JP7744797B2 - Gaming system, gaming device, and fraud detection method - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a gaming system, gaming device, and fraud detection method that can efficiently detect fraud related to the number of gaming media in a managed gaming machine.

Traditionally, pachinko parlors and other gaming establishments have been equipped with gaming machines that dispense gaming media made up of balls or medals outside the machine, but recently, sealed-in, managed gaming machines that do not dispense such gaming media outside the machine have been developed.

Such managed gaming machines store data known as the "number of game balls," while the machine-to-machine card processing machine attached to the managed gaming machine stores data known as the "number of balls in hand" (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Then, when a predetermined counting operation is performed, the counted number of balls is subtracted from the number of game balls and added to the number of balls in hand.

At this time, the managed gaming machine notifies the machine-to-machine card processing machine of the number of counted balls and the cumulative counted number of balls, and the machine-to-machine card processing machine detects cheating using counting information including the number of counted balls and the cumulative counted number of balls. Specifically, if there is a counted number of balls that is not 0 and the cumulative counted number of balls has changed from the previous value, this counted number of balls is added to the number of balls held, but if there is a counted number of balls that is not 0 and the cumulative counted number of balls has not changed from the previous value, it is determined to be cheating.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-040875

However, the above-mentioned conventional technology assumes that the number of counted balls and the cumulative number of counted balls are correct, and even if a counted number is not zero and the cumulative number of counted balls changes from the previous value, there is a possibility that the counted number may be overwritten with an incorrect number of counted balls.

For this reason, an important issue is how to efficiently detect fraud when using a predetermined counting operation to convert the number of game balls held by a managed gaming machine into the number of balls held. This issue arises not only when converting the number of game balls held into the number of game medals held, but also when converting the number of game medals held into the number of medals held.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems (issues) of the prior art described above, and aims to provide a gaming system, gaming device, and fraud detection method that can efficiently detect fraud related to the number of gaming media in a managed gaming machine.

To solve the above problem, the present invention provides a gaming system comprising: an enclosed managed gaming machine that stores a first number of gaming media used in a game and provides games using the first number of gaming media; and a gaming device attached to the managed gaming machine that manages a second number of gaming media that can be transferred to or from the first number of gaming media. The gaming device is characterized by comprising: acquisition means for acquiring from the managed gaming machine the first number of gaming media, the number of transferred gaming media from the first number of gaming media that will be transferred to the second number of gaming media, and the cumulative number of transferred gaming media obtained by accumulating the number of transferred gaming media over a predetermined period; determination means for determining whether or not fraud has occurred with respect to the number of transferred gaming media based on the first number of gaming media, the number of transferred gaming media, and the cumulative number of transferred gaming media acquired by the acquisition means; and transfer means for transferring the number of transferred gaming media to the second number of gaming media if the determination means determines that no fraud has occurred.

In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the determination means determines that there is fraud related to the number of transferred game media when the number of transferred game media is not 0, the cumulative number of transferred game media is not the same as the most recent cumulative number of transferred game media, and the first number of game media is less than the number of transferred game media.

In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the judgment means determines that there is no fraud related to the number of transferred game media when the number of transferred game media is not 0, the cumulative number of transferred game media is not the same as the most recent cumulative number of transferred game media, and the first number of game media is equal to or greater than the number of transferred game media.

Furthermore, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the determination means determines that fraud has occurred regarding the number of transferred gaming media if the number of transferred gaming media is not 0 and the cumulative number of transferred gaming media is the same as the most recent cumulative number of transferred gaming media.

Furthermore, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that, when the number of transferred game media is 0, the determination means does not determine whether or not there is any fraud relating to the number of transferred game media.

Furthermore, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the transfer means does not add the number of transferred gaming media to the second number of gaming media when the determination means determines that fraud has occurred regarding the number of transferred gaming media.

The present invention also provides a gaming device that is attached to an enclosed managed gaming machine that stores a first number of gaming media used in a game and provides games using the first number of gaming media, and that manages a second number of gaming media that can be transferred to or from the first number of gaming media. The gaming device is characterized by comprising: acquisition means that acquires from the managed gaming machine the first number of gaming media, the number of transferred gaming media from the first number of gaming media that will be transferred to the second number of gaming media, and the cumulative number of transferred gaming media obtained by accumulating the number of transferred gaming media over a predetermined period; determination means that determines whether or not fraud has occurred with respect to the number of transferred gaming media based on the first number of gaming media, the number of transferred gaming media, and the cumulative number of transferred gaming media acquired by the acquisition means; and transfer means that transfers the number of transferred gaming media to the second number of gaming media when the determination means determines that no fraud has occurred.

The present invention also provides a fraud detection method for a gaming system having an enclosed managed gaming machine that stores a first number of gaming media used in a game and provides games using the first number of gaming media, and a gaming device that is attached to the managed gaming machine and manages a second number of gaming media that can be transferred to or from the first number of gaming media, the method comprising: an acquisition step in which the gaming device acquires from the managed gaming machine the first number of gaming media, a number of transfer gaming media from the first number of gaming media that will be transferred to the second number of gaming media, and a cumulative number of transfer gaming media obtained by accumulating the number of transfer gaming media over a predetermined period; a determination step in which the gaming device determines whether fraud has occurred related to the number of transfer gaming media based on the first number of gaming media, the number of transfer gaming media, and the cumulative number of transfer gaming media acquired by the acquisition step; and a transfer step in which the gaming device transfers the number of transfer gaming media to the second number of gaming media if it is determined by the determination step that no fraud has occurred.

This invention makes it possible to efficiently detect fraudulent activity related to the number of gaming media in managed gaming machines.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of a gaming system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the gaming system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine and the gaming machine shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the device status data, card data, game ball count data, and count data shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the management device shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the card management data, device management data, and member management data shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a sequence relating to the SC board of the inter-machine card processing machine. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing pattern relating to the counting process in the inter-machine card processing machine. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for the counting process of the inter-machine card processing machine.

The gaming system, gaming device, and fraud detection method according to this embodiment are described in detail below. Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the gaming system according to this embodiment.

In this specification, "reserved balls" refers to data indicating gaming media acquired by a player through gaming, which can only be used again for gaming on the same day (before the gaming establishment closes). "Number of retained balls" refers to the number of gaming media acquired by a player through gaming. "Saved balls" refers to data indicating gaming media deposited by a player at a gaming establishment, which can be used again for gaming from the following day onwards (after the gaming establishment closes). "Saved balls" refers to the number of gaming media deposited by a player at a gaming establishment. Reserving balls can be used by both general players and member players, and are used when a gaming machine is moved, etc. Reserving balls can, in principle, only be used by member players, and are used when acquired gaming media are used to play on a gaming machine from the following day onwards. "Number of gaming balls" refers to the number of gaming balls available for use by a player. Additionally, "counted balls" refers to the number of balls added to the number of balls held among the number of game balls, and "cumulative counted balls" refers to the cumulative number of balls counted over a specified period.

As shown in Figure 1, in the gaming system according to this embodiment, data indicating the status of an enclosed managed gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a "gaming machine") 20 is notified from the SC board of the gaming machine 20 to the SC board of the machine-to-machine card processing device 10. As shown in Figure 1(a), there are two types of notified data: one is gaming machine information (gaming machine data) including the number of gaming balls, and the other is count information (count data) including the number of counted balls and the cumulative number of counted balls. Each type of data is notified continuously at a predetermined short interval (for example, every 300 ms).

As shown in Figure 1(b), the inter-machine card processing machine 10 uses the notified number of game balls, the counted number of balls, and the cumulative counted number of balls to determine whether there is any cheating and to add to the number of balls held. Specifically, if the counted number of balls is "0," the process of determining whether there is any cheating and the process of adding to the number of balls held are not performed. This is because no counting operation has been performed in the first place. On the other hand, if the counted number of balls is not "0," the following process is performed based on the value of the cumulative counted number of balls.

If the cumulative counted number of balls is the same as the cumulative counted number of balls notified last time, the counted number is determined to be illegal and the counted number is discarded. As a result, the counted number of balls is not added to the number of balls held. Also, if the cumulative counted number of balls is not the same as the cumulative counted number of balls notified last time and the number of game balls is less than the counted number of balls, the counted number of balls is determined to be illegal and the counted number is discarded. As a result, the counted number of balls is not added to the number of balls held.

On the other hand, if the cumulative counted number of balls is not the same as the cumulative counted number of balls previously notified, and the number of game balls is equal to or greater than the counted number of balls, it is determined that the counted number of balls is not fraudulent. Therefore, the counted number of balls is added to the number of balls held.

In this way, the gaming system according to this embodiment is configured to determine whether or not there is any tampering with the counted balls based on the number of game balls, the number of counted balls, and the cumulative number of counted balls notified by the gaming machine, and to discard the counted balls if it is determined that there is any tampering with the counted balls, and to add the counted balls to the number of balls held if it is determined that there is no tampering with the counted balls.

<System Configuration>
Next, the system configuration of the gaming system according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the gaming system according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, a gaming facility is equipped with a plurality of gaming machines 20 and an inter-machine card processing machine 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 is connected to the communication line, which is the store's network, via the island controller 30. The island controller 30, management device 50, prize management device 60, and settlement machine 70 are connected to the communication line.

The gaming machine 20 is a device in which game balls enclosed inside the device are shot onto the gaming board. These game balls are physical "balls" used in the game, and are different from the "game balls" that the gaming machine 20 treats as data. The gaming board of the gaming machine 20 is provided with multiple prize areas (prize openings), and a predetermined number of game balls are awarded as prize balls when a game ball passes through a prize area. The gaming board is also provided with a predetermined number of start areas (start openings), and a predetermined lottery is held when a game ball passes through a start area. If the lottery results in a jackpot, a predetermined movable member or the like is activated, thereby increasing the probability of the game ball passing through the aforementioned prize area or another start area, thereby providing an advantage in the game. An area may also serve as both a start area and a prize area.

The winning areas are each equipped with a winning sensor to detect the passage of a gaming ball into that winning area. The winning sensor detects the passage (winning) of a gaming ball that has been shot into the winning area. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also has a prize ball memory that stores the number of gaming balls to be awarded as prize balls for each winning area, and a gaming ball count memory that indicates the number of gaming balls. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also periodically transmits the number of gaming balls to the machine-to-machine card processing device 10.

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a deposit from a player, it associates prepaid value corresponding to the amount of the deposit with the identification information (card ID) of the card stored inside the machine. This prepaid value can be used to lend game balls. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 can also accept the insertion of cards associated with prepaid value, owned balls, saved balls, etc. When play is completed, the machine ejects the card associated with prepaid value, owned balls, saved balls, etc. and returns it to the player. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 also transmits a history of operations such as deposits, card insertion, and card ejection to the management device 50.

When a predetermined number of game balls have been shot onto the game board, the gaming machine 20 sends out data to the inter-machine card processor 10. Furthermore, when a game ball passes through a winning area (a so-called winning), and a predetermined number of prize balls are added to the game balls, the gaming machine 20 sends safe data to the inter-machine card processor 10. Furthermore, when a special state, such as a jackpot, occurs during play, the gaming machine 20 sends special prize data indicating the occurrence of such state to the inter-machine card processor 10.

Out data corresponds to the number of balls inserted, which is the number of balls inserted by the player onto the gaming board. Safe data corresponds to the number of balls won as a result of winning. Furthermore, special prize data indicates the status of the gaming machine 20, such as a jackpot. Each piece of data is transmitted to the management device 50 via the machine-to-machine card processing device 10, and the management device 50 can obtain a history of the operation of the gaming machine 20 by accumulating out data, safe data, and special prize data.

The gaming machine 20 notifies the inter-machine card processor 10 of gaming machine data, including the number of gaming balls played, and count data, including the number of counted balls and the cumulative number of counted balls, at predetermined short intervals (for example, every 300 ms). The processing unit that notifies this gaming machine information and count information is formed on a board (hereinafter referred to as the "SC board") within the gaming machine 20 that is separate from the processing unit that performs other processing. In addition, the processing unit in the inter-machine card processor 10 that receives this gaming machine information and count information is also similarly formed on the SC board within the inter-machine card processor 10.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts deposits, lends gaming balls, and communicates with the management device 50 and the gaming machines 20. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts banknotes inserted by a player, it sends a deposit notification including the deposit amount to the management device 50, thereby adding the prepaid value equivalent to the deposit amount to the prepaid value managed by the management device 50. Then, when a specified ball lending operation is performed, it sends a ball lending request to the management device 50, subtracts the prepaid value managed by the management device 50, and notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value, which is added to the number of gaming balls.

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a card, it sends a card insertion notification to the management device 50. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the balance of prepaid value, held balls, and saved balls from the management device 50, it stores the balance. When it receives and stores the balance of held balls, it sends a held ball subtraction request to the management device 50, thereby clearing the balance of held balls (number of held balls) managed by the management device 50 to zero.

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a held ball replay operation, it subtracts a predetermined number from the number of held balls it manages, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted number of held balls, and adds it to the number of game balls. Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a saved ball replay operation, it sends a saved ball replay request to the management device 50, thereby subtracting a predetermined number from the number of saved balls managed by the management device 50, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted number of saved balls, and adds it to the number of game balls.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 uses the number of game balls, the number of counted balls, and the cumulative number of counted balls received from the gaming machine 20 to determine whether or not the counted balls are tampered with. If the inter-machine card processing machine 10 determines that the counted balls received from the gaming machine 20 are tampered with, it discards the counted balls and does not add them to the number of balls held. If the inter-machine card processing machine 10 determines that the counted balls received from the gaming machine 20 are not tampered with, it adds the counted balls to the number of balls held.

When the inter-machine card processing device 10 accepts the card return operation, it sends a ball addition request including the number of balls held to the management device 50, and after having the management device 50 add the number of balls held, it sends a card ejection notification to the management device 50 and controls the ejection of the card.

The inter-machine card processing device 10 also has the function of acquiring a gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 and authenticating the gaming machine 20 using the acquired gaming machine ID and an authentication key received from the management device 50. This authentication is performed during opening procedures, etc., and the gaming machine 20 becomes playable if the authentication is successful.

The island controller 30 is a device that manages a group of gaming machines 20 and inter-machine card processing machines 10 installed on the gaming island and relays various information to the management device 50.

When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it manages the identification information of the inserted card (hereinafter referred to as the "card ID") in association with the inter-machine card processing device 10, and transmits the prepaid value and remaining ball balance associated with the card ID to the inter-machine card processing device 10. Furthermore, if the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification is the card ID of a membership card, it transmits stored ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

In addition, when the management device 50 receives a request to subtract balls from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it clears the balance of balls in possession to zero, and when it receives a request to add balls in possession from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it adds the number of balls in possession indicated in the request to add balls to the balance of balls in possession.

Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a ball lending request from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID and sends a ball lending permission to the inter-machine card processing device 10. And when it receives a saved ball replay request, it sends saved ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a card ID from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls held associated with this card ID.Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a card ID from the settlement machine 70, it notifies the settlement machine 70 of the prepaid value associated with this card ID.

The management device 50 also obtains gaming machine IDs from the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 and manages the gaming machines 20 installed in its own parlor. It also obtains authentication keys for authenticating the gaming machines 20 set up in its own parlor from an authentication key management center (not shown) outside the parlor, and distributes these keys to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

The management device 50 also manages member management data for members registered with the gaming establishment. Specifically, it manages the number of balls stored, PIN numbers, names, etc., in association with the member card ID issued to each member.

When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it transmits saved ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing device 10, including the saved ball balance and PIN number corresponding to the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification. Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a saved ball replay request from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it subtracts a predetermined number from the saved ball balance associated with the card ID indicated in the saved ball replay request, and transmits saved ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing device 10, including the saved ball balance after the subtraction.

In addition, when the management device 50 receives an inquiry about the number of saved balls from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the remaining balance of saved balls corresponding to the specified card ID.

The prize management device 60 is a terminal device for prize exchange installed next to the prize exchange counter inside the gaming facility, and performs the prize exchange process for won balls, saved balls, and held balls. This prize management device 60 is connected to a card reader that reads the card ID of the card, and a prize payout device that pays out prizes. When the prize management device 60 reads the card ID from a general card or membership card, it sends the card ID to the management device 50 and requests the remaining balance of held balls for that card ID. Furthermore, when saved balls are to be exchanged for a prize, it requests the remaining balance of saved balls from the management device 50.

When a card associated with prepaid value is inserted, the settlement machine 70 sends the card ID of the card to the management device 50, obtains the prepaid value associated with the card, and dispenses cash equivalent to the obtained prepaid value.

<External Configuration of the Inter-machine Card Processing Machine 10 and the Gaming Machine 20>
Next, the external configuration of the inter-machine card processing device 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the inter-machine card processing device 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2. While Fig. 3 illustrates an inter-machine card processing device 10 that accepts only paper money, it is also possible to provide a unit that can accept electronic money.

As shown in Figure 3, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is equipped with a status display unit 11 that displays the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by lighting or flashing a lamp of a predetermined color, a bill insertion slot 12a that accepts various types of bills, a display operation unit 13 such as a touch panel display, a card insertion slot 14a that accepts cards with associated card IDs, and a swiping unit 14b that accepts mobile terminals held by players to associate the unique ID. The swiping unit 14b also accepts mobile terminals with associated unique IDs and reads the unique IDs.

The gaming machine 20 is equipped with a gaming board, a handle 21 used to release enclosed gaming balls onto the gaming board, and a counting button 22.

The count button 22 is an operation button that subtracts the number of game balls in the gaming machine 20 and adds the corresponding number to the balls held in the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10, thereby transferring management of the number of balls that can be dispensed from the gaming machine 20 to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

<Configuration of inter-machine card processing machine 10>
Next, the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 has a banknote transport unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader/writer 14, a communication unit 15, a memory unit 16, a control unit 17, and a game management unit 18.

The banknote transport unit 12 transports banknotes inserted through the banknote insertion slot 12a to a banknote storage unit (not shown) while determining their denomination and authenticity. The display and operation unit 13 is an input/output device such as a touch panel display that displays various information such as value and accepts various operations such as ball lending operations.

The reader/writer 14 is a reading unit that reads the card ID from a card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a and the unique ID from a mobile terminal held over the holding unit 14b. The card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a is stored in a card storage unit (not shown) via the reader/writer 14. The communication unit 15 is an interface unit that performs data communication with the management device 50 via the island controller 30.

The memory unit 16 is a storage device consisting of a hard disk drive, non-volatile memory, etc. The memory unit 16 stores the machine's status data 16a, card data 16b, game ball count data 16c, and count data 16d.

The machine status data 16a indicates the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. This machine status data 16a includes the machine ID, gaming machine ID, game type, etc. The machine ID is identification information for uniquely identifying the machine ID within the gaming parlor. The game type is data indicating the rate set in the machine ID. When gaming balls of multiple rates are handled within the gaming parlor, a game type name is assigned and managed for each rate, such as "Ball 1" for 4-yen rate balls, "Ball 2" for 2-yen rate balls, and "Ball 3" for 1-yen rate balls. The machine ID data 16a indicates the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The machine ID data 16a indicates the machine ID, gaming machine ID, game type, etc ...

Card data 16b is data related to the card currently being used by the player. Card data 16b includes the card ID, PIN number, prepaid value, held balls, saved balls, etc. The card ID is the card ID read by the reader/writer 14. When a card is transported from a card storage section (not shown) to the card insertion slot 14a and then ejected, card data 16b is updated with the card ID read by the reader/writer 14 during this transport. Also, when a card is transported from the card insertion slot 14a to a card storage section (not shown), card data 16b is updated with the card ID read by the reader/writer 14 during this transport. The prepaid value indicates the balance of prepaid value that can be used for ball lending, and held balls and saved balls indicate their respective balances.

The gaming ball count data 16c is data indicating the number of gaming balls notified from the gaming machine 20. The gaming ball count data 16c stores the number of gaming balls received from the gaming machine 20. The count data 16d is data indicating information related to counting. The count data 16d includes the number of counted balls and the cumulative counted number of balls. Note that once a new cumulative counted number of balls is received and the counted balls have been checked for fraud, the previous cumulative counted number is updated with this cumulative counted number. Therefore, the previous cumulative counted number stores the cumulative counted number of balls included in the previously received counting data.

The gaming management unit 18 is a processing unit that performs processing related to authentication and communication with the gaming machine 20. It is desirable for this gaming management unit 18 to be formed on a different board from the control unit 17. For example, it is formed on an SC board independent from the control unit 17.

The gaming management unit 18 has an authentication processing unit 18a, an authentication key management unit 18b, and a gaming machine status management unit 18c. In practice, these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed, causing the authentication processing unit 18a, authentication key management unit 18b, and gaming machine status management unit 18c to execute their respective processes.

The authentication processing unit 18a authenticates the gaming machine 20 using the authentication key received from the management device 50. If authentication is successful, the authentication processing unit 18a sends an operation permission to the gaming machine 20. If authentication fails, the authentication processing unit 18a prohibits use of the gaming machine 20. Note that even if authentication fails, the authentication processing unit 18a may be configured to send an operation permission to the gaming machine 20 if it is within a predetermined period of time since the last successful authentication, but not to send an operation permission to the gaming machine 20 and prohibit use of the gaming machine 20 after the predetermined period has elapsed since the last successful authentication.

The authentication key management unit 18b is a processing unit that manages authentication keys. A usage time is set for each authentication key, and the authentication key becomes unusable when the cumulative operating time of the gaming machine 20 reaches the usage time of the authentication key. Specifically, the authentication key management unit 18b uses the power-on time of the board on which the gaming management unit 18 is formed as the operating time of the gaming machine 20 to manage the usage time of the authentication key. If the authentication key becomes unusable, the authentication key management unit 18b obtains a new authentication key from an authentication key management center outside the parlor via the management device 50 and updates the authentication key.

The gaming machine status management unit 18c is a management unit that communicates with the gaming machine 20 and manages the status of the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the gaming machine status management unit 18c obtains the gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 and receives gaming results such as the number of balls inserted and the number of balls won on the gaming machine 20. The gaming machine status management unit 18c also sends requests to add to the number of gaming balls when lending balls, counting notifications for converting held balls to the number of gaming balls when replaying held balls, and requests to add to the number of gaming balls when replaying saved balls (hereinafter referred to as "loan notifications"), and receives counting notifications for converting game balls to held balls when counting by the gaming machine 20. This counting notification includes the serial number, the number of counted balls, and the cumulative number of counted balls. When performing SC board authentication to confirm connection during communication between the inter-machine card processing device 10 and the gaming machine 20, encrypted communication using a specified encryption method may be used. Note that communication between the gaming machine 20 and the card processing machine 10 is not encrypted when exchanging information about the gaming machine 20. Furthermore, when the gaming machine status management unit 18c receives a counting notification from the gaming machine 20, it passes this counting notification to the control unit 17.

The gaming machine status management unit 18c also acquires the status set for the game, such as the current number of gaming balls in the gaming machine 20, start, jackpot, jackpot type, and number of lottery draws. It is desirable to set the time interval at which the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the status of the gaming machine 20 shorter than the interval at which gaming balls are released (used) in the gaming machine 20. Furthermore, once the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the number of gaming balls from the gaming machine 20, it passes this number of gaming balls to the control unit 17.

In addition, when the gaming machine status management unit 18c receives a gaming machine information receipt response or a counting information receipt response from the control unit 17, it notifies the gaming machine 20 of this gaming machine information receipt response or counting information receipt response.

The timing at which the gaming machine status management unit 18c obtains a new gaming machine ID from a gaming machine 20 is not limited to before opening. The gaming machine status management unit 18c can obtain a gaming machine ID or determine whether to replace a gaming machine 20 when the inter-machine card processing device 10 is powered on or off, during regular communication, when processing related to the number of gaming balls (ball lending, replay, counting, etc.) is performed, or when returning from an offline state. A combination of these timings may also be used.

The control unit 17 is a control unit that controls the entire inter-machine card processing machine 10, and includes a machine-specific management unit 17a, a card data management unit 17b, a gaming machine data management unit 17c, and a judgment unit 17d. In practice, these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, causing the machine-specific management unit 17a, the card data management unit 17b, the gaming machine data management unit 17c, and the judgment unit 17d to execute their respective processes.

The host device management unit 17a is a processing unit that manages the host device status data 16a. The host device management unit 17a stores the device ID and game type set for the host device in the host device status data 16a. The host device management unit 17a stores the gaming machine ID received from the gaming machine 20 in the host device status data 16a.

When a card is inserted, the card data management unit 17b sends a card insertion notification including the card ID and the machine-to-machine card processing machine ID to the management device 50. Furthermore, when the card data management unit 17b receives data including value (at least one of prepaid value, held balls, and saved balls) from the management device 50, it updates the card data 16b with the received value.

In addition, when a banknote is inserted into the banknote insertion slot 12a, the card data management unit 17b sends a deposit notification to the management device 50, including the amount of the inserted banknote, the card ID, and the machine-to-machine card processing machine ID.

In addition, when a player performs a ball lending operation, the card data management unit 17b sends a ball lending request including the card ID and the machine-to-machine card processing machine ID to the management device 50. If permission to lend balls is received in response to this ball lending request, the card data management unit 17b instructs the gaming management unit 18 to subtract the prepaid value from the card data 16b and add a predetermined number of balls to the number of game balls in the gaming machine 20.

Furthermore, if the balance of saved balls indicated in card data 16b is equal to or greater than the number of saved ball replay units, the card data management unit 17b displays a saved ball replay button on the display operation unit 13, making it possible to accept a saved ball replay operation. When a saved ball replay operation is performed by a player, the card data management unit 17b sends a saved ball replay request including the card ID and the machine-to-machine card processing device ID to the management device 50. If saved ball replay data is received in response to this saved ball replay request, it updates the saved ball balance in card data 16b and instructs the gaming management unit 18 to add the number of balls corresponding to the number of saved ball replay units to the number of game balls in the gaming machine 20. Note that when a saved ball replay operation is performed for the first time, a PIN is required to be entered, and a match with the PIN indicated in card data 16b is a condition for sending a saved ball replay request.

Furthermore, when the card data management unit 17b receives a held ball replay operation, it instructs the game management unit 18 to subtract and update the held balls in the card data 16b and add the corresponding number of balls to the number of game balls in the gaming machine 20.

Furthermore, when the card data management unit 17b receives a request to add the number of balls held from the judgment unit 17d, it adds the number of balls counted in the counting data 16d to the number of balls held in the card data 16b to update it, and passes a counting information receipt response to the game management unit 18. This counting information receipt response includes the number of balls counted in the counting data 16d.

The gaming machine data management unit 17c is a processing unit that manages the gaming ball count data 16c and count data 16d. When the gaming management unit 18 receives the number of gaming balls from the gaming machine 20, the gaming machine data management unit 17c stores this number of gaming balls in the gaming ball count data 16c.

In addition, when the gaming management unit 18 receives a counting notification from the gaming machine 20, the gaming machine data management unit 17c stores the cumulative counted ball count of the counting data 16d as the previous cumulative counted ball count before receiving new counting data 16d, and when new counting data 16d is received, updates the counted ball count and cumulative counted ball count of the counting data 16d stored in the memory unit 16. The gaming machine data management unit 17c then passes a judgment request to the judgment unit 17d.

The judgment unit 17d is a processing unit that judges whether the counted ball count received from the gaming machine 20 is invalid. When the judgment unit 17d receives a judgment request from the gaming machine data management unit 17c, if the counted ball count in the counting data 16d is not 0 and the cumulative counted ball count is the same as the previous cumulative counted ball count, the judgment unit 17d judges that the counted ball count is invalid and clears the counted ball count in the counting data 16d.

Furthermore, if the number of counted balls in the counting data 16d is not 0, the cumulative counted number of balls is not the same as the previous cumulative counted number of balls, and the game ball count data 16c is less than the number of counted balls in the counting data 16d, the judgment unit 17d judges that the number of counted balls is invalid and clears the number of counted balls in the counting data 16d.

Furthermore, if the number of counted balls in the counting data 16d is not 0, the cumulative counted number of balls is not the same as the previous cumulative counted number of balls, and the game ball count data 16c is equal to or greater than the number of counted balls in the counting data 16d, the judgment unit 17d determines that the counted number of balls is not fraudulent and passes a request to add the balls held to the card data management unit 17b.

Next, an example of data stored in the memory unit 16 of the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Figure 4 will be described. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the machine status data 16a, card data 16b, number of game balls data 16c, and count data 16d shown in Figure 4.

The host device status data 16a shown in Figure 5(a) indicates that the ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is "A101," the gaming machine ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201," and "Ball 1" is set as the game type of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

Card data 16b shown in Figure 5(b) indicates that the ID of the card inserted into the machine-to-machine card processing device 10 is "2001." Note that here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, with cards with the first digit "1" being a general card and cards with the first digit "2" being a member card. Card data 16b also indicates that the PIN number for replaying saved balls is "1234" and the prepaid value is "3000" points. Note that here, 1 point of prepaid value is equivalent to 1 yen.

In addition, card data 16b indicates that, in terms of held balls, the balance of held balls for ball 1 is 1500 balls, the balance of held balls for ball 2 is 2500 balls, and the balance of held balls for ball 3 is 0 balls, and, in terms of saved balls, the balance of saved balls for ball 1 is 500 balls, the balance of saved balls for ball 2 is 0 balls, and the balance of saved balls for ball 3 is 0 balls.

The game ball count data 16c shown in Figure 5(c) indicates a state in which the number of game balls is 300. The count data 16d shown in Figure 5(d) indicates a state in which the counted number of balls is 30, the cumulative counted number of balls is 530, and the cumulative counted number of balls from the previous count is 500.

<Configuration of gaming machine 20>
Next, the configuration of the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 6, the gaming machine 20 has a communication control unit 23, a presentation control unit 24, a game control unit 25, a game ball control unit 26, and a game management unit 27. The communication control unit 23 is a control unit for controlling data communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10. When SC board authentication is performed to confirm connection in communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10, encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method may be used. Note that when information about the gaming machine 20 is exchanged in communication with the card processing machine 10, encryption is not used.

When the gaming machine 20 is started up, the communications control unit 23 reads the identification information from the control CPU provided in the gaming control unit 25 and/or gaming ball control unit 26, checks whether the identification information is appropriate, and if so, establishes communication with the machine-to-machine card processing device 10 and enters a standby state. In the standby state, if permission to operate is received from the machine-to-machine card processing device 10, the communications control unit 23 starts up the presentation control unit 24, gaming control unit 25, and gaming ball control unit 26, making the machine playable.

The game control unit 25 is a control unit that controls the game played by the gaming machine 20. In practice, a program corresponding to the game control unit 25 is loaded into the CPU and executed to execute the process.

Specifically, the game control unit 25 controls the launch of game balls onto the game board by detecting handle operation, detects game balls that have entered the winning slot on the game board, obtains random numbers (random numbers between 0 and 65535, with numbers assigned to indicate a big win, small win, or loss within a predetermined range) using game balls that have entered the starting slot and performs lottery draws (for special and regular symbols), controls movable members (tulips, etc.) on the game board, controls the display of the special symbol display device on the game board, detects abnormalities that may indicate fraud (such as the front frame being open or vibrations being detected) and notifies the host device, etc.

A large number of obstacle pins are set into the game board, and game balls are launched onto the game board by operating the handle. They fall between the obstacle pins and either enter a prize slot or a starting slot, or are ejected from the game board through an exit slot without winning. When a game ball enters a starting slot, a lottery is held, and if a jackpot is awarded, a jackpot game is played in which a specific prize slot on the game board is kept open multiple times. By making it easier for game balls to enter these prize slots, prize balls are awarded to the player.

Furthermore, jackpot games include bonus jackpot games that grant players a specified bonus game after the jackpot game ends. Bonus jackpot games include probability-changing jackpots and time-saving jackpots. Probability-changing jackpots and time-saving jackpots grant probability-changing and time-saving games as bonus games, respectively, after a jackpot. Time-saving games are bonus games that increase the number of draws per unit time by shortening the fluctuation time (the time from the start of the lottery process to the display of the results) of the normal pattern lottery (the lottery for opening and closing the movable member described above) and/or the special pattern lottery (the jackpot lottery resulting from the entry of a game ball described above), thereby increasing the number of draws per unit time and increasing the probability of winning a jackpot per unit time. This bonus game may also include normal pattern probability fluctuation, which increases the probability of winning a normal pattern. Time-saving games resulting from a time-saving jackpot end when the special pattern lottery has been drawn a specified number of times after a jackpot. Variable probability games will be discussed later.

The game control unit 25 has a probability fluctuation function. This probability fluctuation function controls the random number range for the next jackpot lottery to be changed (typically by about 10 times) when the lottery result falls within a specifically defined random number range for the jackpot. The probability fluctuation game uses this changed probability to draw a special symbol. The probability fluctuation game continues until the next jackpot is won. Probability fluctuation game and time-saving game may be granted simultaneously. However, to prevent unexpected losses to the gaming parlor, if a player acquires a certain number of gaming media after the probability fluctuation game or time-saving game has started, the game may be stopped (the card is temporarily ejected and a prize exchange or a request to move the machine is made). In this case, this can be achieved by having the gaming machine 20 count the number of gaming media after the probability fluctuation game state is entered, and by performing game stop control such as stopping the release of gaming balls when this count reaches a predetermined value.

The effect control unit 24 is a control unit that controls the effects during play, and includes an effect symbol lottery unit 24a and an effect lottery unit 24b. In practice, these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, causing the effect symbol lottery unit 24a and the effect lottery unit 24b to execute their respective processes.

The effect symbol lottery unit 24a performs lottery (specifically, whether to stop the display at 7, 7, 7) for effect symbols (symbols to be displayed on effect symbol display devices such as display devices on the game board) based on the special symbol lottery performed by the game control unit 25.

The effect selection unit 24b selects the type of effect to be performed before the result of the effect pattern selection is displayed (such as a character appearing to perform a reach effect). Such effects are set so that the effect selected differs depending on the main selection result.

The performance control unit 24 stores performance data for each performance. Furthermore, the performance control unit 24 controls the display of the performance pattern display device, and when a performance is being executed, the performance data is superimposed on the background pattern data to display the performance. Furthermore, when the probability fluctuates, background color data different from that in the normal state is set.

The game ball control unit 26 is a control unit that controls the game balls and the number of counted balls, and has a game ball count management unit 26a and a counting management unit 26b. In practice, these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, causing the game ball count management unit 26a and the counting management unit 26b to execute their respective corresponding processes.

The gaming ball count management unit 26a is a processing unit that manages the number of gaming balls. The gaming ball count management unit 26a stores the number of gaming balls in a gaming ball count memory, subtracts "1" from the number of gaming balls each time a gaming ball is fired, and adds the number of winning balls to the number of gaming balls. When the gaming ball count management unit 26a receives a loan notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it adds the notified number of balls to the number of gaming balls and sends a loan receipt result response to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 indicating that the number of gaming balls has been added to the number of gaming balls.

The game ball count management unit 26a also periodically transmits the number of game balls stored in the game ball count memory to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10. In this case, the game ball count management unit 26a continues to update the number of game balls according to the game status without clearing the contents of the game ball count memory to zero, and transmits the number of game balls at the time of data acquisition to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

The counting management unit 26b is a processing unit that manages the counting process. The gaming machine 20 is provided with a counting button 22, and a signal indicating that this counting button 22 has been pressed is input to the counting management unit 26b. The counting management unit 26b detects the pressing of the counting button 22, and if the time from the rise to the fall of the detection signal is less than a certain time, it notifies the inter-machine card processor 10 of the count by a certain number (for example, 100 balls per operation). This counting notification includes the serial number, the number of counted balls, and the cumulative counted number of balls. This cumulative counted number is the cumulative value of the number of counted balls since the gaming machine 20 was started.

The counting management unit 26b also detects pressing of the counting button 22, and if the detection signal does not fall for a predetermined period of time after it rises, it notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the count by a certain number of balls (for example, 200 balls per 5 seconds) each time the detection signal remains in a rising state for a certain period of time.

Furthermore, when the counting management unit 26b receives a counting information receipt response from the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10, it subtracts (invalidates) the counted ball count included in this counting information receipt response from the number of game balls. Possible methods for subtracting from the number of game balls include decrementing the value to be subtracted from a value of 1 stored in memory, or updating the value stored in memory with the value after the subtraction and deleting or logically deleting the value before the subtraction to invalidate it; however, there are no particular limitations as long as the value after the subtraction can be identified.

The game management unit 27 is a processing unit that controls the sending and receiving of game-related data, and includes a notification unit 27a and a receiving unit 27b. In practice, these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, causing the notification unit 27a and receiving unit 27b to execute their respective processes.

The notification unit 27a is a processing unit that transmits game-related data to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10. The notification unit 27a transmits the number of game balls, counting notifications, loan receipt result responses, etc. received from the game ball control unit 26 to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

The receiving unit 27b is a processing unit that receives game-related data from the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10. When the receiving unit 27b receives a gaming machine information receipt response, counting information receipt response, loan notification, etc. sent from the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10, it passes them to the gaming ball control unit 26.

The game control unit 25, game ball control unit 26, and game management unit 27 are each configured on separate boards. The game control board on which the game control unit 25 is configured and the game ball control board on which the game ball control unit 26 is configured each have their own unique ID. The gaming machine 20 combines the ID of the game control board and the ID of the game ball control board and uses this as the gaming machine ID.

<Configuration of management device 50>
Next, the configuration of the management device 50 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the management device 50 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 7, the management device 50 is connected to a display unit 51 and an input unit 52, and has an external network communication unit 53, a store network communication unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 56.

The display unit 51 is a display device such as an LCD panel or display device. The input unit 52 is an input device such as a keyboard or mouse. The external network communication unit 53 is an interface unit for communicating data with an authentication key management center (not shown) via an external network. The store network communication unit 54 is an interface unit for communicating data with the island controller 30, prize management device 60, and settlement machine 70 via communication lines within the gaming store.

The memory unit 55 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or non-volatile memory, and stores card management data 55a, device management data 55b, and member management data 55c.

Card management data 55a is data that associates the card ID with the balance of prepaid value and the balance of owned balls. Device management data 55b is data related to the devices installed in the gaming facility. This device management data 55b includes the machine-to-machine card processing machine ID, installation location, gaming machine number, gaming machine ID, model data of the gaming machine 20, etc. Member management data 55c is data that associates the card ID of the membership card issued to the member with the balance of saved balls, etc.

The control unit 56 is a control unit that performs overall control of the management device 50, and has a card management unit 56a, a device management unit 56b, and a member management unit 56c. In practice, these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, causing the card management unit 56a, the device management unit 56b, and the member management unit 56c to execute their respective processes.

The card management unit 56a is a processing unit that manages the card management data 55a. The card management unit 56a communicates with the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the prize management device 60, and the settlement machine 70 to update the prepaid value and the balance of held balls associated with the card ID. In addition, when the card management unit 56a receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 or a held value inquiry from the prize management device 60, it notifies the user of the valuable value and the balance of held balls associated with the card ID.

The device management unit 56b is a processing unit that manages the device management data 55b. The device management unit 56b generates and updates the device management data 55b based on the machine-to-machine card processing machine ID, installation location, and gaming machine ID obtained from the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

The member management unit 56c is a processing unit that manages the member management data 55c. The member management unit 56c communicates with the machine-to-machine card processing device 10 and the prize management device 60 to update the balance of saved balls associated with the card ID.

Here, we will explain the saved ball replay processing by the member management unit 56c. When the member management unit 56c receives saved ball replay request data from the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10, it deducts the remaining saved balls at the payout rate from the saved balls associated with the card ID in the saved ball replay request data by the payout unit number, and recalculates the number of saved balls that can be replayed. It then sends saved ball replay data including the remaining balance after the subtraction and the number of saved balls that can be replayed to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

Next, we will explain specific examples of data stored in the memory unit 55 of the management device 50 shown in Figure 7. Figure 8 is a diagram showing examples of card management data 55a, device management data 55b, and member management data 55c shown in Figure 7.

In the card management data 55a shown in Figure 8(a), card ID "1001" is associated with a prepaid value of "0" points, a balance of "0" balls for each rate, and a destination ID of "A101." In other words, the card with card ID "1001" is inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with device ID "A101," and management of the balls has been transferred to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Therefore, the balance of the balls for each rate is zero.

In addition, in the card management data 55a, card ID "2001" is associated with a prepaid value of "3000" and the remaining balls are "1500" for ball 1, "2500" for ball 2, and "0" for ball 3, but is not associated with a usage ID. In other words, the card with card ID "2001" is not inserted into the machine-to-machine card processing device 10, and the remaining balls are managed by the management device 50.

The device management data 55b shown in Figure 8(b) indicates that for the machine-to-machine card processing device 10 with ID "A101," its installation location is "Island 1-1," the gaming machine number is "11," the connected gaming machine 20 ID is "B201," the game type is "Ball 1," the gaming machine 20 model is "EV01," and the serial number is "a." It also indicates that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

The device management data 55b also indicates that for the machine-to-machine card processing device 10 with ID "A201," its installation location is "Island 2-1," the gaming machine number is "21," the connected gaming machine 20 ID is "B506," the game type is "Ball 3," the gaming machine 20 model is "DX03," and the serial number is "g." It also indicates that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

Member management data 55c shown in Figure 8(c) indicates the name, saved balls, etc. associated with the card ID. Specifically, member management data 55c indicates that for card ID "2005," the name is "Takken Taro," the saved ball balance for "Ball 1" is "1500," the saved ball balance for "Ball 2" is "200," and the saved ball balance for "Ball 3" is "0."

<Sequence related to the SC board of the inter-machine card processing machine 10>
Next, we will explain the sequence related to the SC board of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the sequence related to the SC board of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The game management unit 18 of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is configured on the SC board, and exchanges data related to the gaming machine 20 with the control unit 17.

As shown in Figure 9, when the gaming management unit 18 sends a gaming machine information notification (including the number of gaming balls) to the control unit 17, the control unit 17 sends a gaming machine information receipt response to the gaming management unit 18 indicating that the gaming machine information notification has been received.

Furthermore, when the game management unit 18 sends a counting notification to the control unit 17, the control unit 17 performs a predetermined counting process and then notifies the game management unit 18 of a counting information receipt response that includes the number of counted balls transferred to the player's possession.

Furthermore, when the control unit 17 sends a loan notification to the gaming management unit 18, this loan notification is sent to the gaming machine 20. After that, when the gaming management unit 18 receives a loan receipt result response from the gaming machine 20 indicating that the number of balls included in the loan notification has been added to the number of game balls, the gaming management unit 18 returns this loan receipt result response to the control unit 17.

Gaming machine information notifications, counting notifications, and loan notifications are sent consecutively at predetermined short intervals (for example, every 300 ms). Furthermore, a serial number is assigned to each gaming machine information notification and counting notification, and if a notification is missed due to a communication failure or the like, the control unit 17 can detect this.

<Processing pattern related to counting process in the inter-machine card processing machine 10>
Next, a description will be given of a processing pattern relating to the counting process in the inter-machine card processor 10. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing pattern relating to the counting process in the inter-machine card processor 10.

As shown in Figure 10, there are four processing patterns for counting. Pattern 1 is when no processing is performed even if a notification is received. Specifically, the number of counted balls in the most recent notification (serial number 2) is 0, so no processing is performed.

Pattern 2 shows a case (part 1) where the received notification is judged to be fraudulent. Specifically, the counted number of balls for serial number 2 is 100 (not 0), and the cumulative counted number of balls (100) is the same as the previous value (100) for serial number 1. Therefore, the counted number of balls is judged to be fraudulent, the counted number of balls is discarded, and the counted number of balls is not added to the number of balls held.

Pattern 3 shows a case (part 2) in which the received notification is judged to be fraudulent. Specifically, the counted number of balls for serial number 2 is 200 (not 0), the cumulative counted number of balls (200) is not the same as the previous value (serial number 1) (100), and the number of game balls (100) is less than the counted number of balls (200). Therefore, the counted number of balls is judged to be fraudulent, the counted number of balls is discarded, and the counted number of balls is not added to the number of balls held.

Pattern 4 shows a case where the number of counted balls is added to the number of balls in hand based on the received notification. Specifically, the number of counted balls for serial number 2 is 100 (not 0), the cumulative number of counted balls (200) is not the same as the previous value (100) for serial number 1, and the number of game balls (110) is greater than or equal to the number of counted balls (100), so the counted number of balls is added to the number of balls in hand.

<Processing procedure for counting process of inter-machine card processing machine 10>
Next, a description will be given of the processing procedure for the counting process of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for the counting process of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Note that the same processing is also performed in a test mode at closing time, in which operation is checked while the gaming facility is closed.

When the inter-machine card processing device 10 receives the number of gaming balls from the gaming machine 20 (Step S101; Yes), it stores the received number of gaming balls in the gaming ball count data 16c (Step S102).

Next, if a notification including the counted number of balls and the cumulative counted number of balls is not received from the gaming machine 20 (Step S103; No), the process proceeds to Step S110. On the other hand, if a notification including the counted number of balls and the cumulative counted number of balls is received from the gaming machine 20 (Step S103; Yes), the received counted number of balls and the cumulative counted number of balls are stored in the counting data 16d (Step S104).

If the number of counted balls is 0 (Step S105; Yes), proceed to Step S110. If the number of counted balls is not 0 (Step S105; No) and the cumulative counted number of balls is the same as the previous cumulative counted number (Step S106; Yes), it is determined that there is fraud in the counted number of balls, the counted number of balls is cleared (Step S109), and proceed to Step S110.

If the number of counted balls is not 0 (Step S105; No) and the cumulative counted number of balls is not the same as the previous cumulative counted number of balls (Step S106; No), the number of game balls is compared with the counted number of balls (Step S107).

If the number of game balls is less than the counted number of balls (step S107; No), it is determined that there is fraud in the counted number of balls, the game ball count is cleared (step S109), and the process proceeds to step S110. If the number of game balls is equal to or greater than the counted number of balls (step S107; Yes), the counted number of balls is added to the number of balls in hand (step S108).

If the closing process has not started (Step S110; No), proceed to Step S101. If the closing process has started (Step S110; Yes), end the process.

As described above, in this embodiment, the number of game balls, counted number of balls, and cumulative counted number of balls notified from the gaming machine to the machine-to-machine card processing machine are used to determine whether or not there is any tampering with the counted number of balls, and the counted number of balls is added to the number of balls held only if there is no tampering, making it possible to efficiently detect tampering with the number of gaming media on the gaming machine.

In the above embodiment, we have described a case where the number of counted balls notified by the machine-to-machine card processing machine is discarded if there is any fraud in the data notified from the gaming machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to notify a specified management device of the number of counted balls to be discarded, and have the specified management device manage data related to the fraud.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which the number of game balls and the number of counted balls notified from the gaming machine are compared to determine whether or not the counted number of balls is tampered with, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the determination can also be made by comparing the number of balls obtained by adding the number of game balls to a predetermined reference value X (including negative values) with the counted number of balls. In this case, if the difference between the number of game balls and the counted number of balls is less than the predetermined reference value X (number of game balls - number of counted balls < reference value X), the counted number of balls will be determined to be tampered with.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a configuration was described that targets a sealed gaming machine that uses gaming balls, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be configured to target a sealed reel gaming machine.

Furthermore, the components illustrated in the above embodiments are merely functional schematics and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

The gaming system, gaming device, and fraud detection method of the present invention are suitable for efficiently detecting fraud involving the number of gaming media in managed gaming machines.

10 Inter-machine card processing device 11 Status display unit 12 Bill transport unit 12a Bill insertion slot 13 Display operation unit 14 Reader/writer 14a Card insertion slot 14b Wave unit 15 Communication unit 16 Memory unit 16a Own machine status data 16b Card data 16c Number of game balls data 16d Count data 17 Control unit 17a Own machine management unit 17b Card data management unit 17c Gaming machine data management unit 17d Determination unit 18 Game management unit 18a Authentication processing unit 18b Authentication key management unit 18c Gaming machine status management unit 20 Gaming machine 21 Handle 22 Count button 23 Communication control unit 24 Performance control unit 24a Performance pattern lottery unit 24b Performance lottery unit 25 Game control unit 26 Game ball control unit 26a Game ball number management unit 26b Counting management unit 27 Game management unit 27a Notification unit 27b Receiving unit 30 Island controller 50 Management device 51 Display unit 52 Input unit 53 External network communication unit 54 Store network communication unit 55 Memory unit 55a Card management data 55b Device management data 55c Member management data 56 Control unit 56a Card management unit 56b Device management unit 56c Member management unit 60 Prize management device 70 Adjustment machine

Claims (8)

A gaming system comprising: an enclosed management gaming machine that stores a first number of gaming media used in a game and provides a game using the first number of gaming media; and a gaming device that is attached to the management gaming machine and manages a second number of gaming media that can be transferred between the first number of gaming media and the second number of gaming media,
The gaming device comprises:
an acquisition means for acquiring from the managed gaming machine the first number of gaming media, the number of transferred gaming media among the first number of gaming media that will be transferred to the second number of gaming media, and the cumulative number of transferred gaming media obtained by accumulating the number of transferred gaming media for a predetermined period;
a determination means for determining whether or not there is fraud relating to the number of transferred game media based on the first number of game media, the number of transferred game media, and the cumulative number of transferred game media acquired by the acquisition means;
and a transfer means for transferring the number of transferred game media to the second number of game media when the determination means determines that no fraud has occurred. The determination means
The gaming system described in claim 1, characterized in that if the number of transferred gaming media is not 0, the cumulative number of transferred gaming media is not the same as the most recent cumulative number of transferred gaming media, and the first number of gaming media is less than the number of transferred gaming media, it is determined that there is fraud regarding the number of transferred gaming media. The determination means
A gaming system as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that if the number of transferred gaming media is not 0, the cumulative number of transferred gaming media is not the same as the most recent cumulative number of transferred gaming media, and the first number of gaming media is equal to or greater than the number of transferred gaming media, it is determined that there is no fraud related to the number of transferred gaming media. The determination means
A gaming system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that if the number of transferred gaming media is not 0 and the cumulative number of transferred gaming media is the same as the most recent cumulative number of transferred gaming media, it is determined that there is fraud related to the number of transferred gaming media. The determination means
3. The gaming system according to claim 2, wherein if the number of transferred gaming media is 0, the presence or absence of fraud relating to the number of transferred gaming media is not determined. The transition means is
A gaming system as described in claim 2 or 4, characterized in that if the determination means determines that there is fraud regarding the number of transferred gaming media, the number of transferred gaming media is not added to the second number of gaming media. A gaming device that is attached to an enclosed management gaming machine that stores a first number of gaming media used in a game and provides a game using the first number of gaming media, and that manages a second number of gaming media that can be transferred to and from the first number of gaming media,
an acquisition means for acquiring from the managed gaming machine the first number of gaming media, the number of transferred gaming media among the first number of gaming media that will be transferred to the second number of gaming media, and the cumulative number of transferred gaming media obtained by accumulating the number of transferred gaming media for a predetermined period;
a determination means for determining whether or not there is fraud relating to the number of transferred game media based on the first number of game media, the number of transferred game media, and the cumulative number of transferred game media acquired by the acquisition means;
and a transfer means for transferring the number of transferred game media to the second number of game media when the determination means determines that no fraud has occurred. A fraud detection method for a gaming system having an enclosed managed gaming machine that stores a first number of gaming media used in a game and provides a game using the first number of gaming media, and a gaming device that is attached to the managed gaming machine and manages a second number of gaming media that can be transferred between the first number of gaming media and the second number of gaming media, comprising:
an acquisition step in which the gaming device acquires from the managed gaming machine the first number of gaming media, the number of transfer gaming media among the first number of gaming media that will be transferred to the second number of gaming media, and the cumulative number of transfer gaming media obtained by accumulating the number of transfer gaming media for a predetermined period;
a determination step in which the gaming device determines whether or not there is any fraud relating to the number of transferred game media based on the first number of game media, the number of transferred game media, and the cumulative number of transferred game media acquired in the acquisition step;
A fraud detection method characterized by including a transition process in which the gaming device transitions the number of transitioned gaming media to the second number of gaming media when the judgment process determines that no fraud exists.