JP2024095281A - Game device and game program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game device capable of notifying a player of an accurate game value number, on the basis of game data output from a game machine.SOLUTION: A game device 60 is provided in correspondence with a game machine 10 which includes storage means capable of storing an owned game value number which is a game value number owned by a player, and output means capable of outputting specific information indicating the owned game value number stored in the storage means. The game device is configured to include calculation means 65 capable of calculating a cumulative value of the owned game value number in the multiple game machines 10 on the basis of the specific information output from the multiple game machines 10, and notification means 64 capable of notifying the player of information on the cumulative value calculated by the calculation means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming device and a gaming program.

A gaming device is disclosed that compiles information about a game based on game data such as out signals and safe signals output from a gaming machine and loan signals output from a loaning machine (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-248962 A

However, there was room for improvement in conventional gaming devices.

To achieve the above object, the gaming device of the present invention is provided in correspondence with a gaming machine that includes a storage means capable of storing the number of owned gaming values, which is the number of gaming values owned by a player, and an output means capable of outputting specific information indicating the number of owned gaming values stored in the storage means, and is configured to include a calculation means capable of calculating a cumulative value of the number of owned gaming values in a plurality of gaming machines based on the specific information output from the plurality of gaming machines, and a notification means capable of notifying information regarding the cumulative value calculated by the calculation means.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a gaming system. 2 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the gaming device. FIG. A figure showing an example of data (for smart pachinko) output from the hall control output box. A figure showing an example of data output from the hall control output box (for smart pachislot). FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a game media number database. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first display example of a total display screen displayed on the display unit. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second display example of a total display screen displayed on the display unit. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a third display example of a total display screen displayed on the display unit. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a fourth display example of a total display screen displayed on the display unit. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of an abnormality determination process. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of anomaly detection. A figure showing an example of an abnormality notification screen displayed on the display unit when an abnormality occurs in the number of game media. A figure showing an example of an arcade layout screen displayed on the display unit when an abnormality occurs in the number of gaming media.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The gaming system 1 operates on a computer controlled by a program (gaming program).
The program sends commands to each component of the computer, causing it to carry out predetermined processes, such as input/output, storage, and calculation of data in the hall computer 60.
The gaming system 1 is realized by a specific means in which a program and a computer work together, and all or part of the program is provided on a magnetic disk, optical disk, or any other computer-readable storage medium, and the program is read from the storage medium, installed on the computer and executed.
The program can also be loaded directly into a computer via a communication line and executed without using a storage medium.
Furthermore, the gaming machines used in this embodiment are configured so that players cannot touch the gaming media (gaming value).
Therefore, in the following explanation, a conventional gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as "conventional machine") that uses gaming balls will be referred to as a "smart pachinko 10a," a conventional pachislot machine that uses medals will be referred to as a "smart pachislot 10b," and these will be collectively referred to as "smart gaming machine 10."

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a gaming system 1. As shown in FIG.
The gaming system 1 in this embodiment is composed of a smart gaming machine 10 and a plurality of gaming devices.
The multiple gaming devices that make up the gaming system 1 include, for example, a dedicated unit 20, a hall computer output box 30, a call lamp 40, an intercom 50, a management computer 55, a prize exchange device 56, a member management device 57, and a hall computer 60.
These gaming devices each have a communication means and are connected to each other so as to be able to perform data communications via a predetermined network (for example, a local area network).

The smart gaming machine 10 (gaming machine) is a gaming machine that allows a player to play a game without directly touching gaming media such as gaming balls or medals.
For example, the smart pachinko 10a can be played by sealing and circulating game balls inside the gaming machine, and the smart pachislot 10b can be played by lending out electronic data (hereinafter simply referred to as "game medium") without using physical medals.
The gaming states of the smart gaming machine 10 are similar to those of conventional machines, for example, a normal gaming state in which gaming media is spent at a predetermined rate, and a special gaming state in which an increase in gaming media can be expected compared to the normal gaming state, which is advantageous to the player.
This special gaming state is a gaming state in which the probability of winning a jackpot or a bonus is higher than in the normal gaming state, and the game is controlled so that if a player wins a bonus, he or she can win a large amount of gaming media through subsequent winnings.
In addition, various data (game data) are output from the output means of the smart gaming machine 10 in accordance with the progress of the game, and all of this data is output via a dedicated unit 20 which will be described next.

The dedicated unit 20 (lending device) is electrically connected to the attached smart gaming machine 10 via a dedicated PIF cable or the like to enable data communication, and has the function of using electronic data to perform tasks such as lending gaming media according to the amount of money inserted.
For example, gaming media are lent out according to the amount of money inserted by outputting lending data specifying the "number of lent media" to the smart gaming machine 10 based on the lending operation by the player.
Based on this rental data, the smart gaming machine 10 identifies the "number of rental media" of gaming media, stores it in a storage means, and adds it to the number of media owned by the player.

The dedicated unit 20 also returns game media.
Specifically, in the smart gaming machine 10, counting data that specifies the counted number of gaming media is output to the dedicated unit 20 by a counting operation.
When the dedicated unit 20 receives the count data output from the smart gaming machine 10, the dedicated unit 20 manages the counted number of gaming media specified based on the count data as the number of owned media.

Furthermore, the dedicated unit 20 is provided with a card unit, and this card unit stores (records) the number of carried media in an IC card.
The IC card is discharged from the card unit by a return operation, and the player can use the IC card in which the number of held media is stored to exchange it for a prize at a prize exchange center in the game parlor or to play again by inserting it into the card unit of another dedicated unit 20.
Such a dedicated unit 20 is connected to the hall control output box 30, the management computer 55, etc. so as to be capable of data communication.

The hall computer output box 30 (relay device) is connected to the dedicated unit 20, call lamp 40, hall computer 60, etc. so as to be able to communicate data, and has the same functions as the external terminal board of conventional machines that use game balls and medals.
The hall computer output box 30 also functions as a pulse converter that outputs data output from the dedicated unit 20 connected via serial communication to the call lamp 40, the hall computer 60, etc.
Specifically, the hall computer output box 30 can output data via serial communication from the dedicated unit 20 as a serial output, which outputs the data directly to the hall computer 60, etc. via serial communication, or as a pulse output, which converts the data into pulses and outputs the data.
This is because, conventionally, hall computers 60 etc. obtained data by accepting pulse data from conventional machines or inter-machine machines (not shown), etc., and this is to accommodate hall computers 60 etc. that accept pulse outputs.
This makes it possible for the hall control output box 30 to configure a gaming system 1 that supports both serial output and pulse output.

In addition, the hall control output box 30 determines the type of gaming machine from the data output from the dedicated unit 20, and performs an operation according to the determination result.
The gaming machine type is one byte long, with Bit 0 to Bit 3 indicating the type of gaming machine, Bit 4 to Bit 6 indicating the group classification, and Bit 7 indicating the management medium, and is information regarding the type of gaming machine.
For example, the gaming medium of the smart gaming machine 10 is determined from the management medium among the gaming machine types, such as a gaming ball if the management medium is "0" and a medal if the management medium is "1".

The call lamp 40 notifies the player of the occurrence of a jackpot, a special probability, a call from a store attendant, etc. by lighting or blinking the light emitting means, and also displays information related to the game.
For example, the call lamp 40 displays useful information to the player using numbers and graphs to make it easy to see the number of jackpots and the number of special events for the current day, the previous day, etc., as well as the number of starts, which is the number of rotations since the last jackpot, and the jackpot history.
The call lamp 40 has a call function (calling) that allows a store attendant to be called by pressing the call button. When a player operates this call button, call information is output to the hall computer 60, and when the call button is operated again, the output of the call information is cancelled.
In addition, if an abnormality is determined in the abnormality determination process described below, information to that effect can be sent to the call lamp 40 corresponding to the smart gaming machine 10 determined to be abnormal, so that the call lamp 40 can also make a similar abnormality notification.

The intercom 50 (terminal device) functions as a notification means and is a terminal device that uses radio waves as a communication tool.
The gaming system 1 is configured with a plurality of intercoms 50, and each store clerk carries one intercom 50.
The intercom 50 not only allows hands-free calling using a headset, but can also notify various information from the hall computer 60, etc., making it an ideal communication tool for arcades where immediacy is required.

The management computer 55 is connected to a management center outside the amusement facility via the Internet for data communication, and collects and manages ball output data output from the smart gaming machines 10 and dedicated units 20 installed in the amusement facility.
This ball output data includes performance data that is output to the management center after the amusement arcade closes, as well as fraud and error data that is output to the management center in real time, and all of this data is managed centrally at the management center.

The prize exchange device 56 performs an exchange process for the prize desired by the player within the number of owned media that the player has acquired through playing the game.
For example, when the IC card returned from the dedicated unit 20 is handed over to a store clerk or the like standing at the prize counter, the prize exchange device 56 performs a prize exchange process based on the operation of the store clerk or the like.
In this prize exchange process, the remaining number of game media is read from the IC card via the card reader 100 provided in the prize exchange device 56, and settlement processing is carried out with the prize corresponding to this remaining number.

The IC cards used in this embodiment include membership cards used by players who are registered as members of an amusement arcade (hereinafter referred to as member players), as well as general cards used by players who are not registered as members of an amusement arcade (hereinafter referred to as non-member players).
The membership card can store the number of owned media acquired by a member player over multiple days, and can therefore be used after the day of purchase.
In contrast, a general card can store the number of media held by a non-member player on the day of acquisition, and is a card that is loaned to a player temporarily, such as for the day only.

Therefore, the card reader 100 provided in the prize exchange device 56 and the card unit provided in the dedicated unit 20 function as identification means for reading various information on the IC card and identifying whether or not the player is a member.
The various pieces of information related to the IC card that are read at this time include, for example, information indicating that the card has been inserted, the member number of the member card, and ID information of the general card.

The member management device 57 manages information on players registered as members in the gaming facility, and transmits and receives information on players registered as members between other gaming devices, thereby managing the number of owned media that member players have acquired through play.
In this embodiment, the number of game media stored in the membership card that have been acquired and deposited in the gaming facility on or before the day is also referred to as the number of stored game media.
The member management device 57 stores a member database in which information about members is recorded.
The member database is made up of, for example, a member's address, telephone number, card ID (member number) of the member's card, number of storage media, cash balance, and the like.
Then, the member management device 57 updates the number of stored cards, cash balance, etc. in the member database based on the card ID and various operation data transmitted from the dedicated unit 20.

The hall computer 60 (gaming device) is an information processing device that operates according to a program, and is installed, for example, in a location where it can be operated by the arcade manager or staff, or in an office behind the counter.
The hall computer 60 stores, manages, and analyzes information related to games played on all the smart gaming machines 10 installed in the gaming arcade, and manages gaming data (e.g., payout rate, gross profit, etc.) in the gaming arcade.
As shown in FIG. 2, such a hall computer 60 is composed of a communication unit 61, a memory unit 62, an operation unit 63, a display unit 64 (notification means), and a control unit 65 (calculation means).

The communication unit 61 inputs various data from the smart gaming machine 10, the dedicated unit 20, etc. via the hall control output box 30.
Here, various data output from the smart gaming machine 10 and the dedicated unit 20 will be described.
Various data output from the smart gaming machine 10 and the dedicated unit 20 are output to the call lamp 40, the hall computer 60, etc. via the hall computer output box 30.

The various data are mainly divided into three data types: "machine data,""fraudulentdata," and "sales data."
Hereinafter, the data names and data types for each data type at the time of pulse output will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG.
FIG. 3 shows an example of data output from the smart pachinko 10a, and FIG. 4 shows an example of data output from the smart pachislot 10b.

"Data name" indicates the name of the data corresponding to each data.
"Machine data" is data generated in association with play, and examples include out data output each time a game medium is consumed (used) (Smart Pachinko 10a: number of shots, Smart Pachislot 10b: number of medals used), safe data output each time a game medium is acquired by winning or the like (Smart Pachinko 10a: winning balls, Smart Pachislot 10b: number of medals awarded), and status data output during a special game state (Smart Pachinko 10a: during a jackpot, Smart Pachislot 10b: during RB).
Therefore, the "number of outs" can be determined from the out data, etc., the "number of safes" from the safe data, etc., and the game status, etc. can be determined from the status data, etc.

"Fraudulent data" is data that is generated in conjunction with fraudulent activities such as cheating, and examples include door open data (smart pachinko 10a) and door open data (smart pachislot 10b) that are output when the door of the smart gaming machine 10 is in an open state, fraudulent data (smart pachinko 10a) and fraud detection data (smart pachislot 10b) that are output when fraud is caused by magnetism, radio waves, etc.
Therefore, fraudulent acts, malfunctions, etc. can be identified from fraud detection data, etc.

"Sales data" is data generated in association with the lending or calling of gaming media, and includes, for example, deposit amount data output at the time of deposit, consumption amount (amount used) data output at the time of consumption, counting data output based on the counting of gaming media by the dedicated unit 20 (Smart Pachinko 10a: number of counted balls, Smart Pachislot 10b: number of counted medals), and withdrawal data output based on the number of gaming media withdrawn from the number of held media stored on the IC card (Smart Pachinko 10a: number of withdrawn balls, Smart Pachislot 10b: number of withdrawn medals).
Furthermore, the "sales data" includes call data output while the store clerk is being called, card insertion data output while the IC card is inserted, and the like.
Therefore, the "number of loaned media" can be determined from deposit amount data and consumption amount data, the "number of counted media" from counting data, and the "number of withdrawn media" from withdrawal data.

The data type indicates which of two data types each data corresponds to: a pulse type in which the width of one pulse is fixed at 50 ms, and a state type in which data is continuously output when in a corresponding state.
For example, the out data of the "machine data" has a data type of pulse format (number of balls fired: 1 pulse for 10 balls, number of medals used: 1 pulse for 1 medal), and the status data of the "machine data" has a data type of status format (jackpot: ON during jackpot, RB: ON during RB).
In addition, the door open data and door open data in the "fraudulent data" are of the status type (door open/door open: ON when open), the counting data in the "sales data" are of the pulse type (number of counted balls: 1 pulse for 25 balls, number of counted medals: 1 pulse for 5 medals), and the call data in the "sales data" are of the status type (call: ON during call).
In this way, even within the same data type, the data types may differ.
The data output from the hall computer output box 30 may be output to the hall computer 60 at any time or may be stored and then output.
For example, in the former case, when data indicating the use of 10 balls is input from the smart pachinko machine 10a, the data indicating the use of 10 balls is output to the hall computer 60 at any time, whereas in the latter case, after accumulating until a total of 100 balls are reached, the data indicating the use of 100 balls is output to the hall computer 60.

The memory unit 62 is composed of a storage medium (e.g., ROM, RAM, hard disk, etc.) capable of storing programs and data for executing various functions of the hall computer 60.
The storage unit 62 stores various data input from the smart gaming machine 10, the dedicated unit 20, and the like.

Incidentally, the data output form from the hall computer output box 30 to the hall computer 60 or the like may be a serial output different from the above-mentioned pulse output.
When the hall computer output box 30 uses serial output, it communicates periodically (e.g., every 300 ms) with the hall computer 60 and the like based on the data output from the dedicated unit 20 .
For example, the hall computer output box 30 outputs the "machine data" as a difference value and the "sales data" as a cumulative value to the hall computer 60, etc.
This makes it possible for the hall computer 60 to determine the "number of gaming media" of the smart gaming machine 10 in addition to the data mentioned above. However, with conventional hall computers 60, even if the data on the "number of gaming media" was output, it could not be utilized in a useful way because the data could only be received as a pulse output.
Therefore, the hall computer 60 of this embodiment is equipped with a calculation means capable of calculating the cumulative value of the number of game values owned by a player, which is output from multiple smart gaming machines 10, and a notification means capable of notifying information relating to the cumulative value of the number of game values owned calculated by the calculation means, thereby making it possible to utilize gaming data such as the "number of gaming media" in a useful manner.

Here, the game media number database stored in the storage unit 62 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, the game media number database is made up of the following items: "unit number,""machinetype,""number of game media,""number of prize media,""number of loaned media,""number of outs," and "number of safes."
The "unit number" is a number given to identify the dedicated unit 20, and a different number is used for each dedicated unit 20.
“Model” indicates the model name of the smart gaming machine 10 that corresponds to the dedicated unit 20 .
The "number of gaming media" (number of owned gaming values, specific information) is the quantity of gaming media managed by the smart gaming machine 10, and refers to the number of gaming media that can be exchanged for prizes.
In other words, in the case of conventional "pachinko" machines, it corresponds to the number of game balls on the upper tray and the number of game balls stacked in the ball box, while in the case of conventional "pachislot" machines, it corresponds to the number of medals counted as credits, the number of medals on the lower tray, the number of medals stacked in the box, etc.
The "number of prize media" (number of owned gaming values, number of counted media, number of held media, specific information) is the quantity of gaming media managed by the dedicated unit 20, and refers to the number of gaming media that can be exchanged for prizes.
"Number of loaned media" indicates the quantity of gaming media that the dedicated unit 20 loans out for a specified amount of money.
The “number of outs” indicates the number of gaming media used for the smart gaming machine 10 .
The “safe number” indicates the number of gaming media awarded from the smart gaming machine 10 .
The control unit 65 controls reading and writing of such a gaming medium number database based on data output from the smart gaming machine 10 and the dedicated unit 20.

The operation unit 63 is an operating means consisting of a keyboard, mouse, etc., and can be operated by the amusement center manager, etc. to select and input predetermined data, instructions, commands, etc.

The display unit 64 is a notification means such as a liquid crystal display, and displays numerical values inputted from the operation unit 63 and calculated game data when an arcade staff member operates the operation unit 63 .
Specifically, the "total display screen" (see FIGS. 6 to 9), "abnormality notification screen" (see FIG. 12), "game center layout screen" (see FIG. 13), etc., which will be described later, are displayed.
The display unit 64 functions as a notification means by display, but the notification means may be replaced by or may include a sound notification such as a voice or a buzzer.

The control unit 65 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and performs processing as the hall computer 60 while monitoring and controlling each of the above-mentioned parts by reading and executing programs stored in the memory unit 62.
For example, the control unit 65 calculates gaming data, which is data specific to the gaming facility and is used during business hours of the gaming facility, based on various data output from the smart gaming machines 10 and the like via the communication unit 61 .
Managers of the gaming facility use the gaming data calculated using the various data output from the smart gaming machine 10 as an index for the daily operation of the gaming facility.

[Total display processing]
Figures 6 to 9 show display examples 1 to 4 of the "total display screen" displayed on the display unit 64 in an arcade where a smart pachinko 10a and a smart pachislot 10b are installed and the "prize price" per prize is assumed to be 5,000 yen.
The "total display screen" is a screen that displays the cumulative total (total result) of the number of game values owned by a player (number of owned game values) in a plurality of gaming machines based on the number of game values owned by the player.

The “Combined Display Screen (Display Example 1)” shown in Figure 6 displays the following items: “Type,” “Rate,” “Number of Machines,” “Number of Gaming Media (Total),” “Number of Prizes Required (Total),” “Number of Gaming Media (Non-members),” “Number of Prizes Required (Non-members),” and “Number of Gaming Media (Members).”
"Type" displays the type of the smart gaming machine 10, for example, "Sma-Pachi" indicating the smart pachinko 10a, "Sma-Slot" indicating the smart pachislot 10b, etc.
"Rate" displays the rental rate of the gaming medium, for example, "4" indicating a 4 yen pachinko machine, "20" indicating a 20 yen slot machine, etc.
"Number of Machines" displays the number of smart gaming machines 10 installed in the gaming facility.
"Number of gaming media (total)" is the cumulative value of gaming media acquired by all players, regardless of whether they are members or non-members, and displays the quantity of gaming media that can be exchanged for prizes managed by the smart gaming machine 10.
The "number of prizes required (total)" is calculated by multiplying "rate" by "number of gaming media (total)" and dividing by "unit price of prize," and the "number of prizes" required if all players, regardless of whether they are members or non-members, exchange prizes is displayed.
“Number of gaming media (non-members)” (non-member cumulative value) is the cumulative value of gaming media acquired by non-member players, and displays the quantity of gaming media that can be exchanged for prizes managed by the smart gaming machine 10.
The "number of prizes required (for non-members)" is calculated by multiplying "rate" by "number of gaming media (for non-members)" and dividing by "price per prize," and displays the "number of prizes" required when a non-member player exchanges prizes.
“Number of gaming media (member)” (member cumulative value) is the cumulative value of gaming media acquired by a member player, and displays the quantity of gaming media that can be exchanged for prizes managed by the smart gaming machine 10.

In this way, on the "Total Display Screen (Display Example 1)", the "Number of Prizes Required" is displayed only to non-member players, and is not output individually to member players.
This takes into consideration the fact that member players are more likely to deposit (save) balls rather than exchange them for prizes than non-member players.
In addition, the total cumulative value of the "Number of Prizes Required (total)" on the "Total Display Screen" is highlighted by, for example, coloring the surrounding area in red, so that the amusement center manager, etc. can easily grasp the minimum number of prizes that are required.
The example shown in FIG. 6 indicates that a minimum of 880 prizes are required.

In the "Total Display Screen (Display Example 2)" shown in FIG. 7, "Number of Prize Media (Total)" and "Total (Number of Game Media + Number of Prize Media)" are displayed as new items.
"Number of prize media (total)" is the cumulative value of game media acquired by all players, regardless of whether they are members or non-members, and displays the quantity of game media that can be exchanged for prizes managed by the dedicated unit 20.
"Total (number of game media + number of prize media)" is calculated by adding "number of game media (total)" to "number of prize media (total)," and the value displayed takes into account the "number of prize media (total)."
This allows the "total number of prizes required" to be calculated by multiplying the "rate" by "total (number of gaming media + number of prize media)" and dividing the "unit price of prize," allowing the manager of the amusement facility, etc., to more accurately determine the number of prizes required.

The "Total Display Screen (Display Example 3)" shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to an arcade where both "Sma-Pachi" and "Sma-Slot" have multiple rates.
In this example, game data including the "required number of prizes (total)" for 4 yen pachinko, 20 yen slot, 1 yen pachinko, and 5 yen slot are displayed.

The "combined display screen (display example 4)" shown in Figure 9 is suitable for an amusement facility that has a mixture of "Sma Pachi" and "Sma Slot" as smart gaming machines 10, as well as "Pachinko" and "Pachi Slot" as conventional machines.
In this example, game data including the “required number of prizes (total)” of the smart gaming machine 10 and the conventional gaming machine are displayed.
In this case, since the “number of gaming media” of the conventional machine is not output separately like the smart gaming machine 10, the cumulative value of the “number of error media of each machine” of the conventional machine calculated using the formula 1 described below is displayed with the “-” inverted to a “+”.

Such a "total display screen" is realized by the hall computer 60 functioning as a calculation means capable of calculating the cumulative value of the number of owned game values owned by the player output from the multiple smart gaming machines 10, and as a notification means capable of notifying information regarding the cumulative value of the number of owned game values calculated by the calculation means.

[Abnormality Judgment Processing]
Next, the abnormality determination process will be described.
The control unit 65 executes an abnormality determination process to determine whether the calculated gaming data is abnormal (proper) or not, based on various data output from the smart gaming machine 10 and the like.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the abnormality determination process executed by the control unit 65.
A game program created based on this flowchart is stored in the memory unit 62, and when this game program is started, the control unit 65 executes an abnormality determination process.

The smart gaming machine 10 and the dedicated unit 20 output gaming data (such as "number of gaming media,""number of prize media,""number of loaned media,""number of outs,""number of safes," etc.) to the hall computer 60 depending on the player's play and the operation of the dedicated unit 20.
The control unit 65 collects the gaming data output from the smart gaming machine 10 and stores it in the storage unit 62 (S10).

Here, the following (Formula 1) that has been used in conventional machines to determine whether gaming media such as gaming balls have been taken out or brought in will be described.
E = F - P (L - O + S) ... (Equation 1)
E: "Number of error media for each unit"
F: "Number of prize media"
P: "Estimated number of prize media between machines"
L: "Number of loaned media"
O: Number of outs
S: "Number of safes"

The "number of error media for each machine (E)" is the quantity of gaming media generated as a result of a player playing on a conventional machine (smart gaming machine 10 in the case of (Equation 2) and (Equation 3) described below) and operating an inter-machine machine (dedicated unit 20 in the case of (Equation 2) and (Equation 3)), and refers to the difference in the "number of gaming media" calculated by "number of prize media (F)" - "estimated number of prize media between machines (P)."
The "number of prize media (F)" is the counted quantity of gaming media determined by the player's counting operation, and is the quantity of gaming media counted by the machine between machines.
The "estimated number of prize media between machines (P)" is the quantity of gaming media calculated by "number of loaned media (L)" - "number of outs (O)" + "number of safes (S)", and is the number of media that a player owns when playing without taking any media out or bringing any media into the machine.

For example, if the calculation result of the "number of media errors on each vehicle" is "0", it is determined to be in a "normal state" (see FIG. 11(a)).
On the other hand, if the calculation result of the "number of error media on each machine" is "- (negative)", it is determined to be in a "normal state" or that the gaming media has been "taken out" of the conventional machine (abnormal takeout) (see Figure 11 (b)).
Furthermore, if the calculation result of the "number of error media on each machine" is "+ (positive)", it is determined that gaming media have been "brought in" from a conventional machine (brought-in abnormality) (see FIG. 11(c)).
In addition, the determination may be made by subtracting the "estimated number of prize media between machines" from the "number of prize media" (the opposite of the "formula 1").
In this case, if the calculation result of the "number of error media on each machine" is "0", it is determined to be in a "normal state", but if it is "- (negative)", it is determined to be in a state where the gaming medium has been "brought in" from the conventional machine, and if it is "+ (positive)", it is determined to be in a "normal state" or a state where the gaming medium has been "removed" from the conventional machine.

In the smart gaming machine 10, the control unit 65 uses the above-mentioned (Equation 1) to calculate the game data by applying the condition equation of at least one of the judgment methods, judgment method 1 modified to (Equation 2) or judgment method 2 modified to (Equation 3), and executes the abnormality judgment process (S11).

[Determination method 1]
In the determination method 1, the determination is made based on whether or not the following conditional expression (Equation 2) is satisfied.
F+G-P(L-O+S)=0 (Equation 2)
G: "Number of gaming media"

Judgment method 1 incorporates the “number of game media (G)” into (Equation 1), adds the “number of prize media (F)” and the “number of game media (G)” to find the sum, and judges whether the value obtained by subtracting the “estimated number of prize media between machines (P)” from this sum is “0” or not.
In judgment method 1, since "number of error media on each machine (E)" = "number of gaming media (G)" from (Equation 1) and (Equation 2), if the calculated value is "0", it is judged that the "number of gaming media (G)" is normal (S12: Yes), and if it is not "0", it is judged that the "number of gaming media (G)" is abnormal (hereinafter also referred to as abnormal number of gaming media) (S12: No, S13).
In addition, considering the timing at which the "number of gaming media (G)" is output from the smart gaming machine 10 to the dedicated unit 20, and the fact that a portion of the "number of gaming media (G)" (for example, 1 to 100 for the smart pachinko 10a, and 1 to 3 for the smart pachislot 10b) is added to the waiting balls and the number of bets, the value calculated by (Equation 2) will not necessarily be "0", so it is preferable to allow a certain amount of leeway in the judgment value that is judged to be normal.

[Determination method 2]
In the second determination method, the determination is made based on whether or not the following conditional expression (Equation 3) is satisfied.
E(F−P(L−O+S))=G (Equation 3)

Judgment method 2, like (Equation 2), incorporates the “number of gaming media (G)” into (Equation 1) and judges whether the “number of error media for each machine (E)” and the “number of gaming media (G)” are “the same.”
In judgment method 2, if the "number of error media for each machine (E)" and the "number of gaming media (G)" are "the same", the "number of gaming media (G)" is judged to be normal (S12: Yes), and if they are not "the same", the "number of gaming media (G)" is judged to be abnormal (S12: No, S13).
In the second determination method, as in the first determination method, it is preferable to provide a certain margin for the determination value for determining normality.

When the control unit 65 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the "number of gaming media" as a result of the determination, it notifies the abnormality in the number of gaming media (S14).
Specifically, the control unit 65 displays the abnormality in the number of gaming media on the display unit 64 and notifies the amusement arcade staff of the abnormality in the number of gaming media via output means such as the intercom 50 carried by the amusement arcade staff.
Therefore, a staff member at the gaming facility can move to the smart gaming machine 10 having the abnormality and quickly investigate and deal with the cause of the abnormality.

On the other hand, if the control unit 65 determines that the "number of gaming media" is normal, if the gaming center is open for business (S15: Yes), it returns to S10 and continues processing, and if the gaming center's business hours have ended (S15: No), it ends processing.

The reason why an abnormality in the number of game media can be detected by such an abnormality detection process is as follows.
A difference occurs between the "number of gaming media" and the "error media number for each machine" when an abnormality occurs, such as when a detection sensor that counts gaming media in a smart gaming machine 10 or the like breaks down and therefore detects gaming media but not all of the time, or when fraud occurs due to cheating.
The "estimated number of prize media between machines" used in calculating the "number of error media for each machine" is an estimated value of the number of game value owned by a player that can be exchanged for prizes, as shown in the above (Equation 1) to (Equation 3), and is calculated using data other than the "number of game media."
For this reason, the "number of error media on each machine", which is the same as the "number of gaming media", is calculated from other gaming data other than the "number of gaming media", and if the result shows that the difference between the "number of gaming media" and the "number of error media on each machine" exceeds the allowable amount, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred.

[Abnormality notification screen]
FIG. 12 is a display example of the “abnormality notification screen” displayed on the display unit 64.
For example, there is a possibility that the manager of the gaming facility may not notice an abnormality in the number of gaming media.
Therefore, when the control unit 65 determines that there is an abnormality in the number of game media, an “abnormality notification screen” is displayed on the display unit 64 .
The "abnormality notification screen" is a screen that identifies the machine number of the smart gaming machine 10 having an abnormality in the number of gaming media and alerts the manager of the gaming facility, etc.
For example, Figure 12 (a) shows an example of an "abnormality notification screen" that is displayed on the display unit 64 when the calculation result using (Equation 2) of judgment method 1 of the abnormality judgment process is not "0", or when the calculation result using (Equation 3) of judgment method 2 is not "the same".
According to this “abnormality notification screen”, the manager of the gaming facility or the like can recognize that an abnormality in the number of gaming media has occurred in the smart gaming machine 10 with machine number 2.

In addition, if the calculation result using (Equation 2) of judgment method 1 of the abnormality judgment process is not "0", or if the calculation result using (Equation 3) of judgment method 2 is not "the same", an "abnormality notification screen (upper limit abnormality)" or an "abnormality notification screen (lower limit abnormality)" as shown in Figures 12(b) and 12(c) may be displayed on the display unit 64.
For example, if the calculation result using (Equation 2) of Determination Method 1 of the abnormality determination process is “+ (positive)”, or if the calculation result using (Equation 3) of Determination Method 2 shows that the “number of gaming media” is “large”, it is determined to be an “upper limit abnormality” and an abnormality notification screen such as that shown in Figure 12 (b) is displayed.
On the other hand, if the calculation result using (Equation 2) of Determination Method 1 of the abnormality determination process is "- (negative)", or if the calculation result using (Equation 3) of Determination Method 2 shows that the "number of gaming media" is "small", it is determined to be a "lower limit abnormality" and an abnormality notification screen such as that shown in Figure 12 (c) is displayed.
The manager of the gaming facility can then select as appropriate which "abnormality notification screen" to display.

Furthermore, the display mode of the "abnormality notification screen" is not limited to the mode shown in Figure 12, and it is possible to visually notify a smart gaming machine 10 in which an abnormality in the number of gaming media has occurred and other smart gaming machines 10 by distinguishing between them.
In this case, a schematic layout of the arrangement of the smart gaming machines 10 on each floor is displayed, and the operating status, etc. of each smart gaming machine 10 is also displayed in a schematic manner.

When an abnormality occurs in the number of gaming media, the hall computer 60 can visually notify each smart gaming machine 10 in which an abnormality in the number of gaming media has occurred on a gaming machine basis, and can display, for example, an "amusement hall layout screen" as shown in Figure 13.
The "game center layout screen" is a screen that displays a schematic layout of the placement of the smart gaming machines 10 on each floor and allows the user to check the operating status in that layout.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, an abnormality in the number of gaming media has occurred in the smart gaming machines 10 with machine numbers 2 and 33 on floor "1F," so the display unit 64 displays the abnormality in the number of gaming media in a different manner from the other smart gaming machines 10.
In the "Amusement Center Layout Screen," by checking the check box 200 for abnormality in the number of gaming media in the pop-up display selection screen 201, the smart gaming machine 10 having an abnormality in the number of gaming media is displayed in a different manner from other smart gaming machines 10, for example, with a "red flag mark," etc.

In this way, the control unit 65 can cause the display unit 64 to function as an alarm means, thereby enabling the display mode to be different between a smart gaming machine 10 in which an abnormality in the number of gaming media has occurred and a smart gaming machine 10 in which an abnormality in the number of gaming media has not occurred.
This allows the manager of the gaming facility or the like to easily recognize that an abnormality has occurred in the number of gaming media in the smart gaming machine 10 of the number series.
As a result, the manager of the gaming facility or the like can easily identify the smart gaming machine 10 installed on the floor in which an abnormality in the number of gaming media has occurred by using the "gaming facility layout screen."

As described above, according to the gaming device of this embodiment, the cumulative value of the “number of gaming media” owned by a player can be displayed based on the gaming data output from a plurality of smart gaming machines 10 .
This allows the "number of game media" to be known before the game arcade closes, making it possible to predict how many "game media" will be exchanged for prizes.
Therefore, the number of prizes currently available (number of prizes that can be exchanged) and the number of store staff involved in prize exchange (staff at the prize counter) can be adjusted in advance, thereby improving service.
In conventional gaming devices, even if data on the "number of gaming media" is output, it cannot be used in a useful manner because the data can only be received as a pulse output.
According to the gaming device of the present invention, it is possible to solve all or part of the problems that need to be improved in conventional gaming devices.

The above describes preferred embodiments of the gaming device and program of the present invention, but the gaming device and program of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.
(1) In this embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to a hall computer 60 as an example of a gaming device, but it can also be applied to other gaming devices that can be connected to the gaming system 1, such as a dedicated unit 20, a hall computer output box 30, a call lamp 40, a management computer 55, a prize exchange device 56, a member management device 57, etc.
(2) In the display examples of the “combined display screen” shown in Figures 6 to 9, an example has been described in which the smart gaming machine 10 is divided into “Sma Pachi” and “Sma Slot” and game data is displayed, but the game data may be displayed as a single smart gaming machine 10.
In this case, when the "rates" of "Sma Pachi" and "Sma Slot" are different, it is preferable to convert the "number of gaming media" to the "rate" of either "Sma Pachi" or "Sma Slot" and then summarize (display the total).
For example, when combining into the "rate" of "Smart Pachi" on the "Combined Display Screen (Display Example 1)," since the "rate (20 yen)" of "Smart Slot" is five times the "rate (4 yen)" of "Smart Pachi," it is preferable to multiply the "number of gaming media" of "Smart Slot" by five and then combine the "number of gaming media" of "Smart Pachi" and "Smart Slot."
(3) In the display examples of the “combined display screen” shown in Figures 6 to 9, examples have been described in which game data is displayed separately for “Sma Pachi” and “Sma Slot”, but the game data may also be displayed by classifying each of “Sma Pachi” and “Sma Slot” in more detail.
For example, "Sma Pachi" can be classified according to the probability of a jackpot occurring, and can be divided into the "Ama Desi" type, which has a high probability of winning and a small number of balls, the "Max" type, which has a low probability of winning and a large number of balls, and the "Middle" type, which has ball-winning characteristics intermediate between the Ama Desi type and the Max type.
In addition, "Smart Slot" can be classified into "A type" which has only bonuses such as big bonuses and regular bonuses, and "AT type" which has an AT game state that assists in winning small prizes, etc.
(4) The “total display screen” shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 9 may be provided with a function to exclude smart gaming machines 10 other than a specific “type” (e.g., “Sma Pachi”) or other than a specific “rate” (e.g., 4 yen pachinko) so that gaming data can be displayed.
(5) In the display examples of the “Combined Display Screen” shown in Figures 6 to 9, an example of displaying game data assuming that the prize unit price is a flat 5,000 yen has been described. However, the prize unit price may be further subdivided, for example, into large prize (5,000 yen), medium prize (1,000 yen), and small prize (200 yen).
In this case, the "number of prizes required" will depend on the "number of game media" or "number of prize game media". For example, if the "number of game media" is 6,200 yen, it can be displayed as 1 large prize, 1 medium prize, 1 small prize, etc.
(6) The highlighting of the "total display screen" shown in Figures 6 to 9 may be configured to be performed only shortly before the arcade closes (for example, one hour or more before closing) to avoid bothersomeness.
Further, the highlighting may be done in other ways, such as by changing the size, color, or font of the numerical value, other than by coloring the periphery of the total cumulative value of the "number of prizes required."
(7) In the display examples of the “Total Display Screen” shown in Figures 6 to 9, the “required number of prizes” required when a player exchanges prizes is displayed regardless of the time, but the screen may be configured to display the number only shortly before the amusement arcade closes (for example, one hour or more before closing).
In this case, it is preferable that the manager of the amusement facility or the like can set the closing time to any time.
(8) In the display examples of the "combined display screen" shown in Figures 6 to 9, if the hall computer 60 is unable to grasp the "number of gaming media" due to a malfunction or the like, the "number of gaming media" and "number of prizes required" may be calculated and displayed from the "error media number for each machine" using (Equation 1) to (Equation 3), etc.
In this case, by displaying on display unit 64 that the "number of gaming media" and "number of prizes required" are being calculated from the "error number of media for each machine" using (Equation 1) to (Equation 3), etc., it is possible to let the player recognize that this is a situation in which an error is likely to occur with the actual "number of gaming media."
(9) The remaining “number of prizes” (for example, the stock of special prizes managed by POS) may be registered in advance or managed in real time, and when the “number of required prizes” reaches a certain ratio (for example, 90% or more) of the remaining “number of prizes,” a specified notification may be given to encourage the replenishing of prizes.

1 Gaming system 10 Smart gaming machine (gaming machine)
20 Dedicated unit (rental device)
30 Hall control output box (relay device)
40 Call lamp 50 Intercom (notification means)
55 Management computer 56 Prize exchange device 57 Membership management device 60 Hall computer (game device)
61 Communication unit 62 Storage unit 63 Operation unit 64 Display unit (notification means)
65 Control unit (calculation means)

Claims (5)

A storage means capable of storing an owned game value number which is the number of game values owned by a player;
an output means capable of outputting specific information indicating the number of owned game values stored in the storage means;
In a gaming device provided in correspondence with a gaming machine having
A calculation means for calculating a cumulative total of the number of owned game values of the plurality of gaming machines based on specific information output from the plurality of gaming machines;
a notification means for notifying information related to the cumulative value calculated by the calculation means;
A gaming device comprising: The calculation means is
A non-member cumulative value, which is a cumulative value of the number of owned gaming values on the plurality of gaming machines on which non-member players have played games, can be calculated;
The notification means includes:
2. The gaming device according to claim 1, further comprising: a function for notifying information relating to the cumulative total value for non-members. The calculation means is
A member cumulative value, which is a cumulative value of the number of owned gaming values on the plurality of gaming machines on which a member player has played a game, can be calculated;
The notification means includes:
3. The gaming device according to claim 2, wherein the information relating to the non-member cumulative value and the information relating to the member cumulative value can be notified simultaneously. The calculation means is
The number of prizes required can be calculated from the cumulative value of the owned gaming value of the plurality of gaming machines,
The notification means includes:
The information regarding the number of prizes calculated by the calculation means can be notified.
3. A gaming device according to claim 1 or 2. A storage means capable of storing an owned game value number which is the number of game values owned by a player;
an output means capable of outputting specific information indicating the number of owned game values stored in the storage means;
A computer constituting a gaming device provided in correspondence with a gaming machine comprising:
a calculation means for calculating a cumulative total of the number of owned game values in the plurality of gaming machines based on specific information output from the plurality of gaming machines; and a notification means for notifying information on the cumulative total calculated by the calculation means.
A game program characterized by causing the game program to function as follows.

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