JP5330093B2 - Amusement system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a convenient game hall system without giving an unnecessary loss to a player or a game hall even when a failure occurs in a counter for each game machine. <P>SOLUTION: A management device 4 manages an own ball unsettlement history. When the own balls to be specified by the own ball unsettlement history are compensated with respect to the player when the failure occurs in the counter 3 for each game machine, the risk of a disadvantage in the player or the game hall is reduced even when the own balls are not confirmed in the counter 3 for each game machine. In this case, the management device 4 previously successively updates own ball information before detecting the failure in response to the performance of updating processing, thereby specifying the approximate number of own balls even when the own ball information is not obtained from the counter 3 for each game machine when the failure occurs. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for a game hall provided corresponding to a gaming machine in which a lending device can acquire game media according to a game.

  At the amusement hall, a counting machine is provided for each gaming machine for reasons such as it is cumbersome to carry the outgoing balls earned by gaming at the gaming machine to the counter at the island edge, and the balls that are counted by that counting machine are specified. A system for issuing possible recording media has been introduced. In this case, for example, a counter as disclosed in Patent Document 1 (hereinafter referred to as “counter for each table”) is employed.

JP 2005-253664 A

In the case of adopting a counter-by-unit counting device as in Patent Document 1, an issuing process is performed to associate the counted balls with a recording medium such as a visitor card in which a unique ID is stored. is there.
In the counting device for each table, the counting process is executed every time a game is obtained other than at the end of the game. However, when an abnormal state occurs in the counter for each unit, such as a failure, there is a possibility that it is not possible to specify the number of balls that have already been counted with only the counter for each unit. There is a risk of losing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an easy-to-use game that does not cause unnecessary loss to the player or the game arcade even if an abnormality occurs in the counter for each unit. It is to provide a field system.

The present invention is provided in correspondence with a gaming machine capable of acquiring a game medium according to a game, and receives a game medium acquired by a game by a player and performs a counting process for counting the received game medium And storage means for storing the ball information capable of specifying the number of balls that indicate the number of game media possessed by the player, and the game media as a consideration for the ball that is specified by the ball information stored in the storage means A payout means for performing a payout process for paying out a coin, and an issuing means for performing an issue process for associating a ball that is specified by the ball information stored in the storage means in accordance with a predetermined issuing operation with a predetermined recording medium , An accepting means for accepting the recording medium, an update process for updating the counting information, the payout process, the issuing process, and an update process for updating the ball information stored in the storage means in accordance with the accepting process and means A gaming system in the game arcade provided with a number of devices,
With the ball management means for managing the ball management information capable of specifying the ball for each counting device, the abnormality detection means for detecting that a predetermined abnormality has occurred in the counting device, and the abnormality detection means An abnormality history management means for managing abnormality history information each time an abnormality is detected, and an output means for outputting abnormality history information managed by the abnormality history management means,
The possession management means updates the possession management information by receiving the possession output information that can specify the number of possessions output from the counting device in response to the update processing by the update means. The abnormality history managing means, when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting means, the identification information of the counting device in which the abnormality is detected, and the holding ball from the counting device at the time when the abnormality is detected. Even if the output information cannot be obtained, the number of possession balls specified by the possession management information managed by the possession management means at the time when the abnormality is detected for the counting device is specified, and the identification Information that can identify the identification information of the counting device and the number of possessed balls is managed as the abnormality history information (claim 1).

2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein a communication state is determined for each of the counting devices to determine whether or not a communication state with the ball management unit is normal, and to identify the counting device in which the communication state is not normal. a specifying unit, the predetermined precision calculation operation is performed, and compulsory if the fine calculation condition is satisfied, can be lifting piece information identifying the lifting balls than a predetermined number established by celebrated a predetermined time and forced fine calculation specifying means for specifying the counting apparatus comprising a storage means for storing, each portion of a failure in the counting device, and of fraud, errors identifying the counting device in which the error detection of at least one of the detection A specific means,
The abnormality detecting means detects that the predetermined abnormality has occurred in the counting device on the condition that the counting device has been specified by the error specifying means, and also detects the communication state specifying means or the forced precision. Subject to more that the counting device is identified in Sante stage detects an abnormality of the predetermined at the counting device has occurred, the abnormality history management means, as the abnormality history information, the abnormality detecting means It is also possible to manage which condition is detected when an abnormality is detected by (Claim 2).

3. The game field system according to claim 1, wherein the possession ball management means outputs an out indicating the number of game media used for a game of a gaming machine corresponding to the counting device, and the number of game media paid out by the game. And the theoretical number that is the theoretical number of possessed balls that represents the value subtracted from the total value of the number of loans that indicate the number of game media lent to a player who plays a game with a predetermined valuable value as consideration. The number of balls is specified for each gaming machine and managed in association with the number of balls held in the counting device corresponding to the gaming machine, and the output means is the time when the abnormality is detected as the abnormality history information In addition to the number of possessed balls in the above, the number of possessed balls corresponding to the counting device managed by the retained ball managing means at the time of output of the abnormality history information, and the theory of the gaming machine corresponding to the counting device The number of balls Compare can better be output (claim 3).

The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the counting device determines whether it is an online state in which communication with the coin management unit is normal or an offline state in which an abnormality has occurred. Communication status determination means, and when the communication status determination means determines that the online status is present, the holding ball output information is managed in accordance with the updating of the holding ball information by the updating means. If it is determined that it is in the offline state, the number of possessed balls specified by the possessed ball information updated by the updating unit is updated by a predetermined number even when the issuing process is not performed. In response to this, it is possible to provide switching execution means for executing a writing process for writing the ball recording information capable of specifying the number of balls to the recording medium (claim 4). .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the abnormality history is managed and output is possible, if the ball specified by the abnormality history is compensated for the player when the abnormality occurs in the counting device, Even if the counting balls cannot be confirmed by the counting device, it is possible to reduce the possibility of a disadvantage occurring in the player or the game hall. In this case, the ball management means updates the ball management information from time to time before the abnormality is detected according to the update process being performed, so it is impossible to obtain the ball output information from the counting device when an abnormality occurs. Both will be able to specify the approximate number of balls.

According to the invention of claim 2, when it is necessary to compensate the holding ball, an abnormality history can be accurately created. In other words, the disconnection of the counting device, the next day to the fine calculation application by the player who has a fine calculated forget, can identify a lifting ball at the time of the error of the counting device.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the following routine is assumed when compensating the holding ball. That is, if the counting device can specify the number of balls, the number of balls is compensated. If it is not possible to identify the number of balls, if the consistency between the output current number of balls and the theoretical number of balls is consistent, the number of balls is compensated. If the consistency is not achieved, and abnormal creation condition of the abnormality history is a responsibility in arcade such as a disconnection, lifting piece count of the abnormality history, consistent theoretical lifting ball speed and at the current time point outputted If there is, the number of possessed balls or the theoretical number of balls is compensated. Also, if the consistency is not taken, or if the abnormal history creation conditions are responsible to the player such as fraud etc., the player is asked about the circumstances, but the number of balls in the abnormal history according to the circumstances, The number of balls to be expected is compensated by referring to other game information such as the theoretical number of balls currently held or the number of jackpots. That is, as the latter is true, the matching rate with the actual number of balls is lower, but it is possible to accurately support the stepwise specification of the number of balls to be compensated.

  According to the invention of claim 4, when there is no certainty about the number of balls to be compensated when viewed from the game hall side, such as when the precision is low, that is, the number of balls held by the ball management means cannot be specified. Even in the offline state, every time a predetermined number of balls are updated, the recording medium is written, so even if the number of balls to be compensated in a state of high anxiety is specified, the recording medium Based on the specified number of balls, the number of balls that can be convinced by the player or the game hall can be compensated.

Schematic which shows the whole structure of the game system in one Embodiment of this invention. Front view of each counter 1 is a perspective view of a card reader unit with a cover opened (No. 1). The perspective view of the card reader unit shown by opening the cover (part 2) The figure which shows an example of the possession management setting set to the management apparatus It shows a Jidamahitsuji seminal calculation history display example Diagram showing terminal storage area The figure which shows the example of a payment history display by a liquid crystal display part Flow chart showing status display LED processing by the counter for each table The flowchart which shows the status display processing by the counter for every stand The flowchart which shows the set start process by the counter for every stand Flow chart showing processing during setting by the counter for each table Flow chart showing discharge signal reception processing by the counter for each table The flowchart which shows the juggling ticket acceptance processing with the counter for every stand The flowchart which shows the ticketing operation processing by the counter for every stand The flowchart which shows the storage ball operation processing with the counter for every stand

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a game hall system. A lending device 2 and a counting device (unit for each unit) 3 are installed in the game hall corresponding to the gaming machine 1, and a management device 4 is installed in the management room. The relay device 5 is connected to two gaming machines 1, two lending devices 2, two unit counting devices 3, and a management device 4. The management device 4 manages the gaming machine 1 by receiving a gaming signal transmitted from the gaming machine side (the gaming machine 1, the lending device 2, the per-counter counting device 3) via the relay device 5. Although omitted in FIG. 1, several hundred gaming machines 1 are actually managed by the management device 4.

  The gaming machine 1 to be managed performs a jackpot lottery in accordance with a prize (start prize) at the start port 6, notifies the lottery result by a symbol variation performed on the display unit 7, and a jackpot state according to the variation result It becomes. When a big hit occurs, the grand prize winning opening 8 is opened for 15 rounds (R). In addition, the upper limit winning number of 1R is 10, the upper limit opening time is 30 seconds, and 1R is ended when either the upper limit winning number or the upper limit opening time is satisfied.

The next game signal is output from the gaming machine side.
Out signal = Output from out BOX that collects used balls. Since there is one pulse for 10 recovered (used and driven) balls, the number of out signals × 10 is specified as the number of used media (out). In addition, you may output from the gaming machine 1 (usage medium signal).
Safe signal = output from gaming machine 1 Since there are 1 pulse for 10 payout balls, the number of safe signals × 10 is specified as the number of payout media (safe). The replenishment signal from the replenishing device may be a safe signal (payout medium signal).
Jackpot signal = output from gaming machine 1 Since it is a state signal that outputs a level during the jackpot, it is determined that the jackpot signal is being received as a jackpot.
Sales signal = output from lending device 2 Since there is one pulse for every 25 balls lent to the player, the sales signal × 25 is specified as the number of sales balls, and the sales ball × ball unit price is specified as the sales amount.
Replay signal = output from the lending device 2. Outputs the number of replayable balls when paying replay balls based on stored balls.
Management apparatus 4 (storage means, lifting ball management means, the abnormality detecting means, the abnormality history management means, output means, the normal state specifying means, forced seminal calculation specifying means, corresponds to the error identification means) includes a control unit, HDD including a CPU A storage unit including a RAM and a ROM, a transmission / reception unit including an interface for transmitting and receiving signals, an output unit including a monitor and a printer, and an operation unit including a keyboard and a mouse. The management device 4 has the following functions in addition to the function of aggregating the gaming information for each gaming machine ID (so-called machine number) individually assigned to the gaming machine 1 and specifying the aggregated calculation value.

(1) The number of stored balls (corresponding to valuable value), which is the number of game media deposited in the game hall for each member ID, is stored.
(2) When a replay process (replay ball payout) is performed by a replay operation of the lending device 2, the number of stored balls obtained by adding a predetermined number of replay balls to the replay balls is used as the price. Subtract from the number of balls of the corresponding member ID.
(3) Each table counting device 3 is provided with a table-based holding ball information storage area (not shown), and each table holding device information indicating that is received from the table counting device 3 every time there is an update of the number of balls to be described later. To update the information. Also, according to the out, safe, sales signal, and replay signal from the gaming machine side, the number of theoretical prize balls (corresponding to the number of theoretical prized balls. The number of theoretical prize balls = number of sales balls + number of replay balls + safe-out ). The replay balls are replay balls based on the stored balls, and do not include the payout balls for subtracting the number of balls.
(4) A ticket storage area (not shown) for storing the type, the number of balls, etc. for each possessed ticket that is issued by the counter counting device 3 is provided. It is updated when the possession information is received according to the betting ticket reception process.
(5) performing a lifting ball non seminal calculation management described below for managing a lifting ball which is not settled.
The management device 4 stores a ball management setting as a setting necessary for managing the counter counting device 3 for each unit.

FIG. 5 shows the coin management setting by the management device 4, and the following items are set. These items are registered at the same time by being transmitted to the counter unit 3. Moreover, although FIG. 5 is set according to the lending unit price, any type may be adopted.
The number of balls can be deleted by operating the end ball clear button of the employee remote control when the number of balls in the counter unit 3 is less than the number of balls in the set, and the number of balls can be deleted. You can insert a coin card that has been stored.
The minimum number of balls to issue a Juki-tama ticket is the minimum number of balls to issue a Juki-tama ticket.
Number of lockable ticket issuance locks = Setting when using the ticket lock function described later.
(6) When the store is closed, a settlement signal is transmitted to all the counters 3 for each vehicle. In this case, the counting device 3 for each unit that has received the settlement signal performs a process of issuing a coin-to-ball ticket if the number of coins stored by itself is equal to or greater than the “number of coins” and the coin-bearing ticket is in a set state to be described later. On the other hand, when the number is less than the “number of end balls”, the number of held balls is deleted (initialized) in the same manner as the end ball clear button operation described above. Of course, if the issuance process is performed, the above-described storage area for each ticket is updated, and if the edge is cleared, a history is created on the assumption that a “reason for detection”, which will be described later, has occurred.

The lending device 2 is configured as a so-called CR sand and has the following functions.
(1) When a so-called member card or visitor card in which a unique ID is recorded can be received at the card insertion slot 9 and money is inserted into the money insertion slot 10 in the received state, it is associated with the ID. The value (value) is memorized.
(2) If a predetermined number (about 5) of visitor cards can be stocked and money is received without receiving a membership card or visitor card, the valuable value of money is recorded on the stocked visitor card. , Put the visitor card in the acceptance state.
(3) When a lending button (not shown) provided in the gaming machine 1 is pressed in a state where the valuable value can be specified, a ball (corresponding to a gaming medium) is paid out from the payout opening of the gaming machine 1 based on the valuable value. Send a sales signal.
(4) If a membership card is received, payout by replay (replay processing) using the stored ball as a consideration in accordance with the pressing operation on the replay button 11 is possible. In this case, the replay ball is lent. Like a ball, pay out from a payout outlet (not shown) of the gaming machine 1 and send a replay signal.
(5) When the press of the return button 12 is accepted in a state where the card is accepted, the accepted card is discharged.
(6) The information display unit 13 can display lending or storage ball related information, and can display game information and the like related to various corresponding gaming machines 1 if a predetermined condition such as receiving a membership card is satisfied.
(7) Corresponding management devices correspond not only to the management device 4 corresponding to the counter counting device 3 but also to a management device of a card company (not shown). The balance corresponding to the value is managed by a card company management device.

  The per-counter counting device 3 is connected to the management device 4 and the lending device 2 via the relay device 5 and can transmit and receive various information. The counter unit 3 includes a control unit (corresponding to a payout unit, an issuing unit, a receiving unit, an updating unit, a communication state determining unit, a switching execution unit), a storage unit such as a RAM and a ROM (corresponding to a storage unit). A transmission / reception unit (corresponding to switching execution means) including an interface for transmitting / receiving signals is provided.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the counter counting device 3. The counter counting device 3 includes a device main body 14 (corresponding to counting means), a status display LED 15, a storage ball button 16, a liquid crystal display unit 17, a ticket issuing button 18 that lights when a ticket can be issued, and a ball dispensing nozzle 19 (corresponding to dispensing means). , A payout button 20, a remote control light receiving unit 21, a holding ticket insertion slot 22 (equivalent to an issuing unit and a receiving unit) having a surrounding display unit 22 a, and a tray unit 23. The ball that has fallen from the receiving tray 24 is received by the receiving tray section 23 and counted by a counting section (corresponding to counting means). The counting unit is disposed at the lower part of the apparatus main body 14. The balls thus counted are specified as holding balls as will be described later, and can be paid out from the ball dispensing nozzle 19 to the upper ball tray 25 of the gaming machine 1 by a dispensing operation (depressing the dispensing button 20) by the player. It is possible to issue a coin-to-ball ticket composed of an IC card in which the number of coins is recorded. The counter-by-unit counting device 3 can stock up to a predetermined number (10) of possession cards, one of which is stored in the possession ticket by the card reader unit when a set condition described later is established. A set state is set in which reading and writing of information stored in the storage unit with respect to the possession ticket can be performed (reading enabled state).

  3 and 4 are perspective views of the card reader unit shown with the cover open. The card reader unit 26 is incorporated in the apparatus main body 14 as a replaceable unit, and can be inspected or replaced by opening the cover 29. In the open state of the cover 29, as shown in FIG. 3, a coin card 30 (corresponding to a recording medium) stocked in a stock part 27 provided inside the cover 29, and a set part 28 as shown in FIG. It becomes possible to take out the possession ticket 30 in the set state described above.

The per-counter 3 is provided with a terminal storage area shown in FIG. 7, and the following items are set.
Current state = whether it is online with the management apparatus 4 or offline.
Whether or not the set state = the holding ball is in a set state (ready state).
Locked state = Is it in a locked state where ticketing processing cannot be performed unless a membership card is received?
Member card = If the member card is accepted by the corresponding lending device 2, the ID is recorded.
Stock = Number of coin tickets in stock. Note that the holding coin ticket 30 in the set state is excluded. That is, as will be described later, this is added when the possession ticket 30 is stocked, such as acceptance of a possession ticket 30 having a possession number of 0 or cancellation of the set state, and the possession ticket 30 corresponding to reception of the discharge signal. Is subtracted when the stocked card 30 is taken out, such as when the card is discharged or the set state is started. Note that the number may be corrected by a physical sensor or the like that detects that a predetermined number such as zero has been reached. In addition, the number of possession tickets described below is the number of stocks if there is no possession coin ticket 30 in the set state, while if there is a possession coin ticket 30 in the set state, the number of possession tickets 30 in the set state (one sheet) ) To identify.
Receiving coin voucher = type of coin possession ticket 30 in the set state. Either an online ticket, an offline ticket, or a lock ticket. Incidentally, since the type is stored in the possession ticket 30 according to the state at the time of issuance, the information is read and specified.
Received ball number = the number of held balls specified by the received ball ticket 30 in the set state.
Counting balls = the number of balls counted by the counting unit.
Payout balls = the number of balls paid back in response to pressing of the payout button 20.
The number of balls acquired by a player who can perform a payout process, a payout process, an issuance process, and a saveball process (= a reception ball + a counting ball-a payout ball).
In addition, each item of the above-mentioned reception possession ticket to possession ball is initialized at the time of ticketing processing. This means that even if the membership card is discharged from the lending device 2, it is not initialized.

Next, the operation of the counter unit 3 will be described.
The counter for each unit 3 controls the lighting state according to the number of possessed tickets (the number of stocks + the number of retained coins in the set state) with the status display LED 15, and as a process for that purpose, the status display LED in the main routine Processing is executed periodically. In the status display LED process shown in FIG. 9, it is determined whether the number of possessed tickets is 10 or 0 (A1). If applicable (A1: YES), purple blinking is started (A5). This purple flashing indicates an abnormality of the coin-carrying ticket 30. If the coin-carrying ticket 30 is lost and cannot be issued, “C 0” is displayed at the bottom of the liquid crystal display unit 17 and “ Is displayed. In the case where the number of possession tickets is 10 and the possession ticket 30 cannot be inserted, “C FULL” is displayed at the bottom of the liquid crystal display unit 17. When the number of possessed tickets is one (A2: YES), or even if the number of possessed tickets is two but the number of stock is one (A3: YES), purple lighting is started ( A6). This purple light indicates that the coin card is inspected, and “C 1” is displayed at the bottom of the liquid crystal display unit 17 when the stock number is 1, and “C 0” is displayed when the stock number is 0.

  Accordingly, the employee confirms the display on the liquid crystal display unit 17 when the status display LED 15 of the counter unit 3 is blinking purple at the start of business or during business, and the number of coins is zero. Replenishes one or more coin cards 30. In this case, as will be described later, when the number of possessed balls counted during the operation is equal to or greater than the ticket issuing lower limit number of balls, the supplemented possession ticket 30 is already set in the set unit 28. Cannot be refilled, but if it is empty, replenish 5 or 6 sheets. Further, when the status display LED 15 is lit in purple, the coin voucher 30 will soon be lost, so when the card becomes empty during business, four or five coin vouchers 30 are replenished.

When the number of stocks becomes 2 or more as described above (A3: NO), the per-counter counting device 3 is turned off (A4). Accordingly, it is normal that the status display LED 15 is turned off, and in other cases, some processing is required.
In addition to the above-described status display LED process, the counter for counting apparatus 3 periodically executes a status display process in the main routine. In this state display process, the handling of the possession ticket 30 and the state relating to the possession ticket 30 are displayed in the surrounding display section 22 a of the possession ticket insertion slot 22. In the status display process shown in FIG. 10, whether the holding ball ticket 30 is being set (B1), whether the number of holding balls is more than the end ball (B2), whether the holding ball ticket 30 has been received (B3), or whether a discharge signal has been received (B4), it is determined whether the ticket issuing button 18 has been pressed down (corresponding to an issuing operation) (B6) or whether the storage ball button 16 has been pressed down (B7).

  When the player drops the ball acquired from the gaming machine 1 from the lower ball receiving tray 24, the dropped ball is received by the receiving portion 23 of the counter unit 3 and counted by the counting unit. While counting balls, the number of balls held on the liquid crystal display unit 17 is displayed. Thus, in the state with the number of balls, it becomes possible to pay out the balls, and when the player depresses the payout button 20 of the counting device 3 for each unit, within the range of the number of balls, in the ball management setting of FIG. The balls of the “long ball paying unit” are paid out from the ball paying nozzle 19 to the upper ball receiving tray 25 of the gaming machine 1, and the number of held balls is reduced accordingly.

  Now, in consideration of the convenience of the player, the counting device 3 for each table stocks a plurality of possession tickets 30 and issues one possession ticket 30 of the stock. In order to cope with the fact that the writing process of information is structurally difficult in the stock state of the coin ticket 30, in the case of a configuration in which the coin ticket 30 is issued after the possession ticket 30 is made writable at the end of the game, the issuing process Takes time and is annoying.

  Therefore, the counting device 3 for each table is in a state where the coin-holding ticket 30 is not set in the setting unit 28 (B1: NO), and the player's possession number is “the number of end balls” in the possession management setting of FIG. If it is above (B2: YES), it is determined that the set condition is satisfied, and the set start process is executed (B10). In the set start process shown in FIG. 11, when the number of stocked tickets 30 is one or more (C1: YES), the stocked tickets 30 in stock are set (C2). At this time, if it is online with the management device 4 (C3: YES), white lighting is started at the peripheral display portion 22a of the holding ticket insertion slot 22 (C4), and when offline (C3: NO), green Lights up (C5). Therefore, the player or the employee can determine in what state the writing on the coin card 30 is performed by the lighting color (white, green).

The counting device 3 for each unit executes the in-setting process (B9) while the holding coin ticket 30 is being set (B1: YES). In the in-setting process shown in FIG. 12, it is determined whether it is offline (D1), the lock condition is satisfied (D4), or the number of holding balls is less than the “number of end balls” (D7).
When the player has almost used up his own balls and the number of his own balls is less than the “number of end balls” (D7: YES), the set state is released and the coin ball ticket 30 is stocked (D8). At this time, if the number of stocks becomes 10 (D9: YES), purple blinking is started to indicate that the coin card 30 cannot be accepted (D10). Accordingly, the employee checks the number of stocks of the possession ticket 30 when the periphery of the possession ticket insertion slot 22 of the counter counting device 3 blinks in purple, and if the stock number is large, the employee is shown to adjust it. The discharge button is pushed down with the remote control of the employee not facing the counter unit 3 being counted.

When receiving the discharge signal from the employee remote control (B4: YES), the per-counter counting device 3 executes the discharge signal receiving process (B5). In the discharge signal reception process shown in FIG. 13, if there is a stock of possession ticket 30 (E1: NO), eject the possession ticket 30 in stock (E2), and if there is stock regardless of the discharge (E3: NO), the light is turned off (E5). On the other hand, if the number of stocks becomes 0 as a result of discharging the coin-carrying ticket 30 (E3: YES), purple blinking is started (E4). Therefore, when the number of stocks is 0 when the employee blinks purple, the employee replenishes the possession ticket 30 because the possession ticket 30 is discharged too much. When the employee inserts the coin-to-ball ticket 30 into the coin-card-inserting slot 22 of the counter-by-unit counting device 3, the counter-by-unit counter 3 accepts the coin-to-ball ticket 30 (B3: YES), and executes the coin-to-ball ticket receiving process. (B11). In the possession ticket acceptance process shown in FIG. 14, if the stock number is 10 (F1: YES), the possession ticket 30 is not accepted because the upper limit has been reached, but otherwise (F1: NO) If the number of possessed balls recorded in the voucher 30 is collated and it is 0 (F2: NO), the stocked voucher 30 is stocked as being replenished (F10), and if the stock count is other than 10 (F11: NO) continues to be extinguished (F13), and if there are 10 (F11: YES), purple blinking is started (F12).
When the player issues a ball ticket 30 in which the number of balls is recorded, the ticket issuing button 18 (lit in the set state) of the unit counting device 3 is pressed down. When the ticket issuing button 18 is pressed by the player (B6: YES), the per-unit counting device 3 executes a ticket issuing operation process (B12).

By the way, since it is difficult to provide a printing function in the counter counting device 3 when executing the ticketing operation processing, an IC card capable of reading and writing information is adopted as the holding ticket 30 in the present embodiment. If the coin card 30 is not issued in consideration of the cost of the IC card, the player can take the coin card 30 as it is, and an unnecessary loss occurs in the game hall.
Therefore, the counter counting device 3 determines whether or not the number of balls in the ticket issuing operation processing shown in FIG. 15 is less than the “ticket issuing lower limit ball number” set in the coin management setting in FIG. 5 (G1). If it is less than the “ticketing lower limit ball count” (G1: NO), the payout process is executed (G14), the ball is paid out, and the player's money is settled. On the other hand, when the number of possessed balls is equal to or more than the “ticketing lower limit number of balls” (G1: YES), it is determined whether the retained ball ticket 30 is locked (G2). When it is not locked and online (G2: NO), it starts blinking white (G4) and executes online ticket issuance processing (G5). When it is offline (G3: NO), green Flashing is started (G6), and an offline ticket issuing process is executed (G7). The online issuance process transmits the possession information indicating the number of possessions to the management device 4 and then issues the possession ticket 30 as an online ticket, while the offline issuance process does not transmit the possession ticket 30 as it is offline. In addition, at the time of issuance, the type of issuance process and the number of possessed balls are recorded in the retained ball ticket 30. Therefore, when the number of possessed balls is equal to or more than the “ticketing lower limit number of balls”, it is possible to issue the retained ball ticket 30 regardless of whether it is online or offline.

When the player inserts a membership card into the lending device 2 in order to use various services such as savings, the counter counting device 3 acquires this from the management device 4 via the relay device 5 and stores it. While the membership card is being used, if the number of possessed balls becomes equal to or greater than the “number of coins to be issued and locked” shown in FIG. 5, the lock condition is determined to be satisfied (D4: YES). The ticket 30 is locked (D5), and the blue lighting is started at the surrounding display portion 22a of the coin-insertion ticket insertion slot 22 (D6). This blue lighting informs that the lock condition has been established, and when the player wants to lock the issuance of the coin card 30, the member card is discharged from the counter counting device 3. Then, the ticket issuing button 18 of the counter counting device 3 is turned off and ticket issuing becomes impossible, so that the issuance of the possession ticket 30 can be locked. When the issue operation process is executed in such a locked state and the lock issue condition is not satisfied (G8: NO), the process returns as it is. On the other hand, when the lock issuance condition is satisfied by inserting the member card associated with the lending device 2 (G8: YES), the player starts blinking blue (G9), and the lock ticket issuance process is performed. Is executed (G10). In this case, the coin ticket 30 is issued as a lock ticket, and the corresponding member ID is also stored in the lock ticket.
Regardless of the above issuance process, if there is still stock of the coin card 30 (G11: NO), it is turned off (G13), and if the number of stocks is 0 as a result of the issuance process (G11: YES) The purple flashing is started (G12).

On the other hand, if the counting device 3 is in an offline state where it is impossible to communicate with the management device 4 for some reason (D1: YES), the writing condition is satisfied (for example, the number of balls held is a predetermined number of balls). Every time (± 500 balls are updated) (D2: YES), the number of balls held is recorded in the set ball ticket 30 (D3). When the ticket issuing button 18 is operated in such an offline state (G3: NO), green blinking is started (G6), and an offline ticket is issued (G7). In addition, in order to update the number of possessed balls in the per capita ball information storage area in the management device 4 if it is online, the per capita ball information (indicating that fact every time the ball is renewed (counting, payout, etc.)) Information that can specify the counting ball, the payout ball, and the holding ball in FIG. 7 is transmitted.
The various coupon cards (online tickets, offline tickets, lock tickets) 30 issued as described above can also be received and exchanged at the gift exchange device (POS), but only for lock tickets, they were separately dealt with. Exchange is possible on condition that the membership card is authenticated.

  When the player inserts the possession ticket 30 into the possession ticket insertion slot 22 of the unit counting device 3, the unit counting device 3 accepts the possession ticket 30 (B3: YES) and executes the possession ticket acceptance process. (B11). In the possession ticket accepting process shown in FIG. 14, if the possessed possession ticket 30 has a possession ball (F2: YES), the possession ticket 30 is set in the set unit 28 (F3), and it can be an online ticket. (F4: YES), white lighting is started (F7), if it is an offline ticket (F5: YES), green lighting is started (F8), if it is a lock ticket (F6: YES), blue lighting is performed. Start (F9). Therefore, it is possible to confirm the type of the coin voucher 30 according to the lighting color (white, green, blue).

  Now, as a player's psychology, I would like to play a game by using a membership card and obtaining a ball by replay based on so-called accumulated balls until I get a ball that does not interfere with the later game, When you get a certain amount of balls, you can remove the membership card from the counter 3 and keep it in your hand for reasons such as "I don't want to replay any more" or "Don't forget at the end of the game" After that, we would like to perform counting processing etc. with Mochitama ticket 30. However, conventionally, if a membership card is issued in this state, the membership card has a function as a possession ticket, so ticketing processing is also performed on the possession ball, and the possession ball is used for subsequent games. For reasons such as being unable to use the membership card, the membership card 30 and the coin card 30 are separated. However, the player naturally has a desire to transfer his possession to a storage ball.

Therefore, when the player clicks the storage ball button 16 (B7: YES), the per-unit counting device 3 executes a storage operation operation (B8). In the stored ball operation process shown in FIG. 16, in the set state of the coin-to-ball ticket 30 (H1: YES), on condition that the membership card is received by the lending device 2 (H2: YES), the held ball is stored in the stored ball. Then, the storage ball processing is executed (adding the number of balls to the number of balls stored) (H3), and the coin cards 30 in the set are stocked (H4). At this time, when the stock number becomes 10 (H5: YES), purple blinking is started (H6).
Note that the counting device 3 for each table lights up with priority on the error color (red) when an error such as a clogging of the coin card 30 occurs in the coin card insertion slot 22.

On the other hand, stand each counting device 3 is provided with a fine calculation history storage area for managing that it has settled the lifting balls, (1) the moment the power is OFF, when a lifting ball ticketing (2) offline, (3) when the end ball clear operation employees remote control (4) payment history and lifting piece count when each event occurs (fine calculation condition is satisfied) when it is lifting ball cleared employees remote control Store in the storage area. Stand each counting device 3 is capable of displaying fine calculation history on the liquid crystal display unit 17 in response to depression of the history button employee remote control, for each depression of the history button to display the past events in order.
In the example shown in FIG. 8, as an event one time before, the power-off occurred at 11:22 on January 23, and the last 4 digits of the ID number of the possession ticket 30 at that time is 8765, It shows that the number of possessed balls is 12345 balls. Therefore, the employee can confirm the information regarding the settlement process by displaying the settlement history in order.

Now, since the counting process is executed every time a large number of balls are obtained in addition to the end of the game in the unit-by-unit counter unit 3, the unit-by-unit counter unit 3 enters an abnormal state in which a failure or the like occurs. In addition, there is a possibility that it is not possible to specify the number of balls that have already been counted only by the counting device 3 for each unit, or there is a possibility that the player may lose the issued coin card 30.
Therefore, the management apparatus 4 is provided with a Jidamahitsuji seminal calculation management function manages Jidamahitsuji fine calculation history to achieve this functionality. In other words, a detection reason is generated based on the abnormality information output in response to the occurrence of the abnormality in the counter for each table 3, or the above-mentioned per-unit holding ball information storage area and the per-ticket storage area (establishment of abnormal condition). create a record in the non-precision calculation history, and stores the lifting balls such as the number of the time for each.

Figure 6 shows an example of a Jidamahitsuji seminal calculation history display (corresponding to the abnormality history information). In FIG. 6, the reception ball is omitted. “Disconnect” as the reason for detection is offline, “Counter error per unit” is error such as CPU runaway in the counter 3 unit, “Forced pulling out of coins” is counted per unit at 3 is a case of detecting the pullout of forced lifting ball flights 30 by tweezers or the like, as other detection reasons, "not fine calculation" when there is a lifting ball ticket 30 is not yet fine calculated during closing, such as "di-ball tickets write failure" of the case it could not be properly recorded at the time of the recording process of the lifting ball tickets 30 such as the time of issuance process has been set.

  And when the occurrence of the event corresponding to the detection reason is detected, the detection time is specified as the processing time, the device to be detected is specified, and the corresponding coin card ID, terminal, number, and exchange type The number of balls held, the number of balls counted, and the number of payout balls of the device to be detected in the storage information storage area for each table or the storage area for each ticket, the reason for detection, and the terminal device that detected it were specified. Remember above.

Mochitama voucher 30 is valid for the day only, but if the player does not pay at the POS (exchange terminal) on the day of the transaction (exchange for prizes or transfer to savings), carry out the compensation with reference to the non-precision calculation history. Further, if the street stand each counting device 3 described above it becomes abnormal also performed by referring to compensate for this lifting ball non seminal calculation history, to avoid the player by trouble, and unnecessary loss of the game field. It shows an example of a compensation procedure with reference to Jidamahitsuji fine calculated history below.

  Due to the occurrence of trouble, the number of balls held can be specified by the counter counting device 3 based on the settlement history, etc., but if the card 30 can not be issued due to a failure of the card reader unit 26, etc. To compensate. In the case where the number of holding balls cannot be specified by the counting device 3 for each table, first, if the consistency is obtained by referring to the number of theoretical prize balls and the number of holding balls in the table-based holding ball information storage area, the number of holding balls To compensate. If consistency is not achieved, check the history of unresolved money, and the reason for detecting the corresponding record is the reason that the game hall is responsible, such as "disconnection". If the consistency is obtained by comparing with the number of theoretical prize balls in the area, the number of balls in the unpaid history is compensated. In this case, if the consistency is not achieved, the number of theoretical prizes will be compensated, but if the reason for detection is responsible to the player, such as `` forced withdrawal of coin cards '', it is necessary to ask the player about the circumstances There is. In addition, in any case, the number of possessed balls is initialized (pseudo ticketing process).

  That is, when the number of holding balls cannot be specified by the counting device 3 per unit, there is a high possibility that the number of theoretical prize balls and the number of holdings in the unit holding ball information storage area updated as needed are not consistent. . In this case, it is possible to perform compensation based on the number of possessed balls when a trouble occurs without immediately performing compensation based on the number of theoretical prize balls with many uncertainties by referring to the history of having not settled. It can also serve as an index for determining whether to compensate based on the cause of the trouble.

According to such an embodiment, the following effects can be produced.
Since the management device 4 manages the unsettled history of the possession balls, if the possession ball specified by the unsettled history of the possession ball is compensated for the player when an abnormality occurs in the counter unit 3, Even if it is a case where the holding ball cannot be confirmed by the counter for each table 3, the possibility of a disadvantage occurring in the player or the game hall can be reduced. In this case, since the management device 4 updates the ball information from time to time before the abnormality is detected in response to the update process being performed, it is not possible to obtain the ball information from the unit-by-unit counting device 3 when an abnormality occurs. Both will be able to specify the approximate number of balls.

The lending device 2 that accepts the membership card (lending card) and the counting device 3 in a separate housing handle the card 30, and the counting device 3 has a counting function, so the lending device 2 is installed. It is possible to easily retrofit the per-unit counting device 3 without waste, such as omitting the membership card accepting function and handling of money and the like for the already-used game halls.
Since the issue process is performed with a single coin card 30 instead of issuing a card, the psychology of a player who wants to pay the card when he gets a certain amount of money, such as when a jackpot occurs It is possible to discharge the membership card while maintaining the ball.

The membership card acceptance status in the lending device 2 is also managed in the unit counting device 3, so that even if the unit counting device 3 is configured in a separate housing from the device that accepted the member card, troubles such as storage processing will occur. Absent.
Depending on the type of the coin card 30 being set, the periphery of the coin card insertion slot 22 is identified and displayed, and the issuing process is performed so that the type of coin card 30 to be issued can be identified during the issuing process. Therefore, it is possible for the player or employee to sensuously understand the type of the possession ticket 30 being processed, avoiding confusion of the player, and urging the employee to be aware of fraud Become. In this case, since the type of the possession ticket 30 can be grasped by the lighting color, it is not necessary to show visible information on the possession ticket 30. That is, it is possible to avoid major confusion and injustice even if non-contact information reading / writing is adopted in consideration of the durability of the holding card 30 and the reading unit.

  If the number of stocks is small after ejection of the coin card 30, the fact is displayed so as to be identifiable, so that it is possible to support the operation of stocking when the game is empty without interrupting the game and stocking. In this case, even if it is an identification display such as blinking that is easy to catch the fact that the number of stock is small in order to encourage stock by employees, it is a condition that the coin card 30 has been issued, that is, it is empty. There is no risk of unnecessary concern for the player.

Since the ticket issuing lower limit ball number can be set, if the set value is set in consideration of the value (about 100 yen) of the holding ball ticket itself, there is no possibility that the holding ball ticket 30 is issued below the lower limit ball number. For example, even if you bring home the ticket 30 as it is, you can cover the loss of the game hall. In this case, not only does not cause losses to the player because below the lower limit ball number is precisely calculated also lifting balls Te payout to not issue a lifting ball flights 30 by issuing operation, issued in a single operation, or any payout lifting ball to be fine calculated at either.

  Since the number of end balls can be set separately from the minimum number of tickets issued, the collection work load can be reduced without causing any trouble even if the number of balls is set to 0 at the time of closing the store the next day. In this case, it is desirable to issue a ticket that is in a set state when the store is closed so that it can be collected regardless of the minimum number of tickets issued. If the collected coin voucher 30 is processed separately by POS, errors on the form when checking the total number of balls and the number of balls to be exchanged (including accumulated balls) can be reduced. .

When the holding ball ticket 30 is in the set state, if it is online, it communicates the status to the management device 4 every time the holding ball is updated without storing the holding ball information etc. Since the ball information is stored in the coin card 30 every time a predetermined number of balls are renewed, trouble occurs in the counting device 3 for each table, and the number of balls cannot be specified by the counting device 3 for each table. If online, the management device 4 is checked, while if offline, other game information (the number of theoretical prize balls, etc.) in the management device 4 is taken into account and the number of balls to be compensated is specified. If it reads, even if it cannot identify the number of possession balls in the management apparatus 4, after comparing the number of theoretical prize balls with the number of possession balls specified by the possession ticket 30, the number of theoretical prize balls or the coin ball 30 It can be judged whether the number of holding balls specified by Compensation of lifting ball speed becomes possible.
Similarly, at the time of trouble in Taigoto counting device 3, you can check the number of lifting ball at the time of the establishment of abnormal conditions by the establishment for each equity ball non-precision calculations history of abnormal conditions, can support the compensation work.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified or expanded as follows.
Depending on whether or not each of the ticket issuing button 18, the payout button 20, and the storage button 16 of the counting device 3 can accept operations, the lighting state may be appropriately changed.
An error display (flashing red) or the like may be performed when the holding ball ticket 30 is received in an error state as a state display in the surrounding display portion 22a of the holding ball ticket insertion opening 22. Further, it may be displayed whether or not the current counter unit 3 is online.

The closing time related to the holding ball clearing process or the issuing process can be exemplified by a predetermined operation such as a closing process or a opening process, or a predetermined time such as a closing time or opening preparation time.
As an example of determining whether the number of holding balls is greater than 0 as an example in which the number of holding balls, which is a condition for stocking according to the reception of the holding ball ticket 30, is less than a predetermined number, Etc. or other values may be adopted. Of course, any other numerical value may be adopted. The expression “more than” is an expression including the concept of “greater than”.

Instead of the number of stocks, the remaining number that can be issued for the recording medium may be a number including the coin cards 30 in the set state.
As a recording medium, in addition to the IC card, an IC coin, a mobile phone owned by a player, or the like may be adopted. In this case, the former can be stocked. In the latter case, the card reader unit can be used to read the mobile phone as an issue operation or a reception operation.

Jidamahitsuji in seminal calculation history output by comparably printing or displaying the number of lifting balls and theoretical prize ball number at the present time (corresponding to the output means) to be.
When a split signal specifying a predetermined number of balls is received from the employee remote control, a ball ticket is issued for the number of balls, and the number of balls after subtracting the issued number is the set value `` end ball If it is more than “number”, it may be set again.

Numerical values and items are examples, and any numerical values and items may be adopted. In addition, as long as the number of balls to be held can be specified as the ball holding information for each base, information that cannot specify the number of other payout balls or the like may be used.
A part of the information processing performed by the counter counting device 3 may be performed by the relay device 5, the management device 4, or the like. Similarly, part of the information processing performed by the management device 4 may be performed by the relay device 5 or the counting device 3 for each unit.

In the drawings, 1 is a gaming machine, 2 is a lending device, 3 is a counter for each device (counting means, storage means, paying means, issuing means, receiving means, updating means, communication state determining means, switching execution means), 4 management device (storage means, lifting ball management means, the abnormality detecting means, the abnormality history management means, output means, the normal state specifying means, forced seminal calculation specifying means, error specifying means), 22 lifting ball ticket insertion opening (issuing means, (Receiving means) 30 is a coin card (recording medium).

Claims (4)

A counting means provided corresponding to a gaming machine capable of acquiring a game medium according to a game, receiving a game medium acquired by the player through the game, and performing a counting process for counting the received game medium; Storage means for storing the ball information that can specify the number of balls that indicate the number of game media possessed by the game, and payout that pays out the game media in consideration of the balls specified by the ball information stored in the storage device A payout means for performing processing, an issuing means for performing an issuing process for associating a possessed ball specified by the retained ball information stored in the storage means in accordance with a predetermined issuing operation with a predetermined recording medium, and the recording medium comprising a receiving means for performing reception processing for accepting, the counting process, the payout process, the issuing process, and an updating means for updating process of updating the lifting balls information storage means for storing in response to said receiving process Counting device A gaming system in-digit game hall,
A ball management means for managing the ball management information capable of specifying the ball for each counting device;
An abnormality detection means for detecting that a predetermined abnormality has occurred in the counting device;
Abnormality history management means for managing abnormality history information each time an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means;
Output means for outputting abnormality history information managed by the abnormality history management means,
The possession management means updates the possession management information by receiving the possession output information that can specify the number of possessions output from the counting device in response to the update processing by the update means. ,
The abnormality history management means, when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means, the identification information of the counting device in which the abnormality is detected, and the ball output from the counting device at the time when the abnormality is detected. Even if the information cannot be obtained, the number of possession balls specified by the possession management information managed by the possession management means at the time when the abnormality is detected for the counting device is identified and identified Information for identifying the counting device identification information and the number of possessed balls is managed as the abnormality history information. Determining whether or not the communication state with the ball management means is normal for each counting device, and specifying the counting device whose communication state is not normal; and
The predetermined precision calculation operation is performed, and a predetermined time when the forced fine calculation condition satisfied is established by celebrated its storage that stores identifiable lifting piece information the lifting balls of more than a predetermined number and forced fine calculation specifying means for specifying the counting device comprises means,
An error specifying means for specifying the counting device that has detected an error that is at least one of a failure of each unit in the counting device and fraud; and
The abnormality detecting means detects that the predetermined abnormality has occurred in the counting device on the condition that the counting device has been specified by the error specifying means, and also detects the communication state specifying means or the forced precision. Subject to more that the counting device is identified in Sante stage, then detected by the counting device as the predetermined abnormality has occurred,
2. The game room according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality history management means manages, as the abnormality history information, an abnormality detected under an abnormality detected by the abnormality detection means. system. The possession management means is configured to pay out an amount indicating the number of game media used in the game of the gaming machine corresponding to the counting device, a safe indicating the number of game media paid out by the game, and a predetermined valuable value as a price. The theoretical number of balls, which is the theoretical number of balls representing the value subtracted from the total value of the number of games lent out to the player performing the game, is specified for each gaming machine, and the game Managing in correspondence with the number of balls in the counting device corresponding to the machine,
The output means corresponds to the counting device managed by the ball management means at the output time of the abnormality history information in addition to the number of balls at the time when the abnormality is detected as the abnormality history information. The game system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of balls to be played and the number of theoretical balls of the gaming machine corresponding to the counting device are output in a comparable manner. The counting device is a communication state determination unit that determines whether it is an online state in which communication with the holding ball management unit is normal or an offline state in which an abnormality has occurred,
When it is determined by the communication status determination means that the online state, the ball output information is transmitted to the ball management means in response to the update of the ball information by the update means, If it is determined that the player is in the offline state, the number of balls specified by the ball information updated by the updating unit is updated by a predetermined number even if the issuing process is not performed. Switching execution means for executing a writing process for writing the ball recording information capable of specifying the number of balls to the recording medium;
The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

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