JP4189451B2 - Game media lending device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game medium lending device that is arranged in a game hall (game store) in which a game machine is installed and lends a game medium for the game machine based on its value.

Conventionally, in the island facilities where pachinko machines of game stores are installed, a ball machine for renting a game ball (ball, ball) as a game medium between installed pachinko machines (game) Media lending machine) was installed.
The island facility is equipped with a U-shaped holding member with an open front that holds the pedestrian ball lending machine. By pushing it in, it was possible to install it on the island facility in a state in which the interbank ball lending machine was detachably held by the holding member.

  In addition, a connector is provided on the back surface of the intermediary ball lending machine, while an inner wall surface at the rear of the holding member facing the back surface of the intermediary ball lending machine is provided on the back surface of the intermediary ball lending machine. A connector to be connected to the connector is provided. Therefore, when the intermediary ball lending machine is pushed into the holding member from the front, the connector provided on the back surface of the intermediary ball lending machine and the connector provided on the inner wall surface of the holding member are connected. And the holding member are electrically connected.

  In addition, the interstitial ball lending machine has a locking device, and by operating the locking device with a key, the interstitial ball lending machine can be locked with the locking device fixed to the holding member. The lending machine cannot be removed from the holding member without a key. Also, in the case of a lump ball lending machine, if a failure, ball clogging, clogging of bills or coins, etc. occur, the locking device is unlocked with a key and the lancing ball lending machine is moved forward with respect to the holding member. By pulling it out, it is possible to repair a failure and eliminate various clogs (for example, see Patent Document 1).

In addition, ball lending machines such as taima ball lending machines are connected to a computer that is a management device for managing each gaming machine, ball lending machine, etc. in the amusement hall, and ball lending is based on lending of game balls by the ball lending machine. Sales information output from the machine is managed by a computer (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
In addition, by connecting the power supply to the connector of the holding member, it is possible to supply power to the ball rental machine by connecting the connector of the ball rental machine and the connector of the holding member. . In addition, when it is assumed that the pedestal ball lending machine is connected to a computer, with the connector of the holding member connected to the computer, by connecting the connector of the pedestal ball lending machine and the connector of the holding member, Each platform can be connected to a computer.
JP-A-8-33769 (page 3-4, FIGS. 1 and 2) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-46879 (page 5, FIG. 1)

  However, in the above conventional game medium lending device (holding member and game medium lending machine), the game medium lending machine is removed from the holding member not only due to a failure of the game medium lending machine but also due to clogging of the game medium or clogging of money. It may have to be removed. When the game medium lending machine is removed in this way, the electrical connection by the connector connection between the game medium lending machine and the holding member is lost, and sales information from the game medium lending machine cannot be output to the management device.

In addition, when power is supplied to the game medium lending machine by the connector connection between the game medium lending machine and the holding member, the control device of the game medium lending device stops when the connector connection is disconnected, so the power is turned off. However, even if a storage device capable of holding the memory is provided, the above-described sales information cannot be stored in the storage device when the connector is disconnected.
That is, if the game medium lending machine is removed from the holding member, not only the communication between the game medium lending machine and the management device is interrupted, but also the operation and processing of the game medium lending machine are all stopped. Before the connector connection between the machine and the holding member is released, for example, if the clerk (store clerk) does not perform an operation for saving the sales information to be transmitted, the sales information to be output is lost.

Therefore, when the lock is simply released by the locking device, the above operation is performed when the game medium lending machine can be removed from the holding member without performing an operation for the attendant to save the information. When the game medium lending machine is removed from the holding member without power supply, the power supply to the game medium lending device is lost and the sales information cannot be backed up. In such a case, the game media lending machine is free from clogging of game media, clogged money, etc., the connector is connected by holding the game media lending machine on the holding member, and the electrical connection is resumed. However, since the sales information is not backed up, accurate sales information cannot be output to the management apparatus.
Conversely, in order to output sales information accurately, it is necessary for an attendant to perform operations such as saving data during communication processing before removing the game media lending machine from the holding member. There is a problem that it takes.

  The object of the present invention is to remove the game media lending machine from the holding member for reasons such as jamming of game media or money, and before the electrical connection between the game media lending machine and the holding member is lost. Make sure to back up sales information output from gaming media lending machines, and back up sales when gaming media lending machines are electrically connected after relieving clogging of gaming media or clogging of money, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game medium lending device that can output information accurately to a management device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a holding member provided in a facility in which a gaming machine is installed, and is detachably held by the holding member, so that game media can be rented with a valuable value. A game medium lending machine, and a locking device that locks and locks the game medium lending machine in a state where the game medium lending machine is held on the holding member, and the game medium lending machine is held on the holding member. In a game medium lending device configured to supply power to a medium lending machine and transmit sales related information related to sales of the game medium lending machine based on the operation of the game medium lending machine to the outside,
The game media lending machine is
Information communication means for transmitting the sales related information to the outside of the game medium lending machine based on the operation of the game medium lending machine;
Storage means for holding the memory even when the supply of power to the game medium lending machine is stopped;
Unlocking operation detecting means for detecting the unlocking operation of the locking device;
A backup storage means for backing up and storing the sales related information in the storage means when there is sales related information related to transmission of the information communication means when the unlocking operation detection means detects the unlocking operation; Prepared ,
The backup storage means includes
When the unlocking operation detecting means detects an unlocking operation, the information communication means determines whether the sales related information is being transmitted, and if the sales related information is being transmitted, the information communication means The transmission of the sales related information is stopped, and unsent sales related information that has not been transmitted due to the transmission stop is backed up in the storage means.

Here, “valuable value” refers to money, game cards (prepaid cards), and the like.
In addition, “sales related information” refers to, for example, information indicating the number of game balls lent or the amount of loan corresponding to the number of loans when renting game media such as game balls in a game media lending device, This includes information indicating the type of money that has been deposited and the amount of money that has been deposited when money for borrowing game media has been inserted (deposited) into the device.

Further, “when the unlocking operation detecting means detects the unlocking operation and there is sales related information related to the transmission of the information communication means” means that, for example, when the unlocking operation is detected, the information communication means Sales that should be sent when sales related information is being sent, such as when a game medium lending machine is used when money is inserted, or when a game medium is loaned after money is inserted. This is the case when related information is about to be transmitted, or when sales related information is transmitted to an external management device that manages sales related information, for example, and a response from the management device is waiting. In such a case, the sales related information backed up in the storage means includes the entire sales related information being transmitted, the unsent portion of the sales related information being transmitted, the sales related information immediately before transmission, Sales related information immediately after transmission.
In addition, “backup storage” is a storage unit that retains memory even when the supply of power is stopped even when sales related information related to transmission of the information communication unit is already stored in some storage device such as a memory. Then, even if the game medium lending machine is removed from the holding member, it is stored in the storage means that holds the memory. In addition, when the storage is backed up, sales related information related to the transmission of the information communication means is detected when the unlocking operation is detected even if the sales related information is already stored in the storage means. In addition, this is already stored and stored separately from the sales related information. For example, it is stored in a state where it can be transmitted to the outside after returning.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the game medium lending machine performs communication for transmitting sales management information from the game medium lending device to an external management device, for example, the game medium is clogged or When a clerk (clerk) or the like removes the game medium lending machine to remove the clogging etc., when the unlocking operation of the locking device for fixing the game medium lending machine to the holding member is performed, this unlocking operation is detected, The above-mentioned sales to be transmitted to the outside during communication processing from the unlocking operation until the game media lending machine is pulled forward with respect to the holding member and the connector connection between the game medium lending machine and the holding member is released. Related information is backed up.

Accordingly, during the communication processing between the game medium lending device and the external management device, the game medium lending machine is pulled away from the holding member, so that the connector connection between them is disconnected and communication becomes impossible and the game medium lending Even if the power to the machine is stopped, communication can be performed simply by performing an unlocking operation to remove the game medium lending machine from the holding member without saving the data being processed by the store clerk. Since sales related information to be transmitted during processing is backed up, accurate sales related information can be left even if the communication is interrupted. In addition, it is possible to prevent information trapping between the game medium lending machine and the external management device.
Then, for example, the game medium lending machine can be held by the holding member, and the sales related information backed up in a state where communication with the outside becomes possible can be transmitted to the outside again.

In addition, when there is sales-related information being transmitted in the gaming medium lending machine, the sales management information is transmitted after the unlocking operation as described above until the gaming medium lending machine is turned off. Since the non-transmitted sales management information is backed up at the time of the stop, if the transmitted sales management information and the untransmitted backed-up sales management information are combined, the complete sales management information is accurately obtained. Therefore, accurate sales management information can be left.

  In addition, when the game medium lending machine is connected to the holding member and communication between the game medium lending machine and the outside is established, it becomes possible to transmit the backed-up sales management information to the outside. Then, complete sales management information can be obtained from the sales management information transmitted before transmission stop and the backed-up sales management information transmitted after transmission is enabled after transmission stop.

The invention according to claim 2 is the game medium lending device according to claim 1 ,
The information communication means is configured to be able to store the sales related information to be transmitted to the outside, and can receive a response notification indicating that the sales related information from the outside has been received in response to the transmission of the sales related information to the outside Composed of
The backup storage means includes
When the unlocking operation detecting means detects an unlocking operation, the information communication means determines whether or not it is waiting for a response notification for the transmitted sales related information. The sales-related information that has been transmitted corresponding to the waiting response notification is backed up and stored in the storage means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the game medium lending machine, when there is sales-related information immediately after transmission and a response notification for the sales-related information has not been received, the unlocking operation is performed as described above. Since the sales related information immediately after transmission is backed up before the game media lending machine is turned off, for example, if the transmission of sales related information fails, the sales related information By removing the game media lending machine from the holding member immediately after the information is transmitted, it is possible to prevent the loss of the sales related information immediately after the transmission, and the sales management is inaccurate due to the loss of some sales related information. Can be prevented.

  That is, when sales-related information is transmitted from the game medium lending machine to the outside, if a response notification indicating that the sales-related information is received from the outside is received with respect to the sales-related information, the sales-related information Is sent, and accurate management of sales-related information can be performed externally. Accordingly, in the state where the response notification is not received, the sales related information is not surely transmitted, so the game medium lending machine is pulled out from the holding member while waiting for the response notification as described above. If the sales related information immediately after transmission is stored in the storage means before the power is turned off, the sales related information can be retransmitted after the game medium lending machine is restored.

The invention according to claim 3 is the gaming medium lending device according to any one of claims 1 and 2 ,
The locking device has a rotating member that rotates between a locking position and an unlocking position by operating an inserted key, and the unlocking operation is performed by rotating the rotating member from the locking position to the unlocking position. Configured and possible
The unlocking operation detecting means detects the unlocking operation of the locking device by detecting that the rotational position of the rotating member is a predetermined position between the locking position and the unlocking position. It is a feature.

According to the invention described in claim 3 , the unlocking operation detecting means detects the locking position by detecting that the rotation position of the rotating member is a predetermined position between the locking position and the unlocking position. Since the unlocking operation of the device is detected, there is a time lag between when the unlocking operation of the locking device is detected and when the rotation member of the locking device actually rotates to the unlocking position and the locking device is unlocked. Will do. By using the time lag time, sales related information related to communication with the outside can be reliably backed up. In other words, after the unlocking operation is performed, by disconnecting the game medium lending machine from the holding member, the connector connection between them is disconnected, and the game medium lending machine is turned off and the communication connection is cut off. The time until the locking device is actually unlocked after the unlocking operation detecting means detects the unlocking operation is included, and compared with the case where it is detected that the rotating member has rotated to the unlocking position. As a result, more time is required for backup storage.

The invention according to claim 4 is the game medium lending device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The gaming medium lending machine is configured to be able to switch between a lending mode in which a gaming medium can be lent and a maintenance mode for performing maintenance, and includes mode switching means for switching between the lending mode and the maintenance mode,
The mode switching means switches modes based on detection of the unlocking operation by the unlocking operation detecting means.

According to the invention described in claim 4 , when the unlocking operation detecting means detects the unlocking operation and the power is not turned off, the game medium lending machine can be maintained from the lending mode to the maintenance mode. . Therefore, since it is possible to switch to the maintenance mode by using the locking device for fixing the game medium lending machine to the holding member, it is very convenient and also serves as a countermeasure against fraud.

  That is, by using the locking device for actual locking and mode switching, it is not necessary to provide a device for switching to the maintenance mode in addition to the locking device, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, if the clerk has the key to the locking device, the game media lending machine can be put into the maintenance mode without having a remote control device for the game media lending machine, and the labor of the clerk can be saved. It becomes convenient. In addition, a key is required for switching from the lending mode to the maintenance mode, and it is possible to prevent a person who does not have the key from setting the game medium lending machine in the maintenance mode and cheating the game medium lending machine. The locking device has a function of fixing the game medium lending machine to the holding member and prohibiting removal of the game medium lending machine without a key, and a function of instructing the start of evacuation of the sales related information related to the communication described above. Thus, it has three functions including a mode switching function.

The invention according to claim 5 is the gaming medium lending device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The game media lending machine is
A holding detection means for detecting that the game medium lending machine is held by the holding member;
The information communication means, when the holding detection means detects that the game medium lending machine is held in the holding member, and there is sales related information stored in backup in the storage means, the sales related It is characterized by transmitting information to the outside.

According to the invention described in claim 5, when the holding detection means for detecting that the game medium lending machine is held by the holding member detects that the game medium lending machine is held by the holding member, If there is sales-related information stored in the storage means as backup, the sales-related information is sent to the outside, so even if the clerk does not perform operations such as re-sending, the pulled out game media lending machine is returned to its original state. By connecting the game medium lending machine and the holding member to the connector, the backup-related sales-related information will be transmitted, and if there is backup-saved sales-related information, it can be reliably transmitted to the outside, Labor can be saved labor.

  According to the gaming system of the present invention, during the communication processing between the gaming medium lending device and the external management device, etc., the gaming medium lending machine is pulled away from the holding member, so that the electrical connection between them is disconnected and communication is performed. Even if it becomes impossible and the supply of power to the game medium lending machine is stopped, the store clerk removes the game medium lending machine from the holding member without performing an operation to save the data being processed. Since the sales related information to be transmitted during the communication process is backed up simply by performing the unlocking operation for this purpose, accurate sales related information can be left even if the communication is interrupted.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, description will be given of a game medium rental apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In the present embodiment, the game medium lending device constitutes a part of a game system that manages information handled in the game hall including information transmitted from the game medium lending apparatus in the game hall. .

Here, a game system provided with a game medium lending device will be described before describing the game medium lending device.
As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming system includes a sales management device 10, a member management device 20, and a hall management device 90 that are configured to be communicable with a later-described game medium lending device 30 (ball lending machine) and function as a server, Based on the service communication box 40 that relays data communication between the plurality of game medium lending devices 30 and the member management device 20 and the amount information of each member managed by the member management device 20, the amount held by the member Settlement machine 50 for settlement of information, hubs 60 and 60 for LAN wiring connection, and provided for each gaming machine, depending on the valuable value such as membership card and money associated with the amount information, the number of stored balls, etc. And a game medium lending device 30 capable of renting game media.

  Note that the gaming system of the present embodiment is used in, for example, a gaming store where a plurality of pachinko gaming machines are installed, and the gaming medium lending device 30 is a pachinko game on an island facility where a pachinko gaming machine is installed. It is arranged next to the pachinko gaming machine arranged between the machines or at the end of the island facility, and basically one gaming medium lending device 30 is arranged in one pachinko gaming machine.

  In the gaming system, there are three networks: a network in which the sales management device 10 is a sales management server, a network in which the member management device 20 is a service server, and a network in which the hall management device 90 is a hall management server. It is composed of

  The sales management server 10 is the sales management network, and each game medium lending device 30 is used as a client and is used in gaming machines installed in game stores regardless of members or non-members. This is for managing the sales amount of game media (game balls) lent out for this purpose.

  The service management server 20 is used as a service system server, and each game medium lending device 30 and the checkout machine 50 are clients, and service points are provided based on services to members, for example, information on member games. Here, a service that enables the use of high-value bills is also provided without using a portable storage medium that stores valuable amount information such as a prepaid card.

  The hall management system 90 is a hall management network, and each game medium lending device 30, payment machine 50, game machine (not shown), ball counting device, premium management terminal, POS device, etc. are clients. It manages the entire business of the game store, such as lending game balls for payment, game status and results in gaming machines, return with payment of game balls, payment, prize exchange. In this example, the hall management device 90 and each client device are in a state in which signal wiring is directly connected via an interface device, which is different from a data communication network using Ethernet or the like. .

  Accordingly, each game medium lending device 30 is connected to the sales management device 10 via the sales management network, connected to the member management device 20 via the service network, and the hall management device 90 via the hall management network. It is connected to the. Note that the sales management device 10 of the sales management network is connected to a third party management server 80 arranged in a third party management center for a third party to manage the sales of the amusement shop outside the amusement shop (communication line ( For example, it is connected by an ADSL line).

  In addition, the game medium lending device 30 is provided with a state in which the sales communication board 70 is incorporated, and the sales communication board 70 of each game medium lending apparatus 30 is respectively connected via the hub 60 using Ethernet in the same manner as a general LAN. Are connected to the sales management device 10.

The game medium lending device 30 is connected to a service communication box 40 arranged for each island of the island facility, and the service communication box 40 is connected via a hub 60 using Ethernet in the same manner as a general LAN. It is connected to the member management device 20. For example, a plurality of game medium lending devices 30 arranged on the same island as the service communication box 40 are connected to the service communication box 40, and the plurality of game medium lending devices 30 are collectively connected to the Ethernet. It is like that.
In the service network, the checkout machine 50 is connected to the member management device 20 and the game medium lending device 30 via the hub 60 using Ethernet.

  In addition, the game medium lending device 30 is connected to a not-shown interface device of the hall management device 90 by connecting wirings connected to a plurality of terminals for outputting various signals without going through the Ethernet or the like. For example, a pulse signal is transmitted from the game medium lending device 30 to the hall management device 90 based on the operation at the time of depositing money or the operation at the time of lending the game medium. Further, output terminals for various signals such as a payment machine 50, a gaming machine (not shown), a ball counting device, a prize management terminal, a POS device, and the like are connected to the interface device of the hall management device 90.

  Each game medium lending device 30 is connected to a wiring from an external information terminal provided in a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, and external information from the pachinko gaming machine is input to obtain external information of the gaming machine. The information is output to the sales management device 10 and the member management device 20. The interface device of the hall management device 90 is connected to the wiring from the external information terminal of the gaming machine, and external information of the gaming machine is directly input from the gaming machine to the interface device of the hall management device 90. Alternatively, external information of the gaming machine may be transmitted to the hall management device 90 via the gaming medium lending device 30.

  The information transmitted from the game medium lending device 30 to the sales management device 10, the member management device 20, and the hall management device 90 includes, for example, loan amount information related to the loan amount when the above-mentioned game medium is lent. In the sales management device 10, the member management device 20, and the hall management device 90, at least a part of the information transmitted from the game medium lending device 30 is managed redundantly.

  The sales management device 10 is a computer system for a normal server, and includes a monitor 11, a printer 12, a card reader 13 in a computer main body 14 equipped with a CPU, various semiconductor memories, various storage devices such as a hard disk, and a communication interface. Etc. A plurality of game medium lending devices 30 are connected to the sales management device 10 as clients, and sales-related information transmitted from each game medium lending device 30, that is, games rented by the game medium lending device 30. Lending amount information or the like indicating the amount corresponding to the medium amount is received, and for each lending device identification information set so as to be able to identify each game medium lending device 30, the time (date) And the like are also stored in the storage device. Note that the game medium lending device 30 transmits lending amount information as sales-related information in association with its lending device identification information and a time such as a transmission time and a lending time via the sales communication board 70.

The sales management device 10 transmits the stored sales related information to the third party management server 80.
Further, when the member identification information for identifying each member of the game store is received together with the loan amount information from the game medium lending device 30, the sales management device 10 further identifies the member in association with the loan amount information. Store information.

In addition to the sales-related information such as the above-described identification information, lending device identification information, and lending amount information, the sales management device 10 includes the number of lent balls (the number of rented balls) and a storage system described later. The number of balls paid out based on the number-of-balls information (the number of replayed balls), an error signal transmitted from the game medium lending device 30, external information from a gaming machine connected to the game medium lending device 30, etc. are received. The
The sales management device 10 can determine whether each game medium lending device 30 is abnormal or normal and whether the sales communication board 70 of the game medium lending device 30 is abnormal or normal based on an error signal from the game medium lending device 30. It is said

  Further, in the sales management device 10, based on the above-described external information of the gaming machine, the number of balls entered into each gaming machine (the number of balls entered: the number of balls that the player has struck into the gaming machine, the number of game media entered), the outgoing balls In the case of a pachinko gaming machine in which the number of balls (number of balls to be paid: the number of balls paid out based on winning a prize (the number of winning balls), the number of game media to be played) and the gaming machine performs a variable display game, The number of start times of the variable display game, the number of times that the variable display game has won a special prize (big win), the number of times when the variable display game has become a special prize (probability change) with so-called probability fluctuation, and the variable display game has become so-called reach The number of times can be counted.

Further, in the sales management device 10, based on the loan amount information from each game medium lending device 30, the sales amount of the entire amusement store and the sum of the sales amount for each unit are calculated hourly, daily, monthly, etc. It is possible. Various data obtained in the sales management apparatus 10 as described above can be displayed on the monitor 21 and can be printed as a form by the printer 12.
The third-party management server 80 is a normal server computer system. The computer main body 83 includes a CPU, various semiconductor memories, various storage devices such as a hard disk, a communication interface, etc., a monitor 81, a printer 82, and the like. It is equipped with.

  The member management device 20 is a computer system for a normal server, and includes a computer main body 23 having a CPU, various semiconductor memories, various storage devices such as a hard disk, a communication interface, etc., a monitor 21, a printer 22, and the like. It is. As will be described later, a plurality of game medium lending devices 30 are connected to the member management device 20 as clients, and various information transmitted from each game medium lending device 30 is received.

For example, the member management device 20 receives, as sales-related information, deposit amount information that indicates the amount that has been input and loan amount information that indicates the amount that has been lent.
In addition, when the member management device 20 receives the member identification information read by inserting the member card into the card reader 31 of each game medium lending device 30, the amount of money indicated in the amount information and the amount of loan The difference from the loan amount indicated in the information, that is, the balance is managed in association with the identification information.

  In this example of the game system, sales can be managed by a third party without using a portable recording medium on which monetary information such as a prepaid card is recorded. Players (players who do not insert a membership card into the card reader 31 of the game medium lending device 30) are exchanged for game media with the entire amount of money inserted into the game medium lending device 30 (rented as game media). Therefore, the money that can be used in this case is, for example, a low-value bill such as a thousand yen bill, a five hundred yen coin, a one hundred yen coin, or a coin.

  On the other hand, for the member (player who has inserted the membership card into the card reader 31 of the game medium lending device 30), the membership management device 20 enters the input as described above based on the identification information recorded on the membership card. The amount, the loan amount, and the balance are managed, and it is possible to exchange only a part of the inserted amount for a game medium (borrow as a game medium). That is, the member card stores the identification information without writing the amount information such as the balance, and the member management device 20 manages the amount information based on the identification information, so that the amount of money is stored in the storage medium carried by the player. Without memorizing information, it is possible to use high-value banknotes in addition to the low-value banknotes and coins.

  For example, high-priced bills that can be used are 10,000 yen bills, 5000 yen bills, 2000 yen bills, and the like. When the 10,000-yen bill is inserted in the gaming medium lending device 30 and 1,000-yen gaming media is lent out, the balance becomes 9,000 yen. In this case, the deposit amount is 10,000 yen, The loan amount is 1,000 yen and the balance is 9,000 yen, and the amount information indicating these amounts is stored in the member management apparatus 20. The above-described amount information in the game medium lending device 30 is transmitted from the game medium lending device 30 to the member management device 20 when, for example, the member instructs the game medium lending device 30 to return the member card. The amount information is stored (updated) in the storage device of the management device 20.

  When the member card is inserted into the card reader 31 of each game medium lending device 30 and the identification information is transmitted to the member management device 20, the member management device 20 determines the latest amount corresponding to the received identification information. The information is retrieved from the storage device, and this amount information is transmitted to the game medium lending device 30. When there is a balance in the transmitted amount information, the game medium lending device 30 can lend game balls based on the balance. Then, when the game medium lending device 30 lends a game ball based on the balance of the amount information, the balance is subtracted by the lending amount, and this is stored in the game medium lending device 30 and the membership card. At the time of return, it is transmitted to the member management device 20 as amount information, and the amount information corresponding to the identification information is updated based on the amount information received from the game medium lending device 30 in the member management device 20.

  Further, when the membership card is inserted into the card reader 53 of the settlement machine 50 and the identification information is transmitted to the member management device 20, the member management device 20 stores the latest amount information corresponding to the received identification information. A search is made from the apparatus, and this amount information is transmitted to the settlement machine 50. When there is a balance in the transmitted amount information, the settlement machine 50 pays out money corresponding to the balance. When settlement is performed in the settlement machine 50, information (settlement notice) indicating that settlement has been performed is transmitted from the settlement machine 50 to the member management apparatus 20, and the member management apparatus 20 displays the amount information corresponding to the identification information. Update the balance to 0.

  In addition, the member management device 20 counts game balls by inserting a member card into a card reader of a ball counting device (not shown) connected to the hall management device 90, and counts it in association with identification information from the ball counting device. When the received number of balls is received (when not exchanged for a prize), for example, the information from the hall management device 90 is transmitted and counted in association with the identification information in the storage device of the member management device 20 The number of balls is stored as stored ball number information. In addition, when one or more stored ball number information is already stored corresponding to the same identification information, the newly counted number of stored balls is added.

When the membership card is inserted into the card reader 31 of each game medium lending device 30 and the identification information is transmitted to the member management device 20, the member management device 20 stores the number of stored balls corresponding to the received identification information. The information is retrieved from the storage device, and the stored number information is transmitted to the game medium lending device 30. Then, when there is a stored number of balls equal to or larger than the predetermined unit number in the transmitted stored number information, the game medium lending device 30 can replay (pay out game balls) based on the stored number of balls.
In addition, when game balls for replay are paid out using the stored balls in the game medium lending device 30, only the number of balls paid out from the number of stored balls in the stored number information in the game medium lending device 30. Or, it is subtracted by the number of balls obtained by adding the number of balls as a fee to the number of balls paid out. Then, in the game medium lending device 30, when the return of the member card is instructed, the number of stored balls information (including data on the number of balls of fees) is output to the member management device 20 when the number of stored balls is subtracted. The stored ball number information in the storage device of the member management device 20 is updated and stored in the stored ball number information.

  In addition to the above-mentioned identification information, lending device identification information, deposit amount information, lending amount information, balance information, and stored number information, the member management device 20 can also borrow the number of balls ( The number of balls paid out based on the number of balls rented) and the number of stored balls (the number of replayed balls), an error signal transmitted from the game medium lending device 30, and a game machine connected to the game medium lending device 30 External information etc. are received.

In the member management device 20, it is possible to determine whether each game medium lending device 30 is abnormal or normal based on an error signal from the game medium lending device 30. In addition, in the member management device 20, the above-mentioned game Based on the external information of the machine, it is possible to count the number of balls entered, number of balls played, number of starts, number of special prizes, number of special prizes with probability variation, number of reach, etc. for each gaming machine Yes.

In addition, the member management device 20 can aggregate the sales amount of the entire game store and the sales amount of each unit based on the loan amount information from each game medium lending device 30. In addition, in the member management device 20, for each member, it is possible to count the deposit amount, loan amount, number of stored balls, number of replayed balls, service points, etc. It is possible to count the number of special prizes, the number of times that the probability has changed, the number of times of reach, etc. For example, when a member visits a store and inserts a member card into the card reader 31 of the game medium lending device 30 for the first time, the service point is given as a store visit point, or the number of entrances and exits The member management device 20 automatically gives each identification information according to preset conditions such as the number of replayed balls, the number of stored balls, the number of special winnings, the amount information, etc. satisfy predetermined conditions, etc. To do.
Various data obtained in the member management apparatus 20 as described above can be displayed on the monitor 21 and can be printed as a form by the printer 22.

  The hall management device 90 is a computer system for a normal server. A monitor 91 is shown on a computer main body 92 having a CPU, various semiconductor memories, various storage devices such as a hard disk, an external signal input / output interface device, and the like. A printer that does not. Then, as described above, the interface device is connected to the gaming medium lending device 30, the checkout machine 50, the gaming machine, the ball counting device, the prize management terminal, the POS device, etc., and the signal output from the various signal output terminals of each device ( Pulse information) is input from the interface device to the CPU of the hall management device 90, and by counting these pulse outputs, various information is collected and monitored. The hall management device 90 in this example is a known so-called hall computer (hall computer).

  The service communication box 40 is an interface control device that controls data relay between the game medium lending device 30 and the member management device 20 in order to confirm the communication function of the game medium lending device 30 with the service network. The service-related communication box 40 is installed, for example, for each island of the island facility, and is connected to the game medium lending device 30 installed on one island by the well-known serial interface standard RS485, and to the member management device 20 Connected with TCP / IP protocol. Accordingly, the service-related communication box 40 collectively connects the plurality of game medium lending devices 30 to the service-related network.

  The settlement machine 50 includes a coin dispensing machine 51 that dispenses coins, a banknote dispensing machine 52 that dispenses coins, a card reader 53 that reads identification information of a member card, a display unit 54 that displays balance and guidance, and a hall management device 90. Relay output board for communication with an external output board (not shown) for transmitting settlement data to the hall management device, and communication for transmitting / receiving data to / from the member management device 20 via the service network A substrate 55 and a settlement machine controller 56 are provided.

The control unit 56 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and controls the display unit 54, the coin dispenser 51, the bill dispenser 52, the card reader 53, the external output board, the communication board 55, and the like connected to the control unit 56. Do.
The coin dispensing machine 51 and the banknote dispensing machine 52 dispense coins or banknotes in accordance with the amount data output from the control unit 56 under the control of the control unit 56. The external output board transmits money amount information such as a payment amount to the hall management device 90. The communication board connects the control unit 56 to the member management apparatus 20 via the service network using the TCP / IP protocol, transmits the identification information, and receives money amount information including balance data.

  When a member card is inserted into the card reader 53 under the control of a control unit 56 (CPU) that performs processing based on a program stored in the ROM, the card reader 53 reads identification information from the member card, The information is output to the control unit 56, and the control unit 56 stores the identification information in the RAM and transmits the identification information to the member management apparatus 20 via the communication board 55. The member management device 20 searches for the amount information corresponding to the transmitted identification information, and transmits the amount information including the balance data described above to the control unit 56 of the settlement machine 50.

  When the money amount information is received via the communication board 55, the control unit 56 displays the balance indicated by the money amount information on the display unit 54, and the type and number of banknotes to be paid out according to the balance and the type of coins. And the banknote dispenser 52 and the coin dispenser 51 are controlled to dispense banknotes and coins as balances.

In addition, the control unit 56 transmits information indicating that the payment has been performed to the member management apparatus 20 via the communication board 55. The member management apparatus 20 updates and stores the payment amount data and the fact that the payment has been completed in the amount information corresponding to the identification information, and updates the balance data to 0 by the adjustment.
Further, the control unit 56 of the settlement machine 50 transmits information indicating that the balance has been settled to the hall management device 90 via the external output board.

  The game medium lending device 30 (ball lending machine) according to the present invention is a so-called sand having a rectangular front shape that can be installed between gaming machines installed in an island facility, as shown in FIGS. The holding member 30b is fixed to the island facility, and the game medium lending machine 30a is detachably attached to the holding member 30b.

  The game medium lending machine 30a is provided on the control board 330 (main body control unit) including the main control unit 310 and the sub control unit 320, and the upper end of the front of the game medium lending device 30, and displays the communication state. A monitor lamp 301, a bill discriminator 32 disposed in the back of a bill insertion slot 302 provided under the monitor lamp 301, and a guidance display display unit 303 (display) having a display screen under the bill insertion slot 302 ), An operation unit 304 provided under the display screen of the display unit 303 and provided with various keys (buttons), and a key disposed under the operation unit 304 for attaching / detaching the sand body, switching modes, and the like. A locking device 37 having a detection sensor 305, a coin selector 33 disposed behind a coin slot 306 provided under the locking device 37, and a coin slot 306. A ball outlet 307, a coin return port 308 disposed under the ball outlet 307, a card reader 31 disposed at the back of the card insertion / extraction port 309 provided at the front lower end of the game medium lending device 30, A sales communication board 70 incorporated under the bill validator 32; a ball counter 34 provided under the sales communication board 70 for paying out game balls toward the ball outlet 307 and counting the number of balls to be paid out; , And an external output board 35 disposed after the ball counter 34 and the coin selector 33. 2, (A) is a left side view of the holding member 30b, (B) is a left side view of the game medium lending machine 30a taken out from the holding member 30b, and (C) is a game medium lending device 30 ( It is a front view of game media rental machine 30a).

  The control board 330 includes a main control unit 310 including a CPU 311, a RAM 312, a ROM 313, and the like for performing operation control of the above-described various devices of the game medium lending device 30, and various devices of the main control unit 310 and the game medium lending device 30. And a sub-control unit 320 including a power supply unit 321 for supplying power to each of the main control unit 310 and the game medium lending device 30.

  The main control unit 310 is connected to the banknote identification machine 32, the coin selector 33, the card reader 31, the ball counter 34, the monitor lamp 301, the display unit 303, the operation unit 304, and the key detection sensor 305 via the sub control unit 320. Are connected, and the control board 330 controls them.

  In addition, a sales communication board 70 is connected to the main control unit 310 via the sub control unit 320 for communication with the sales management network, and the sales communication board 70 and the control board 330 are connected to the external output board 35. Via the external output board 35, it is connected to a device connected to the service network, a device connected to the sales management network, and the hall management device 90.

  That is, the CPU 311 of the main control unit 310 of the control board 330 operates according to the system program and data stored in the ROM 313 and the program and data loaded in the RAM 312, and the operation of each device described later of the game medium lending device 30. And control the process. Further, the main control unit 310 (and the sales communication board 70) of the control board 330 externally outputs sales related information related to the sales of the game medium lending machine 30a based on the operation of the game medium lending machine 30a. It functions as an information communication means for transmitting.

The bill discriminator 32 discriminates four-note bills (thousand-yen bills, 2,000-yen bills, 5,000-yen bills, and 10,000-yen bills). In the state in which the membership card is inserted into 31 (the state in which the identification information is read), when the bill inserted from the bill insertion slot 302 is identified, any of the identified four-note type bills is accepted and not shown. Bills are stored in the storage unit of the discriminator 32, and a signal indicating that the amount corresponding to each bill has been inserted is output to the control board 330 (main control unit 310). Moreover, when the bill validator 32 identifies the inserted bill in the state where the membership card is not inserted in the card reader 31 (the state where the identification information is not read) under the control of the control board 330, Accepts only the thousand yen bill of the identified four-note bills, stores the banknote in the storage portion of the bill discriminator 32 (not shown), and outputs a signal indicating that the thousand yen has been inserted to the control board 330, If a 2,000-yen bill, a 5,000-yen bill, or a 10,000-yen bill other than the thousand-yen bill is inserted, it is returned without accepting it.
Note that the bill validator 32 returns the inserted bill from the bill insertion slot 302 when the inserted bill cannot be identified.

  The coin selector 33 is for identifying two types of coins (a hundred yen coin and a five hundred yen coin). When a coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 306 can be identified, the coin selector 33 is not shown. In addition to storing coins in the storage unit, the control unit 330 outputs a signal indicating that an amount corresponding to the coins inserted and identified has been inserted. Further, the coin selector 33 discharges coins to the coin return port 308 when the inserted coins cannot be identified.

  When a member card is inserted from the card insertion / extraction port 309, the card reader 31 identifies the member card, reads the membership card identification information, and outputs the read identification information to the control board 330. Note that the membership card inserted from the card insertion / extraction port 309 remains inserted without being returned, and the card return button of the operation unit 304 is pressed under the control of the control board 330. It is returned from the card insertion / extraction port 309.

  Under the control of the control board 330, the ball counter 34 is inserted when a bill is inserted from the bill insertion slot 302 with the membership card inserted into the card reader 31, and the bill is identified by the bill validator 32. The number of game balls corresponding to a preset unit amount (5 hundred yen or 1,000 yen) is paid out regardless of the identified bill.

  At this time, the control board 330 receives the deposit amount received from the bill validator 32, sets the unit amount as the loan amount, and sets the balance as the balance obtained by dividing the deposit amount. That is, when a bill is inserted from the bill insertion slot 302, the game ball corresponding to the unit amount is paid out immediately without operating the operation unit 304, so that the game ball is paid out after the bill is inserted. The game ball is paid out with almost no waiting time for the player.

  Further, the ball counter 34 is inserted into the thousand yen bill from the bill insertion slot 302 under the control of the control board 330 in a state where the membership card is not inserted into the card reader 31, and Is identified, the number of game balls corresponding to 1,000 yen is paid out. Further, the ball counter 34 is controlled by the control board 330. When a coin is inserted from the coin insertion slot 306 and the coin selector 33 identifies the coin, the number of balls corresponding to the identified coin amount Pay out the game balls.

  Further, the ball counter 34 is money amount information stored in the memory (RAM) of the control board 330 or the sales communication board 70 in a state where the membership card is inserted into the card reader 31 under the control of the control board 330. When a ball lending button on the operation unit 304 is pressed with the balance remaining, the number of game balls corresponding to the unit amount is paid out. At this time, the control board 330 updates the storage of the loan amount and balance of the amount information in the RAM 312. In addition, the sales communication board 70 is a storage device (here, for example, a static RAM to which power is supplied from a battery in the event of a power failure. A storage device capable of holding memory can be used even if there is no power supply such as a rewritable EEPROM.), And the amount information is also stored in the storage device of the sales communication board 70. The memory is updated in the same manner as the RAM 312.

  In addition, the ball counter 34 has a membership card inserted into the card reader 31 under the control of the control board 330, and the number of stored balls stored in the control board 330 is a predetermined unit ball. When the replay button of the operation unit 304 is pressed in a state where there are more than a certain number, the game balls of the number of unit balls are paid out. At this time, the control board 330 updates the storage of the information on the number of stored balls in the RAM 312 (the storage device of the sales communication board 70) and updates the storage of the information on the number of replayed balls.

  The monitor lamp 301 displays the operation state of the game medium lending device 30 and the communication state between the game medium lending device 30 and the sales management device 10, and includes, for example, red and green LEDs, and a control board. Under the control of 330, the game medium lending device 30 is turned off and communication is off when it is turned off, the power is turned on when it is lit, and communication is online when the lighting color is green. When the lighting is on, there is an abnormality in the game medium lending device 30, and when flashing red, there is a communication abnormality between the game medium lending device 30, the sales communication board 70, and the sales management device 10.

  The display unit 303 is an LCD dot matrix display unit that displays various types of information to the player under the control of the control board 330, and at the same time for an attendant (store clerk) in the event of an abnormality or a maintenance mode described later. Display to notify information. As information to be displayed to the player, for example, as information for guidance, opening time, closing time, regular holidays, recruitment of members, high-value banknotes can be used with membership cards, notification of event holding, etc. Information on games such as balance and the number of stored balls.

  The operation unit 304 is a keyboard on a sheet, and includes a numeric keypad from 0 to 9, a ball rental button, the replay button, the card return button, a point button, a guidance button, a confirmation button, a cancel button, and the like. The numeric keypad is used, for example, when inputting a personal identification number for identifying a person when replaying or the like, and is used for selecting a menu in the maintenance mode. The ball lending button is for paying out the game ball using the balance as described above, and the replay button is for paying out the game ball using the storage ball as described above. The card return button is a request for returning the membership card when the game is ended as described above.

  The point button is for displaying the current service point of the member corresponding to the identification information stored in the member card on the display unit 303. The guidance button is used to display the above guidance information. The confirmation button and the cancel button are used to instruct execution or cancellation of the menu in the maintenance mode.

  The key detection sensor 305 detects a state change (rotation) of the key cylinder 37b in the locking device 37 having the key cylinder 37b (rotating member, part of the front is shown in FIG. 4) which can be rotated by inserting a key. . That is, the key detection sensor 305 serves as an unlocking operation detection means for detecting the unlocking operation of the locking device 37. The key is inserted into the locking device 37 and the key cylinder 37b of the locking device 37 is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position. An unlocking operation to rotate is detected.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the locking device 37 is arranged in a state where the keyhole 37a is exposed on the front surface of the game medium lending machine 30a, and a portion around the keyhole 37a extends rearward from the front. It has become a part of. The key cylinder 37b is in a locked position when the rectangular key hole 37a is vertically arranged (FIG. 4A), and the key cylinder 37b is rotated 90 degrees and the key hole 37a is horizontally arranged (FIG. 4). 4 (B)) is the unlocking position. The key cylinder 37b is linked to a locking device (not shown) that is locked to the holding member 30b of the locking device 37, and the key cylinder 37b is rotated 90 degrees from the locked position to the unlocked position by being inserted into the key hole 37a. Then, the latch of the latching device to the holding member 30b is released, and the game medium lending machine 30a can be pulled forward from the holding member 30b, and conversely, the game medium lending machine 30a is pushed into the holding member 30b and set. Then, when the key cylinder 37b of the locking device 37 is rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position, the locking device is locked to the holding member 30b, and the game medium lending machine 30a cannot be removed from the holding member 30b. can do.

  Further, the key detection sensor 305 detects that the key cylinder 37b reaches a predetermined unlocking detection position rotated approximately 45 degrees from the locking position. That is, the key detection sensor 305 is between the locking position of the key cylinder 37b where the angle of the key hole 37a is substantially vertical (0 degrees) and the unlocking position of the key cylinder where the angle of the key hole 37a is horizontal (90) degrees. The key cylinder 37b having a predetermined angle (rotational position: approximately 45 degrees) is detected. The key detection sensor 305 includes, for example, a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and detects whether light is blocked by a light shielding plate between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, or detects light from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit. It detects the reflection of light. The key cylinder 37b is provided with a light-shielding plate or a reflecting plate (not shown) so as to be rotatable integrally with the key cylinder 37b. When the key cylinder 37b has a rotation angle between the locked position and the unlocked position. In addition, the light receiving unit of the key detection sensor 305 is configured to switch between a state where the amount of received light exceeds a predetermined threshold and a state where the amount does not exceed the threshold.

  Accordingly, the locking device 37 has a key cylinder 37b (rotating member) that rotates between the locking position and the unlocking position by operating the inserted key, and the key cylinder 37b is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position. The key detection sensor 305 (unlocking operation detecting means) is configured so that the rotation position of the key cylinder 37b is a predetermined position (unlocked) between the locking position and the unlocking position. The unlocking operation of the locking device 37 is detected by detecting the rotation to the detection position. In addition, the key detection sensor 305 distinguishes between the unlocking operation and the locking operation depending on whether the change in the amount of light received by the light receiving unit of the key detection sensor 305 changes from below the threshold or from above to below. Although it is possible to adopt a configuration, when the key cylinder 37b simply falls within a predetermined range between the unlocking position and the locking position, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit becomes smaller or larger than the threshold value. It is good also as what detects similarly in any operation of locking and unlocking.

  The external output board 35 is equipped with an interface relay for the hall management device, a disconnection detection resistor for detecting the disconnection of the communication wiring, a rotary switch for equipment ID, etc., and connects the control board 330 to the hall management device 90. In addition, the control board 330 is connected to the service communication box 40 of the service network, and the sales communication board 70 is connected to the LAN wiring for the sales management network. The external output board 35 supplies external power to the control board 330 and the sales communication board 70.

The external output board 35 can be connected to a pachinko gaming machine called a CR machine using a game card (prepaid card) or the like. In other words, in the game medium lending machine 30a and the game system of this example, sales can be managed by a third party without using a portable storage medium that can store money amount information such as game cards. Since a storage medium such as a game card is not used, the CR machine cannot be used as it is. However, instead of connecting the ball lending machine using the game card and the CR machine interface, the game medium of this example A CR machine can be used by providing an interface for connecting the lending machine 30a and the CR machine. A so-called cash machine that does not use a game card can be used as it is, and even if a cash machine is used, sales can be managed by a third party by using the game medium lending machine 30a of this example. .
In addition, the external output board includes connection wiring for signals from the external information terminal of the pachinko gaming machine.

  That is, the external output board 35 is a wiring for connecting the control board 330 and the hall management device 90, a wiring for connecting the control board 330 and the service communication box 40, a wiring for connecting the control board 330 and the CR machine, and power Are connected to the control board 330 and a connection wiring for connecting an external information terminal of the gaming machine, and one end side of these connection wirings is connected to the control board 330 (the main control unit 320 via the sub-control unit 320). Connected to the controller 310).

The external output board 35 has connection wiring between the sales communication board 70 and the LAN for the sales management network, and connection wiring for supplying power from the outside to the sales communication board 70. One end of the wiring for use is connected to the sales communication board 70.
The external output board 35 is arranged in front of the back of the game medium lending machine 30a and in parallel with the back, and an external output board connector 35a (connector 35a) described later of the external output board 35 is connected to the game medium lending machine 30a. The connector 35a is arranged with the connection direction facing rearward in a state of protruding rearward from the back surface, and when the game medium lending machine 30a is pushed into the holding member 30b from front to rear as will be described later, the connector 35a is described later. It is connected to the I / F-CN board connector 36a (connector 36a).

The external output board 35 is a connector 35a for connecting wirings for communication, power, etc. from the control board 330 and the sales communication board 70 to an I / F-CN board 36 described later provided on the holding member 30b. Have In the external output board 35, the other end side of each connection wiring connected to the control board 330 and the sales communication board 70 is all connected to the connector 35a. Therefore, by connecting the connector 35a to the connector 36a, all the connections to the outside of the game medium lending machine 30a are performed.
The detailed configuration of the connector 35a shown in FIG. 5 will be described later together with the configuration of the connector 36a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the connector 35a has a connection confirmation return signal terminal at the terminal No. 50 and a connection confirmation return GND terminal at the terminal No. 1, and these terminals No. 1 and No. 50, respectively. Means that when the connector 35a is connected to the connector 36a, the connector 36a is short-circuited and energized, and a connection confirmation return signal flows. Thereby, the connection between the connector 35a and the connector 36a can be detected. The control board 330 (main control unit 310) detects the connection between the connector 35a and the connector 36a when a connection confirmation return signal flows between the first and the 50th terminals.
Since the game medium lending machine 30a is pushed into the holding member 30b and the game medium lending machine 30a is held by the holding member 30b, the connector 35a and the connector 36a are connected. By detecting the connection between the connector 35a and the connector 36a, it can be detected that the game medium lending machine 30a is held on the holding member 30b, and the connector 35a (and the connector 36a) is connected to the holding member 30b. It functions as a holding detection means for detecting that the medium lending machine 30a is held.

  The sales communication board 70 is used for communication between the control board 330 and the sales management apparatus 10 via the sales management system network. However, the sales communication board 70 not only controls data transmission / reception, but is independent of the control board 330. In addition to storing data related to sales (including sales related information) input from the control board 330 in association with the time and date such as the input time and date, the sales management device 10 is transmitted. Accordingly, information transmitted from the game medium lending device 30 to the sales management device 10 is stored in the sales communication substrate 70 via the sales communication substrate 70. Note that the sales communication board 70 includes an Ethernet interface for connection to a sales management network.

  Further, the sales communication board 70 uses a static RAM as a storage device for storing transmitted information, and this storage device is backed up by a battery and retains the stored information even when the power supply from the power source is cut off. It is supposed to be. Note that the information stored in the sales communication board 70 is deleted from the oldest when the predetermined number is exceeded, and data such as the amount of information to be deleted is accumulated and stored for each item.

  Further, the storage device of the sales communication board 70 not only stores the communication contents between the game medium lending machine 30a and the sales management device 10 via the sales management network, but also from the holding member 30b as described later. When the medium lending machine 30a is removed, the connector 35a and the connector 36a are disconnected, and when the supply of power to the game medium lending machine 30a and the communication with the outside are cut off, information related to the communication at the time of the interruption is obtained. It comes to memorize. That is, the storage device of the sales communication board 70 is a destination of information related to communication when the game medium lending machine 30a is detached from the holding member 30b.

  The sales communication board 70 is connected to the game medium lending machine 30a and one or more of the hall management device 90, the sales management device 10, and the member management device 20 when the communication is performed. When the unlocking operation of the locking device 37 is detected by 305, information related to the communication (including sales related information) is stored by an instruction from the control board 330.

  Therefore, by removing the game medium lending machine 30a from the holding member 30b during the communication, even if the power supply to the game medium lending machine 30a and the communication with the outside are interrupted, the information related to the communication at that time is lost. There is no such thing as being told. From the above, the sales communication board 70 (the storage device thereof) functions as a storage unit that holds the memory even when the supply of power to the game medium lending machine 30a is stopped.

  In addition, when the key detection sensor 305 detects the unlocking operation, the control board 330 (main control unit 310), when there is sales related information related to the transmission of the control board 330 or the sales communication board 70, the sales It functions as a backup storage means for storing related information in a backup communication sales board 70 (storage device).

  The holding member 30b is formed, for example, in a substantially box shape (case shape) with an open front surface, and is fixed adjacent to the gaming machines disposed between the gaming machines of the island facility or at the end of the island facility. It has become. The holding member 30b holds the game medium lending machine 30a so as to be slidable back and forth. When the game medium lending machine 30a is pushed backward from the front, the game medium lending machine 30a is held by the holding member 30b. By entering the state and pulling out the game medium lending machine 30a from this state, the game medium lending machine 30a can be removed.

Further, the locking device 37 of the game medium lending machine 30a can be fixed in a state where the game medium lending machine 30a is locked to the holding member 30b while the game medium lending machine 30a is held on the holding member 30b.
The holding member 30b includes an I / F-CN board 36 including a connector 36a connected to the connector 35a of the game medium lending machine 30a.

  The I / F-CN substrate 36 is provided in a substrate housing portion 36b formed in the side wall portion on the rear side of the holding member 30b. The substrate accommodating portion 36b is formed in a state in which the rear side wall portion is pushed backward, the inside thereof is a concave chamber, and the I / F-CN substrate 36 is attached in parallel to the rear side wall therein. Yes.

  The I / F-CN board 36 includes a connector 36a connected to a connector 35a formed on the back side of the game medium lending machine 30a. The connector 36a is disposed at a position facing the back of the game medium lending machine 30a on the front side of the I / F-CN board 36 and overlapping with the connector 35a of the game medium lending machine 30a. When the game medium lending machine 30a is set (held) in the holding member 30b by pushing backward from the front side so as to accommodate the game medium lending machine 30a in the holding member 30b, the connector 36a of the holding member 30b The connector 35a of the game medium lending machine 30a is connected.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the I / F-CN board 36 has a connector 36a connected to the connector 35a and a connector part for connecting to an external device. To connect to the management device 90 (hall computer) a hall management connector 362 for outputting a sales signal (sales related information), an external information connector 363 for inputting external information of the pachinko machine, and an interface of the CR machine. CR machine I / F connector 364, service system I / F connector 365 for connection to a service communication box (service system I / F), and a sales management system network (sales management system LAN) A sales management LAN connector 366 and a power connector 367 (AC24V) are provided.

  The hole management connector 362 has wiring terminals connected to the interface device of the hole management device 90. The terminal numbers 2, 4, and 6 are the deposit 1 signal and deposit 2 signal, respectively. , The deposit amount 3 signal, the terminal number 8 is the beneficiary signal, the terminal number 10 is the replay signal, the terminal number 14 is the abnormal signal, the terminal numbers 1, 3, The fifth, seventh, ninth and thirteenth terminals are common terminals corresponding to the signals whose terminal numbers are one lower.

  Then, the deposit amount 1 to 3 signals are respectively transferred from the control board 330 to the hole management device 90 in accordance with the operation at the time of depositing in the bill discriminator 32 or the coin selector 33 of the game medium lending machine 30a. This is a pulse signal output every time. For example, each signal (three signals) of the deposit amount 1 to 3 signals has three types as the unit deposit amount, for example, one hundred yen, five hundred yen, one thousand yen, one thousand yen, five thousand yen, one thousand yen, etc. The corresponding pulse signal is output every time the amount is deposited into the game medium lending machine 30a.

  Further, for example, in the ball counter 34 of the game medium lending machine 30a, the ball lending signal corresponds to an operation of lending out a number of game balls corresponding to any one unit amount such as one hundred yen, five hundred yen, and one thousand yen. This is a pulse signal output each time a unit amount of game balls is paid out from the control board 330 to the hole management device 90. In addition, when there are a plurality of unit monetary signals, such as one hundred yen, five hundred yen, one thousand yen, etc., signals may be output from a plurality of terminals, for example, as described later. In addition, three terminals for the sales 1 signal, the sales 2 signal, and the sales 3 signal may be provided in place of the terminal for the wage money signal.

  These deposit amount signal and ball money signal (sales signal) are transmitted to the game medium lending machine 30a based on the operation of the game medium lending machine 30a transmitted to the hall management device 90 as the outside of the game medium lending machine 30a. Relevant sales related information.

  Further, the replay signal is transmitted from the control board 330 to the hole management device 90 every time a predetermined number of replay game balls are lent from the stored game balls in the game medium lending machine 30a as described above. Signal. The abnormal signal is a signal transmitted from the game medium lending machine 30a to the hall management device 90 when an error occurs in the game medium lending machine 30a.

  The hall management connector 362 may be configured to transfer a pulse signal transmitted from the external information terminal of the pachinko gaming machine to the hall management device 90. In this case, the hall management connector 362 may receive external information. Terminals similar to those described later of the connector 363 are provided.

  The external information connector 363 is connected to the wiring connected to the external information terminal of the pachinko gaming machine. The terminal number 2 is a start number 1 signal, the terminal number 4 is a start number 2 signal, and the terminal number 6 is a special prize. Signal, terminal number 8 is a probability change signal, terminal numbers 10 and 12 are spares, terminal number 14 is an incoming signal (incoming signal), and terminal number 16 is an outgoing signal (outer signal), Terminal numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 are pachinko machine signal commons that are common terminals for the above terminals.

The start number 1 signal and the start number 2 signal are signals that are output every time a variable display game is started in a pachinko gaming machine that performs a so-called variable display game, for example, and are signals for counting the above-mentioned start number. is there.
The special prize signal is a signal that is output when the variable display game has won a special prize (big win). The probability variation signal is a signal that is output when the variation display game is a special prize with a so-called probability variation. The incoming signal is a signal for counting the number of incoming balls described above, and is output when the player has driven a gaming ball into the gaming machine. The outgoing ball signal is a signal for counting the number of outgoing balls, and is output when a prize ball is paid out from the gaming machine.

  The CR machine I / F connector 364 enables the CR machine to be used by the game medium lending machine 30a of this example without using a ball rental machine using a storage medium such as a game card as described above. It is connected to the CR machine interface. The CR machine I / F connector has terminal numbers 1 and 2 as line grounds, terminal numbers 3 and 4 as power supply terminals, and terminal number 5 as a frame ground.

  The service system I / F connector 365 is for communicating with the service system communication box 40 connected to the service system network in accordance with the RS485 standard. The terminal number 1 is for output, and the terminal number 2 is It is used for input, and terminal number 4 is used as a frame ground.

The sales management LAN connector 366 is an Ethernet connector and is connected to the sales management network. Terminal numbers 1, 2, and 6 are used for transmission signals, and terminal number 3 is used for reception signals. Has been.
The power connector 367 is for supplying AC 24V to the game medium lending machine 30a. The terminal number 1 is live and the terminal number 2 is neutral.

  In the I / F-CN board 36, the wirings of the connectors 362 to 367 of the connector portion 361 are combined into one connector 36a, and the connector 36a is connected to the connector 35a. And the like can be performed between the holding member 30b and the game medium lending machine 30a. Accordingly, the connector 35a and the connector 36a are all provided with terminals corresponding to the terminals of the connectors 362 to 367 described above.

  As described above, the game medium lending device 30 is provided with the holding member 30b provided in the facility where the gaming machine is installed, and the game medium lending machine that is detachably held by the holding member 30b and is capable of lending game media with a valuable value. 30a and a locking device 37 that locks and locks the game medium lending machine 30a on the holding member 30b, and the game medium lending machine 30a is held on the holding member 30b. Sales-related information related to sales of the game medium lending machine 30a based on the operation of the game medium lending machine 30a is supplied to the outside while supplying power to the machine 30a.

  In the game medium lending device 30 in the game system of this example, when the locking device 37 of the game medium lending machine 30a is unlocked and the game medium lending machine 30a is pulled out from the holding member 30b, the above-described game medium lending machine is provided. By disconnecting the connector 35a of 30a and the connector 36a of the holding member 30b, the power supply wiring connection to the game medium lending machine 30a through the holding member 30b is cut off, and the game through the holding member 30b is performed. The wiring connection for various communications with the outside of the medium lending machine 30a is cut off.

On the other hand, in the game medium lending device 30, various failures, clogging of bills and coins, and clogging of game balls may occur, and in the case of a trouble related to repair or communication that takes a long time, the game medium lending device 30. However, clogging of bills, coins, and game balls can be dealt with on the spot, and the game medium lending machine 30a is pulled out from the holding member 30b and dealt with.
Therefore, when the game medium lending device 30 communicates with the outside, the game medium lending machine 30a may be pulled out from the holding member 30b. In this case, as described above, the power supply and communication are suddenly cut off at the same time.

  Various measures (including sales-related information) handled by the game medium lending device 30 can be stored in a storage device that can retain the memory even during a power failure for power failure countermeasures. When the power is cut off, it is impossible to determine how much data has been transmitted to the outside, or whether the data has been normally transmitted to the outside, and there is information to be transmitted to the game medium lending device 30. Even if stored, it may be difficult to accurately manage sales-related information based on the operation of the game medium lending device 30 by the external hall management device 90, sales management device 10, and member management device 20. .

Therefore, in the game medium lending device 30 of this embodiment, the following processes are performed when the game medium lending machine 30a is pulled out from the holding member 30b in order to eliminate the above-described clogging.
As communication processing for interruption and return of communication with the hall management device 90, the processing shown in FIGS.

  The sales related information based on the operation of the game medium lending device 30 corresponds to the unit amount corresponding to the operation of lending the game ball based on the money inserted into the game medium lending machine 30a or the stored balance. There is loan amount (sales amount) information indicating that a number of game balls have been rented. When the loan amount information is transmitted from the game medium lending device 30 to the hall management device 90, for example, a thousand yen is thrown into the game medium lending device 30 as the above lending signal, and 1,000 yen of game balls are lent. In this case, 10 pulses are transmitted as a pulse signal for every hundred yen as a unit amount.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the main control unit 310 of the game medium lending device 30 receives a detection signal from the key detection sensor 305 as the lending amount information communication interruption process of the communication process during the normal lending mode. It is determined at every predetermined timing whether or not it is output, and processing for monitoring the detection signal is performed (step S1). When the key detection signal from the key detection sensor 305 is input, the game medium lending machine 30a is switched from the lending mode to the maintenance mode (step S2). At this time, the key cylinder 37b of the locking device 37 is rotated from the locking position toward the unlocking position, and becomes an unlocking detection position between the locking position and the unlocking position.

Next, it is determined whether or not the loan amount information is being output (the loan signal is being transmitted) (step S3). If the loan amount information is not being transmitted, the loan amount information communication interruption process is terminated and the deposit amount information communication described later is performed. Transition to suspension processing.
When the loan amount information is being output, the control board 330 stops outputting the loan amount information (step S4).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, a game ball for 100 yen, which is a unit amount when a thousand yen bill is inserted into the hall management device 90 from the control board 330 via the holding member 30b, is continuously 10 times. When lent out, a pulse signal for 10 pulses is output. Here, for example, at the stage where a pulse signal of 5 pulses indicating 5 hundred yen is transmitted, when the unlocking operation is detected as described above and the process of stopping the output of the loan amount information is performed, the remaining Transmission of pulse signals for 5 pulses is stopped.

  Next, unsent loan amount information (for example, 5 pulses (for five hundred yen)) that has not yet been output is stored as remaining loan amount information and the remaining loan indicating that there is unsent loan amount information The amount information present flag is turned on and stored. At this time, the remaining loan amount information and the remaining loan amount information present flag are stored in the storage device of the sales communication board 70 that retains the memory even when the power is cut off (step S5).

In this case, the untransmitted remaining loan amount information is stored and stored separately from the loan amount information stored in the normal time, and it is clarified that it is untransmitted remaining loan amount information.
The above-described processing can be performed in a very short time. For example, it can be performed until the key cylinder 37b rotates from the unlocking operation detection position to the unlocking position. In addition, after unlocking the locking device 37, the game medium lending machine 30a is actually pulled out from the holding member 30b, and before the connector 35a and the connector 36a are disconnected, that is, supply of power to the game medium lending machine 30a. Before the communication with the outside is interrupted, the above-described processing is surely performed.

  Accordingly, by pulling out the game medium lending machine 30a from the holding member 30b, before the game medium lending machine 30a is disconnected from the power source and the communication, the communication ends and is determined even during the communication, and the remaining information to be communicated Is stored in a storage device that can retain the memory even when the power is turned off, and a flag indicating that there is information that has not been transmitted is stored. That is, when the key detection sensor 305 serving as the unlocking operation detecting unit detects the unlocking operation, it is determined whether or not the control board 330 serving as the information communication unit is transmitting the loan amount information as the sales related information. When the loan amount information is being transmitted, the transmission of the loan amount information by the control board 330 is stopped, and the untransmitted loan amount information that has not been transmitted due to the transmission stop is stored in the sales communication board 70 serving as the storage means. Save backup to the device.

  After the lending amount information communication interruption process as described above is performed, the game medium lending machine 30a is pulled out from the holding member 30b, and, for example, a process for eliminating clogging of banknotes, coins, game balls, and membership cards is performed. Then, the game medium lending machine 30a is pushed into the holding member 30b so that the game medium lending machine 30a is held by the holding member 30b, and the connector 35a is connected to the connector 36a.

Then, power is supplied from the connector 36a to the connector 35a, and power is also supplied to the control board 330 of the game medium lending machine 30a.
Then, as the lending amount information communication return process of the communication process when the power supply is resumed, as shown in FIG. 7, the energization of the connection confirmation return signal terminals, which are both terminals of the connector 35a, and the connection confirmation return signal ground terminal Is detected as connector connection detection (step S6). Basically, if there is no connection between the connector 35a and the connector 36a, power is not supplied to the game medium lending machine 30a, but the connectors are not completely connected and communication is cut off even if power is supplied. If the connection confirmation return signal terminal and the connection confirmation return signal ground terminal at both ends of the connector are connected to each other, not only the power supply but also the communication is reliably restored. It can be judged.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the remaining loan amount information present flag is on (step S7). As described above, when the game medium lending machine 30a is removed from the holding member 30b during the output of the loan amount information, the flag is on, so the process proceeds to the following processing and is not turned on. In this case, a deposit information communication return process described later is performed.

  If the flag is on, the loan amount information stored as untransmitted remaining loan amount information is read from the storage device of the sales communication board 70 (step S8). Then, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, when processing for stopping communication is performed in a state where only 500 yen (5 pulses) of 1000 yen loan amount information (10 pulses) is transmitted. After the power is turned on as described above from the power-off state and the above-described processing is performed, 5-pulse loan amount information as remaining loan amount information for five hundred yen that has not been transmitted is stored in the hall management device 90. (Step S9).

  From the above, the main control unit 310 serving as the information communication means energizes the connection confirmation return signal terminal and the connection confirmation return signal ground terminal of the connector 36a serving as the holding detection means, thereby playing the game to the holding member 30b. When there is residual loan amount information as sales related information that is backed up and stored in the storage device of the sales communication board 70 as the storage means when it is detected that the medium lending machine 30a is held, the remaining loan amount information Is transmitted to the external hall management device 90.

  Thereby, even if the game medium lending machine 30a is pulled out from the holding member 30b while the lending amount information is being output, and the power supply and communication of the game medium lending machine 30a are cut off, accurate lending amount information can be obtained by the hall management device 90 It becomes possible to manage.

  As sales related information based on the operation of the game medium lending device 30, in addition to the above-mentioned lending amount information, it corresponds to the operation of identifying and depositing bills and coins when they are inserted into the game medium lending machine 30a. Thus, there is deposit amount information indicating that the unit amount has been deposited for each unit amount. Note that the deposit amount indicated in the deposit amount information is a deposit amount, and as described above, only a part of the deposit amount may be lent out as a game ball, resulting in a balance. When the deposit amount information is transmitted from the game medium lending device 30 to the hall management device 90, for example, when 10,000 yen is inserted into the game medium lending device 30 as the above-described deposit signal, every thousand yen Ten pulses are transmitted as a pulse signal.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the main control unit 310 of the game medium lending device 30 receives a detection signal from the key detection sensor 305 as the payment amount information communication interruption process of the communication process during the normal lending mode. It is determined at every predetermined timing whether or not it is output, and processing for monitoring the detection signal is performed (step S11). When the key detection signal from the key detection sensor 305 is input, the game medium lending machine 30a is switched from the lending mode to the maintenance mode (step S12).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the deposit amount information is being output (a deposit signal is being transmitted) (step S13). If it is not being transmitted, the deposit amount information communication interruption process is terminated and, for example, maintenance described later is performed. Process as a mode. When the locking device 37 is further rotated and unlocked from the unlocking operation detection position and the game medium lending machine 30a is pulled out from the holding member 30b, the operation in the maintenance mode is not performed.

  When the deposit amount information is being output, the control board 330 stops outputting the deposit amount information (step S14). That is, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, a 10,000 yen bill is inserted into the hall management device 90 from the control board 330 via the holding member 30b, and every thousand yen that becomes one unit amount at the time of deposit. A pulse is output, and a pulse signal for 10 pulses is output. Here, for example, when the unlocking operation is detected and the output of the deposit amount information is stopped as described above at the stage where the pulse signal for 5 pulses indicating 5000 yen is transmitted, Transmission of pulse signals for 5 pulses is stopped.

  Next, unsent deposit amount information (for example, 5 pulses (for 5,000 yen)) that has not yet been output is stored in the storage device of the sales communication board 70 as remaining amount information, and the unsent deposit amount The remaining amount information present flag indicating that there is information is turned on and stored in the storage device of the sales communication board 70 (step S15).

At this time, the untransmitted residual amount information is stored and stored separately from the deposit amount information stored in the normal time, and it is clarified that it is untransmitted residual amount information.
The above-described processing can be performed in an extremely short time, and the game medium lending machine 30a is pulled out from the holding member 30b and the power supply to the game medium lending machine 30a is cut off, as in the above-described lending amount information communication interruption processing. It is done before

  Accordingly, by pulling out the game medium lending machine 30a from the holding member 30b, before the game medium lending machine 30a is disconnected from the power source and the communication, the communication ends and is determined even during the communication, and the remaining information to be communicated Is stored in a storage device that can retain the memory even when the power is turned off, and a flag indicating that there is information that has not been transmitted is stored. That is, when the key detection sensor 305 serving as the unlocking operation detecting unit detects the unlocking operation, it is determined whether or not the control board 330 serving as the information communication unit is transmitting the deposit amount information as the sales related information. When the deposit amount information is being transmitted, transmission of the deposit amount information by the control board 330 is stopped, and unsent receipt amount information that has not been transmitted due to the suspension of transmission is stored in the sales communication board 70 serving as the storage means. Save backup to the device.

  After the payment amount information communication interruption process as described above is performed, when the game medium lending machine 30a is pulled out from the holding member 30b and, for example, a process of eliminating clogging of banknotes, coins, and game balls is performed, the holding member The game medium lending machine 30a is pushed into the holding member 30b so that the game medium lending machine 30a is held at 30b, and the connector 35a is connected to the connector 36a.

Then, power is supplied from the connector 36a to the connector 35a, and power is also turned on to the control board 330 of the game medium lending machine 30a.
Then, as shown in FIG. 9, energization of the connection confirmation return signal terminals that are the terminals at both ends of the connector 35 a and the connection confirmation return signal ground terminal is performed as the payment amount information communication return process of the communication process when power is restored. It is determined whether or not it has been detected as connector connection detection (step S16).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount information flag is on (step S17). As described above, when the game medium lending machine 30a is removed from the holding member 30b during the output of the deposit amount information, since the flag is on, the process proceeds to the following processing and is not on. In this case, processing in the normal lending mode is started.

  If the flag is on, the deposit amount information stored as the untransmitted remaining amount information is read from the storage device of the sales communication board 70 (step S18). Then, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, when processing for stopping communication is performed in a state where only 5,000 yen (5 pulses) out of 10,000 yen deposit information (10 pulses) is transmitted. In addition, after the power is turned on as described above from the power-off state and the above-described processing is performed, the lending amount information of 5 pulses as the remaining amount information of 5,000 yen that has not been transmitted is the hall management device. Is output to 90 (step S19).

  From the above, the control board 330 (main control unit 310) serving as the information communication means is based on the energization between the connection confirmation return signal terminal and the connection confirmation return signal ground terminal of the connector 36a serving as the holding detection means. There is residual amount information as sales related information that is backed up and stored in the storage device of the sales communication board 70 as the storage means when it is detected that the game medium lending machine 30a is held in the holding member 30b. In this case, the remaining amount information is transmitted to the external hall management device 90.

Thereby, even if the game medium lending machine 30a is pulled out from the holding member 30b during the output of the deposit amount information, and the power supply and communication of the game medium lending machine 30a are cut off, accurate deposit amount information can be obtained by the hall management device 90. It becomes possible to manage.
As described above, transmission (communication) of information from the game medium lending machine 30a to the hall management device 90 is performed by outputting a pulse signal, but the game medium lending machine 30a, the member management device 20, and the sales management device 10 Communication between them is performed by data communication in a general LAN.

  Next, information on communication processing when the game medium lending machine 30a is removed from the holding member 30b as described above during communication processing between the game medium lending machine 30a and the sales management device 10 and the member management device 20. The communication interruption process will be described. Note that there is a difference between the case where the communication destination of the game medium lending machine 30a is the sales management device 10 and the case where the member management device 20 is through the sales communication board 70 or the service communication box 40. Since the basic processing in the game medium lending machine 30a is the same, here, the sales management device 10 will be described as an example. Therefore, even if the sales management apparatus 10 described below is replaced with the member management apparatus 20, the same processing can be performed.

  Further, in the communication for transmitting information from the game medium lending device 30 to the sales management device 10 in the following communication processing, the information to be transmitted includes game medium lending such as the above-mentioned deposit amount information and lending amount (sales amount) information. Sales related information based on the operation of the machine 30a is included, but external information of the gaming machine may be further included.

  Then, in the main control unit 310 of the game medium lending device 30, whether or not a detection signal from the key detection sensor 305 is output as information communication interruption processing during the normal lending mode, as shown in FIG. Is determined at each predetermined timing, and processing for monitoring the detection signal is performed (step S21). When the key detection signal from the key detection sensor 305 is input, the game medium lending machine 30a is switched from the lending mode to the maintenance mode (Step S22).

Next, it is first detected that the unlocking operation has been detected until the game medium lending machine 30a is pulled out from the holding member 30b and the communication and power supply to the game medium lending machine 30a are cut off as described above. The key detection information shown is transmitted to the sales management apparatus 10 (step S23). This notifies the sales management device 10 that the lending mode of the game medium lending device 30 in which the locking device 37 has been operated is canceled and enters the maintenance mode or the power-off state, and will be described later. This is a process for confirming that the unlocking operation has been performed in the medium lending device 30 in the management room (office) where the sales management device 10 is placed. Pulling out the game medium lending machine 30a from the holding member 30b is prevented.
The game medium lending machine 30a outputs identification information that can identify the game medium lending machine 30a that has output the key detection information together with the key detection information.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is transmission information during communication processing (step S24). Note that the transmission information during communication processing (including sales related information such as loan amount information and deposit amount information) is in the process of transmission, but the information before the transmission and the transmission process are already transmitted It contains information. More precisely, for example, the money amount information and the loan amount information are transmitted from the time when money is inserted in the game medium lending device 30 and the amount information is generated, or the time when the game ball is lent and the amount information is generated. Then, there is no response notification from the sales management device 10 yet, and the stage where it is not determined that communication has been normally performed, that is, until the response notification is received, is in communication processing (transmission processing), During this communication process, it is determined that there is transmission information.

When there is no transmission information, the maintenance mode process is performed until the power supply of the game medium lending machine 30a is cut off.
If there is transmission information, it is next determined whether or not the transmission information is before transmission (step S25). In the case before transmission, the communication processing is stopped without transmitting the transmission information temporarily stored in the RAM 312 of the control board 330, and the transmission information is set as untransmitted information in the storage device of the sales communication board 70 described above. At the same time, the flag with unsent information is turned on and this flag is stored in the storage device of the sales communication board 70 (step S26). Information generated by the game medium lending machine 30a and to be transmitted to the external sales management device 10 or the like (for example, the above-mentioned lending amount information or deposit amount information as sales related information) is stored in the sales communication board 70. Although it is stored in the apparatus, information before transmission is stored as untransmitted information separately from them.

  If it is not before transmission, it is waiting for a response from the external sales management apparatus 10 after transmission (step S27). In this case, the transmitted information is stored in the storage device of the sales communication board 70. In addition to storing, the flag with retransmission information is turned on and stored in the storage device of the sales management device 10 (step S28). The transmitted information is stored as information generated in the game medium lending machine 30a including the sales related information in the storage device of the sales management device 10 as described above. It is stored again as information for retransmission.

  From the above, the main control unit 310 (control board 330) serving as an information communication unit is configured to be capable of storing sales related information to be transmitted to the outside, and from the outside to the transmission of the sales related information to the outside. The main control unit 310 configured to be able to receive a response notification and functioning as a backup storage unit is transmitted by the main control unit 310 when the key detection sensor 305 serving as the unlock operation detection unit detects the unlock operation. It is determined whether or not the response notification for the sales related information is in a standby state. When the standby state is in a standby state, the main control unit 310 temporarily stores the transmitted sales related information corresponding to the standby response notification. Backup storage is performed in the storage means.

  Next, in the game medium lending machine 30a as described above, when the processing corresponding to troubles such as clogging of money and game balls is completed, and the game medium lending machine 30a is set in the holding member 30b, as described above. The connector 35a and the connector 36a are connected to each other, and the power supply and the communication with the outside in the game medium lending machine 30a are restored.

Information communication return processing of communication processing with the sales management device 10 (member management device 20) in the game medium lending device 30 at this time will be described. As described above, when the connector 35a and the connector 36a are connected, power is supplied to the game medium lending machine 30a, and the control board 330 (main control unit 310) is activated.
Then, as described above, it is determined whether or not connector connection is detected (step S31).

  Next, connector connection information is transmitted to the sales management apparatus 10 (step S32). In the sales management apparatus 10, as described above, when the game medium lending machine 30a is removed from the holding member 30b, the key detection sensor 305 corresponds to the transmission of the key detection information when detecting the unlocking operation. The sales management apparatus 10 is notified that the game medium lending machine 30a is removed from the holding member 30b and the lending mode is restored.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the untransmitted information present flag is turned on (step S33). If the unsent information flag is on, information (including sales related information) corresponding to the operation after the operation in the game medium lending machine 30a is stored in the sales communication board 70 as unsent information as described above. Since it is stored in the apparatus, the stored untransmitted information is transmitted to the sales management apparatus 10 (step S34).

If the untransmitted information present flag is not turned on, it is determined whether or not the retransmission information present flag is turned on (step S35).
If the resend information present flag is on, the information sent as described above and waiting for a response (including sales related information) is stored as resend information in the sales communication board 70, so it is stored. The resending information is transmitted to the sales management apparatus 10 (step S36). As a result, the communication and power supply of the game medium lending machine 30a are cut off in a response waiting state, and even when a response is received, the communication cannot be received, and the power supply is cut off without confirming that the information has been transmitted. When communication is restored, it can be prevented that the information has been transmitted accurately or not. In other words, it is determined that the information has been transmitted by retransmitting the information transmitted immediately before the power is shut off in the state of waiting for a response after transmitting the information, and receiving a response to the retransmitted information. .

  In the sales management device 10, as described above, the key detection information is received after the information is received before the power and communication are cut off in the game medium lending machine 30a, and then the connector connection information is received. Retransmission information is received after that, so that even if the same information is received twice, it should not be treated as separate information, but instead be processed in place of the previously received information. Can do. Also in this case, the main control unit 310 as information communication means energizes between the return signal terminal and the return signal ground terminal of the connector 35a as the holding detection means, and the game medium lending machine 30a is held by the holding member 30b. When there is sales-related information stored in a backup when this is detected, the sales-related information is transmitted to the outside.

The communication resumption process is terminated by the above process, and the process shifts to a normal lending mode process.
On the other hand, in the sales management device 10 (member management device 20), the following processing is performed when the key detection information transmitted from the game medium lending machine 30a is received by the above-described communication processing in the game medium lending machine 30a.

  As described above, when the key detection information is received from the game medium lending machine 30a (step S41), the sales management apparatus 10 stores the key detection information (step S42). At this time, the key detection information is stored together with the game medium identification information for identifying the game medium lending machine 30a and the reception time information such as date and time, and when the game medium lending machine 30a later receives the key detection information. So that you can see if Next, the reception of the key detection information is displayed on the monitor 11 (step S43). At this time, the above-described identification information is also displayed so that the game medium lending machine 30a that has transmitted the key detection information can be identified, and the game medium lending machine 30a is informed so as to be identifiable. In addition, the display which alert | reports having received the key detection information of the monitor 11 continues until connector connection information is received, for example. In this way, the lock device 37 is operated in the game medium lending device 30 by displaying that the key detection information has been received on the monitor 11 of the sales management device 10 (the monitor 21 of the member management device 20). This can be known in the management room (office) where the sales management apparatus 10 is installed, so that it is possible to confirm whether or not the locking device 37 has been illegally operated. For example, in a game store where a surveillance camera is installed, when the sales management device 10 notifies that the key detection information has been received, a staff member of the game store operates the locking device 37 on the monitor of the surveillance camera. It can be confirmed whether or not the lock device 37 is operated by a person other than the attendant.

  Further, when the unlocking operation of the locking device 37 is detected in the game medium lending device 30 as described above, the game medium lending machine 30a is changed from the lending mode to the maintenance mode, and the game medium lending machine 30a is moved from the holding member 30b. If the state in which power is supplied to the game medium lending machine 30a is maintained without being pulled out, the processing in the maintenance mode is performed. In the maintenance mode process of the game medium lending machine 30a, as shown in FIG. 15, first, a process of displaying the menu screen (a1) on the display unit 303 of the game medium lending apparatus 30 is performed.

  In this example, the processing performed in the maintenance mode includes error confirmation when an error occurs, confirmation of totaling of information generated in the game medium lending machine 30a, confirmation of the setting of the current game medium lending machine 30a, When the settlement at the settlement machine 50 cannot be performed due to a communication failure between the member management apparatus 20 and the settlement machine 50, local settlement for settlement based on information stored in the game medium lending apparatus 30 is performed. Yes, these items are displayed on the display unit 303 as menus.

  That is, in the menu display, 1. Error check, 2. 2. Aggregation confirmation 3. Confirmation of setting Each item is given a menu number as in local settlement, and the menu item can be selected by pressing buttons 1 to 4 on the numeric keypad of the operation unit 304 of the game medium lending machine 30a. When the 1 button on the operation unit 304 is pressed, an error confirmation screen (a2) is displayed on the display unit 303. The error confirmation screen displays a history of errors within a predetermined period. For example, when a bill is jammed (jammed) by the bill validator 32, a bill jam is displayed, and the card is read by the card reader 31. When it is jammed, it is displayed as card jam. That is, in the error confirmation process, when the card, bill, coin, game ball, or the like cannot be normally detected by the sensors provided in the card reader 31, bill validator 32, coin selector 33, ball counter 34, etc. In addition, the CPU 311 determines that an error has occurred based on the detection signal of the sensor of each device, and performs processing for displaying the location where the error occurred, the type of error, and the like as a history since the power was turned on. When the cancel button on the operation unit 304 is pressed while the error confirmation screen is displayed on the display unit 303, processing for returning to the menu screen (a1) is performed.

  In the tabulation confirmation, for example, the tabulation result of the number of pulses of each information (sales related information) transmitted from the game medium lending device 30 to the hall management device 90 from when the power is turned on before the start of business is displayed. The total confirmation screens (a3 to a6) are divided into a plurality of screens because of the large display amount, and the total confirmation screen is switched each time the confirmation button on the operation unit 304 is pressed. When the button is pressed, the screen returns to the first menu screen (a1). As the loan amount information, for example, in the above description, one signal is used. For example, the game ball that is lent out for every 100 yen, the game ball that is lent out every 500 yen, for example, May be divided into 3 signals of sales of gaming balls lent out every 1000 yen, and the total number of pulses of each signal is displayed. In this case, P at the end indicates a pulse, and the one returned at the end indicates that there is a confirmation response to the sales signal transmitted from the game medium lending device 30. Therefore, if the number that ends with P and the number that ends return match, it indicates that all signals have been transmitted correctly.

  Replay is a signal corresponding to the above-mentioned replay ball payout, and deposits 1 to 3 are signals corresponding to the above-mentioned deposit information. In addition, on this summary screen, it is assumed that the external information of the gaming machine is also transmitted to the hall management device 90 via the gaming medium lending device 30, and the above-described entrance, exit, start 1, start 2, A summary of the number of pulses for each special award and probability change signal is displayed.

  On the menu screen (a1), when the 3 button on the operation unit 304 is pressed, a setting confirmation screen (a7) is displayed on the display unit 303. On the setting confirmation screen (a7), the version number (Ver0.004) of the game medium lending machine 30a is displayed, and the number of game balls (number of balls), which is a unit for lending game balls once as a setting, member Lending amount per card (thousand yen) when using a large amount of banknotes using a card, lending using the above balance using a membership card, or entering a PIN when using a replay ball Whether or not, the standard of the pulse signal, and the like are displayed. When the cancel button on the operation unit 304 is pressed while the setting confirmation screen (a7) is displayed, the screen returns to the menu screen.

  When the 4 button on the operation unit 304 is pressed on the menu screen, the local settlement screen (a8 to a13) is displayed on the display unit 303. In the local settlement, when the settlement machine 50 cannot be used as described above, it is possible to perform settlement by a clerk using balance data based on the deposit amount and the loan amount stored in the game medium lending device 30. Yes. Then, on the local settlement screen (a8), when the balance is not 0, the balance is displayed and a display asking whether to settle is performed. In this state, if the confirmation button on the operation unit 304 is pressed, the screen proceeds to the second local settlement screen (a9) where guidance for settlement is performed next, and if the cancellation button is pressed, the settlement is not performed and the menu screen (a1) Return to.

  On the second local settlement screen (a9), a display for instructing to settle the balance of money by hand is performed. When hand payment is performed based on this and the confirmation button is pressed, the balance is set to 0 on the third local payment screen (a10), and a display indicating that the local payment has been completed is performed. Here, when the confirmation button is pressed, the fourth local settlement screen (a11) prompting to take the membership card is displayed. At this time, the card reader 31 performs processing for returning the card.

  Further, when the local settlement is selected on the menu screen (a1) and the balance is 0, as shown in the fifth local settlement screen (a12), a display indicating that the balance is 0 and there is no settlement money. Here, when the confirmation button is pressed, the sixth local settlement screen (a13) prompting to take the membership card is displayed, and the card reader 31 performs processing for returning the card.

  As described above, the game medium lending machine 30a is configured to be able to switch between a lending mode in which a game medium can be lent and a maintenance mode for performing maintenance, and the main control unit 310 performs the lending mode and maintenance. The main control unit 310 functions as a mode switching unit that switches between modes, and switches the mode based on the detection of the unlocking operation by the key detection sensor 305 serving as the unlocking operation detection unit. Therefore, the locking device 37 including the key detection sensor 305 is used for both locking of the holding member 30b and the game medium lending machine 30a and switching of the mode. In particular, a remote controller for switching the mode is required. The mode can be easily switched without taking

  It should be noted that the mode switching of the game medium lending machine 30a needs to be basically performed only by an attendant of the game store, and the mode can be switched by the locking device 37 that requires a key. Security can be ensured.

  The gaming system as described above includes a holding member 30b provided in a facility where a gaming machine is installed, a game medium lending machine 30a that is detachably held by the holding member 30b, and is capable of renting game media with a valuable value, And a locking device 37 that locks and locks the game medium lending machine 30a to the holding member 30b, and the game medium lending machine 30a is held by the holding member 30b. In the game medium lending device 30 configured to supply power and to transmit sales related information related to the sales of the game medium lending machine 30a based on the operation of the game medium lending machine 30a to the outside, the game medium lending machine 30a Includes information communication means (main control unit 310) for transmitting sales-related information to the outside of the game medium lending machine 30a based on the operation of the game medium lending machine 30a, and the game medium. Even when the supply of power to the lending machine 30a is stopped, storage means (memory device of the sales communication board 70) that retains the memory, and unlocking operation detection means (key detection sensor 305) that detects the unlocking operation of the locking device 37. And when the unlocking operation detecting means detects the unlocking operation, if there is sales related information related to the transmission of the information communication means, the backup storing means (mainly storing the sales related information in the storage means) Control unit 310).

  Accordingly, when the game medium lending machine 30a performs communication for transmitting sales management information from the game medium lending device 30 to, for example, an external management device (the hall management device 90, the sales management device 10, and the member management device 20). In addition, when a store clerk or the like removes the game medium lending machine 30a in order to eliminate jamming of game media or money, the unlocking operation of the locking device 37 that fixes the game medium lending machine 30a to the holding member 30b is performed. And when the unlocking operation is detected and the game medium lending machine 30a is pulled forward with respect to the holding member 30b until the connector connection between the gaming medium lending machine 30a and the holding member 30b is released. The sales related information to be transmitted to the outside during the communication process is backed up and saved.

Accordingly, during the communication processing between the game medium lending device 30 and the external management device, the game medium lending machine 30a is pulled away from the holding member 30b, so that the connector connection between them is disconnected and communication becomes impossible. Unlocking operation for removing the game medium lending machine 30a from the holding member 30b without performing an operation for saving data being processed by the store clerk even when the power to the game medium lending machine 30a is stopped. Since the sales related information to be transmitted during the communication process is backed up simply by performing the above, accurate sales related information can be left even if the communication is interrupted. In addition, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of information traps between the game medium lending machine 30a and the external management device.
Then, for example, the game medium lending machine 30a can be held by the holding member 30b, and the sales-related information backed up in a state where communication with the outside becomes possible can be transmitted to the outside again.

  Further, the backup storage means (main control unit 310) determines whether the information communication means is transmitting the sales related information when the unlocking operation detecting means (key detection sensor 305) detects the unlocking operation. Determining and stopping the transmission of the sales related information by the information communication unit when the sales related information is being transmitted, and storing the untransmitted sales related information that has not been transmitted by the transmission stop as the storage unit (sales communication board) 70 storage device).

  Accordingly, in the game medium lending machine 30a, when there is sales-related information being transmitted, the sales management information of the game medium lending machine 30a is turned off after the unlocking operation as described above. Since the transmission is stopped and the unsent sales management information is backed up when the transmission is stopped, the complete sales management information can be accurately obtained by combining the transmitted sales management information with the unsent backed up sales management information. . Therefore, accurate sales management information can be left.

  Further, when the game medium lending machine 30a is connected to the holding member 30b and communication between the game medium lending machine 30a and the outside is established, it becomes possible to transmit the backed-up sales management information to the outside. The hall management device 90 can obtain complete sales management information from the sales management information transmitted before the transmission is stopped and the backed up sales management information transmitted after the transmission is stopped.

  The information communication means (main control unit 310) is configured to be able to store the sales related information to be transmitted to the outside, and to be able to receive a response notification from the outside with respect to the transmission of the sales related information to the outside. When the unlocking operation detecting means (key detection sensor 305) detects the unlocking operation, the backup storing means (main control unit 310) sends a response notification to the sales related information transmitted by the information communication means. It is determined whether or not it is in a standby state, and when it is in a standby state, it is stored in the information communication unit, and the transmitted sales related information corresponding to the response notification in the standby state is backed up and stored in the storage unit (sales management device). .

  Accordingly, in the game medium lending machine 30a, when there is sales-related information immediately after transmission and a response notification for the sales-related information is not received, the game medium lending machine 30a is operated after the unlocking operation as described above. Since the sales related information immediately after transmission is backed up until the power of the device is turned off, for example, when the transmission of sales related information has failed, the game medium immediately after the sales related information is transmitted By removing the lending machine 30a from the holding member 30b, it is possible to prevent the loss of sales-related information immediately after transmission, and to prevent inaccurate sales management due to the loss of some sales-related information. it can.

  That is, when sales-related information is transmitted from the game medium lending machine 30a to the outside, if a response notification indicating that the sales-related information is received from the outside is received for the sales-related information, the sales-related information Information is transmitted, and accurate management of sales-related information becomes possible externally. Therefore, in the state where the response notification is not received, the sales related information is not surely transmitted, so that the game medium lending machine 30a is pulled out from the holding member 30b while waiting for the response notification as described above, and the game medium If sales related information immediately after transmission is stored before the power of the lending machine 30a is turned off, the sales related information can be retransmitted after the game medium lending machine 30a is restored.

  The locking device 37 has a rotating member (key cylinder 37b) that rotates between the locking position and the unlocking position by operating the inserted key, and rotates the rotating member from the locking position to the unlocking position. The unlocking operation detecting means (the key detection sensor 305) is configured so that the rotation position of the rotating member is a predetermined position between the locking position and the unlocking position. By detecting, the unlocking operation of the locking device 37 is detected.

  Therefore, the unlocking operation detecting means (the key detection sensor 305) is configured such that when the rotating member rotates from the locking position toward the unlocking position, the rotation position of the rotating member is after the locking position and is unlocked. Since the unlocking operation of the locking device is detected by detecting that the predetermined position before the position is reached, the rotation member of the locking device is actually unlocked after detecting the unlocking operation of the locking device. A time lag occurs between the rotation to the position and the unlocking device being unlocked. By using the time lag time, sales related information related to communication with the outside can be reliably backed up. That is, after the unlocking operation is performed, by disconnecting the game medium lending machine 30a from the holding member, the connector connection between them is disconnected, and the game medium lending machine 30a is turned off and the communication connection is disconnected. The time includes the time from when the unlocking operation detecting means detects the unlocking operation until the actual locking device is unlocked, and when it is detected that the rotating member has rotated to the unlocking position. Compared to, it will take more time to save backups.

  Further, the game medium lending machine 30a is configured to be able to switch between a lending mode in which a game medium can be lent and a maintenance mode for performing maintenance, and mode switching means for switching between the lending mode and the maintenance mode ( The mode switching means switches modes based on the detection of the unlocking operation by the unlocking operation detecting means (key detection sensor 305).

  Therefore, when the unlocking operation detecting means detects the unlocking operation and the power is not turned off, the game medium lending machine 30a can perform maintenance from the lending mode to the maintenance mode. Therefore, since it is possible to switch to the maintenance mode by using the locking device 37 for fixing the game medium lending machine 30a to the holding member 30b, it is very convenient and also serves as a countermeasure against fraud.

  That is, by using the locking device 37 for actual locking and mode switching, it is not necessary to provide a device for switching to the maintenance mode in addition to the locking device 37, and the cost can be reduced. . Also, if the clerk has the key of the locking device 37, the game medium lending machine 30a can be put into the maintenance mode without having a remote control device for the game medium lending machine 30a. Saves time and is convenient. In addition, a key is required for switching from the lending mode to the maintenance mode, and it is possible to prevent a person who does not have the key from setting the game medium lending machine 30a in the maintenance mode and cheating the game medium lending machine 30a. The locking device 37 fixes the game medium lending machine 30a to the holding member 30b and prohibits the removal of the game medium lending machine 30a without a key and the start of the withdrawal of the sales related information related to the communication described above. It has three functions: an instruction function and a mode switching function.

  Further, the game medium lending machine 30a includes holding detection means (connector 35a) for detecting that the game medium lending machine 30a is held by the holding member 30b, and the information communication means (main control unit 310) includes There is sales related information that is backed up in the storage means (the storage device of the sales communication board 70) when the holding detection means detects that the game medium lending machine 30a is held in the holding member 30b. In this case, the sales related information is transmitted to the outside.

  Accordingly, when the holding detection means for detecting that the game medium lending machine 30a is held by the holding member 30b detects that the game medium lending machine 30a is held by the holding member 30b, the storage means backs up the storage means 30a. When there is sales-related information that has been released, the sales-related information is transmitted to the outside, so that even if the clerk does not perform re-transmission or the like, the pulled-out game medium lending machine 30a is returned to the original state and the game medium is lent When the machine 30a and the holding member are connected by a connector, the sales related information stored in the backup is transmitted, and if there is the sales related information stored in the backup, it can be surely transmitted to the outside. Can save labor.

  Note that the gaming machine installed in the game hall according to the present invention is not limited to the pachinko gaming machine as described in this embodiment, for example, other pachinko gaming machines, arrange ball gaming machines, sparrow ball gaming machines. It may be for other ball game machines such as pachislot machines and slot machines. When a game machine that uses medals is used as a game medium instead of a game ball (ball), the game ball (ball) as the game medium in the above description is a medal.

  Furthermore, it should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a block diagram which shows the game system provided with the game media rental apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the said game media rental apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the said game media rental apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the locking position and unlocking position of the locking device of the said game media rental apparatus. It is a figure which shows each terminal name of the connector of the game medium rental machine of the said game medium rental apparatus, and the connector of a holding member. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the loan amount information communication interruption process in the said game medium rental apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the loan amount information communication return process in the said game medium rental apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the payment amount information communication interruption process in the said game media rental apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the money_receiving | payment amount information communication return process in the said game media rental apparatus. It is drawing for demonstrating the loan amount information communication process in the said game medium rental apparatus. It is drawing for demonstrating the money_receiving | payment amount information communication process in the said game media rental apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the information communication interruption process in the said game media rental apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the information communication return process in the said game medium rental apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the display process of the sales management apparatus or member management apparatus performed corresponding to the information communication interruption process in the said game medium rental apparatus. It is a figure which shows the display screen for demonstrating the process of the maintenance mode in the said game media rental apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

10 Sales management device (management device)
20 Member management device (management device)
30 gaming medium lending device 30a gaming medium lending machine 30b holding member 305 key detection sensor (unlocking operation detecting means)
310 Main control unit (information communication means, backup storage means, mode switching means)
330 Control board 35a External output board connector (holding detection means)
36a I / F-CN board connector 37 Locking device 37a Key cylinder (rotating member)
70 Sales communication board (memory means)

Claims (5)

A holding member provided in a facility where the gaming machine is installed, a game medium lending machine that is detachably held by the holding member and is capable of lending gaming media based on value, and the gaming medium lending machine is provided on the holding member A locking device that locks and locks the game medium lending machine in a held state, and supplies power to the game medium lending machine in a state where the game medium lending machine is held by the holding member and the operation of the game medium lending machine In the game medium lending device configured to transmit the sales related information related to the sales of the game medium lending machine based on
The game media lending machine is
Information communication means for transmitting the sales related information to the outside of the game medium lending machine based on the operation of the game medium lending machine;
Storage means for holding the memory even when the supply of power to the game medium lending machine is stopped;
Unlocking operation detecting means for detecting the unlocking operation of the locking device;
Backup storage means for backing up the sales related information in the storage means when there is sales related information related to transmission of the information communication means when the unlocking operation detecting means detects the unlocking operation; Prepared ,
The backup storage means includes
When the unlocking operation detection means detects the unlocking operation, the information communication means determines whether the sales related information is being transmitted, and if the sales related information is being transmitted, the information communication means The game medium lending apparatus is characterized in that the transmission of the sales related information is stopped and unsent sales related information that has not been transmitted due to the transmission stop is backed up and stored in the storage means. The information communication means is configured to be able to store the sales related information to be transmitted to the outside, and can receive a response notification indicating that the sales related information from the outside has been received in response to the transmission of the sales related information to the outside Composed of
The backup storage means includes
When the unlocking operation detecting means detects an unlocking operation, the information communication means determines whether or not the response notification for the transmitted sales related information is waiting, and if the unlocking operation detecting means is waiting, the information communication means 2. The game medium lending device according to claim 1, wherein the game-related lending device stores the transmitted sales-related information corresponding to the response notification during standby in the storage unit. The locking device has a rotating member that rotates between a locking position and an unlocking position by operating an inserted key, and the unlocking operation is performed by rotating the rotating member from the locking position to the unlocking position. Configured and possible
The unlocking operation detecting means detects the unlocking operation of the locking device by detecting that the rotational position of the rotating member is a predetermined position between the locking position and the unlocking position. The game medium renting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that: The gaming medium lending machine is configured to be able to switch between a lending mode in which a gaming medium can be lent and a maintenance mode for performing maintenance, and includes mode switching means for switching between the lending mode and the maintenance mode,
The game medium lending device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the mode switching means switches modes based on detection of the unlocking operation by the unlocking operation detecting means. The game media lending machine is
A holding detection means for detecting that the game medium lending machine is held by the holding member;
The information communication means, when the holding detection means detects that the game medium lending machine is held in the holding member, and there is sales related information stored in backup in the storage means, the sales related Information is transmitted outside, The game media rental apparatus of any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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