JP5723113B2 - Device compatible with each device and game media management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a device corresponding to each device arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with a game table for playing a game using a game medium, and a game medium management system including the device corresponding to each device.

  In game stores, each game table may be provided with a unit corresponding to each table in one-to-one correspondence (for example, Patent Document 1). In the inter-unit type inter-unit units, the game media discharged from the corresponding game units are counted. The count value of the game medium is stored (associated) in the storage unit of the inter-unit unit, and the ball data stored (associated) in the inter-unit unit is updated every time the game medium is counted.

  On the front surface of the game machine, a card discharge port for discharging the card to the inter-unit unit and a return button for discharging the card inserted into the inter-unit unit to the outside of the machine are arranged. When the return button is pressed, if a card is inserted in the inter-unit, the value of the ball data associated with that card is updated, and ball lending is performed based on the insertion of banknotes. If it is, the ball data is associated with one selected card among the cards stocked in the inter-unit. The card associated with the ball data is ejected from the card insertion / ejection slot.

  A player can receive a game ball payout (ball payout / money payout) by inserting a card from the inter-unit into the card slot of the inter-unit corresponding to another game base. Is possible. Further, when the player leaves the store, the prepaid balance stored in the card can be settled with a settlement machine, or the possession data associated with the card can be exchanged for a prize.

JP 2007-229111 A

By the way, even if there is a ball data stored in the inter-unit unit at the end of the game on the game table, if there is a small amount of the ball data, it remains in the inter-unit unit (association) It is conceivable that the player leaves the seat.
In a state where the ball data is associated with the inter-unit unit, acceptance of other cards in the inter-unit unit is prohibited. For this reason, if the player leaves the seat with the ball data remaining in the inter-unit unit, the inter-unit unit does not accept the next player's card. Then, in order for the next player to accept the card to the inter-unit unit, the return button is operated to eject the previous player's card from the inter-unit unit card outlet, and the card is It must be removed from the outlet. It is troublesome for the next player to be required to eject the previous player's card or remove the ejected card. Therefore, it is desired to improve the convenience of the next player when the card is left in the inter-unit.

In addition, the next player will hold a total of two cards, the card that he originally held and the card ejected from the inter-unit unit, which may make the handling of the card complicated. There is.
Then, the card pulled out from the card discharge port may be discarded by the next player. Since it is assumed that the card is stored and reused in the inter-unit unit without being discarded, it is not desirable to discard the card.

  Furthermore, at game stores operating at low rates, the value per game ball is low, so if there is a small amount of coin data associated with the inter-unit units, it will be bothersome to exchange prizes. There is a fear. Therefore, it is expected that there are a relatively large number of players who leave the seat while the ball data is left in the table unit even though there is ball data associated with the table unit.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a device-compatible device and a game medium management system that can improve the convenience of the next player when the possession data is left in the device-compatible device. .

The invention according to claim 1 is arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the game table (2) for playing games using game media, and the game media acquired by the player is counted and associated as possession data. A storage medium receiving unit (24) for receiving the storage medium associated with the ball data , and the ball data associated with each of the vehicle corresponding devices (1) are equal to or greater than a predetermined set value. The storage medium reception prohibition means (31, 40, 41) for prohibiting the reception of a new storage medium by the storage medium reception means, and the ball data associated with the respective device corresponding device When the value is less than the value, the storage medium accepting means includes a storage medium acceptance permitting means (31, 40, 41) for permitting acceptance of a new storage medium.

The numbers in parentheses indicate corresponding components in the embodiments described later. The same applies hereinafter.
According to this configuration, when the possessed ball data associated with each device-compatible device is greater than or equal to the set value, reception of a new storage medium to the storage medium receiving unit is prohibited. On the other hand, when the possessed ball data associated with each device-compatible device is less than the set value, acceptance of a new storage medium to the storage medium reception means is permitted.

Therefore, even if the in-game data remains in the corresponding device, the next player can play a game on the gaming table corresponding to the corresponding device. Therefore, the convenience of the player can be improved.
Further, when the storage medium receiving means receives a new storage medium in a state where the ball data is associated with each device, handling of the ball data associated with each device becomes a problem. If acceptance of the storage medium is allowed, the possession data associated with each device corresponding device is less than the set value, and therefore the possession data associated with each device correspondence device is relatively small. is there. For this reason, the handling of the possession data does not give a large disadvantage to the player who played the previous game with the corresponding device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the new storage medium is received by the storage medium receiving unit, the possession data associated with each of the corresponding devices is received by the storage medium receiving unit. Further, it may further include means (31) for adding to the possession data associated with the new storage medium.
According to this arrangement, if the storage medium receiving means has received a new storage medium in a state in which Jidama data associated with each table corresponding device, the lifting ball data associated with the new storage medium, The ball data associated with each device corresponding device is added up. Thereby, it is possible to satisfactorily handle the ball data associated with each device-compatible device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the new storage medium is received by the storage medium receiving means, the number of game media corresponding to the ball data associated with the respective device corresponding devices is paid out. It may further include a payout operation executing means (31) for executing a payout operation.
According to this configuration, when the storage medium receiving unit receives a new storage medium in a state where the ball data is associated with each device, it corresponds to the ball data associated with the new storage medium. A payout operation for paying out a predetermined number of game media is executed. Thereby, it is possible to satisfactorily handle the ball data associated with each device-compatible device.

As described in claim 4, when the new storage medium is received by the storage medium receiving unit, the ball data associated with each device corresponding device is associated with the new storage medium. It may further include means (31) for storing separately from the holding data.
According to this configuration, when the storage medium accepting unit accepts a new storage medium in a state where the possession data is associated with each device corresponding device, the possession data associated with each device correspondence device is It is managed by each device corresponding device as possession data different from the possession data associated with the new storage medium. Thereby, it is possible to satisfactorily handle the ball data associated with each device-compatible device.
Further, as described in claim 5, the storage medium reception permitting unit has no prepaid value associated with the corresponding device, and the possession data associated with the corresponding device is When the value is less than the set value, the storage medium receiving unit may allow the new storage medium to be received.

The invention described in claim 6 has the device corresponding to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a ball data storage means (39) for storing the ball data in association with a storage medium. A game medium management system including a management device (4) communicably connected to the devices corresponding to each device.
According to this structure, the effect similar to the effect described in relation to Claims 1-5 can be show | played.

In this case, as described in claim 7 , when the management device receives the new storage medium by the storage medium reception unit, , Adding the possessed ball data associated with the new storage medium accepted by the storage medium accepting means, and using the accumulated possessed data as the possessed ball data associated with the new storage medium. A means (36) for storing in the ball data storage means may be included.

According to this arrangement, if the storage medium receiving means has received a new storage medium in a state in which Jidama data associated with each table corresponding device, the lifting ball data associated with the new storage medium, The ball data associated with each device corresponding device is added up. Thereby, it is possible to satisfactorily handle the ball data associated with each device-compatible device.
Further, as described in claim 8 , when the management device receives the new storage medium in the storage medium reception unit, It may include means (36) for storing in the possession data storage means as possession data different from the possession data associated with the new storage medium.

According to this configuration, when the storage medium accepting unit accepts a new storage medium in a state where the possession data is associated with each device corresponding device, the possession data associated with each device correspondence device is It is managed as own-ball data different from the own-ball data associated with the new storage medium. Thereby, it is possible to satisfactorily handle the ball data associated with each device-compatible device.

Furthermore, as described in claim 9, when the new storage medium is received by the storage medium receiving unit, the management device deletes the ball data associated with the respective device-compatible devices. Means (36) may be included.
According to this configuration, when the storage medium receiving unit receives a new storage medium in a state where the ball data is associated with each device, the ball data associated with each device is erased. The Thereby, it is possible to satisfactorily handle the ball data associated with each device-compatible device.

In addition, as described in claim 10 , it may further include an operation means (38) for performing a setting operation to change the setting value.
According to this configuration, it is possible to change the set value by operating the operation means, so that an employee of the amusement shop can change the set value.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the amusement shop where the unit between tables to which each apparatus corresponding to 1st Embodiment of this invention is applied is installed. It is a front view for demonstrating the structure of the unit between tables shown in FIG. 1, and a game stand. It is a cross-sectional view for demonstrating the structure of a card processing part. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the unit between tables shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the management apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the content of the management table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part for management apparatuses shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the content of the management table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part for inter-units shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a card | curd insertion process in the state with the possession data managed by the unit between bases shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the content change of the management table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part for inter-units at the time of card | curd insertion. It is a figure which shows the content change of the management table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part for management apparatuses at the time of card | curd insertion. It is a figure which shows the content of the management table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part for management apparatuses of the management apparatus contained in the game media management system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the management table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part for management apparatuses of the management apparatus contained in the game media management system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process at the time of the card | curd insertion in the unit between stands to which each stand corresponding | compatible apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention was applied. It is a figure which shows the memory content of the memory | storage part for management apparatuses of the management apparatus contained in the game media management system which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting value memorize | stored in the memory | storage part for management apparatuses shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game shop in which an inter-unit unit 1 to which the device corresponding to each device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied is installed.
In the game store, a plurality of game tables 2 and inter-unit units 1 associated with each game table 2 on a one-to-one basis are installed. In the amusement store, a plurality of amusement islands are arranged. Each gaming island is configured by arranging a plurality of gaming tables 2 and a plurality of inter-unit units 1 in a state of facing the front to form a gaming table row, and arranging the gaming table rows in two rows back to back. Yes. Each inter-unit 1 has a lending function for lending game media to be used for games in the corresponding gaming table 2 and a counting function for counting the gaming media discharged from the corresponding gaming table 2, and is provided on a gaming island. Is connected to the island controller 3 in a communicable manner.

  Each island controller 3 is communicably connected to the management device 4. The management device 4 manages data relating to lending of game media in the inter-unit unit 1 and data relating to counting of game media in the inter-unit unit 1, and is arranged in an office for employees in the game store. . Communication between the management device 4 and each inter-unit unit 1 is performed via the island controller 3 corresponding to the inter-unit unit 1.

  A player who plays a game at a game store is classified into a member customer registered as a member of the game store and a general customer other than the member customer. Each member has a membership card issued by the amusement store. On the other hand, there is a card for general customers, and this card is called a general card. Regardless of the membership card or the general card, a card ID as identification information is assigned to each card.

FIG. 2 is a front view for explaining the configuration of the inter-unit unit 1 and the game table 2.
The gaming table 2 is, for example, a pachinko machine that plays a game by launching a game ball as a game medium toward the game board 7, and is directed to the game board 7 from a launching device (not shown) on the front surface thereof. A handle 8 for adjusting the momentum of the game balls to be launched, an upper plate 9 for storing game balls to be launched from the launching device toward the game board 7, and a game ball overflowing from the upper plate 9 Is provided with a lower tray 10 for storing the water. Between adjacent game tables 2, the inter-unit unit 1 is arranged in a state of being sandwiched between these game tables 2. The upper plate 9 includes a return button 21 that is pushed to eject a card to be described below from the card insertion / ejection slot 16, a lending button 45 that is pushed to lend the ball, and the inter-unit unit 1. A frequency indicator 44 for displaying the balance of the prepaid value stored in the accepted card (hereinafter referred to as “prepaid balance”) is provided.

Next, the inter-unit unit 1 will be described. Each inter-unit 1 is installed next to the corresponding game table 2 (left adjacent in FIG. 2), and not only has a function of lending game balls for playing on the game table 2, but also from the game table 2 depending on the game. It has a function to count the game balls that have been discharged.
A card as an example of a medium is used for lending game balls or counting game balls in the inter-unit unit 1. A card ID is assigned to each card. As will be described later, the card is associated with prepaid balance and data related to the ball (hereinafter referred to as “long ball data”).

The inter-unit unit 1 includes a main body 11 formed of a vertically long casing. On the front surface of the main body 11 of the inter-unit unit 1, a state display unit 12, a bill insertion unit 13, an operation display unit 14, a nozzle 15 and a card insertion / discharge port 16 are provided in this order from the top. A counting unit 17 as a counting device is attached to a lower part of the main body 11.
The state display unit 12 displays, for example, whether or not a game ball lending operation is possible by emitting light in a predetermined color or pattern. For example, when the lending operation is possible, the state display unit 12 is turned on.

The banknote insertion part 13 has a vertically long slit shape for receiving a player's banknote, and is connected to a banknote recognition part 32 (see FIG. 4) provided in the main body part 11.
The operation display unit 14 includes a small screen, a numeric keypad, buttons, and the like. By operating the operation display unit 14, predetermined information can be input to each inter-unit 1. The entire operation display unit 14 may be configured with a touch panel.

The nozzle 15 is provided so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction, and its tip reaches a position directly above the upper plate 9. A ball dispensing unit 33 (see FIG. 4) for dispensing game balls is built in the main body 11, and the ball dispensing unit 33 is driven to move downward (upward) from the tip of the nozzle 15. The game balls are discharged (dispensed) toward the plate 9).
The card insertion / discharge port 16 has a vertically long slit shape for inserting or discharging a card in which predetermined information including a card ID is recorded.

The counting unit 17 includes a tubular passage 18 extending rightward from the lower end of the inter-unit unit 1 to a position directly below a discharge port (not shown) of the lower plate 10 of the game table 2, and a tray disposed immediately below the lower plate 10. And a plate-shaped receiving tray 19 are integrally provided. In the counting unit 17, a counting unit 20 (see FIG. 4) that counts game balls flowing through the passage 18 is provided.
The tray 19 has a ball display unit 47 for displaying the ball data stored in association with the card, and a ball payout that is pushed when the game ball is paid out using the ball data. A button 48 is provided.

In the inter-unit unit 1, a card processing unit 23 (see FIG. 3) for processing a card inserted into the card insertion / discharge port 16 is disposed at a rear portion of the card insertion / discharge port 16. .
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the card processing unit 23.
The card processing unit 23 includes a card R / W 24 (storage medium receiving unit) for reading a card ID and a prepaid balance from the card, a storage unit 25 for storing a general card, and a card transport mechanism for transporting the card. 26, and is accommodated in an accommodation space 27 formed in the inter-unit unit 1.

  The storage unit 25 stores a general card in an initial state in which the prepaid balance and the ball data are not associated with each other. For example, about 10 general cards can be stored in the storage unit 25. A card inlet / outlet 28 serving as an inlet / outlet of the storage section 25 is provided at one end (left end portion shown in FIG. 3) in the left-right direction of the storage section 25. In the storage section 25, the FILO is passed through the card inlet / outlet 28. The card is inserted / removed by (First In Last Out).

  The card transport mechanism 26 includes a plurality of roller pairs 40 (storage medium reception permission means, storage medium reception prohibition means; only three roller pairs are shown in FIG. 3), and rollers for driving the roller pairs 40 to rotate. And a drive mechanism (storage medium reception permission means, storage medium reception prohibition means) 41. By this card transport mechanism 26, the card is in a state where the leading end is inserted into the card reading position 29 where the card R / W 24 can read the card ID and the prepaid balance from the card, and the card insertion / discharge port 16. It is transported between the positions (referred to as “tip insertion position”; hereinafter the same; shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 3). The card reading position 29 is provided at a position facing the reading surface of the card R / W 24. The card (general card) is transported between the card reading position 29 and a position on the card entrance 28 by the card transport mechanism 26. The card insertion / discharge port 16, the card reading position 29, and the card slot 28 are aligned on a straight line. In the following description, the state where the card is set at the card reading position 29 is referred to as a state where the card R / W 24 accepts a card or a state where the card is accepted by the card R / W 24.

  An insertion detection sensor (sensor) 30 is disposed in the vicinity of the card insertion / discharge port 16. The insertion detection sensor 30 detects the entry of the card into the card insertion / discharge port 16 and outputs a detection signal. Therefore, it is detected by the detection output of the insertion detection sensor 30 that the front end of the card has entered the card insertion / discharge port 16 (the front end of the card has been inserted into the card insertion / discharge port 16). it can.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the inter-unit unit 1. The inter-unit 1 is provided with an inter-unit unit control unit (payout operation executing means, storage medium reception permitting means, storage medium reception prohibiting means) 31 composed of a microcomputer or the like.
The inter-unit unit control unit 31 includes a bill identifying unit 32, a roller drive mechanism 41, a ball paying unit 33, a card R / W 24, a counting unit 20, a communication I / F unit 34, and an inter-unit unit storage unit 35. Electrically connected. In addition, the detection output of the insertion detection sensor 30 is input to the inter-unit control unit 31. Further, the inter-unit unit control unit 31 can communicate with the management device 4 via the island controller 3 via the communication I / F unit 34. Furthermore, the inter-unit unit control unit 31 can communicate with the game table 2 via the communication I / F unit 34.

The banknote identification part 32 is connected to the banknote insertion part 13 (refer FIG. 2). The banknote inserted into the banknote insertion part 13 is conveyed to the banknote identification part 32. And the banknote identification part 32 identifies the classification of the banknote inserted in the banknote insertion part 13, and the authenticity of the banknote.
The ball dispensing unit 33 is a device that supplies game balls to the nozzle 15 (see FIG. 2). The game balls are supplied from the ball supply mechanism of the game island, and the game balls are paid out from the tip of the nozzle 15 by driving the ball paying portion 33.

In the inter-unit unit storage unit 35, necessary information such as the operating conditions of the inter-unit unit 1, a management table 50 (see FIG. 7) described later, and a set value (the ball data is left in the inter-unit unit 1). In this state, a value or the like serving as a reference for determining whether or not the inter-unit unit 1 accepts a subsequent card described later is stored.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the management device 4. The management device 4 includes a management device control unit 36 composed of a microcomputer or the like. The management device control unit 36 controls the operation of the management device 4.

The management device control unit 36 is electrically connected to a communication I / F unit 37, an operation unit (operation unit) 38, a management unit storage unit (ball data storage unit) 39, and a display unit 42. . The management device control unit 36 can communicate with each of the game table 2, the inter-unit unit 1, and the island controller 3 via the communication I / F unit 37.
The management device storage unit 39 has a management table 49 and a set value (a reference value for determining whether or not the inter-unit unit 1 accepts a subsequent card, which will be described later, with the ball data remaining in the inter-unit unit 1). Is remembered. For example, at the start of business, the set value stored in the management device storage unit 39 is distributed to each inter-unit unit 1 and stored in each inter-unit unit storage unit 35.

The operation unit 38 is operated by an employee. The setting value stored in the management device storage unit 39 can be set and the content of the setting value stored in the management device storage unit 39 can be changed by operating the operation unit 38.
Next, with reference to FIGS. 1-5, the main flow regarding the game using the inter-unit 1 and the game table 2 will be roughly described. In this specification, based on the payout control of the inter-unit unit 1 in accordance with the consideration of banknotes and prepaid balance (value), the game balls paid out from the game stand 2 (the dispensing device 46) are referred to as rented balls. Accordingly, a game ball (prize ball) paid out from the game table 2 (throwing device 46) is called out ball. In addition, the game balls counted by the inter-unit unit 1 are referred to as “mochitama”, but strictly speaking, the “mochitama” is a part or all of the number of game balls acquired by the player on the day of the game, It is owned by the player in the form of numerical data.

When a player inserts banknotes or cards into the inter-unit unit 1 corresponding to the game table 2, a predetermined number of game balls are lent out to the player at the game table 2 corresponding to the inter-unit unit 1.
First, the operation of the inter-unit unit 1 when ball lending is performed based on banknotes will be described. When borrowing a game ball with a banknote, when a banknote is inserted into the banknote insertion part 13, the frequency corresponding to the amount of the inserted banknote is displayed on the frequency display 44. In addition, one general card closest to the card entrance / exit 28 is selected from the general cards stored in the storage unit 25, and the prepaid balance (in this case, the inserted banknote) is associated with the card ID of the general card. ) And holding data (in this case, “0”) are temporarily stored in the inter-unit unit storage unit 35 of the inter-unit 1. Further, the information of the card ID, the prepaid balance and the possession data is transmitted to the management device 4 at a predetermined timing and is also stored in the management device storage unit 39.

  Then, when the lending button 45 in the gaming table 2 is pressed, the lending balls corresponding to the number of lending for one time are paid out to the upper plate 9 of the gaming table 2 from the dispensing device 46 of the gaming table 2. Accordingly, the prepaid balance (the prepaid balance stored in the inter-unit unit storage unit 35 and the management device storage unit 39) associated with the card ID is updated. Then, a game by a player is performed on the game table 2 using this ball rental.

When there is a ball in the winning opening (not shown) of the game table 2, the game balls are paid out from the throwing device 46 of the game table 2 to the upper plate 9 of the game table 2. When a large amount of game balls are stored in the upper plate 9, the game balls stored in the upper plate 9 are moved to the lower plate 10 by the operation of the player or through an overflow path (not shown), and the lower plate 10 is stored.
When the player opens a shutter (not shown) provided on the bottom surface of the lower plate 10 of the game table 2, the game balls stored in the lower plate 10 are discharged downward.

  The game balls discharged from the game table 2 are received by the tray 19 (see FIG. 2) of the inter-unit unit 1 and then sent to the counting unit 20. Then, the game balls are counted by the counting unit 20. After the counting is completed, the possession data associated with the card is updated. In this embodiment, the inter-unit unit 1 adds the current count value to the possession data stored (temporarily) in the inter-unit unit storage unit 35, thereby the inter-unit unit storage unit 35. Update the above data.

  In counting in the inter-unit unit 1, the count value at that time is displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the inter-unit unit 1. After counting by the inter-unit 1 (counting unit 20), the game balls are discharged from the inter-unit 1 to the outside of the machine (the ball collection path inside the island facility). Further, it is possible to play using the game balls counted by the inter-unit unit 1, that is, the holding balls. When the ball data of a predetermined number or more is associated with the card, when the ball dispensing button 48 disposed on the front surface of the tray 19 is operated, the upper plate is ejected from the nozzle 15 provided in the inter-unit unit 1. A game ball is paid out on 9th.

  Next, the operation of the inter-unit unit 1 when the ball lending is performed based on the prepaid balance associated with the card will be described. When a card is inserted into the card insertion / discharge port 16 of the inter-unit unit 1, the card R / W 24 reads the card ID and the prepaid balance. The inter-unit unit control unit 31 of the inter-unit unit 1 transmits the card ID read from the card to the management device 4. The management device control unit 36 that has received the card ID from the inter-unit unit 1 returns the prepaid balance and the possession data corresponding to the card ID to the inter-unit unit 1. The inter-unit unit control unit 31 temporarily stores the prepaid balance and the possession data received from the management device 4 in the inter-unit unit storage unit 35 of the inter-unit unit 1 in a form associated with the card ID. At this time, in exchange for management of the ball data in the inter-unit unit 1, the ball data managed by the management device 4 once becomes zero. On the other hand, the prepaid balance managed by the management device 4 remains the original value regardless of the storage of the prepaid balance in the inter-unit unit 1.

  In addition, the prepaid balance is displayed on the frequency display 44 provided in the gaming machine 2. Then, when the lending button 45 in the gaming table 2 is pressed, the lending balls corresponding to the number of lending for one time are paid out to the upper plate 9 of the gaming table 2 from the dispensing device 46 of the gaming table 2. Accordingly, the prepaid balance (the prepaid balance managed by the inter-unit unit storage unit 35 of the inter-unit unit 1 and the management device storage unit 39 of the management device 4) associated with the card ID is updated. Then, a game is played on the game stand 2 by using this ball rental.

  When ending the game on the game table 2, the player presses a return button 21 provided on the game table 2. As the return button 21 is pressed, the prepaid balance is recorded on the card. At this time, when the ball lending is performed based on the insertion of the banknote, the prepaid balance is recorded on one general card selected from the general cards stocked in the storage unit 25. In addition, the card ID, prepaid balance and possession data of the card are transmitted to the management device 4. The management device 4 subtracts the prepaid balance stored in the management device storage unit 39 in correspondence with the received card ID by an amount corresponding to the used prepaid value, thereby corresponding to the prepaid corresponding to the card ID. Update balance. In addition, the management device 4 stores the received ball data in the management device storage unit 39 in association with the card ID of the ball data. Thereby, the ball data associated with the card is updated. After recording the prepaid balance on the card, the card is discharged (returned) from the card insertion / discharge port 16. However, if the prepaid balance and the possession data stored in the card received by the inter-unit unit 1 are zero, the card is not ejected but is stored in the storage unit 25 of the inter-unit unit 1 and is Used.

  The card discharged from the card insertion / discharge port 16 is pulled out by the player. Then, the player can move to another gaming table 2 and insert this card into the card insertion / discharge port 16 of the inter-unit unit 1 corresponding to another gaming table 2. By inserting this card, it is possible to receive a payout of a ball based on the prepaid balance and a payout of a game ball based on the possession data. Further, when the player leaves the store, a prepaid balance associated with the card can be settled in a settlement machine (not shown).

  Further, the player can exchange a part or all of the coin data associated with the card with a prize by using a prize management machine (not shown). When part or all of the possession data is exchanged for a prize, the possession data associated with the card (the possession data stored on the management device 4 side and the possession recorded on the card) Data) is updated. In other words, the data of the holding ball is reduced by the amount used for the prize exchange. Here, the possession data associated with the card is valid only on that day, and loses its effect when the business of that day ends. However, when the card is a membership card, the possession data is managed as accumulated data of the player (member) at the time when the business of the day ends.

  FIG. 6 shows the contents of the management table 49 stored in the management device storage unit 39. In the management table 49, the ball data, the prepaid balance and the current machine number (current machine number) transmitted from the inter-unit unit 1 are stored in association with the card ID of the card. The stand number is a number assigned corresponding to the installation position of the inter-unit unit 1 (and the game stand 2), and is a number unique to an island facility (not shown) corresponding to each inter-unit unit 1. The current unit number is the unit number of the inter-unit unit 1 that currently accepts this card.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the contents of the management table 50 stored in the inter-unit unit storage unit 35. The management table 50 includes a current storage area 51 for storing data of cards currently accepted by the inter-unit unit 1 and a previous storage area for storing data of cards previously accepted by the inter-unit 1. 52. In the current storage area 51, the ball data of the card currently accepted by the inter-unit unit 1 (the selected general card or the card currently accepted by the card R / W 24 (see FIGS. 3 and 4)) and A prepaid balance is stored in association with the card ID. In the previous storage area 52, the possession data and prepaid of the card that was previously accepted by the card R / W 24 (the selected general card or the card that was accepted by the card R / W 24 (see FIGS. 3 and 4)) The balance is stored in association with the card ID.

  FIG. 7A shows an example in which the card with the card ID “D” is currently received by the inter-unit unit 1. In the inter-unit unit storage unit 35, in-game data corresponding to 2000 in-game balls is stored in association with the card with the card ID “D”. Further, the pre-paid balance of 10 degrees (one degree corresponds to, for example, 25 game balls) is stored in the inter-unit storage unit 35 in association with the card with the card ID “D”. .

  When the card with the card ID “D” is ejected from the inter-unit unit 1, as shown in FIG. 7B, the card ID “D”, the possession data (2000 pieces), and the prepaid balance (10 times) are It is cleared from the current storage area 51 and moved to the previous storage area 52. When the inter-unit unit 1 accepts the card with the card ID “C” possessed by the next player, the current storage area 51 associates the ball ID data of the card ID “C” card and the prepaid balance with the card ID. Is remembered. The card with the card ID “C” is currently associated with 1800 holding balls. The number of possessed balls is managed as retained ball data. A prepaid balance of 20 degrees is stored in the card with the card ID “D”. In this specification, the ball holding data is stored in the table unit 1 in a state where the ball holding data (the value of the ball holding data> 0) is stored in the current storage area 51 of the table unit storage unit 35. Or the ball data is associated with the inter-unit unit 1. Further, as the case where the ball holding data is stored in the inter-unit unit 1, the case where the ball lending is performed based on the insertion of the banknote, and the case where the card is inserted into the card insertion / discharge port 16 are associated with each other. It is considered that ball lending is performed based on the prepaid balance. In other words, as the state in which the inter-unit unit 1 is accepting the preceding card, the card R / W 24 is accepting the card, and the card R / W 24 is not accepting the card. It can be considered that a general card selected from is discharged.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the card insertion process in the state where the ball data is stored in the inter-unit unit 1. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a change in the contents of the management table 50 stored in the inter-unit unit storage unit 35. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing changes in the contents of the management table 49 stored in the management device storage unit 39. In the following description, in the case where ball lending is performed based on a card (card R / W 24 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) accepted first) or banknotes accepted by the inter-unit unit 1 The selected general card) is called the preceding card, and the card inserted later is called the succeeding card. In FIG. 10, the inter-unit unit 1 that is the target of insertion of the subsequent card is the inter-unit unit 1 of 201, and the card ID of the subsequent card is “B”.

  Referring to FIGS. 2 to 10, particularly FIGS. 2, 3, and 8 to 10, the inter-unit unit control unit 31 determines whether or not a subsequent card is about to be inserted into the card insertion / ejecting port 16. Whether there is a detection output from the insertion detection sensor 30 is constantly monitored (step S1). When the leading end of the subsequent card is inserted into the card insertion / discharge port 16, that is, when the inter-unit unit control unit 31 receives the detection output from the insertion detection sensor 30 (YES in step S1), the inter-unit unit control unit 31 refers to the prepaid balance (balance of prepaid value) stored in the inter-unit unit storage unit 35 (inter-unit 1) and the ball data stored in the inter-unit 1, and the card R / It is checked whether or not W24 accepts the member card as a preceding card.

There is no prepaid balance stored in the inter-unit 1 (YES in step S2), the card R / W 24 does not accept the membership card as a preceding card (NO in step S3), and is stored in the inter-unit 1 and lifting ball data has found the platform between the units for the storage unit 35 set values stored in (e.g. 50) than if der Ru (YES in step S4) allows the reception of the subsequent card (step S6~ S9).

  In other words, if there is a prepaid balance stored in the inter-unit unit 1 (NO in step S2), if the card R / W 24 accepts a membership card as a preceding card (YES in step S3), or the inter-unit unit If the possessed ball data stored in 1 is greater than or equal to a set value (for example, 50) (NO in step S4), acceptance of subsequent cards is prohibited (step S10).

Whether the card received by the card R / W 24 in step S3 is a member card or a general card is determined based on the card ID stored in the inter-unit unit storage unit 35.
Hereinafter, the case where the general card with the card ID “A” is accepted as the preceding card in the inter-unit unit 1 and the case where the general card with the card ID “B” is inserted as the subsequent card are taken as examples. The acceptance will be specifically described. In this case, in the management device storage unit 39 of the management device 4, as shown in FIG. 10A, in addition to the data of the general card with the card ID “A” and the data of the general card with the card ID “B”, Data of cards issued at the amusement store such as data of the card with the card ID “C” is stored.

  Ten general-purpose data is currently associated with the general card with the card ID “A”, and there is no prepaid balance associated with the general card with the card ID “A” (the general card with the card ID “A”). The prepaid balance associated with is zero). For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9A, the current ten storage data and the zero prepaid balance are currently stored in the current storage area 51 of the inter-unit unit storage unit 35. At this time, there is no prepaid balance stored in the inter-unit 1 (YES in step S2), and the possession data stored in the inter-unit 1 is less than the set value (50) (step S4). YES) Needless to say, the card R / W 24 does not accept a membership card as a preceding card (NO in step S3).

  In this case, the inter-unit unit control unit 31 moves the data stored in the current storage area 51 of the inter-unit unit storage unit 35 to the previous storage area 52 (see FIG. 9B). Further, in a state where the card R / W 24 accepts a general card as a preceding card (a state where the ball is lent based on the prepaid balance associated with the general card inserted into the card insertion / discharge slot 16). In some cases (YES in step S5), the inter-unit control unit 31 controls the roller driving mechanism 41 to set the preceding card set at the card reading position 29 (in this case, the general card with the card ID “A”). ) Is rotated so as to be conveyed to the card entrance 28 (step S6). As a result, the preceding card moves to the card entrance 28. The preceding card that has reached the card slot 28 is stored in the storage unit 25 after being initialized.

  Further, the inter-unit control unit 31 controls the roller driving mechanism 41 to rotate the roller pair 40 so that the card with the card ID “B” at the leading end insertion position is conveyed to the card reading position 29. (Step S7). Then, the card with the card ID “B” moves to the card reading position 29, and the card with the card ID “B” is set at the card reading position 29 (the card with the card ID “B” is accepted at the card R / W 24). ). Then, the inter-unit control unit 31 reads the card ID and the prepaid balance from the card set at the card reading position 29 (the card accepted by the card R / W 24), that is, the card with the card ID “B” ( Step S8).

  On the other hand, when the card R / W 24 is not accepting a general card (when a ball is loaned based on the insertion of banknotes) (NO in step S5), the operation in step S6 is skipped. The inter-unit unit control unit 31 controls the roller driving mechanism 41 to rotate the roller pair 40 so that the card with the card ID “B” at the leading end insertion position is transported to the card reading position 29 (step). S7). Then, the card with the card ID “B” is moved to the card reading position 29, and the card with the card ID “B” is set at the card reading position 29 (the card with the card ID “B” is accepted at the card R / W 24). The inter-unit unit control unit 31 reads the card ID and the prepaid balance from the card with the card ID “B” (step S8).

  The inter-unit control unit 31 transmits the read card ID to the management device 4. The management device control unit 36 that has received the card ID from the inter-unit unit 1 returns the prepaid balance and the possession data corresponding to the card ID “B” to the inter-unit unit 1. The inter-unit unit control unit 31 stores the prepaid balance and the possession data in the current storage area 51 of the inter-unit unit storage unit 35. The card with the card ID “B” is currently associated with 1000 pieces of possession data, and the prepaid balance stored in the card with the card ID “B” is zero. For this reason, the current storage area 51 stores 1000 holding data and a prepaid balance of zero degrees in association with the card with the card ID “B” (see FIG. 9B).

In addition, the management device control unit 36 clears the ball data stored in the management device storage unit 39 in exchange for managing the ball data in the inter-unit unit 1 (see FIG. 10B).
Then, the inter-unit control unit 31 adds (sums) the ball data stored in the previous storage area 52 to the ball data stored in the current storage area 51. In other words, the ball data of the preceding card is added to the ball data of the subsequent card (step S9). Thereby, the possession data currently stored in the storage area 51 becomes “1010” (see FIG. 9C). Thereafter, a game using the possession data is performed on the game table 2.

  If the card received by the card R / W 24 is a membership card (NO in step S3), the card already inserted in the card insertion / discharge port 16 is a general card and associated with the card. If the held ball data is equal to or greater than the set value stored in the inter-unit unit storage unit 35 (NO in step S4), the roller drive mechanism 41 is controlled to rotate the roller pair 40 (drive side). Rotation of the roller pair 40) is stopped. Therefore, the card with the card ID “B” at the leading end insertion position is not automatically conveyed. In addition, the roller pair 40 (drive side roller pair 40) is in a rotation-inhibited state, and the player pushes the card with the card ID “B” at the leading end insertion position into the card insertion / eject port 16 Even if an attempt is made to insert the card, the card cannot be pushed into the card insertion / ejection slot 16 with a normal pushing force. Thereafter, the processing of the inter-unit unit control unit 31 at the time of card insertion ends.

Next, consider the case of the end of the game. When the player who owns the card with the card ID “B” finishes the game after the game data in the game table 2 is consumed by “500”, the game on the game table 2 ends. The possessed ball data currently stored in the storage area 51 is “510” (see FIG. 9D).
When the return button 21 is pressed by the player, the inter-unit unit control unit 31 moves the data stored in the current storage area 51 of the inter-unit unit storage unit 35 to the previous storage area 52 and the card. Record the prepaid balance on the card with ID “B”. Further, the inter-unit control unit 31 controls the roller driving mechanism 41 to rotate the roller pair 40 so that the card with the card ID “B” at the card reading position 29 is conveyed to the leading end insertion position. . As a result, the card is discharged (returned) from the card insertion / discharge port 16. Further, the inter-unit unit control unit 31 transmits the card ID, prepaid balance, and possession data stored in the current storage area 51 of the inter-unit unit storage unit 35 to the management device 4.

  The management device control unit 36 subtracts the prepaid balance stored in the management device storage unit 39 in correspondence with the received card ID by an amount corresponding to the used prepaid value, thereby obtaining the card ID “B”. Update the prepaid balance corresponding to. In addition, the management device control unit 36 causes the management device 4 to store the received ball data in the management device storage unit 39 in association with the received card ID. Thereby, the possession data corresponding to the card ID “B” is updated. Specifically, “510” is stored as possession data in the card ID “B” (see FIG. 10C). In addition, the management device control unit 36 clears the possession data stored in the management device storage unit 39 in association with the card ID “A” to zero (see FIG. 10C).

  The possession data that was initially associated with the card with the card ID “B” is “1000”. Thereafter, “500” of the possession data is consumed by the game on the game table 2. Therefore, “10” of the ball data value “510” of the card ID “B” is the ball data originally associated with the card of the card ID “A”. In other words, the possession data value “510” of the card ID “B” is a sum of the possession data (“10”) associated with the card of the card ID “A”.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when the possession data stored in the inter-unit unit 1 is greater than or equal to the set value, or when there is a prepaid balance stored in the inter-unit unit 1, the card insertion / extraction Insertion of subsequent cards into the outlet 16 is blocked (prohibited). On the other hand, if there is no prepaid balance (value) stored in the inter-unit unit 1 and the possession data stored in the inter-unit unit 1 is less than the set value, the card insertion / discharge port 16 is entered. Subsequent cards can be inserted.

  Therefore, even if the previous player's possession ball data remains in the inter-unit unit 1, if the value is less than the set value, an operation (return button 21) for the next player to eject the card. The game can be started on the game table 2 corresponding to the inter-unit unit 1 without performing an operation of (1) or calling an employee of the game store. Therefore, the convenience of the player can be improved, and the operating rate of the game table 2 is increased. The fact that there is no need to call an amusement store employee has the advantage of reducing the burden on the employee side as well, especially at amusement stores that want to reduce the number of employees by introducing each unit counting system. Is big.

In addition, when the acceptance of the succeeding card is allowed, the possession data associated with the inter-unit unit 1 is less than the set value, and therefore, the possession data associated with the inter-unit unit 1 is relatively There are a few. Therefore, even if this possessed ball data is added (added) to the possessed ball data of the succeeding card, there is no possibility of giving a large disadvantage to the previous player.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the contents of the management table 49 stored in the management device storage unit 39 of the management device 4 included in the game medium management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The second embodiment is different from the embodiment (first embodiment) of FIGS. 1 to 10 in that the ball unit data remains in the inter-unit unit 1 and the inter-unit unit 1 accepts the subsequent card. In this case, the ball data associated with the preceding card is not added to the ball data associated with the subsequent card. Hereinafter, while the inter-unit unit 1 is accepting the general card with the card ID “A” (that is, the inter-unit unit 1 has the possession data of the card ID “A” in the same manner as described in the first embodiment). An example will be described in which the card with the card ID “B” is inserted into the card insertion / eject port 16 and the inter-unit unit 1 receives the card with the card ID “B”.

  The inter-unit control unit 31 reads the card ID and the prepaid balance from the card with the card ID “B” set at the card reading position 29, and transmits the read card ID to the management device 4. The management device control unit 36 that has received the card ID from the inter-unit unit 1 returns the prepaid balance and the possession data corresponding to the card ID “B” to the inter-unit unit 1. The management device control unit 36 clears the ball data stored in the management table 49 of the management device storage unit 39 in exchange for managing the ball data in the inter-unit unit 1 (see FIG. 10B). . The inter-unit unit control unit 31 stores the prepaid balance and the possession data in the current storage area 51 of the inter-unit unit storage unit 35. At this time, in the inter-unit unit storage unit 35, the possession data stored in the previous storage area 52 is not added to the current storage area 51.

When the player who owns the card with the card ID “B” finishes the game after “500” of the possession data is consumed by the game on the game table 2, at the time of ending the game on the game table 2 The ball data currently stored in the storage area 51 is “500” (not shown).
When the return button 21 is pressed by the player, the inter-unit unit control unit 31 moves the data stored in the current storage area 51 of the inter-unit unit storage unit 35 to the previous storage area 52 and the card. Record the prepaid balance on the card with ID “B”. Further, the inter-unit unit control unit 31 transmits the card ID, prepaid balance, and possession data of the card with the card ID “B” to the management device 4.

  The management device control unit 36 subtracts the prepaid balance stored in the management device storage unit 39 in correspondence with the received card ID by an amount corresponding to the used prepaid value, thereby obtaining the card ID “B”. Update the prepaid balance corresponding to. Also, the management device control unit 36 stores the received ball data in the management device storage unit 39 in association with the received card ID. Thereby, the possession data corresponding to the card ID “B” is updated. Specifically, “500” is stored as possession data in the card ID “B” (see FIG. 11). Further, the management device 4 holds the ball data stored in the management device storage unit 39 in association with the card ID “A” without clearing it (see FIG. 11). The value of the possession data associated with the card ID “A” can be output when the management apparatus 4 outputs a log.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the contents of the management table 49 stored in the management device storage unit 39 of the management device 4 included in the game medium management system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the ball unit data remains in the inter-unit unit 1 and when the inter-unit unit 1 accepts the subsequent card, the return button 21 is set by the player. When the push operation is performed, the management device 4 (management device control unit 36) zero-clears the ball data stored in the management device storage unit 39 in association with the card ID (for example, “A”) of the preceding card. It is a point to discard. In this case, the value of the possession data associated with the card ID (for example, “A”) is not output even when the management apparatus 4 outputs the log.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing at the time of card insertion in the inter-unit unit 1 to which the respective unit support device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied.
The difference between the control of the inter-unit unit 1 shown in FIG. 13 and the control of the inter-unit unit 1 in the first embodiment is that the ball data remains in the inter-unit unit 1 and the card R / W 24 selects the succeeding card. When accepted, the number of game balls corresponding to the ball data remaining (associated) in the preceding card is paid out from the nozzle 15. This will be specifically described below.

  The inter-unit control unit 31 always monitors whether or not a subsequent card is newly inserted into the card insertion / discharge port 16 (step S11). When the leading end of the subsequent card is inserted into the card insertion / discharge port 16 (YES in step S11), the inter-unit unit control unit 31 is then stored in the inter-unit unit storage unit 35 (inter-unit unit 1). The prepaid balance (balance of prepaid value) and the possession data stored in the inter-unit unit 1 are referred to, and it is checked whether or not the card R / W 24 accepts the membership card as a preceding card. If there is a prepaid balance stored in the inter-unit 1 (NO in step S12), if the card R / W 24 accepts a membership card as a preceding card (YES in step S13), or stored in the inter-unit 1 If the held ball data is greater than or equal to a set value (for example, 50) (NO in step S14), acceptance of subsequent cards is prohibited (step S21).

  On the other hand, there is no prepaid balance stored in the inter-unit unit 1 (YES in step S12), the card R / W 24 does not accept the membership card as a preceding card (NO in step S13), and the inter-unit unit 1 If it is determined whether or not the stored ball data is less than a set value (for example, 50) (YES in step S14), the ball data stored in the inter-unit unit storage unit 35 is The number of game balls corresponding to the possession data is paid out from the ball payout unit 33 to the upper plate 9 of the game table 2 through the nozzle 15 (step S16). Then, the value of the possession data stored in the inter-unit unit storage unit 35 is cleared to zero (step S17).

Further, the inter-unit control unit 31 manages the card ID, prepaid balance and internal ball data (in this case, the internal ball data is zero) stored in the current storage area 51 of the inter-unit unit storage unit 35. Send to. The management device 4 (management device control unit 36) zero-clears the ball data stored in the management device storage unit 39 in association with the card ID of the preceding card.
Further, the inter-unit control unit 31 stores the data stored in the current storage area 51 (see FIG. 9) of the inter-unit unit storage section 35 (in this case, the holding data is zero) in the previous storage area 52 ( (See FIG. 8). Further, when the card R / W 24 is accepting a general card (the ball is lent based on the prepaid balance associated with the general card inserted into the card insertion / discharge slot 16) (step) In S18, the inter-unit unit control unit 31 controls the roller driving mechanism 41 so that the general card as the preceding card set at the card reading position 29 is conveyed to the card slot 28. 40 is rotated (step S19). As a result, the preceding card moves to the card entrance 28. The preceding card that has reached the card slot 28 is stored in the storage unit 25 after being initialized.

  Further, the inter-unit unit control unit 31 controls the roller driving mechanism 41 to rotate the roller pair 40 so that the succeeding card at the leading end insertion position is conveyed to the card reading position 29 (step S20). Then, the subsequent card moves to the card reading position 29, and the subsequent card is set at the card reading position 29 (the subsequent card is accepted by the card R / W 24). Then, the inter-unit control unit 31 reads the card ID and the prepaid balance from the subsequent card (the subsequent card accepted by the card R / W 24) set at the card reading position 29.

  On the other hand, when the card R / W 24 is not accepting the general card (when the ball lending is performed based on the insertion of the banknote) (NO in step S18), the operation of step S19 is skipped, The inter-unit control unit 31 controls the roller driving mechanism 41 to rotate the roller pair 40 so that the succeeding card at the leading end insertion position is conveyed to the card reading position 29 (step S20). Then, when the succeeding card moves to the card reading position 29 and the succeeding card is set at the card reading position 29 (the succeeding card is accepted by the card R / W 24), the inter-unit unit control unit 31 starts from the succeeding card. Read card ID and prepaid balance.

  When the player who owns the succeeding card ends the game on the gaming table 2, when the return button 21 is pressed by the player, the inter-unit unit control unit 31 stores the current memory in the inter-unit unit storage unit 35. The data stored in the area 51 is moved to the previous storage area 52 and the prepaid balance is recorded on the subsequent card. Further, the inter-unit unit control unit 31 transmits the card ID, prepaid balance, and possession data stored in the current storage area 51 of the inter-unit unit storage unit 35 to the management device 4.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing storage contents of the management device storage unit 39 of the management device 4 included in the game medium management system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the setting values stored in the management device storage unit 39 shown in FIG.
The fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the set values (inter-unit units) stored in each inter-unit unit storage unit 35 according to the rate of the gaming table 2 corresponding to the inter-unit unit 1 1 in which the ball unit data remains in 1, the inter-unit unit 1 becomes a reference value for determining whether or not to accept the subsequent card.

  For example, the pachinko ball lending rate is set to a plurality of types, and the pachinko ball is a game store adopting a sales form in which the lending rate is lent to a player at any of the plurality of lending rates. To do. The normal loan rate (hereinafter referred to as “normal rate”) is, for example, 4 yen / ball, and in addition to the normal rate, the loan rate lower than the normal rate (hereinafter referred to as “low rate”) is, for example, It is 1 yen / 1 ball. The gaming table 2 includes a dedicated gaming table 2 (normal rate table) that can be played with the balls lent at the normal rate described above, and a dedicated gaming table 2 (game rate) that can be played with the balls lent at the low rate described above ( Low rate platform).

As shown in FIG. 14 (a), the management table 70 of the management device storage unit 39 stores separately the normal rate possession data and the low rate possession data. That is, the management device storage unit 39 stores the normal rate holding data, the low rate holding data, the prepaid balance, and the current machine number in association with the card ID.
Further, in the management device storage unit 39, the number of the plurality of gaming machines 2 installed in the gaming store and the rate information of each gaming machine 2 (that is, whether the gaming machine 2 is a normal rate machine, or A rate information table 71 (see FIG. 14B) that defines the correspondence with the low rate table is stored.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the management device storage unit 39 stores a normal rate setting value (N1) and a low rate setting value (N2) as setting values. These setting values can be set / changed by operating the operation unit 38. N1 and N2 are calculated based on the rental rate and the exchange rate for special prizes. Normally, N2 is set to a larger value than N1.

  The management device control unit 36 can grasp the rate information of each gaming machine 2 by referring to the contents of both the rate information table 71 and the management table 70. Then, at the start of business, the management device control unit 36 of the management device 4 distributes the set value of the rate information of the gaming machine 2 corresponding to the inter-unit unit 1 to the inter-unit unit 1 installed in the gaming store. . In other words, the normal rate setting value (N1) is distributed to the inter-unit unit 1 corresponding to the normal rate support base, and the low rate setting value (N1) is transmitted to the inter-unit unit 1 corresponding to the low rate support base. N2) is distributed. The distributed setting value is stored in the inter-unit unit storage unit 35. In other words, the set value (N1) for the normal rate is stored in the inter-unit unit storage unit 35 of the inter-unit unit 1 corresponding to the normal rate support base, and the unit of the inter-unit unit 1 corresponding to the low rate support base The inter-unit storage unit 35 stores a setting value (N2) for low rate.

  Then, in the state in which the ball data remains in the inter-unit unit 1, the normal rate is determined in the determination whether the inter-unit unit 1 accepts the subsequent card (step S4 shown in FIG. 8 or step S14 shown in FIG. 13). In the inter-unit unit 1 corresponding to the table, the set value for the normal rate is the reference, while in the inter-unit unit 1 corresponding to the low rate table, the set value for the low rate is the reference.

While the five embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention can be implemented in other forms.
For example, when the preceding card is a membership card (YES in step S3 shown in FIG. 8 or YES in step S13 shown in FIG. 13), the inter-unit unit 1 remains in the state where the ball data remains in the inter-unit unit 1. When the succeeding card is received, the possession data associated with the preceding card may be managed by the management device 4 as a reserved ball of the member customer who owns the card.

Further, when the succeeding card is a membership card, the possession data associated with the preceding card is obtained when the interfering unit 1 accepts the succeeding card in a state where the possession data remains in the intercom unit 1. The management device 4 may manage the stored cards of the member customers who own the subsequent cards.
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, even if there is less than the set number of possession data in the inter-unit unit 1, if any prepaid balance remains in the inter-unit unit 1, a subsequent card (storage medium) It was explained that acceptance of However, when a predetermined prepaid set value (minimum reference value) is provided and the remaining ball data less than the set number and the prepaid balance less than the prepaid set value remain in the inter-unit unit 1, the subsequent card (memory) The medium may be allowed to be received.

Further, the fifth embodiment can be combined with the second to fourth embodiments. That is, also in the second to fourth embodiments, the setting value stored in each inter-unit unit storage unit 35 may be different depending on the rate information of the game table 2 corresponding to the inter-unit unit 1.
Further, in the fourth embodiment, the game balls to be paid out based on the possession ball data are not limited to those to be paid out by the ball paying unit 33 of the inter-unit unit 1, for example, by a throwing device 46 provided in the game stand 2. It may be paid out to the upper plate 9. Further, a certain number may be paid out from the dispensing device 46, and a fraction may be paid out from the ball dispensing unit 33. Further, instead of the nozzle shape described above, a configuration may be provided that includes a fraction ball return mechanism for discharging balls from the ball dispensing unit 33 to the tray unit.

  Further, in the first to fifth embodiments, when the inter-unit unit 1 accepts a general card, the change of the ball data associated with the general card is always monitored, and the ball data is When is equal to or greater than the set value, the card insertion / discharge port 16 can be closed. For example, when the card insertion / discharge port 16 is provided so as to be opened and closed by a shutter (not shown), and the holding ball data associated with the inter-unit unit 1 exceeds a set value, the card insertion / extraction is performed by the shutter. Even when the outlet 16 is closed and the holding ball data associated with the inter-unit unit 1 becomes less than the set value, the shutter is opened and the card insertion / discharge outlet 16 is opened. Good.

In the first to fifth embodiments, when the inter-unit unit 1 has possession data and the possession data is less than the set number, that is, in a state in which a subsequent card can be received, the state display unit 12 Alternatively, the display form of the holding ball display unit 47 may be switched. Thereby, the surrounding player or employee can recognize that the subsequent card is being received.
In the first to fifth embodiments, the setting value may be set / changed by an input from a store computer provided to the management apparatus 4 separately from the management apparatus 4. Moreover, the structure which performs setting / change of a setting value directly with respect to each unit 1 between vehicles may be sufficient. As this store computer, a computer that is arranged in an office for employees in an amusement store and manages money data in the inter-unit unit 1 can be exemplified.

  In the first to fifth embodiments, when a general card having possession data is received by the card R / W 24 and it is determined that the corresponding game machine 2 is an empty card, Ordinary cards accepted by the R / W 24 may be automatically conveyed to the storage unit 25 and stored in the storage unit 25. At this time, whether or not the game table 2 is an empty table is determined based on the out ball detection signal and the safe ball detection signal output from the game table 2. When the state where the out ball detection signal and the safe ball detection signal are not output continues for a predetermined period, the gaming machine 2 is set as an empty board.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the card is used as an example of the storage medium. However, the storage medium may be a stick or coin instead of a card. Further, the storage medium may be received by holding it over the reading unit on the front surface without inserting the storage medium into the inter-unit unit 1.
Further, the storage unit that stores the player's possession data and the storage unit that stores the prepaid balance of the player may be managed by different storage units. These storage units may be provided in different management devices.

In addition, as an example of each device-compatible device, the inter-unit unit 1 disposed next to the game table 2 has been described as an example, but each device-compatible device is configured to be disposed above the game table 2. Also good.
In addition to the configuration in which the counting device (corresponding to the counting unit 17 in the above-described embodiment) included in each device-compatible device is provided at the lower portion of the main body 11 as described above, It is provided so as to pass through a table (called “coffin board”) installed from above (that is, below the game table 2), and the game medium is sent from the lower plate 10 of the game table 2 to the counting device and counted. There may be.

  In addition, various design changes can be made within the scope of matters described in the claims.

Unit between 1 unit (equipment for each unit)
2 game machine 4 management device 24 card R / W (storage medium receiving means)
25 storage unit 31 unit control unit (payout operation execution means, storage medium reception permission means, storage medium reception prohibition means)
38 Operation part (operation means)
39 Storage unit for management device (mochitama data storage means)
40 Roller pair (storage medium reception permission means, storage medium reception prohibition means)
41 Roller drive mechanism (storage medium reception permission means, storage medium reception prohibition means))

Claims (10)

It is a device corresponding to each device that is arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with a game table that performs a game using a game medium, and game media acquired by a player is counted and associated as possession data,
Storage medium reception means for receiving a storage medium associated with the possession data;
A storage medium reception prohibiting means for prohibiting acceptance of a new storage medium by the storage medium receiving means when the possession data associated with each device corresponding to the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined set value;
A storage medium reception permission means for allowing the storage medium reception means to accept a new storage medium when the possession data associated with the respective device support device is less than the set value; apparatus. When the new storage medium is received by the storage medium reception unit, the ball data associated with the device corresponding to each device is associated with the new storage medium received by the storage medium reception unit. The device for each vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising means for adding to the holding data. When the new storage medium is received by the storage medium receiving means, a payout operation for executing a payout operation for paying out the number of game media corresponding to the ball data associated with the respective device corresponding device The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising execution means. When the new storage medium is received by the storage medium receiving means, the ball data associated with the respective device corresponding device is stored separately from the ball data associated with the new storage medium. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The storage medium reception permitting means has the prepaid value associated with the corresponding device, and the storage medium when the possession data associated with the corresponding device is less than the set value. The device corresponding to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the receiving unit is allowed to receive the new storage medium. It has each ball corresponding apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5 , and a ball data storage means which memorize | stores the said ball data in association with a storage medium, and is connected so that it can communicate with each said vehicle corresponding apparatus A game medium management system, comprising: The management device is
When the new storage medium is received by the storage medium reception unit, the ball data associated with the device corresponding to each device is associated with the new storage medium received by the storage medium reception unit. The game medium according to claim 6 , further comprising means for adding the accumulated ball data to the retained ball data storage means as the accumulated ball data associated with the new storage medium. Management system. The management device is
When the new storage medium is received by the storage medium reception unit, the ball data associated with the respective device corresponding device is different from the ball data associated with the new storage medium. The game medium management system according to claim 6 , comprising means for storing in the possession data storage means as possession data. The management device is
7. The game medium management system according to claim 6 , further comprising means for erasing the ball data associated with each device corresponding to the device when the new storage medium is received by the storage medium receiving means. The game medium management system according to any one of claims 6 to 9 , further comprising operation means for performing a setting operation to change the setting value.

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