JP6030839B2 - Game medium counting device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention outputs a game signal including a use signal that can specify the number of uses that is the number of game media used in the game, and a grant signal that can specify the number of grants that is the number of game media given to the player The present invention relates to a game medium counting device provided corresponding to a gaming machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in game halls, game media (medals and the like) acquired by a player are counted by an island edge counting device, and exchange transactions with prizes according to the counted value are performed. However, the work of transporting the game media acquired by the player to the island-side counting device is an excessive burden on the game hall employees and players. In addition, when counting with an island edge counting device, the player holds the game medium until the end of the game, so the game hall must secure a considerable number of game media so that the game medium on the island will not run out. It will lead to cost increase. In view of this, it has been proposed to provide each counter device having a lending function adjacent to each gaming machine (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP-A-11-226234 JP 2006-212236 A

  By the way, each of the counter counting devices is generally configured not to issue a holding ball ticket (a holding ball card) when the counted number of held balls, which is the number of held balls, is less than a predetermined number. is there. This is to make up for the loss caused by the inability to collect the issued coin cards, but the counted number of game media is less than the prescribed number even though the player has counted his own game media. If it is not possible to issue a coin card, the player will be uncomfortable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and its purpose is that the number of game media counted is less than a predetermined number even though the player has counted the game media owned by the player. An object of the present invention is to provide a game medium counting device capable of reducing discomfort caused by the failure to issue a recording medium.

The invention described in claim 1 includes a use signal that can specify the number of uses that is the number of game media used in the game, and a grant signal that can specify the number of grants that is the number of game media given to the player. A lending unit that is provided corresponding to a gaming machine that outputs a game signal and executes a lending process that lends game media in response to the receipt of money, and a counting unit that performs a counting process that counts game media input from the outside And a payout unit for executing payout processing for paying out game media within the range of game media counted by the counting unit, wherein the counting unit calculates the number of game media from the number of game media counted by the counting unit. It is possible to specify the counted number of possessed balls calculated by calculating the number of owned balls by subtracting the number of game media paid out by the dispensing unit, and the counted number of owned balls calculated by the counted number of owned balls Publish a recording medium on which information is recorded An operation means operated by a player, a recording medium issuing means for issuing the recording medium in response to an operation of the operation means when the counted number of possessed balls is equal to or greater than a predetermined issuance lower limit number, Based on the input of the game signal, the specifying means specifies the use number and the number of grants, and the sum of the number of game media lent by the lending unit and the number of grants specified by the specification means The theoretical number of balls calculation means for calculating the number of theoretical balls that subtracts the specified number of use, and a reading means for receiving the recording medium and reading the counted number of balls , the counting unit, When the theoretical number of balls calculated by the theoretical number of balls calculation means is less than a predetermined count lower limit number set to a value equal to or greater than the issue lower limit number, set the count impossible state that does not perform the counting process, The theoretical number of balls If with releasing the counter-disabled state when it is counted more than the lower limit speed, the reading means said recording medium read accepted counts already lifting piece count is not less than the first predetermined number, the counting Sumiji The counting process is enabled until the number of balls reaches 0 which is the second predetermined number, while switching to the non-countable state when the number of balls already counted reaches 0 which is the second predetermined number. It is characterized by.

The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that the lending unit and the payout unit are the same.

  According to the invention described in claim 1, the number of theoretical balls is calculated by subtracting the used number from the sum of the number of lent game media and the number of granted, and the calculated theoretical number of balls is less than the lower limit of counting. If it is determined that there is a count, the count process is not performed and the count processing is not executed, so that it is possible to avoid the situation where the recording medium cannot be issued despite the count, and the player's discomfort can be reduced. .

Further , when a recording medium in which the counted number of balls is recorded is received, if the number of counted balls is equal to or more than a first predetermined number (for example, “1”), the counted number of retained balls is a second predetermined number. Only when a new recording medium is issued by switching so that the counting process can be performed until the number reaches 0 , and the counted number of possessed balls reaches 0 which is the second predetermined number. A count impossible state can be set as a target.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce costs and save space by making the lending unit and the dispensing unit the same.

The whole block diagram including each stand counter which shows one embodiment of the present invention Front view (a) of each counter, vertical side view (b), and plan view (c) of the rotating disk body Functional block diagram of each counter Flow chart showing counting determination process

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of a game hall management system 1. Each game counter is provided with a counter device 3 (corresponding to a game medium counting device) and a display device 4 corresponding to the slot machine 2 (corresponding to a game machine). The two slot machines 2, the two counter devices 3, and the two display devices 4 are connected to one relay device 5, and the relay device 5 is connected to the management device 7 via the LAN 6. Yes. The management device 7 is installed in, for example, a management room in a game hall, and is configured by combining a main device 8, a mouse 9 and a keyboard 10 operated by a game hall manager, a monitor 11, a printer (not shown), and the like. Has been. Although omitted in FIG. 1, several hundred slot machines 2 are managed by the management device 7. In the present embodiment, since the gaming machine is the slot machine 2 as described above, the gaming value (game medium) is a medal. If the gaming machine is a pachinko machine, the gaming value is a pachinko ball.

  The slot machine 2 includes a display window 12 through which a player can visually recognize a reel, an effective line display unit 13 indicating an activated pay line, a display panel 14, a credit button 15 for inserting a credit medal, and a credit medal settlement. A settlement button 16 to perform, a medal slot 17 for inserting medals, a start lever 18, a left stop button 19, a middle stop button 20, a right stop button 21, a tray 22 and the like are provided. The tray 22 can store “600 to 800” medals (medals equivalent to “12000 to 16000 yen” if the rental unit price is “20 yen”).

  When the start lever 18 is operated with a medal inserted (when a game start operation is performed), the slot machine 2 starts (rotates) each reel and extracts one random number from the generated random numbers. The internal lottery is executed, and if there is an internal winning combination, a flag corresponding to the internal winning combination is established, and when each of the stop buttons 19 to 21 is operated in this state, the corresponding reel is rotated. Stop. Subsequently, based on a stop table (not shown) for determining the stop position of each reel according to the flag of the internal winning combination, stop control including so-called pull-in control (slip control) (the type of the internal winning combination flag for each reel) Control to stop display with a winning symbol or a lost symbol according to the game). The pull-in control is a control capable of pulling a symbol within a predetermined pull-in range (up to four symbols at the maximum) from the time point when the operation of each stop button 19 to 21 is detected and stopping it. When the symbol corresponding to the internal winning combination flag does not exist within the drawing range, the symbol cannot be drawn on the winning line and stopped, so that no winning occurs and so-called losing is made.

The slot machine 2 outputs game signals shown below.
“Out signal”: a use signal that can specify the number of game values (number of use, out) used in the game. Since the number of medals in the BET state (3 or 1) is pulsed in response to the game start operation, the number of out signals × 1 is specified as out. The corresponding amount is also output when the replay winning combination is won.
“Safe signal”: a grant signal that can specify the number of game values (given number, safe) given to a player (acquired by the player). Since one pulse is output every time one medal is paid out, the number of safe signals × 1 is specified as safe. Even when the replay winning combination is won, the medals used in the game are output.

“BB signal”: a signal that can specify a BB (big bonus) state. Since the level is output during the BB state, the input of the BB signal is specified as being in the BB state. This is a jackpot signal that can identify the occurrence of a jackpot condition.
“RB signal”: a signal that can specify an RB (regular bonus) state. Since the level is output during the RB state, the RB signal being input is identified as being in the RB state. Similar to the BB signal, it is a jackpot signal that can specify the occurrence of a jackpot state.

  The display device 4 displays various game information (the number of occurrences of the BB state and the RB state, the number of start times, the number of occurrences of ART, the average number of acquisitions, etc.), a game when calling an employee of the game hall From an operation remote control (not shown) possessed by an operation unit 24 including a call button pressed by the player, a switching button pressed by the player when the game information displayed by the information display unit 23 is switched, and the like. It has a light receiving unit 25 and the like for receiving the transmitted remote control signal. The display device 4 inputs / outputs various signals to / from the control unit constituted by a microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, and I / O, the slot machine 2, each counter counting device 3 and the management device 7. It has an input / output unit.

  The display device 4 executes a control program stored in advance by the control unit, inputs a game signal (out signal, safe signal, BB signal, RB signal) output from the slot machine 2 or is operated by the player. By operating the unit 24 or receiving a remote control signal transmitted from the operation remote controller by the light receiving unit 25, various kinds of game information are displayed on the information display unit 23. In addition, when the display device 4 receives the remote control signal by the light receiving unit 25, the display device 4 outputs a signal that can specify the received remote control signal (a signal that can specify whether the signal is a count signal described later) to each counter device 3. .

  The management device 7 inputs and outputs various signals to and from the control unit constituted by a microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, and I / O, and the slot machine 2, each counter device 3, and the display device 4. Part. The management device 7 executes a control program stored in advance by the control unit, inputs a game signal (out signal, safe signal, BB signal, RB signal) output from the slot machine 2, By inputting the lending signal output from 3, the game information (out, safe, difference medal, number of BBs, number of RBs, etc.) of the slot machine 2 is totaled, or lending information (sales information) is calculated. Process.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each table counting device 3 has an operation lamp 27 indicating the operation state of each table counting device 3 on the front surface 26 a side of the housing 26, and a bill insertion for a player to insert a bill. Slot 28, a card insertion slot 29 (corresponding to a recording medium issuing means) for a player to issue a membership card or a coin card 71 (see FIG. 3, equivalent to a recording medium) or to issue a new coin card ), A password input button group 30 including a numeric keypad, a loan button 31, a count button 32, a payout button 33, an issue button 34 (corresponding to an operation means), an operation unit 35, and a remaining credit number display unit 36 for displaying the remaining credit number. , A ball number display unit 37 for displaying the number of balls (counted ball number to be described later), an outlet 38 for a player to take out medals, an insertion port 39 for a player to insert medals, and the like.

  Inside the housing 26, a discharge unit 40 (equivalent to a lending unit and a payout unit) for discharging (lending and paying out medals) and a counting unit 41 for counting medals are provided. On the back surface 26 b side of the housing 26, a supply path 42 for supplying medals to each counter counting device 3 and a recovery path 43 for recovering medals from each counter counting device 3 are provided.

  The discharge unit 40 includes a storage container 44 for storing medals, a rotating disk main body 46 having a rotating disk 45, a motor 47 for rotating the rotating disk 46, and a conveyance path 48 for transferring the medal from the rotating disk main body 46 to the above-described outlet 38. Etc. The storage container 44 is integrally formed with a transport path 49 for transporting medals to the rotating disk main body 46, and a discharge detection sensor 50 is provided in the middle of the transport path 49. In addition, a count detection sensor 51 is provided in the middle of the conveyance path 48 that is continuous from the turntable body 46 to the outlet 38.

  In the discharge unit 40, when medals are supplied from the supply path 42 through the opening 52 on the back surface 26 b of the housing 26, the supplied medals are stored in the storage container 44 and the discharge detection sensor of the transport path 49. After passing through 50, it is conveyed to the turntable body 46. Of the five holes 54 formed in the turntable 45, the medal conveyed to the turntable main body 46 is rotated counterclockwise by the motor 47 around the rotation shaft 53 by the motor 47. When it is rotated to a predetermined position in a state where it is inserted into any one of them, it is pushed out to the transport path 48 by the guide pin 55. The medal pushed out to the transport path 48 passes through the count detection sensor 51 and is then transported to the outlet 38 through the opening 56 in the front surface 26a of the housing 26 (performs lending processing and payout processing).

  The counting unit 41 basically has the same structure as the discharging unit 40 described above. The counting unit 41 includes a storage container 57 for storing medals, a rotating disk main body 59 having a rotating disk 58, a motor 60 for rotating the rotating disk 58, and a conveying path 61 for conveying medals from the rotating disk main body 59 to the collection path 43 described above. Etc. The storage container 57 is integrally formed with a transport path 62 for transporting medals to the turntable body 59, and an insertion detection sensor 63 (corresponding to an input detection means) is provided in the middle of the transport path 62. Yes. In addition, a count detection sensor 64 is provided in a midway portion of the conveyance path 61 that continues from the rotating disk main body 59 to the collection path 43.

  In the counting unit 41, when a player inserts a medal into the insertion slot 39, the inserted medal is stored in the storage container 57 through the opening portion 65 of the front surface 26 a of the housing 26, and detection of input of the transport path 62 is detected. It passes through the sensor 63 and is conveyed to the turntable body 59. Of the five holes 67 formed in the turntable 58, the medals conveyed to the turntable main body 59 are rotated counterclockwise, for example, counterclockwise around the rotation shaft 66 by the motor 60 by the motor 60. When it is rotated to a predetermined position with being inserted into any one of them, it is pushed out to the conveyance path 61 by the guide pin 68. The medal pushed out to the transport path 61 passes through the count detection sensor 64 and is transported to the recovery path 43 through the opening 69 on the back surface 26b of the housing 26. Then, the medals transported to the collection path 43 are transported by the belt conveyor 70 (counting processing is executed).

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of each counter unit 3. The control unit 72 (corresponding to the counted number of possessed balls calculating means, the specifying means, and the theoretical number of possessed balls calculating means) is composed of a microcomputer having a CPU 72a, ROM 72b, RAM 72c, and I / O 72d. 35, the remaining credit number display unit 36, the number of possessed balls display unit 37, the bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 28 (determines the type and number), and the card insertion slot 29. Read or update the member ID and the number of balls recorded on the member card, read or update the counted number of balls recorded on the coin voucher 71 inserted in the card insertion slot 29, A card processing unit 74 (corresponding to a reading unit) that records the number of counting possessed balls on the issued coin ticket 71, a discharge unit 40, and a counting unit 41 are connected.

  The control unit 72 lends or pays out medals by outputting a drive command signal to the motor 47 of the discharge unit 40. At this time, the discharge detection sensor 50 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 72 every time the medal passes, and the control unit 72 detects the lending or payout of the medal by inputting the detection signal from the discharge detection sensor 50. To do. The count detection sensor 51 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 72 every time a medal passes, and the control unit 72 receives the detection signal from the count detection sensor 51 to be lent out or paid out. Detect the number of medals.

  Similarly, the controller 72 counts medals inserted by the player by outputting a drive command signal to the motor 60 of the counter 41. At this time, the insertion detection sensor 63 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 72 every time a medal passes, and the control unit 72 detects the insertion of the medal by inputting the detection signal from the insertion detection sensor 63. The count detection sensor 64 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 72 every time a medal passes, and the control unit 72 detects the number of inserted medals by inputting the detection signal from the count detection sensor 64. To do.

Each counter device 3 performs the following operation by executing a control program stored in advance by the control unit 72.
(1) Four types of banknotes such as “thousand-yen bills”, “2,000-yen bills”, “5,000-yen bills”, and “10,000-yen bills” can be accepted at the bill insertion slot 28, and any bill Is received at the bill insertion slot 28, 50 medals are lent out by the discharge unit 40 by performing a lending process. That is, for example, if the medal lending unit price is 20 yen, medals corresponding to 1000 yen are lent out. In this case, if a bill of “thousand-yen bills” is received at the bill insertion slot 28, 50 medals equivalent to 1000 yen are lent and the remaining credit number (amount not converted into medals) is 0 yen. If a bill of “5,000 yen bill” is received at the bill insertion slot 28, 50 medals corresponding to 1000 yen are lent out and the remaining credit number is stored as 4000 yen. A lending signal is output in one pulse every time five medals are lent. That is, when lending 50 medals corresponding to 1000 yen, a lending signal is output with 10 pulses. The number of lending signals × 5 corresponds to the number of rented medals, and a value obtained by multiplying the number of rented medals by the lending unit price corresponds to the sales amount. In a state where there is a remaining credit number, every time the player presses the lending button 31, medals for 1,000 yen are lent out by the discharging unit 40, and the remaining credit number is updated.

  (2) When the insertion detection sensor detects a medal in response to the player inserting a medal into the insertion slot 39, the counting unit 41 counts the medals conveyed from the insertion slot 39 to the counting unit 41 (rotary disk). 58 is rotated to convey the medal to the count detection sensor 64). In addition, for example, when the rotation of the turntable 58 is stopped when a medal is jammed, the medal is counted by the counting unit 41 even when the player presses the counting button 32.

  (3) Holding obtained by subtracting the out specified by the out signal input from the slot machine 2 from the sum of the number of medals lent by the discharging unit 40 (the number of balls lent) and the safe specified by the safe signal input from the slot machine 2 The number of balls is calculated as the theoretical number of balls (number of balls rented + safe-out). The calculated theoretical number of balls is compared with a predetermined count lower limit (a set value on the game hall side, for example, 60 sheets, which is a value equal to or greater than the issue lower limit described later). If it is above, the counting possible state for counting is set, while if the theoretical number of balls is less than the counting lower limit number, the counting impossible state for not counting is set. When the count disabled state is set, even when the insertion detection sensor detects a medal or when the player presses the count button 32, the medal is not counted (the medal count detection sensor 64 without rotating the turntable 58). Not transported). The counting button 32 is lit yellow when counting is possible, and is off when counting is not possible. That is, the player can grasp the counting possible state by confirming that the counting button 32 is lit yellow, and can grasp the counting impossible state by confirming that the counting button 32 is turned off. However, in the state where the membership card is inserted, the countable state is always set regardless of whether or not the theoretical number of balls is equal to or greater than the lower limit number of counts.

  (4) When the non-countable state is set, an operation possessed by a game hall employee so as to correspond to the case where the player accidentally inserts a medal despite the non-countable state In response to a remote control signal (counting signal) from the remote controller, the count disabled state is temporarily canceled. In addition, the operation of the person in charge of the wagon service is to handle the case where the player uses the wagon service (a service in which the person in charge goes to the player who is playing and exchanges money and prizes). In response to a remote control signal (counting signal) from the remote controller, the count disabled state is temporarily canceled.

(5) The number of held balls obtained by subtracting the payout value paid out by the discharging unit 40 from the count value counted by the counting unit 41 is calculated as the counted number of held balls.
(6) When the player depresses the payout button 33, if the counted number of possessed balls is 50 or more, the discharge unit 40 pays out medals in units of 50 within that range. If the counted number of held balls is less than 50, all the medals less than 50 are paid out by the discharge unit 40.

  (7) When the player presses the issuance button 34, the counted number of possessed balls is recorded on the possessed ticket 71, and the possessed ticket 71 recording the counted number of retained balls is issued from the card insertion slot 29, A signal associating the ID unique to the issued coin card (the coin card ID) with the counted number of coins is output to the management device 7. However, in the case where the counted number of possessed balls is less than a predetermined issuance lower limit number (a set value on the game hall side, for example, 50 cards), the coined ball ticket 71 is not issued. That is, since the counting lower limit number (for example, 60 sheets) that is the determination criterion for not performing the counting process described above is larger than the issuance lower limit number (for example, 50 sheets) that is the determination criterion for not issuing the holding ticket 71, If the error between the counted number of balls and the theoretical number of balls is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting the counting lower limit number from the issuing lower limit number, the counting process is not necessarily performed in the situation where the holding ball ticket 71 is not issued. If the player presses the issue button 34 with a member card inserted, the stored ball information (the number of stored balls on the day) corresponding to the ID of the member card is updated regardless of the counted number of held balls. After that, a membership card is issued from the card insertion slot 29.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the counting determination process performed by each of the counters 3 in connection with the present invention. Each counter 3 performs count determination processing periodically at a predetermined cycle when the power is turned on. Each of the counter counting devices 3 calculates (updates) the theoretical number of balls one by one every time the medals are lent out by the discharge unit 40 and every time an out signal or a safe signal is input from the slot machine 2.

  When each counting device 3 starts the count determination process, it compares the latest theoretical number of balls with the lower count limit and determines whether or not the theoretical number of balls is equal to or greater than the count lower limit (S1). When each counter 3 determines that the theoretical number of balls is equal to or greater than the lower limit of counting (S1: YES), it sets a countable flag to “1” (S2) (cancels the count disabled state). That is, each counter 3 maintains “1” if the countable flag is set to “1”, and from “0” to “0” if the countable flag is set to “0”. Change to 1 ”. On the other hand, when each of the counter units 3 determines that the theoretical number of balls is not equal to or greater than the lower limit count (less than the lower limit count) (S1: NO), the countable flag is set to “0” (S3) ( Set the count disabled state). That is, each counter 3 maintains “0” if the countable flag is set to “0”, and from “1” to “1” if the countable flag is set to “1”. Change to "0". As described above, each of the counting devices 3 sets the countable flag that is a criterion for determining whether or not to perform the counting process according to whether or not the theoretical number of balls is equal to or greater than the lower limit of counting to “1” or “0”. Selectively set to any of the above.

  Next, each vehicle counting device 3 determines whether or not the insertion of medals has been detected (S4), determines whether or not the player has pressed the counting button 22 (S5), and count signals from the operation remote controller It is determined whether the reception to the display device 4 is detected (S6).

  When it is determined that the insertion of medals has been detected (S4: YES), each vehicle counter 3 determines whether or not the countable flag is set to “1” at that time (S7), and counts at that time. If it is determined that the possible flag is set to “1” (S7: YES), the motor 60 of the counting unit 41 is driven to rotate the rotating disk 58 so that the medals pass through the count detection sensor 64. The counting process is performed (S8). Each unit counting device 3 determines that the insertion of medals has been detected, but if it determines that the countable flag is not set to “1” at that time (S7: NO), it does not perform the counting process. Return.

  Further, when each of the counter counting devices 3 determines that the player has pressed the counting button 22 (S5: YES), also in this case, it is determined whether or not the countable flag is set to “1” at that time. If it is determined that the countable flag is set to “1” at that time (S7: YES), the motor 60 of the counting unit 41 is driven to rotate the rotating plate 58 to detect the medal count. The sample is conveyed so as to pass through the sensor 64, and a counting process is performed (S8). Each of the counter counting devices 3 determines that the player has pressed the count button 22, but determines that the countable flag is not set to “1” at that time (S7: NO). Also in this case, the process returns without performing the counting process.

  In addition, each counter device 3 determines whether or not a counting signal from the operation remote controller is received by the display device 4 in response to the operation of the game remote control or the person in charge of the wagon service using the operation remote controller. Then (S6: YES), in this case, the counting process is performed regardless of whether or not the countable flag is set to “1” at that time (S8).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in each of the counter counting devices 3, the number of possessed balls obtained by subtracting out from the sum of the lent medal number and the safe is calculated as the theoretical number of retained balls, and the calculated theoretical The number of balls is compared with the lower limit number set in advance by the amusement hall. If the theoretical number of balls is less than the lower limit number, the counting process is not performed. It is possible to avoid a situation where the ticket 71 cannot be issued, and to reduce the player's discomfort.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified or expanded as follows.
When the number of possessed balls 71 in which the counted number of possessed balls is recorded is more than a first predetermined number (for example, “1”), the counted number of retained balls is the second. The counting process may be performed until the predetermined number (for example, “0”) is reached, and switching may be performed so that the counting is not performed when the counted number of possessed balls reaches the second predetermined number. It is possible to set a non-countable state only for a case where a new coin betting ticket 71 is issued.

The count lower limit number and the issue lower limit number may be numerical values other than those exemplified.
The lending part and the payout part may be provided separately. In addition, the lending unit, the counting unit, and the payout unit may be provided as separate devices as long as they are provided for each slot machine 2.

The target gaming machine is not limited to the slot machine 2 and may be a pachinko machine or the like. The gaming machine is not limited to a gaming machine that pays out a gaming medium corresponding to the gaming value, but may be a so-called encapsulated or credit type gaming machine that adds and stores the gaming value as electronic data. Considering this point, game media and electronic data are included and expressed as game value.
For example, a part of information processing performed by each of the counter counting devices 3 may be performed by another device such as the relay device 5 or the management device 7 calculating the theoretical number of balls. In other words, each counter includes a broad concept including the relay device 5, the management device 7, and the like.

  In the drawings, 2 is a slot machine (game machine), 3 is a counter counting device (game media counting device), 29 is a card insertion slot (recording medium issuing means), 34 is an issue button (operating means), and 40 is a discharge unit. (Lending part, paying part), 41 is a counting part, 71 is a possession ticket (recording medium), 72 is a control part (counted number of possessed balls calculating means, specifying means, theoretical number of possessed balls), 74 is a card A processing unit (reading means).

Claims (2)

Compatible with game machines that output a game signal including a use signal that can specify the number of games used in the game, and a grant signal that can specify the number of games given to the player. A lending unit that executes a lending process that lends game media in response to receipt of money, a counting unit that performs counting processing that counts game media input from the outside, and a game counted by the counting unit A game medium counting device comprising a payout unit for executing payout processing for paying out game media within a range of the medium,
Counted number-of-balls calculation means for calculating the number of balls already counted by subtracting the number of game media paid out by the payout unit from the number of game media counted by the counting unit;
Operation means for a player to operate to issue a recording medium on which information capable of specifying the counted number of owned balls calculated by the counted number of owned balls is recorded;
A recording medium issuing means for issuing the recording medium in response to an operation of the operating means when the counted number of possessed balls is equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit number of issuance;
A specifying means for specifying the number of uses and the number of grants based on the input of the game signal;
A theoretical number-of-balls calculating means for calculating a theoretical number of balls that is obtained by subtracting the used number specified by the specifying means from the sum of the number of game media lent by the lending unit and the number of grants specified by the specifying means; ,
Reading means for receiving the recording medium and reading the counted number of possessed balls ,
The counting unit is a counter that does not perform the counting process when the theoretical number of balls calculated by the theoretical number-of-balls calculating means is less than a predetermined count lower limit set to a value equal to or greater than the issue lower limit. When the number of theoretically held balls is set and the theoretical number of balls is equal to or greater than the predetermined lower limit number of counts, the counting disabled state is canceled , and the reading means receives the recording medium and reads the counted number of held balls Is equal to or greater than the first predetermined number, the counting process is enabled until the counted number of retained balls reaches 0, which is the second predetermined number, while the counted number of retained balls is the second predetermined number. The game medium counting device is switched to the count-disabled state when 0 is reached . 2. The game medium counting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lending unit and the payout unit are the same .

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