JP2022059259A - Game device and game medium shifting method - Google Patents

Abstract

To efficiently prevent one from forgetting to process game balls when shifting from an owned ball to a stored ball when game balls exist in an enclosed type game machine.SOLUTION: A game player performs menu display operation for converting owned balls to stored balls (S1) and selects the stored balls (S2). When game balls remain, remaining of the game balls and an option regarding whether balls are stored are displayed (S3). Since a card is ejected when ball storage processing is performed and a game player may leave a game board while game balls remain, the ball storage processing is limited when the game balls remain. When stored balls are selected, owned balls are converted to stored balls and a card is ejected, and then a situation of a valuable value of game balls or the like is displayed (S4).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming device and a gaming medium transfer method capable of streamlining the conversion from a holding ball to a stored ball when a gaming ball is present in the enclosed gaming machine.

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. In many cases, a gaming machine is equipped with a device for each machine. Each device accepts payment and lends out a game medium. In addition, each device stores the number of game media acquired by the game as the number of game media, subtracts the number of possessed game media, and performs a replay process of paying out the game media. Further, the number of possessed game media can be converted into the number of stored game media that can be played even after the next business day of the game store (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-131037

However, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is premised on a gaming machine of each machine counting method, and the above-mentioned conventional technique is applied to an enclosed gaming machine that does not throw out physical gaming balls to the outside of the machine. If applied, problems arise.

In the enclosed gaming machine, data on the number of gaming media called the number of gaming balls is stored in the gaming machine, and this number of gaming balls can be transferred to the number of gaming media. Therefore, if the number of game balls is converted into the number of game media and then converted into the number of stored game media, all the game media acquired by the player can be used as the number of stored game media.

However, if the player does not notice that the game ball exists in the game machine and converts the number of possessed game media into the number of stored game media and leaves the store, the game ball that the player has forgotten to take is stored. Not converted to the number of game media. As a result, the number of game balls forgotten by the player is set as the number of game media owned or stored by the next player, which may cause trouble.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and efficiently copes with forgetting to process the acquired gaming medium when the acquired gaming medium is used as the storage gaming medium in the enclosed gaming machine. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming device and a gaming medium transfer method that can be used.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a gaming device communicably connected to an enclosed gaming machine that provides a game based on the number of first gaming media stored in a predetermined storage unit. A storage means for storing the number of the second game media that can be transferred to the number of the first game media, an acquisition means for acquiring the number of the first game media stored in the storage unit of the game machine, and the first. A reception means that accepts a transition operation for shifting the number of game media of 2 to a third number of game media that can be deposited in a game store, and the reception means acquired by the acquisition means when the reception means accepts the shift operation. It is characterized by comprising a suppressing means for suppressing the transition from the number of the second game medium to the number of the third game medium based on the number of the first game medium.

Further, in the present invention, in the above invention, when the receiving means receives the transition operation, is the number of the first gaming media acquired by the acquiring means equal to or more than a predetermined number? A determination means for determining whether or not to use is provided, and when the determination means determines that the number of the first gaming media is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the number of the second gaming media is changed to the number of the third gaming media. It is characterized by suppressing the migration of.

Further, in the above invention, in the above invention, when it is determined by the determination means that the number of the first game media is equal to or more than a predetermined number, a predetermined display indicating that the number of the first game media remains. The unit is further provided with display control means for display control.

Further, in the present invention, when it is determined by the determination means that the number of the first game media is equal to or more than a predetermined number, the number of the third game media is increased from the number of the second game media. It is characterized by further provided with a display control means for controlling the display on a predetermined display unit as to whether or not to perform the transition to.

Further, in the above invention, in the above invention, when the operation is performed so as not to shift from the number of the second game media to the number of the third game media in response to the display by the display control means. It is characterized by further providing a canceling means for canceling the shift to the third number of gaming media.

Further, the present invention is a method for transferring a game medium in a game device communicably connected to an enclosed game machine that provides a game based on the number of first game media stored in a predetermined storage unit. The acquisition step of acquiring the number of the first game media stored in the storage unit of the game machine, and the third number of game media that can be transferred to the number of the first game media can be deposited in the game store. Based on the reception step of accepting the transition operation to be transferred to the number of game media of the above, and the number of the first game media acquired by the acquisition step when the transition operation is accepted by the reception process, the second It is characterized by including a suppression step of suppressing the transition from the number of game media to the third number of game media.

According to the present invention, when the acquired gaming medium is used as a storage gaming medium in the enclosed gaming machine, it is possible to efficiently deal with forgetting to process the acquired gaming medium.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of the gaming system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the gaming system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine and the gaming machine shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of the inter-unit card processor shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of own device state data, card data, and game ball number data shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the management device shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the game type setting data, the card management data, the device management data, and the member management data shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the inter-unit card processing machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of the gaming system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the inter-unit card processing machine according to the second embodiment.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, the gaming device and the gaming medium transfer method according to the first embodiment will be described in detail.

In the present specification, the "mochidama" is data indicating a game medium acquired by a player in a game, and may be re-used for the game only during the day (time before the closing time of the game store). It means what you can do. The "number of balls" means the number of game media acquired by the player through the game. Further, the "reservoir" is data indicating a game medium deposited by a player in a game store, and means that the data can be used again for the game from the next day onward (time after the closing time of the game store). The "number of stored balls" means the number of game media deposited by the player at the game store. The pachinko ball can be used by both general pachinko and member pachinko players, and is used when the pachinko machine is moved. As a general rule, the ball storage can be used only by member pachinko players, and is used when the acquired gaming medium is used for gaming of a gaming machine from the next day onward. Further, the "number of game balls" means the number of playable games that the player can use for the game.

<Outline of the game system according to the first embodiment>
First, an outline of the gaming system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of the gaming system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the player performs a menu display operation (S1) in order to convert a possessed ball into a stored ball, and selects a stored ball (S2).

If the game ball remains, the fact that the game ball remains and the option of whether or not to save the ball are displayed (S3). When the ball storage process is performed, the card is ejected and the player may leave the game table with the game ball left. Therefore, if the game ball remains, the ball storage process is restricted.

If the ball storage is selected, the ball is converted into a storage ball, the card is ejected, and the status of the valuable value of the game ball or the like is displayed (S4). As a result, since the player can recognize the existence of the game ball, it is possible to take measures such as counting the game ball and then converting it into a stored ball.

As described above, the gaming system can efficiently prevent forgetting to process the number of gaming balls when the transition from the possession ball to the storage ball is performed when the gaming ball is present in the enclosed gaming machine.

<System configuration>
Next, the system configuration of the gaming system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the gaming system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of gaming machines 20 and a platform card processing machine 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20 are installed in the gaming store. The inter-unit card processor 10 is connected to a communication line, which is a network in the store, via the island controller 30. The island controller 30, the management device 50, the prize management device 60, and the checkout machine 70 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. It should be noted that this game ball is a physical "ball" used for the game, and is different from the "game ball" handled by the game machine 20 as data. 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. In addition, there may be a region that serves as both a starting region and a winning region.

A winning sensor for detecting the passage of a game ball is provided in this winning area, and the passing (winning) of a game ball driven into the winning area by the winning sensor is detected. Further, the control unit of the gaming machine 20 has a prize ball memory for storing how many game balls are given as prize balls for each winning area, and a gameable number memory indicating the number of game balls. Further, the control unit of the gaming machine 20 periodically transmits the number of gaming balls to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

When the inter-unit card processing machine 10 receives a deposit from a player, the prepaid value corresponding to the deposit amount is associated with the identification information (card ID) of the card stored inside the own device. This prepaid value can be used for lending game balls. Further, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 can accept the insertion of a card associated with a prepaid value, a possession ball, a ball storage, and the like. Then, at the end of the game, the card associated with the prepaid value, the possessed ball, the stored ball, etc. is discharged and returned to the player. Further, the inter-unit card processor 10 transmits the history of operations such as deposit, card insertion, and card ejection to the management device 50.

When a predetermined number of game balls are launched on the surface of the game board, the game machine 20 transmits out data to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10. Further, the gaming machine 20 transmits safe data to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 when the gaming balls pass through the winning area (so-called winning) and a predetermined number of winning balls are added to the gaming balls. Further, when a special state such as a big hit occurs due to the game, special prize data indicating the occurrence of such a state is transmitted to the inter-unit card processing machine 10.

The out data corresponds to the number of balls hit, which is the number of balls hit by the player on the surface of the game board. Safe data corresponds to the number of winning balls obtained by winning. Further, the special prize data shows the state of the gaming machine 20 such as a big hit. Each data is transmitted to the management device 50 via the inter-unit card processing machine 10, and the management device 50 can obtain a history of the operation of the gaming machine 20 by accumulating out data, safe data, and special prize data. can.

The inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts deposits, rents out gaming balls, communicates with the management device 50, and communicates with the gaming machine 20. When the inter-unit card processing machine 10 receives the bills inserted by the player, the management device 50 manages the prepaid value equivalent to the deposit amount by transmitting a deposit notification including the deposit amount to the management device 50. Add to value. Then, when the predetermined ball lending operation is performed, the ball lending request is transmitted to the management device 50, the prepaid value managed by the management device 50 is subtracted, and the number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value is calculated by the gaming machine 20. Is notified to and added to the number of game balls.

When the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of the card, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 transmits a card insertion notification to the management device 50. Further, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 receives the prepaid value, the balance of the possessed balls or the stored balls from the management device 50, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 stores the balance. Then, when the balance of the balls held is received and stored, the balance of the balls managed by the management device 50 (the number of balls held) is reduced to zero by transmitting the ball holding subtraction request to the management device 50. clear.

When the inter-unit card processing machine 10 receives the ball holding replay operation, it subtracts a predetermined number of balls held by its own device, notifies the game machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted number of balls, and plays a game ball. Add to the number. Further, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the ball storage replay operation, the table-to-machine card processing machine 10 transmits a ball storage replay request to the management device 50 to subtract and subtract a predetermined number of balls stored by the management device 50. The number corresponding to the number of stored balls is notified to the game machine 20, and the number is added to the number of game balls.

When the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts the card return operation, it sends a ball holding ball addition request including the number of balls held to the management device 50, causes the management device 50 to add the number of balls held, and then notifies the card ejection. Is transmitted to the management device 50 to control the ejection of the card. If the counting operation is received from the gaming machine 20 before the card returning operation, the number of gaming balls is added to the number of balls.

The inter-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 management device 50. 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 inter-machine card processing machine 10 performs various display controls based on the state of the gaming machine 20, and transmits the state of the gaming machine 20 to the management device 50.

When the table-to-car card processing machine 10 accepts the operation of the stored balls, the unit identifies the stored ball account for storing the stored balls and determines whether or not the game balls remain. The inter-vehicle card processing machine 10 performs ball storage processing if there are no game balls remaining, and displays an option as to whether or not to store balls if game balls remain. The inter-unit card processing machine 10 displays a menu screen with or without performing ball storage processing, depending on the operation for the option of whether or not to store balls.

The island controller 30 is a device that bundles a group of gaming machines 20 and an inter-unit card processing machine 10 provided on a gaming island and relays various information to a management device 50.

When the management device 50 receives the card insertion notification from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the management device 50 manages the inserted card identification information (hereinafter referred to as "card ID") in association with the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Then, the prepaid value associated with the card ID and the balance of the balls held are transmitted to the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Further, when the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification is the card ID of the membership card, the stored ball replay data is transmitted to the inter-unit card processing machine 10.

Further, when the management device 50 receives the ball holding ball subtraction request from the table-to-table card processing machine 10, the management device 50 clears the balance of the holding ball to zero, and receives the holding ball addition request from the table-to-table card processing machine 10. Is to add the number of balls indicated in the ball addition request to the balance of balls.

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

Further, when the management device 50 receives the card ID from the prize management device 60, the management device 50 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 70, the prepaid value associated with the card ID is notified to the payment machine 70.

Further, the management device 50 acquires the gaming machine ID from the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 and manages the gaming machine 20 installed in its own store. Then, an authentication key for authenticating the gaming machine 20 set in the own store is acquired from an authentication key management center (not shown) outside the gaming store, and distributed to the inter-unit card processing machine 10.

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

When the management device 50 receives the card insertion notification from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the inter-unit card replay data including the balance of the stored balls corresponding to the card ID shown in the card insertion notification and the personal identification number. It is transmitted to the processing machine 10. Further, when the management device 50 receives the ball storage replay request from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the management device 50 subtracts a predetermined number of the balance of the stored balls associated with the card ID indicated in the ball storage replay request, and after the subtraction. The ball storage replay data including the balance of the ball storage is transmitted to the inter-unit card processing machine 10.

Further, when the management device 50 receives an inquiry about the number of stored balls from the prize management device 60, the management device 50 notifies the prize management device 60 of the balance of the 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 prize exchange processing of acquired balls, stored balls, and possessed balls. The prize management device 60 is connected to a card reader that reads the card ID of 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 information 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 management device 50. , Request the balance of the ball of the card ID. Further, when exchanging prizes for the stored balls, the management device 50 is requested to have the balance of the stored balls.

When the card with which the prepaid value is associated is inserted, the settlement machine 70 transmits the card ID of this card to the management device 50, acquires the prepaid value associated with the card, and corresponds to the acquired prepaid value. Make a cash withdrawal.

Next, the ball lending process in the game system according to the first embodiment will be described. When the player performs a ball lending operation on the table-to-table card processing machine 10, the table-to-table card processing machine 10 transmits a telegram addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This telegram 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 information, and the ball lending request.

When the management device 50 receives the message including the ball lending request, the management device 50 updates the card management data by subtracting a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID in the message, and sends the ball lending permission to the sender. It is transmitted to the inter-unit card processor 10. Upon receiving the ball lending permission, the inter-unit card processor 10 transmits to the gaming machine 20 an addition signal requesting addition to the number of gaming balls of the number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value (for example, "125").

Upon receiving the addition signal, the gaming machine 20 adds the number of gaming balls and transmits the added number of gaming balls to the inter-unit card processing machine 10. The inter-unit card processing machine 10 compares the sum of the number of game balls before addition and the number of ball lenders with the number of game balls after addition, and determines whether or not the number of game balls has been added appropriately. judge.

Next, the ball replay process in the gaming system according to the first embodiment will be described. When the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a general card or a membership card, it transmits a telegram addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This telegram 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 as the sender, or arbitrary identification information, and the rate of the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Includes information to identify the card and a card insertion notification.

When the management device 50 receives the card insertion notification from the inter-unit card processor 10, the management device 50 sets the balance of the balls at the rate specified by the telegram among the balls associated with the card ID in the telegram. Notify the card processor 10.

The inter-unit card processing machine 10 stores the balance of the balls received from the management device 50. Then, a telegram including the information for specifying the card ID and the rate and the ball subtraction request is transmitted to the management device 50. When the management device 50 receives the ball holding request, the management device 50 clears the holding ball balance specified by the card ID and the rate to zero. Further, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the ball holding replay operation, the balance of the holding balls is subtracted by a fixed number, the corresponding number is notified to the game machine 20, and the ball is added to the number of playing balls.

If the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 receives a management transition request from the gaming machine 20 to shift the management by using the number of game balls of the gaming machine 20 as the possession ball of the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10, the management transition request The number of game balls shown in is added to the number of balls held by the player. After that, when the card return operation is accepted, a telegram including a ball addition request is transmitted to the management device 50. This telegram has the card ID of the card to be ejected, the address for specifying the inter-unit card processing machine 10 as the sender, or arbitrary identification information, and the information for specifying the rate of the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Includes the balance of balls and the request to add balls.

When the management device 50 receives the ball addition request, the management device 50 receives the balance (number of balls) of the balls at the rate specified by the telegram among the balls associated with the card ID in the telegram. Update to value. After that, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 transmits a card ejection notification to the management device 50 to control the ejection of the cards.

Next, the ball storage replay process in the gaming system according to the first embodiment will be described. When the inter-unit card processor 10 accepts a membership card or reads identification information corresponding to a card ID from a mobile terminal that can be used as a membership card, the unit-to-cell card processor 10 sends a telegram addressed to the local address of the management device 50. Send. This message includes the card ID (or identification information corresponding to the card ID read from the mobile terminal) of the card inserted in the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 and the address that identifies the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 that is the transmission source. Alternatively, it includes arbitrary identification information, information for specifying the rate of the inter-unit card processing machine 10, and a card insertion notification.

The management device 50 transmits the stored ball replay data including the password associated with the card ID in the telegram and the balance of the stored balls at the rate specified by the telegram among the stored balls to the inter-unit card processor 10. do.

The inter-unit card processor 10 stores the received ball storage replay data, and the balance of the stored balls shown in the stored ball replay data is the number of game ball payout units in the stored ball replay (number of stored ball replay units, for example, "125". If it is more than "ball"), the ball storage replay operation can be accepted.

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. Check if it matches the PIN code shown in.

When the passwords match, the inter-unit card processor 10 transmits a telegram addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This telegram 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 as the sender, or arbitrary identification information, and the rate of the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Includes information to identify and a request to replay the ball.

The 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 telegram, and uses the ball storage replay data including the subtracted balance as the inter-unit card. It is transmitted to the processing machine 10.

The inter-unit card processing machine 10 receives the ball storage replay data, updates the balance of the stored balls, notifies the game machine 20 of the number corresponding to the number of stored ball replay units, and adds the number to the number of game balls. In addition, it is determined whether the balance of the stored balls after the update is less than the number of stored ball replay units. If the balance of the updated ball storage data is equal to or greater than the number of ball storage replay units, the ball storage replay operation can be accepted again, and if the ball storage replay operation is accepted, the ball storage replay request is transmitted. It is not necessary to confirm the PIN code in the second and subsequent ball storage replay operations. If the balance of the updated ball storage data is less than the number of ball storage replay units, the ball storage replay operation cannot be accepted.

Next, the transition from holding balls to storing balls in the closing process will be described. The management device 50 confirms the balance of the balls in the card management data at the time of closing the store, and if there is a ball with a ball balance larger than "0", the balance of the balls is added to the balance of the stored balls. And update. After that, the management device 50 clears the balance of the ball to zero.

<Exterior configuration of the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20>
Next, the appearance configurations 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 an external configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. 2. Although the table-to-stand card processing machine 10 that accepts only banknotes is shown in the figure, a unit that can accept electronic money can also be provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-cell card processor 10 includes a status display unit 11 that displays the status of the device of the inter-cell card processor 10 by lighting or blinking a lamp of a predetermined color, and a bill insertion slot that accepts various bills. 12a, a display operation unit 13 such as a touch panel display, and a card insertion slot 14a for receiving a card associated with a card ID are provided.

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 22.

The counting button 22 subtracts the number of gaming balls of the gaming machine 20 and adds the corresponding number to the balls held by the inter-unit card processing machine 10, so that the number of balls that can be thrown is managed from the gaming machine 20 to the inter-unit. 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 ball is counted by the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and added to the possessed ball in the open-type gaming machine 20 in which the actual game ball is paid out by winning a prize.

<Structure of the inter-unit card processing machine 10>
Next, the configuration of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 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 communication unit 15, a storage unit 16, a control unit 17, and a game management unit 18.

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 display that displays various information such as valuable value and accepts various operations such as ball lending operation.

The reader / writer 14 is a reading unit 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 communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication with the management device 50 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, the card data 16b, and the game ball number data 16c.

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 a machine-to-machine card processing machine ID, a game machine ID, a game type, and the like. The inter-unit card processing machine ID is identification information for uniquely identifying the inter-unit card processing machine 10 in the game store. The game type is data indicating the rate 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. Like, the game type name is set and managed for each rate. The inter-unit card processing machine 10 selects a rate to be used for the game from these game types and stores it as the game type. As the game type, a game type fixed for each section in which the inter-table card processing machine 10 is installed may be used, or may be changed by the operation of the player.

The card data 16b is data related to the card being used by the player. The card data 16b includes a card ID, a personal identification number, a prepaid value, a possession ball, a stored ball, 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 prepaid value indicates the balance of the prepaid value that can be used for ball lending, and the possession ball and the stored ball indicate the respective balances.

The game ball number data 16c is data indicating the number of game balls possessed by the game machine 20. The game ball number data 16c stores the game ball number received from the game machine 20.

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. Actually, by loading these programs into the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executing them, the authentication processing unit 18a, the authentication key management unit 18b, and the game machine state management unit 18c are executed. Become.

The authentication processing unit 18a authenticates the gaming machine 20 using the authentication key received from the management device 50. If the authentication is successful, the authentication processing unit 18a transmits an operation permission to the gaming machine 20. If the authentication fails, the authentication processing unit 18a prohibits the use of the gaming machine 20. Even if the authentication fails, the operation permission is sent to the gaming machine 20 within a predetermined period from the last successful authentication, and after the predetermined period has elapsed from the last successful authentication, the gaming machine 20 is sent. The operation permission of the gaming machine 20 may not be transmitted, and the use of the gaming machine 20 may be prohibited.

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 outside the store via the management device 50, 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 number of gaming balls by ball lending, and changes the number of playing balls from the possessed ball to the number of gaming balls by replaying the ball. Sending a management transition request, sending a request to add to the number of game 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 game balls to the number of balls Receive management transition request. For the communication between the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20, cryptographic communication using a predetermined encryption method is used.

Further, the gaming machine state management unit 18c further acquires the states set for the game such as the current number of gaming balls, the start, the jackpot, the jackpot type, and the number of lottery of the gaming machine 20. 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. Further, when the gaming machine state management unit 18c acquires the number of gaming balls from the gaming machine 20, the gaming machine state management unit 18c hands over the number of gaming balls to the control unit 17.

The timing at which the gaming machine state management unit 18c newly acquires the gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 is not limited to before the opening of the store. When the power of the pachinko card processor 10 is turned on or off, when regular communication is performed, when processing related to the number of game balls (ball lending, replay, counting, etc.) is performed, when returning from the offline state, etc. It is possible to acquire the gaming machine ID and determine the replacement of the gaming machine 20. Moreover, you may use these timings in combination.

The control unit 17 is a control unit that performs overall control of the inter-table card processing machine 10, and includes a data management unit 17a, a game ball number management unit 17b, and a ball storage control unit 17c. Actually, by loading and executing these programs in the CPU, the data management unit 17a, the game ball number management unit 17b, and the ball storage control unit 17c are made to execute the corresponding processes, respectively.

When the card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits a card insertion notification including the card ID and the inter-unit card processing machine ID to the management device 50. Further, when the data management unit 17a receives data including a valuable value (at least one of a prepaid value, a possession ball and a stored ball) from the management device 50, the data management unit 17a updates the card data 16b with the received valuable value.

Further, when the bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 12a, the data management unit 17a transmits a payment notification including the amount of the inserted bill, the card ID and the inter-unit card processing machine ID to the management device 50.

Further, the data management unit 17a transmits a ball lending request including the card ID and the inter-unit card processing machine ID to the management device 50 when the ball lending operation is performed by the player. When the ball lending permission is received in response to the ball lending request, the data management unit 17a subtracts the prepaid value of the card data 16b and causes the predetermined number of balls to be added to the number of gaming balls of the gaming machine 20. Instruct the game management unit 18.

Further, when the data management unit 17a accepts the ball holding replay operation, the data management unit 17a subtracts and updates the holding ball of the card data 16b, and the game management so as to add the corresponding number of balls to the game ball number of the game machine 20. Instruct unit 18.

Further, when the balance of the stored balls shown in the card data 16b is equal to or more than the number of stored ball replay units, the data management unit 17a displays the stored ball replay button on the display operation unit 13 and accepts the stored ball replay operation. Make it possible. When the player performs the ball storage replay operation, the data management unit 17a transmits a ball storage replay request including the card ID and the inter-unit card processing machine ID to the management device 50. When the stored ball replay data is received as a response to this stored ball replay request, the balance of the stored balls in the card data 16b is updated, and the number of balls corresponding to the number of stored ball replay units is added to the number of game balls of the gaming machine 20. Instruct the game management unit 18 to do so. At the time of the first ball storage replay operation, the input of the password is requested, and it is a condition for transmitting the ball storage replay request 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 data management unit 17a accepts the card return operation, the data management unit 17a transmits a ball holding addition request including the card ID, the inter-unit card processing machine ID, and the ball holding balance to the management device 50. Then, after clearing the card data 16b, the card ejection notification is transmitted to the management device 50, and the card is ejected.

The game ball number management unit 17b is a processing unit that manages the game ball number data 16c indicating the number of game balls owned by the game machine 20. The game ball number management unit 17b stores the game ball number received from the game machine 20 in the game ball number data 16c.

The ball storage control unit 17c is a processing unit that controls the ball storage processing, and has a reception display control unit 17d, a game ball determination unit 17e, a ball storage processing unit 17f, and a ball storage account specifying unit 17g. Actually, by loading and executing these programs on the CPU, the processes corresponding to the reception display control unit 17d, the game ball determination unit 17e, the ball storage processing unit 17f, and the ball storage account identification unit 17g are executed. Become.

The reception display control unit 17d is a processing unit that receives the ball storage process and controls the ball storage process. If the reception display control unit 17d receives the selection of the ball storage process from the display operation unit 13, the process is handed over to the game ball determination unit 17e.

If the reception display control unit 17d receives "no game ball" from the game ball determination unit 17e, the processing is handed over to the ball storage processing unit 17f, and if "with game ball" is received, is the ball storage processing performed? The option of whether or not to display is displayed on the display operation unit 13. When the reception display control unit 17d receives the execution of the ball storage process from the display operation unit 13, the process is handed over to the ball storage process unit 17f, and when the cancellation of the ball storage process is received, the menu screen is displayed on the display operation unit 13. do.

The game ball determination unit 17e is a processing unit that determines whether or not a game ball exists. If the game ball number data 16c is 0, the game ball determination unit 17e delivers "no game ball" to the reception display control unit 17d, and if the game ball number data 16c is not 0, the game ball number data 16c is "" to the reception display control unit 17d. There is a game ball "is handed over.

The ball storage processing unit 17f is a processing unit that performs ball storage processing. When the ball storage processing unit 17f receives the processing from the reception display control unit 17d, the ball storage processing unit 17f performs the conversion processing from the possession ball to the ball storage in the ball storage account specified by the ball storage account specifying unit 17g.

The ball storage account specifying unit 17g is a processing unit that specifies a ball storage account for storing balls. The ball storage account specifying unit 17g identifies ball storage accounts such as balls 1, balls 2, and balls 3 from the game types stored in the own device state data 16a.

Next, a specific example of the data stored in the storage unit 16 of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the own device state data 16a, the card data 16b, and the game ball number data 16c shown in FIG.

In the own device state data 16a shown in FIG. 5A, the ID of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is "A101", the game machine ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201", and the inter-unit card processing machine. It shows a state in which "ball 1" is set as 10 game types.

The card data 16b shown in FIG. 5B indicates that the ID of the card inserted in the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is "2001". 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 shows a state in which the password for replaying the stored balls is "1234" and the prepaid value is "3000" yen.

In the card data 16b, the balance of the ball 1 is "1500", the balance of the ball 2 is "2500", and the balance of the ball 3 is "0". As for the stored balls, the balance of the stored balls of the ball 1 is "500", the balance of the stored balls of the ball 2 is "0", and the balance of the stored balls of the ball 3 is "0".

The game ball number data 16c shown in FIG. 5C shows a state in which the number of game balls is “500”.

<Structure of gaming machine 20>
Next, the configuration of the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the gaming machine 20 has a communication control unit 23, an effect control unit 24, a game control unit 25, and a game ball control unit 26. The communication control unit 23 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 is used.

When the gaming machine 20 is started, the communication control unit 23 reads identification information from the control CPU provided in the game control unit 25 and / or the game ball control unit 26, 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 24, the game control unit 25, and the game ball control unit 26 are activated to enable the game.

The game control unit 25 is a control unit that controls the game by the game machine 20. Actually, the process is executed by loading and executing the program corresponding to the game control unit 25 in the CPU.

Specifically, the game control unit 25 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 25 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 number of gaming media after the probability fluctuation gaming state is counted by the gaming machine 20, and when the counted value reaches a predetermined value, the gaming stop control such as stopping the firing of the gaming ball is performed. Can be realized with.

The effect control unit 24 is a control unit that controls the effect during the game, and has an effect symbol lottery unit 24a and an effect lottery unit 24b. Actually, by loading and executing these programs in the CPU, the process corresponding to each of the effect symbol lottery unit 24a and the effect lottery unit 24b is executed.

The effect symbol lottery unit 24a 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 25. Whether to stop at 7, 7, 7 etc.).

The effect lottery unit 24b 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 24 stores the effect data of each effect. Further, the effect control unit 24 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 26 is a control unit that controls the number of game balls. Actually, the process is executed by loading and executing the program corresponding to the game ball control unit 26 in the CPU.

Specifically, the game ball control unit 26 stores the number of game balls in the playable number memory, subtracts the number of game balls by "1" each time the game ball is fired, and the number of prizes to be obtained by winning. Is added to the number of game balls. 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 number of game balls, and the fact that the number of balls is added to the number of game balls is added to the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Send the confirmation signal to indicate. Further, the gaming ball control unit 26 can also perform cleaning control of the gaming balls (circulating balls) enclosed in the gaming machine 20.

Further, the game ball control unit 26 periodically transmits the number of game balls stored in the gameable number memory to the inter-table card processing machine 10. In this case, the game ball control unit 26 does not clear the contents of the gameable number memory to zero, and while continuing to update the number of game balls depending on the game state, the game at the time of data acquisition to the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Send the number of balls.

Further, the gaming machine 20 is provided with a counting button 22, and a signal indicating that the counting button 22 is pressed is input to the gaming ball control unit 26. The game ball control unit 26 detects the pressing operation of the counting button 22, and if the period from the rise to the fall of the detection signal is less than a certain time, the number of game balls is determined by a fixed number (for example, 100 balls per operation). Along with the data, a management transition request is transmitted to the inter-unit card processor 10. Then, the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is subtracted (invalidated) from the number of game balls. Further, when the pressing operation of the counting button 22 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). Along with the data on the number of game balls (200 balls), a management transfer request is transmitted to the inter-unit card processor 10. Then, the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is subtracted (invalidated) from the number of game balls. When subtracting from the number of game balls, 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 25 and the game ball control unit 26 are configured on separate boards. The game control board in which the game control unit 25 is configured and the game ball control board in which the game ball control unit 26 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.

<Configuration of management device 50>
Next, the configuration of the management device 50 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management device 50 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the management device 50 is connected to the display unit 51 and the input unit 52, and has an external network communication unit 53, a store network communication unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 56.

The display unit 51 is a liquid crystal panel, a display device, or the like. The input unit 52 is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. The external network communication unit 53 is an interface unit for data communication with the authentication key management center via the external network. The store network communication unit 54 is an interface unit for data communication with the island controller 30, the prize management device 60, and the checkout machine 70 via a communication line in the game store.

The storage unit 55 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a non-volatile memory, and stores game type setting data 55a, card management data 55b, device management data 55c, and member management data 55d.

The game type setting data 55a is data in which the lending rate and the display name are associated with the game type. The card management data 55b is data in which the balance of the prepaid value, the balance of the balls, and the like are associated with the card ID.

The device management data 55c is data related to the device installed in the game store. The device management data 55c includes a machine-to-machine card processing machine ID, an installation location, a gaming machine ID, model data of the gaming machine 20, and the like. The member management data 55d is data in which the member's name, ball storage information, and the like are associated with the card ID of the membership card issued to the member.

The control unit 56 is a control unit that controls the entire management device 50, and includes a game type setting management unit 56a, a card management unit 56b, a device management unit 56c, and a member management unit 56d. Actually, by loading and executing these programs on the CPU, the game type setting management unit 56a, the card management unit 56b, the device management unit 56c, and the member management unit 56d are made to execute the corresponding processes, respectively. ..

The game type setting management unit 56a is a processing unit that manages the game type used in the game store, the rate, and the display name as the game type setting data 55a in association with each other.

The card management unit 56b is a processing unit that manages the card management data 55b. The card management unit 56b communicates with the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the prize management device 60, and the checkout machine 70 to update the prepaid value and the balance of the balls associated with the card ID. Further, when the card management unit 56b receives the card insertion notification from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management unit 56b notifies the valuable value associated with the card and the balance of the balls held.

The device management unit 56c is a processing unit that manages the device management data 55c. The device management unit 56c generates and updates the device management data 55c based on the machine-to-machine card processing machine ID, the installation location, and the gaming machine ID acquired from the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

The member management unit 56d is a processing unit that manages the member management data 55d. The member management unit 56d communicates with the prize management device 60 to update the balance of the stored balls associated with the card ID. Further, when the member management unit 56d receives the member registration request, the member management unit 56d updates the member management data 55d by adding a member.

Here, the ball storage replay process by the member management unit 56d will be described. When the member management unit 56d receives the stored ball replay request data from the inter-unit card processor 10, the balance of the stored balls at the payout destination rate among the stored balls associated with the card ID in the stored ball replay request data. Is deducted by the number of payout units, and the number of possible replays of stored balls is recalculated. 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.

Next, a specific example of the data stored in the storage unit 55 of the management device 50 shown in FIG. 7 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the game type setting data 55a, the card management data 55b, the device management data 55c, and the member management data 55d shown in FIG. 7.

In the game type setting data 55a shown in FIG. 8A, the rate “4 yen” and the display name “4 pachinko” are associated with the game type name “ball 1”. In addition, the rate "2 yen" and the display name "2 pachi" are given to the game type name "Tama 2", and the rate "1 yen" and the display name "1 pachi" are given to the game type name "Tama 3". Associated.

In the card management data 55b shown in FIG. 8B, the card ID "1001" is associated with a prepaid value of "0" yen, a balance of balls held at each rate "0", and a destination ID "A101". That is, the card with the card ID "1001" is inserted into the inter-unit card processing machine 10 with the device ID "A101", and the management of the balls is transferred to the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Therefore, the balance of the balls held at each rate is zero.

Further, in the card management data 55b shown in FIG. 8B, the card ID "2001" has a prepaid value of "3000" yen, the balance of the ball 1 has a balance of "1500", and the ball has a ball 2. It is associated with the balance "2500" ball and the balance "0" ball of the ball 3 possession ball, but the usage ID is not associated. That is, the card with the card ID "2001" is not inserted into the inter-unit card processing machine 10, and the ball holding is managed by the management device 50.

In the device management data 55c shown in FIG. 8C, the installation location of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 with the ID “A101” is “Island 1-1”, the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is “B201”, and the game type. Is "ball 1", the model of the connected gaming machine 20 is "EV01", and the serial number is "a". It also shows that the gaming machine 20 is in use.

Further, in the device management data 55c, the installation location of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 with the ID "A201" is "island 2-1", the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B506", and the gaming type is "ball 3". , The model of the connected gaming machine 20 is "DX03", and the serial number is "g". It also shows that the gaming machine 20 is in use.

The member management data 55d shown in FIG. 8D shows a name, a ball storage, an e-mail address, and the like associated with the card ID. Specifically, the member management data 55d has the name "Patent Taro", the balance of the stored balls of "Tama 1" "1500", and the balance of the stored balls of "Tama 2" "200" for the card ID "2005". The ball, the balance "0" ball of the stored ball of "ball 3", and the e-mail address "abc123@△△△.co.jp" are associated with each other.

<Processing procedure of the inter-table card processing machine 10 according to the first embodiment>
Next, the processing procedure of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 according to the first embodiment.

First, if the instruction for storing balls is received (step S101; Yes), the game type is specified from the own device state data 16a (step S102), and it is determined from the game ball number data 16c whether or not the game ball remains. (Step S103).

If no game ball remains (step S103; No), the ball storage process is performed (step S107), and the process ends as it is. If the game ball remains (step S103; Yes), it is displayed that the game ball remains (step S104).

If the confirmation operation is accepted (step S105; Yes) and the operation content is not the ball storage process (step S106; No), the process proceeds to step S101. If the operation content is the ball storage process (step S106; Yes), the ball storage process is performed (step S107), and the process is terminated.

As described above, the gaming system can efficiently prevent the gaming ball from being forgotten to be processed when the transition from the possession ball to the storage ball is performed when the gaming ball is present in the enclosed gaming machine.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the inter-table card processing machine 10 is communicably connected to the game machine 20 that provides the game based on the number of game balls stored in the game machine, and the number of game balls. When the number of balls that can be transferred to is memorized and the transfer operation to transfer the number of balls to the number of stored balls is accepted, the transfer from the number of balls to the number of stored balls is suppressed based on the number of game balls. Since it is configured, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of troubles due to forgetting to take the number of game balls.

[Embodiment 2]
By the way, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, the configuration for limiting the ball storage process when the game ball remains when the ball is stored has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. If the game ball remains, it can be configured to accept counting processing. In the second embodiment, a configuration for accepting a counting process when a game ball remains when storing balls will be described.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the outline of the gaming system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the player performs a menu display operation (S11) in order to convert the possessed ball into a stored ball, and selects the stored ball (S12).

If the game ball remains, the fact that the game ball remains and the option of whether or not to store the ball are displayed (S13). When the player presses the counting button 22 of the gaming machine 20 (S14), the gaming ball is converted into a ball in the inter-table card processing machine 10.

If the stored ball is selected (S15), it is displayed that the stored ball has been stored (S16), and the card is ejected.

<Processing procedure of the inter-table card processing machine 10 according to the second embodiment>
Next, the processing procedure of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 according to the second embodiment.

First, if the instruction to store balls is received (step S201; Yes), the game type is specified from the own device state data 16a (step S202), and it is determined from the game ball number data 16c whether or not the game balls remain. (Step S203).

If no game ball remains (step S203; No), the ball storage process is performed (step S209), and the process ends as it is. If the game ball remains (step S203; Yes), it is displayed that the game ball remains (step S204).

If the counting process is received from the gaming machine 20 (step S205; Yes), the counting process is performed (step S206), and if the counting process is not received (step S205; No), the process proceeds to step S207 as it is.

If the confirmation operation is not accepted (step S207; No), the process proceeds to step S205. If the confirmation operation is accepted (step S207; Yes) and the operation content is not the ball storage process (step S208; No), the process proceeds to step S201. If the operation content is the ball storage process (step S208; Yes), the ball storage process is performed (step S209), and the process is terminated.

In this way, the game system can efficiently prevent the game ball from being forgotten to be processed when the ball is transferred from the possessed ball to the stored ball.

In the second embodiment described above, a configuration for reconfirming whether to store balls after accepting the counting process has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and if the counting process is accepted, it will be repeated. It can also be configured to automatically store balls without confirmation.

Further, in the second embodiment described above, the configuration in which the counting process before the ball storage process is arbitrarily accepted has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the ball storage cannot be performed unless the counting process is accepted. You can also do it.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, when a game ball remains when the ball is stored, a configuration for displaying that the game ball remains is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. In any situation during the game, if there are a certain number or more of the game balls, it can be configured to display that fact.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the game ball remains, the case where the ball is stored by the operation by the player is shown. However, for example, when the game ball remains, the game ball remains. May be displayed for a certain period of time, and after a certain period of time has elapsed, the game may transition to the ball storage execution state without the confirmation operation of the player.

Further, regarding the operation related to the ball storage process of the player, the inter-table card processing machine 10 may be directly operated, or the ball storage process may be executed using the mobile terminal owned by the player. When using a mobile terminal, the identification information of the mobile phone and the member information are associated with each other, and the inter-unit card processor 10 is made to read the identification information of the mobile terminal and is associated with the identification information of the mobile terminal. You may perform ball storage processing on the member information, or use an application or the like stored in the mobile terminal to directly operate the ball storage instruction to the management device 50 or the like, and execute the ball storage processing from the management device 50 side. You may do it.

In addition, each configuration shown in each of the above embodiments is a schematic function, and does not necessarily have to be physically shown. 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.

The game device and the game medium transfer method according to the present invention do not forget to process the game ball when the number of possessed game media is changed to the number of stored game media when the game ball is present in the enclosed game machine. Suitable for efficient prevention.

10 Card processing machine 11 Status display unit 12 Bill transport unit 12a Bill insertion slot 13 Display operation unit 14 Reader / writer 14a Card insertion slot 15 Communication unit 16 Storage unit 16a Own device status data 16b Card data 16c Game ball number data 17 Control Unit 17a Data management unit 17b Game ball number management unit 17c Ball storage control unit 17d Reception display control unit 17e Game ball judgment unit 17f Ball storage processing unit 17g Ball storage account identification 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 22 Count button 23 Communication control unit 24 Production control unit 24a Production design lottery unit 24b Production lottery unit 25 Game control unit 26 Game ball control unit 26a Gameable number management unit 30 Island controller 50 Management device 51 Display unit 52 Input unit 53 External network communication unit 54 Store network communication unit 55 Storage unit 55a Game type setting data 55b Card management data 55c Device management data 55d Member management data 56 Control unit 56a Game type setting management unit 56b Card management unit 56c Device Management Department 56d Member Management Department 60 Prize Management Device 70 Settlement Machine

Claims (6)

A gaming device that is communicably connected to an enclosed gaming machine that provides a game based on the number of first gaming media stored in a predetermined storage unit.
A storage means for storing a second number of game media that can be transferred to the first number of game media, and a storage means.
An acquisition means for acquiring the number of the first gaming media stored in the storage unit of the gaming machine, and
A reception means for accepting a transfer operation for shifting the number of the second game media to the number of the third game media that can be deposited in the game store.
When the receiving means receives the transition operation, the transition from the number of the second gaming media to the number of the third gaming media is performed based on the number of the first gaming media acquired by the acquisition means. A gaming device characterized by being provided with a suppressing means for suppressing. The suppressing means is
A determination means for determining whether or not the number of the first gaming media acquired by the acquisition means is equal to or greater than a predetermined number when the reception means accepts the transition operation is provided.
When the determination means determines that the number of the first game media is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the determination means suppresses the transition from the number of the second game media to the number of the third game media. The gaming device according to claim 1. Further provided with a display control means for displaying and controlling on a predetermined display unit that the number of the first game media remains when the determination means determines that the number of the first game media is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. The gaming device according to claim 2, wherein the device is characterized by the above. When the determination means determines that the number of the first game media is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, it is determined whether or not to shift from the number of the second game media to the number of the third game media. The gaming device according to claim 2, further comprising a display control means for display control on the display unit. When an operation is performed in response to the display by the display control means that the number of the second game media is not changed to the number of the third game media, the shift to the third number of game media is cancelled. The gaming device according to claim 4, further comprising a canceling means. A method for transferring a gaming medium in a gaming device communicably connected to an enclosed gaming machine that provides a game based on the number of first gaming media stored in a predetermined storage unit.
An acquisition step of acquiring the number of the first gaming media stored in the storage unit of the gaming machine, and
A reception process that accepts a transfer operation for transferring the number of second game media that can be transferred to the first number of game media to the number of third game media that can be deposited in the game store.
When the transition operation is accepted by the reception step, the transition from the number of the second game media to the number of the third game media is performed based on the number of the first game media acquired by the acquisition step. A game medium transfer method comprising a suppression step of suppression.

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