JP5650771B2 - GAME DEVICE AND GAME SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a member count value specifying process that is provided corresponding to a gaming machine and that allows a count value of a game medium counted by a counting means to be specified from recorded information of a member recording medium, and a visitor recording medium The present invention relates to a gaming apparatus that performs visitor count value identification processing that allows identification from the recorded information.

  Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, it is provided corresponding to a gaming machine, accepts insertion of a recording medium for a member, and authenticates that the owner of the received recording medium for a member is the person himself (PIN A game that performs a stored ball replay process that allows the number of stored balls specified from the received recording information of the member recording medium to be used for a game in the corresponding gaming machine on the condition that the number verification is OK) 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a system that includes a device (a machine between machines) and each machine counter that is provided corresponding to a gaming machine and counts game media acquired by a player through a game on the gaming machine. In this system, it is possible to count game media with each counter corresponding to the game device regardless of whether the game device accepts a member recording medium, and when the count confirmation button is operated. If the game device accepts a member recording medium, the count value of each counter can be specified from the recording information of the accepted member recording medium (here, written to the member recording medium) Specific processing is performed. In other words, in this system, personal authentication is required in the stored ball replay process, whereas personal authentication is not required in the count value specifying process.

  In addition, as shown in Patent Document 2, it is provided corresponding to a gaming machine, accepts insertion of a member recording medium, and is authenticated that the owner of the accepted member recording medium is the person himself / herself (password) The game device performs a stored ball replay process that allows the number of stored balls specified from the received recording information of the member recording medium to be used for a game in the corresponding gaming machine on the condition that the verification is OK) There is also known a system that includes a (between machine) and a counter that is provided at a predetermined location in a game hall and counts game media. In this system, the counter accepts the insertion of the member recording medium, and is authenticated on the condition that the owner of the received member recording medium is authenticated (the collation of the personal identification number is OK). Then, a count value specifying process is performed in which the count value by the counter can be specified from the received record information of the member recording medium (here, written to the member recording medium). That is, in this system, the user authentication is required in the storage ball replay process, and the user authentication is also required in the count value specifying process.

  There is also a gaming device that is provided corresponding to a gaming machine and that performs a visitor count value specifying process that enables the count value of the game medium counted by the counting means to be specified from the recorded information of the visitor recording medium. ing.

JP 2006-175061 A (paragraphs 0108 to 0133, 0447 to 0453, FIGS. 78 and 79) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2007-065930 (paragraphs 0457, 0475, FIGS. 19 and 24)

  However, as in the system shown in Patent Document 1, in a gaming device that performs a count value specifying process that makes it possible to specify the count value by each counter counter from the recorded information of the member recording medium that is accepted, When it is necessary not only for the storage ball replay process but also for the count value specifying process as in the system shown in Patent Document 2, the member player inserts a member recording medium for the count value specifying process and authenticates the user. If the member recording medium is returned without noticing that it is necessary, there is a risk of losing without noticing that the count value identification processing has not been performed.

  Further, if the visitor count value specifying process is enabled regardless of the count value, the visitor count value can be used even when the count value is a fraction less than a predetermined value (for example, a number corresponding to the minimum amount at which a prize can be exchanged). Although the recording medium will be returned, the visitor recording medium may be thrown away, which is a loss for the game hall and a loss for the player because the fraction is not used.

  The present invention has been made based on such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming apparatus in which a visitor recording medium that can specify a fraction less than a predetermined value is not returned, and the game apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming system including a gaming apparatus. Another object of the present invention is to use a gaming device that requires identity authentication in a member count value identification process that makes it possible to identify the count value of each counter from the recorded information of the member recording medium that is accepted. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming device and a gaming system including the gaming device so that the player does not lose even if the player does not realize that the user authentication is necessary. .

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to solve the above problems. The reference numerals used in the description of the best mode for carrying out the invention and the drawings to be described later are appended in parentheses for reference, but the constituent elements of the present invention are not limited to the appended description.

First, the invention according to claim 1
Provided corresponding to the gaming machine (pachinko machine 10),
Recording medium accepting means (card R / W 23) for accepting a member recording medium (member card 2) issued to a member player who has registered as a member;
Authentication information receiving means for receiving input of authentication information (password) for authenticating that the owner of the member recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means is the person who has issued the member recording medium. Numeric keypad 24b),
An authentication flag storage unit (control unit 22) that stores an authentication flag when the user is authenticated by the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving unit;
When the authentication flag is stored, a game that enables the value of the value specified from the recording information of the member recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means to be used for a game in the corresponding gaming machine. Game usage processing means for performing usage processing;
A return operation accepting means (card return button 16) for accepting a return operation of the member recording medium accepted by the recording medium accepting means;
Counting means (each counter 19) for counting the game media (pachinko balls) acquired by the player by playing with the gaming machine;
At least when the return operation is accepted, when the member recording medium is accepted by the recording medium accepting means and the authentication flag is stored, the recording information (member card ID) of the member recording medium is stored. ) while performing a count value specifying processing members to allow identifying the count value of game media counted by the counting means from, when not accept a recording medium for the member by the recording medium receiving means, the member registration Count value specifying processing for performing visitor count value specifying processing for specifying the count value from the recording information (visitor card ID) of the visitor recording medium (visitor card 3) issued to a visitor player who has not been performed Means (control unit 22), and (count value specifying process is a process of transmitting a ball number update request including a card ID and a count value to the ball number management device 32. Well, it may be the process of recording the count value on the card)
A gaming device (card unit 20 and each counter 19) having:
The visitor count value specifying process can be executed when the count value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, a number corresponding to a minimum amount at which prizes can be exchanged but can be arbitrarily set), When the count value is less than the predetermined value, it is impossible to execute,
The count value specific processing member Ri gaming device der wherein the count value is executable regardless of whether it is smaller than the predetermined value,
When the recording medium accepting means accepts the member recording medium, the authentication flag is not stored, and the count value by the counting means exists, the authentication information accepting means prompts acceptance of the authentication information The gaming apparatus further comprises authentication information reception notifying means (display 24) for notifying the effect .
According to this, at least when the return operation of the recording medium is accepted, if the count value is less than the predetermined value, the visitor count value specification that enables the count value to be specified from the record information of the visitor recording medium is specified. Since the process cannot be executed, a visitor recording medium that can specify a count value less than the predetermined value is not returned. Further, when authentication information is received and the user is authenticated, an authentication flag is stored. When the authentication flag is stored, the member count value specifying process can be performed without receiving authentication information again. While it is possible to improve usability, it is notified that a member recording medium is accepted, an authentication flag is not stored, and there is a count value, the user is prompted to accept authentication information. This makes it possible for the member player to recognize that personal authentication is necessary to perform the member count value specifying process, so that the member player is not damaged.

The invention according to claim 2
A gaming device according to claim 1 ,
Based on accepting a use operation from the player (operation of a ball return button), a game medium within the range of the count value specified from the recorded information of the visitor recording medium is used for a game in the gaming machine performing a first visitor game using process that allows, when the counted value after visitor game using the process of the first is less than the predetermined value, the count value following the visitor game using the process of the first The game apparatus further includes visitor game use processing means (control unit 22) for performing a second visitor game use process that enables the game medium to be used for a game in the gaming machine.
According to this, after the first visitor game using the process to be used in a game the count value identified from the record information of the visitor recording medium, when the count value is less than the predetermined value, the first Subsequent to the visitor game use process, the second visitor game use process for making the count value usable for the game is performed, so that an operation for making the count value less than the predetermined value usable for the game is unnecessary. , The convenience of the player is improved.

The invention according to claim 3
A gaming device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A first member game that makes it possible to use a game medium within the range of the count value specified from the recorded information of the member recording medium for a game on the gaming machine based on accepting a use operation from the player. Member game use processing means (control unit 22) for performing use processing;
When the counted value after member game using the process of the first is less than the predetermined value, enabling the game media of the count value to the player at the gaming machine subsequent to the first member game using process And an execution setting means for setting whether or not to execute the second member game use process.
The member game using processing means, if it is set to perform a second member game using processed by the execution setting unit, in the game apparatus characterized by performing a membership game using the process of the second is there.
According to this, when the count value is less than a predetermined value after the first member game use processing for enabling the count value specified from the recording information of the member recording medium to be used in the game, the first value Following the visitor game use process, it is possible to set whether or not to execute the second member game use process that makes the count value usable for the game, so that the game hall can perform the desired operation.

The invention according to claim 4
A gaming device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The member recording medium that is communicable with the game device and uses the count value as the number of acquired game media (the number of possession balls) that can be used for game and prize exchange only on the day based on the member count value specifying process Acquired game medium number management means (mobama management device 32) for managing in association with the recorded information,
It is a game system provided with.
According to this, the number of acquired game media for each member can be managed by the acquired game media number management means.

The invention according to claim 5
A gaming system according to claim 4 , wherein
Based on the saving operation performed by the player, the number of acquired game media is the number of saving game media (number of balls) that can be used for the game and prize exchange on and after the day when the saving operation is performed and the next day. A storage game medium number management means (member management apparatus 31) for managing the information in association with the recording information of the recording medium for members;
When the acquired game medium number management means ends the business of the day, the stored game medium number management means determines the number of acquired game media managed in association with the record information of the member recording medium. It is a game system characterized by performing processing for managing as a game system.
According to this, when the business of the day ends, processing for managing the number of acquired game media managed by the acquired game media number management means as the number of stored game media is performed by the saved game media number management means. The player does not have to bother with saving operations.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a gaming system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the member information DB stored in the member management apparatus. FIG. 3A is a front view of a card unit and each counter which are gaming devices according to the present invention, and a pachinko machine corresponding to the gaming device, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the card unit. It is a right view. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of main processing performed by the card unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram following FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the coin return process performed by the card unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display of the card unit. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the gaming system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the gaming system according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the gaming apparatus according to the present invention is provided corresponding to a gaming machine (pachinko machine 10) and is a member recording medium (member card 2) issued to a member player. ) Is received, and input of authentication information (password) for authenticating that the owner of the received recording medium for the member is the person is accepted, and the person is authenticated by the received authentication information. On the condition that the card unit 20 performs the game use processing for making the value of the value specified from the recording information of the received member recording medium available to the game on the gaming machine, and also corresponds to the gaming machine. Each of the counters 19 that counts the game media (pachinko balls) acquired by the player by playing with the gaming machine, and the count value of the game media counted by each counter 19 The And it performs a count value specifying process to be identified from the recorded information of the received membership recording medium.

  The gaming apparatus according to the present invention receives the member recording medium, and performs the count value specifying process on the condition that the user is authenticated by the received authentication information. On the condition that the user is not authenticated by the received authentication information and the count value by each counter 19 exists, A notification of inactivation and / or prompting acceptance of the authentication information is performed.

  Here, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the gaming apparatus has a first embodiment comprising a card unit 20 for performing a count value specifying process and each counter 19, as shown in FIG. The gaming apparatus includes a second embodiment including a card unit 20, each counter 19, and a relay device 50 that performs a count value specifying process. In the following, the first embodiment will be described first, then the second embodiment will be described only with respect to differences from the first embodiment, and finally a modification will be described. In the following, an example in which the gaming machine is a pachinko machine 10 and the gaming medium is a pachinko ball will be described. The reader / writer is abbreviated as “R / W”, the database as “DB”, and the step as “S”. To do.

[1. Game Device According to First Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming apparatus according to the first embodiment includes a card unit 20 and a counter counter 19 provided corresponding to the pachinko machine 10, and the card unit 20 and the counter counter are counted. The machine 19 can communicate. The gaming system 1 according to the first embodiment including a plurality of gaming devices according to the first embodiment includes a balance management device 30, a member management device 31, and a number of possession management device that can communicate with each card unit 20. 32 is provided in the game hall. In the gaming system 1 according to the first embodiment, the membership card 2, the visitor card 3, and the terminal device 5 are used. First, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the member card 2, visitor card 3, terminal device 5, balance management device 30, member management device 31, and number-of-balls management device 32 will be described.

  The membership card 2 and the visitor card 3 are a recording medium (IC card) in which a non-contact type IC chip having a storage area made of a nonvolatile EEPROM is provided at a predetermined portion of a rectangular thin plastic plate. It is. When the membership card 2 and the visitor card 3 are not distinguished from each other, they are simply referred to as “cards”, and when the membership card ID and the visitor card ID described later are not distinguished from each other, they are simply referred to as “card IDs”.

  The member card 2 is a member recording medium issued to a member player who has registered as a member, and the member card ID, which is member recording medium identification information capable of individually identifying the member recording medium, Pre-recorded on the IC chip. This member card ID includes a code “M” indicating that it is a member (member) and a 6-digit number that does not overlap each other. This member card ID is also valuable value specifying information capable of specifying the magnitude of the valuable value possessed by the member player (remaining amount, the number of stored balls, the number of held balls, which will be described later). Note that the membership card 2 does not record the value of these valuables or the count value itself.

  This membership card 2 is authentication information for authenticating that the owner of the membership card 2 is the person who has issued the membership card 2 at the game hall, and a personal identification number desired by the player, When the player's attribute information (here, name, address, gender, date of birth, and e-mail address) is accepted and registered as a member, the membership card 2 delivered to the game hall from the card company The membership card ID recorded in advance on the IC chip of the membership card 2 is read from one of the cards, and the membership card 2 is issued. The membership card ID read from the membership card 2 and the accepted personal identification number and attribute information are stored in the membership information DB of the membership management device 31 as shown in FIG.

  The visitor card 3 is a visitor recording medium issued to a visitor player who has not registered as a member, and a visitor card ID that is visitor recording medium identification information capable of individually identifying the visitor card 3 is: Pre-recorded on the IC chip. The visitor card ID includes a sign “V” indicating that the visitor card is a visitor and a 6-digit number that does not overlap each other. This visitor card ID is also valuable value specifying information capable of specifying the magnitude of the valuable value (remaining amount and number of balls to be described later) possessed by the visitor player. The visitor card 3 does not record the value of these valuable values or the count value itself.

  The terminal device 5 is a portable computer possessed by a game shop clerk, and receives the card ID, count value, and number of balls sent from the card unit 20, as shown in S84 of FIG. And display.

  The balance management device 30 is a computer, and stores a balance DB shown in FIG. 1 by a hard disk (not shown) as storage means. This remaining amount DB manages the remaining amount used for lending pachinko balls in association with the card ID (member card ID or visitor card ID) of the card (member card 2 or visitor card 3). Here, the remaining amount can be used for a ball lending process, which will be described later, on the day when management is performed and on and after the next day. The balance managed by the balance management apparatus 30 is also referred to as “management balance”.

  This remaining amount management apparatus 30 updates the remaining management amount as follows. First, a banknote is received and a management ID addition process (S44 in FIG. 4 and S61 in FIG. 5) is performed on the card ID and the deposit amount provided to the management balance addition process (ie, the amount of the accepted banknote). When the deposit request including the above is received, the deposit amount is added to the management remaining amount managed in association with the card ID. Further, when receiving a balance subtraction request including the card ID and the ball lending usage amount used in the ball lending process from the card unit 20 on which the ball lending process and the management remaining amount subtraction process (S63 in FIG. 5) have been performed, the card The ball lending usage amount is subtracted from the management remaining amount managed in association with the ID.

  The member management apparatus 31 is a computer and stores a member information DB shown in FIG. 2 by a hard disk (not shown) as a storage means. This member information DB includes a personal identification number desired by the player, attribute information of the player (here, name, address, gender, date of birth, and e-mail address) and the number of coins acquired by the member player. Is used to manage the number of stored balls. Here, the number of stored balls can be used for a stored ball replay process and a prize exchange described later on the day when the saving is performed and on and after the next day. Note that the number of stored balls managed by the member management apparatus 31 is also referred to as “managed stored ball number”.

  This member management device 31 updates the number of managed storage balls as follows. When a request for adding the number of balls including a member card ID and the number of possessed balls provided for the ball processing is received from a POS terminal (not shown) where the ball processing has been performed, management is performed in association with the member card ID. The number of possessed balls provided for the stored ball processing is added to the number of managed stored balls. Further, when the storage ball replay information including the membership card ID is received from the card unit 20 that has been subjected to the storage ball replay processing and the management storage ball number subtraction processing (S64 in FIG. 5), it is managed in association with the membership card ID. The predetermined number of balls (for example, 125) returned by the stored ball replay process + the number of fee balls (for example, 25) corresponding to the fee is subtracted from the managed number of stored balls. That is, a fee is collected in the storage ball replay process. Furthermore, when a request for subtracting the number of stored balls including a member card ID and the number of stored balls used for the replacement of the prize is received from a POS terminal (not shown) that has been subjected to subtraction processing after the prize has been exchanged, it corresponds to the member card ID. Then, the number of stored balls used for the prize exchange is subtracted from the number of managed stored balls managed.

  The number-of-balls management device 32 is a computer, and stores a ball DB shown in FIG. 1 with a hard disk (not shown) as storage means. This holding ball DB is associated with the card ID (member card ID or visitor card ID) of the card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) and manages the number of balls that are obtained by counting the pachinko balls acquired by the player. To do. Here, the number of possessed balls can be used only for the day when the counting is performed, and can be used for a later-described retained ball return process and giveaway exchange. When the business on that day ends, the number of retained balls associated with the member card ID is The number of balls that are transmitted to the member management device 31 and managed as the number of stored balls and are associated with the visitor card ID become invalid. Note that the number of possessed balls managed by the number of possessing balls management device 32 is also referred to as “the number of possessed balls”.

  This number management device 32 updates the number of management balls as follows. First, the number-of-balls update request including the card ID and the count value + the number of balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 is received from the card unit 20 on which the management ball-number updating process (S85 in FIG. 5) has been performed. Then, if the card ID included in the number-of-balls update request is not stored, the card ID included in the number-of-balls update request is stored in association with the count value + the number of balls. If the card ID included in the update request is stored, the managed number of balls managed in association with the card ID is updated to the count value + the number of balls included in the number of held balls update request. Further, upon receiving a ball number addition request including a card ID and the number of balls provided for the ball number addition process from a POS terminal (not shown) on which the ball number addition process has been performed, The number of possessed balls provided to the number of possessed balls managed in association is added to the number of possessed balls. Further, when a number-of-balls subtraction request including a card ID and the number of balls used for the prize exchange is received from a POS terminal (not shown) on which the prize exchange has been performed and the subtraction process has been performed, the card ID is supported. The number of possessed balls used for the prize exchange is subtracted from the managed number of managed balls.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the pachinko machine 10, the card unit 20 that is a gaming apparatus provided corresponding to the pachinko machine 10, and the counters 19 for each unit will be described. Here, the card unit 20 is provided adjacent to the left side of the pachinko machine 10, and each counter 19 is provided below the lower plate 18 of the pachinko machine 10.

  The pachinko machine 10 is an example of a gaming machine, and plays a game by driving a pachinko ball, which is a game medium, into the game area. Here, a signal relating to the lending of the pachinko ball with the corresponding card unit 20 is transmitted. It is a so-called CR-type pachinko machine that exchanges and performs ball lending processing. The pachinko machine 10 is installed in accordance with the model of the pachinko machine 10 and the like on a game island (not shown) arranged in the game hall.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the pachinko machine 10 has a game area, a remaining number display 14, a ball lending button 15, a card return button 16, an upper plate 17, a lower plate 18, a firing handle, etc. As shown in FIG. 1, a game control board 11, a payout control board 12, a ball payout device 13 and the like are included therein, and these components are connected as shown in FIG. Yes.

  The game control board 11 controls the gaming state in the pachinko machine 10. The payout control board 12 is communicably connected to a later-described ball lending communication unit 21a of the card unit 20, and controls communication between the pachinko machine 10 and the card unit 20. Thereby, when the ball lending process is performed, signals related to the lending of the pachinko balls are exchanged between the pachinko machine 10 and the card unit 20. The payout control board 12 is connected to the ball payout device 13 and controls the ball payout device 13. Further, the payout control board 12 is also connected to a remaining frequency indicator 14, a ball lending button 15, and a card return button 16. The ball payout device 13 pays out a pachinko ball lent to a player through ball lending processing and a pachinko ball (so-called prize ball) given to the player as a result of the game.

  The remaining number indicator 14 is associated with the card ID (member card ID or visitor card ID) of the card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) received by the card R / W 23 of the card unit 20, and the remaining amount management device 30 It is a display for displaying the remaining frequency corresponding to the management remaining amount managed in. Here, the remaining frequency is obtained by converting the management remaining amount at a predetermined ratio (for example, 100 yen = 1 frequency). In the remaining frequency indicator 14, the remaining frequency is displayed by inputting a frequency display signal indicating the remaining frequency from the ball loan communication unit 21a.

  The ball lending button 15 is a button for accepting a ball lending operation for performing a ball lending process using the remaining frequency displayed on the remaining frequency display 14. When the ball lending button 15 is operated, a lending input signal is input to the ball lending communication unit 21a, and the control unit 22 of the card unit 20 recognizes that the ball lending button 15 is operated by detecting the input. To do.

  The card return button 16 is for accepting a discharge operation for discharging the card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) received by the card R / W 23 of the card unit 20 to the outside of the card unit 20. When the card return button 16 is operated, a return input signal is input to the ball lending communication unit 21a, and the control unit 22 of the card unit 20 recognizes that the card return button 16 is operated by detecting the input. Then, the discharge control of the card received by the card R / W 23 is performed, and the card is discharged from the card insertion slot 23a and returned to the player (S87 in FIG. 5). When the control unit 22 of the card unit 20 disables the return operation (S74 in FIG. 5), the card discharge control accepted by the card R / W 23 is not performed.

  The upper plate 17 and the lower plate 18 store the pachinko balls paid out from the ball dispensing device 13. The pachinko balls stored in the upper plate 17 are supplied to the lower plate 18 by operating an upper plate lever (not shown), and the pachinko balls stored in the lower plate 18 are moved to the lower plate lever ( By operating (not shown), it is supplied to each counter 19.

  Each counter 19 is an example of a counting means constituting a part of the gaming device, and counts game media (pachinko balls) acquired by the player through games on the gaming machine (pachinko machine 10). Yes, here, the pachinko balls supplied from the lower plate 18 are counted based on the operation of a counting button (not shown). This counting is possible regardless of whether the card unit 20 accepts a card. Each counter 19 is communicably connected to a counter communication unit 21c (to be described later) of the card unit 20, and count value information indicating the count value to the counter communication unit 21c by performing the counting. Is input (S03 in FIG. 4 and S52 in FIG. 5), and the count value indicated by the count value information is added to the count value stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 described later (S46 in FIG. 4, FIG. 5). S62). The pachinko balls counted by each counter 19 are guided and collected by a driving ball collection basket (not shown) provided on the game island.

  In this pachinko machine 10, the pachinko balls paid out from the ball payout device 13 are supplied to the upper plate 17, and are driven into the game area by operating the launching handle to play a game. Then, when the hit pachinko ball wins a winning opening formed in the game area, the pachinko ball is paid out from the ball payout device 13 as a prize ball based on a payout signal issued from the payout control board 12, and the upper It is supplied to the pan 17 or the lower pan 18. The pachinko balls that have been driven are guided and recovered to a driven ball recovery basket (not shown) in the game island. Also, the pachinko machine 10 outputs game information such as a start signal indicating that the pachinko ball that has been placed has won a start winning opening, a jackpot signal indicating that a big hit has occurred, and the game information is stored in the game hall. Is input to a game data management device (not shown) provided in the game and managed as game data.

  Next, the card unit 20 constituting a part of the gaming apparatus will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the card unit 20 has a vertically long box shape. As shown in FIG. 3A, the card unit 20 has a bill insertion slot 26a, a protruding portion 20a, a nozzle on the front surface thereof. 27a, a card insertion slot 23a, and the like, and as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the ball lending communication unit 21a, the on-site communication unit 21b, the counter communication unit 21c, the terminal device communication unit 21d, and the control unit 22 Card R / W 23, visitor card stocker 23b, bill discriminator 26, ball dispensing device 27, etc., touch panel type display 24, password input lamp 24a on the right side of projection 20a (ie, the side facing the player) , And a numeric keypad 24b, a receipt printer 25 is provided inside the protruding portion 20a, and a receipt discharge port 25a is provided on the lower surface of the protruding portion 20a. These components are shown in FIG. It is connected so. The card unit 20 can be individually identified by a machine number together with the corresponding pachinko machine 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ball lending communication unit 21 a is communicably connected to the payout control board 12 of the corresponding pachinko machine 10, and when the ball lending process is performed, between the pachinko machine 10 and the card unit 20. The exchange of signals related to lending pachinko balls. The on-site communication unit 21 b is communicably connected to the remaining amount management device 30, the member management device 31, and the possession number management device 32, and communicates with the remaining amount management device 30, the member management device 31, and the possession number management device 32. It functions as a communication means. As described above, the counter communication unit 21c is communicably connected to each counter 19 of the corresponding pachinko machine 10, and the counter value of each pachinko ball is counted from each counter 19 where the pachinko balls are counted. Is received. The terminal device communication unit 21d is an example of a count value output unit, and detects an incommunicable state (offline state) incapable of communicating with the number management device 32 by a communication availability detection unit (control unit 22) described later. On the condition, the count value is output in an identifiable manner, and here, wireless communication is possible with the terminal device 5 possessed by the store clerk of the game hall. A count value transmission process (S84 in FIG. 5) for transmitting the card ID, count value, and number of balls stored in the RAM is performed.

  The control unit 22 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, and the like, and each component provided in the card unit 20 when a processing program stored in the ROM or the EEPROM is executed by the CPU using the RAM as a work area. Various operations are performed by controlling the operation of the element.

  Here, the RAM stores the card ID (member card ID or visitor card ID) read from the card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) received by the card R / W 23. The RAM also stores an authentication flag indicating whether or not the owner of the member card 2 accepted by the card R / W 23 is authenticated as the principal. Here, if the authentication flag is 0, it indicates that the user is not authenticated, and if the authentication flag is 1, it indicates that the user is authenticated. Further, the RAM stores the balance acquired from the balance management device 30, the number of balls acquired from the member management device 31, the number of balls acquired from the number of balls management device 32, and the count value information transmitted from each counter 19. Is stored. The remaining amount, the number of stored balls, the number of held balls, and the count value stored in the RAM are also referred to as “stored remaining amount”, “stored stored ball number”, “stored stored ball number”, and “stored count value”, respectively.

  The control unit 22 is an example of a communication availability detection unit, and is it in a communicable state (online state) that can communicate with each management device (remaining amount management device 30, member management device 31, and possession number management device 32)? It detects whether or not communication is impossible (offline state). Specifically, reception of the communication confirmation request is periodically detected based on a communication confirmation request periodically (for example, every 10 seconds) transmitted from each management device to each card unit 20. Is determined to be in an online state (that is, a communicable state capable of communicating with each management device), and when the reception of the communication confirmation request is not detected for a certain period (for example, 1 minute), the offline state (that is, communication with each management device cannot be performed) It is determined that communication is not possible.

  Further, the control unit 22 is an example of a game use processing means, and the value of the value (remaining amount, saving money) specified from the record information (member card ID or visitor card ID) of the card (member card 2 or visitor card 3). Number, number of possessions, count value) is used to perform a game use process that can be used for a game in the pachinko machine 10 corresponding to the card unit 20, and in particular, the value specified from the member card ID of the member card 2 With regard to the magnitude of the value, the user is authenticated by the authentication information (password) received by the authentication information receiving means (tenkey 24b) described later (that is, the authentication flag 1 is stored in the RAM of the control unit 22). Game use processing on the condition that This game use processing includes ball lending processing, storage ball replay processing, and possession ball return processing.

  Here, the ball lending process is a process of lending a number of pachinko balls corresponding to the ball lending usage amount using the management remaining amount managed by the remaining amount management device 30 in association with the card ID of the card. Then, following the ball lending process, as a management remaining amount subtraction process for subtracting the ball lending usage amount from the management remaining amount, a remaining amount subtraction request including the card ID and the ball lending usage amount is transmitted to the remaining amount management device 30 ( S63 of FIG. As described above, since it is necessary to transmit the remaining amount subtraction request to the remaining amount management device 30 following the ball lending processing, the ball lending processing is performed when the card unit 20 and the remaining amount management device 30 are in an online state. This is done only for offline, not when offline.

  Further, the storage ball replay process is a process of paying out a predetermined number of pachinko balls (for example, 125) using the number of managed storage balls managed by the member management device 31 in association with the member card ID of the member card 2. It is. Then, following the storage ball replay process, as a management storage ball number subtraction process for subtracting the predetermined number of balls + the number of commission balls (for example, 25) from the management center ball number, a storage ball number subtraction request including a card ID is issued as a member management device. 31 (S64 in FIG. 5). As described above, since it is necessary to transmit a storage ball number subtraction request to the member management device 31 following the storage ball replay processing, the card unit 20 and the member management device 31 are in an online state in the storage ball replay processing. It is performed only when it is, and is not performed when it is offline.

  Further, the holding ball return process is performed by the stored count value stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 (that is, the count value indicated by the count value information received from each counter 19 together with the card ID) and the control unit. The stored number of balls stored in the RAM 22 (that is, the number of managed balls managed and managed by the number management device 32 in association with the card ID of the card) is used. This is a process of paying out pachinko balls as shown in FIG. Subsequent to the retained ball return process, the stored count value and the retained ball number subtracting process for subtracting the number of balls paid out from the stored count value and the stored retained ball number are performed (S65 in FIG. 5), and then the card is returned. If there is an operation of the button 16 (YES in S57), the card ID and the stored count value + the number of stored balls as the managed number of balls update process for updating the managed number of balls to the stored count value + the stored number of stored balls. The number-of-balls update request including the number of balls is transmitted to the number-of-balls management device 32 (S85). In this way, subtraction of the stored count value and the stored ball count is performed following the ball return processing, but it is not necessary to transmit a ball count update request to the ball count management device 32. The ball return process is performed regardless of whether the card unit 20 and the ball number management device 32 are in an online state or an offline state. In the stored count value / held ball count subtraction process, first, the number of balls paid out is subtracted from the stored count value, and when it cannot be subtracted, the shortage is subtracted from the stored track count. In addition, the handling ball return process does not collect fees unlike the stored ball replay process.

  Further, the control unit 22 is an example of a count value specifying processing unit, and the count information of the pachinko balls counted by each counter 19 is recorded information of the member card 2 (member card ID) received by the card R / W 23. The count value specifying process is performed so that the pachinko ball is counted by each counter 19 on the condition that the membership card 2 is not received by the card R / W 23. A count value specifying process that enables specifying from the recorded information (visitor card ID) of the visitor card 3 received by the R / W 23 (inserted from the card insertion slot 23a or conveyed from the visitor card stocker 23b). is there.

  Specifically, based on the reception of the count value information from each counter 19 (S03 in FIG. 4, S52 in FIG. 5), the stored count value in which the count value indicated by the count value information is stored in the RAM (S46 in FIG. 4, S62 in FIG. 5) is added as the count value specifying process. Further, based on the operation of the card return button 16 (YES in S57 of FIG. 5), the card R / W 23 uses the communication number detection device 32 to detect the online status with the number-of-balls management device 32. Without having to record the count value on the received card, the ball count management device issues a ball count update request including the card ID of the card stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 and the stored count value + the number of stored balls. The process (S85 in FIG. 5) transmitted to 32 is performed as the count value specifying process.

  Further, based on the operation of the card return button 16 (YES in S57 in FIG. 5), the control unit 22 is based on the condition that the communication number detection device 32 and the offline state are detected by the communication availability detection unit ( NO in S81), receipt issuing process (S83) for issuing the receipt 4 recording the card ID, count value, and number of balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 from the receipt printer 25, or the RAM of the control unit 22 The offline processing setting for which one of the count value transmission processing (S84) for transmitting the card ID, count value, and number of possessions stored in step S4 to the terminal device 5 from the terminal device communication unit 21d is stored. Is. This offline processing setting is set by the number-of-balls management device 32, and the setting contents are transmitted from the number-of-balls management device 32 to each card unit 20 and stored in the EEPROM of the control unit 22. . Note that other functions of the control unit 22 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The card R / W 23 is an example of a recording medium accepting unit, and accepts insertion of a card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) from the card insertion slot 23a, and the card ID (member card) recorded on the accepted card. ID or visitor card ID). Here, a card insertion sensor (not shown) for detecting insertion of a card is provided in the card insertion slot 23a. When insertion of a card is detected by this card insertion sensor, a card insertion signal is sent to the control unit 22. When input, the control unit 22 recognizes the insertion of the card. The visitor card stocker 23 b is provided in communication with the card R / W 23 behind the card R / W 23 and stocks a plurality of visitor cards 3.

  Here, with the card R / W 23 receiving the visitor card 3, the management remaining amount subtraction process (S63 in FIG. 5) and the stored count value / ball number subtraction process (S65) are performed. When the remaining amount, the number of possessed balls, and the count value stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 together with the visitor card ID become zero, the visitor card 3 is stored in the visitor card stocker 23b and the operation of the card return button 16 is accepted. Will not be returned.

  Also, when the card R / W 23 has not received the visitor card 3 and a bill is accepted by the bill validator 26 (YES in S02 in FIG. 4 → NO in S41), or when a card return operation is accepted (FIG. 5). In S57 of YES → NO in S71 → NO in S79a), one of the plurality of visitor cards 3 stocked in the visitor card stocker 23b is conveyed to the card R / W 23 (S42 or S79b). The card R / W 23 receives the conveyed visitor card 3 and reads the visitor card ID (S43 or S79c).

  When the card insertion sensor detects insertion of the card (S56 in FIG. 5), the card R / W 23 has already received the card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) (YES in S66), the card Is not accepted, and if the card is not accepted (NO in S66), the inserted card is accepted (S04 in FIG. 4).

  The touch panel display 24 is a display device that displays various types of information and an input device that receives input of various types of information. The function of the display 24 will be described later with reference to FIG. The password input lamp 24a is turned on when the membership card 2 is received by the card R / W 23, prompts the user to input a password by the numeric keypad 24b (S15 in FIG. 4), and turns off when the password is entered. (S18). The numeric keypad 24b is an example of authentication information receiving means, and is a password that is authentication information for authenticating that the owner of the member card 2 received by the card R / W 23 is the person who received the member card 2. Accepts input of numbers.

  The receipt printer 25 is an example of a count value output unit, and is based on the condition that the communication enable / disable detection unit (control unit 22) detects an incommunicable state (offline state) that cannot communicate with the number-of-balls management device 32. As shown in FIG. 5, a receipt issuance process is performed in which the card ID, the count value, and the number of balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 are recorded (S83 in FIG. 5). Is to do.

  The bill validator 26 receives bills (1000 yen bills, 2000 yen bills, 5000 yen bills, or 10000 yen bills) from the bill insertion slot 26a and identifies the accepted bills. By this identification, if the accepted banknote is not a regular banknote, the banknote is ejected and returned from the banknote insertion slot 26a. If the accepted banknote is a regular banknote, the banknote is ejected from the back of the card unit 20. Then, the deposit amount which is the amount of the identified banknote is output to the control unit 22. Note that the banknotes discharged from the back surface of the card unit 20 are guided and transported to a banknote transport mechanism (not shown) provided on the amusement island, and collected in a safe (not shown) provided on the game island.

  The ball payout device 27 receives the supply of pachinko balls from a replenishment basket (not shown) provided on the game island, and pays out the pachinko balls to the upper plate 17 of the pachinko machine 10 through the nozzle 27a. When the stored ball replay process is performed from the ball dispensing device 27, a predetermined number of pachinko balls (for example, 125) are dispensed, and when a ball return process is performed, a description will be given later. As shown in FIG. 6, the first return number and the second return number of pachinko balls are paid out.

  Here, the main processing performed by the card unit 20 will be described with reference to the screen diagram shown in FIG. 7 based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  First, the card unit 20 displays the screen indicated by D11 in FIG. 7 on the display 24 (S00). In D11, a message that prompts the user to insert the member card 2 or the visitor card 3 and a message that prompts the user to insert a bill are displayed, and a “game data” button is displayed. Further, in the state where D11 is displayed, the password input lamp 24a is turned off.

  The card unit 20 detects the insertion of the card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) by the card insertion sensor (S01) in the state of S00 where this D11 is displayed, and accepts the banknote by the banknote discriminator 26 (S02). , Waiting for reception of count value information transmitted from each counter 19 (S03) or reception of game data display operation (not shown). In the state of S00, the acceptance of the operation of the ball lending button 15 and the acceptance of the operation of the card return button 16 are invalid.

  If a game data display operation, that is, an operation of the “game data” button displayed at D11 is received (YES), a game data display process (not shown) is performed. In this game data display process, game data of the pachinko machine 10 corresponding to the card unit 20 managed by the game data management device (not shown) is acquired from the game data management device and displayed on the display 24. When a predetermined time elapses after the game data is displayed, the game data display process is terminated, D11 is displayed on the display 24, and the process returns to S01.

  If the card insertion sensor detects the insertion of the card in S01 (YES), the inserted card is received by the card R / W 23 (S04), and the card ID recorded on the received card is read. (S05) The read card ID is stored in the RAM of the control unit 22, and it is determined whether or not the stored card ID is a member card ID (S11).

  If it is determined in S11 that the membership card ID is (YES), it is determined whether or not the count value is stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 (S12). If it is determined in S12 that the count value is not stored (NO), the screen shown at D12 in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display 24 (S13). In D12, the member card ID read in S11 and the count value (zero in this case) stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 are displayed, and the “game data” button is displayed. On the other hand, if it is determined in S12 that the count value is stored (YES), a screen shown as D12 'in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display 24 (S14). In D12 ', the member card ID read in S11 and the count value stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 are displayed, and a "game data" button is displayed. Note that if the operation of the “game data” button is accepted at D12 or D12 ′, the game data display process similar to that described above is performed, although not shown in FIG.

  In the state of S13 in which D12 is displayed or the state of S14 in which D12 ′ is displayed, the card unit 20 turns on the password input lamp 24a (S15) and inputs the password by the numeric keypad 24b (S16). ) Or reception of a card return operation (S17). If the card return operation, that is, the operation of the card return button 16 is received in S17 (YES), the process proceeds to S71 shown in FIG. 5, which will be described later. On the other hand, if a password is entered by the numeric keypad 24b in S16 (YES), the password input lamp 24a is turned off (S18), and the membership card ID stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 and the password entered in S16. The authentication request including the number is transmitted to the member management apparatus 31 (S19).

  The member management apparatus 31 that has received this authentication request collates the member card ID and password included in the authentication request with the member card ID and password stored in the member information DB shown in FIG. If the owner of the member card 2 accepted by the card R / W 23 authenticates whether or not the owner of the member card 2 is issued, and the authentication is OK (that is, the member card ID and the password match) Then, an authentication OK notification including the number of stored balls stored in association with the member card ID is transmitted to the card unit 20, and if the authentication is NG (that is, the member card ID and the password do not match), the authentication is performed. An NG notification is returned to the card unit 20.

  The card unit 20 that has transmitted the authentication request in S19 waits to receive an authentication OK notification (S20) or an authentication NG notification (S21) transmitted from the member management apparatus 31. If an authentication NG notification is received in S21 (YES), the fact that personal authentication cannot be performed is displayed on the display 24 (S22), the accepted membership card 2 is returned (S23), and the main process is terminated. On the other hand, if an authentication OK notification is received in S20 (YES), the number of stored balls included in the authentication OK notification is stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 (S24), and the authentication flag stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 Is updated to 1 (that is, the fact that the user is authenticated) (S25), and the remaining amount acquisition process (S26) and the number of possessed balls acquisition process (S27) are performed. Any of the remaining amount acquisition processing and the number of possession acquisition processing may be performed first or may be performed in parallel.

  Here, in the remaining amount acquisition process of S26, a remaining amount acquisition request including the membership card ID stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 is transmitted to the remaining amount management device 30, and the membership card ID included in the remaining amount acquisition request is sent. When the remaining amount information including the remaining amount managed in association with the remaining amount information is transmitted from the remaining amount management device 30 and receives the remaining amount information, the remaining amount information is stored in the RAM of the control unit 22. A frequency display signal indicating the remaining frequency corresponding to the stored remaining amount is transmitted from the ball lending communication unit 21a to the payout control board 12 while being stored.

  Moreover, in the number-of-balls acquisition process of S27, the number-of-balls acquisition request including the membership card ID stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 is transmitted to the number-of-balls management device 32 to acquire the number of balls. When it waits for the number-of-balls information including the number of balls managed in association with the membership card ID included in the request to be transmitted from the ball-number management device 32, The number of balls included in the number of balls is stored in the RAM of the control unit 22.

  The card unit 20 that has performed the processing of S26 to S27 displays the screen shown in D13 of FIG. 7 on the display 24 (S28), and proceeds to S51 of FIG. In D13, the member card ID, the number of balls, the number of balls, and the count value (here, zero) stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 are displayed, and the count value is recorded when the card is returned. At the same time, a “game data” button, a “recycled ball replay” button, and a “returned ball” button are displayed.

  If it is determined in S11 that the card is not a member card ID (NO), that is, it is a visitor card ID, a remaining amount acquisition process (S32) and a number of possession balls acquisition process (S33) are performed. Any of the remaining amount acquisition processing and the number of possession acquisition processing may be performed first or may be performed in parallel.

  Here, in the remaining amount acquisition process of S32, a remaining amount acquisition request including the visitor card ID stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 is transmitted to the remaining amount management device 30, and the visitor card ID included in the remaining amount acquisition request is transmitted. When the remaining amount information including the remaining amount managed in association with the remaining amount information is transmitted from the remaining amount management device 30 and receives the remaining amount information, the remaining amount information is stored in the RAM of the control unit 22. A frequency display signal indicating the remaining frequency corresponding to the stored remaining amount is transmitted from the ball lending communication unit 21a to the payout control board 12 while being stored.

  Also, in the number-of-balls acquisition process of S33, a number-of-balls acquisition request including the visitor card ID stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 is transmitted to the number-of-balls management device 32 to acquire the number of balls. Waiting for the number-of-balls information including the number of balls managed in association with the visitor card ID included in the request to be transmitted from the ball-number managing device 32, The number of balls included in the number of balls is stored in the RAM of the control unit 22.

  The card unit 20 that has performed the processes of S32 to S33 displays the screen shown in D14 of FIG. 7 on the display 24 (S34), and proceeds to S51 of FIG. At D14, the visitor card ID, the number of balls and the count value (here, zero) stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 are displayed, and a message that the count value is recorded when the card is returned is displayed. , A “game data” button and a “returned ball” button are displayed. Note that, unlike D13, the number of stored balls and the “Replay stored balls” button are not displayed.

  Moreover, if there is reception of the banknote by the banknote identification machine 26 by said S02 (YES), this received banknote will be identified with the banknote identification machine 26, and if it is a regular banknote, the visitor card 3 is being received with card R / W23. It is determined whether or not (S41). If it is determined in S41 that the visitor card 3 is not being accepted (NO), one of the plurality of visitor cards 3 stocked by the visitor card stocker 23b is conveyed to the card R / W 23. Acceptance (S42), read the visitor card ID recorded in the accepted visitor card 3 (S43), store the read visitor card ID in the RAM of the control unit 22, and perform management remaining amount addition processing (S44) Do. On the other hand, if it is determined in S41 that the visitor card 3 is being accepted (YES), the management remaining amount addition process (S44) is performed.

  In this management balance addition process, a deposit request including the visitor card ID stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 and the deposit amount, which is the amount of the identified banknote, is transmitted to the balance management apparatus 30, and the A remaining amount addition completion notification including the remaining amount after adding the deposit amount included in the deposit request to the remaining amount managed in association with the visitor card ID included in the deposit request is transmitted from the remaining amount management device 30. When the remaining amount addition completion notification is received, the remaining amount after addition included in the remaining amount addition completion notification is stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 and corresponds to the stored remaining amount after addition. A frequency display signal indicating the remaining frequency is transmitted from the ball lending communication unit 21a to the payout control board 12. When this remaining amount addition process is completed, the process of S34 is performed and the process proceeds to S51 of FIG. 5. In D14 of S34, zero is displayed as the number of possessed balls.

  In addition, when the count value information transmitted from each counter 19 is received in S03 (YES), the count value indicated by the received count value information is stored in the RAM of the control unit 22. (S46), the process of S34 is performed, and the process proceeds to S51 of FIG. 5. In D14 in S34, the visitor card ID is not displayed, but the memory stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 as the count value is stored. The count value is displayed.

  Proceeding to FIG. 5, the card unit 20 accepts bills by the bill discriminator 26 (S51) in the state of S28 where the D13 is displayed or the state of S34 where the D14 is displayed. (S52), ball lending operation reception (S53), storage ball replay operation reception (S54), holding ball return operation reception (S55), card insertion sensor card (member) It waits for detection of insertion of card 2 or visitor card 3) (S56), reception of card return operation (S57), or reception of game data display operation (not shown). Note that if the “game data” button is accepted at D13 or D14, the game data display process similar to that described above is performed, although not shown in FIG. Further, in D14, since the “reserved ball replay” button is not displayed, the replay operation of the reclaimed ball is not accepted in the state of S34.

  If there is a banknote accepted by the banknote discriminator 26 in this S51 (YES), the accepted banknote is returned if it is offline with the balance management device 30, and if it is online with the balance management device 30, the receipt is accepted. If the bill is a legitimate bill, the remaining amount addition processing (S71) is performed. This remaining amount addition processing is the same as the remaining amount addition processing described in S44 of FIG. When this remaining amount addition processing is terminated, the D13 or D14 is displayed on the display 24, and the process returns to S51.

  When the count value information is received from each counter 19 in S52 (YES), the count value indicated by the received count value information is added to the stored count value stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 (S62). ). When the processing of S62 is completed, the D13 or D14 indicating the number of added balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 is displayed on the display 24, and the process returns to S51.

  If the ball lending operation, that is, the operation of the ball lending button 15 is received in S53 (YES), the ball lending operation is invalidated if the balance management device 30 is offline and the balance management device 30 is online. If there is, the control unit 22 functioning as a game use processing means performs the ball lending process and the management remaining amount subtraction process (S63). First, in the ball lending process, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 is 0. If the remaining amount is not 0, the remaining amount is set to a ball lending setting amount (for example, 500). If the remaining amount is equal to or larger than the ball lending set amount, the ball lending set amount is specified as a ball lending usage amount, and if the remaining amount is less than the ball lending set amount, The remaining amount is specified as a ball lending use amount, and a payout control board 12 of the pachinko machine 10 is instructed to pay out a number of pachinko balls corresponding to the specified ball lending use amount. If the remaining amount is 0, the ball lending process and the remaining amount subtraction process are not performed.

  Next, in the management remaining amount subtraction process, a remaining amount subtraction request including the card ID stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 and the ball lending used amount used for the ball lending process is transmitted to the remaining amount management device 30. , A remaining amount subtraction completion notification including the remaining amount after subtracting the ball lending usage amount included in the remaining amount subtraction request from the remaining amount managed in association with the card ID included in the remaining amount subtraction request is transmitted from the remaining amount management device 30 When the remaining amount subtraction completion notification is received, the remaining amount after subtraction included in the remaining amount subtraction completion notification is stored in the RAM of the control unit 22, and the stored remaining amount after subtraction is received. Is transmitted from the ball lending communication unit 21 a to the payout control board 12. When the ball lending process and the management remaining amount subtraction process are completed, the D13 or D14 is displayed on the display 24, and the process returns to S51.

  When the visitor card 3 is being received by the card R / W 23, the remaining amount, the number of possessed balls, and the count value stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 after the ball lending process and the management remaining amount subtraction process are completed. It is determined whether or not is zero. If any of the remaining amount, the number of possessed balls, or the count value is not zero, D13 or D14 is displayed on the display 24, and the process returns to S51. On the other hand, if the remaining amount, the number of possessed balls, and the count value are all zero, the accepted visitor card 3 is stored in the visitor card stocker 23b, and the main process is terminated.

  In S54, when the storage ball replay operation, i.e., the operation of the "restore ball replay" button displayed in D13a is accepted (YES), if the member management device 31 is in an offline state, the storage ball replay operation is invalidated. If it is in the online state with the member management device 31, the control unit 22 functioning as a game use processing means performs a stored ball replay process and a managed stored ball number subtraction process (S64). First, in the stored ball replay process, the number of stored balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 is the predetermined number of balls (for example, 125) to be returned in the stored ball replay process + the number of fee balls corresponding to the fee (for example, 25). It is determined whether or not it is the above, and if the number of stored balls is equal to or larger than the predetermined number of balls + the number of commission balls, the pachinko balls of the predetermined number are paid out from the ball dispensing device 27. If the number of stored balls is less than the predetermined number of balls + the number of commission balls, the stored ball replay process and the stored number subtraction process are not performed.

  Next, in the management storage ball number subtraction process, a storage ball number subtraction request including the member card ID stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 is transmitted to the member management device 31, and the members included in the storage ball number subtraction request Wait for the member management device 31 to transmit a stored ball number subtraction completion notification including the number of stored balls after subtracting the predetermined number of balls + the number of commission balls from the number of stored balls managed in association with the card ID, When the notification of completion of subtraction of the number of stored balls is received, the number of stored balls after subtraction included in the notification of completion of subtraction of the number of stored balls is stored in the RAM of the control unit 22. When the stored-ball replay process and the management stored-ball number subtraction process are completed, D13 indicating the number of stored balls after subtraction stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 is displayed on the display 24, and the process returns to S51.

  If there is a ball return operation in S55, that is, the operation of the “return ball” button displayed in D13 or D14 (YES), the control unit 22 functioning as a game use processing means performs the ball return processing. At the same time, the number of stored balls is subtracted (S65).

  First, in the possession ball return process, as shown in FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the visitor card 3 is being accepted by the card R / W 23 (S100). If it is determined in S100 that the visitor card 3 is being accepted (YES), the count value stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 + the number of balls is equal to or greater than a predetermined first predetermined value. It is determined whether or not there is (S101). Here, it is assumed that the first predetermined value is set to 125 as the number of pachinko balls corresponding to 500 yen, which is the ball lending setting amount in the ball lending process. If it is determined in S101 that the count value + the number of holding balls is 125 or more (YES), the 125 are specified as the first return number (S102), and the specified first return number of pachinko machines is determined. The balls are dispensed from the ball dispensing device 27 (S103), and the process proceeds to S104.

  In S104, the count value + the number of balls after subtracting the first return number from the count value + the number of balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 is less than a predetermined second predetermined value. And whether it is one or more. Here, it is assumed that the second predetermined value is set to 25 as the number of pachinko balls corresponding to 100 yen, which is the minimum amount that can be exchanged. If it is determined in S104 that the count value after subtracting the first return number + the number of possessed balls is 25 or more or zero (NO), the retained ball return process is terminated, and the stored count value / Proceed to the number of balls subtraction process. On the other hand, if it is determined in S104 that the count value after subtracting the first return number + the number of balls is less than 25 and one or more (YES), the count value after subtracting the first return number + The number of held balls is specified as the second return number (S105), the specified second return number of pachinko balls are paid out from the ball dispensing device 27 (S106), the held ball return process is terminated, and the stored count value / Proceed to the number-of-hands-subtraction process.

  The control unit 22 that functions as the game use processing means for performing the processing of S101 to S106 is the count value specified from the recorded information of the visitor card 3 (that is, the count value stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 + the holding value). The first game use process (that is, S103) that allows the first predetermined value to be used for a game in the corresponding pachinko machine 10 on condition that the number of balls is equal to or greater than a predetermined first predetermined value. The processing of paying out the first return number of pachinko balls), the count value after the first game use processing (that is, the count value after subtracting the first return number + number of possession balls) is predetermined. On condition that it is less than the second predetermined value, the second game use process (that is, in S106) that makes the count value usable for the game in the corresponding pachinko machine 10 following the first game use process. 2nd return number Process for paying the balls) and performs.

  According to this, on the condition that the count value identified from the recorded information of the visitor card 3 + the number of possessed balls is less than the second predetermined value, the second game use process follows the first game use process. Therefore, there is no need to perform an operation for making the count value + the number of possession balls less than the second predetermined value usable for the game, and the convenience of the player is improved. That is, when the second predetermined value is set as the number of pachinko balls corresponding to 100 yen, which is the minimum amount that can be exchanged as described above, the count value less than the second predetermined value + the number of holding balls ( (Hereinafter referred to as “fraction”), it is not possible to use it for exchanging prizes even if it is left. However, if the operation of the card return button 16 is required, for example, in order to use the fraction for the game, the fractional pachinko ball is paid out even though the card return button 16 is operated to end the game. If the player does not intend to end the game, and if, for example, the operation of the “return ball holding” button is required again, there is a problem that it is troublesome for the player. On the other hand, according to the present invention, when the player who intends to continue the game with the return of the pachinko ball is operated once, the first game use process is performed, Even if a fraction occurs after the first game use process, the second game use process for paying out the pachinko ball of the fraction is performed subsequent to the first game use process, so the game is continued. This is in accordance with the intention of the player who is trying, and is not bothersome for the player.

  When it is determined in S101 that the count value + the number of possessed balls is less than 125 (NO), it is determined whether or not the count value + the number of retained balls is one or more (S111). If it is determined in S111 that the count value + the number of balls is zero (NO), the ball return process is terminated and the process proceeds to the memory count value / ball number subtraction process. Is not performed, so the subtraction of the stored count value and the stored number of balls is not performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in S111 that the count value + the number of possessed balls is one or more (YES), the count value + the number of retained balls is specified as the first return number (S112), and the specified first One return number of pachinko balls are paid out from the ball payout device 27 (S103), and the process proceeds to S104. Since the count value + the number of balls after subtracting the first return number is always zero, it is determined as NO in S104, and the processing of S105 to S106 is not performed.

  If it is determined in S100 that the visitor card 3 is not being accepted (NO), that is, it is determined that the member card 2 is being accepted, the count value stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 + the number of balls is the first number. It is determined whether it is 125 or more, which is a predetermined value of 1 (S121). If it is determined in S121 that the count value + the number of balls is 125 or more (YES), the 125 are identified as the first return number (S122), and the pachinko of the identified first return number is determined. The ball is dispensed from the ball dispensing device 27 (S123), the ball return process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the stored count value / ball number subtraction process.

  If it is determined in S121 that the count value + the number of possessed balls is less than 125 (NO), it is determined whether or not the count value + the number of retained balls is one or more (S131). If it is determined in S131 that the count value + the number of balls is zero (NO), the ball return process is terminated and the process proceeds to the memory count value / the number of balls subtraction process. Is not performed, so the subtraction of the stored count value and the stored number of balls is not performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in S131 that the count value + the number of possessed balls is one or more (YES), the count value + the number of retained balls is identified as the first return number (S132), and the identified first The number of pachinko balls to be returned is paid out from the ball paying device 27 (S123), the ball return process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the stored count value / ball number subtraction process.

  Returning to FIG. 5, in the stored count value / ball number subtraction process shown in S <b> 65, the first return number (the first value shown in S <b> 103 or S <b> 123 is calculated from the count value and the number of balls held in the RAM of the control unit 22. If the game use process is not performed, zero) and the second return number (zero if the second game use process shown in S106 is not performed) are subtracted. Specifically, first, the first return number + second return number is subtracted from the stored count value, and when the subtraction cannot be completed, the shortage is subtracted from the stored number of balls. When the ball return process and the stored count value / ball number subtraction process are completed, the display unit displays D13 or D14 indicating the count value and the number of balls after subtraction stored in the RAM of the control unit 22. Then, the process returns to S51.

  In addition, when the visitor card 3 is being received by the card R / W 23, the remaining amount stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 and the possessed amount are retained after the end of the ball return processing and the stored count value / the number subtraction processing. Judge the number of balls and whether the count value is zero. If any of the remaining amount, the number of possessed balls, or the count value is not zero, D13 or D14 is displayed on the display 24, and the process returns to S51. On the other hand, if the remaining amount, the number of possessed balls, and the count value are all zero, the accepted visitor card 3 is stored in the visitor card stocker 23b, and the main process is terminated.

  If the card insertion sensor detects the card insertion in S56 (YES), it is determined whether or not the card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) is being received by the card R / W 23 (S66). If it is determined in S66 that a card is being accepted (YES), the inserted card is not accepted and the process returns to S51. On the other hand, if it is determined in S66 that the card is not being accepted (NO), the process proceeds to S04. The determination at S66 is NO when the card is inserted after the determination at S03 is YES and the processing at S46 is performed in the state of S00 where D11 is displayed.

  If the card return operation, that is, the operation of the card return button 16 is received in S57 (YES), it is determined whether or not the member card 2 is being received by the card R / W 23 (S71). If it is determined in S71 that the membership card 2 is being accepted (YES), it is determined whether or not the authentication flag stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 is 1 (S72). If it is determined in S72 that the authentication flag is 1 (YES), that is, if the owner of the member card 2 accepted by the card R / W 23 is authenticated as the principal, the authentication flag is set to 0. (S78), it is determined whether or not it is online with the number-of-balls management device 32 (S81). If it is determined in S81 that the number of possessed balls management device 32 is online (YES), the control unit 22 functioning as a count value specifying processing means performs a managed number-of-balls update process (S85).

  In this management ball number update process, a ball number update request including the card ID, count value, and number of balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 is transmitted to the ball number management device 32. , The number-of-balls update completion notification after the number of balls managed in association with the card ID included in the number-of-balls update request is updated to the count value included in the number-of-balls update request + the number of balls Is received from the number management device 32, and when the number update completion notification is received, the management number update processing is terminated. Upon completion of this management ball number update process, the contents (remaining amount, number of balls, number of balls, count value) stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 are erased (S86), and the accepted card is returned. (S87), the main process is terminated.

  Here, the control unit 22 that performs the processing of S85 and functions as the count value identification processing unit accepts the membership card 2 by the card R / W 23 and is authenticated as the person by the personal identification number received by the numeric keypad 24b. On the condition of this, the count value specifying process is performed.

  If it is determined in S81 that it is not online with the number-of-balls management device 32 (NO), that is, if it is offline, it is determined whether or not a receipt issuing process is set as an offline process setting (S82). . If it is determined in S82 that the receipt issuance process is set (YES), the receipt printer 25 functioning as a count value output means uses the card ID, count value, And the receipt 4 which recorded the number of possession balls is issued (S83), and it progresses to said S86. On the other hand, if it is determined in S82 that the receipt issuance process is not set (NO), that is, it is determined that the count value transmission process is set, the terminal device communication unit 21d functioning as the count value output unit causes the control unit to The card ID, count value, and number of balls stored in the RAM 22 are transmitted to the terminal device 5 possessed by the store clerk at the game hall (S84), and the process proceeds to S86. In the terminal device 5 that has received the card ID, the count value, and the number of balls, these are displayed.

  According to this, even when the card unit 20 and the number management device 32 are in an off-line state where communication is not possible, the count value and the number of balls are output, Based on the number of balls, it is possible to add the number of managed balls that are managed in association with the card ID or to compensate for the pachinko balls, thereby reducing the inconvenience of the player.

  If it is determined in S72 that the authentication flag is 0 (NO), that is, if the owner of the member card 2 accepted by the card R / W 23 is not authenticated as the principal, the RAM of the control unit 22 It is then determined whether or not the count value is stored (S73). If it is determined in S73 that the count value is not stored (NO), that is, the stored count value is zero, the process proceeds to S87. On the other hand, if it is determined in S73 that the count value is stored (YES), the return operation of the membership card 2 is disabled (S74), and the screen shown at D13 'in FIG. (S75), the process proceeds to S76. In D13 ', the member card ID and the count value stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 are displayed, and a message prompting the user to input a personal identification number is displayed. Here, YES in S71 → NO in S72 → YES in S73 is the case where there is a card return operation in S17 in the state of S14 (FIG. 4) in which D12 ′ (FIG. 7) is displayed. .

  More specifically, the insertion of a card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) is detected in S01 of FIG. 4, and the card is accepted. As a result of playing a game with pachinko balls returned by play processing or pachinko balls returned by holding ball return processing, if a big hit occurs and the accepted card is returned, the main processing of FIG. 4 and FIG. After completing, the remaining amount, the number of balls, the number of balls, and the count value are not stored in the RAM of the control unit 22, and the card is not accepted. In this state, when the pachinko ball obtained with the big hit is counted, the process proceeds from YES to S46 to S34 in S03 of FIG. 4, and the count value is stored in the RAM of the control unit 22, but the visitor card 3 is It is not received and D14 is displayed.

  Moreover, if a banknote is inserted in S02 without detecting insertion of a card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) in S01 of FIG. 4, the deposit amount which is the amount of the banknote is being received or conveyed from the visitor card stocker 23b. In association with the visitor card ID of the visitor card 3 that has been managed, the balance is managed by the balance management device 30 as a management balance (S44), and when all the management balance is used in the ball lending process, the visitor card 3 is stored in the visitor card stocker 23b. Then, the main processing of FIGS. 4 and 5 is temporarily terminated, and the remaining amount, the number of balls, the number of balls held, and the count value are not stored in the RAM of the control unit 22, and the card is not accepted. In this state, as a result of playing a game with pachinko balls lent by the ball lending process, a big hit is generated. Going forward, the count value is stored in the RAM of the control unit 22, but the visitor card 3 is not accepted and D14 is displayed.

  As described above, the count value is stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 and the stored card count management device 32 manages the count value stored in the state where the card is not received. Is inserted, and in S56, YES → S66, NO → S04, S12, YES → S14, and D12 ′ in FIG. 7 is displayed. In S16, the PIN is not entered, and the card is returned in S17. If there is an operation, the personal authentication is not performed, and therefore the management ball number updating process (count value specifying process) shown in S85 of FIG. 5 is not performed, and if the member card 2 is returned as it is, the count value is calculated. Since it remains stored in the RAM of the control unit 22, the member player loses. Therefore, in the present invention, in such a case, YES in S71, NO in S72, NO in S73, and YES in S73, disabling the return operation of the membership card 2 (S74) and prompting the input of the password Since (S75) is performed, the member player will not lose.

  Here, the control unit 22 that performs the process of S74 has received the membership card 2 by the card R / W 23 and has not been authenticated by the personal identification number received by the numeric keypad 24b (that is, input of the personal identification number by the numeric keypad 24b). On the condition that the counter value by each counter 19 exists (that is, the count value is stored in the RAM of the control unit 22) It functions as a non-returnable immobilization means for disabling the function. According to this, the member card 2 is accepted, the user is not authenticated, and the return operation of the accepted member card 2 is disabled on condition that the count value exists. As a result, it is possible to prevent the member player from taking away the member card 2 without noticing that the count value specifying process has not been performed, so that the member player does not lose.

  The display 24 that displays the screen of D13 ′ in the process of S75 accepts the personal identification number by the numeric keypad 24b on condition that the return operation is disabled by the non-returnable means (control unit 22). It functions as authentication information reception notifying means for notifying the user of the prompt. According to this, on the condition that the return operation is disabled, the fact that the user is prompted to accept the authentication information is notified, so that the user authentication is performed in order to perform the count value specifying process for the member player. Since it can be recognized that it is necessary, the member player will not lose.

  Here, as in the system shown in Patent Document 2, when the count value specifying process is performed in a counter provided at a predetermined place in the game hall, the insertion of the membership card 2 is accepted and the password is input. The problem that the count value specifying process has not been performed because the user forgot to enter the personal identification number does not normally occur.

  On the other hand, in the card unit 20 and each counter 19 provided corresponding to the gaming machine as in the present invention, if the password is not entered even if the member card 2 is inserted into the card unit 20, Since lending processing, storage ball replay processing, and possession ball return processing cannot be performed, it can be recognized that the input of a personal identification number is necessary for the game, but the personal identification number is used to perform the count value identification processing. If it is not recognized that the input of the number is necessary, as described above, the remaining amount and the number of balls are not stored in the RAM of the control unit 22, but the count value is stored and the visitor card 3 is received. Even if the member card 2 is inserted in order to perform the count value specifying process, the card return operation may be performed without inputting the personal identification number.

  In order to solve this problem, it is only necessary to ask for a PIN number even when the card is returned. There is a problem that it is not easy to use. Therefore, in the present invention, when the personal authentication has already been performed, the count value specifying process is performed without inputting the personal identification number again to improve usability, while the user authentication is not performed. Informs that the return operation of the membership card 2 is disabled or prompts the user to input a personal identification number, and recognizes that personal authentication is necessary even in the count value specifying process.

  The card unit 20 that has performed the process of S75 waits for the input of a personal identification number by the numeric keypad 24b (S76), and when the personal identification number is input (YES), performs the processes of S18 to S23 shown in FIG. If an authentication OK notification is received at S20 (YES), the process proceeds to S81 and thereafter. In other words, the count value specifying process is performed on condition that the member card 2 is received by the card R / W 23 and that the user is authenticated by the personal identification number received by the ten key 24b.

  If it is determined in S71 that the membership card 2 is not being accepted (NO), that is, it is determined that the visitor card 3 is being accepted, it is determined whether or not the visitor card 3 is being accepted by the card R / W 23. (S79a). If it is determined in S79a that the visitor card 3 is not being accepted (NO), one of the plurality of visitor cards 3 stocked by the visitor card stocker 23b is conveyed to the card R / W 23. Acceptance (S79b), read the visitor card ID recorded on the accepted visitor card 3 (S79c), store the read visitor card ID in the RAM of the control unit 22, and proceed to S81 and thereafter. The determination of NO in S79a is a case where there is a card return operation after the determination in S03 is YES and the processing of S46 is performed in the state of S00 in which D11 is displayed. . On the other hand, if it is determined in S79a that the visitor card 3 is being accepted (YES), the process proceeds to S81 and thereafter.

[2. Game Device According to Second Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 8, the gaming apparatus according to the second embodiment includes a card unit 20 provided corresponding to the pachinko machine 10, each counter 19, and a relay device 50, and the card unit 20 and the relay device 50 can communicate with each other, and the relay device 50 and each counter 19 can communicate with each other, while the card unit 20 and each counter 19 cannot communicate with each other. The gaming system 1 according to the second embodiment including a plurality of gaming devices according to the second embodiment includes a balance management device 30, a member management device 31, and a number-of-balls management device that can communicate with each relay device 50. 32 is provided in the game hall, and the balance management device 30, the member management device 31, and the number-of-balls management device 32 are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the gaming system 1 according to the second embodiment, the membership card 2, the visitor card 3, and the terminal device 5 are used. The membership card 2, the visitor card 3, and the terminal device 5 are also the same as in the first embodiment. belongs to. The second embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in the following three points. Hereinafter, after describing each difference, the operation of the gaming apparatus will be described.

  First, as a first difference, the balance management device 30, the member management device 31, and the number-of-balls management device 32 communicate with each card unit 20 via each relay device 50. Accordingly, in the remaining amount acquisition processing (S26, S32 in FIG. 4), the management remaining amount addition processing (S44, S61 in FIG. 5), and the management remaining amount subtraction processing (S63), the remaining amount is managed from the card unit 20 via the relay device 50. Communication is performed with the device 30. Further, in the transmission of the authentication request (S19 in FIG. 4), the reception of the authentication OK notification (S20) or the authentication NG notification (S21), and the management storage ball number subtraction process (S64 in FIG. 5), the relay unit 50 is transferred from the card unit 20. To communicate with the member management apparatus 31 via the network. Note that the number of possessed balls acquisition process (S27, S33 in FIG. 4) and the management number of possessed balls update process (S85 in FIG. 5) are also performed between the card unit 20 and the number of managed balls 32 via the relay device 50. Communication is performed, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, as a second difference, the card unit 20 that is a gaming device will be described. The card unit 20 is communicable with the relay device 50 and has a recording medium receiving means (card R / W 23), an authentication information receiving means (tenkey), a game use processing means (control unit 22), a non-returnable activating means (control). Unit 22) and authentication information reception notifying means (display 24), these recording medium receiving means, authentication information receiving means, game use processing means, non-returnable activating means, and authentication information reception notifying means, This is the same as in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 3, the card unit 20 is different from the first embodiment in that it does not include the on-site communication unit 21 b, the counter communication unit 21 c, and the terminal device communication unit 21 d. A portion 21e is provided. The relay device communication unit 21e is communicably connected to a unit communication unit 51a of the relay device 50 described later, and manages communication between the card unit 20 and the relay device 50. Further, unlike the first embodiment, the control unit 22 does not function as a count value specifying processing unit. Further, the RAM of the control unit 22 does not store the count value and the number of balls for use in the ball return process, but simply stores the count value and the number of balls for display on the display 24. . Further, the receipt printer 25 is an example of a first count value output unit, and the count value stored in the relay device 50 is stored on condition that a count value output request (receipt issue request) is received from the relay device 50. In this case, a receipt issuance process (S234 in FIG. 9D) is performed in which the card ID, the count value, and the number of possessed balls included in the receipt issuance request are recorded.

  The relay device 50 will be described as a third difference. The relay device 50 is communicable with each counter 19 and stores a count value obtained by each counter 19 and has a count value specifying processing means. The relay device 50 is a computer including a unit communication unit 51a, an in-field communication unit 51b, a counter communication unit 51c, a terminal device communication unit 51d, and a control unit 52 connected as shown in FIG.

  As described above, the unit communication unit 51a is communicably connected to the relay device communication unit 21e of the card unit 20. The on-site communication unit 51 b is communicably connected to the remaining amount management device 30, the member management device 31, and the possession number management device 32, and communicates with the remaining amount management device 30, the member management device 31, and the possession number management device 32. It functions as a communication means. As described above, the counter communication unit 51c is communicably connected to each counter 19 of the corresponding pachinko machine 10, and each pachinko ball is counted from each counter 19 where the pachinko balls are counted. Is received. The terminal device communication unit 51d is an example of a second count value output unit, and detects a communication impossible state (offline state) where communication with the card unit 20 cannot be performed by a gaming device communication availability detection unit (control unit 52) described later. The stored count value is output in such a manner that it can be specified on the condition that the terminal device 5 is wirelessly communicable with the terminal device 5 possessed by the store clerk of the game hall. A count value transmission process (S242 in FIG. 9E) for transmitting a card ID, a count value, and the number of balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 52, which will be described later, is performed.

  The control unit 52 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, and the like, and each component provided in the relay device 50 when a processing program stored in the ROM or the EEPROM is executed by the CPU using the RAM as a work area. Various operations are performed by controlling the operation of the element.

  Here, when the RAM receives from the card unit 20 the number of possessed balls acquisition request including the card ID (member card ID or visitor card ID) read from the card (member card 2 or visitor card 3) received by the card R / W 23. (S201 in FIG. 9A), the card ID included in the number-of-balls acquisition request is stored (S202). The RAM also includes the number of balls that are managed in association with the stored card ID. When the number of balls information is received from the number management device 32 (S204), the number of balls contained in the number of balls information is stored, and the RAM further receives count value information indicating the count value from each counter 19. When received (S212 in FIG. 9B), the count value indicated by the count value information is stored.

  The control unit 52 is an example of a management device communication availability detection unit, and indicates whether it is in a communicable state (online state) capable of communicating with the number-of-balls managing device 32 or an incommunicable state (offline state) incapable of communication. It is something to detect. Specifically, the reception of the communication confirmation request is periodically detected based on the communication confirmation request periodically (for example, every 10 seconds) transmitted from the number management device 32 to the relay device 50. If the communication confirmation request is not detected for a certain period of time (for example, 1 minute), it is determined that it is online (that is, a communication enabling state capable of communicating with the number-of-balls management device 32). It is determined that the communication is incapable of communication with the ball number management device 32.

  Further, the control unit 52 is an example of a gaming device communication availability detection means, and is in a communicable state (online state) capable of communicating with the card unit 20 that is a gaming device or in an incommunicable state (offline state) unable to communicate. Is detected. Specifically, based on a communication confirmation request periodically transmitted from the card unit 20 to the relay device 50 (for example, every 10 seconds), while the reception of the communication confirmation request is periodically detected. Is determined to be in an online state (that is, a communicable state in which communication with the card unit 20 is possible), and when reception of the communication confirmation request is not detected for a certain period (for example, one minute), it is in an offline state (that is, communication that cannot communicate with the card unit 20). (Impossible state).

  The control unit 52 is an example of a count value specifying processing unit, and the count information of the pachinko balls counted by each counter 19 is recorded information (member card ID) of the member card 2 received by the card R / W 23. The count value specifying process is performed so that the pachinko ball is counted by each counter 19 on the condition that the membership card 2 is not received by the card R / W 23. A count value specifying process that enables specifying from the recorded information (visitor card ID) of the visitor card 3 received by the R / W 23 (inserted from the card insertion slot 23a or conveyed from the visitor card stocker 23b). is there.

  Specifically, based on the reception of the count value information from each counter 19 (S212 in FIG. 9B), the card of the card that receives the count value indicated by the count value information by the card R / W 23 A process of adding to the count value stored in the RAM of the control unit 52 together with the ID (S213) is performed as a count value specifying process. Based on the received number-of-balls update request from the card unit 20 in which the card return button 16 is operated (S231 in FIG. 9 (d)), the number-of-balls management device 32 and the online status are detected by the management device communication availability detection means. On condition that it is detected, the number of possessed balls including the card ID (that is, the card ID of the card accepted by the card R / W 23) stored in the RAM of the control unit 52 and the count value + the number of possessed balls is updated. The process of transmitting the request to the number management device 32 (S235) is performed as the count value specifying process.

  Further, the control unit 52 outputs a count value output request (receipt issuance) for outputting the stored count value on condition that the management device communication enable / disable detecting means detects an offline state with the number-of-balls management device 32. Request) from the unit communication unit 51a to the card unit 20, here a receipt issuance request including the card ID, count value, and number of balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 52 Is transmitted (S233 in FIG. 9D).

  In the second embodiment, in the card unit 20, the control unit 22 performs substantially the same processing as described in FIGS. 4 to 6, and the display 24 displays the same screen as described in FIG. However, each process shown in FIG. 9 differs from the first embodiment due to the above-described differences.

  First, as shown in FIG. 9A, in the number-of-balls acquisition process shown in S27 and S33 in FIG. 4, the card unit 20 uses the card ID (that is, the card R / W 23) stored in the RAM of the control unit 22. Is sent to the relay device 50 (S201), and the relay device 50 controls the card ID included in the received number-of-balls acquisition request. It is stored in the RAM of the unit 52 (S202), and the number-of-balls acquisition request including the card ID is transmitted to the number-of-balls management device 32 (S203). The number-of-balls information including the number of balls managed in association with the card ID included in the number-of-balls acquisition request is transmitted to the relay device 50 (S204). Control the number of balls included in the ball count information It is stored in the RAM of the unit 52 (S205), and the ball count information including the ball count is transmitted to the card unit 20 (S206), and the card unit 20 is included in the received ball count information. The number of held balls is stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 for display on the display 24 (S207).

  Further, as the stored count value addition process shown in FIG. 9B, when each counter 19 counts pachinko balls (S211), it transmits count value information indicating the count value to the relay device 50. The relay device 50 adds the count value indicated by the received count value information to the count value stored in the RAM of the control unit 52 (S213), and adds the count value information indicating the count value. , The card unit 20 proceeds to S46 in FIG. 4 or proceeds to S62 in FIG. 5 to display the count value indicated by the received count value information to the display 24. It adds to the count value memorize | stored in RAM of the control part 52 for display.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9C, as the stored count value / ball number subtraction process shown in S65 of FIG. 5, the card unit 20 uses the first return number and the second return number (the first return number shown in S106). 2 is transmitted to the relay device 50 (S221), and the relay device 50 stores the RAM of the control unit 52. The first return number and the second return number included in the received count value / ball number subtraction request are subtracted from the count value and the ball number stored in (S222), and the count value after the subtraction A count value including the number of possessed balls and a notification of completion of subtracting the number of possessed balls are transmitted to the card unit 20 (S223), and the card unit 20 stores them in the RAM of the control unit 52 for display on the display 24. The received count and number of balls Value information count value and updating the lifting piece count indicating (S224).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9 (d), as the management possession number update process shown in S85 of FIG. 5, the card unit 20 transmits a possession number update request to the relay device 50 (S231). The relay device 50 determines whether or not it is online with the number-of-balls management device 32 (S232). If it is determined in S232 that the number of possessed balls management device 32 is not online (NO), that is, it is determined that the device is offline, the relay device 50 stores the card ID and count value stored in the RAM of the control unit 52. , And a receipt issuance request including the number of holding balls is transmitted to the card unit 20 (S233). The card unit 20 receives the receipt issuance request received by the receipt printer 25 functioning as a first count value output means. The receipt 4 in which the card ID, the count value, and the number of the balls included are recorded is issued (S234). According to this, even if the relay device 50 and the number-of-balls management device 32 are in an offline state where communication is not possible, the card ID, count value, and number of balls stored in the relay device 50 are the cards. Based on the output count value and the number of possessed balls, the count value and the number of possessed balls managed in association with the card ID are added or the pachinko balls are compensated. Therefore, inconvenience for the player can be reduced.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S232 that it is online with the number-of-balls management device 32 (YES), the number of balls including the card ID, the count value, and the number of balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 52. The number update request is transmitted to the number management device 32 (S235), and the number management device 32 manages the number associated with the card ID included in the received number update request. The number of possessed balls is updated to the count value included in the received number-of-balls update request + the number of possessed balls (S236), and a notification of completion of the number of possessed balls is transmitted to the relay device 50 (S237). The relay device 50 deletes the card ID, the count value, and the number of balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 52 (S238), and transmits a ball number update completion notification to the card unit 20 ( S239).

  Further, as the unit offline detection process shown in FIG. 9E, when the relay device 50 detects the offline state with the card unit 20 (S241), the terminal device communication unit 51d functioning as the second count value output means The card ID, the count value, and the number of balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 52 are transmitted to the terminal device 5 possessed by the store clerk of the game hall (S242). In the terminal device 5 that has received the card ID, the count value, and the number of balls, these are displayed. According to this, even when the relay device 50 and the card unit 20 are in an offline state where communication is not possible, the card ID, count value, and number of balls stored in the relay device 50 are output (here, (Displayed on the terminal device 5), based on the output count value and the number of possessed balls, add the count value and the number of possessed balls managed in association with the card ID, or compensate for pachinko balls So that inconvenience for the player can be reduced.

  In the second embodiment, whether the relay device 50 is in an online state or an offline state is detected. If the relay device 50 is in an offline state, the processing of S233 shown in FIG. 9D or the processing shown in FIG. Since the process of S242 is performed, the card unit 20 does not perform the processes of S81 to S84 shown in FIG.

[3. Modified example of the present invention]
Next, a modified example of the present invention will be described.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an example in which the gaming machine is a pachinko machine 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the gaming machine may be a slot machine or a gaming medium that uses medals as a gaming medium, for example. As a slot machine that uses pachinko balls as a parrot (registered trademark), pachinko balls that are pachinko balls that are game media enclosed in an untouchable manner, using score data without using pachinko balls or medals It may be a pachinko machine or slot machine that can be played, an image-type pachinko machine in which game areas or pachinko balls are displayed as images, an image-type slot machine in which reels are displayed as images, or the like. In addition, the game use processing that enables the use of the value of value (remaining amount, the number of stored balls, the number of held balls, the count value) for games is not limited to the process of lending / returning pachinko balls, but lending / returning medals. Processing, processing that converts the value of valuable value into a score as a game medium in the image-type pachinko machine or slot machine, and the like that can be used in a game may be used. Further, the number of game media is not limited to pachinko balls, but may be a medal count or a score total of game media in the image-type pachinko machine or slot machine.

  In the above embodiment, when the ball lending process is performed, signals relating to the lending of the pachinko balls are exchanged between the card unit 20 and the CR-type pachinko machine 10, and the pachinko machine 10 is provided with the pachinko machine 10. Although an example in which a pachinko ball is paid out and loaned from the ball dispensing device 13 has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a pachinko ball is paid out and loaned from a ball dispensing device 27 provided in the card unit 20. Anyway. Conversely, when the stored ball replay process or the ball return process is performed, the pachinko balls may be paid out from the ball payout device 13 provided in the pachinko machine 10. There is no need to provide the dispensing device 27.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the remaining amount is stored in the remaining amount management device 30, the number of stored balls is stored in the member management device 31, and the number of remaining balls is stored in the number of managed balls 32. The card (member card 2, visitor card 3) has been explained as an example, but the remaining amount, the number of balls, and the number of balls are stored and recorded on both the management device and the card. Alternatively, it may be recorded only on the card.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 8, in the gaming system 1, an example in which three management devices are provided, that is, a remaining amount management device 30, a member management device 31, and a possession number management device 32. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the gaming system 1 may be provided with one management device having the functions of these three management devices.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the authentication information is the password and the authentication information receiving means is the numeric keypad 24b has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the authentication information may be biometric information (for example, fingerprint, iris, vein pattern, etc.). The authentication information accepting unit may accept the biometric information by non-contact communication such as infrared rays, BLUETOOH (registered trademark), or Felica (registered trademark).

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the personal authentication using the authentication information (password) is performed by the member management device 31 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the personal authentication is performed by the gaming device (card unit 20). In this case, when the membership card 2 is received by the card R / W 23, the personal identification number managed by the membership management device 31 is associated with the membership card ID of the received membership card 2. What is necessary is just to make it acquire and collate with the PIN code input with the ten key 24b.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the example has been described in which the member recording medium (member card 2) and the visitor recording medium (visitor card 3) are of a card type. The recording medium may be a coin type or a mobile phone having a function of exchanging information by non-contact communication such as infrared rays, BLUETOOH (registered trademark), or Felica (registered trademark). . The recording area of the recording medium may be a magnetic stripe or the like instead of the IC chip.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the card unit 20 has been described as being able to use banknotes as money. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and coins may be used as money. The money may be a credit amount that can be used with a credit card, a deposit balance that is used with a debit card, or the like, in addition to a real thing such as a bill or a coin.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a description will be given of an example in which a protrusion 20a protruding from the front surface of the card unit 20 is provided, and a display 24, a password input lamp 24a, and a numeric keypad 24b are provided on the protrusion 20a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and without providing the protruding portion 20a, a password input lamp, a numeric keypad, a stored ball number display, a stored ball replay button, a holding ball number display, a count value display, A holding ball return button may be provided.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, whether or not the membership card 2 is being accepted (S71), whether or not the authentication flag is 1 (S72), and whether or not the count value is stored. (S73), the member card 2 is being accepted, the authentication flag is 0, and it is determined that the three conditions that the count value is stored are satisfied. The example of performing both the activation (S74) and the notification of prompting the input of the personal identification number (S75) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when it is determined that the three conditions are satisfied, the return operation is impossible. It may be one that performs only mobilization. In addition, when it is determined that the three conditions are satisfied, only the notification of prompting the input of the personal identification number may be performed. In this case, the authentication information reception notification unit (display 24) is a recording medium reception unit ( The member recording medium (member card 2) is received by the card R / W 23), the user is not authenticated by the authentication information (password) received by the authentication information receiving means (tenkey 24b), and the counting means It is notified that the authentication information receiving means prompts the reception of authentication information on the condition that there is a count value by each counter 19. According to this, the member card 2 is received, the user is not authenticated, and the user is informed that the password is urged on the condition that the count value is present. Since it is possible to make it possible for the user to recognize that the user authentication is necessary for performing the count value specifying process, the member player is not lost.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, after the card return operation (S57) is performed, whether or not the member card 2 is being accepted (S71) and whether or not the authentication flag is 1 ( S72), and whether or not the count value is stored is determined (S73), the membership card 2 is being accepted, the authentication flag is 0, and the count value is stored. However, the present invention is not limited to this, but is not limited to this. If it is determined in advance that the conditions in S71 to S73 are satisfied and the above three conditions are satisfied, the return operation is disabled (S74). When an activation flag is set and a card return operation is performed, it is determined whether or not the immobilization flag is set, and if the immobilization flag is set, the return operation is disabled. (S74), and a notification to prompt the input of a password ( 75) may be performed.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, after the card return operation (S57) is performed, whether or not the member card 2 is being accepted (S71) and whether or not the authentication flag is 1 ( S72), and whether or not the count value is stored is determined (S73), the membership card 2 is being accepted, the authentication flag is 0, and the count value is stored. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the process may proceed to S75 without performing the process of S74. Also in this case, if the password is input in S76 and the authentication OK notification is not received in S20 quoted in S77, the process does not proceed to S81 and the following, and the membership card 2 is not returned in S87. Even if the processing of S74 is not performed, the return operation of the membership card 2 is disabled.

  In the first embodiment, the count value output means provided in the card unit 20 has been described as an example of the receipt printer 25 that performs the receipt issuing process and the terminal device communication unit 21d that performs the count value transmission process. Only one of the count value output means may be provided. The count value output means may be a means for displaying the count value stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 (for example, the display 24 or other display device).

  In the first embodiment described above, as illustrated in S83 of FIG. 5, the example in which the process of outputting the count value in an identifiable manner is the process of issuing a receipt in which the count value is recorded is described. Instead, the process of outputting the count value in an identifiable manner may be a process of recording and discharging the count value on the visitor card 3 stocked by the visitor card stocker 23b.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in S85 of FIG. 5, the count value specifying process (management ball number update process) sends a ball number update request including the card ID and the count value to the ball number management device 32. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the count value specifying process may be a process of recording a count value on a card.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in S85 of FIG. 5, the example in which the management ball number updating process is performed after the card return operation has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and is stored in the RAM of the control units 22 and 52. The managed number-of-balls update process may be performed every time the number of held balls fluctuates (that is, after the processing of S65).

  In the above embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the example in which the first predetermined value is 125 and the second predetermined value is 25 has been described. However, the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value are The predetermined value can be arbitrarily set, and both may be the same value.

  In the above embodiment, in the ball return process shown in FIG. 6, during the reception of the visitor card 3, following the first game use process (S103), the count value less than the second predetermined value + the ball While the second game use process (S106) for paying out a number of pachinko balls is performed, the first game use process (S123) is performed while the membership card 2 is being accepted, but the second game use process is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second game use process may be performed subsequent to the first game use process even while the membership card 2 is being received. That is, the control unit 22 functioning as a game use processing means has a first predetermined value in which a count value (stored count value + number of stored balls) specified from the recorded information of the member recording medium (member card 2) is predetermined. On the condition that the value is equal to or greater than the value, the first game use process is performed while making the first predetermined value usable for a game in the corresponding gaming machine (pachinko machine 10). On the condition that the count value later is less than a predetermined second predetermined value, the count value can be used for a game in the corresponding gaming machine following the first game use process. Two game use processes may be performed.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the example in which the number of possessed balls and the count value are separately displayed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the total value of the number of possessed balls and the count value is displayed. You may make it.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, an example in which the password input lamp 24a is lit to prompt the input of the password is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the password input lamp 24a is not provided. The display 24 may display a message prompting the user to input a password, or may be prompted to input the password by voice.

  In the second embodiment described above, as illustrated in FIG. 8, an example in which the card unit 20 (game device) and the relay device 50 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence has been described. One relay device 50 may be provided corresponding to the card unit 20.

  In the second embodiment, the example in which the first count value output means provided in the card unit 20 (game device) is the receipt printer 25 that performs the receipt issuing process has been described. The means may be a means for displaying the count value stored in the RAM of the control unit 52 by the relay device 50 (for example, the display 24 or other display device).

  In the second embodiment, the example in which the second count value output means provided in the relay device 50 is the terminal device communication unit 51d that performs the count value transmission processing has been described. However, the second count value output means May be a means for displaying the count value stored in the RAM of the control unit 52.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9D, in S233, the relay device 50 issues a receipt including the card ID, count value, and number of balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 52. A request (count value output request) is transmitted to the card unit 20 (game device), and in S234, the card unit 20 records the card ID, the count value, and the number of balls included in the received receipt issuance request. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the relay device 50 transmits a receipt issuing request that does not include the card ID, the count value, and the number of balls to the card unit 20, and the receipt is issued. The card unit 20 that has received the issue request stores the card ID, the count value, and the number of balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 22 for display on the display 24 (that is, the relay device 50 controls the card unit 20). Card ID stored in RAM parts 52, the count value, and the same as the lifting piece count) may be issued a receipt 4 was recorded. In other words, the receipt printer 25 that functions as the first count value output unit may output the count value stored in the relay device 50 in an identifiable manner on condition that the count value output request is received.

  In the second embodiment described above, as illustrated in S234 of FIG. 9D, an example in which the process of outputting the count value in an identifiable manner is a process of issuing a receipt in which the count value is recorded. However, the processing for outputting the count value in an identifiable manner may be processing for recording and discharging the count value on the visitor card 3 stocked by the visitor card stocker 23b.

  In said 1st Embodiment, when the card unit 20 and the number-of-balls management apparatus 32 are an offline state, the count value etc. which are memorize | stored in RAM of the control part 22 are the terminals which the salesclerk of a game hall possesses In the second embodiment described above, when the card unit 20 and the relay device 50 are offline, the count value stored in the RAM of the control unit 52 is displayed by the store clerk at the game hall. Although the example displayed on the terminal device 5 possessed has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and in these cases, the count value may be displayed on a management device provided at a predetermined location in the game hall. In this case, the count value transmission process is a process of transmitting the count value to the management apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game system 2 ... Member card 3 ... Visitor card 4 ... Receipt 5 ... Terminal device 10 ... Pachinko machine 19 ... Each counter 20 ... Card unit 21b ... In-field communication part 21d ... Terminal device communication part 22 ... Control part 23 ... Card R / W
24 ... Display (touch panel type) 24b ... Numeric keypad 25 ... Receipt printer 30 ... Balance management device 31 ... Member management device 32 ... Number of coins management device

Claims (5)

Provided for game machines,
A recording medium receiving means for receiving a recording medium for a member issued to a member player who has registered as a member;
Authentication information accepting means for accepting input of authentication information for authenticating that the owner of the member recording medium accepted by the recording medium accepting means is the person who has issued the member recording medium;
An authentication flag storage unit that stores an authentication flag when the user is authenticated by the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving unit;
When the authentication flag is stored, a game that enables the value of the value specified from the recording information of the member recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means to be used for a game in the corresponding gaming machine. Game usage processing means for performing usage processing;
A return operation accepting means for accepting a return operation for the member recording medium accepted by the recording medium accepting means;
Counting means for counting game media acquired by a player by playing with the gaming machine;
At least when the return operation is received, if the member recording medium is received by the recording medium receiving means and the authentication flag is stored, the counting means is recorded from the recording information of the member recording medium. A visitor game in which member registration is not performed when the member's count value specifying process is performed so that the count value of the game medium counted can be specified, while the recording medium receiving means has not received the member's recording medium. A count value specifying processing means for performing a visitor count value specifying process for enabling the count value to be specified from the recording information of the visitor recording medium issued to the user;
A gaming device comprising:
The visitor count value specifying process is executable when the count value is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and is not executable when the count value is less than the predetermined value,
The count value specifying process for membership, the count value Ri executable der regardless of whether it is smaller than the predetermined value,
When the recording medium accepting means accepts the member recording medium, the authentication flag is not stored, and the count value by the counting means exists, the authentication information accepting means prompts acceptance of the authentication information A gaming apparatus , further comprising authentication information reception notifying means for notifying the effect . A gaming device according to claim 1 ,
A first visitor game in which a game medium within a range of a count value specified from record information of the visitor recording medium can be used for a game in the gaming machine based on accepting a use operation from a player. It performed using process, when the counted value after visitor game using the process of the first is less than the predetermined value, subsequent to the visitor game using the process of the first game media of the count value in said game machine A game device further comprising a visitor game use processing means for performing a second visitor game use process that can be used in the game of the game. A gaming device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A first member game that makes it possible to use a game medium within the range of the count value specified from the recorded information of the member recording medium for a game on the gaming machine based on accepting a use operation from the player. Member game usage processing means for performing usage processing;
When the counted value after member game using the process of the first is less than the predetermined value, enabling the game media of the count value to the player at the gaming machine subsequent to the first member game using process And an execution setting means for setting whether or not to execute the second member game use process.
The member game using processing means, if it is set to perform a second member game using processed by the execution setting unit, the game apparatus characterized by performing a membership game using the process of the second. A gaming device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
Corresponding to the recorded information of the member recording medium as the number of acquired gaming media that can be used for game and prize exchange only on the day based on the member count value specifying process Game number management means for managing the attached game media,
A gaming system with A gaming system according to claim 4 , wherein
Based on the fact that a saving operation has been performed by a player, the number of acquired game media is the number of saving game media that can be used for games and prize exchanges on and after the day when the saving operation is performed and the following day. Further comprising a storage game medium number management means for managing in association with the recorded information,
When the acquired game medium number management means ends the business of the day, the stored game medium number management means determines the number of acquired game media managed in association with the record information of the member recording medium. A game system characterized by performing processing for managing as a game.

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