JP6157833B2 - GAME DEVICE, GAME SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is provided corresponding to a gaming machine capable of playing a game using a predetermined game medium, and includes an appropriate determination means for determining whether or not the game medium is appropriate, and the appropriate determination means. The present invention relates to a gaming apparatus and a gaming system including a storage unit that stores gaming media determined to be inappropriate.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a medal deposit machine, which is an example of a gaming apparatus installed in a game center such as a game center, has medal determination means for determining the authenticity of a medal (game medium). In addition to discriminating the authenticity, the medals are sorted by a sorting hopper so that the regular medals are stored in the regular medals box and the illegal medals (inappropriate game media) are stored in the illegal medals box. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-65487 A (page 6, FIG. 5)

  In a game hall provided with a medal deposit machine described in Patent Document 1, a clerk or the like needs to collect medals stored in an illegal medal box. In amusement halls that are installed in large numbers like the counters provided for one-on-one, it will take a lot of time and effort to store illegal medals from all medal deposit machines. There was a request to be able to efficiently collect illegal medals from depository machines.

The present invention has been made paying attention to such a problem, and provides a gaming apparatus and a gaming system capable of efficiently collecting an inappropriate gaming medium stored separately from an appropriate gaming medium. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a gaming apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention provides:
Proper determination means (corresponding to a gaming machine (for example, slot machine 1) capable of playing a game using a game medium (for example, a medal) and determining whether or not the game medium is appropriate ( A gaming device (medal lending machine 100) comprising a controller 190a) of the counting device 190 and a storage unit (medal storage box 194) for storing game media determined to be inappropriate by the appropriate determination means. ,
First determination means for determining whether or not the storage amount of the game medium stored in the storage unit has reached a first storage amount that prompts collection of the game medium (for example, in Se7 of medal storage processing in FIG. 25, The control unit 181 determines whether or not the total medal storage number of the medal information (see FIG. 12C) is the first threshold (full tank),
When the first determination means determines that the first storage amount has been reached, first notification means that notifies that the first storage amount has been reached (for example, in Se9 of medal storage processing in FIG. 25, the control unit 181 is a portion for lighting the state notification lamp 111),
Second determination means for determining whether or not the storage amount of the game medium stored in the storage unit has reached a second storage amount that is smaller than the first storage amount (for example, in Sf2 of the tightening-related process in FIG. 26) The control unit 181 determines whether or not the total number of medals stored in the medal information (see FIG. 12C) is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (second threshold).
When the game hall is closed, a predetermined signal output from a management device that manages the gaming device is received, and the second determination means determines that the second storage amount has been reached. Then, the second notification means for notifying that the second storage amount has been reached (for example, in Sf3 of the tightening-related processing in FIG. 26, the control unit 181 lights up the state notification lamp 111 and the medal management computer 550. A portion for transmitting a notification notifying that the number of illegal medals stored in the medal storage box 194 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (second threshold)),
A payout device for paying out game media stored in a payout storage unit different from the storage unit;
A guide member extending from the payout device toward the player and guiding the game medium paid out by the payout device;
A counting device arranged at a lower position of the payout storage unit and capable of counting game media;
A receiving unit capable of receiving game media to be counted by the counting device;
An introduction path member for introducing the game medium received in the receiving unit into the introduction unit of the game medium in the counting device;
With
The appropriateness determining means determines whether or not the game media counted by the counting device is appropriate,
The introduction path member is extended upward from the introduction portion, and an insertion hole is formed through which the guide member can be inserted in a direction intersecting the introduction direction of the game medium.
The receiving portion is provided at a position above the insertion hole .
According to this feature, when an inappropriate game medium reaches the first storage amount, the fact is notified, so that the game medium can be collected from the storage unit and at least at the end of the game hall business. When the second storage amount is reached, the fact is notified, so that it is possible not only to collect an inappropriate game medium in the stage before reaching the first storage amount, but also storage that still has a margin for storage. Since it is not necessary to collect the game medium from the section, the work efficiency of the collection is improved.

The gaming system according to claim 2 of the present invention includes:
Proper determination means (corresponding to a gaming machine (for example, slot machine 1) capable of playing a game using a game medium (for example, a medal) and determining whether or not the game medium is appropriate ( A plurality of game devices (medal lending machine 100) comprising a controller 190a) of the counting device 190 and a storage unit (medal storage box 194) for storing game media determined to be inappropriate by the appropriateness determination means. ,
A management device (medal management computer 550), which is connected to each gaming device so as to be able to perform data communication, and transmits a predetermined signal to each gaming device when the game hall is closed;
A gaming system including:
First determination means for determining whether or not the storage amount of the game medium stored in the storage unit has reached a first storage amount that prompts collection of the game medium (for example, in Se7 of medal storage processing in FIG. 25, The control unit 181 determines whether or not the total medal storage number of the medal information (see FIG. 12C) is the first threshold (full tank),
When the first determination means determines that the first storage amount has been reached, first notification means that notifies that the first storage amount has been reached (for example, in Se9 of medal storage processing in FIG. 25, the control unit 181 is a portion for lighting the state notification lamp 111),
Second determination means for determining whether or not the storage amount of the game medium stored in the storage unit has reached a second storage amount that is smaller than the first storage amount (for example, in Sf2 of the tightening-related process in FIG. 26) The control unit 181 determines whether or not the total number of medals stored in the medal information (see FIG. 12C) is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (second threshold).
When the game hall is closed, the second storage is based on receiving a predetermined signal output from the management device and determining that the second storage amount has been reached by the second determination means. A second notification means for notifying that the amount has been reached (for example, in Sf3 of the tightening-related process in FIG. 26, the control unit 181 lights the state notification lamp 111);
A payout device for paying out game media stored in a payout storage unit different from the storage unit;
A guide member extending from the payout device toward the player and guiding the game medium paid out by the payout device;
A counting device arranged at a lower position of the payout storage unit and capable of counting game media;
A receiving unit capable of receiving game media to be counted by the counting device;
An introduction path member for introducing the game medium received in the receiving unit into the introduction unit of the game medium in the counting device;
With
The appropriateness determining means determines whether or not the game media counted by the counting device is appropriate,
The introduction path member is extended upward from the introduction portion, and an insertion hole is formed through which the guide member can be inserted in a direction intersecting the introduction direction of the game medium.
The receiving portion is provided at a position above the insertion hole .
According to this feature, when an inappropriate game medium reaches the first storage amount, the fact is notified, so that the game medium can be collected from the storage unit and at least at the end of the game hall business. When the second storage amount is reached, the fact is notified, so that it is possible not only to collect an inappropriate game medium in the stage before reaching the first storage amount, but also storage that still has a margin for storage. Since it is not necessary to collect the game medium from the section, the work efficiency of the collection is improved .

The gaming device and gaming system of means 1 of the present invention are the gaming device according to claim 1 and the gaming system according to claim 2, respectively.
Storage medium counting means for counting the number of game media stored in the storage unit (for example, in Se4 of medal storage processing of FIG. 25, the control unit 181 determines the total number of medal storage of medal information (see FIG. 12C)). To add 1 to), and
A game medium type setting means (a medal having a different size (for example, a φ25 medal and a φ30 medal having different sizes) can be set from among a plurality of types of game media having different sizes. And a controller 190a) of the counting device 190 that can be compared for identification.
The first determination means determines that the first storage amount has been reached when the number of game media counted by the storage medium counting means reaches a first threshold (for example, in Se7 of medal storage processing in FIG. 25). The control unit 181 determines whether or not the total number of medals stored in the medal information (see FIG. 12C) is the first threshold value (full tank)).
The second determination unit determines that the second storage amount has been reached when the number of game media counted by the storage medium counting unit reaches a second threshold (for example, in Sf2 of the tightening-related process in FIG. 26). The control unit 181 determines whether or not the total number of medals stored in the medal information (see FIG. 12C) is equal to or larger than a predetermined number (second threshold)).
Threshold setting means capable of setting the first threshold and / or the second threshold (for example, an illegal medal related setting screen shown in FIG. 19 in which an illegal medal related setting that can be performed by the medal management computer 550) can be further provided. ,
The threshold value setting means can set a threshold value according to the type of game medium set by the game medium type setting means (for example, by using “island unit setting” shown in FIG. A portion that can be designated for each island of gaming, such as a game area where a game can be performed with a medal worth of or a game area where a game can be played with a medal worth 20 yen per piece),
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, even when the same number of game media are stored, the storage amount changes according to the size of the game media. Therefore, the notification is made at an appropriate level by changing the threshold value according to the size of the game media. can do.

The gaming apparatus and gaming system of means 2 of the present invention are the gaming apparatus according to claim 1 or means 1, and the gaming system according to claim 2 or means 1,
The appropriateness determining means is a game medium determined to be inappropriate, and is a first inappropriate game medium (own store medal) that can be used in the game hall and a second inappropriate game medium that cannot be used in the game hall. (Fake medal) and multiple types of inappropriate gaming media (illegal medal)
Registration means for registering the type of improper game medium necessary for identification by the appropriateness determination means (a part in which about 100 self-stored medals are input to the counting device 190 in advance and the image of the own-store medals is registered in the memory 190b) When,
Storage medium counting means for counting the number of game media stored in the storage unit (for example, in Se4 of medal storage processing of FIG. 25, the control unit 181 determines the total number of medal storage of medal information (see FIG. 12C)). To add 1 to), and
With
The storage medium counting means separately counts the first inappropriate game medium and the second inappropriate game medium registered by the registration means when it is determined that the appropriate determination means determines that the storage medium count means is not appropriate ( For example, in Se5 of the medal storage process in FIG. 25, the control unit 181 determines whether or not it is the own store medal, and if it is the own store medal, the process proceeds to Se6 and medal information (see FIG. 12C). 1 is added to the own store medal storage number, and if it is not the own store medal, the process proceeds to Se11, where 1 is added to the false medal storage number of the medal information (see FIG. 12C),
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, it becomes easier to grasp the amount of game media in the game hall out of the inappropriate game media stored in the storage unit, so that it can be collected early and determined as an appropriate game media. It becomes possible to return to the area.

The gaming apparatus and gaming system of means 3 of the present invention are the gaming apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 1, and 2, and the gaming according to claim 2, means 1, and 2. System for
Game medium imaging means (medal photographing camera 190c) for imaging a game medium to be determined by the appropriateness determination means;
A player imaging means (face image capturing camera 188) for imaging a player playing a game on a corresponding gaming machine;
Image data storage means for storing the game medium data obtained by imaging the game medium targeted for the determination and the player data obtained by imaging the player in association with each other when it is determined that the appropriate determination means is not appropriate ( For example, in Sd3 of the illegal medal process of FIG. 24, the control unit 181 generates a single notification image (see FIG. 21) by combining the player's face image and the medal image in parallel, and this notification image is displayed. A portion stored in the RAM 181b),
Comprising
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, since it is possible to specify which of the game media stored in the storage unit a predetermined player has used, it becomes easy to specify fraud.

The gaming apparatus and gaming system of means 4 of the present invention are the gaming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 1-3, and the gaming system according to any one of claims 2 and 1-3. Because
The appropriateness determining means determines whether or not the game media counted by the counting device for counting game media received from a predetermined receiving unit is appropriate (for example, the counting process of FIG. 23). In Sc6, the control unit 181 determines whether the counted medal is an illegal medal based on the medal determination information acquired from the counting device 190),
The counting device is configured to calculate the number of game media counted until the inappropriate condition is satisfied on the condition that a predetermined inappropriate condition (invalid medal detection notification condition) is satisfied based on the determination result by the appropriate determining means. Of these, the number of game media determined to be inappropriate by the appropriateness determination means is invalidated (for example, in Sd8 of illegal medal processing in FIG. 24, the control unit 181 has a card table (see FIG. 12A)). Subtract the cumulative illegal medal value from the medal count)
Comprising
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, if an inappropriate game medium is included in the counted game media paid out from the gaming machine, the inappropriate game media is also counted unless the inappropriate condition is satisfied. In addition, it is possible to prevent a player who uses an unsuitable game medium from suffering a disadvantage, and when the unsuitable condition is satisfied, the number of game media counted so far becomes invalid, so that the game medium is illegally Can be prevented from being acquired.

The gaming apparatus and gaming system of means 5 of the present invention are the gaming apparatus and gaming system according to means 4,
The appropriateness determining means determines whether or not the game media counted by the counting device for counting game media received from a predetermined receiving unit is appropriate (for example, the counting process of FIG. 23). In Sc6, the control unit 181 determines whether the counted medal is an illegal medal based on the medal determination information acquired from the counting device 190),
Until the predetermined improper condition (invalid medal detection notification condition) is satisfied based on the determination result by the appropriate determination means, the number of counted game media counted by the counting device is added and stored regardless of the determination result by the appropriate determination means. (For example, in Sd6 of illegal medal processing in FIG. 24, the control unit 181 adds 1 to the cumulative number of illegal medals in the card receiving game information (see FIG. 12B)),
A storage process of accepting a count recording medium capable of specifying the count game medium number and storing the specified count game medium number in the storage means when the count record medium number can be specified by the count record medium Means (for example, in the card acceptance process of Sb20 in FIG. 22, the control unit 181 (storage process means) of the medal lending machine 100 includes the number of medals, the number of saved medals (member only) included in the received acceptance process completion notification Visit points (members only), PIN (members only) are stored in the card table),
A discharge processing means for performing a discharge process for discharging the number of the counted game media that can be specified when the game is ended;
With
The discharge processing unit discharges a count recording medium in which information that can specify the number of game media stored in the storage unit is recorded among the number of count game media stored in the storage unit (for example, FIG. 22). In the return processing of Sb23, the control unit 181 of the medal lending machine 100 determines whether or not the card being received is a visitor card. If the card is a visitor card, the card on the card table is included in the visitor card. A part that records the cumulative number of illegal medals in the game information being received),
It is characterized by that.
According to this feature, it is possible to grasp and manage how many game media are not appropriate for a predetermined player.

It is a system configuration figure showing the whole picture of the game system in an example. It is a front view showing a slot machine and a medal lending machine. It is a left view which shows the internal mechanism of a medal lending machine. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of a slot machine and a medal lending machine. It is a perspective view which shows the state which open | released the front plate of the medal lending machine. It is a partially broken left view which shows the structure of the principal part of a medal lending machine. It is a principal part front view which shows a medal lending machine. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. (A) is a perspective view which shows the receiving part of an open state, (b) is a perspective view which shows the receiving part of a closed state. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of a counting device. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a medal lending machine. (A) is a figure which shows the card table of a medal lending machine, (b) is a figure which shows the game information during card reception of a medal lending machine, (c) shows the medal information of a medal lending machine. It is a figure and (d) is a figure which shows the counter information of a medal lending machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a card management computer. (A) is a figure which shows the membership card table of a card management computer, (b) is a figure which shows the visitor card table of a card management computer. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a medal management computer. (A) is a figure which shows the member saving management table of a medal management computer, (b) is a figure which shows the visitor saving management table of a medal management computer. It is a figure which shows the unit management table of a medal management computer. (A) is a figure which shows the member information table of a medal management computer, (b) is a figure which shows the game history table classified by member of a medal management computer. It is a figure which shows the unauthorized medal relation setting screen in a medal management computer. It is a figure which shows the business end process screen in a medal management computer. It is a figure which shows the unauthorized medal user face image screen in a medal management computer. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content implemented in a medal lending machine. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the count process implemented in a medal lending machine. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the illegal medal process implemented in a medal lending machine. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the medal storage process implemented in a medal lending machine. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the fastening related process implemented in a medal lending machine.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  An embodiment of the gaming system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an overall image of the gaming system of the embodiment of the present invention. A slot machine 1 that is a gaming machine arranged in parallel on an amusement island (not shown) is installed in a one-to-one correspondence with the slot machine 1 at a side position on a predetermined side of the slot machine 1 and mainly registered as a member. A visitor card (counting recording medium) having a prepaid function, which is a game recording medium issued to a general player who has not played, and a game issued to a member player registered as a member of the gaming machine Received by a member card (counting recording medium), which is a recording medium, and lent out a medal, which is a gaming medium used for gaming in a gaming machine, or by a game in the corresponding slot machine 1 The medal lending machine 100, which is the gaming apparatus of the present invention, which counts the received medals and pays out (returns) medals within the range of the counted medals, and the visitors used in the medal lending machine 100 Card management computer 500 for managing cards, membership cards, and medal lending machines 100, management of the number of medals counted in each medal lending machine 100, and member players possessing membership cards to play again A medal management computer 550 that is a management device of the present invention that manages the number of saved medals that can be used and the number of medals recorded on a visitor card, and the data of each slot machine 1 installed in the amusement hall It is mainly composed of a hall computer 540 that manages game information.

  In this embodiment, the card management computer 500, the medal management computer 550, and the hall computer 540 are formed by separate computers, but all these computers may be formed by one computer. Alternatively, any two of these computers may be formed by a single computer.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each device constituting the gaming system of the present embodiment is connected so as to be capable of bidirectional data communication via a hub (HUB) 70 and a communication cable 80. Each connected device is assigned a local IP address to form a local area network (LAN), and each of the devices connected to the local area network (LAN) can be individually identified. A device ID is assigned, and each device has an IP address table in which a device (unit) ID and a local IP address are associated, a unit management table (see FIG. 17) described later, and the like. Unit) By assigning each local IP address specified by the ID to the transmission data and transmitting / receiving it, it is possible to decipher each other. It has to be able to perform the transmission and reception of data.

  As described above, the card management computer 500 of this embodiment manages the prepaid balance (game value) remaining in each member card and each visitor card, and these members via the communication line 81. Cards and visitor cards are connected to a management server 82 installed at a card management company outside the amusement hall so that bidirectional data communication can be performed. The management information is transmitted to the card management company so that the management server 82 can grasp the sales by membership card and visitor card of each game hall.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a surveillance camera system 21 for monitoring the inside of the game hall is connected to the hall computer 540 of the present embodiment, and the inside of the gaming hall imaged by the surveillance camera system 21 is monitored. The image is stored and managed together with the table data of each slot machine 1 and the like. Further, the hall computer 540 of the present embodiment is connected to a radio broadcast system 20 that controls the income 9 used by the store clerk of the game hall. The hall computer 540 is connected to the store employee's income 9 via the radio broadcast system 20. On the other hand, an automatic voice message can be transmitted.

  Next, the slot machine 1 which is an example of the gaming machine used in this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of slot machines 1 are juxtaposed on a plurality of game islands (not shown) arranged in the amusement hall, and a housing 1a having an open front surface and a left side of the housing 1a. The front door 1b is pivotally supported by the front door 1b. The reels 2L, 2C and 2R having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer periphery are juxtaposed in the horizontal direction at the upper position inside the housing 1a. Of the symbols arranged on these reels 2L, 2C and 2R, Three consecutive symbols are arranged so that they can be seen from the perspective window 3.

  In the case of playing a game (game) in the slot machine 1, first, a medal M, which is an example of a disk-shaped game medium, is inserted from the medal insertion unit 4, or a bet number is set using credits. To use the credit, the MAXBET switch 6 may be operated. When a predetermined number of bets determined according to the gaming state are set, the pay lines L1 to L5 are valid, and the operation of the start switch 7 is valid, that is, the game can be started. In the present embodiment, when the prescribed number of bets is set to three regardless of the gaming state and the prescribed number of bets is set, the pay lines L1 to L5 become valid. In addition, when the medal M is inserted exceeding the maximum number among the prescribed number corresponding to the gaming state, the amount is added to the credit.

  The winning line is a line that is set to determine whether the combination of symbols displayed on the see-through window 3 of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R is a winning symbol combination. Here, only the winning line L set across the symbols arranged in the lower stage of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R is defined as the winning line. In this embodiment, one winning line is used, but a plurality of winning lines may be defined.

  When the start switch 7 is operated in a state where the game can be started, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R rotate, and the symbols of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R continuously vary. When any one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is operated in this state, the rotation of the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, 2R is stopped, and the display result is derived and displayed on the fluoroscopic window 3.

  Then, when all the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped, one game is finished, and a predetermined symbol combination (also called a combination) in one of the pay lines L1 to L5 is used for each reel 2L, 2C, 2R. When the display result is stopped, a winning occurs, and a predetermined number of medals M are given to the player and added to the credit. Further, when the credit reaches the upper limit number (for example, 50), the medal M is paid directly to the lower plate 5 provided so as to protrude forward from the medal payout opening 9 to the lower part of the front door 1b. It is like that. In addition, when a combination of symbols accompanying the transition of the gaming state is stopped as a display result of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R on any of the winning lines L1 to L5, a gaming state (for example, according to the combination of symbols) (for example, Regular bonuses and big bonus bonuses).

  Next, the medal lending machine 100 will be described. The medal lending machine 100 is provided in the slot machine 1 so as to correspond one-to-one. In this embodiment, a medal lending machine 100 corresponding to one slot machine 1 is arranged on the right side of the slot machine 1. In the present embodiment, the medal lending machine 100 is provided so as to correspond to the slot machine 1 on a one-to-one basis. For example, the medal lending machine 100 is provided with two pairs between the two slot machines 1 and 1. 1, one medal lending machine 100 may be shared by the two left and right slot machines 1, 1.

  The medal lending machine 100 is installed corresponding to a side position on a predetermined side of the slot machine 1 (right side toward the slot machine 1 in this embodiment), and is used for a bill or a general player who has not registered a member. A game card in a gaming machine that accepts a visitor card having a prepaid function, which is a game recording medium issued in advance, and a member card, which is a game recording medium issued to a member player registered as a member in the game hall. Processing for lending out the medal M, which is a disk-shaped game medium used for the game, and processing for receiving the medal M acquired by the player in the game at the slot machine 1 and counting the received medal M Then, processing for making it possible to specify the counted number of acquired medals from a visitor card or a membership card is performed.

  The medal lending machine 100 includes a visitor card and a membership card used in the medal lending machine 100, a card management computer 500 for managing the medal lending machine 100, and a medal for managing the number of stored medals and the number of medals. Various computers, such as a management computer 550 and a hall computer 540 for managing game information such as table data of each slot machine 1 installed in the game hall, are connected, and bidirectional data is transmitted between these computers. Communication is possible.

  The visitor card and membership card used in this embodiment are a non-volatile memory for storing various data, and rewriting and reading these recorded information, and non-contact communication with an external reader / writer device An IC card having an IC chip having a control unit for carrying out the operation is used. The visitor card and the membership card include a card ID that can identify each card, specifically, a visitor card. The card ID that starts with VC is stored in the member card in such a way that the member card ID that starts with KC is not rewritable in advance, the type of which can be identified from the card ID, and the prepaid balance that can specify the prepaid balance Various data such as data is stored.

  The member card is issued to a member player who has registered as a member in the amusement hall, and a member ID assigned to the member is stored in a non-rewritable manner. In addition, a member player can use the member card to make a medal M that has been once acquired and counted, and a saving medal that can be used again in the game after the next day. The number of saving medals, which is data of the saving medal, is not directly recorded, and these saving medals are associated with the card ID and the member ID in the medal management computer 550 that manages the information of the saving medals. By being stored, the card ID and the member ID are specified.

  Similarly to the saving medal, the medal management computer 550 also stores the card ID, the member ID, and the medal information in association with each other, so that the card ID and the member ID are stored. The number of medals can be specified from. In addition, with respect to these medals, not only the membership card but also the visitor card, the medal management computer 550 stores information on the medals in association with the card ID. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the medal information is also stored in the visitor card and collated with the medal information of the medal management computer 550. You may be able to do it.

  The visitor card is purchased and issued by a card issuing / depositing machine (not shown) installed in the amusement hall and also issued by the medal lending machine 100.

  Next, the medal lending machine 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the medal lending machine 100 according to the present embodiment includes a casing 101 having a vertically long rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and an opening / closing that allows opening and closing of the lower front opening of the casing 101. And a plate 102, and various devices to be described later are built in.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a bill insertion slot 110 for inserting bills is provided at the upper front of the opening / closing plate 102, and a full color LED is formed at a lower position of the bill insertion slot 110 to light up in a plurality of colors. A state notification lamp 111 that can notify the state of the medal lending machine 100 and the like, and a card insertion slot 112 for inserting a member card or a visitor card are provided.

  Below the status notification lamp 111, a deposit enabling lamp 113 for notifying that the deposit is available, a return button 114 for discharging the inserted membership card or visitor card, and a card for displaying a card balance, an error code, and the like. Status of balance display section 115, medal lending button 116 for paying out medals M, medal lending lamp 117 for displaying that medals M can be lended, and lending medal storage section 183 (see FIG. 3) described later When the member card is accepted, the savings specified by the member card ID and the member ID recorded on the member card when the member card is received. When a replay button 121 for executing a replay game using the number of medals and a replay game are executed A personal identification number display unit 119 for displaying a personal identification number to be input and a face image photographing camera 188 (player imaging means) capable of photographing a facial image of a player playing a game in the corresponding slot machine 1 are arranged. It is installed.

  Below these various operation units, a medal replenishment door 130 for opening a part of the opening / closing plate 102 when replenishing the medal M to the lending medal storage unit 183 is provided so as to be openable and closable with the lower side as a rotation axis. It has been. The medal supply door 130 cannot be opened unless a predetermined key (not shown) carried by a shop clerk or the like is inserted into the medal supply door key 131.

  A receiving unit 140 for receiving and counting the medals M acquired by the player through the game is provided at a position below the medal supply door 130, and a receiving unit 140 is provided from the lower part of the receiving unit 140. An introduction path cover 141 that constitutes an introduction path for guiding the received medal M downward and introducing it into the introduction port 142 of the counting device 190 described later is extended downward.

  Further, a nozzle 150 that is an example of a guide member that guides the medal M paid out from the payout device 182 to the lower plate 5 of the slot machine 1 slightly below the center position in the vertical direction of the introduction path cover 141. The insertion path cover 141 is inserted in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, at the upper position in the medal lending machine 100, the banknote insertion slot 110 is connected to the banknote insertion slot 110. The banknote identification unit 180 is provided to output the identification result to the control unit 181. In the banknote identification unit 180, various banknotes (10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, 2,000 yen, 1,000 yen each) are provided. (Banknotes) can be accepted.

  At the lower position of the bill recognition unit 180, an internal card reader / writer (not shown) built in a position corresponding to the card insertion slot 112 and the medal lending machine so that it can be easily connected to each part constituting the medal lending machine 100. A control unit 181 for controlling the operation of 100, a control unit 181 in which a card stock section (not shown) for storing the collected visitor cards and the like are integrally assembled are arranged. The control unit 181 is provided so that it can be pulled forward by opening the medal replenishment door 130 and can be pulled out from the housing 101 to perform maintenance and the like.

  The internal card reader / writer 187 reads out recorded information such as a (member) card ID, a member ID (member card only), prepaid balance data, and the like recorded in the member card and visitor card inserted from the card insertion slot 112. Has a card stock part (not shown) that stores visitor cards (including collected cards) used for issuance and can issue cards stored in the card stock part (not shown) It is said that.

  At a position below the control unit 181, that is, at a substantially central position in the vertical direction of the housing 101, a rental medal storage unit 183 that stores the payout medal M is provided. The lending medal storage unit 183 is formed above the medal hopper 183a and a medal hopper 183a that opens upward and is provided above the payout device 182 that pays out the medal M stored in the lending medal storage unit 183. The medal M stored in the lending medal storage unit 183 is aligned and guided toward the payout device 182 by the medal hopper 183a, and then a rotating disk (not illustrated) provided therein is illustrated. The medals are discharged from the medal discharge port 182a formed on the front surface and are discharged to the lower plate 5 through the nozzle 150.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a medal replenishment door 130 is disposed above the medal hopper 183 a, and the medal M can be replenished to the lending medal storage unit 183 by opening the medal replenishment door 130. ing. In the present embodiment, the medal replenishment door 130 is opened so that the medal M can be replenished to the lending medal storage unit 183. However, a medal replenishment device (not shown) provided on a gaming machine installation island (not shown). The medal M may be automatically replenished.

  A counting device 190 for counting the number of introduced medals M is disposed below the payout device 182. As shown in FIG. 10, the counting device 190 is formed with a counting port 191 that opens on the upper surface, and the medal M received from the counting port 191 slides along the introduction inclined portion 191a. M is put into the rotating disk 190g, and the medals M discharged one by one from the rotating disk 190g are aligned and flow down along the counting inclined portion 191b. A photo sensor 190e for detecting the presence of the medal M is provided in the middle of the flow path of the medal M, and a medal for capturing an image of the medal M at the moment when the end of the medal M is detected by the photo sensor 190e. A photographing camera 190c (game medium imaging means) is provided.

  Then, the controller 190a (appropriate determination means) of the counting device 190 instantaneously determines the authenticity of the medal M (whether it is a regular medal or an illegal medal) based on the medal image photographed by the medal photographing camera 190c, and based on the result of the judgment. A certain medal determination information is transmitted to the control unit 181 and the flow path of the medal M is switched by the flow path switching unit 190d, and the regular medal M is counted as the regular medal M and flows toward the discharge port 192. M is counted as an illegal medal and flows toward the medal storage box 194 set in the counting device 190. As described above, the illegal medals are not discharged from the discharge port 192 after being counted, but are stored in the medal storage box 194, thereby preventing unauthorized medals from being recycled and reused. Has been. Thus, the medal M introduced into the counting device 190 is determined for authenticity and counted. Further, the medal M discharged from the discharge port 192 is discharged into a gaming machine installation island (not shown) through an opening formed in the lower surface of the housing 101, and a collecting device (not shown) provided in the gaming machine installation island. ) To be collected.

  As will be described later, when a predetermined number (for example, 100) of illegal medals are stored in the medal storage box 194, a predetermined error signal is output to the island controller, the hall computer 540, and the like on the gaming machine installation island. Error notification is performed, and illegal medals can be collected as needed without having to check periodically by a game shop clerk or the like. Further, in this embodiment, as will be described later, when a predetermined amount of illegal medals M are stored in the medal storage box 194 at the end of business, it is possible to notify the store clerk to that effect. Yes.

  In addition, the illegal medals (inappropriate game media) in this embodiment are not only medals brought from outside such as other stores (fake medals (second improper game media)) but also in a predetermined area in the own store. The medals used in other areas are also included in the illegal medals.

  For example, a game is played using a first area in which a slot machine for playing using a first medal worth 5 yen per piece is installed and a second medal worth 20 yen per piece. For example, in the case where a first medal is brought in and used in the second area, the second area where the slot machine is installed is borrowed in the first area where the lending rate is low. By using the first medal in the second area where the lending rate is high, the player can gain profits illegally. In such a case, the first medal becomes an illegal medal in the second area.

  Further, when registering identification information of medals that are normally used in the counting device 190, in the predetermined medal registration mode, one of the counting devices 190 is selected and about 100 sheets are selected in the selected counting device 190. The regular medal is inserted to obtain the average data of the medals, and the medal photographing camera 190c is photographed to register the image information of the regular medals in the memory 190b (see FIG. 11). The counting device 190 determines authenticity by comparing the image of the regular medal stored in the memory 190b with the image of the medal to be determined. Similarly, when registering the amusement island medal (own store medal) in the other area of the own store, about 100 pieces of own store medals are put in the counting device 190 in advance, and the image of the own store medal is displayed. It is registered in the memory 190b.

  In addition, by registering medals corresponding to each of the plurality of game areas in the own store in this way, for example, the predetermined medal lending machine 100 is changed from the first game area to the second game area or from the second game area. When moving to one game area, or changing the first game area to the second game area or the second game area to the first game area, the medal corresponding to the game area is not registered each time. It is only necessary to set one of the registered medals as a proper medal.

  Note that the transition to the predetermined medal registration mode is impossible from the outside of the medal lending machine 100, and the counting device 190 housed in the medal lending machine 100 is taken out and a predetermined operation is performed. The player or the like illegally shifts to the medal registration mode and cannot change the registration.

  In addition, the image information of the regular medal or the own store medal registered in the counting device 190 of one medal lending machine 100 is transmitted to the medal management computer 550, and the image information is sent to the other plurals via the medal management computer 550. By transmitting to the medal lending machine 100, the counting device 190 of each medal lending machine 100 may register the image information of the regular medal or the own store medal. In this way, particularly when a large number of medal lending machines 100 are installed, registration work of image information of regular medals or own store medals can be easily performed. Furthermore, in the medal management computer 550, the setting of the regular medal and the own store medal can be changed as appropriate (game medium type setting means).

  It should be noted that the controller 190a of the counting device 190 is based on decorations, characters, and the like applied to the surface of the medal when comparing the image of the regular medal stored in the memory 190b with the image of the medal to be determined. Various features are extracted, and the similarity is calculated based on the matching status of the extracted various feature amounts. Based on these various feature amounts, a difference sum, an average ratio, or a ratio sum is obtained as the similarity. If the similarity value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined as a regular medal.

  In addition, the controller 190a (game medium type setting means) of the counting device 190 compares the medal image determined as an illegal medal with the image of the own store medal stored in the memory 190b. . Also in the determination of whether or not it is the own store medal, similar to the determination of the regular medal, the similarity is calculated based on the matching state of the various feature amounts, and the comparison is performed. The various features described above also include information such as the diameter of the medal, so that medals of different sizes (for example, φ25 medal and φ30 medal) can be compared and identified.

  The front side of the counting port 191 is provided with an introduction member 193 having an upward U-shape when viewed from the front. The medal M received and dropped by the receiving unit 140 is introduced into the counting port 191 as will be described later.

  A power supply unit 198 for supplying power to various devices provided in the housing 101 is provided on the back surface of the control unit 181 in the housing 101 so as to protrude from the back surface of the housing 101. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, when a player plays a game in the slot machine 1, 1000 yen medals M (for example, 50) are discharged from the payout device 182 by inserting the banknote into the banknote insertion slot 110. Since it is paid out to the lower tray 5 of the slot machine 1 through the nozzle 150, a game can be played using this. Also, if a high-value bill (2000 yen, 5000 yen, 10000 yen) is inserted, if there is no visitor card being accepted, a medal M worth 1000 yen will be paid out, and the remaining amount will be a newly issued visitor card If there is a visitor card or membership card being recorded, the acceptance amount is added to the remaining amount of the visitor card or membership card being accepted and updated. Also, if the visitor card or membership card being accepted has a card balance of 1000 yen or more, 1000 yen medals M (for example, 50) are paid out from the payout device 182 by pressing the lending button 116. The remaining amount is subtracted and updated. In addition, when there are a predetermined number or more of saved medals on the member card being accepted, the medal M (for example, 1000 yen) can be obtained by pressing the replay button 121 on the condition that the authentication with the password is OK. , 50) is paid out from the payout device 182, and the number of saved medals is subtracted and updated.

  Further, when the player has won the medal M in the game, the received medal M that has been paid out to the lower plate 5 is manually inserted into the receiving unit 140, and the received medal M has dropped in the introduction path cover 141. After that, it is introduced into a counting port 191 which is an introduction part of the counting device 190. The medal M introduced into the counting device 190 is detected by a medal detection sensor (not shown) provided in the counting device 190, and the rotating disk is detected based on the detection of the medal M by the medal detection sensor. The number of medals introduced by driving (not shown) is counted, and the counted number of medals is updated by adding to the number of medals specified from the member card or visitor card being accepted. M is discharged from the discharge port 192 into the gaming machine installation island (not shown).

  In this embodiment, counting is started based on the detection of a medal M by a medal detection sensor (not shown) provided in the counting device 190. A counting button or the like that can be operated by the player may be provided, and counting may be started based on the operation of the counting button.

  When the player finishes the game, the player operates the return button 114 to return the member card or the visitor card that is being accepted (including the visitor card issued by inserting the cash). If there is a medal number (the number of medals) that has been obtained and counted in the game, a medal management computer 550 sends a medal count update request including the card ID and the number of medals to be returned to the member card or visitor card. The number of medals included in the medal count update request is updated by adding to the number of medals corresponding to the card ID of the member card or visitor card. It is possible to specify the number of medals from, and exchange it for a prize corresponding to the number of medals, or use it for another game. Further, when there is a prepaid balance, the prepaid balance can be settled with a settlement machine (not shown) or the like installed in the game hall.

  As described above, in the medal lending machine 100 according to the present embodiment, not only the medal M is lent when the game is started in the corresponding slot machine 1, but also the settlement is performed at the end of the game. Therefore, the player can start and settle the game without moving from the slot machine 1.

  Next, based on FIGS. 4-9, the detailed structure of the various members provided in the opening-and-closing board 102 is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the opening / closing plate 102 is formed in a backward U shape in plan view from a front plate 102 a and bent pieces 102 b bent from the left and right sides of the front plate 102 a to the rear side. When the opening formed in the lower front portion of the housing 101 is closed, the left and right bent pieces 102b are fitted inside the front ends of the left and right side plates of the housing 101. In this embodiment, the locking grooves 103 provided at the top and bottom of the bent piece 102b are locked to the locking pins 104 projecting from the inner surface of the side plate of the housing 101 so that they are attached to the closed position.

  The open / close plate 102 is configured to be able to cover the front side of the rental medal storage unit 183 and the counting device 190, that is, the lower side of the medal supply door 130 in the front opening of the housing 101, and the upper side thereof is a bill identification. A part of the front surface of the medal lending machine 100 is constituted by the front surfaces of the unit 180 and the control unit 181.

  At the height position corresponding to the introduction member 193 on the opening / closing plate 102, a horizontally long introduction port 142 is formed at a substantially central position in the left-right direction. Further, a rear insertion hole 143b having a horizontally long rectangular shape and a size through which the nozzle 150 can be inserted is formed above the introduction port 142. In addition, a long hole 105a is formed at the vertical position on the left and right side of the back surface, and a locking tube 105 having a vertically long rectangular shape is projected from the back surface of the long hole 105a.

  The introduction path cover 141 is inclined to the rear side downward from the lower end of the front plate 141a, the front plate 141a having a vertically long rectangular shape when viewed from the front, the side plate 141b bent from the left and right sides of the front plate 141a to the back side. An inclined plate 141c (second bottom surface portion) and an inclined plate 141d inclined downward from the lower ends of the left and right side plates 141b toward the center side are formed in a vertically long box shape whose rear and upper surfaces are open, and from the inlet 142 It is extended upwards. The lower part is formed so as to be gradually inclined toward the center of the back surface toward the introduction port 142. In the present embodiment, the inner surfaces of the left and right side plates 141b constitute two opposing side wall surfaces among the wall surfaces forming the inside of the introduction path.

  In addition, an inclined plate 141c '(first bottom surface portion) is provided above the inclined plate 141c so as to overlap with the inclined plate 141c with a predetermined distance. The bottom of the introduction path cover 141 is formed by these two inclined plates 141c and 141c '. The upper inclined plate 141c 'extends toward the counting device 190 from the lower inclined plate 141c. As will be described later, a plurality of small-diameter punching holes 148, 148 '(through holes) penetrated by punching are formed in the inclined plates 141c, 141c'. Each punching hole 148, 148 'has a diameter smaller than the diameter 2R of the medal M.

  Outward locking claws 144 project from a position corresponding to the long hole 105a at the rear end of the side plate 141b. By inserting these locking claws 144 from the front side of the long hole 105a, a locking cylinder is formed. The introduction path cover 141 is attached to the front surface of the opening / closing plate 102. In the mounted state, the rear end of the inclined plate 141 c ′ is inserted through the introduction port 142 and protrudes to the back side, and is arranged so that the rear end overlaps above the introduction member 193. Since the locking claw 144 is locked on the back surface of the opening / closing plate 102 in this way, the introduction path cover 141 cannot be removed from the opening / closing plate 102 unless the opening / closing plate 102 is opened. Thus, unauthorized access to the counting device 190 from the introduction port 142 is prevented.

  In this way, the introduction path cover 141 is attached to the front surface of the opening / closing plate 102, whereby the rear opening of the introduction path cover 141 is closed by the opening / closing plate 102, and the medal M received by the receiving unit 140 is introduced into the counting device 190. An introduction path K for the medal M extending in the vertical direction to be introduced into the mouth 142 is configured.

  Further, a front insertion hole 143a having substantially the same shape as the rear insertion hole 143b is formed at a position slightly below the position corresponding to the rear insertion hole 143b in the front plate 141a, and the nozzle 150 can be inserted therethrough. The front insertion hole 143a and the rear insertion hole 143b for inserting the nozzle 150 are formed on one end side (for example, the right side) of the introduction path K in the left-right width direction, and only on the other end (left end) side of the nozzle 150. A narrow path K1 is formed.

  On the upper left and right sides of the protective member 145, columnar rod members 146a and 146b are provided in the front-rear direction, that is, substantially parallel to the side plate 141b, and at an upper position between the rod members 146a and 146b, The rod-shaped member 146c is provided in the front-rear direction, that is, substantially parallel to the side plate 141b. These rod-shaped members 146a to 146c are arranged at positions farther from the side plate 141b than the diameter 2R of the medal M, so that the medal M is not clogged between the rod-shaped members 146a to 146c and the side plate 141b. And by sticking such rod-shaped members 146a to 146c in the front-rear direction, the posture of the dropped medal M is aligned to the lateral posture in which the front and back surfaces face the side plate 141b.

  The nozzle 150 extends from the front surface of the payout device 182 through the rear insertion hole 143b and the front insertion hole 143a, and is connected to the base 151 so as to protrude from the front insertion hole 143a toward the player side. The base 151 is formed so as not to be deformable, and the protrusion 152 is formed so as to be deformable at least toward the slot machine 1 with respect to the base 151.

  Specifically, the base 151 is formed in a rectangular tube shape, and is fixed to the back surface of the opening / closing plate 102 with screws (not shown) or the like so as to be inclined downward from the medal discharge port 182a. . In the attached state, the rear end opening is disposed so as to cover the medal discharge port 182a, and the front end protrudes forward through the rear insertion hole 143b and the front insertion hole 143a.

  The projecting portion 152 is formed by connecting a plurality of eaves members 152 a having an upward U-shape so as to be pivotable in the vertical and horizontal directions by universal joints (universal joints), and the rear eave member 152 a is connected to the front end of the base portion 151. It is connected by a universal joint (universal joint) so as to be rotatable in the vertical and horizontal directions. That is, the base 151 is fixed in a state of extending in the longitudinal direction of the introduction path cover 141, that is, in the front-rear direction intersecting with the movement (falling) direction of the medal M, whereas the base 151 The projecting portion 152 connected to the tip of 151 can be rotated (deformed) in the left-right direction (see FIG. 2) and the up-down direction (see FIG. 3).

  As described above, the base 151 inserted through the introduction path cover 141 is not deformable, so that the fall of the medal M is not hindered, and the protrusion 152 can be deformed to the slot machine 1 side. Since the issued medal M can be directly guided to the slot machine 1, the usability is improved.

  As shown in FIG. The medal M inserted into the opening 140a of the receiving unit 140 is guided into the introduction path cover 141 by the receiving unit 140, and falls downward in the introduction path K including the introduction path cover 141 and the opening / closing plate 102. . In the middle of dropping, the medal M collides with the rod-shaped members 146a to 146c facing in the front-rear direction, so that the posture of the medal M is changed to a lateral posture in which the front and back surfaces face the left and right side plates 141b.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a protective member 145 that guides the medal M falling from above to the left side of the nozzle 150 so as not to collide with the nozzle 150 at a position above the front insertion hole 143 a. Is provided. The protection member 145 has a guide inclined surface 145 b that is inclined downward from the right side to the left side, and is formed so as to surround the nozzle 150. Thus, the front insertion hole 143a and the rear insertion hole 143b for inserting the nozzle 150 in the front-rear direction are formed so as to be biased toward one end side in the left-right width direction (right side in this embodiment). The narrow path K1 formed so as to avoid the nozzle 150 may be formed on the right side instead of the left side.

  In the embodiment, the base portion 151 of the nozzle 150 protrudes forward from the front insertion hole 143a, and the protrusion 152 is pivotally connected to the front position from the front insertion hole 143a. It may be connected to the base 151 so as to be rotatable in the introduction path K. In this case, it is necessary to enlarge the front insertion hole 143a so that the movement of the protrusion 152A can be allowed. However, since the medal M may flow out from the gap, the protection member 145 surrounds the nozzle 150. Good.

  In addition, by surrounding the periphery of the nozzle 150 in a cylindrical shape with the protection member 145 in this way, the medal M does not enter the protection member 145, so that the protrusion 152 A of the nozzle 150 is connected to the base 151. Even if it is provided so as to be rotatable, the drop of the medal M is not adversely affected.

  Next, the receiving unit 140 that receives the medal M inserted by the player will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the receiving portion 140 is provided at the upper end of the introduction path cover 141 so as to open upward. As shown in FIG. 9A, the receiving unit 140 includes a front plate 141a that constitutes the introduction path cover 141 described above, a side plate 141b provided on the side of the front plate 141a, and an introduction path cover 141. And an opening / closing plate 102 to be attached.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9A, the height positions of the upper end edges of the left and right side plates 141b are different, and the left and right side plates 141b are provided with a height difference of the vertical dimension V. Further, of the left and right side plates 141b, the left side plate 141b, that is, one side plate 141b provided on the slot machine 1 side corresponding to the medal lending machine 100 is formed higher than the other side plate 141b provided on the right side. ing. The upper end edge of the left side plate 141b is curved and formed so as to bulge upward, and the upper end edge of the right side plate 141b is formed so as to be recessed downward.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the receiving unit 140 can be opened and closed in an open state in which the medal M can be received and a closed state in which the medal M cannot be received. A lid member 160 (lid body) is provided. The lid member 160 includes a lid plate 160a (main lid portion) having a substantially plate shape that closes the opening 140 ′ of the receiving portion 140, and lid member side plates 160b (lid portions) provided on the left and right sides of the lid plate 160a. Side wall). The left and right lid member side plates 160b in the lid member 160 are disposed so as to overlap and contact the inside of the left and right side plates 141b in the receiving portion 140. In this embodiment, the opening formed at the upper end of the introduction path cover 141 is the opening 140 ′ of the receiving portion 140.

  The left and right lid member side plates 160b of the lid member 160 have pivots 161 pivotally supported by pivot shaft holes 149 provided on the front side of the left and right side plates 141b in the introduction path cover 141. A lid member 160 is attached to be pivotable in the front-rear direction with the pivot 161 as an axis. Then, the lid member 160 is rotated about the pivot 161 as an axis, thereby opening the receiving portion 140 (see FIG. 9A) and a closed position closing the receiving portion 140 (FIG. 9). (Refer to (b)). The lid member 160 is maintained at a predetermined opening angle when the front side of the lid plate 160a is brought into contact with the upper end edge of the front plate 141a of the introduction path cover 141 in the open position. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, the height positions of the upper edge of the left and right lid member side plates 160b of the lid member 160 in the opened state are different from each other, and the left and right side plates 141b of the introduction path cover 141 are different from each other. Similarly to the above, a vertical difference in height is provided. Further, like the left and right side plates 141b of the introduction path cover 141 described above, of the left and right lid member side plates 160b, the left lid member side plate 160b, that is, one lid member side plate 160b provided on the slot machine 1 side is It is formed higher than the other lid member side plate 160b provided on the lid. The upper end edge of the left lid member side plate 160b is curved and formed so as to bulge upward, and the upper end edge of the right lid member side plate 160b is curved and formed so as to be recessed downward. Yes. As will be described later, the lower end edge of the right lid member side plate 160b is curved and formed so as to be recessed.

  The curved shape of the upper edge of the right side plate 141b of the introduction path cover 141 and the curved shape of the upper edge of the right side lid member side plate 160b of the lid member 160 are substantially the same, and the lid member 160 is open. In the right side plates 141b and 160b of the receiving part 140, a large dent is formed. This dent is the position of the joint between the right side plate 141b of the introduction path cover 141 and the right side lid member side plate 160b of the lid member 160 (the position where the side plate 141b and the lid member side plate 160b overlap in FIG. 9A). In the curved shape in which the upper end edge of the right side plate 141b of the introduction path cover 141 and the upper end edge of the right side lid member side plate 160b of the lid member 160 are continuous in a state where the lid member 160 is open. It is formed. That is, in the right side plate 141b of the introduction path cover 141, the distance from the pivot hole 149 to the upper end edge of the joint position of the side plate 141b, and in the right lid member side plate 160b of the lid member 160, from the pivot 161 to the lid member side plate 160b. The distance to the upper edge of the position of the seam is substantially the same distance.

  For example, when the player places the medal M paid out to the lower plate 5 of the slot machine 1 into the receiving unit 140 on the right side, the player performs an operation of grasping and inserting the medal M with the right hand. . At that time, in the opened state of the lid member 160, a curved large dent is formed on the right side of the receiving unit 140, that is, on the side plates 141b and 160b on the opposite side of the slot machine 1, so that the player can receive the medal M. When holding and inserting the medal M from the receiving unit 140, the little finger side of the hand holding the medal M is not easily obstructed by the right side plates 141b and 160b, so that the medal M can be inserted smoothly. Further, since the left side of the receiving unit 140, that is, the side plates 141b and 160b on the slot machine 1 side are formed higher, the inserted medal M hits the left side plates 141b and 160b formed higher and receives the receiving unit 140. The medal M is prevented from being scattered.

  That is, when the player grabs and inserts the medal M with his right hand, the right hand moves from the right side to the left side of the receiving portion 140 around the player's shoulders and elbows. By forming a large curved dent in the right side plates 141b and 160b of the receiving part 140, the medal M is prevented from being caught on the side plates 141b and 160b and spilling to the right side of the receiving part 140, and the receiving part 140 is received. Even if the medal M separated from the right hand moving from the right side to the left side is about to spill down to the left side of the receiving part 140, the inside of the receiving part 140 is blocked by the left side plates 141b and 160b formed high. Therefore, the medals M are prevented from being scattered.

  In the present embodiment, the left side plates 141b and 160b are formed high, and the right side plates 141b and 160b are formed with large curved dents. Of the upper edge of the left side plates 141b and 160b, The height difference from the highest part to the lowest part of the upper edge of the right side plates 141b and 160b is about 4 cm. This is because if the average left-right width dimension of the palm of the player's person is about 8 cm, the thumb side rises when the medal M is inserted into the receiving unit 140 with the medal M held in the palm. Is assumed to be slightly inclined (inclination angle of about 30 °), the difference in height between the thumb side and the little finger side in the hand is about 4 cm. Therefore, by setting the height difference from the highest part of the upper edge of the left side plates 141b and 160b to the lowest part of the upper edge of the right side plates 141b and 160b, the medal M becomes the thumb of the hand. It will not spill from the side.

  In the present embodiment, when the lid member 160 is in the open state, a curved large dent is formed in the right side plates 141b and 160b of the receiving portion 140. The shape of this dent is a curved shape. Not limited to this, the side plates 141b and 160b on the right side of the receiving portion 140 may be large dents cut out in a substantially V shape, or may be formed as rectangular recesses.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, in the right lid member side plate 160b, when the lid member 160 is in the closed state, a portion that becomes the upper edge of the right lid member side plate 160b (the right lid in the open state). The lower edge of the member side plate 160b is formed to be curved so as to be recessed. The curved shape of the upper edge of the right side plate 141b of the introduction path cover 141 and the curved shape of the upper edge of the right side lid member side plate 160b of the lid member 160 are substantially the same, and when closed The both side plates 141b and 160b overlap each other so that the upper end edge of the lid member side plate 160b and the upper end edge of the right side plate 141b of the introduction path cover 141 are substantially flush with each other. That is, the lid member side plate 160 b on the right side of the lid member 160 is overlapped with and covered with the side plate 141 b on the right side of the introduction path cover 141.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, in a state where the lid member 160 of the receiving unit 140 is opened, a front opening 140 a that can receive the medal M is formed in a dish shape that opens upward, and the inside of the introduction path cover 141 Communication is made toward the introduction route K. The front opening 140a, which is the upper surface opening, is formed in a substantially square shape in plan view, and is formed to expand forward from the introduction path cover 141. That is, the front opening 140a is longer in the front-rear width dimension L12 including the lid member 160 and the receiving portion 140 than in the front-rear width dimension L10 of the introduction path cover 141 (see FIG. 6, L10 <L12). The frontage 140a is closer to the player side with respect to the upper surface opening of the introduction path cover 141, so that the medal M can be easily inserted. The vertical width L13 including the lid member 160 and the receiving portion 140 is shorter than the front-back width L10 of the introduction path cover 141 (see FIG. 6, L10> L13).

  Further, when installed in a game arcade, the slot machine 1 and the medal lending machine 100 are alternately arranged in the left-right direction. As described above, the medal lending machine 100 is provided on the right side of the corresponding slot machine 1, and the medal lending machine 100 and the slot machine 1 disposed on the other right side are separated by a predetermined distance. A predetermined spacer member 10 is provided.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 9A, there are other parts on the opening / closing plate 102 in the vicinity of the opening 140 ′ of the receiving portion 140 and on the inner surface side (upper side in the open state) of the lid member 160. In the introduction path cover 141, which is a part of the receiving path 140, the outer peripheral surface (peripheral part) in the vicinity of the opening 140 ′ and the opening part 102 in the vicinity of the receiving part 140 (peripheral part) are colored in a color with higher brightness. Further, high brightness portions 109 and 109 'are provided.

  In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface (peripheral part) near the opening 140 ′ of the receiving part 140 in the introduction path cover 141 and the vicinity part (peripheral part) of the receiving part 140 in the opening / closing plate 102 are colored black. At the same time, the high brightness portions 109 and 109 ′ are colored in a high brightness color such as white or gray. By providing the high brightness portions 109 and 109 ′ in this way, even if the lighting in the game shop where the slot machine 1 is installed is dark, the player can receive the medal M by relying on the high brightness portions 109 and 109 ′. Can be put in.

  In the present embodiment, the high brightness portions 109 and 109 ′ are colored white or gray. However, the color of the high brightness portions is not limited to white or gray, but other colors in the introduction path cover 141 and the opening / closing plate 102 are also included. If the brightness is higher than the color of the part, other colors may be used, or a fluorescent color that is easy to visually recognize may be used even when the illumination is dark.

  A light emitting unit 165 that emits light when the counting device 190 counts the medal M is located at a position corresponding to the opening 140 a of the receiving unit 140 in the opening / closing plate 102, that is, the entrance side of the opening 140 ′ of the receiving unit 140. Is provided. The light emitting unit 165 is exposed to the front side from a horizontally long rectangular opening provided in the opening / closing plate 102. As shown in FIG. 5, an LED unit 190f that emits light when the medal M is counted is provided at the front of the counting device 190, and the LED unit 190f of the counting device 190 is provided on the back side of the opening / closing plate 102. A light receiving unit 168 that receives light emission is provided. The light receiving unit 168 is connected to a decorative optical fiber 167 that guides the introduced light to the light emitting unit 165, and the optical fiber 167 extends upward along the back surface of the opening / closing plate 102 to emit the light emitting unit. 165.

  By providing the light emitting unit 165 in this manner, it is possible to notify the player that the medal M is counted by the counting device 190. In addition, it is possible to notify surrounding players by light emission that the medal M has been paid out in the corresponding slot machine 1, so that it is possible to enhance the production effect and collect the gaze of the surrounding players. Thus, it is possible to prevent an illegal medal (a rooster medal) or the like from being inserted into the receiving unit 140.

  Further, the LED unit 190f is provided in the counting device 190, and the light emission of the LED unit 190f is guided to the light emitting unit 165 by the optical fiber 167 to the light emitting unit 165, so that the wiring between the counting device 190 and the opening / closing plate 102 is unnecessary. Therefore, the structure can be simplified and the attaching / detaching operation of the opening / closing plate 102 is facilitated as compared with the case where an LED lamp is directly provided in the light emitting portion 165.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the lid member 160 is in a closed state, the light emitting unit 165 is concealed by the lid member 160. The high brightness portions 109 and 109 ′ described above are also hidden by the lid member 160. In this way, when the receiving unit 140 is not used, that is, when the counting device 190 is not used, the light emitting unit 165 and the high brightness portions 109 and 109 ′ can be protected by the lid member 160, and the light emitting unit 165 and It is possible to prevent the high brightness portions 109 and 109 ′ from becoming dirty or attaching dust. Further, the high brightness portions 109 and 109 ′ are concealed so that the receiving portion 140 is not conspicuous. In addition, for example, when the lid member 160 is closed during the moving operation or the installation operation of the medal lending machine 100, other members hit the light emitting unit 165 during the operation and may be damaged or pinched. Further, it is possible to prevent the paint or the like constituting the high brightness portions 109 and 109 ′ from being wrinkled or soiled and deteriorating in appearance.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the medal lending machine 100 according to the present embodiment. The control unit 181 of the present embodiment includes a central processing circuit (CPU) 181a capable of executing a control program, a visitor card being received by the internal card reader / writer 187, a (member) card ID of the member card, a prepaid balance, The RAM 181b and the central processing circuit (CPU) 181a capable of storing various data such as the number of medals, the number of stored medals, the number of points visited, the data of the corresponding slot machine 1 and the game information of members in the game are executed. An EEPROM 181c which is a nonvolatile memory capable of rewriting and storing setting information including the device ID of the medal lending machine 100, and a real-time clock (RTC) 181d capable of outputting time information, calendar information, etc. at that time RAM181b is backed up by a battery (not shown) Are, even when power supply is stopped, data stored in the predetermined period is maintained. Further, the control unit 181 can perform bidirectional data communication with various computers via the communication unit 184 and the HUB 70 described above.

  The control unit 181 is connected to the banknote identification unit 180, the state notification lamp 111, the internal card reader / writer 187, the face image photographing camera 188, and the dispensing device 182. Further, the control unit 181 is connected to a reset switch 186 for resetting values of the total medal storage number, the own store medal storage number, and the fake medal storage number of medal information described later. The reset switch 186 is provided inside the casing 101 and can be operated when the opening / closing plate 102 (see FIG. 2) at the lower front of the casing 101 is opened.

  An opening / closing plate key 106 is provided at the upper end of the opening / closing plate 102 (see FIG. 2), and the opening / closing plate 102 is attached to the front side of the medal lending machine 100 by being locked by the opening / closing plate key 106. . The opening / closing plate 102 cannot be removed unless a predetermined key (not shown) carried by a store clerk or the like of the game hall is inserted into the opening / closing plate key 106. The reset switch 186 is pressed when a store clerk empties a medal storage box 194 described later.

  Further, a lending operation board 189 is connected to the control unit 181, and this lending operation board 189 corresponds to the card balance display 115 ′ corresponding to the card balance display unit 115 and the medal lending button 116. A medal lending button switch 116 ′, a return button switch 114 ′ corresponding to the return button 114, a deposit enabling lamp 113, a medal lending lamp 117, and a medal expired lamp 118 are provided.

  Further, a replay operation board 185 is connected to the control unit 181, and the replay operation board 185 corresponds to the code number indicator 119 ′ corresponding to the above-described code number display unit 119 and the numeric keypad 120. And a replay button switch 121 ′ corresponding to the replay button 121 are provided.

  Further, the control unit 181 is connected to a counting device 190 provided at a lower position of the medal lending machine 100 so that each counting signal from the counting device 190 can be input. In response to the input of the counting signal from the counting device 190, various tables to be described later are updated. The counting device 190 is provided with the above-described medal photographing camera 190c and the flow path switching unit 190d, and an LED unit 190f corresponding to a light emitting unit 165 described later. Further, the counting device 190 is provided with a memory 190b for temporarily storing medal images taken by the medal shooting camera 190c, and a controller 190a for controlling these devices and determining the authenticity of the medal M.

  In the card table stored in the RAM 181b of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12A, the (member) card ID read from the visitor card or member card inserted in the card reader / writer 187, and the member ID (Member card only), PIN (Member card only), (Member) card ID and prepaid balance based on prepaid balance data, number of medals specified from card ID, (Member) card ID and member ID The number of saving medals specified from (member only) and the number of store visit points specified from member ID (member only) are stored. In this embodiment, the password can be set only for the membership card. However, the password (for example, a password valid only for one business day or once) can also be set for the visitor card. The player may be allowed to play again using the number of medals by inputting the password.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12B, the game information stored in the RAM 181b includes game information from when the member card or visitor card is inserted into the card reader / writer 187, that is, the inserted game information. The game information relating to the game of the player who has the member card or visitor card that has been played is collected.

  Specifically, the start time (card acceptance time) when the player started the game, the end time (card return time) when the player finished the game, the player's game time, and the player's card The number of used medals indicating the number of medals used since receiving the player, the number of replay medals used for replay after receiving the player's card (member only), and the counting device after receiving the player's card When a medal inserted in 190 is determined as an illegal medal, the cumulative illegal medal number indicating the cumulative number determined as the illegal medal is stored, and a player playing a game in the corresponding slot machine 1 plays a game. The game information can be grasped since it started.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12C, the medal information stored in the RAM 181b (storage means) includes the total number of medals paid out as a total number of medals paid out today from the payout device 182 and a counting device. The total number of medals (the number of counting game media) that is the total number of medals inserted in 190 today, the total number of illegal medals that is the total number of medals determined to be illegal by the counting device 190, and the counting device The total number of medals stored in the medal storage box 194 is determined to be an illegal medal at 190, and among the total number of medals stored, the medals are used in other areas of the store. The stored number of own medals indicating the number of stored own medals, and the number of stored false medals indicating the number of stored false medals that are medals brought in from other stores or the like are stored.

  Further, in the RAM 181b, as shown in FIG. 12 (d), when it is determined that the medals inserted into the counting device 190 are continuously illegal medals, 1 is incremented and updated (incremented). A medal counter is set.

  Next, the card management computer 500 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 13, a card management computer 500 used in this embodiment has a data bus 501 for transmitting and receiving data inside a computer, a CPU 502 for performing various processes performed by the card management computer 500, a work piece, and the like. RAM 503 used as a memory, RTC 504 for outputting time information and calendar information, a storage device 505 including a hard disk, an input device 506 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a display device 507 for displaying and outputting various screens, and printing various information The printer 508 for output, the communication unit 509 for data communication with each device such as the medal lending machine 100 (control unit 181) connected to the local area network (LAN) and the card issuing / payment machine, and the card company Digital for data communication with the management server 82 Chromatography bis Unit (DSU) 510 is connected is a conventional computer.

  The storage device 505 has a membership card table (FIG. 14) for managing the prepaid balance remaining on the membership card, in addition to a processing program in which processing contents for performing various processing executed in the card management computer 500 are described. (See (a)) and a visitor card table (see FIG. 14 (b)) for managing the prepaid balance remaining in the visitor card.

  In the membership card table, as shown in FIG. 14A, each membership card is associated with a membership card ID that can be individually identified, and the membership ID of the membership player who has issued the membership card, and prepaid The remaining amount and an unusable flag indicating whether or not the member card is unusable are stored, and the prepaid balance or the use of the member card can be used from the member card ID or member ID stored in the member card. Can be specified.

  In the visitor card table, as shown in FIG. 14B, each visitor card is associated with a card ID that can be individually identified, and the status of the visitor card (whether it is being used or stored). ), The latest issuance date and time when the prepaid card was issued, the prepaid balance, and an unusable flag indicating whether or not the card is unusable are stored in the visitor card. The prepaid balance, the availability of the visitor card, and the latest issue date and time can be specified from the card ID.

  The card management computer 500 (CPU 502) of the present embodiment receives the apparatus ID of the medal lending machine 100 and the received ID transmitted from each medal lending machine 100 in response to acceptance of the member card or visitor card in the medal lending machine 100. In response to receipt of a card acceptance notification including a (member) card ID read from a membership card or a visitor card and a prepaid balance, the acceptance of the card that determines whether the membership card or the visitor card can be used and returns it to the medal lending machine 100 Perform the process.

  In addition, the card management computer 500 (CPU 502) of the present embodiment is included in the received lending completion notification in response to receiving the lending completion notification transmitted along with the lending processing in the medal lending machine 100 (member). A subtraction update process for subtracting and updating the tax-included use amount included in the lending completion notice from the prepaid balance stored in the member card table or visitor card table corresponding to the card ID is performed.

  Further, the card management computer 500 (CPU 502) of the present embodiment receives the received card payment notice in response to the receipt of the card payment notice transmitted in accordance with the issuance / payment process in the medal lending machine 100 or the card issuance / payment machine. Corresponding to the (member) card ID included in the payment notification, a payment update process is performed to add and update the payment amount included in the card payment notification to the prepaid balance stored in the member card table or visitor card table.

  Next, the medal management computer 550 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 15, the medal management computer 550 used in the present embodiment has a central processing unit that performs various processes performed by the medal management computer 550 on a data bus 551 that transmits and receives data inside the computer. A device (CPU) 552, a RAM 553 used as a work memory, a real time clock (RTC) 554 for outputting time information and calendar information, a storage device 555 comprising a hard disk, an input device 556 such as a keyboard and a mouse, various screens Is a normal computer to which is connected a display device 557 for displaying and outputting, a printer 558 for printing various information, and a communication unit 559 for performing data communication with the medal lending machine 100 connected to a local area network (LAN).

  In the storage device 555, in addition to a processing program in which processing contents for performing various processes executed in the medal management computer 550 are described, the member player on the business day owned by the member player who possesses the member card is stored in the storage device 555. Recorded in the visitor card and the member saving management table (see FIG. 16 (a)) for managing the number of medals earned by, and the number of saving medals obtained by the member player before the business day. A visitor saving management table (see FIG. 16 (b)) for managing the number of medals earned on the day of business by the player possessing the visitor card, and the total of the medals lending machine 100 in the game hall at that time. A unit management table for managing the number of illegal medals and the like and cards accepted by each medal lending machine 100 (see FIG. 7), a member information table (see FIG. 18 (a)) in which member information about the member player who owns the member card is stored, and a member ID of the member player that can identify the member player. A member-specific game history table (see FIG. 18B) in which a game history including game information is stored is stored.

  In the member saving management table, as shown in FIG. 16A, a member ID that is member identification information that can be associated with each member card ID and that can individually identify the member player who has issued the member card. And the total number of medals earned by the member player on that business day, which is the number of medals that are not used for game or prize exchange, and the member player obtained before that business day. The total number of medals earned and the number of saved medals that are unused for gaming and prize exchange are stored, and the member player possesses the card ID or member ID stored in the member card. The number of medals to be held and the number of saved medals can be specified.

  The number of medals managed in the member savings management table is managed as the number of medals only on the day of business, and the number of medals present in the member savings management table in the closing process after the closing of business is the savings medal All are reset after being added to the number.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16B, the visitor saving management table associates each visitor card with a card ID that can be individually identified, and possesses the latest issue date and time of the visitor card and the visitor card. The total number of medals earned by the player on that business day and the number of medals that are unused for the game or prize exchange are stored. From the card ID stored in the visitor card, The number of medals owned by the player can be specified.

  Note that the number of medals managed in the visitor savings management table is valid only on the day of the business, and all medals existing in the visitor savings management table are reset in the closing process after the end of business. , Disabled.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the unit management table stores the local IP address of the medal lending machine 100 in association with the device ID uniquely assigned to each medal lending machine 100 installed in the game hall. IP, an installed island that stores the island number of the game island where the medal lending machine 100 is installed, and a situation that stores whether the medal lending machine 100 is accepting a card or is waiting. The corresponding machine number in which the machine number of the slot machine 1 corresponding to the medal lending machine 100 is stored, the reception ID in which the card ID of the member card or the visitor card being accepted is stored, and each medal lending machine at that time The total number of illegal medals counted at 100, the total number of medals stored in each medal lending machine 100, the number of own store medals, the number of false medals stored The medal-related information is stored, and the latest medal-related information is managed by being periodically transmitted from each medal lending machine 100 in a counting process described later executed by the medal management computer 550. It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 18 (a), the member information table is associated with the member ID of the member player who owns the member card, and the personal identification number and the day of receiving the member card. Membership consisting of store visit points where the predetermined store visit points are added and updated once, rank based on store visit status, member's name (last name and name), gender, age, birthday, occupation, address, e-mail address Attribute information (personal information) is registered.

  In the member-specific game history table, as shown in FIG. 18 (b), for each member ID, the game history of the member player, specifically, the date of visit to the store, the table of the slot machine 1 that played the game. Stores game history including number, model name, game start time (time), game end time (time), game time from game start to game end, number of replay medals, number of used medals, number of medals ing. The visit date of the member-specific game history table stores the date when the game history is stored based on the calendar information output from the RTC 554, and the game history of the game start time, game end time, and game time is This is stored based on member game history data transmitted from the medal lending machine 100 when the card is returned.

  Here, the illegal medal-related settings that can be performed by the medal management computer 550 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 19. In the medal management computer 550 of the present embodiment, the medal lending machine 100 in the game hall is used. Various settings relating to notifications and operation conditions when an illegal medal is detected are made possible on the illegal medal related setting screen (threshold setting means) shown in FIG.

  In the illegal medal related setting screen of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, setting items of “unit setting” and “island unit setting” are provided at the upper part of the screen. The slot machine 1 to be set can be specified in units of units or in units of islands.

  For example, if “set by unit” is used, the slot machines 1 to be set can be designated by the unit number one by one, and if “set by island” is used, a plurality of slot machines 1 to be set can be specified. You can specify each island by island number. If "island unit setting" is used, a game area where a game can be performed with a medal worth 5 yen per one, a game area where a game can be played with a medal worth 20 yen per piece, etc. Can be specified for each amusement island. In the “island unit setting”, the island unit is set so that a plurality of slot machines 1 installed on one side of one amusement island and a plurality of slot machines 1 installed on the other side can be individually set. It is divided.

  Further, the item of “illegal medal detection notification condition” provided on the illegal medal related setting screen is notified when each medal lending machine 100 determines that a medal inserted into the counting device 190 is an illegal medal. A selection input unit is provided for setting “total number of illegal medals”, “cumulative number of illegal medals”, and “number of consecutive illegal medals detected” which are conditions to be performed.

  Further, in the item of “illegal medal detection notification condition”, in the selection input section of “total illegal medal number”, the total number of medals determined as illegal medals by the counting device 190 from the time of starting the game hall, that is, the above-mentioned It can be set to notify when the total number of illegal medals in the medal information (see FIG. 12C) reaches a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment).

  In addition, in the item of “illegal medal detection notification condition”, in the selection input section of “cumulative illegal medal number”, the counting device 190 illegally operates from the time when the player inserts the member card or the visitor card into the medal lending machine 100. Notification is given when the total number of medals determined as medals, that is, the cumulative number of illegal medals (see FIG. 12B) in the above-described card receiving game information reaches a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment). Can be set as follows.

  In addition, in the item of “illegal medal detection notification condition”, in the selection input unit of “continuous illegal medal detection count”, the number of times that the counting device 190 continuously determines as illegal medal, that is, the above-described counter information consecutive fraud It can be set to notify when a medal counter (see FIG. 12D) reaches a predetermined number of times (in this embodiment, when an illegal medal is detected three times in succession).

  In this way, by setting the “total number of illegal medals”, “cumulative illegal medals”, and “number of consecutive illegal medals detected”, medals or slot machines paid out from the payout device 182 of the medal lending machine 100 As a fraudulent medal, if several illegal medals are inserted in the medal that is inserted into 1 and then discharged, and the player counts (not intentionally) without noticing that these illegal medals are intermingled It can be used as a proper medal as well as not being informed. Note that it is possible to make a setting so that notification is made when at least one illegal medal is detected.

  Also, in the item of “operation when detecting illegal medals” provided on the illegal medal related setting screen, when the condition set in the item of “illegal medal detection notification condition” is met, an alarm notification (status notification lamp) is set. A check box is provided for selecting whether to turn on 111 and notify the medal management computer 550 only), or to perform alarm notification and stop counting of the counting device 190.

  In addition, in the item “handling of illegal medals” provided on the illegal medal related setting screen, when an illegal medal (own medal or fake medal) is detected in the counting device 190, the illegal medal is stored in the medal storage box 194 ( It can be set whether or not to store in the storage unit. In the “handling of illegal medals”, check boxes for “invalid storage unit”, “discharge illegal medals to the island when the storage unit is full” and “stop error when the storage unit is full” are provided.

  Here, when the check box of “invalid storage unit” is checked, when an illegal medal is detected by the counting device 190, it can be discharged from the discharge port 192 to the game island without being stored in the medal storage box 194. . This “reservoir invalid” setting is a setting used when there is a device for collecting illegal medals by providing a separate medal authenticity determination machine on the game island.

  If the check box “Discharge illegal medals into the island when the storage part is full” is checked, only when the medal storage box 194 (storage part) is full, the medal storage box 194 is not stored, but discharged. It can be discharged from the exit 192 to the game island.

  In addition, if the check box of “Stop error when the storage unit is full” is checked, when the medal storage box 194 (storage unit) becomes full, the counting process of the counting device 190 is stopped and error notification is performed. Can be set.

  In addition, in the item of “reservoir state notification condition” provided on the illegal medal related setting screen, a selection input unit for setting the number of sheets to be “full tank notification condition” and the number of sheets to be “closed notification condition” And a selection input unit for setting.

  Here, in the “full tank notification condition”, it is possible to set a first threshold value (first storage amount) that is the number of medals serving as a reference for determining that the medal storage box 194 (storage unit) is full. For example, in the present embodiment, “100 cards” is set as the “full tank notification condition”, which means that when 100 illegal medals are stored in the medal storage box 194, that is, the total of the aforementioned medal information. When the number of stored medals (see FIG. 12C) reaches 100, it is determined that the tank is full. Note that the medal lending machine 100 notifies the medal management computer 550 while notifying the state notification lamp 111 when the “full tank notification condition” is satisfied, as will be described later.

  Further, in this embodiment, when a predetermined number of medals are stored in the medal storage box 194 (storage unit) when the game hall is closed (when the business is closed), the medals are collected from the medal storage box 194. The medal lending machine 100 is informed by turning on the state informing lamp 111 and notifying the medal management computer 550. In the “closing notification condition”, a second threshold value (second storage amount), which is the number of medals serving as a reference for determining whether or not the medal lending machine 100 is a target for collecting medals from the medal storage box 194. Can be set. For example, in this embodiment, the “closing notification condition” is set to “50 sheets” (50% of when the tank is full), which is 50 sheets in the medal storage box 194 when the store is closed (at the end of business). Is set to notify when the number of illegal medals is stored, that is, when the total number of medals stored in the aforementioned medal information (see FIG. 12C) is 50.

  In the present embodiment, for the medals of different sizes (for example, φ25 medal and φ30 medal) by appropriately setting the number of thresholds in the “full tank notification condition” and “closed notification condition” It can be set according to the size of the medal storage box 194 (storage section). For example, even when the same number of medals are stored, the storage amount of the medal storage box 194 (storage unit) changes according to the size of the medals (for example, a φ25 medal is full with 100, but φ30 Therefore, it is possible to notify at an appropriate level by changing the threshold according to the size of the medal.

  Further, in this embodiment, the size of medals (for example, φ25 and φ30) used on a screen (not shown) different from the screen shown in FIG. 19 can be set as the illegal medal related setting screen. By setting the size of the medal to be played, an appropriate number of sheets serving as a threshold value in the “full tank notification condition” and “closed notification condition” corresponding to the set medal size is automatically input. Yes. It should be noted that the number of sheets serving as the threshold may be appropriately set on the screen shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, operation | movement of the medal lending machine 100 of a present Example is demonstrated using FIGS. 22-26.

  First, as shown in FIG. 22, the control unit 181 of the medal lending machine 100 is activated by turning on the power to the medal lending machine 100, thereby performing the activation process of Sb1, initializing various tables, and each unit. The connection management request, transmission of a connection confirmation request to the card management computer 500, hall computer 540, and medal management computer 550, and the card management computer 500, hall computer 540, medal management computer in response to the transmission of the connection confirmation request. Settings such as initial values are set for each setting data based on the setting information returned from 550.

  Then, after the activation process is completed, the process of Sb2 to Sb8 is performed so that the member accepts the card or the visitor card into the card insertion slot 112 (Sb2), and the player (member or visitor) Lending button operation (Sb3), cash acceptance by inserting a bill from the bill insertion slot 110 (Sb4), player return button operation (Sb5), replay button 121 operation (Sb6), medal for counting device 190 A standby state is detected in which detection of input (Sd7) and detection of a predetermined error signal (Sb8) are detected.

  When the player inserts a visitor card or a membership card into the card insertion slot 112 in the standby state of these Sb2 to Sb8, the insertion detection information accompanying the insertion of the visitor card or membership card is controlled from the card reader / writer 187. By outputting to the unit 181, the control unit 181 determines that there is card acceptance in Sb 2, proceeds to step Sb 20, and performs card acceptance processing.

  In the card accepting process of this embodiment at Sb20, an instruction for taking in the membership card or visitor card inserted into the card insertion slot 112 is output to the card reader / writer 187, and the inserted membership card or visitor card is sent to the card reader. Data stored in the writer 187 and stored in the member card or visitor card, specifically, (member) card ID, member ID (member card only) and prepaid balance data of the member card or visitor card Read medal count data (visitor card only), etc.

  Then, the control unit 181 transmits an authentication request including the (member) card ID read from the accepted member card or visitor card, the prepaid balance data, and the device ID to the card management computer 500, and the authentication result from the card management computer 500 The card authentication process for receiving is executed.

  When the authentication result returned from the card management computer 500 is “authentication NG”, the medal lending machine 100 outputs the received membership card or visitor card ejection instruction to the card reader / writer 187 and the inserted membership card. Alternatively, the visitor card is returned and the card acceptance process is terminated. On the other hand, if the returned authentication result is “authentication OK”, the (member) card ID and the member ID (member only) read from the accepted card The prepaid balance is stored in the card table and, as shown in FIG. 28, the medal management computer 550 reads (member) card ID, device ID, and medal number (visitor) read from the received member card or visitor card. Card acceptance notifications, including "card only".

  Next, the medal management computer 550 indicates the number of medals and the number of saved medals (member only) corresponding to the (member) card ID included in the received card acceptance notification in the member saving management table or the visitor saving management table. ) It is specified from each data stored in correspondence with the card ID, and when the card ID is a member card ID, the personal identification number stored in the member information table corresponding to the member card ID Further identify the store visit points, and notify the completion of acceptance processing including the specified number of medals, the number of saved medals (members only), store visit points (members only), PIN (members only), and (members) card ID A reply is sent to the medal lending machine 100 that is the transmission source of the received card acceptance notification.

  In response to reception of this acceptance processing completion notification, the control unit 181 (storage processing means) of the medal lending machine 100 determines the number of medals, the number of saved medals (members only), the point of visit (member) included in the received acceptance processing completion notification. Only), the personal identification number (member only) is stored in the card table, and the prepaid balance stored in the card table is displayed on the balance display section 115. Further, the game information during card reception (see FIG. 12B) is reset, the time at that time is stored in the “start time”, and the process returns to the standby state of Sb2 to Sb8.

  Further, when the player operates the lending button, a signal from the lending button switch 116 ′ for detecting the operation of the lending button 116 by the player is output to the control unit 181 so that the control is performed. The unit 181 determines that there is an operation of the lending button in the step Sb3 in the standby state of Sb2 to Sb8, proceeds to the step Sb21, and performs the lending process for lending the medal M for 1000 yen as described above.

Further, in the standby state of Sb2 to Sb8 described above, when the player inserts cash (banknote) from the banknote insertion slot 110 , the currency identification information accompanying the insertion of the cash (banknote) is controlled from the banknote identification unit 180. By outputting to the unit 181, the control unit 181 determines that there is acceptance of cash in the step of Sb 4, proceeds to the step of Sb 22, and performs issue / payment processing.

  In this issuance / payment process, first, the amount of money inserted is specified from the input money identification information, and it is determined whether or not there is a member card or visitor card being accepted by the card reader / writer 187. To do.

  When it is determined that there is no member card or visitor card being received, the control unit 181 places the visitor card stored in the card storage unit (not shown) at a predetermined reading position in the card insertion slot 112. The card ID of the visitor card is read out, and an issuance request including the read card ID, the inserted amount, and the device ID of the medal lending machine 100 is transmitted to the card management computer 500.

  In response to the receipt of the issuance request, the card management computer 500 determines whether or not the card ID included in the received issuance request exists in the visitor card table, and if it exists, corresponds to the card ID. Update “Status” of the visitor card table to “In Use”, store the current date and time output from the RTC 181d as the latest issue date and time, and store the received input amount as “Prepaid balance” in “Remaining amount” , “Issue permission” is returned to the medal lending machine 100 of the transmission source of the issue request. If the received card ID does not exist in the visitor card table, “Issuance impossible” is returned.

  In addition, with the transmission of the “issue permission”, the card management computer 500 gives the medal management computer 550 an issuance notification including the latest issuance date and time stored, the card ID included in the received issuance request, and the device ID. By notifying the computer 550, the medal management computer 550 stores the latest issue date / time included in the received issue notification in the latest issue date / time of the visitor saving management table corresponding to the card ID included in the received issue notification. At the same time, the “status” of the unit management table corresponding to the device ID included in the received issue notification is updated to “accepting”, and the received card ID is stored in “reception ID” to update the unit management table. To do.

  In response to the reception of the “issue permission”, the control unit 181 (discharge / issue processing means) of the medal lending machine 100 writes and stores the prepaid balance corresponding to the inserted amount in the visitor card moved to the card insertion slot 112. At the same time, the card ID of the visitor card and the prepaid balance corresponding to the inserted amount are stored in the card table, and the prepaid balance is displayed on the balance indicator, and then the issuing / payment processing is terminated and Sb2 to Sb8 Return to the standby state.

  Further, when the player operates the return button 114 in the standby state of Sb2 to Sb8 described above, a signal from the return button switch 114 ′ for detecting the operation of the return button 114 by the player is controlled. As a result of the input to the unit 181, the control unit 181 determines that there is an operation of the return button in Sb5, proceeds to Sb23, and performs return processing.

  In this return process, first, it is determined whether or not a membership card or a visitor card being accepted by the card reader / writer 187 exists, and if it does not exist, the operation is invalidated. While invalidating the operation of the return button 114, a counting prohibition instruction is output to the counting device 190 to prohibit new counting.

  Then, the control unit 181 includes the device ID of the medal lending machine 100, the card ID of the returned card, the number of medals held and the number of stored medals (member only) with respect to the medal management computer 550. Send a return notification.

  In response to receiving this return notification, the medal management computer 550 stores the number of medals held and the savings stored in the member saving management table or visitor saving management table corresponding to the (member) card ID included in the received return notification. Update the number of medals (member only) to the number of medals and the number of saved medals included in the received return notification, and change the “status” corresponding to the device ID received in the unit management table to “standby”. The card ID stored in the “acceptance ID” is deleted, and an update completion notification is transmitted to the medal lending machine 100 that is the transmission source of the return notification.

  In response to the reception of the update completion notification, the control unit 181 of the medal lending machine 100 determines whether or not the card being received is a visitor card. If the card is a visitor card, the card acceptance is received by the visitor card. After recording the cumulative number of illegal medals in the middle game information, a discharge instruction is output to the card reader / writer 187 so that the accepted visitor card or member card is discharged from the card insertion slot 112, the card table is reset, and the return button The invalidation of operation 114 and the prohibition of counting are canceled, and the process returns to the standby state of Sb2 to Sb8.

  In this embodiment, it is possible to grasp and manage how many illegal medals have been counted by a predetermined player by recording the cumulative number of illegal medals in the card receiving game information on the visitor card.

  Further, when the player operates the replay button 121 in the standby state of Sb2 to Sb8 described above, the replay operation information is controlled from the replay operation board 185 that detects the operation of the replay button 121. As a result of the input to the unit 181, the control unit 181 determines that there is an operation of the replay button 121 in Sb6, proceeds to Sb24, and performs replay processing.

  In addition, when a medal is inserted into the counting device 190 in the above-described standby state of Sb2 to Sb8, a detection signal is input to the control unit 181 from the counting device 190 that detects the insertion of the medal. The unit 181 determines that the medal insertion is detected in Sb7, proceeds to Sb25, and performs a counting process described later (see FIG. 23).

  In addition, in the standby state of Sb2 to Sb8 described above, when a predetermined error signal is input from each device to the control unit 181, the control unit 181 determines that an error has been detected in Sb8 and proceeds to Sb26 to report an error. Perform the process.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the counting process executed by the control unit 181 of the medal lending machine 100. In the counting process, the control unit 181 executes the processes Sc1 to Sc13 described below.

  First, in Sc1 of the counting process, the control unit 181 determines whether or not a member card or a visitor card is being received. If the member card or the visitor card is being accepted, the process proceeds to Sc2. If the member card or the visitor card is not being accepted, the process proceeds to Sc11. In Sc11, the control unit 181 performs notification notifying the player to insert a member card or visitor card by turning on the status notification lamp 111 or the like, and ends the process.

  In this embodiment, only when the member card or the visitor card is being accepted, the process proceeds to the steps after Sc2 and the medal counting process is executed. However, the member card or the visitor card is accepted. The counting process may be executed even when a medal is inserted when not in the middle. In this case, if a membership card or a visitor card is not received when an inserted medal is detected, a counting process is executed, and after the counting process is completed, a visitor card is issued, and a medal associated with the visitor card is held. The number may be stored.

  In Sc2, the control unit 181 resets the value of the continuous illegal medal counter in the counter information (see FIG. 12D) and proceeds to Sc3. In Sc3, the control unit 181 acquires medal determination information from the counting device 190, and proceeds to Sc4. The medal determination information acquired from the counting device 190 includes medal authenticity information (information on whether a medal is a regular medal or an illegal medal) determined based on a medal image photographed by the medal photographing camera 190c.

  In Sc4, the control unit 181 adds 1 to the counted total number of medals in the medal information (see FIG. 12C), and proceeds to Sc5. In Sc5, the control unit 181 adds 1 to the number of medals held in the card table (see FIG. 12A), and proceeds to Sc6.

  In Sc6, the control unit 181 determines whether or not the counted medal is an illegal medal based on the medal determination information acquired from the counting device 190. Here, the control unit 181 refers to the authenticity information of the medal included in the medal determination information, and proceeds to Sc12 if it is an illegal medal, and proceeds to Sc7 if it is a regular medal.

  In Sc12, the control unit 181 performs an illegal medal process, which will be described later, and proceeds to Sc13. In Sc13, the control unit 181 performs a medal storage process, which will be described later, and proceeds to Sc9.

  In Sc7, the control unit 181 resets the value of the continuous illegal medal counter in the counter information (see FIG. 12D) and proceeds to Sc8. In Sc8, the control unit 181 discharges the medal determined to be a regular medal from the discharge port 192 to the game island, and proceeds to Sc9.

  In Sc9, the control unit 181 determines whether there are medals that have not yet been counted among the medals inserted into the counting device 190. If there are no uncounted medals, the process proceeds to Sc10. If there are uncounted medals, the process returns to Sc3 and repeats the processes Sc3 to Sc9, Sc12, and Sc13 until there are no uncounted medals.

  In Sc10, the control unit 181 transmits update information of each table, information of a full tank notification flag described later, a notification image described later, and the like to the medal management computer 550 and ends the process.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the illegal medal process executed by the control unit 181 of the medal lending machine 100. In the illegal medal process, the control unit 181 executes the processes of Sd1 to Sd18 described below.

  First, in Sd1 of the illegal medal process, the control unit 181 uses the face image capturing camera 188 to capture the face image of the player who has inserted the illegal medal, and proceeds to Sd2. In Sd2, the control unit 181 obtains the medal image used for determining the authenticity of the medal from the counting device 190, and proceeds to Sd3.

  In Sd3, the control unit 181 generates a single notification image (see FIG. 21) by combining the player's face image and the medal image in parallel, and stores this notification image in the RAM 181b (imaging data storage means). Then, the process proceeds to Sd4. In Sd4, the control unit 181 adds 1 to the total number of illegal medals in the medal information (see FIG. 12C), and proceeds to Sd5.

  In Sd5, the control unit 181 adds 1 to the continuous illegal medal counter in the counter information (see FIG. 12D), and proceeds to Sd6. In Sd6, the control unit 181 adds 1 to the cumulative number of illegal medals in the card receiving game information (see FIG. 12B), and proceeds to Sd7.

  In Sd7, the control unit 181 determines whether or not the value of the cumulative number of illegal medals in the card receiving game information (see FIG. 12B) is a set threshold value. In this embodiment, “10 sheets” is set in the “cumulative illegal medal number” item of the “invalid medal detection notification condition” on the aforementioned illegal medal relation setting screen (see FIG. 19). That is, when the cumulative value determined as an illegal medal after the player inserts a member card or a visitor card is 10, the value of the cumulative illegal medal number is set as a threshold. Here, if the value of the cumulative number of illegal medals is a set threshold value (if it is 10), the process proceeds to Sd8, and if the value of the cumulative number of illegal medals is not a set threshold value (if it is less than 10) ) Go to Sd15.

  In Sd8, the control unit 181 subtracts the value of the accumulated illegal medals from the number of medals held in the card table (see FIG. 12A) and proceeds to Sd9. In this embodiment, if an illegal medal is included in the medals paid out from the slot machine 1 and counted, the illegal medal is counted unless the illegal medal detection notification condition (inappropriate condition) is satisfied. If the illegal medal detection notification condition is satisfied, the cumulative number of illegal medals counted up to that point will be invalid. It is possible to prevent the number of medals from being added by medals.

  In Sd9, the control unit 181 resets the value of the cumulative number of illegal medals in the card receiving game information (see FIG. 12B) and proceeds to Sd10. In Sd10, the control unit 181 resets the value of the continuous illegal medal counter in the counter information (see FIG. 12D), and proceeds to Sd11.

  In Sd15, the control unit 181 determines whether or not the value of the continuous illegal medal counter in the counter information (see FIG. 12D) is a set threshold value. In the present embodiment, “3 times” is set in the item “Number of consecutive illegal medals detected” of “Unauthorized medal detection notification condition” on the above-described illegal medal related setting screen (see FIG. 19). That is, when an illegal medal is detected three times in succession, the value of the consecutive illegal medal counter becomes a set threshold value. Here, if the value of the consecutive illegal medal counter is the set threshold value (when it is three times), the process proceeds to Sd8, and if the value of the consecutive illegal medal counter is not the set threshold value (when it is less than three times). ) Go to Sd16.

  In Sd16, the control unit 181 determines whether or not the value of the total number of illegal medals in the medal information (see FIG. 12C) is a set threshold value. In the present embodiment, “10 sheets” is set in the “total number of illegal medals” item of “illegal medal detection notification condition” on the aforementioned illegal medal related setting screen (see FIG. 19). That is, when the value of the total number of medals determined as illegal medals by the counting device 190 from the time of starting business in the game hall is 10, the total illegal medals count value is set. Here, if the value of the total number of illegal medals is a set threshold value (when it is 10), the process proceeds to Sd11, and if the value of the total number of illegal medals is not a set threshold value (when it is less than 10) ) Ends the process.

  In Sd11, the control unit 181 determines whether or not an unauthorized notification has already been sent to the medal management computer 550. If the notification of unauthorized notification has already been made, the process is terminated, and if the notification of unauthorized notification has not been notified yet, the process proceeds to Sd12.

  In Sd12, the control unit 181 notifies the medal management computer 550 that an unauthorized medal is being used, and proceeds to Sd13. In Sd13, the control unit 181 turns on the state notification lamp 111 and proceeds to Sd14. In addition, when the state notification lamp 111 is turned on, if it is turned on in a mode that clearly notifies the abnormal situation (for example, fast blinking or red display), it is illegal for an unauthorized player who uses an illegal medal. There is a possibility that the user will notice that he / she has been informed and may escape, so when turning on the state information lamp 111, it is difficult to notice that the unauthorized player has been notified of unauthorized information. It is made to light in a mode (for example, slow blinking or blue display).

  Note that the medal management computer 550 that has received the fraud notification from the control unit 181 of the medal lending machine 100 issues a notification request for requesting the hall computer 540 to notify the store clerk. And the machine number of the slot machine 1 corresponding to the machine 100.

  In addition, the hall computer 540 that has received the notification request from the medal management computer 550 generates an automatic voice message to notify that, together with the machine number of the slot machine 1 corresponding to the medal lending machine 100 in which the illegal medal is used. Then, an automatic voice message is transmitted to the income 9 worn by the store clerk via the wireless broadcasting system. The store clerk who receives the notification through the income 9 can specify the player who uses the illegal medal. In addition, the hall computer 540 operates the monitoring camera system 21 to automatically shoot (or record) a zoom-in video of the slot machine 1 corresponding to the medal lending machine 100 in which the illegal medal is used. Then, the store clerk can identify an unauthorized player and monitor (or record) the behavior through the monitoring camera system 21.

  In Sd14, the control unit 181 stops the alarm notification and counting of the counting device 190 (error stop) when an illegal medal is detected in the item of “operation when detecting illegal medal” in the aforementioned illegal medal relation setting screen (see FIG. 19). ) Is determined whether or not selection has been made. If the selection to stop the error has been made, the process proceeds to Sd17, and if the selection to stop the error has not been made, the process ends.

  In Sd17, the control unit 181 transmits update information of each table, information on a full tank notification flag, which will be described later, a notification image, and the like to the medal management computer 550, and proceeds to Sd18. In Sd18, the control unit 181 performs a count stop process in which the counting device 190 stops counting medals. This counting stop process is maintained until the store clerk operates the reset switch 186 (see FIG. 11) of the medal lending machine 100.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a medal storage process executed by the control unit 181 of the medal lending machine 100. In the medal storage process, the control unit 181 executes the processes of Se1 to Se14 described below.

  First, in Se1 of the medal storage process, the control unit 181 determines whether or not “reservation part invalid” is set in the “illegal medal handling” item of the above-described illegal medal relation setting screen (see FIG. 19). Determine. Here, if “reservoir invalid” is not set, the process proceeds to Se2. If “reservoir invalid” is set, the process proceeds to Se14.

  In Se2, the control unit 181 determines whether or not the full tank notification flag is set. If the full tank notification flag is not set, the process proceeds to Se3. If the full tank notification flag is set, the process proceeds to Se14.

  In Se14, the control unit 181 causes the medal determined to be an illegal medal to be discharged from the discharge port 192 to the game island, that is, ends the process without switching the flow path by the flow path switch 190d via the counting device 190. To do.

  In Se3, the control unit 181 switches the medal flow path via the counting device 190 by the flow path switch 190d described above, and the medal determined to be an illegal medal is stored in the medal storage box 194 (storage section). The process proceeds to Se4. In Se4, the control unit 181 adds 1 to the total medal storage number of the medal information (see FIG. 12C) (storage medium counting means), and proceeds to Se5.

  In Se5, the control unit 181 determines whether or not the medal determined to be an illegal medal is a medal brought from another area of the own store, that is, the own store medal. Here, if it is the own store medal, the process proceeds to Se6, 1 is added to the own store medal storage number of the medal information (see FIG. 12C), and the process proceeds to Se7. If it is not the own store medal, the process proceeds to Se11, 1 is added to the number of false medals stored in the medal information (see FIG. 12C), and the process proceeds to Se7. In this embodiment, the own store medals and the fake medals are counted, and the number of own medals out of the illegal medals stored in the medal storage box 194 (storage unit) is grasped. By being easy to do, it becomes possible to collect at an early stage and return to the area determined as an appropriate medal.

  In Se7, the control unit 181 determines whether or not the total number of medals stored in the medal information (see FIG. 12C) is the first threshold (full tank) (first determination means). In this embodiment, “100 sheets” is set in the “full tank notification condition” item of the “reservoir state notification condition” on the above-described illegal medal relation setting screen (see FIG. 19). That is, when the total number of medals stored, which is the number of medals stored in the medal storage box 194 (storage unit), is 100, it is determined that the first threshold (full tank) is reached. Here, when the total medal storage number is the first threshold (full tank) (when it is 100), the process proceeds to Se8, and when the total medal storage number is not the first threshold (full tank) (less than 100 sheets). If there is, the process ends.

  In Se8, the control unit 181 sets a full tank notification flag and proceeds to Se9. In Se9, the control unit 181 turns on the state notification lamp 111 (first notification means) and proceeds to Se10.

  In Se10, the control unit 181 determines whether or not “error stop when the storage unit is full” is set in the “illegal medal handling” item of the above-described illegal medal relation setting screen (see FIG. 19). To do. Here, if the error stop when the storage unit is full is set, the process proceeds to Se12. If the error stop is not set when the storage unit is full, the process is terminated.

  In Se12, the control unit 181 transmits update information of each table, information on the full tank notification flag, a notification image, and the like to the medal management computer 550, and proceeds to Se13. In Se13, the control unit 181 performs a count stop process in which the counting device 190 stops counting medals. This counting stop process is maintained until the store clerk operates the reset switch 186 (see FIG. 11) of the medal lending machine 100.

  Next, an illegal medal user face image screen displayed on the medal management computer 550 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. A notification image in which the player's face image and medal image generated in the aforementioned illegal medal process are combined in parallel is transmitted from the medal lending machine 100, and the medal management computer 550 that receives this notification image uses the illegal medal The notification image can be displayed on the person face image screen.

  In the unauthorized medal user face image screen of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, together with the notification image, the date and time when the notification image was captured, and the device ID of the medal lending machine 100 that captured the notification image In addition, the machine number of the slot machine 1 corresponding to the medal lending machine 100 and the member ID when a game is played using a member card are displayed. By doing so, it is possible to identify which one of the medals stored in the medal storage box 194 (storage unit) of the medal lending machine 100 has been used by a predetermined player, so that it is easy to specify an illegal act.

  In this embodiment, when the game hall is closed (when the business is closed), the medal management computer 550 requests each medal lending machine 100 to execute a tightening related process (business closing process). A predetermined signal) is transmitted. The control unit 181 of each medal lending machine 100 that has received this tightening related process request executes a tightening related process (business closing process).

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a tightening related process executed by the control unit 181 of the medal lending machine 100. In the tightening related process, the control unit 181 executes processes Sf1 to Sf4 described below.

  First, in Sf1 of the tightening related process, the control unit 181 transmits various histories. For example, information such as the usage history of the prepaid balance is transmitted to the card management computer 500, and data such as forced cancellation history data in the absence of seat is transmitted to both the card management computer 500 and the medal management computer 550, and the process proceeds to Sf2. .

  In Sf2, the control unit 181 determines whether or not the total number of medals stored in the medal information (see FIG. 12C) is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (second threshold) (second determination unit). In this embodiment, “50 sheets” is set in the item “Notification condition at closing” of “Storage section condition notification condition” in the above-described illegal medal relation setting screen (see FIG. 19). That is, when the total number of medals stored as the number of illegal medals stored in the medal storage box 194 (storage unit) is 50 or more, it is determined to be the second threshold value. Here, if the total number of medals is greater than or equal to the second threshold (if it is greater than or equal to 50), the process proceeds to Sf3. If the total number of medals is not the second threshold (if less than 50), processing is performed. Exit.

  In Sf3, the control unit 181 turns on the state notification lamp 111 (second notification means) and proceeds to Sf4. In Sf4, the control unit 181 transmits to the medal management computer 550 a notification notifying that the number of illegal medals stored in the medal storage box 194 (storage unit) is greater than or equal to a predetermined number (second threshold). The process ends.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the medal management computer 550 that has received a notification from the medal lending machine 100 (control unit 181) notifying that the number of illegal medals stored is greater than or equal to a predetermined number (second threshold value) Display the processing (illegal medal) screen. On the business end processing (illegal medal) screen, the machine ID of the corresponding slot machine 1 is displayed together with the device ID of the medal lending machine 100 whose stored number is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (second threshold). The store clerk can specify the medal lending machine 100 that collects illegal medals based on this business end processing (illegal medal) screen.

  As described above, in the medal lending machine 100 (game device) as an embodiment of the present invention, when the illegal medal (unsuitable game medium) reaches the full tank (first storage amount), By informing the effect, it is possible to collect illegal medals from the medal storage box 194 (storage unit), and at least when the predetermined number (second storage amount) has been reached at the end of the game hall business, By notifying the fact that it is possible not only to collect illegal medals before the tank is full, it is not necessary to collect medals from the storage section that still has room for storage. Be improved. Therefore, since the amount of medals stored during business hours is prevented from reaching a full tank, it is possible to prevent illegal medals from being collected from the medal storage box 194 (storage section) that has reached the full tank and circulating. it can.

  Specifically, when a large number (for example, 1000) of medal lending machines 100 are installed in the amusement hall, all medal lending machines are periodically updated unless the medal storage amount in the medal storage box 194 is notified. Although it is necessary to check 100 medal storage boxes 194 and turn around, for example, the medal lending machine 100 in which only about one or two medals are stored in the medal storage box 194 is also checked. Although it takes a lot of trouble, it is possible to efficiently collect illegal medals by notifying that effect when the predetermined number is reached.

  In addition, when an illegal medal reaches a full tank (first storage amount), even if it is in business, it can be promptly collected by notifying that fact, so that the medal is left as it is full. It is prevented from being discharged and circulated within the amusement island.

  In addition, when the predetermined number (second storage amount) has been reached at least at the end of the game hall business, the fact is notified so that illegal medals can be collected before the tank is full. Since it can be avoided as much as possible that a small amount of illegal medals is stored during business, it is possible to prevent annoying the player when collecting illegal medals during business.

  In addition, the controller 190a of the counting device 190 receives a plurality of types of illegal medals that are determined to be inappropriate and include a local medal that can be used in the game hall and a fake medal that cannot be used in the game hall. The self-stored medal is registered in the memory 190b by having about 100 self-stored medals inserted in the counting device 190 in advance. Then, the control unit 181 adds 1 to the total number of medals stored in the medal information (see FIG. 12C) in Se4 of the medal storage process in FIG. 25, and in the medal storage process Se5 in FIG. If it is the own store medal, the process proceeds to Se6, and 1 is added to the number of own store medals stored in the medal information (see FIG. 12C). And by adding 1 to the number of false medals stored in the medal information (see FIG. 12C), how many of the illegal medals stored in the medal storage box 194 are own medals It becomes possible to return to the area | region which collect | recovers at an early stage and is determined as an appropriate medal.

  Further, when the control unit 181 determines that the counted medals are not appropriate, in Sd3 of the illegal medal process of FIG. 24, the player's face image and the medal image are combined in parallel to form one notification image ( 21) and the notification image is stored in the RAM 181b, so that it is possible to identify which one of the medals stored in the medal storage box 194 is used by the predetermined player. It becomes easier to identify fraud.

  Note that, in Sd3 of the illegal medal process of FIG. 24, the player's face image and the medal image are combined in parallel to generate one notification image (see FIG. 21). It is not always necessary to generate a notification image. For example, an ID is assigned to each of the face image and the medal image, and the face image and the medal image are separately transmitted to the medal management computer 550, and the medal management computer 550 The IDs of the images may be stored in association with each other.

  Further, the control unit 181 determines whether or not the counted medal is an illegal medal based on the medal determination information acquired from the counting device 190 in Sc6 of the counting process in FIG. On the condition that the condition is satisfied, the number of illegal medals determined to be inappropriate among the medals counted until the inappropriate condition is satisfied is invalidated (for example, in Sd8 of the illegal medal process in FIG. 24). The control unit 181 subtracts the cumulative illegal medal value from the medal number of the card table (see FIG. 12A) to thereby give an invalid medal to the medal paid out and counted from the slot machine 1. If the incorrect condition is not met, the improper medals will be counted, and the player who uses the illegal medals unintentionally suffers a disadvantage. DOO together is prevented, if the improper condition is satisfied, since the number of medals counted by the time it becomes invalid, it is possible to prevent unauthorized medal is acquired.

  In addition, the control unit 181 adds 1 to the cumulative number of illegal medals in the card receiving game information (see FIG. 12B) in Sd6 of the illegal medal process of FIG. 24, and the card acceptance process of Sb20 of FIG. , The number of medals held, the number of saved medals (member only), the point of visit (member only), and the personal identification number (member only) included in the received acceptance processing completion notification are stored in the card table. On the other hand, in the return process of Sb23 in FIG. 22, it is determined whether or not the card being received is a visitor card. If the card is a visitor card, accumulation of game information being received on the card table is stored in the visitor card. In addition to recording the number of illegal medals and recording the information on a card and ejecting it, information that can identify the number of medals stored in the medal storage box 194 is recorded. It is possible to grasp and manage how many medals were counted by a person.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and modifications and additions within the scope of the present invention are included in the present invention. It is.

  For example, in the above embodiment, a medal is applied as an example of the game medium, but a spherical pachinko ball (game ball) may be applied.

  In the above embodiment, the pachinko parlor where the slot machine 1 and the pachinko machine are installed is illustrated as the game arcade where the medal lending machine 100 is installed, but the game arcade to which the present invention is applied is a game center or the like. It may be.

  In the above embodiment, the counted regular medals are discharged and collected from the discharge port 192 to the game island. However, the regular medals are stored in the housing 101 in the same manner as the illegal medals and are collected appropriately. You may make it do.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when medals are counted by the counting device 190, the control unit 181 adds 1 to the number of medals held in the card table (see FIG. 12A) (the counting process of FIG. 23). When the illegal medal detection notification condition is satisfied, the control unit 181 subtracts the value of the accumulated illegal medal number from the medal number of the card table (see FIG. 12A). (Refer to Sd8 of the illegal medal process in FIG. 24), other modes may be used. For example, when medals are counted by the counting device 190, the control unit 181 suspends adding 1 to the number of medals and records it in the hold count value, and the illegal medal detection notification condition is not satisfied. The holding count value may be added to the number of medals.

  In the above embodiment, the authenticity of the medals counted by the counting device 190 is determined. However, when the medals are paid out by the payout device 182, the authenticity of the medals is determined, and the illegal medals are determined. You may make it store in the storage part in the payout apparatus 182 and prevent payout of an unauthorized medal. Then, when the storage unit in the payout device 182 is full, and when a predetermined amount of medals are stored at the time of closing (end of business), the illegal medals in the storage unit in the payout device 182 are collected. You may make it perform the alerting | reporting to carry out.

  That is, the gaming device of the present invention includes a gaming device that includes one or both of a counting device that counts game media such as medals and a payout device (rental device) that pays out (lends) game media. For example, a counting device that counts game media such as medals and a payout device that pays out (lends out) game media may be provided side by side corresponding to the gaming machine.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, at the end of the game hall business, a closing related processing request for requesting execution of closing related processing (business closing processing) is received from the medal management computer 550 to each medal lending machine 100. Sometimes, when the number of medals in the medal storage box 194 (storage unit) reaches a predetermined number (second storage amount), this is notified, but the predetermined number (second storage amount). The timing to notify when the game has reached is not limited to when the game hall is closed, but may be notified during business hours, and the corresponding slot machine 1 is in a standby state (a state in which no game is being performed). You may make it alert | report when it is.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the number of medals in the medal storage box 194 reaches the second storage amount based on the reception of the tightening related processing request for performing the request for executing the tightening related processing (business end processing). However, the notification may be performed based on the reception of a request other than the tightening related processing request.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether or not the number of medals in the medal storage box 194 has reached the second threshold (second storage amount) in the tightening-related processing, and notification is given when the second threshold is reached. The timing for determining whether or not the second threshold value has been reached can be changed in various ways, and it is always determined whether or not the second threshold value has been reached. Whether or not it is determined that it has been reached when the game hall is closed (whether or not a predetermined flag is set). And may be notified if stored.

  Further, in the embodiment, when the number of medals in the medal storage box 194 (storage unit) reaches a first threshold value (first storage amount) that is a predetermined number that needs to be collected, this is notified. However, even if notification is not made when it is reached, for example, notification may be made after the end of business, for example, notification that the first threshold value has been reached in the tightening-related processing. Also good.

  In the embodiment, when setting is performed on the illegal medal related setting screen, “100 sheets” is set as the “full tank notification condition” as the first threshold (first storage amount), and the second threshold ( The “closed store notification condition” as “second storage amount” is set to “50 sheets”, and the first threshold value and the second threshold value are set as different numbers. May be set to have the same number.

  Moreover, in the said Example, the medal lending machine 100 alert | reports by light that the medal storage amount of the medal storage box 194 became the 1st threshold value (1st storage amount) or the 2nd threshold value (2nd storage amount). Although the state notification lamp 111 is provided, a speaker that can output sound or a display device that notifies a predetermined image may be provided. Furthermore, if the medal lending machine 100 has a function capable of outputting to the external device (medal management computer 550, etc.) that the medal storage amount of the medal storage box 194 has reached the first threshold value or the second threshold value, The notification means may not necessarily be provided, but may be provided in an electrically connected external device or the like.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, a mode in which regular medals are registered individually in each medal lending machine 100 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and images of these regular medals are displayed. The medal management computer 550 may distribute to each medal lending machine 100 so that they can be registered at once, or a storage medium such as a flash memory in which an image of a regular medal is stored is attached to each medal lending machine 100. Then, registration may be performed.

1 slot machine 100 medal lending machine 190 counting device 500 card management computer 540 hall computer 550 medal management computer

Claims (2)

Provided in correspondence with a gaming machine capable of playing a game using a game medium, the appropriate determination means for determining whether or not the game medium is appropriate, and the appropriate determination means determined to be not appropriate A storage device for storing game media, and a gaming device comprising:
First determination means for determining whether or not the storage amount of the game medium stored in the storage unit has reached a first storage amount that prompts collection of the game medium;
First notification means for notifying that the first storage amount has been reached when it is determined that the first determination means has reached the first storage amount;
Second determination means for determining whether or not the storage amount of the game medium stored in the storage unit has reached a second storage amount that is less than the first storage amount;
When the game hall is closed, a predetermined signal output from a management device that manages the gaming device is received, and the second determination means determines that the second storage amount has been reached. Second notification means for notifying that the second storage amount has been reached,
A payout device for paying out game media stored in a payout storage unit different from the storage unit;
A guide member extending from the payout device toward the player and guiding the game medium paid out by the payout device;
A counting device arranged at a lower position of the payout storage unit and capable of counting game media;
A receiving unit capable of receiving game media to be counted by the counting device;
An introduction path member for introducing the game medium received in the receiving unit into the introduction unit of the game medium in the counting device;
With
The appropriateness determining means determines whether or not the game media counted by the counting device is appropriate,
The introduction path member is extended upward from the introduction portion, and an insertion hole is formed through which the guide member can be inserted in a direction intersecting the introduction direction of the game medium.
The gaming apparatus , wherein the receiving portion is provided at a position above the insertion hole . Provided in correspondence with a gaming machine capable of playing a game using a game medium, the appropriate determination means for determining whether or not the game medium is appropriate, and the appropriate determination means determined to be not appropriate A plurality of gaming devices comprising a storage section for storing gaming media;
A management device that is connected to each gaming device so as to be capable of data communication, and transmits a predetermined signal to each gaming device at the end of the game hall;
A gaming system including:
First determination means for determining whether or not the storage amount of the game medium stored in the storage unit has reached a first storage amount that prompts collection of the game medium;
First notification means for notifying that the first storage amount has been reached when it is determined that the first determination means has reached the first storage amount;
Second determination means for determining whether or not the storage amount of the game medium stored in the storage unit has reached a second storage amount that is less than the first storage amount;
When the game hall is closed, the second storage is based on receiving a predetermined signal output from the management device and determining that the second storage amount has been reached by the second determination means. A second notification means for notifying that the amount has been reached;
A payout device for paying out game media stored in a payout storage unit different from the storage unit;
A guide member extending from the payout device toward the player and guiding the game medium paid out by the payout device;
A counting device arranged at a lower position of the payout storage unit and capable of counting game media;
A receiving unit capable of receiving game media to be counted by the counting device;
An introduction path member for introducing the game medium received in the receiving unit into the introduction unit of the game medium in the counting device;
With
The appropriateness determining means determines whether or not the game media counted by the counting device is appropriate,
The introduction path member is extended upward from the introduction portion, and an insertion hole is formed through which the guide member can be inserted in a direction intersecting the introduction direction of the game medium.
The gaming system , wherein the receiving portion is provided at a position above the insertion hole .

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