JP6955413B2 - Amusement park system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system for a game field.

Conventionally, a rental machine (game device) has been provided in a game hall in association with a game machine. The lending machine can accept an IC card (recording medium) that records the remaining amount information (game information), and lends balls and medals to the player in consideration of the remaining amount.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-2903

By the way, an abnormality may occur in the IC card accepted by the lending machine, and information may not be recorded on the IC card. Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 describes that when an abnormality occurs in an IC card, the IC card is used as an error card, and an alternative issuance process of writing information to another IC card and issuing the information is executed. Has been done.

Further, in the amusement park, the rental machine and the management device communicate with each other, and the management device manages the IC card. In the offline state (communication abnormal state) where the lending machine and the management device cannot communicate normally, IC card management cannot be executed, so some functions of the lending machine may be restricted, such as restricting the execution of alternative issuance processing. It is common.

However, if the execution of the alternative issuance process is restricted, if the information cannot be recorded on the IC card by the lending machine in the offline state, the player waits for the execution of the alternative issuance process until the offline state returns to the online state. It will end up being. As a countermeasure when information cannot be recorded on the IC card in the offline state, it is possible for the employee to make a payment by handing cash before returning to the online state, but the work of the employee becomes complicated. turn into. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in handling the recording medium in a communication abnormal state.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, an object thereof is to provide a system for a game field, which can appropriately execute the issuance of the recording medium in communication error.

In a situation where a communication abnormality state occurs in the first game device, the recording medium can be issued by an alternative issuing means, so that an abnormality occurs in the recording medium in the first game device in the communication abnormality state. However, since another recording medium can be issued to the player, it is possible to improve the service for the player. On the other hand, since it is possible to issue the recording medium by the alternative issuing means in the situation where the communication abnormality state occurs, the recording medium is issued by the alternative issuing means based on the same recording medium due to the mistake of the employee or the like, and the second The gaming device may both issue the recording medium by the input issuing means. In this regard, according to the inventions of claims 1 and 4, even if the alternative issuing means and the input issuing means each issue different recording media based on the same recording medium, one of the recording media can be used. Since the game information cannot be used, it is possible to prevent the game information of both recording media from being used after the communication abnormality state of the first game device is resolved. That is, it is possible to appropriately issue the recording medium in the communication abnormal state.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, based on the same recording medium, while the alternative issuing means reissues another recording medium, even if the settlement process executes the settlement process, the other recording medium is used. Since the game information cannot be used, it is possible to prevent the game information of another recording medium from being used after the communication abnormality state of the first game device is resolved. That is, it is possible to appropriately issue the recording medium in the communication abnormal state.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the playground system in one Embodiment roughly. Front view of a gaming machine Functional block diagram showing the configuration of rental machine, checkout machine, and management device Diagram showing the conditions for reissuance

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of the amusement park system. In the game hall, a rental machine 2 (first game device) and a game information display device 3 are installed corresponding to the game machine (slot machine) 1. The game machine 1, the rental machine 2, and the game information display device 3 are connected to the relay device 4. The relay device 4 is connected to the management device 6 via the LAN 5. The management device 6 is installed in, for example, a management room in the amusement park, and is configured by combining a keyboard 7, a mouse 8, a monitor 9, a printer (not shown), and the like. In addition, a settlement machine 10 (second game device), a POS (not shown), and the like are also installed in the game hall. The settlement machine 10 and the POS are also connected to the management device 6 via the LAN 5. Although omitted in FIG. 1, hundreds of gaming machines 1 are managed by the management device 6. In the present embodiment, since the game machine 1 is a slot machine, the game value (game medium) is a medal. If the game machine 1 is a pachinko machine, the game value is a pachinko ball.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the gaming machine 1. The game machine 1 includes a reel 12 that can be visually recognized through a display window 11, an effective line display unit 13 that indicates an activated winning line, a display panel 14, a credit button 15 for inserting a credit medal, and a credit. A settlement button 16 for settlement of medals, a medal insertion slot 17 for inserting medals, a start lever 18, a left stop button 19, a middle stop button 20, a right stop button 21, a payout number display unit 22, and so on. It has a credit number display unit 23, a saucer 24, and the like.

When the start lever 18 is operated with the medals inserted (when the game start operation is performed), the game machine 1 extracts one random number from the generated random numbers and executes an internal lottery to execute the internal lottery. If there is a winning combination, the flag corresponding to the internal winning combination is established, each reel 12 is started (rotated), and when each stop button 19 to 21 is operated in this state, the corresponding reel 12 Stop the rotation. Subsequently, based on a stop table (not shown) for determining the stop position of each reel 12 according to the flag of the internal winning combination, stop control including so-called pull-in control (slip control) (each reel 12 is internally). Control to stop and display the winning symbol or the lost symbol according to the type of the winning combination flag) is executed. The pull-in control is a control capable of pulling a symbol within a predetermined pull-in range (up to 4 symbols) from the time when the operation of each of the stop buttons 19 to 21 is detected onto the winning line and stopping the symbol. If the symbol corresponding to the internal winning combination flag does not exist within the pull-in range, the symbol cannot be pulled onto the winning line and stopped, so that the winning is not generated and the so-called omission occurs.

The gaming machine 1 transmits the following gaming signals.
Out signal = The number of medals in the bet state (3 medals) is pulse-transmitted assuming that the medals in the bet state have been consumed according to the start operation of the game. The management device 6 specifies the number of out signals × 1 as out (consumption value, number of media used). In addition, even at the time of replay, the corresponding portion is pulse-transmitted.

Safe signal = A pulse is transmitted each time one medal is given (paid out). The management device 6 specifies the number of safe signals × 1 as safe (value given to prize, number of payout media). Even when the replay role is won, the medals used in the game are pulse-transmitted.

Level is transmitted when the BB (big bonus) signal = BB state. The management device 6 specifies the BB signal reception period as the BB state.
Level is transmitted when RB (regular bonus) signal = RB state. The management device 6 specifies the RB signal reception period as the RB state.

The gaming machine 1 is provided with a BB role, an RB role, a small role, and a replay role as bonus roles. The game machine 1 is provided with a total of five effective lines (three in the horizontal direction corresponding to the upper, middle, and lower stages of the display window 11, and two in the diagonal direction), depending on the player. By operating the stop buttons 19 to 21, when the symbols corresponding to the internal winning combination are aligned on one of these effective lines, that is, the combination of the symbols stopped and displayed on the effective line is internally won. A prize will be awarded when the combination of symbols corresponding to the role matches. When a prize is won, a BB state or an RB state is generated, or the corresponding number of coins are paid out (adding game value). The BB state ends with the payout of more than 300 coins, for example, and the RB state ends with the occurrence of eight winnings. In addition, the number of coins inserted per game in the BB state and the RB state is two.

In the gaming machine 1, the internal winning probabilities of the BB combination and the RB combination can be changed by changing the set value. The set value is adjustment information for adjusting the gaming performance of the gaming machine 1, and is divided into, for example, 6 stages of 1 to 6, and any one of them is selected and used by the administrator. In the gaming machine 1, the larger the set value, the higher the winning probability of the bonus combination, and the theoretical output rate increases accordingly. On the contrary, the smaller the set value, the lower the winning probability of the bonus combination. Therefore, the theoretical output rate becomes smaller. That is, the larger the set value is, the more advantageous it is for the player, and the smaller the set value is, the more disadvantageous it is for the player. The small winning combination probability is common to all settings, but it may be different, and the output rate may be adjusted according to the small winning combination probability, other conditions, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lending machine 2 has a money slot 25 for the player to insert money (accepts the player's money insertion) and an IC card 26 (recording medium) for the player to insert. Card insertion slot 27, an issue button 28 for issuing an IC card 26 from the card insertion slot 27 (issuing a recording medium to a player), and a hopper for ejecting medals one by one to a medal ejection path (FIG. It has a hopper LED 29 indicating a state (not shown), a payout nozzle 30 for paying medals to a saucer 24 of the game machine 1 (giving a game value), etc. in exchange for money inserted by the player. The IC card 26 is a general card that is valid only on the day or a membership card that is valid until a preset expiration date (for example, 3 years). The IC card 26 has a built-in IC chip, and is capable of identifying a card ID (unique identification information) consisting of numbers that can identify the card, and an unconsumed amount of money inserted by the player (magnitude of game value). The remaining amount (game information) and the number of balls held (game information), which is the number of game media (magnitude of game value) acquired by the game, can be recorded.

The lending machine 2 transmits the following game signals.
Input amount signal = The input amount, which is the amount of money inserted by the player, is transmitted together with the device ID (issue notification processing for notifying the management device of the game information and the identification information of the recording medium is executed). The management device 6 manages the input amount for each lending machine 2 by receiving the input amount signal.

Consumption amount signal = The consumption amount consumed for paying out medals is transmitted together with the device ID (the game information and the identification information of the recording medium are notified to the management device). The management device 6 manages the consumption amount for each rental machine 2 by receiving the consumption amount signal.

Card issuance signal = When the player presses the issue button 28, which is a predetermined issue operation, the unconsumed amount of money inserted by the player is transmitted together with the device ID. Such transmission is also executed when the offline state described later is resolved (issue notification processing is executed after the communication error status is resolved). The management device 6 manages the unconsumed amount for each lending machine 2 by receiving the card issuance signal. Not limited to the card issuance signal, the lending machine 2 transmits various signals to the management device 6 after the offline state is resolved when money is inserted or consumed in the offline state.

As shown in FIG. 1, the game information display device 3 includes an information display unit 31 that displays various game data (number of occurrences of BB state and RB state, number of starts, number of occurrences of ART, average number of acquired sheets, etc.). An operation unit 32 including a call button pressed by the player when calling an employee of the game hall, a switching button pressed by the player when switching the game data displayed by the information display unit 31, and the employee possesses it. It has a light receiving unit (not shown) that receives a remote control signal from the employee remote control 34.

As shown in FIG. 1, the settlement machine 10 has an information display unit 35 for displaying the settlement amount, a card insertion slot 36 for the player to insert the IC card 26, and a return port for paying out money corresponding to the balance. It has 37 mag. When the IC card 26 is inserted into the card insertion slot 36 (when the recording medium is accepted), the settlement machine 10 reads the balance recorded on the IC card 26 with a card reader, and uses the read balance as the settlement amount. It is displayed on the information display unit 35, and the money corresponding to the remaining amount is paid out from the return port 37 (the settlement process for paying out the money corresponding to the unconsumed amount specified from the recording medium is executed).

The checkout machine 10 transmits the following game signals.
Settlement amount signal = When money corresponding to the remaining amount is paid out from the return port 37, the settled amount, which is the remaining amount paid out, is transmitted together with the device ID. The management device 6 manages the settlement amount for each settlement machine 10 by receiving the settlement amount signal.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configurations of the lending machine 2, the settlement machine 10, and the management device 6.
The lending machine 2 includes a control unit 38 (reception means, game information updating means, normal issuing means, abnormality determining means, alternative issuing means, abnormality notification means, first issuance notification means, first issuance restricting means), and an I / F. It has a unit 39, the above-mentioned money insertion slot 25, a card insertion slot 27, an issue button 28, a hopper LED 29, a medal payout portion 40, and a remote control light receiving portion 41. The control unit 38 is composed of a microcomputer having a CPU 38a, a ROM 38b, and a RAM 38c, executes various control programs (software), and controls the overall operation of the rental machine 2. The I / F unit 39 transmits and receives various signals and various information to and from the management device 6 and the gaming machine 1 via the relay device 4. The medal payout unit 40 pays out medals to the saucer 24 of the gaming machine 1 via the payout nozzle 30.

The settlement machine 10 includes a control unit 42 (input receiving means, input issuing means, input notification means, second issuance notification means, communication state determination means, second issuance restricting means, settlement means, input notification means) and an I / F. It has a unit 43, the above-mentioned information display unit 35, a card insertion slot 36, and a medal payout unit 44. The control unit 42 is composed of a microcomputer having a CPU 42a, a ROM 42b, and a RAM 42c, executes various control programs (software), and controls the overall operation of the settlement machine 10. The I / F unit 43 transmits and receives various signals and various information to and from the management device 6 and the like. The medal payout unit 44 pays out the money corresponding to the remaining amount from the return port 37.

The management device 6 has a control unit 45 (storage means, first update means, second update means, third update means), and an I / F unit 46. The control unit 45 is composed of a microcomputer having a CPU 45a, a ROM 45b, and a RAM 45c, executes various control programs (software), and controls the overall operation of the management device 6. The I / F unit 46 transmits and receives various signals and various information to and from the gaming machine 1, the lending machine 2, the settlement machine 10, and the like.

Next, alternative issuance of the IC card 26 in the lending machine 2 will be described.
Since the IC card 26 is a non-contact type, it is basically highly durable, but the function of the IC card 26 may deteriorate due to long-term use, making it impossible to write information.

Therefore, the lending machine 2 is configured so as to be capable of alternative issuance in which information is written in a new IC card 26 instead of the defective IC card 26 as follows.
That is, in the lending machine 2, when the balance is generated or the balance is updated, or when the ball (counting ball) is generated or the ball is updated, the IC card 26 into which the information is inserted is inserted. It is updated by writing to (updates the game information of the recording medium), but it is determined whether the information cannot be written due to a defect of the IC card 26 (determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the recording medium). If it is not possible (when the abnormality determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred), the balance information and the number of balls held at that time are temporarily saved in the RAM, and then a write error message is displayed.

When the employee confirms the error message displayed on the lending machine 2, the employee performs an error canceling operation on the employee remote controller 34 that he / she carries.
When the lending machine 2 inputs an error release command from the employee remote controller 34 via the remote controller light receiving unit 41, the lending machine 2 ejects the error card and transmits the error card information to the management device 6. That is, by transmitting the card ID of the error card to the management device 6, the management device 6 sets an error flag and manages the error card as unusable. At this time, if the error message is displayed, the employee collects the IC card 26 ejected from the lending machine 2.

The lending machine 2 pays out a new IC card 26 (a recording medium for another identification information) that is stocked in advance, records the information temporarily waited in the RAM on the IC card 26, and issues it (recording another identification information). After recording and issuing on a medium, the information (the ID of the new IC card 26 and the game information recorded on the IC card 26) is transmitted to the management device 6 (notifying the management device of the identification information of the recording medium). Execute error notification processing). The management device 6 manages the information received from the lending machine 2 in response to the new IC card 26 (updates the game information stored in association with the identification information by the storage means).

As described above, the lending machine 2 can perform alternative issuance to write information on the new IC card 26. When the lending machine 2 executes alternative issuance in the offline state, the alternative issuance is executed after the offline state is restored to the online state, the card ID of the error card, the identification information of the new IC card 26, and new information. The game information recorded on the IC card 26 is transmitted to the management device 6. That is, the abnormality notification process is executed after the communication abnormality state is resolved.

Next, the reissue of the IC card 26 and the compulsory settlement in the settlement machine 10 will be described.
If the information from the IC card 26 is poorly read at the time of payment by the payment machine 10, it is necessary to compensate for the balance and the balls held on the IC card 26.

Therefore, the settlement machine 10 reissues another IC card 26 by operating and inputting the card ID of the IC card 26 (hereinafter referred to as the reissue source card) into the settlement machine 10 and taking over the information on the management device 6. Is configured to be possible.

That is, when the checkout machine 10 cannot read the card ID or the like from the IC card 26, the checkout machine 10 displays a number input screen for inputting the card ID printed or stamped on the reissue source card. This number input screen is a screen displayed by operating an inquiry button that can be operated by opening a door that can be opened and closed by a key in the checkout machine 10, or by operating an employee's remote controller, that is, by operating the employee.

A value managed by the management device 6 by inputting the card ID of the reissue source card specified from the hearing from the player and the history of the management device 6 using the numeric keypad (accepting the input operation of the identification information of the recording medium). Can be confirmed on the inquiry screen. On the inquiry screen, the current balance, the date and time of the last use, and the terminal ID used last are displayed, and the "forced settlement" button and the "reissue" button are displayed. When the checkout machine 10 receives an operation input of the card ID, the checkout machine 10 displays the information managed by the management device 6 by communicating with the management device 6. Therefore, the settlement machine 10 is configured so that the next reissue or forced settlement is not executed when the management device 6 cannot normally communicate with the settlement machine 10.

When the "forced settlement" button is touch-operated, the balance is settled by returning the money for the inquired balance. At this time, the card ID of the input IC card 26 is transmitted to the management device 6 (input notification processing for notifying the management device of the identification information received by the input receiving means is executed). On the other hand, when the "reissue" button is touch-operated, it is managed by the management device 6 on an empty IC card 26 stocked by the checkout machine 10 (the balance and the number of balls are not supported). The balance is recorded and reissued (identified game information is recorded and issued on the recording medium of the identification information). When reissuing in this way, a new IC card 26 different from the input card ID is targeted for issuance. That is, the card ID of the IC card 26 to be reissued is different from the card ID of the reissue source card. At this time, the card ID and balance of the reissued IC card 26 are transmitted to the management device 6 (the identification information of the recording medium and the game information are notified to the management device), and the management device 6 sends the card ID of the reissue source card. The balance managed in response to the above is transferred to the card ID of the IC card 26 issued from the settlement machine 10. In addition, the IC card 26 of the card ID of the reissue source card that has been input treats the value information indicating the balance and the possession ball as empty. That is, the balance and the possession ball are set to 0 (the information stored by the storage means is updated so as to make the game information stored in association with the recording medium of the identification information unusable), and the IC card 26 is used. Make it impossible. Further, in the present embodiment, in addition to setting the balance and the number of balls to 0, the use prohibition card flag described later is set in the reissue source card. When the use prohibition card flag is set, an error is displayed even if the lending machine 2 or the checkout machine accepts the card, and the card cannot be used.

As described above, in the case of the settlement machine 10, when the player loses the card, the player verbally confirms the time when the game was played and the game machine, and the player can check the history of the management device 6 from the history. By specifying the card ID of the IC card in possession, the balance can be returned or a new IC card 26 can be reissued.

When an employee inputs a card ID on the settlement machine 10 and intends to perform reissue or compulsory settlement, it is determined whether or not reissue or compulsory settlement is permitted according to the conditions shown in FIG. The stand communication state is the communication state between the checkout machine 10 and the lending machine 2. The reissue source card insertion state is determined by communicating with the management device 6 whether or not the IC card 26 having the manually entered card ID is being inserted into the lending machine 2. Whether or not reissue is possible depends on whether or not the settlement machine 10 allows reissue or compulsory settlement. The event notification is a content of notifying the management device 6 in order for the management device 6 to perform the notification.

Hereinafter, the combination pattern of the stand communication state and the reissue source card insertion state will be described.
Pattern 1 = If the lending machine 2 and the checkout machine 10 are all online and the reissue source card of the manually entered card ID is being inserted into the lending machine 2, reissue or forced checkout is not permitted. Make a fraudulent notification. In other words, since there is a possibility that a reissue source card will be issued, reissue and compulsory settlement are prohibited.

Pattern 2 = If the lending machine 2 and the checkout machine 10 are all online and the reissue source card of the manually entered card ID is not being inserted into the lending machine 2, reissuance or forced settlement is permitted and notified. Do not do.

Pattern 3 = Since the lending machine 2 and the settlement machine 10 are partially offline, if the reissuing source card of the manually entered card ID is being inserted online into the lending machine 2, reissue or forced settlement will be performed. Do not allow and give fraudulent notifications. That is, it is synonymous with pattern 1.

Pattern 4 = If the lending machine 2 and the checkout machine 10 are partially offline and the reissue source card of the manually entered card ID is being inserted offline into the lending machine 2, reissuance or forced settlement is permitted. , Send an inspection notice. In other words, in consideration of the influence of the existence of a lending machine 2 that cannot communicate with other than the machine confirmed to be inserted, priority is given to actual sales, alternative issuance is permitted at the lending machine 2, and reissuance is made at the settlement machine 10. And forced settlement are also allowed.

If regular communication is not possible, it is determined that the user is in the offline state, and in the present embodiment, the offline state is the communication abnormal state. Specifically, the management device 6 executes communication with the lending machine 2 every time a predetermined time elapses (for example, 30 seconds) as regular communication, and determines that the management device 6 is in the offline state when this communication cannot be normally executed. do.

By the way, the state in which the management device 6 determines that the card is being inserted in the offline state changes from the situation in which the device 6 was being inserted in the online state to the offline state, and is the IC card 26 still inserted or has already been issued? The situation is unknown. In the case of pattern 4, it is unknown whether it has already been issued, but in order to improve the convenience of the player, if it is being inserted in the offline state, it is reissued assuming that the IC card 26 has already been issued. And forced settlement is allowed.

Pattern 5 = If the lending machine 2 and the checkout machine 10 are partially offline and the reissue source card of the manually entered card ID is not being inserted into the lending machine 2, reissuance or forced settlement is permitted and inspection is performed. Make a notification. In other words, there is a risk that the reissue source card is being used in the lending machine 2 that is operating offline, but priority is given to actual sales, the lending machine 2 allows alternative issuance, and the checkout machine 10 reissues. It allows issuance and compulsory settlement.

On the other hand, in the fraud notification and inspection notification, which are event notifications, the following notification is given.
In the case of fraudulent notification of fraudulent operation of the card in use, an event notification is given that "the card in use has been reissued / forced settlement operation".

In the case of reissue / compulsory settlement inspection notification, an event notification is given that "reissue / compulsory settlement operation has been performed".
In addition to the conditions for reissuance, the condition for compulsory settlement on the settlement machine 10 is that the first deposit date of the relevant card is today.

By the way, in the case of patterns 4 and 5 shown in FIG. 4, since the employee cannot identify the card ID of the IC card 26 accepted or accepted by the offline lending machine 2, the card ID of the IC card 26 is settled. By inputting to the machine 10, reissuance in the payment machine 10 becomes feasible. Therefore, when alternative issuance or reissue is executed for each of the offline lending machine 2 and the settlement machine 10, both the IC card 26 issued by the alternative issuance or reissue can be used, and the IC card 26 can be used. Double use of the balance becomes possible.

Under these circumstances, the concept of a prohibited card was introduced in this embodiment.
That is, the management device 6 manages the card ID of the IC card 26 accepted or accepted by the offline lending machine 2 as a prohibited card. That is, the IC card 26 accepted or accepted by the offline lending machine 2 is treated as a prohibited card so that the prohibited use can be clearly determined, thereby eliminating the double use.

Specifically, when the management device 6 receives a signal indicating that alternative issuance, reissue, and forced settlement have been executed, the management device 6 sets the use prohibition flag corresponding to the original IC card 26. That is, for example, when a signal indicating that alternative issuance has been executed is received from the lending machine 2, the information of the IC card 26 stored in the management device 6 is set to the card ID of the IC card 26 that is the alternative issuer. Set the prohibited card flag in association with each other. Similarly, when a signal indicating that reissue or forced settlement has been executed is received from the settlement machine 10, the use prohibition card flag is set in association with the card ID of the IC card 26 that is the source of the processing. At this time, the use prohibition category is stored in association with the card ID at the same time, and the use prohibition category can also be displayed when displaying the card ID list in which the use prohibition card flag is set. The use prohibition classification is a classification of the processing (reason) for prohibiting the use of the reissue source card, and can be classified into alternative issuance, reissue, compulsory settlement, and transferred alternative.

Then, when the alternative issuance is executed by the lending machine 2 in the offline state, the management device 6 receives a signal that the alternative issuance is executed after the lending machine 2 is restored to the online state. .. In this case, the management device 6 sets the use prohibition card flag in association with the card ID of the IC card 26 that is the source of the alternative issuance at the timing when the signal is received from the lending machine 2 that has been restored to the online state. It will be.

The card ID set by the management device 6 in association with the use prohibition card flag can be specified by the lending machine 2 or the checkout machine 10 by communication with the management device 6, and the IC card is set by the lending machine 2 or the checkout machine 10. When 26 is accepted, the use prohibition card flag is written on the IC card 26. Further, when the IC card 26 in which the use prohibition card flag is set (written) is accepted, the abnormality notification is executed. If the offline lending machine 2 accepts the IC card 26 with the card ID for which the use prohibition card flag is set in the management device 6, the management device 6 will be restored to the online state when the lending machine 2 is restored to the online state. By receiving the information of the card ID in which the use prohibition card flag is set from, the use prohibition card flag is set in the accepted IC card 26 and the abnormality notification is executed so that the IC card 26 is not used any more. To.

The management device 6 resets the use prohibition card flag when 400 days have passed from the management start date or when the checkout machine 10 receives the card clear message.
The list of card IDs set with the above-mentioned used money card flag and the prohibited categories thereof can be confirmed and printed by operating the management device 6. As a result, the prohibited card should be collected by the employee, but when the prohibited card is used, such as when it is handed over to the player due to a mistake in operation, when the prohibited card is registered. You can check it in a list.

Here, in the case of the above patterns 4 and 5, in addition to the alternative issuance being executed by the lending machine 2 in the offline state based on the IC card 26 having the same card ID, it is reissued (forced) by the settlement machine 10. Settlement) may be executed. Therefore, in the management device 6, when alternative issuance and reissue (forced settlement) are executed based on one IC card 26, there is a high possibility that an illegal operation or an erroneous operation by an employee has been performed. To execute.

Specifically, when the management device 6 receives a signal from the settlement machine 10 indicating that the reissue or forced settlement has been executed, the management device 6 associates it with the card ID of the IC card 26 that is the source of the reissue or forced settlement. The use prohibition flag is set. Then, when a signal indicating that the alternative issuance has been executed is received from the lending machine 2 that has been restored from the offline state to the online state, the use prohibition flag is already associated with the card ID of the IC card 26 that is the source of the alternative issuance. Is set or not.

Then, when the use prohibition flag is already set, both the alternative issuance by the lending machine 2 and the reissue (forced settlement) by the settlement machine 10 are executed based on the same IC card 26. , Display a message informing the employee that there is a high possibility that the double issuance is issued as an abnormality notification (execute the double issuance abnormality notification). Further, in order to prevent the IC card 26 having the new card ID issued in the alternative from being used, the use prohibition flag is set in the card ID of the new IC card 26 issued in the alternative.

That is, if both the alternative issuance by the lending machine 2 and the reissue (forced settlement) by the settlement machine 10 are executed based on the same IC card 26, the lending machine 2 is executing in the offline state. Since there is a high possibility of fraud or error, the IC card 26 issued as a substitute is prohibited from use. On the other hand, the IC card 26 reissued by the settlement machine 10 will be kept usable as it is (in the case of compulsory settlement, the compulsory settlement will be treated as normal).

In short, when the offline lending machine 2 returns to the online state, the management device 6 is reissued at the settlement machine 10 based on the reissue source card that was the source of the alternative issuance at the lending machine 2 (forced settlement). If the checkout machine 10 is also reissuing (forced checkout), the IC card 26 that was issued as a substitute for the lending machine 2 cannot be used (when processing an abnormality notification). By making at least one of the other issued identification information recording media unusable), the double use of the balance of the IC card 26 is prevented (abnormality notification processing by the abnormality notification means and input by the input notification means). When both notification processes are executed, one of the other identification information recording medium issued during the abnormality notification process and the other identification information recording medium issued during the input notification process ( The recording medium of another identification information issued during the input notification process) is disabled).

By the way, even in the case of a temporary error or a temporary offline state such as when the power is turned off or on, if the above operation is applied as it is, it may be inappropriate. Operate the alternative issuance process of the lending machine 2 and the reissue process of the settlement machine 10.

For the rental machine 2, the time elapsed from the occurrence of the offline state is measured, and the alternative issuance process is allowed until 5 minutes (time limit) elapses from the occurrence of the offline state (after the communication abnormality state occurs). Issuance of the recording medium by the alternative issuing means is permitted until the predetermined time limit elapses), while alternative issuing processing is prohibited after 5 minutes have passed (after the time limit elapses, the alternative issuing means is used. Issuance of the recording medium is restricted).

On the other hand, regarding the settlement machine 10, when the settlement machine itself is in the offline state, it cannot communicate with the management device 6, and the balance cannot be specified. Therefore, both reissuance and forced settlement are prohibited. The management device 6 measures the time during which the lending machine 2 is offline, and the reissue process is prohibited until 5 minutes have passed since the lending machine 2 was offline (for the first gaming device). The issuance of the recording medium by the input issuing means is restricted until the time limit elapses after the communication abnormality state occurs), while the reissue process is allowed after 5 minutes elapse (after the time limit elapses, the above-mentioned Issuance of the recording medium by the input issuing means is permitted). If there is a lending machine 2 in the offline state, forced settlement is prohibited regardless of the time when the lending machine 2 is in the offline state.

According to such an embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
Since the IC card 26 can be issued in place of the IC card 26 in the situation where the lending machine 2 is in the offline state, even if an abnormality occurs in the IC card 26 in the lending machine 2 in the offline state, the game is played. Since another IC card 26 can be issued to the player as a substitute, it is possible to improve the service for the player. On the other hand, since the IC card 26 can be reissued in a situation where an offline state occurs, due to an employee's mistake or the like, an alternative issue of the IC card 26 is issued based on the same IC card 26, and the IC is issued by the checkout machine 10. Both reissues of the card 26 may be performed. In this respect, in this configuration, even if another IC card 26 is issued or reissued as a substitute based on the same IC card 26, the game information of the substitute issued IC card 26 cannot be used. , It is possible to prevent the game information of both IC cards 26 from being used after the offline state of the lending machine 2 is resolved. That is, with this configuration, it is possible to appropriately issue the IC card 26 in the offline state.

The alternative issuance of the IC card 26 in the lending machine 2 is permitted from the occurrence of the offline state until the time limit elapses, and the reissue of the IC card 26 in the settlement machine 10 is permitted after the time limit elapses. That is, in addition to the alternative issuance of the IC card 26, the frequency with which the IC card 26 is reissued by the checkout machine 10 can be reduced. As a result, the above effect can be enhanced.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be modified or expanded as follows, each modification may be combined with the above embodiment, or each modification may be combined.

It may be applied to a game machine different from the illustrated slot machine, for example, a completely credit type slot machine in which the game progresses by consuming credits without using medals, or a ball is enclosed and scored (game value). It can also be applied to an enclosed pachinko machine that consumes and shoots balls.

As the game information, the remaining amount information is illustrated, but as the game information, the number of balls and medals that the player has acquired in the game, the counting result, and the game machine that consumes the points in the game are acquired in the game. It is also possible to use the size of the score as game information.

Although the rental machine 2 is illustrated as the first game device, the first game device may be arbitrarily changed, and a game information display device may be adopted in addition to or in place of the rental machine 2. Similarly, the second gaming device can be changed as appropriate, and can be used as a data display that displays data of one or more gaming machines installed on a gaming island where a plurality of gaming machines are installed in place of or in addition to the settlement machine 10. It is also possible to add a function as a second gaming device, or to add a function as a second gaming device to the rental machine 2. Further, a card issuing machine may be installed in the management device 6 and a card ID may be input to enable reissuing or forced settlement. That is, the management device 6 and the second game device may be the same device.

Although the IC card 26 has been illustrated as the recording medium, a coin-type recording medium or a stick-type recording medium can also be adopted. In addition, although numbers are illustrated as identification information, symbols and English can also be used.

An offline state is illustrated as a communication abnormal state, and a configuration in which an offline state is determined when periodic communication is not possible is illustrated, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, it is determined whether or not the communication line is connected at a predetermined location, and if the communication line is not connected, it is determined that a disconnection has occurred and a communication abnormality state has occurred. Alternatively, one of the management device 6 and the lending machine 2 may perform communication to log in to the other, and if the login cannot be performed, a communication abnormality may be determined.

The lending machine 2 is configured to determine that an abnormality has occurred when a write error occurs, but the conditions for determining an abnormality may be changed. For example, an abnormality occurs only when a read error occurs. It may be configured to determine that it is.

Although the reissue and forced settlement can be executed by the settlement machine 10, one of them may not be executed.
The configuration is such that the management device 6 is notified when the alternative issuance is issued by the lending machine 2, but the processing order may be changed, and the alternative issuance is executed after the notification is executed to the management device 6. You may. That is, the issuance notification process may be executed not when the alternative process is executed but when the alternative issue process is executed.

The configuration is such that when the settlement machine 10 reissues (settlement processing), the management device 6 is notified, but the processing order may be changed, and the management device 6 is notified and then reissued (reissue). It may be configured to execute the settlement process). That is, the card ID of the IC card 26 (card ID of the reissue source), the card ID of the new IC card 26, and the game information entered by the employee are input when the reissue is executed, not when the reissue is executed. The management device 6 may be notified. Further, the management device 6 may be configured to notify the card ID (card ID of the reissue source) of the IC card 26 input by the employee when the forced settlement is executed instead of the case where the forced settlement is executed. ..

As the input operation to the settlement machine 10, the operation of the numeric keypad included in the settlement machine 10 is illustrated, but it is also possible to input the card ID with the remote controller owned by the employee.
When issuing a substitute with the lending machine 2 or reissuing with the checkout machine 10, the IC card 26 originally stocked in each machine was used, but when issuing a substitute or reissuing. At the time of issuance, an employee may insert a new IC card 26 and use the IC card 26 for alternative issuance or reissue.

Reissuance or alternative issuance is prohibited as a configuration that restricts the reissuance of the IC card 26 by the checkout machine 10 in the offline state with the lending machine 2 and the alternative issuance of the IC card 26 by the lending machine 2. Although the configuration is illustrated, it is also possible to make a configuration in which the speed of issuing the IC card 26 is slower than in the online state, or a configuration in which the IC card 26 can be issued but cannot be used in the other lending machine 2. .. In other words, the method of restricting alternative issuance and reissue can be changed as appropriate.

The alternative issuance process in the lending machine 2 and the reissue in the checkout machine 10 are allowed until 5 minutes have passed based on the timing when the offline state occurs, while 5 minutes have passed. After that, the alternative issuance process is prohibited, but the standard time limit may be changed arbitrarily. Further, the alternative issuance and the reissue may be allowed regardless of the time elapsed since the offline state occurs.

In the case of pattern 4, that is, the IC card 26 that was accepted when the lending machine 2 went offline was configured to be able to reissue or forcibly settle, but at least one of reissue and compulsory settlement is executed. The configuration may not be possible.

When the lending machine 2 is in the offline state, the forced settlement cannot be executed, but the forced settlement may also be executed.
When the settlement machine 10 is in the offline state, neither reissue nor forced settlement can be executed. However, reissue and forced settlement may be possible in the offline state. In this case, it is preferable that the payment machine 10 stores the card ID and the balance information in association with each other.

In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the lending machine 2 can accept money is illustrated, but a configuration in which only banknotes can be accepted or a configuration in which only coins can be accepted may be used. In addition, although the lending machine 2 adjacent to the gaming machine is configured to accept money and award medals, a device not adjacent to the gaming machine accepts money and grants an IC card 26 recording the balance to the player. It may be configured to be used.

When it is determined that both the substitute issuance by the lending machine 2 and the reissue by the settlement machine 10 are being executed from one IC card 26, the IC card 26 which is replaced and issued by the lending machine 2 is disabled. but it was, instead of the present configuration, it is also possible to disable the IC card 26, which was re-issued in payment machine 10.

In the drawing, 2 is a rental machine (first game device), 10 is a settlement machine (second game device), 6 is a management device, 26 is an IC card (recording medium), and 38 is a control unit (reception means, game). Information updating means, normal issuing means, abnormality determining means, alternative issuing means, abnormality notification means, first issuing notification means, first issuing limiting means), 42 is a control unit (input receiving means, input issuing means, input notification means, The second issuance notification means, the communication state determination means, the second issuance restriction means, the settlement means, the input notification means), and 45 are control units (storage means, first update means, second update means, third update means). ..

Claims (2)

A first game device and a second game device capable of recording game information, which is information on the magnitude of game value that can be used for a game, and handling a recording medium on which unique identification information is recorded, and the game information. In a playground system equipped with a management device that executes the management of
The first gaming device is
A reception means for accepting the recording medium and
A game information updating means for updating the game information of the recording medium received by the receiving means based on the progress of the game, and a game information updating means.
A normal issuing means for issuing the recording medium accepted by the receiving means to the player based on the issuing operation of the player, and a normal issuing means.
An abnormality determining means for determining whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the recording medium received by the receiving means, and an abnormality determining means.
When the abnormality determining means determines that an abnormality has occurred, the alternative issuing means that records and issues the game information of the error recording medium accepted by the receiving means on another alternative issuing recording medium of the identification information.
An abnormality notification process for notifying the management device of the identification information of the error recording medium is executed, and when a communication abnormality state in which communication with the management device cannot be normally executed occurs. An abnormality notification means that executes the abnormality notification process after the communication abnormality state is resolved, and
If the normal issuing means issues the recording medium, and the alternative if the issuing means issues the substitute issued recording medium, the recording medium and the gaming information and the first gaming device of the alternate issued recording medium Issuance notification processing for notifying the management device of the identification information for identifying the above is executed, and when the communication abnormality state has occurred, the issuance notification is made after the communication abnormality state is resolved. It is equipped with a first issuance notification means for executing processing.
The second gaming device is
With respect to the reissuing source recording medium whose identification information cannot be read, an input receiving means for receiving an input operation of the identification information by an employee and
Input issuance that specifies the game information of the reissue source recording medium of the identification information received by the input receiving means, and records and issues the specified game information on another reissue recording medium of the identification information. Means and
When the input issuing means issues the reissue recording medium, the input notification means for executing the input notification process for notifying the management device of the identification information received by the input receiving means, and
When the input issuing means issues the reissue recording medium, the input issuing means includes a second issuance notifying means for notifying the management device of the identification information of the reissue recording medium and the game information.
The management device is
A storage means for storing the identification information of the recording medium, the alternative issuance recording medium, and the reissue recording medium in association with the game information.
Based on the notification result of the first issuance notification means and the second issuance notification means, the first update means for updating the game information stored in association with the identification information by the storage means, and
The identification information notified by either the abnormality notification process by the abnormality notification means or the input notification process by the input notification means is stored in association with the error recording medium and the reissue source recording medium. A second updating means for updating the information stored in the storage means so as to make the existing game information unusable, and
Whether the alternative issuance recording medium and the reissue recording medium are issued to the error recording medium and the reissue source recording medium having the same identification information when the communication abnormality state is resolved. Judgment means to judge whether or not
When it is determined by the determination means that the alternative issuance recording medium and the reissue recording medium have been issued, the storage means so as to disable one of the alternative issuance recording medium and the reissue recording medium. A system for amusement parks, which is provided with a third updating means for updating the information stored in the game. The first game device and the second game that can record the game information, which is the remaining amount of money that the player has not used for the game, and can handle the recording medium on which the unique identification information is recorded. In a game hall system provided with a device and a management device for executing the management of the game information.
The first gaming device is
A reception means for accepting the recording medium and
A game information updating means for updating the game information of the recording medium received by the receiving means based on the progress of the game, and a game information updating means.
A normal issuing means for issuing the recording medium accepted by the receiving means to the player based on the issuing operation of the player, and a normal issuing means.
An abnormality determining means for determining whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the recording medium received by the receiving means, and an abnormality determining means.
When the abnormality determining means determines that an abnormality has occurred, the alternative issuing means that records and issues the game information of the error recording medium accepted by the receiving means on another alternative issuing recording medium of the identification information.
An abnormality notification process for notifying the management device of the identification information of the error recording medium is executed, and when a communication abnormality state in which communication with the management device cannot be normally executed occurs. An abnormality notification means that executes the abnormality notification process after the communication abnormality state is resolved, and
If the normal issuing means issues the recording medium, and the alternative if the issuing means issues the substitute issued recording medium, the recording medium and the gaming information and the first gaming device of the alternate issued recording medium Issuance notification processing for notifying the management device of the identification information for identifying the above is executed, and when the communication abnormality state has occurred, the issuance notification is made after the communication abnormality state is resolved. It is equipped with a first issuance notification means for executing processing.
The second gaming device is
With respect to the reissuing source recording medium whose identification information cannot be read, an input receiving means for receiving an input operation of the identification information by an employee and
A settlement means for specifying the game information of the reissue source recording medium of the identification information received by the input receiving means and executing a settlement process for paying money corresponding to the game information.
An input notification means for executing an input notification process for notifying the management device of the identification information of the reissue source recording medium received by the input receiving means when the settlement means executes or executes the settlement process. , Equipped with
The management device is
A storage means for storing the identification information of the recording medium, the alternative issuing recording medium, and the reissuing source recording medium in association with the game information.
Based on the notification result of the first issuance notification means, the first updating means for updating the game information stored in association with the identification information by the storage means, and
The identification information notified by either the abnormality notification process by the abnormality notification means or the input notification process by the input notification means is stored in association with the error recording medium and the reissue source recording medium. A second updating means for updating the information stored in the storage means so as to make the existing game information unusable, and
Whether or not the alternative issue recording medium is issued to the error recording medium and the reissue source recording medium of the same identification information and the settlement process is executed when the communication abnormality state is resolved. Judgment means to determine whether
When it is determined that the alternative issuance recording medium is issued by the determination means and the settlement process is being executed, the information stored in the storage means is updated so as to make the alternative issuance recording medium unusable. A playground system characterized by being equipped with renewal means.

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