JP2696531B2 - Game storage media - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game storage medium used in a game apparatus having a storage medium reading device capable of reading information, and in particular, to a state display of the game storage medium. The present invention relates to a game storage medium provided with a status display section indicating the following.

[Related Art] In recent years, a card-type pachinko gaming system has been proposed as a typical example of a storage-medium-type gaming device that plays a game using a card-shaped storage medium. The card method has the advantage that the player only needs to carry the card, which is a storage medium, and can reduce the burden of carrying a large number of pachinko balls that are easy to fall. Conventionally proposed card-type pachinko gaming systems are roughly divided into the following two types.

In the first method, when issuing a card, the number of balls held corresponding to the purchase amount is stored in the card, a pachinko game is performed within the range of the number of balls held, and the number of balls held is increased or decreased in the game process. (See JP-B-47-42227).

In the second type of card system, when a card is purchased, a card in which only the card number is recorded is issued, the number of balls held is stored in a management device, and the card is stored by inserting the card into a card reader of a pachinko machine. The player can play the game by calling the held ball count. (June 61-32709
[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] It is possible to check at a glance whether the card used in the above-mentioned pachinko gaming system is a card issued by a regular card issuing machine. It is difficult, for example, a card with valuable value is copied, the copied card is taken to a game arcade and used illegally, or the card to be used for a card issuing machine is stolen, etc. A game store suffers a great deal of disadvantage if it is brought into a game store and used illegally.

According to the present invention, by providing a perforation forming unit that displays the issued state by perforation on a game storage medium, it is possible to accurately confirm whether or not the storage medium has been issued by an authorized storage medium issuing machine. It is in.

It is another object of the present invention to reliably prevent impropriety due to forgery of a storage medium and prevent a game store from being disadvantaged.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a game machine (for example, a game machine body 110 and a control unit 160) having a storage medium reading device (card reader 180) capable of reading information. Storage medium (card CD) used in the pachinko machine 100), which comprises: an information storage unit (for example, a magnetic recording unit MG) capable of storing a plurality of pieces of information; and a purchase amount display capable of displaying the purchase amount (For example, a purchase amount AM) and a status display unit (for example, a punch hole formation area PH) indicating whether the storage medium is at least before or has been issued. It includes a punch forming section (issued punch hole forming area PH1) to be displayed.

[Operation] According to the above-described means, by providing the game storage medium with the perforation forming unit that displays the issued state by perforation, whether or not the storage medium is issued by the perforated forming unit by the proper storage medium issuing machine is determined. It can be confirmed accurately.

Furthermore, it is possible to prevent impropriety due to forgery of storage media,
An amusement store can be prevented from suffering disadvantages.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a card-type pachinko gaming system as an example of a storage medium-type gaming facility to which the present invention is applied.

The pachinko gaming system according to this embodiment includes a pachinko machine 100 as a gaming device and an issuing machine as a storage medium issuing device that issues a card CD as a storage medium having a local value in order to start a game in each pachinko machine. Centrally manages and controls 200, a prize ball obtained as a result of the game and a payment machine 300 as a storage medium payment device for payment of remaining purchase money not used for the game, and the above-mentioned various terminals. And a data transmission line 500 for organically connecting the management device 400 and each terminal. These components constitute an organic combination. This organic combination can be interposed only by the card CD, and the card can be operated and its valuable data can be converted only by the organic combination. Therefore, the pachinko machine 100, the issuing machine 200, each component of the organic conjugate,
The settlement machine 300 and the management device 400 are each provided with a card reader (in this specification, a card reader that writes data on a magnetic surface of a card is also referred to as a card reader). Information is stored in the management device 40
0 is stored in the form of a file in the storage device.

Next, before a detailed description of each component of the organic conjugate, a card used in the system of the present embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2A, for example, the card CD used in the system of this embodiment includes a purchase amount AM as a purchase amount display section, a card insertion direction DIR,
There is provided a print display section PRT on which information necessary for the player, such as the issue date (= valid date) DATE, and the issue serial number n, etc., required when the damaged card is restored are printed at the time of issuance. Therefore, there is no need to prepare a plurality of types of cards on which different amounts of money are printed in advance.

Immediately above this print display unit PRT, there is provided a true / false identification area TF, which is a concealing member using special paint such as magnetic ink that cannot be seen from the card surface, or a structure that is difficult to forge such as a hologram. True physical discrimination physical layer TF1-TF4
Are provided at appropriate intervals, and further above, cards such as issued, resurrected, played, returned to zero, and settled as a perforation forming unit for displaying the state of the card, that is, the issued state, by perforation. A punch hole forming area PH is provided as a state display section for recording the history or state transition of the pier in the form of a perforation.

By detecting the above-mentioned perforations formed in the card with the photoelectric detector, the number of balls held is read from the file of the management device using the code recorded on the magnetic surface, and the state of the card can be easily checked without checking. Thus, it is possible to reduce the burden on the controller and the management device of the card reader required to determine the processing corresponding to the state of the card.

On the other hand, below the print display unit PRT, a magnetic recording unit MG as an information storage unit coated with a magnetic material is provided, and the magnetic recording unit MG, the print display unit PRT, and the authenticity discrimination area TF Although not shown, patterns such as decorative illustrations, the names of halls of pachinko parlors, and the like are printed in the margins of. Instead of providing the authenticity discrimination area TF, an elaborate pattern that is difficult to imitate a decorative pattern may be used, and the pattern may be optically inspected to discriminate the authenticity of the card. In the card of this embodiment, the magnetic recording unit MG, the print display unit PRT,
The authenticity discrimination area TF and the punch hole formation area PH are formed along the card insertion direction. In the card of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, there is a strip-shaped blank area between the print display unit PRT and the magnetic recording unit MG, which has no important information used for determining the card along the insertion direction. Alternatively, this may be used as a roller traveling area in which the transport roller of the card reader travels. Further, in the card of FIG. 2A, the magnetic recording portion MG is provided only in a part of the longitudinal direction, but it may be formed in a continuous band shape from end to end of the card similarly to the print display portion PRT, Alternatively, a magnetic material may be applied to the entire back surface of the card to form a magnetic recording portion.

The magnetic recording section MG is divided into, for example, five tracks TR1 to TR5 as shown in FIG. 2 (B). Of these, the fifth track TR5 records the other four bits for parity check. You. The magnetic recording unit MG also includes, in order from the left side, an 8-bit timing code TMS serving as dummy data for protecting the valid data unit, 4-bit auxiliary data STX indicating the start of data, and a game store code.
Display 6-bit identification code DSC, card issue date
16-bit date data DATE, 16-bit card number No converted based on issue serial number n, 4-bit auxiliary data ETX indicating the end of data, and the above data STX to ETX
A check bit LRC for parity check for each bit string of each data up to the above, and an 8-bit timing code TME as dummy data for protecting the valid data portion are recorded. A spare area RSU is provided between the card number No. and the auxiliary data ETX so that information other than the above can be entered. For example, the number of balls and the amount of money may be recorded here.

As described above, the information recorded on the magnetic surface of the card of this embodiment includes an identification code for specifying the usable space of the card, an issue date for indicating the validity period of the card, and an issue serial number n. A card number as an identification code obtained by using an appropriate function or a conversion method, and a check code for error detection. The purchase price and the number of balls are not recorded. These are configured to be able to be extracted in real time from the data file of the management device 400 by the card number. This prevents fraud by copying the card and minimizes the damage caused by fraud. In other words, even if the card is copied, no damage occurs beyond the purchase price and the number of balls registered in the data file, so copying the card is a completely useless act.

Moreover, in the above embodiment, the authenticity of the card is determined not only by the magnetic recording information recorded on the card but also by the physical identification layers TF1 to TF4, which are difficult to forge, so that the illegality of the card can be more reliably determined. Can be prevented. Also,
Since the fraudulent card can be immediately detected by checking the authenticity discrimination physical layers TF1 to TF4, the fraudulent card can be found more quickly than sending the magnetic information to the management device and judging the fraudulent card. It should be noted that a perforation is also formed in a telephone card or the like having a magnetic recording section, but a conventional card perforation is provided to inform a user of an unused balance, and a card reader is required to perform perforation. It is not intended to detect and use it for any processing or determination. In the embodiment, four authenticity discrimination physical layers are provided, but the number may be one.

In addition, by making the above card a disposable method,
In order to simplify the system and ease card management by eliminating the need for card collection equipment, and to reduce costs associated with disposables, the standard size of cards is 86 mm by 54 mm, and paper is used as card material. You have selected.

FIG. 26 shows the second pachinko gaming card according to the present invention.
Is shown.

The card of this embodiment is similar to the card shown in FIG. 2 in that the positions on the card are slightly different, but the print display section PRT, the magnetic recording section MG, and the punch hole forming section PH.
And an authenticity discrimination area TF. However, in the card of this embodiment, a belt-like roller running area RRA slightly wider than the transport roller in the card reader is provided between the print display unit PRT and the magnetic recording unit MG, that is, in the center of the card. The magnetic recording unit MG and the print display unit PR, which are provided along the direction and have important information used for determining the surface of the card, especially the card when contacted with the transport roller.
T, the authenticity discrimination area TF is prevented from being damaged, and the information can be prevented from being unreadable.

Further, in the card of this embodiment, instead of providing the authenticity discrimination physical layers TF1 to TF4 in the authenticity discrimination area TF, a security mark concealed in characters such as a hole name printed on the card surface is provided. . That is, the "PLAZA" as the character to be printed on the surface of the card, the position of the legs of each character as shown in FIG. 27 corresponds to the detection bit pattern B ₀ .about.B ₉ provided at an equal pitch of 3.5mm Design and print to come to Then, the character width is set to be 0.5 to 3.0 mm, and “1” or “0” of each bit is represented by shading of the character. Moreover, 10 5 th from the left of the bits of the bit B ₄ and the last bit B _9, the bit B ₀ .about.B ₃ and B ₅
Previously determining the shading of text to represent the parity of the .about.B _8.

It is more preferable that the security bits concealed in the character string be formed using a special ink that can be detected only by the sensor and cannot be distinguished by human eyes.

Further, on the surface of the game card of this embodiment, a head cleaning area HCN is provided in which a cleaning agent for removing dirt on the magnetic head is applied to a band-shaped area continuous with the magnetic recording section MG. At the same time, in the card of the embodiment, in order to make it difficult to know where the magnetic recording section MG is provided, as shown in FIG.
A white layer 13 is formed on a magnetic layer 12 obtained by uniformly coating magnetic particles on a base material 11 made of a plastic such as polyester.
Is formed, and the pattern printing layer 14 is further placed thereon, and then a part of the heat-sensitive coloring layer 1 (the portion corresponding to the print display section PRT) is formed.
5, and a transparent protective film 16 is coated thereon. The white area 1 is used for the cleaning area HCN.
A cleaning agent of the same color as that of 3 is applied, and the surface is exposed so that the protective film 16 is not coated, and the cleaning area is hardly changed in color from other parts, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance. ing. In addition, a pattern printing layer 17 is formed on the back surface of the card base material 11, and the upper surface is coated with a protective film 18.

In the card having the above structure in which the white layer 13 is formed on the surface of the magnetic layer 12, the magnetic layer 12 made of black magnetic particles is covered with the white white layer 13, so that the pattern is It is possible to provide a card with rich fashion by printing, and has a function of concealing the magnetic recording unit MG.

Furthermore, since the surface of the card is coated with the protective film 16, the print display area PRT, the magnetic recording area MG, and the area holding important information used for discriminating the card such as the authenticity discrimination area TF is protected, Such information is less likely to be destroyed, and the reliability of the card is improved.

FIG. 29 shows another configuration example of the magnetic recording unit MG provided on the card.

In the example of FIG. 2 (B), five tracks are provided in the magnetic recording section MG. Here, the recording density is set to 105 BPI (4.134 bits / mm) to form a two-track configuration.
Among them, the first track TRC1 records clock data for giving a sampling timing. The second track TRC2 includes, starting from the left, a 4-bit start code and a field STX containing the parity bit, a company code MKC indicating the card reader manufacturer, a device code MCC indicating the model of the card reader, and an identification code DSC of the game store. , Date data DAT
E, the card number No., the issuance command code FNC given from the card reader at the time of card issuance, the text field TXT containing the security data SDC read from the authenticity discrimination area, the field ETX containing the text end code, the text data and the end code. LRC containing the exclusive OR value (detection code) and field S containing the start code
It consists of TX. Moreover, the date is 4
A bit P indicating each parity is provided for each bit.
~ The ninth and eleventh bits represent the "day" and the twelfth
The last two digits of the Christian era are 2 in the 14th bit and the 16th to 19th bits
They are recorded in hexadecimal code.

In the case of a card having a magnetic recording section, it is generally easiest to decode the recording format and recording data from the date. However, in the card of the above embodiment, the order of the date is changed, and the parity is set every 4 bits. Put a bit,
Further, since the correspondence of the recording bits is changed, forgery of the card becomes extremely difficult.

 FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the card issuing machine 200.

The card issuing machine 200 of this embodiment includes a bill identifying device 210 for identifying bills for card purchase, and a card reader 22 for printing an amount corresponding to the purchase amount and recording a card number.
0, a balance payout device 230 for discharging change, various indicators 241 to 245, a control unit 250 for controlling the entire issuing machine 200, and the like.

Corresponding to the bill validator 210, the front panel 201 is provided with a bill insertion slot 211, a purchase price selection switch group 212 and a price display 213. Therefore, when the player first inserts a bill from the bill insertion slot 211, the money display 213
Displays the input amount. Then, the selection switch group 212
By pressing a switch corresponding to a desired purchase price from among the cards, a card corresponding to the desired purchase price is issued from the card outlet 202 of the card reader 220. Further, each of the money amount selection switch groups 212 is configured by a switch with a built-in lamp, and when the switch is operated, the corresponding built-in lamp is turned on. Then, the inserted bill is collected in the bill storage tank 214.

The card reader 220 takes out the blank cards stored in the card tank one by one, prints the purchase amount, the issue date and the issue serial number n given by the management device 400 on the surface, The card number and identification code (store code), date of issue, check code, etc., calculated by the control unit 250 are recorded on the magnetic surface on the back of the card, and the issued punching position PH
₁ Make a punch hole in the front panel 201 (see Fig. 2).
The card is discharged from a card discharge port 202 provided in the printer. The issuing serial number n is determined by the management apparatus 400, which has received an application for card purchase from the card issuing machine 200, in the order in which it is received for purchase applications from a plurality of card issuing machines under its control. , A number assigned to each card issuer to prevent fraud by copying the card,
On the magnetic surface of the card, a code obtained by performing a code conversion process such as an arithmetic operation using the predetermined function f (n) or rearranging bits on the issue serial number n is recorded as a card number. Information on management device 400
Is recorded in the file inside. In addition, since the issue serial number n is printed on the print display unit PRT, even if the information of the magnetic recording unit MG becomes unreadable due to damage to the card, the card can be restored from the file information of the management device. it can.

To enable the calculation of the card number from the issue serial number n, the control program of the management device 400 includes a function f
(N) or a code conversion procedure is provided in advance, and an inverse function or an inverse conversion procedure is prepared to confirm the match between the card number read from the card and the issue serial number n.

On the other hand, when a bill is inserted from the bill insertion slot 211 of the issuing machine 200, and the purchase amount is determined by the amount selection switch 212 and a balance is generated, the balance payout device 230 for refunding it is used to stock the bill. A bill bank 231 is provided, and bills corresponding to the balance are discharged through a bill discharge port 232 provided in the front panel 201.

Further, on the front panel 201 of the card issuing machine 200,
Issue lamp 24 indicating that the card can be issued
1.Issuance stop lamp 242 indicating that the card cannot be issued, a bill pool opener 243 indicating that the tank 214 is full with the bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 211, and unissued cards in the card tank 221 are empty. Card shortage indicator 244 that informs that the money has become empty, and the bill tank 231 of the balance dispenser.
There is provided a change shortage indicator 245 for notifying that the slick bills have run out. Further, in order to detect the above state and turn on the corresponding indicator, the bill tank 214,
Sensors 261, 262, and 263 are provided in the 231 and the card tank 221, respectively.

Further, in the card issuing machine 200 of this embodiment, the management device 400 can identify the issuing machine that issued the specific card by distinguishing each of the plurality (several tens) of issuing machines 200 installed in the game arcade. A device number setting device 205 is provided inside the device so that the device number set by the device 205 is transmitted to the management device 400 to generate a transmission address for data communication and to issue each device. Is used to create a data file.

Although not particularly limited, the same number as the machine number set by the setting device 205 is displayed on a name plate 206 attached to an upper portion of the front panel 201 of the issuing machine.

The card reader 220 has the details as shown in FIG.
At one end (the right end in the figure), a card with a blank magnetic recording section MG and a print display section PRT, a card tank 821 containing a large number of cards, and a card ejection device 822 for taking out cards one by one from the tank are provided. In the vicinity of the card removal device 822, a photoelectric sensor 814 for detecting the end of the removed card is provided, and at the other end (left end) of the card reader 220, a card insertion / ejection port 801 is provided. A photoelectric sensor 811 for detecting the end of the card is provided in the vicinity thereof. A sensor 812 is provided adjacent to the sensor 811 for checking the authenticity identification physical layers TF1 to TF4 formed on the card to check whether the card is a legitimate card.

The card CD is removed from the card tank 821 by the card removal device 822 and inserted into the card intake 823,
When detected by the sensor 814, the conveyance motor 802 including a pulse motor is driven, and the conveyance roller 804 is rotated via the belt 803. Then, the card CD is transferred to the transport roller 8
The sheet is conveyed along the traveling path 806 sandwiched between the 04 and the guide roller 805, and is taken into the card reader. Transfer motor 80
2 is provided with a rotation detector (sensor 5) 815 such as an encoder for detecting a rotation angle, and when the card is conveyed by a predetermined amount, the motor is stopped.

In the center of the main body of the card reader 220, a magnetic head 808 is provided.
a and 808b are provided. One head 808a writes data such as an identification code into the magnetic recording section MG of the card, and the other head 808b reads for confirmation.
(Since the card readers 180 and 310 of the pachinko machine 100 and the settlement machine 300 do not perform writing, the recording head 808a is unnecessary.) Then, a punch hole is formed between the magnetic heads 808a and 808b. A perforation device 807 is provided. In the card reader 220 of the issuing machine 200, the punching device 807 is driven when the card is issued, so that the punch holes drilled at a predetermined punching position PH _1.

Further, a photoelectric sensor 813 for detecting a punched hole is provided in the vicinity of the punching device 807 to confirm whether the punching by the punching device 807 has been performed. This sensor 813 is used for punching holes PH _{1 to} PH ₅ punched in a card in a pachinko machine or checkout machine.
Is used to detect the status of the card.

Further, a printing device 80 is provided between the sensors 813 and 812.
A purchase price AM, an issue date DATE, and an issue serial number n are printed on a print display section PRT of the conveyed card. When the recording of the magnetic data by the magnetic head 808a, the formation of the punched holes by the punching device 807, and the printing by the printing device 809 are completed, and the sensor 811 detects the rear end of the card, the transport motor 802 is stopped. .

The motor based on the detection signals of the sensors 811 to 815
Control of the 802, the punching device 807, and the magnetic heads 808a and 808b is performed by a controller 228 (188 for a pachinko machine, 319 for a checkout machine).

FIG. 5 shows a card issuing machine 20 configured as described above.
A configuration example of a control system of 0 is shown.

In the drawing, reference numerals L1 to L5 denote lamps built in the purchase amount selection switch group 212, and the lamp corresponding to the turned on switch is turned on to illuminate the operation button from behind. It is supposed to.

In this system, the magnetic heads 808a, 808b, the transport motor 802, the punching device 80
7, printing device 809, card removal device 822, sensors 811-81
5 is controlled by a controller 228 (see FIG. 4) such as a CPU (microcomputer) based on the detection signal from the controller 228, and various sensors and indicators provided on the controller 228 and the issuing machine; a bill validator 210; The balance payout device 230 is controlled by a unit controller 251 in a control unit 250 also composed of a microcomputer.

The unit controller 251 performs the card issuing process by controlling the above components and receiving the card number, collects the operation data, and transfers it to the unit memory as a parallel communication means comprising a dual port memory.
Write to the transmission data area SDA in 270. The operation data written in the unit memory 270 is transmitted to the management device by a transmission controller and a network control unit (NAU), which will be described later, by data communication with the management device 400 via a transmission cable (network). The data sent from the management device 400 is also temporarily stored in the unit memory 270.
The data is written in the reception data area RDA in the unit, and the unit controller 251 reads it to receive data. The unit memory 270 is provided with a shared data area CDA in which commands and status information for transmitting the transmission data and the reception data in the memory to the other controller are stored.

Tables 1, 2, and 3 show the unit memory 27, respectively.
5 shows a configuration example of a transmission data area SDA, a reception data area RDA, and a shared data area in 0.

The hot code shown in Table 1 is written by the management device in the transmission area of the unit memory 270 at the start of the system, for example, by writing a code such as 010101... 01, and periodically sent to the management device. Thus, it is possible to check whether or not the RAM data is destroyed due to noise such as static electricity, and quickly detect an abnormality in the transmission data.

Note that the monitor information 1 shown in Table 1 above corresponds to Table 4
As shown in the figure, a bit indicating that a test is being executed at system startup, a bit indicating initial value setting / unset, a bit indicating a hot code error, and a bit indicating a local network (transmission cable 500) error (for low and high layers) 2 bits), a bit indicating an issuer abnormality, and the like.

Further, as shown in Table 5, the monitor information 2 indicates a bit indicating an abnormality in the card reader, a bit indicating the presence or absence of a card, a bit indicating a state in the banknote tank, a bit indicating a banknote jam, and a forcible withdrawal of the banknote. It comprises a bit, a bit indicating the state of the balance dispenser in the bill tank, a bit indicating an abnormality of the balance dispenser, and the like.

Next, an example of the configuration of the pachinko machine 100 as a gaming device that provides an original game will be described with reference to FIG.

The pachinko machine 100 as a gaming machine of this embodiment is mounted on an island facility or the like above the gaming machine main body in a one-to-one correspondence with the gaming machine main body 110, and mainly processes cards and operates during the game. Control unit 16 for data collection
0.

The control unit 160 is configured separately from the gaming machine main body 110, has a card insertion / ejection slot 161, an amount display 162 for displaying the amount of money the card has, and a number-of-balls display for displaying the number of balls held by the player in digital numbers. A display 163, an analog display 164 in which a plurality of lamps are arranged in a line, a call switch 165 for calling a clerk, and the like are provided on the front surface. The analog display 164 is used to display the number of balls held in a game in an analog manner, and to display a hit state or a free state by simultaneous blinking and moving blinking.

In addition, although not particularly limited, a safe lamp 166 for displaying a prize ball, a game display lamp 167 for indicating that the game is being played, and a sound effect sound, which are conventionally provided on the main body of the pachinko machine, are provided on the front of the control unit 160. Further, a speaker 168 for generating a warning is provided. Further, the pachinko machine 10 is located at a position located inside the island facility on the side of the control unit 160.
0 is separated from the management device 400, a test switch 171 for enabling a game operation using a test card, which will be described later, and a name plate 172 on the front of the unit that clearly indicates a machine number given to the pachinko machine. Are provided respectively.

Inside the control unit 160, a card reader 180 as a storage medium reading device corresponding to the card insertion / ejection slot 161 and a machine number setting switch 173 behind the machine name plate 172 are further provided. A unit controller 190 for controlling the entire unit 160 is provided.
The unit controller 190 is connected to the control device 150 of the gaming machine main body 110 by a transmission line 191 such as an optical fiber or a coaxial cable, and to a management device via a transmission controller and a local network (transmission cable) described later.
Connected to 400.

The card reader 180 of the pachinko machine is substantially the same as the card reader 220 for the issuing machine shown in FIG. 4, and is different in that it does not have a printing device 809, a card tank 821, and a card removal device 822.

On the other hand, the game machine main body 110 of the present embodiment is configured as a closed-type game machine that circulates and uses game balls sealed in the machine, and has a circulation device 120 that circulates the sealed balls.
In addition, at the lower part of the gaming machine main body 110, a launching device 111 for launching the above enclosed balls one by one into the gaming area and its operation dial 1
There are provided a purchase switch 113, an end switch 114, and an interruption switch 115 for enabling a game procedure using the card. The configuration of the game area is the same as the conventional one. The purchase switch 113 is connected to the card slot 161
This is an instruction switch for converting a game ball into a game ball in a unit of 200 yen or the like within a range of the amount of money of the card on the assumption that the card is inserted into the game ball.
The number of possessed balls is displayed on the possessed ball indicator 163, and the number of possessed balls is decremented by one each time one game ball is fired by the hit ball launching device,
When a prize ball is generated, it is added and displayed for the number of prize balls.
The end switch 114 is turned on at any time when the player wants to end the game (including when the player wants to change the game console), so that the card in use is controlled by the control unit 16.
It can be discharged from zero. At that time, the unit controller 190 registers the number of balls held by the player (sum of purchased balls and acquired balls) in the file of the management device 400 at that time, and then ejects the card from the insertion / ejection opening 161. In addition, the interrupt switch 151 is a switch used to temporarily stop the game for a break, although the player does not intend to stop the game at the game machine currently playing, and when this switch is operated. The unit controller 190 once ejects the card and waits until the same card is inserted again, during which time no other cards are accepted. Of the above switches, the purchase switch 113 and the interruption switch 115 are of a built-in lamp type.
The lamp in 3 flashes, and when the interruption switch 115 is pressed, the built-in lamp is turned on until the interruption is released.

 FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the back surface of the gaming machine main body 110.

A prize ball collecting gutter 122 covering a plurality of prize ball derivation holes 121 formed to penetrate the game board corresponding to a prize area provided in a game area on the front of the game board 101, Installed. The bottom wall of the prize ball collecting gutter 122 is inclined downward toward the center to be guide shelves 122a and 122b,
The first guiding gutter 123 is connected to the lower end of the flow, and the winning balls flowing into the winning ball collecting gutter 122 flow down on the guide shelves 122a and 122b to be collected and flow down the first guiding gutter 123. It is detected by the safe sensor 131 on the way. Further, a collecting gutter 124 is provided on the back surface of the game board corresponding to the out hole 102 provided at the lower part of the game area, and the end of the collecting gutter 124 is provided at the end of the first guiding gutter 123. Have joined. Further, in this embodiment, a second guiding gutter 125 is provided for collecting a winning game ball in a large variable winning device provided in the game area, and the end of the second guiding gutter 125 is provided at the end of the collecting gutter 124. Has been joined. The recovery gutter 124 and the second guiding gutter 125 are provided with an out sensor 132 and a safe sensor 133, and detect a game ball flowing into them. First
By providing the guide gutter 123 and the second guide gutter 125, it is possible to provide the player with different numbers of prize balls obtained by winning the respective winning regions.

The confluence of each of the gutters is communicated at a communication port 127 in the middle of a guide gutter 126 for guiding the collected game balls to the hitting ball firing device 111.

As shown in FIG. 8, the guide gutter 126 has a foul ball intake 104 provided in the middle of an arc-shaped guide rail 103 for guiding a game ball fired by the hit ball firing device 111 to an upper part of the game area. A foul ball, a safe ball (winning ball) and an out ball are all finally collected by the guide gutter 126, and the hitting ball launcher 111
Is guided until. In the middle of the guide gutter 126, a foul sensor 134 for detecting game balls collected from the foul ball intake 104, a ball narrator 105 for aligning the game balls collected in the guide gutter, and a box for extracting the enclosed ball to the outside. Ball lever 106
Is provided. The ball detected by the foul sensor 134 is added again to the number of balls held, and the number of hit balls actually hit in the game area is accurately counted. Also, guide rail
At the start end of 103, firing sensors 135 and 136 for detecting a hit ball fired by the hit ball firing device 111 are provided so as not to count a blank hit as a firing ball, and the firing sensor 136 from the firing sensor 135 side. The number of shots is counted by the movement of the hit ball to the side.

On the other hand, when the movement of the hit ball from the firing sensor 136 side to the 135 side is detected as the reverse, it is counted as a return ball (a foul ball). The ball pulling lever 106 prevents the rotation of the rotatable rotating plate 107 provided so as to constitute a part of the bottom wall of the guide gutter 126 to supply the game ball to the hitting ball firing device side, and When the sliding plate 107 is slid upward as shown in FIG. 9 (A), the rotating plate 107 is rotated downward by its own weight to discharge the game balls in the guide gutter 126.

On the other hand, a ball feed 128 having a ball receiving portion 128a is swingably attached to the lower end of the guide gutter 126 as shown in FIG. 9 (B).
The game balls inside are separated one by one and moved to the firing start position of the guide rail 103. Ball feed 128
Is rotated upward in conjunction with the firing rod 111a of the hit ball firing device 111. A separation wall 109 is formed at the boundary between the guide gutter 126 and the start end of the guide rail 103. When the ball feed 128 is rotated upward, the game ball engaged with the ball receiving portion 128a at the tip end By moving over only one of the separation walls 109, the ball moves. Note that a cylindrical weight 129 is built in the ball feed 128, and the weight of the weight allows the ball feed 128 to smoothly return to the rotation.

FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of a control system of the pachinko machine 100.

A controller 188 shown in FIG. 8 includes transport motors 802 as components of the card reader 180 shown in FIG.
A controller that controls the magnetic head 808 and the punching device 807. Various switches 165, 171 and 173 provided on the controller 188 and the control unit 160 and the display 16
2, 163, 164, 166, 167 and the speaker 168 are controlled by a unit controller 190, also formed of a microcomputer.

Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, a control device 150 of the game machine main body 110, various sensors, a display, and the like are connected to the unit controller 190 via an optical cable 191. In order to enable communication using an optical fiber cable, a parallel-to-serial converter for converting parallel data and serial data and an optical-to-optical converter for converting electrical signals and optical signals are used.
Optical multiplexed data links (interfaces) 192 and 193 including electrical converters and the like are provided between the unit controller 190 and the optical fiber cable 191 and between the optical fiber cable and the control device 150.

By using the optical fiber cable 191 for data communication between the unit controller 190 and the control device 150 of the pachinko machine, a large number of arrangements that were conventionally arranged behind the pachinko machine can be simplified. In addition to facilitating maintenance and management, erroneous wiring connection can be prevented.

FIG. 11 shows a configuration example of a control system of the gaming machine main body 110.

Under the control of the unit controller 190 via the optical multiplex data link 193 and the optical cable 191, together with the control device 150, the hitting ball launching device 111 and the purchase switch 113
A built-in purchase enable indicator lamp 113a and a built-in interrupt indicator 115a built into the interrupt switch 115 are installed via a driver 195. Also, a purchase switch 113, a game end switch 114,
The signal from the interruption switch 115 is transmitted to the unit controller 190 via the optical multiplex data link 193 and the optical fiber cable 191.

The control device 150 is also configured by a microcomputer, and the control device 150 includes emission sensors 135 and 136.
The detection signals from the safe sensors 131 and 133, the foul sensor 134, and the out sensor 132 are input. Based on these signals, a winning ball, a foul ball, an out ball, and the like are determined, and the unit controller 190 is notified.

On the other hand, the unit control 190 calculates operation data such as the number of payout balls, the number of outgoing balls, the number of remaining balls, the sales amount, etc., based on the detection signals relating to these game balls, the signals from the purchase switch 113, and the like. It generates operation information (game state), monitor information, and the like regarding the machine, and writes them into the transmission data area SDA of the unit memory 170 composed of a dual port memory.

The operation data and the like written in the unit memory 170 are as follows:
The data is transmitted to the management device by data communication with the management device 400 by a transmission controller described later. Also a management device
The data sent from 400 is also once written to the reception data area RDA in the unit memory 170, and the unit controller 190 reads this to receive data. Unit memory 170 is provided with a shared data area CDA in which commands and status information for notifying the other controller that transmission data and reception data are in the memory are stored.

Tables 6, 7 and 8 show the unit memory 17 respectively.
2 shows a configuration example of a transmission data area SDA, a reception data area RDA, and a shared data area CDA in 0.

The monitor information 1 shown in Table 6 includes a bit indicating that a test is being executed at system startup, a bit indicating whether an initial value is set / not set, a bit indicating a hot code error, and a local network, as shown in Table 9. Bits (2 for low-rise and high-rise) indicating abnormalities of (transmission cable 500)
Bit), a bit indicating a gaming machine abnormality, and the like. Further, the monitor information 2 has bits indicating an abnormality of the card reader as shown in Table 10.

Further, the operation information includes a bit indicating a stop state as shown in Table 11, a bit indicating that the game is interrupted, a bit indicating a forced termination state by a management device or a controller based on a normal abnormality or fraud detection, etc. The bit includes a bit indicating that there is a game machine, a bit indicating that the gaming machine is in a free state without a player, and the like.

From the above Table 11, the actual state of the pachinko machine is represented by the free state, 0000000000000001 during the game, 0000000000000010 at the time of the forced termination reception, 0000000000000100 at the time of interruption, and 0000000000001000 at the time of the occurrence of the stop, 0000000000010000.

FIG. 12 shows a configuration example of the payment machine 300 described above.

The settlement machine 300 of this embodiment includes a card reader 310 for reading the card number of the inserted card CD, and a bill as a balance payout device for refunding an amount corresponding to an unpurchased amount remaining unused for the card. Dispenser 320
And a coin dispensing device 326, a printer 330 for issuing a receipt on which the number of balls possessed by the game is printed, various displays 340 to 342, a control unit 350 for controlling the entire payment machine 300, and the like.

Corresponding to the card reader 310, the front panel 301 has a card insertion slot 311, a ball number display 312 for displaying the number of acquired prize balls (the number of balls held), and an amount display 313 for displaying an unpurchased amount. Is provided. When a player first inserts a card through the card insertion slot 311, the card reader 310 reads the card number recorded on the magnetic surface of the card CD, sends the card number to the management device 400, and receives data related to the card. Then, the unpurchased amount is displayed on the amount display 313, the obtained number of balls is displayed on the number-of-balls display 312, and a receipt is issued by the printer 330. Further, the inserted card by the perforating apparatus 807 after settlement completion, the formation of punch holes at a predetermined punching position PH ₅ is recovered (confiscated) from being made in the card storage tank 314. by this,
Abuse of the settlement card is prevented.

The configuration of the card reader 310 is the same as that of the card reader of the issuing machine 200.
It is almost the same as 220 (see FIG. 4)
The card storage tank 314 is arranged at that position without the 22 and the card tank 821. Then, the transport direction of the card is opposite to that of the issuing machine. The printer 330 pulls out the blank sheet stocked in a roll state, prints the date of issue, the number of balls acquired, the amount of unused money, and the card history on the surface, and discharges it from the receipt issuing port 331. I do.

At the same time, the money corresponding to the unpurchased amount is paid out as a balance from the banknote payout device 320 and the coin payout device 326. The bill dispensing device 320 includes a bill tank 321 for storing bills and a bill outlet 322. In addition, since a fraction of less than 1000 yen is generated at the time of settlement, a coin dispensing device 326 including a coin tank 324 for storing coins in units of 100 yen and a coin payout port 325 is provided.

Further, on the front panel 301 of the settlement machine 300, a settlement lamp 341 indicating that the card is being settled, a settlement stop lamp 342 indicating that the card cannot be settled, and a tank 314 with a card inserted from the card insertion slot 311. Card overflow indicator L11 and banknote pay-out device 3 to notify that the card is full
A bill shortage indicator L12 that indicates that the stock bills in the 20 bill tanks 321 have run out, a coin shortage indicator L13 that indicates that the stock coins in the coin tank 324 of the coin dispenser have run out, and a roll paper in the printer 330 There is provided a monitor display lamp group 340 including a paperless indicator L14 and the like for indicating that the battery has run out. In addition, sensors 361, 362, 363, and 364 are provided in the card tank 314, the bill tank 321, the coin tank 324, and the printer 330, respectively, in order to detect the above states and turn on the corresponding indicators. The coin dispensing device 326 has a coin removal switch 3
27 are provided.

Further, the settlement machine 300 of this embodiment has a stand for distinguishing each of the plurality of settlement machines installed in the amusement store and allowing the management device 400 to recognize the settlement machine that has performed the settlement of the specific card. A number setting device 305 is provided inside, and the machine number set by the setting device 305 is sent to the management device 400 to generate a transmission address at the time of data communication and to create a data file for each settlement machine. Provided.

It should be noted that, although not particularly limited, the same number as the machine number set by the identifier 305 is the front panel 301 of the checkout machine.
Is displayed on a nameplate 306 attached to the upper part of the label.

FIG. 13 shows a configuration example of a control system of the payment machine 300 configured as described above.

Note that, in the figure, reference numerals L11 to L14 denote lamps constituting the monitor display lamp group 340.

In this system, a magnetic head 808, a punching device 807, and a transport motor 802 constituting a card reader 310 are controlled by a controller 319 (a controller shown in FIG. 4) comprising a CPU (microcomputer) based on detection signals from various sensors 811 to 815. 228), the controller 319 and various sensors provided in the settlement machine are displayed on a display, a bill dispenser 320, a coin dispenser 326, and a printer 330.
Is a control unit also composed of a microcomputer
It is controlled by a unit controller 351 in 350.

The unit controller 351 controls the above components, checks the card number, receives and displays the card data, executes the settlement processing, collects the operation data, and stores it in the unit memory 370 including a dual port memory. Write to the transmission data area SDA. The operation data written in the unit memory 370 is sent to the management device by data communication with the management device 400 via the transmission cable by the transmission controller. The data sent from the management device is also temporarily written to the reception data area RDA in the unit memory 370, and the unit controller 3
The data is received by the reading of this by 51. Unit memory 370 is provided with a shared data area CDA for storing commands and status information for notifying the other controller that transmission data and reception data are in the memory.

Tables 12, 13, and 14 show the unit memory 37, respectively.
2 shows a configuration example of a transmission data area SDA, a reception data area RDA, and a shared data area CDA in 0.

As shown in Table 13, in this embodiment, the card history data is also received, printed on a receipt together with the time data, and ejected, thereby impressing the player that the payment data has high reliability. Can be. However, the history data is up to 20 in cardfar
It is data up to times.

Note that the monitor information 1 shown in Table 12 above corresponds to Table 15
As shown in the figure, a bit indicating that a test is being executed at system startup, a bit indicating initial value setting / unset, a bit indicating a hot code error, and a bit indicating a local network (transmission cable 500) error (for low and high layers) , 2 bits), a bit indicating an abnormality of the payment apparatus, and the like.

The monitor information 2 includes a bit indicating a printer error, a bit indicating a card reader error as shown in Table 16,
A bit indicating a state in the coin tank, a bit indicating a coin jam in the coin dispensing device 326, a bit indicating an abnormality in the coin dispensing device 326, a bit indicating a state in the banknote dispensing device 320, and an error in the bill dispensing machine. It is composed of the indicated bits and the like.

Next, the pachinko machine 100, the card issuing machine 200, and the payment machine 300 configured as described above are collectively controlled, and operation data is collected in real time. A description will be given of a management device 400 that restores the data state, resumes the operation of each part of the system, and enables the totalization of data necessary for the management of the game store.

FIG. 14 shows a specific configuration of the management device 400, and FIG. 15 shows a system configuration of the management device.

The management device 400 has substantially the same configuration as an office computer. That is, a control box 401 in which a central processing unit CPU, a main storage device M-MEM including a semiconductor memory (RAM), a timer (including a calendar) TMR, a communication control device SCC, and the like are stored. Floppy disk storage device 402 and hard disk storage device 403 as provided auxiliary storage devices
And a printer 404 for printing collected data and the like, a CRT display device 405 for displaying messages and collected data, and a console 406 for an operator to give commands and setting data to the central processing unit. Is configured.

The printer 404 includes a buffer 404a for temporarily storing data to be printed in order to improve the throughput of the management device 400.

Further, the management apparatus 400 includes a card reader 407 that issues a test card as a medium for causing each terminal to perform an action on the pachinko gaming system, and a “stop” generated by the pachinko machine, which is unique to the pachinko gaming system.
For example, an auxiliary printer 408 for printing emergency information generated in the system in real time is provided above the control box 401.

In addition, in the event of a power failure, at least 10 data is transferred to the hard disk storage device 403 to protect the operation data of all terminals volatilely held in the main storage device and the data of all issued cards to the hard disk storage device 403. An auxiliary power supply 409 that allows the management device to operate for about a minute is provided below the control box 401.

In this embodiment, a system mainly comprising a pachinko machine, a card issuing machine, a checkout machine, and a management device will be described, but the present invention relates to an in-store broadcasting device as shown by broken lines X, Y, and Z in FIG. A premium exchange device, a vending machine, and the like can also be extended to a system in which the prize exchange device and the vending machine are controlled by the management device 400. In particular, there is a possibility that the prize exchange apparatus can easily apply a method that allows the prize exchange apparatus to directly exchange prizes without passing through the checkout machine 300 using a card.

Further, the console 406 configuring the management device 400 also has a unique key configuration most suitable for the pachinko game system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 shows a configuration example of the console 406. FIG. 1B shows the upper surface of the console, that is, the panel surface, and FIG. 1A shows the rear surface of the console.

In FIG. 16, reference numeral 421 denotes a store opening switch for instructing the start of business for each terminal of the system, and reference numeral 422 denotes a store close switch for instructing the end of business.
After the 421 is turned on, the card can be operated in each terminal until the store closing switch 422 is turned on. Also, 423 is an end switch for storing the operation data of all terminals in the floppy disk storage device 402 after the business is closed, and instructing the management device to stop the operation, and 424 for instructing the recovery process of the damaged card. It is a card resurrection switch.

The four switches of the store opening switch 421, the store closing switch 422, the end switch 423, and the card resurrection switch 424 are particularly important switches for the present system, and in order to prevent the system from being easily operated during the operation of the system, Key switch (upper in the figure)
It is linked to 420, and unless the key switch 420 is turned on, the switches 421 to 424 cannot be operated to be turned on.

Reference numerals 425, 426, and 427 denote ten keys, a return key, and a delete key similar to those provided on a console of a normal personal computer or the like.

On the other hand, reference numeral 428 denotes a display menu switch for giving an instruction to display data relating to the card and operation data of each terminal on the screen of the CRT display device 405, and reference numeral 429 denotes a CRT clear switch for requesting deletion of data displayed on the CRT display device. It is. Reference numeral 430 denotes a print menu switch for giving a command to cause the printer 404 to print data related to the card, operation data of each terminal, and the like. Reference numeral 431 denotes a print stop switch for requesting the printer 404 to stop printing. 432 is a setting switch for requesting the setting of the number of hits or the hitting mode in the pachinko machine, and 433 is hitting, that is, the game cannot be continued because the prize balls of the set hitting number are paid out. The stop release switch 434 for giving the release command of the stop state of the pachinko machine, 434, when normal control and data collection becomes impossible due to communication network abnormalities, etc.
Alternatively, a forced termination switch for requesting forced termination of a specific terminal or all terminals when a player's fraud is found, 435 is a termination release switch for releasing the suspension of a forcedly terminated terminal, and 439 is for date and time setting Switch. Further, the console 406 of the embodiment is provided with a buzzer 440 that generates a sound that prompts the operator to wake up in the event of an emergency such as a pachinko machine hit and a buzzer stop switch 436 that instructs to stop sounding. Have been.

Of the above switches, the switches 421 to 424 and 432 to 436 indicated by double frames in the figure are switches with built-in lamps. Lights up. However, the lamp in the buzzer stop switch 436 is linked with the buzzer, lights up while the buzzer is sounding, and the stop switch 43
Turns off when 6 is pressed.

Further, the console 406 of this embodiment has a test card switch 437 for giving a test card issuance command on the back thereof, an exchange rate of purchased balls, a store code, a total number of terminals, and a prize ball 1 when the system is introduced. A built-in switch 438 is provided for making a setting request such as the number of prize balls per piece. These switches 437 and 43
8 is a switch that is rarely used unlike other switches, and is a specific person (such as a manager of a game store).
Is a switch that only needs to know its presence, so it is provided on the back of the console.

Here, the test card will be described. As is clear from the configuration already described, the gaming system of this embodiment includes all terminals (pachinko machines, card issuing machines,
The settlement machine is under the control of the management device, and shifts to an operable state by exchanging card numbers and the like, and cannot be operated by the terminal alone. However, since pachinko machines are frequently used, jams and so-called tulips and other accessories often break down, and it is necessary to adjust nails in the game area to adjust the payout rate. In that case, a trial driving is performed after repair or nail adjustment, but it is very inconvenient to start up the entire system and operate the pachinko machine only with a purchase card. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the test switch 171 in the control unit 160 of each pachinko machine described above is turned on, and a special test card issued by the management device is inserted from the card insertion / ejection port 161 of the control unit 160. Then, a certain number of balls is given, and the pachinko machine is configured to be able to execute the game operation alone.

The card reader 407 provided in the management device 400 has substantially the same configuration as the card reader 220 in the card issuing machine shown in FIG. However, unlike the card issuing machine, there is no blank card inside, and since it adopts a method of recording a predetermined code by inserting a blank card from the outside, it does not have a card tank 821 and a card removal device 822 . Further, since the test card and the resurrection card issued by the management device 400 do not necessarily need to specify the use date, number, and the like unlike other general cards, a printing device is not required.
Then, when the resurrection card issued punch holes drilled to a predetermined punching position PH ₂ of the card by the punching device 807.

As described above, the terminals 100, 200, and 300 of this embodiment are all under the control of the management device 400, and cannot operate independently unless the management device 400 is activated. Therefore, when the system is started up, the management apparatus 400 gives setting values to all terminals and initializes them.
In addition, prior to this initialization, the terminal number is collected from each terminal to enable data transmission, and one by one.
Form two transmission addresses. During operation of the system, operation data of all terminals is collected in real time and stored in the main storage M-MEM.

As described above, in this embodiment, the amount of data handled by the management device 400 is enormous. Therefore, in the embodiment, these data are organized by file management to facilitate handling.

Table 17 shows a file configuration example of data managed by the management device 400.

These files are usually recorded in the main memory M-MEM, but all files are saved in the hard disk storage 403 at the time of power failure. Further, the data files relating to the terminals, that is, the pachinko machine files (hereinafter referred to as P machine files), the issuing machine files and the settlement machine files are stored in the floppy disk storage device 402 at the end of business hours, and are provided for monthly operation data totaling and the like. You.

Next, each file shown in Table 17 will be described in more detail.

The set value file FL1 in the table depends on the characteristics and configuration of the system, such as the exchange rate of purchased balls and the store code, the number of terminals, the number of prize balls, the number of hits, etc. Is a setting value that fluctuates. This setting value file is normally loaded from the hard disk HDD to the main storage device at the start of business.
The set value file FL1 can be updated from the console by pressing a built-in switch when replacing a pachinko machine or the like.

 Table 18 shows a configuration example of the setting value file FL1.

In the table, the exchange rate of purchased balls is the number of balls lent, ie, the number of initially held balls, per unit of purchase amount (for example, 200 yen), and the number of NAUs is the connection between the high-layer network and the low-layer network as a data transmission system. The total number of network adapter units (communication control devices) provided in the unit. Further, the number of prize balls from a certain pachinko machine to a certain pachinko machine is set in a table indicated by a symbol i. Two types of prize balls can be set for each prize ball. In addition, as shown by i = 1 to 16, in this embodiment, all the pachinko machines of the amusement store are divided into 16 groups, and two main and sub prize balls can be separately set. ing. However, consecutive machine numbers are given to pachinko machines having the same set value, and the target range is specified by the start number and end number.

Further, the number of hits is set in the table indicated by j, and the hitting mode is set in the table indicated by k. Here, the hit mode indicates a method of calculating the number of hits (arithmetic formula). For example, a mode in which hitting is performed when the number of payout prize balls reaches the hit number, or the number of payout prize balls. There is a mode in which the ball is hit when the number of hit balls is subtracted from the number of hits reaches the hit number. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, as shown by j = 1 to 16, k = 1 to 16, the number of hits and the hitting mode can be independently set for each of 16 groups.

Table 19 shows a configuration example of a transmission address file FL2 used for data transmission.

In Table 19, the type flag is a flag for indicating the type of terminal. "1" indicates a pachinko machine, "2" indicates a card issuing machine, "4" indicates a checkout machine, and "0" indicates a terminal. Indicates the absence of each. Vehicle number and serial number are "4"
And the serial number of the terminal created except for “9”, and the unit number is the number of each terminal placed under one NAU (network adapter unit) regardless of the type of terminal, ie, The number which is an address on a low-layer network described later, and the channel number are the addresses of the respective terminals viewed from the management device, that is, the numbers which are addresses on a high-layer network described later. However, in the system of the embodiment, the number of pachinko machines connected under one NAU is set to 64 or less.

The NAU number and the unit number are set by the setting switches (1
73, 205, 305, 561). In the case of a pachinko parlor, the pachinko machine numbers are customarily "4" and "9".
It is a jump number given by a number excluding. Here, the fact that "4" and "9" are not used indicates that an octal representation is possible. Therefore, the unit numbers expressed in decimal notation are represented by only the numbers 0 to 7 using the conversion table shown in Table 20. According to this, for example, a stand number of “258” is described as “247”.

If this is represented by a binary code in a binary octal system, it will be "010/100/111". This code indicates the decimal "167", which results in "4" and "9"
Pachinko machine numbers that are missing are consecutive serial numbers.
On the other hand, in order to reduce the address on the low-layer network to 8 bits, the lower 8 bits of the above code are taken, and this is taken as 2 bits.
Assuming the code "1010-0111" expressed in the octal evolution system,
If this is expressed in HEXA, it will be "A7H". Furthermore, besides pachinko machines, terminals such as issuing machines and settlement machines are also connected under one NAU. To give them an 8-bit unit number, the number of pachinko machines under one NAU is increased by 64.
The number is limited to the platform, and the logical product of the code “A7H” and the code “3FH” is obtained to obtain “27H”. In this embodiment, this is used as the unit number. Then, “NAU number + unit number” in which an NAU number is prefixed to the unit number is used as a channel number. In this way,
In the practice of pachinko game arcades having a machine number that does not use “4” and “9”, efficient address processing that matches the characteristics of a microcomputer that performs data processing using only the binary system can be performed.

By the way, the NAU address on the low-layer network is given the address "FFH", and the issuing machine or the checkout machine is given one of the unit numbers "41H" to "EFH".

The file is created for all terminals based on the response data of the unit table request by the management device after the line test.

Table 21 shows a configuration example of the card file FL3. The card file FL3 contains information for each card.

In the same table, the card number is a number obtained from the issue serial number n using the function f (n), and the number of balls and the amount of money, and the card status is the current status of the card specified by the issue serial number n and the card number. This information is referred to as a card text in this embodiment. Here, the card state is, as shown in Table 22, a bit indicating a free state that is not used for a game, a bit indicating a game, a bit indicating a pause temporarily leaving the gaming machine, A bit indicating that the card has been settled, a bit indicating that both the number of balls held and the balance of the card have become zero, a bit indicating that the intention has been stopped once in the past, It is composed of a bit indicating that the card is used in the pachinko machine, a bit indicating that the card has been restored, and the like.

On the other hand, returning to Table 21, in the card file FL3, a terminal serial number and a terminal number indicating the position of the terminal where the card is currently present are registered. Since pachinko machine gaming stores do not use the numbers “4” and “9” as unit numbers as a convention, two types of terminal numbers, back and front, are generated.

In Table 21, the i-counter indicates the number of actions taken by the card, that is, the number of times the card has been ejected from the system as the organic combination to the outside. Number, number of balls, amount,
Card information such as time, that is, card history is recorded. Statistically, most players play with less than 20 pachinko machines per day.
It is decided to record the card history up to 20 times. However, 20
If the number of times exceeds the number of times, the information is recorded in a form updating the table indicated by i = 20. In the above case, the i counter does not count the interruption of the game. That is, each card information is recorded in a new area at the time of interruption, but the value of the i-counter is substantially updated by recording the card information in the same area without updating the counter when the game end switch is turned on after the interruption is released, and recording the card information in the same area. The number is matched.

Here, the state and action of the card and the registration of the card information in the card file FL3 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when a card is issued in the card issuing machine 200, the card is ejected and the card shifts from the unissued (blank) state SS0 to the free state SS1. then,
When the card is inserted into the information pachinko machine 100, the gaming state S
Move to S2. Here, when the ball and the amount of money of the card become zero by the game, the card is ejected and the state is returned to zero return SS3
Move on to Further, when the interruption switch 115 is pressed during the game, the card is ejected, and the state shifts to the interruption state SS4, and returns to the game state SS2 again by reinserting the same card. Then, when the end switch 114 is pressed to end the game during the game, the card is ejected and the state shifts to the free state SS1. The card is ejected even by forced termination or hitting by the CPU, and the gaming state shifts from SS2 to the free state SS1. When the user goes to the checkout machine 300 with the card in the free state and performs the checkout process, the card is collected after an invalid mark is added, and the state is shifted to the settled state SS5. In the system of this embodiment, it is also possible to go to the checkout machine 300 without returning to the pachinko machine with the card in the interrupted state SS4 and to perform the checkout process, in which case, shift the settled state from the interrupted state SS4 to SS5. I do.

In the state transition diagram described above, an action accompanied by recording of card information in the card file FL3 is indicated by a circle in the arrow indicating the transition direction. In each block, the code indicated by XXH represents the corresponding state in hexadecimal using the code indicating the card state in Table 22 (HE
XA expression).

 Next, Table 23 shows a configuration example of the P machine file FL4.

In the figure, items from the machine number to the card status are as follows:
These are data held in the transmission data area shown in Table 6, which are sampled once a second by the management device 400 and registered in a file. In addition, the number of main prize balls, the number of sub prize balls, the number of hits, and the hit mode,
Setting value files shown in Table 18 at system startup
It is registered in the P machine file FL4 based on FL1.

Table 24 and Table 25 show the issuing machine file FL5 and the checkout machine file FL6, respectively. The data items shown in Table 24 are shown in Table 1.
The data stored in the element data area of the issuing machine shown in Table 25 and the data items shown in Table 25 respectively correspond to the data stored in the transmission data area shown in Table 12. These are sampled by the management device once a second.

In Tables 23 to 25, data marked with a circle in the save column is data saved on the floppy disk FDD at the end of business.

Next, the card issuing machine 100 as a terminal configured as described above, the pachinko machine 200, the settlement machine 300, and a management device 400 that performs centralized control of those terminals are organically connected to perform data transmission and card transfer. A data transmission path (local area network) that enables operation will be described. FIG. 18 shows a configuration example of a pachinko game system using a hierarchical data transmission path.

That is, 100 to 1000 terminals are grouped in units of 20 to 40, for example, in units such as amusement park island facilities, and each group of terminals is a token that circulates at high speed on a ring-shaped transmission path. A network adapter unit (hereinafter, referred to as NAU) by a token-passing-type low-layer network (token bus) 510 in which a node (terminal) having access right has a right to transmit and receive data in the form of a packet. Connected to 530.

A plurality of NAUs 530 that control each low-layer network (token bus) 510 are connected to the management device 400 via a high-level network 520 of the CSMA / CD system.

The low-layer network 510 is 2.5Mbps (megabit /
Second) and have a high-speed network 520
Is controlled to have a transmission rate such as 10 Mbps,
The NAU530 acts as a buffer that absorbs the difference between the two transmission rates and enables smooth data transmission,
The burden on the management device 400 is reduced, and a large amount of operation data can be collected.

In FIG. 18, the symbol P indicates a pachinko machine as a terminal, the symbol H indicates a card issuing machine, and the symbol S indicates a checkout machine.

Each of the terminals P, H, and S is connected to a branch line branched from the low-layer network 510 by a cable branch circuit 540 as shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 12. At the end of each branch line, control units 160, 250 and 3 of each terminal
50 is connected. In FIG. 18, a reference unit U indicates a control unit of each terminal.

FIG. 19 shows a configuration example of a control unit common to each terminal.

That is, a unit memory 170 (27, 27) as parallel communication means is provided between the unit controller 190 (251, 351) for controlling each terminal and the low-layer network 510.
0,370), a data transmission controller 551 for transmitting and receiving data without disturbing the operation of the unit controller 190 (251,351), and a buffering packet memory 552 for holding transmission / reception data in the form of packets for speeding up data transmission. A communication controller 553 for establishing transmission and reception rights in the low-layer network (token bus) 510, converting parallel data to be transmitted to serial data, and converting received serial data to parallel data, A level conversion circuit 554 for performing signal level conversion and a cable branch circuit 540 for separating and coupling a transmission signal and a reception signal are connected. Each of the controllers 551 and 553 is constituted by a microcomputer, and the packet memory 552 includes:
Like the unit memory 170, the dual port memory 552 does not have a shared data area in which a command can be entered, and transmission and reception of transmission and reception requests between the data transmission controller 551 and the network controller 553 are performed directly between controllers. Has become.

FIG. 20 shows a circuit configuration example of the NAU (network adapter unit) 530 that buffers data transmission between the low-layer network 510 and the high-layer network 520.

The NAU 530 of this embodiment includes a low-layer network controller 533 that establishes a transmission / reception right in the low-layer network 510 and performs serial-parallel conversion of data, and a high-layer network that establishes a transmission / reception right and serial-parallel conversion of data in a CSMA / CD high-layer network. Network controller 537
And a data transmission controller 535 for controlling data transfer between these network controllers 533 and 537. Among the above controllers, the low-layer network roller 533 is a communication LSI dedicated to token passing.
The high-layer network controller 537 and the data transmission controller 535 are configured by general-purpose microcomputers. A buffer between the low-layer network controller 533 and the data transmission controller 535 and a buffer between the data transmission controller 535 and the high-layer network controller 537 for absorbing a difference in data transmission speed between the low-layer network 510 and the high-layer network 520. Packet memories 534 and 536 are connected to each other. The packet memories 534 and 536 are constituted by dual port memories and have a transmission data area and a reception data area. The low-layer network controller 533 and the low-layer network (talks bus) 510
A branch circuit 531 for separating and coupling a transmission signal and a reception signal and a level conversion circuit 532 for performing level conversion of a transmission / reception data signal are connected between them. Similarly, between the high-layer network controller 537 and the high-layer network 520, a level conversion circuit 538 and a branch circuit 53 are provided.
9 is connected.

Further, the NAU 530 of this embodiment includes a NAU number setting unit 561 for setting a number for distinguishing a plurality of connected NAUs from each other, and a terminal existing on the low-layer network 510 under the control of each NAU 530. And a number setting device 563 for setting the number of terminals existing on the low-layer network. The set values of the setting units 561 to 563 are input to the data transmission controller 535 in the NAU 530, and the NAU number is used for forming the transmission address of each NAU in the high-layer network 520. Also, the transmission address of each terminal in the low-layer network 510 is formed by the minimum number and the number.

In the hierarchical local network 500 (FIG. 18), when the system starts up, the management device 400 performs a line test through each NAU 530 and sets a set value for each terminal. Is used to collect operation data from the terminals P, H, and S once per second and store the data in its own memory. The accumulated data is stocked in the data file in the management device 400 from each NAU 530 through the high-layer network 520 once a second in response to a request from the management device 400.

As described above, since the communication network has a hierarchical configuration using the NAU 530 as a buffer and the high-layer network 520 has a transmission speed four times the transmission speed of the low-layer network 510 of 2.5 Mbps, 100 to 1000 In a system having terminals, Tables 1, 6 and
A large amount of operation data as shown in Table 12 can be collected by the management device once a second.

Next, an example of a card operation method using a card reader of a pachinko machine will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. This flow shows a procedure for a card provided with only one authenticity discrimination physical layer.

When a card is inserted into the insertion / ejection opening 801 of the card reader 180 and the sensor 1 (811) detects this, the transport motor 802 is rotated forward and the ejection flag prepared in the controller 188 is cleared (routine). R1-R3). Motor 80
The card is taken in by the forward rotation of 2. When a detection pulse comes in from the sensor 5 (815) that detects the rotation of the motor 802 at this time, the counter counts the number of pulses, and the controller 188 counts the counted value. The rotation angle is calculated from the predetermined position, that is, the physical discrimination physical layer TF1 is the sensor 2 (8
When the card enters the position facing 12), the rotation of the motor is stopped, and the sensor 2 detects the authenticity of the physical layer TF1.
Is scanned, and it is determined whether or not the inserted card is a legitimate card based on the detection signal (routines R4 to R4).
7).

Here, if it is determined that the card is a regular card, the motor is normally rotated in the routine R8, and if it is determined that the card is not a regular card, the discharge flag is set in the routine R9. Move to. When the number of authenticity discrimination physical layers is four, the procedure of the above-mentioned routines R5 to R8 is repeated four times before proceeding to the routine R10.

Routine R10, determines whether issuance hole forming portion PH ₁ card comes to position facing the reading sensor 3 (813). Then, when the reading position is reached, the signal of the sensor 3 is read to determine whether or not a punch hole is opened (routines R11 and R12). The process directly proceeds to the routine R18.

Routine R14, determines whether resurrection hole formed portion PH ₂ of the card comes in a position facing the sensor 3 (813) for reading. Then, when the reading position is reached, the signal of the sensor 3 is read to determine whether or not a punch hole is opened (routine R15, R16). When it is open, the process directly proceeds to the routine R18.

Routine R18, determines whether the zero-reset hole formed portion PH ₄ cards come in a position facing the sensor 3 (813) for reading. Then, when the reading position is reached, the signal of the sensor 3 is read to determine whether or not a punch hole is opened (routines R19 and R20). If it is not open, the process proceeds to the routine R22.

Routine R22, determines whether settlement pore forming portion PH ₅ cards come in a position facing the sensor 3 (813) for reading. Then, when the reading position is reached, the signal of the sensor 3 is read to determine whether or not a punch hole is opened (routine R23, R24). If it is not open, the process directly proceeds to the routine R26.

In the routine R26, it is determined based on the number of pulses from the sensor 5 whether or not the magnetic data reading position has been reached. If no (no), the process proceeds to the routine R29. After the recorded data (see FIG. 2 (B)) is read by the magnetic head 808, the data is temporarily stored in a register or RAM in the controller 188 (routine R28) and the routine proceeds to routine R29. .

In the routine R29, the sensor 4 (8
14) determines whether the edge of the card is detected, returns to the routine No. 4 and returns to the routine R4, and repeats the above procedure. When the sensor 4 detects the edge of the card, the routine proceeds to the routine R30, where the motor is stopped. After that, the processing shifts to the data appraisal processing shown in FIG.

In the above flow, the routines R9, R13, R17, R
After setting the discharge flag at 21, R25, the flow returns to the main flow.
The processing may be shifted to the data appraisal processing in FIG.

In the data appraisal processing shown in FIG. 22, it is first determined in a routine R50 whether or not the discharge flag is set to “1”.
Proceed from 1 to R65, and if the discharge flap is "1", the routine
The process proceeds to R71 to start the reverse rotation of the motor, then count down the counter with the number of pulses of the sensor 5, and stop the rotation of the motor 802 when it is determined that the card has come to the card ejection position while checking the value of the counter. (Routines R72 to R74). At this time, the signal of the sensor 1 may be used together and the motor may be stopped when the signal is turned off.

When the routine proceeds to the routine R51, the magnetic data stored in the processing routine R28 in FIG. Since dummy data is inserted at the head of the stored magnetic data, it is determined whether the read data matches the auxiliary data STX as the first valid data (routine R52), and the routine R53 is performed until the auxiliary data STX is read. And repeat R51. Then, when the auxiliary data STX is read, the process proceeds to the next routine R54.However, if the auxiliary data STX has been destroyed, the determination of Yes is no longer made in the routine R52.
If the STX does not come out even after reading a predetermined number of data, the data number is exceeded in the routine R53, and the process proceeds to the aforementioned routine R71 to execute the card ejection process.

On the other hand, the correct auxiliary data STX is read and the routine R
If the process has proceeded to 54, the next magnetic data is read out and it is determined whether or not it matches the correct identification code (routine R55). If the identification codes match, the process proceeds to the next routine R56, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to the card ejection process of the routine R71.

In the routine R56, the next magnetic data is read out, and in the routine R57, it is determined whether or not it matches a preset date. If the date matches, routine R58
If not, the flow shifts to card ejection processing in routine R71.

In the routine R58, the card number N which is the next magnetic data
is read out and the card number is stored in another storage area in a routine R59. Then, the next storage magnetic data is read out in the routine R60, but since it is a spare code, it is skipped and discarded in the routine R61, and the routine proceeds to the routine R62. Here, the next magnetic data is read, and it is determined in the routine R63 whether or not the data matches the auxiliary data ETX. If the data matches, the process proceeds to the routine R64, and if not, the process proceeds to the card ejection process in the routine R71.

In the routine R64, a check code is calculated for each bit string from the data STX to ETX read so far, and then the routine proceeds to the routine R65, where the next magnetic data check code LRC is read. Then, it is determined in a routine R66 whether or not the read data LRC matches the check code calculated in the routine R64, and if they match, the process proceeds to a number identification process of FIG. 23, and if not, the process proceeds to a card ejection process of a routine R71. Transition.

In this way, in the flow of FIG. 22, the magnetic data is used to judge whether or not the card is a legitimate card. On the other hand, in the flow of FIG. 21, the discrimination of the card is performed by the authenticity discrimination physical layer on the card in the routines R5 to R9. Therefore, it is possible to reliably eliminate fraud by copying the card. In the flow of FIG. 21, routines R10 to R25
In, a determination of a card state using a punch hole PH ₁ ~PH _5, wherein it can be determined whether a card capable of pachinko, perform the appraisal process of the card number by the management apparatus described below A card that cannot be played can be immediately ejected from the card reader 180 without playing.

Next, the procedure for appraising the card number by the management device will be described with reference to FIG.

The controller 188 of the card reader 180 transfers the card number No. stored in a predetermined area to the unit controller 190 of the control unit 160 in a routine R59 during the data appraisal process of FIG. 22 (step S1). Then, the data (card number) is stored in the transmission area SDA in the unit memory 170.
And sent to the management device 400 from the control unit 160 via the network 500 in a "card-in" packet indicating that the card has been inserted into the card reader (step S2).

Upon receiving the card number, the management apparatus 400 calculates the issue serial number n (step S3), and searches the card file FL3 (Table 21) using the issue serial number n (steps S4, S5). When a corresponding file is found, the file is read (step S6), and it is determined whether or not the card status is "free" (step S7). If the card status is other than "free" or if the file was not found in step S5, "NAK" is sent to reject the response in step S10, and if there is a card file and the card status in it is "free", , Update the card file and change the card status to "Playing"
The terminal number of the pachinko machine which has sent the card number is written in a predetermined column (step S8). Then, the card text (card information) is inserted into the "ACK" as an acknowledgment and transmitted (step S9).

Control unit 160 that sent the “card-in” packet
When a response is received from the management device 400, the response is "NAK"
Is determined (step S11), and if "ACK" is received, referring to the card text sent from the management device to the indicators 162, 163 on the front of the control unit, the amount of unused money and the number of balls held Is displayed (step S12). Then, the lamps of the analog display 164 are turned on by a number proportional to the number of balls held (step S13), and the hitting ball firing device 111 is driven (step S14). Further, after changing the pachinko machine operation information in the transmission area SDA of the unit memory 170 to "playing" (step S15), the processing shifts to a game processing routine such as calculation of the number of balls and the number of collected balls (step S16). ).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that "NAK" has been received, an ejection command is given to the controller 188 of the card reader 810 (step S17).

When the controller 188 receives this ejection command, it executes a card ejection process having the same procedure as the routines R71 to R74 shown in FIG. 22, and then waits for card insertion (steps S18, S19). Card reader 180 when there is no ejection command
While the card is being held, the reception of another card is prohibited (step S20).

Next, a control procedure when the game end switch 114 (see FIG. 6) provided in the pachinko machine is turned on will be described with reference to FIG.

When the end switch 114 is turned on and the unit controller 190 of the control unit 160 confirms this, the driving of the hit ball firing device 111 is stopped (steps S101 and S102).

Next, after changing the card state in the transmission area SDA of the unit memory 170 to “free”, the card text is put in an “end SW” packet indicating that the end switch has been turned on and transmitted to the management device 400. (Steps S103 and S1
04). Then, when receiving an "ACK" response from the management device 400, the display on the ball number display 163 and the amount display 162 is changed to "0" (steps S105 and S106). Then, after changing the pachinko machine operation information in the transmission area SDA of the unit memory 170 to “free”, a card ejection command is given to the card reader 180 (steps S107 and S108). After a while
The control unit 160 scrolls the lamp of the analog display 164 to perform a display indicating the “waiting for customer” state (step S109).

On the other hand, when the control unit 188 of the card reader 180 receives the card ejection command from the control unit 160 in step S108 (routine R101), the control unit 188 causes the transport motor 802 to rotate (routine R102). Then, a counter for counting the pulses of the sensor 5 (815) for detecting the rotation angle of the motor, to count down the number of pulses that has entered (routine R103), a game hole forming portion PH ₃ cards facing the sensor 3 It is determined whether the card has moved to the position (routine R104), and if yes, the process proceeds to routine R105. Routine R105 rotation of the motor 802 is stopped, and then drives the punching device 807, after the punched holes in the game hole forming portion PH ₃ (routine R106), and resumes the reverse rotation of the motor (routine R107). Then, the pulse of the sensor 5 is counted again (countdown), and when it is determined that the card has come to the card ejection position, the rotation of the motor 802 is stopped, and the ejection of the card is completed (routine R108, R109, R110). In this way, the card once used in the game is punched by the punching device 807 at a predetermined position and discharged.

Next, with reference to FIG. 25, a description will be given of a control procedure in a case where a return-to-zero state occurs in which both the number of balls held and the unused amount of the card become zero during the game in the pachinko machine.

When the unit controller 190 in the control unit 160 determines that the zero return has occurred during the game, the hit ball firing device 111
Is stopped (steps S201, S202).

Next, after changing the card state in the transmission area SDA of the unit memory 170 to “free”, the card text is put in a “return to zero” packet indicating that a return to zero has occurred, and the packet is transmitted to the management device 400 ( Steps S203 and S204).

Then, when receiving an "ACK" response from the management device 400, the display on the ball number display 163 and the amount display 162 is changed to "0" (steps S205, S206). Then, the unit memory 170
Pachinko machine operation information in the transmission area SDA of "free"
After that, a card ejection command is given to the card reader 180 (steps S207 and S208). Thereafter, the control unit 160 scrolls the lamp of the analog display 164 to provide a display indicating the "waiting for customer" state (step
S209).

On the other hand, when the control unit 188 of the card reader 180 receives the card ejection command from the control unit 160 in step S208 (routine R201), the transport motor 802
(Routine R202). Then, the number of pulses that enter the counter for counting the pulses of the sensor 5 (815) for detecting the rotation angle of the motor is counted down (routine R203), the zero-reset hole forming portion PH ₄ cards facing the sensor 3 It is determined whether or not the card has moved to the position (routine R204). The rotation of the routine R205 motor 802 is stopped, and then drives the punching device 807, after the punched holes in the zero-reset hole forming portion PH ₄ (routine R206), and resumes the reverse rotation of the motor (routine R207) . Then, by counting the pulses of the sensor 5 again (counting down), the gaming hole forming portion PH ₃ card determines whether moved to a position sensor 3 faces (routine R208, R209), when the judgment becomes YES routine R21
Go to 0.

Routine R210 rotation of the motor 802 is stopped, and then drives the punching device 807, after the punched holes in the game hole forming portion PH ₃ (routine R211), and resumes the reverse rotation of the motor (routine R212). Then, the pulses of the sensor 5 are counted again (countdown), and when it is determined that the card has come to the card ejection position, the rotation of the motor 802 is stopped, and the ejection of the card is completed (routine R213, R214, R215).

However, at the time of card ejection by the zero-reset occurs, omitting the routine R207～R211, may be discharged only punched holes in the zero-reset hole forming portion PH _4.

In the above-described embodiment, a game facility using a card having a magnetic storage unit as a game storage medium has been described. However, a so-called IC card equipped with a semiconductor memory or a single-chip microcomputer having a built-in memory as an information storage unit. It can also be applied to a game facility using. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a game machine having a pachinko game machine of a sealed ball circulation type as an example of a game machine has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the valuable Each game machine converts the data into a real ball and sends it to the supply tray on the front of the game machine.
Any type of gaming machine (a game other than a pachinko gaming machine) provided that the game is played with a gaming machine or a storage medium having a gaming machine configured to supply a game to an individual destination gaming machine. Game machine).

[Effect of the Invention] A game storage medium used in a game device provided with a storage medium reading device capable of reading information, an information storage unit capable of storing a plurality of pieces of information, and a purchase capable of displaying a purchase price. Since the display device includes an amount display unit and a status display unit that indicates at least whether the storage medium is issued or issued, the status display unit includes a perforation forming unit that displays the issued status by perforation. A punching unit for displaying the issued state by punching in the storage medium for use, it is possible to easily grasp whether or not the storage medium has been issued by a regular storage medium issuing machine by the punching unit, and There is an effect that it is possible to surely prevent fraudulent activities due to counterfeiting of the game and prevent the game store from being disadvantaged.

In addition, since the game storage medium is provided with a date display unit that can display the effective date of the game storage medium,
Since the operation of the game storage medium is facilitated and the use of the game storage medium whose life has passed can be eliminated, the reliability can be improved.

Further, since the purchased metal display section and the upper state display section are provided along the insertion direction of the game storage medium, the game displayed on the state display section while reading the information in the information storage section by the storage medium reader. It is also possible to read the state of the storage medium for use.

Further, since the information storage unit is formed in a band along the insertion direction of the game storage medium, and is provided on the same surface as the date display unit and the purchase amount display unit, for example, the reading unit and the printing unit By arranging them on the same side with respect to the game storage medium, there is also an effect that the configuration of the storage medium reading device can be made compact.

In addition, since an area other than the purchase amount display section, the state display section, and the information storage section is provided with a true / false discrimination area indicating whether or not the game storage medium is genuine, the information is stored in the information storage section. Since the authenticity of the game storage medium can be determined by inspecting not only the information but also the authenticity discrimination area, there is an effect that the use of an unauthorized storage medium can be more reliably prevented.

In addition, since the authenticity discrimination area is made of a printed layer on which a pattern or code in which security bits are concealed is printed, it is difficult to see from the outside, so that forgery of a game storage medium can be made more difficult. This has the effect that fraud can be more reliably prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a pachinko gaming system to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 (A) is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a card used in the system according to the present invention, FIG. (B) is an explanatory view showing a configuration example of a magnetic recording unit of the card, FIG. 3 is a front view showing a configuration example of a card issuing machine used in the system according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a configuration of a card reader. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of a card issuing machine, FIG. 6 (A) is a front view showing a configuration example of a pachinko machine, and FIG. 6 (B) is a pachinko machine. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a control unit of the machine, FIG. 7 is a rear view showing a configuration example of the back surface of the pachinko machine, FIG. 8 is a rear view showing a configuration example of a sealed ball circulation device on the back surface of the pachinko machine. FIG. 9 (A) is an enlarged view showing details of a ball-off portion of the enclosed ball circulation device, Fig. (B) is a perspective view showing details of a ball feeding section of the sealed ball circulation device, Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the whole pachinko machine, and Fig. 11 is a configuration example of a control device of the pachinko machine. FIG. 12 is a front view showing a configuration example of a checkout machine, FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the checkout machine, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of an entire management device. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the management device itself. FIG. 16 shows an example of the configuration of the console of the management device.
(A) is a plan view, (B) is a rear view, FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a state transition of a card in the gaming system of the present invention, and FIG. 18 is a configuration example of a transmission system in the gaming system of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit that controls data transmission and reception between a unit controller of each terminal and a transmission line (network). FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing data on a network. NA that performs transfer control
FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a U (network adapter unit), FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a first-level authenticity verification processing procedure in a card reader of a pachinko machine, and FIG. 22 is based on magnetic data in a card reader of a pachinko machine. 23 is a flowchart showing a second-stage authenticity judgment processing procedure, FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a third-stage authenticity judgment processing procedure using a card number as an identification number by the management device, and FIG. 24 is a pachinko machine end switch. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the card reader when is turned on. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the card reader when a zero return occurs during a game in the pachinko machine. FIG. FIG. 26B is a front view showing a second embodiment of the gaming card according to the present invention, FIG. 26B is an explanatory view showing the internal configuration of the card, FIG. FIG. 28 is an explanatory view showing an example of the configuration of the authenticity discrimination area in the card. FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the cross-sectional structure of the card. FIG. PH: Punch forming area (punch hole forming area), TF: True / false discrimination area, PRT: Print display section, MG: Magnetic recording section, 100
... Pachinko machine, 110 ... Game machine body, 120 ... Enclosed ball circulation device, 160 ... Control unit, 170 ... Unit memory,
180 …… Card reader, 190 …… Unit controller,
200: Card issuing machine, 210: Banknote recognition machine, 220: Card reader, 230: Balance dispenser, 250: Control unit, 300: Settlement machine, 310: Card reader, 320: Banknote dispensing , 330 ... printer, 350 ... control unit, 40
0 ... management device, 510 ... low-layer network, 520 ... high-layer network, 530 ... NAU (network adapter unit).

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A game storage medium used in a game machine having a storage medium reading device capable of reading information, comprising: an information storage unit capable of storing a plurality of pieces of information; An amount display unit, and a status display unit that indicates whether the storage medium is at least before issuance or has been issued, wherein the status display unit includes a perforation forming unit that displays the issued state by perforation. Game storage media. 2. The game storage device according to claim 1, wherein said game storage medium includes a date display section capable of displaying an effective date of the storage medium. Medium. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the purchase amount display section and the state display section are provided along an insertion direction of the game storage medium. Game storage media. 4. The information storage section is formed in a band shape along the insertion direction of the storage medium, and is provided on the same surface as the date display section and the purchase price display section. The game storage medium according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein: 5. An authenticity discriminating area which indicates whether or not the storage medium is an authorized one, in an area other than the purchase amount display section, the state display section, and the information storage section. The game storage medium according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein: 6. The storage medium for games according to claim 5, wherein said authenticity discrimination area comprises a print layer on which a pattern or code in which security bits are concealed is printed.