch panel 104. Specifically, first, the user operates the change start button 204 on the current unit price display screen 200. When the change start button 204 is operated, the control unit 120 displays a unit price selection screen 210 as shown in FIG. 5(b) instead of the current unit price display screen 200. As shown in FIG. 5B, the unit price selection screen 210 includes a message 212 prompting the user to select the desired rental unit price, and unit price buttons 214 and 216 indicating unit prices that can be set at this point. and, including. In the example of FIG. 5, the unit price button 214 corresponds to "1 yen" and the unit price button 216 corresponds to "4 yen". In other examples, unit price buttons corresponding to unit prices other than these may be displayed, or unit price buttons corresponding to three or more different unit prices may be displayed. The user can operate a unit price button corresponding to a desired rental unit price while unit price selection screen 210 is displayed. When the unit price button is operated on the unit price selection screen 210, the control unit 120 determines YES in S10, and proceeds to S12. That is, the "setting operation" monitored in S10 includes both the operation of the change start button 204 on the current unit price display screen 200 and the operation of the desired unit price button on the unit price selection screen 210. In the modified example, if the user inserts a banknote into the banknote processing unit 108 before operating the change start button 204 on the current unit price display screen 200, the control unit 120 automatically The unit price selection screen 210 may be displayed on the touch panel 104.

In S12, the control unit 120 determines whether or not there is no playable medium in the gaming machine 10 at this point. The control unit 120 can check whether there is any playable medium by any means such as communicating with the gaming machine 10 or photographing the gaming machine 10. If no playable medium exists in the gaming machine 10 at this point, the control unit 120 determines YES in S12 and proceeds to S14. On the other hand, if playable media is present in the gaming machine 10 at this point, the control unit 120 determines NO in S12 and proceeds to S18.

In S14, the control unit 120 determines whether or not the gaming state of the gaming machine 10 is not advantageous for the user at this point. The control unit 120 can check the current gaming state of the gaming machine 10 based on the signal output from the gaming machine 10. If the gaming state at this point is not advantageous, the control unit 120 determines YES in S14, and proceeds to S16. On the other hand, if the gaming state at this point is advantageous for the user (for example, a special prize state, a probability fluctuation state, a state in which a winning flag is established internally, etc.), the control unit 120 determines NO in S14, and in S18 Proceed to.

In S16, the control unit 120 sets the rental unit price to the unit price specified by the user at the time of the setting instruction. That is, if the unit price specified at the time of the setting instruction is different from the current unit price, the control unit 120 changes the rental unit price to the unit price specified at the time of the setting instruction at S16. On the other hand, if the unit price specified at the time of the setting instruction is the same as the current unit price, the control unit 120 maintains the rental unit price as the current unit price in S16. The control unit 120 causes the memory 122 to store the newly set rental unit price. Then, the control unit 120 causes the touch panel 104 to display the current unit price display screen 200 (see (a) in FIG. 5) based on the newly set rental unit price. After completing S16, the control unit 120 returns to monitoring S10, S20, and S30.

On the other hand, in S18, the control unit 120 executes predetermined error processing. In this case, the control unit 120 does not set the rental unit price to the unit price specified at the time of the setting instruction (that is, does not change it). In this case, the control unit 120 causes the touch panel 104 to display an error screen 220 as shown in FIG. 5(c). As shown in FIG. 5C, the error screen 220 includes a message 222 indicating that the rental unit price cannot be changed at present, and an OK button 224. The user can operate the OK button 224 after confirming the message 222. When the OK button 224 is operated, the control unit 120 displays the current unit price display screen 200 (see (a) in FIG. 5) again. After completing S18, the control unit 120 returns to monitoring S10, S20, and S30.

In S20, the control unit 120 monitors whether the membership card is read. A user who is a member can insert his or her own membership card into the card processing unit 106 and have it read. If the card processing unit 106 reads the membership card and reads the member ID (identification information) of the member (user) from the membership card, the control unit 120 determines YES in S20 and proceeds to S22.

In S22, the control unit 120 determines whether or not there is no playable medium in the gaming machine 10 at this point. The contents of the process in S22 are the same as in S12. If YES is determined in S22, the control unit 120 proceeds to S24. If the determination in S22 is NO, the control unit 120 proceeds to S28.

In S24, the control unit 120 determines whether or not the gaming state of the gaming machine 10 is not advantageous for the user at this point. The contents of the process in S24 are the same as in S14. If YES is determined in S24, the control unit 120 proceeds to S26. If the determination in S24 is NO, the control unit 120 proceeds to S28.

In S26, the control unit 120 sets the rental unit price to the user unit price associated with the member ID. As described above, the user unit price is stored in the management device 70 in association with the member ID of the member. The control unit 120 communicates with the management device 70 via the stand unit 80 and the island unit 90 to determine the user unit price (i.e., the default setting for the member) corresponding to the member ID of the member card read in S20. information indicating the unit price) is acquired from the management device 70. That is, if the user unit price is different from the current unit price, the control unit 120 changes the rental unit price to the user unit price in S26. On the other hand, if the user unit price is the same as the current unit price, the control unit 120 maintains the rental unit price as the current unit price in S26. The control unit 120 causes the memory 122 to store the newly set rental unit price. Then, the control unit 120 causes the touch panel 104 to display the current unit price display screen 200 (see (a) in FIG. 5) based on the newly set rental unit price. After completing S26, the control unit 120 returns to monitoring S10, S20, and S30.

On the other hand, in S28, the control unit 120 executes predetermined error processing. The contents of the process in S28 are the same as in S18. After finishing S28, the control unit 120 returns to monitoring S10, S20, and S30 again.

In S30, the control unit 120 monitors whether a card (visitor card or membership card) is ejected from the card processing unit 106. If the user is a visitor and, for example, wishes to end a game on the gaming machine 10 and performs a predetermined card ejection operation, the remaining playable media will be counted and the number will be recorded on the visitor card as a player's possession. The information is recorded and ejected from the card processing unit 106. At this time, the number of balls held is recorded in association with the applied rental unit price. Additionally, if there is a balance, information indicating the balance is also recorded on the visitor card. In addition, even if the user is a member, when the user wishes to end the game and performs a predetermined card ejection operation, the remaining game balls are counted and the number is recorded on the member card as the number of balls held. The card is discharged from the card processing unit 106. At this time, the number of balls held is recorded in association with the applied rental unit price. If there is a balance, information indicating the balance is also recorded on the membership card. That is, there are no game balls in the gaming machine 10 at the time the cards are ejected. When the card is ejected from the card processing unit 106, the control unit 120 determines YES in S30, and proceeds to S32.

In S32, the control unit 120 determines whether or not the gaming state of the gaming machine 10 is not advantageous for the user at this point. The contents of the process in S32 are the same as those in S14 and S24. If YES is determined in S32, the control unit 120 proceeds to S34. If the determination in S32 is NO, the control unit 120 skips S34 and returns to monitoring S10, S20, and S30. That is, if it is determined NO in S32, the gaming state in the gaming machine 10 at the time of card ejection is not an unfavorable state (that is, an advantageous state). In this case, the rental unit price is not changed at least until the gaming state returns to a non-advantageous state. For example, the gaming machine 10 may play at a low unit price before the special prize state starts, and after the special prize state starts, eject cards and switch to a higher unit price, depending on the gaming state of the gaming machine 10. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the unit price is conveniently switched.

In S34, the control unit 120 returns the rental unit price to the initial unit price. The control unit 120 causes the memory 122 to store the initial unit price. Then, the control unit 120 causes the touch panel 104 to display a current unit price display screen 200 (see (a) in FIG. 5) based on the initial unit price. After finishing S32, the control unit 120 returns to monitoring S10, S20, and S30 again.

The rental unit price management process has been described above. The control unit 120 repeatedly executes the processes of S10 to S34 while the power is on.

(Specific example; Figure 6)
Next, with reference to FIG. 6, when the user plays a series of games with the gaming machine 10, an example of the operation of setting the rental unit price policy performed by the sand 100 provided in association with the gaming machine 10 will be explained. do. Note that in the example of FIG. 6, various operations performed by the control unit 120 of the sand 100 may be simply described as operations of the sand 100. Furthermore, the various rental unit prices (initial unit price, user unit price, unit price set based on setting instructions, etc.) explained in the example of FIG. 6 are just examples, and unit prices other than these may actually be used. .

The time point S100 is immediately after the store opens. At this point, Sando 100 is in an initial state in which the power has been turned on after opening the store and no game has been played on gaming machine 10 since then. At this point, the gaming state of the gaming machine 10 is a normal state (that is, a state that is not advantageous to the user), and there is no playable medium in the gaming machine 10. At this point, Sando 100 sets the rental unit price to the initial unit price of 1 yen.

After that, in S110, a user who is a member comes to the store and comes in front of the gaming machine 10. When the user inserts the membership card into the card processing unit 106 of the sandwich 100, the card processing unit 106 reads the user's membership ID recorded on the membership card (YES in S20 of FIG. 4). Even at this point, the gaming state of the gaming machine 10 is the normal state (a state that is not advantageous to the user), and there is no playable medium in the gaming machine 10 (YES in S22 and S24). Therefore, Sando 100 sets the rental unit price to 4 yen, which is the user unit price associated with the read member ID (S26).

Thereafter, in S120, the user operates the touch panel 104 and inputs a setting instruction to change the rental unit price to 1 yen (YES in S10 of FIG. 4). Even at this point, the gaming state of the gaming machine 10 is the normal state (a state that is not advantageous to the user), and there is no playable medium in the gaming machine 10 (YES in S12 and S14). Therefore, Sando 100 sets the rental unit price to 1 yen, which is the unit price instructed by the user (S16).

In S130, the user starts playing a game on the gaming machine 10. Specifically, the user inserts cash into the banknote processing unit 108 of the sandwich 100, performs a predetermined lending operation on the touch panel 104 to receive the loan of playable media, and plays a game on the gaming machine 10 using the playable media. Start. At this point, although playable media exists in the gaming machine 10, the gaming state of the gaming machine 10 is still in a normal state (a state that is not advantageous to the user).

Thereafter, in S140, while the game continues on the gaming machine 10 using the playable medium, the user operates the touch panel 104 and inputs a setting instruction to change the rental unit price to 4 yen (see FIG. 4). YES at S10). However, at this point, since playable media exists in the gaming machine 10, the sand 100 does not change the rental unit price (NO in S12, S18). The unit rental price will remain at 1 yen.

Thereafter, in S150, due to continued gaming on the gaming machine 10, there are no more playable media on the gaming machine 10. However, as a result of continuing the game, although there are no more playable media, the gaming state of the gaming machine 10 has shifted to a probability varying state (an example of an advantageous state). At this time, the user operates the touch panel 104 and inputs a setting instruction to change the rental unit price to 4 yen (YES in S10 of FIG. 4). However, at this point, although there is no playable media in the gaming machine 10, the gaming state of the gaming machine 10 is in a probability fluctuation state (that is, in an advantageous state), so Sand 100 changes the rental unit price. No (NO in S14, S18). The unit rental price will remain at 1 yen.

After that, in S160, as a result of further playing on the gaming machine 10, the playable media on the gaming machine 10 run out again, and the gaming state of the gaming machine 10 also returns to the normal state (non-advantageous state). At this time, the user operates the touch panel 104 and inputs a setting instruction to change the rental unit price to 4 yen (YES in S10 of FIG. 4). At this point, there is no playable medium in the gaming machine 10 and the gaming state of the gaming machine 10 is normal, so Sand 100 changes the rental unit price to 4 yen (YES in S12 and S14, S16). .

Thereafter, in S170, after the game continues on the gaming machine 10, the user ends the game on the gaming machine 10. The user counts the playable media and performs an operation to eject the membership card. At this point, the gaming state of the gaming machine 10 has returned to the normal state (non-advantageous state). The sand 100 records information indicating the number of gaming balls and the rental unit price on the member card, and ejects the member card from the card processing unit 106 (YES in S30 of FIG. 4). As described above, since the gaming state of the gaming machine 10 has returned to the normal state, the sand 100 returns the rental unit price to the initial unit price of 1 yen. The condition for returning the rental unit price to the initial unit price of 1 yen may be that the control unit 120 or the management device 70 of the sand 100 determines that the user has finished playing the game.

The configuration and operation of the management system 2 of this embodiment have been described above. As described above, in this embodiment, the control unit 120 of the sand 100 can set the rental unit price of pachinko balls (gaming media) to a desired unit price in accordance with the setting instructions input by the user on the touch panel 104 (FIG. 4 (See S16). That is, according to this embodiment, a user can play a game using a specific gaming machine 10 in a gaming parlor using gaming media of a desired rental unit price. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the gaming parlor does not need to provide multiple gaming areas with different rental unit prices and install similar gaming machines 10 in each gaming area, reducing the burden of installing gaming machines 10 and gaming areas. It's over. In addition, the user can play a game using the game medium of the desired rental unit price on the gaming machine 10 that the user desires to play, which can give the user a sense of satisfaction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 120 can cause the touch panel 104 to display a current unit price display screen 200 showing the currently set rental unit price (see (a) in FIG. 5). Therefore, by looking at the touch panel 104, users, game parlor staff, etc. (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "users, etc.") can grasp the currently set rental unit price. It is possible to prevent a situation in which a user or the like misidentifies the currently set rental unit price.

Further, in this embodiment, the notification lamp 110 emits light in a light emission mode (for example, a light emission color) according to the rental unit price currently set for the sandwich 100. The notification lamp 110 is provided at a position where it can be seen even from a position away from the game machine 10, such as the top of the housing of the sand 100, such as the end of an island in the game store. Therefore, the user or the like can grasp the rental unit price without approaching the gaming machine 10.

Further, in this embodiment, in a state where the user has not instructed the rental unit price and the membership card has not been inserted, the control unit 120 sets the rental unit price to the initial unit price predetermined by the administrator of the game parlor. Set. Therefore, the rental unit price can be easily managed.

Further, in this embodiment, when the card processing unit 106 reads the membership card (YES in S20 of FIG. 4), the control unit 120 controls the user unit price associated with the member ID (identification information) recorded on the membership card. can be set as the rental unit price (S26). Therefore, by associating the desired rental unit price with the member ID as the user unit price in advance, the user can set the desired rental unit price without giving any setting instructions. The effort required by the user to input setting instructions can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, the control unit 120 determines that when a setting instruction is input or a membership card is read, there is no playable medium in the gaming machine 10, and the gaming state is not suitable for the user. If the situation is not advantageous (YES in S12 and S14, YES in S22 and S24), the rental unit price is set (S16, S26). On the other hand, the control unit 120 determines whether a playable medium exists even if a setting instruction is input or a membership card is read (NO in S12, NO in S22), or If the gaming state is advantageous to the user (NO in S14, NO in S24), the rental unit price is not set (S18, S28).

In general, if new game media with different rental unit prices are rented while playable media exist in the gaming machine 10, there is a risk that gaming media with different unit prices will be mixed together, so it is important for gaming parlors to Undesirable. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, in a situation where playable media exists as described above (NO in S12, NO in S22), if a setting instruction is input (or if a membership card is read). case), the control unit 120 does not set the rental unit price (S18, S28). That is, if playable media exist, the rental unit price is not changed, so it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation where gaming media with different unit prices coexist.

Additionally, in general, if the rental unit price of gaming media is changed while the gaming state of the gaming machine 10 is advantageous for the user (e.g., special prize state, probability fluctuation state, etc.), for example, the special prize state will change. There is a possibility that the unit price can be changed conveniently depending on the gaming status of the gaming machine, such as playing at a low unit price before the game starts and switching to a higher unit price after the special prize status has started, which is favorable for game parlors. do not have. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, as described above, if the setting instruction is input (or the membership card is read) while the gaming state of the gaming machine 10 is in an advantageous state for the user. Even if it is, the control unit 120 does not set the rental unit price. That is, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation where the unit price is conveniently changed depending on the gaming state of the gaming machine 10. Therefore, according to this embodiment, Sando 100 can change the rental unit price at an appropriate timing.

The correspondence between this embodiment and the claims will be explained below. Sand 100 is an example of "gaming machine related equipment". The touch panel 104 is an example of an “operation unit” and a “display unit”. The notification lamp 110 is an example of a "display body". The card processing section 106 is an example of a "card reading section". A member ID is an example of "identification information". The processes in S16 and S26 in FIG. 4 are an example of the "setting process."

(Second example)
Next, a description will be given of the management system 2 of the second embodiment, focusing on the points that are different from the first embodiment. This embodiment is one of the modifications of the first embodiment. The management system 2 of this embodiment also has the same basic configuration as the management system 2 of the first embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the rental unit price that can be set in the sand 100 changes depending on the time period. The "time period" here includes not only the time period of the day (morning, afternoon, evening, night, etc.), but also the day of the week (weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, etc.). The rental unit price, which can be set for each time period, is determined in advance by the game parlor manager or the like and stored in the memory 122.

In this embodiment, for example, Sando 100 can set the rental unit price to 1 yen, 2 yen, or 4 yen during weekdays, and set the rental unit price to 1 yen or 4 yen during weekends and holidays. It may be possible to set only one of them. Sand 100 also allows you to set the rental unit price to 1 yen, 2 yen, or 4 yen in the morning, and set the rental unit price to 1 yen or 4 yen in the afternoon. It may also be possible to set only the In this case, when displaying the unit price selection screen 210 (see (b) in FIG. 5) on the touch panel 104, the control unit 120 of the sandwich 100 does not display unit prices that cannot be set (or displays them in a manner that makes them unselectable). can be done).

According to this embodiment, the sandwich 100 can change the settable unit price depending on, for example, the day of the week or the time of day (morning, daytime, night, etc.). A game parlor manager or the like can appropriately determine settable unit prices depending on the number of visitors to the gaming parlor.

Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The techniques described in the claims include various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. For example, the following modifications may be adopted.

(Modification 1) In each of the above embodiments, it is assumed that the gaming machine 10 used in the management system 2 is of a type in which actual gaming media (pachinko balls, etc.) are not ejected to the outside of the gaming machine 10. There is. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in the gaming machine 10 used in the management system 2, the actual gaming media (pachinko balls, etc.) are discharged to the outside of the gaming machine 10, and are stored in a ball tray or the like installed in the gaming machine 10. They may also be of the type that is used as game balls. In that case, the gaming machine 10 may not output the out signal, but an out meter (not shown) provided alongside the gaming machine 10 may output the out signal. Furthermore, the sand 100 may include a lending section for lending out actual game media (pachinko balls, etc.).

(Modification 2) In each of the above embodiments, an example has been described in which the gaming machine 10 used in the management system 2 is a pachinko machine. The present invention is not limited to this, and the gaming machine 10 may be a slot machine. In that case, Sando 100 may be able to set the rental unit price of the game media to 20 yen, 10 yen, 5 yen, 2 yen, etc.

(Modification 3) Settings in the gaming machine 10 (i.e., settings for controlling (or adjusting) the payout rate of gaming media of the gaming machine 10) may be changed according to the set rental unit price. . For example, if the rental unit price is set to 4 yen, the setting of the corresponding gaming machine 10 may be set relatively high, and if it is set to 1 yen, it may be set to a lower setting than in the case of 4 yen.

(Modification 4) In each of the embodiments described above, the control unit 120 displays the current unit price display screen 200, unit price selection screen 210, error screen 220, etc. on the touch panel 104. In a modification, the control unit 120 may cause the display unit 32 of the information display device 30 to display these screens instead of the touch panel 104 or together with the touch panel 104. The display section 32 in this modification is also an example of a "display section."

(Variation 5) In each of the above embodiments, the notification lamp 110 provided separately from the touch panel 104 notifies the rental unit price by changing the light emission mode for each rental unit price. The present invention is not limited to this, and the sand 100 may include a display body other than the notification lamp as long as it is capable of displaying notifications in a manner corresponding to the rental unit price.

(Variation 6) In each of the above embodiments, the case where the game machine peripheral device that rents out game media is Sand 100 is explained as an example. The present invention is not limited to this, and the game machine peripheral device that lends game media may be another peripheral device such as a management unit.

(Modification 7) In each of the above embodiments, when the rental unit price is not specified by the user and the membership card is not inserted, the control unit 120 sets the rental unit price in advance by the administrator of the game parlor. set the initial unit price. In a modification, the initial unit price may not be set for the sand 100.

(Modification 8) In each of the above embodiments, when a user who is a member reads a membership card into the card processing unit 106 (YES in S20 of FIG. 4), the control unit 120 reads the membership ID recorded on the membership card. The user unit price associated with the rental unit price can be set as the rental unit price. In a modified example, the control unit 120 does not need to set the user unit price as the rental unit price even when the card processing unit 106 reads the membership card. That is, the processes of S20 to S28 in FIG. 4 may be omitted. In that case, in the management device 70, the user unit price does not need to be associated with the member ID.

(Modification 9) In the above embodiment, the control unit 120 determines that a playable medium exists even if a setting instruction is input or a membership card is read (NO in S12, no in S22). (NO), or if the gaming state is advantageous for the user (NO in S14, NO in S24), the rental unit price is not set (S18, S28). In the modified example, when a setting instruction is input or when a membership card is read, the control unit 120 adjusts the rental unit price if the gaming state is not advantageous for the user, regardless of the presence or absence of playable media. You may also make settings. In another modification, the control unit 120 is configured to set the rental unit price if there is no playable medium, regardless of the gaming state, when a setting instruction is input or when the membership card is read. It's okay. In yet another modification, the control unit 120 is configured to set the rental unit price when a setting instruction is input or when a membership card is read, regardless of the gaming state and the presence or absence of playable media. You can.

(Modification 10) In the above embodiment, in S26 of FIG. 4, the control unit 120 automatically sets the rental unit price to the user unit price associated with the member ID. In the modified example, in S26, the control unit 120 causes the touch panel 104 to display a selection screen for allowing the user to select whether or not to change the rental unit price to the user unit price, and the user requests the change on the selection screen. The rental unit price may be set to the user unit price only when the user performs the following operation.

(Modification 11) In the second embodiment described above, the rental unit price that can be set in the sand 100 changes depending on the time period. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and whether or not the rental unit price of the sand 100 can be set and the settable rental unit price may change depending on the game result of the corresponding gaming machine 10. For example, the sand 100 may be set such that the rental unit price cannot be changed until the game results from the start of the game on the gaming machine 10 satisfy a certain condition. In that case, if Sand 100 satisfies certain conditions as a result of the game from the start of the game on the gaming machine 10 (for example, the number of outs is 1000 or more, the amount spent is 1000 yen or more, the playing time is 30 minutes or more, etc.), It may also be possible to allow changes in the rental unit price. At this time, the settable unit price may be changed depending on the game result. For example, if the number of items out is 1,000 or more, the rental unit price may be changed from 1 yen to 2 yen. In the case of 2000 pieces or more, the rental unit price may be changed to 4 yen. On the unit price selection screen 210 as shown in FIG. 5(b), only unit prices that can be set at that time may be displayed. In yet another example, the rental unit price can be freely set until the game results meet certain conditions (for example, the amount used is 5000 yen or more, the balance is less than -5000 yen, etc.), and after the conditions are met, , the rental unit price that can be set may be limited (or may not be set). In this case, it is possible to prevent the user from becoming excessively absorbed in the game.

Further, the technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness singly or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims as filed. Furthermore, the techniques illustrated in this specification or the drawings simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving one of the objectives has technical utility in itself.

2: Management system 10: Game machine 20: Relay device 30: Information display device 32: Display section 34: Operation section 36: Control section 70: Management device 80: Stand unit 90: Island unit 100: Sand 104: Touch panel 106: Card Processing unit 108: Banknote processing unit 110: Notification lamp 112: Communication I/F
120: Control unit 122: Memory 200: Current unit price display screen 210: Unit price selection screen 220: Error screen

Claims (3)

A gaming machine peripheral device that rents gaming media used in gaming machines,
an operation section for a user to input instructions;
a card reading unit that accepts a card held by the user and on which identification information for identifying the user is recorded, and that is capable of reading the identification information recorded on the card;
a setting process of setting the rental unit price to one of a plurality of prices including a first price and a second price, according to a setting instruction related to the rental unit price of the gaming medium input on the operation unit; A control unit that executes
In the gaming machine, in a situation where there is no playable media that is playable gaming media in the gaming machine, executing the setting process when the setting instruction is input by the user;
In the gaming machine, in a situation where the playable medium exists, the setting process is not executed even if the setting instruction is input;
When the identification information is read by the card reader in a situation where the playable medium is not present, the unit price for a user that is associated with the read identification information among the plurality of prices is set as the rental unit price. Set,
When the identification information is read by the card reading unit in a situation where the playable medium is present, the user unit price is not set as the rental unit price;
The control unit includes:
Gaming machine peripherals. The control unit includes:
During the first time period, the rental unit price can be set to any one of the plurality of prices,
During a second time period different from the first time period, the rental unit price is set to one or more prices excluding at least the first price among the plurality of prices. is configurable,
Gaming machine peripheral equipment according to claim 1. The control unit includes:
The setting process is not executed even if the setting instruction is input by the user until the game result from the start of the game on the gaming machine satisfies a specific condition;
After the game result from the start of the game on the gaming machine satisfies the specific condition, executing the setting process when the setting instruction is input;
Gaming machine peripheral equipment according to claim 1.

Images