JPH1043411A - Storage medium for play - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To recycle a card, to prevent invalid cards from being diffused and to unnecessitate work for collecting these cards by increasing the negotiable data of the card through an additional purchasing device even when the purchased amount turns zero. SOLUTION: Concerning a pachinko machine provided with an amount display 111 for displaying the negotiable data (amount information) preserved in a storage medium, purchase switch 113, card reader 120 and additional purchasing device 150 or the like, various kinds of data in the storage medium inserted into the card slot of the card reader 120 are read and the read negotiable data are stored. Besides, the negotiable data accepted by the additional purchasing device 150 are generated as additional negotiable data and added to the negotiable data of predetermined additional negotiable data based on a negotiable data adder. Then, the added negotiable data are stored in the memory of a unit controller as the new negotiable data of the storage medium.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine comprising a game machine for providing a game using a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball, a slot machine and the like, and at least a management device to which the game machine is communicably connected. The present invention relates to a game facility provided with a game device capable of executing a game in connection with a storage medium being inserted into a storage medium reading device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a card-type pachinko game system in which a game is played using a card-shaped storage medium as a medium has been proposed. The card method has the advantage that the player only needs to carry the card, which is a storage medium, and can reduce the burden of carrying a large number of pachinko balls that are easy to fall. Conventionally proposed card-type pachinko gaming systems are roughly divided into the following two types.

[0003] In the first method, when a card is issued, the number of possessed balls corresponding to the purchase amount is stored in the card, a pachinko game is performed within the range of the possessed ball number data, and the number of possessed balls increased or decreased in the game process. The data is stored on a card (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 47-22727).

[0004] In the second type of card system, when a card is purchased, a card in which only a code number is recorded is issued, the number of balls held is stored in a central control device, and the card is inserted into a card reader of a pachinko machine. By doing so, the stored number of balls can be called to play the game. In that case, when the card is issued, all the purchase amount is converted to possessed ball,
The number of balls held is stored in the management device (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Sho 61-32709, Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 51-17106).
No.).

[0005]

However, in the conventional card-type gaming system, it is possible to play a game using a card regardless of the type of the game, because the ball initially given to the issued card is "0". Until the number of balls reached "0", the card was invalidated. That is, the card in the conventional card system is of a disposable type.

As a result, the invalid cards are scattered in the game arcade to spoil the aesthetics, and the cleaning and collection work by the clerk is required, which increases labor costs, increases the number of issued cards, and wastes resources. It became clear that there was a problem of inviting.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to enable reuse of a card whose purchase amount has become zero, thereby scattering the invalidated card. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game card operating technique capable of avoiding a decrease in aesthetics due to a game and an operation of recovering the aesthetics and preventing a waste of resources.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a game is made executable in connection with a storage medium (card CD) being inserted into a storage medium reading device (card reader 120). In a game facility provided with a gaming device (for example, a pachinko machine 100) and at least a management device (400) to which the gaming device is communicably connected, the gaming device is inserted into the storage medium reading device. Valuable data display means (amount indicator 111) capable of displaying valuable data as amount information held by the storage medium;
A conversion command means (conversion switch 113) for giving a command to convert the valuable data into a symbol of a game right, and a storage medium insertion slot (card insertion / ejection) into which the storage medium is inserted corresponding to the gaming machine. Port 121), storage medium data reading means (card reader control device 180, magnetic head 136) for reading various data stored in the storage medium inserted into the storage medium insertion port, and the storage medium data reading means. An inserted storage medium valuable data storage means (unit control device 180, memory 181) for storing the read valuable data, and a money value received from a money receiving unit (money slot 152, money slot 153) capable of accepting money. Value generating means for generating valuable data corresponding to the value as addable valuable data (additional purchase control device 159, additional A purchase switch 155) and a valuable data adding means (unit control device 180, which adds and stores predetermined valuable data based on a predetermined valuable data adding operation to valuable data in the insertion storage medium valuable data storage means. A memory 181) and a valuable data updating means (unit control device 180, which stores the valuable data to which the valuable data has been added by the valuable data adding means as new valuable data of the game storage medium in the inserted storage medium valuable data storage means). Card reader controller 188)
And was prepared.

According to the above-mentioned means, even if the balance of the card as the storage medium becomes zero, the amount of the card can be increased by the additional purchase device constituting the addable valuable data generating means, so that the card is invalid. In addition to avoiding the deterioration of the beauty due to the scattering of the cards and the work of collecting them, the use period of one card is prolonged, the total number of cards issued can be reduced, and the total card issuing cost is reduced. In addition, wasteful use of resources can be prevented.

[0010]

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a card operation system (network).

That is, this system divides the whole country into a plurality of blocks, and for each block, a district management center B as a relay station that manages all amusement shops HALL in the district.
MCs are installed respectively, and the district management center BMC is connected to each of the amusement stores HALL under the umbrella by a public telephone line or a dedicated line.
C is connected to a central management center CNT as a card management center which is a card issuer.

The data processing device 470 of each district management center BMC is connected to the management device of each game store, and when a card issuance (purchase) or additional purchase is performed by each card issuing machine, the data processing device 470 serves as a storage medium. The card number and the amount are received and transmitted to the central management center CNT together with the date data, and when there is a sales request from each of the amusement stores after one business day, the request is transmitted to the central management center CNT.

The data processing device 4 of the central control center CNT
50 receives the "card issue" or "additional purchase", searches the issued card file, compares the card number with the game number, updates the card data in the file, and searches the issued card file for the file. The usage amount is determined by comparing the amount of money in the above with the sales amount of the charged card, and a usage price file is created for each hall. If there is a balance on the card, the data in the card file is updated.

The method of operating a card in the system according to the present embodiment is as follows. First, the central management center CNT sets a fixed amount of money (for example, 1000 yen, 5000 yen, 10000 yen).
Yen), each game store collects cards from the central management center, replenishes cards to the issuing machines located in its own store, and centrally manages when the cards are actually purchased Report to the center. Then, each game store calculates the amount of money issued by the card issuing machine, the purchase amount of the additional purchase device constituting the means for generating addable valuable data, and the sales amount of all the game machines every day or month, and reports them to the center. . Then, the central management center CNT determines the payment amount according to the sales, and transfers or withdraws to the designated account via the network of the financial institution based on the usage fee file, thereby adjusting the sales between the amusement stores. I am trying to do it.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a card-type gaming system in each amusement shop when the prepaid card system is adopted.

The pachinko gaming system of this embodiment comprises a pachinko machine 100 as a game machine, a central management center C
Card issuing machine 2 for issuing card CDs purchased from NT
00, a card payment machine 300 for paying out the prize balls obtained as a result of the game, a management device 400 for centrally managing and controlling the various terminals, and an organic device for managing the management device 400 and each terminal. And a data transmission path 500 composed of an optical fiber cable or the like, which is electrically coupled to each other. It is also possible to transmit and receive data between the pachinko machine 100, the card issuing machine 200, the card settlement machine 300 and the management device 400 by using optical communication without using the data transmission line (optical fiber or the like) 500. It is possible, and when optical communication is used, complicated wiring is not required, and the trouble of wiring connection and the like is omitted, so that the inside of the amusement store can be cleaned up, maintenance,
Management can be facilitated. In the gaming system of FIG. 2, intervention is possible only by the card CD, and operation of the card and conversion of valuable data thereof are possible only by a system connected to each other. Therefore, a pachinko machine 100, a card issuing machine 200, and a card settlement machine 300 as a gaming device as each component of the system.
In addition, the management device 400 is provided with a card reader (in this specification, a device that writes data on a magnetic surface of a card is also referred to as a card reader), and information of the card and information of each terminal are: The file is stored in the storage device of the management device 400 in the form of a file.

Next, a card as a game medium used in the system of the present invention will be described.

Card C used in the system of this embodiment
In D, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a price display section PRT on which the purchase price and the like are printed is provided at the center of the card along the longitudinal direction of the card.

Immediately above the amount display section PRT, a variable display section DS for variably displaying the balance of the card and the number of balls possessed by numbers.
P is provided.

On the other hand, at a position slightly below the center of the card, there is provided a magnetic recording portion MG coated with a band-shaped magnetic material from the front end to the rear end. The magnetic recording unit MG records a card number, an unused amount (coincident with the purchase amount at the time of issuance), the number of balls held, a card limit, a security code, and the like.

Further, in the card of this embodiment, a security storage section SCT provided with a special mark which cannot be identified by human eyes but is readable by an optical sensor or a magnetic sensor is provided below the magnetic recording section MG. I have. This security mark is concealed by being provided under a colored coating layer on the surface or hidden in a pattern printed on the surface so as to be inconspicuous.

The variable display section DSP can be realized at low cost by adopting a structure as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, for example. That is, FIG. 4B and FIG. 4B in which a transparent plate 12 made of acrylic or the like in which the magnetic particles 10 are dispersed in the same manner as the substrate 11 in which the magnetic particles 10 are dispersed in a non-magnetic material are separated by partition walls 13a. A high-viscosity liquid 14 mixed with a colored magnetic powder 15 such as iron powder is sealed in the gap therebetween through a spacer 13 having a honeycomb structure as shown in FIG. As the high-viscosity liquid 14, for example, a silicone oil or the like which does not change much over time is used, and colored particles 16 such as titanium oxide are dispersed in the liquid to make the liquid cloudy to form an opaque liquid.

The variable display unit DSP having the above-described structure includes a substrate 11
When the magnetic powder 15 in the high-viscosity liquid 14 is moved downward as shown in FIG. 4B by approaching a magnet or the like from below, the surface of the transparent plate 12 becomes white and is in a non-display state. . On the other hand, when display is desired, a writing head having a large number of microelectromagnets arranged in a seven-segment, dot-matrix, or linear shape is approached to supply current only to predetermined microelectromagnets. Then, the magnetic powder 15 in the high-viscosity liquid 14 is adsorbed on the surface by the magnetic force of the excited minute electromagnet, and landed on the back surface of the transparent plate 12. Then, when the writing head is released, a black dot rises only in the portion where the magnetic powder is adsorbed, and numbers and characters are displayed. Since the high-viscosity liquid 14 is sealed between the substrate 11 and the transparent plate 12, the magnetic powder 15 cannot move easily and the display does not disappear even after being left for a long time. In addition, since the high-viscosity liquid 14 mixed with the magnetic powder 15 is sealed in the space between the spacers 13 having the honeycomb structure, it is possible to prevent the magnetic powder from moving in the horizontal direction and to prevent display unevenness.

When it is desired to rewrite the display, a large magnet is once approached to the back surface of the substrate 11 to move the magnetic powder 15 floating on the front surface side to the back surface side to perform erasing.
What is necessary is just to bring the writing head closer to the surface of the transparent plate 12 again. In the case where the writing head is composed of linearly arranged micromagnets, the display can be made to appear by moving the head or the card so that the head is sequentially attracted.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the card issuing machine 200.
An example of the configuration will be described.

The card issuing machine 200 of this embodiment includes a bill identifying device 210 for identifying bills for purchasing a card,
An issuer 700 that selects a card of an amount corresponding to the inserted bill, prints and issues an issue date on the card, a bill dispenser 230 for dispensing bills as change, various indicators 221 to 225, and a card It is composed of a unit control device 280 and the like for performing data communication with the control and management device 400 of the entire issuing machine 200.

A bill insertion slot 211, a purchase selection switch group 212 and a money amount display 213 are provided on the front panel 201 which can be freely opened and closed, corresponding to the bill discriminating apparatus 210. Therefore, when the player first inserts a bill through the bill insertion slot 211, the inserted amount is displayed on the amount display 213. Then, by pressing a switch corresponding to a desired purchase amount from the purchase selection switch group 212, a card corresponding to the desired purchase amount is issued to the issuing device 7.
The card is issued from the card ejection port 202 of 00. Each of the purchase selection switch groups 212 is constituted by a switch with a built-in lamp, and when a bill is inserted, the switch can be selected within a range of the inserted amount (three for 3,000 yen, three for 5,000 yen). (5) built-in lamps are turned on.

When a bill is inserted from the bill insertion slot 211 of the card issuing machine 200 and the purchase amount is determined by the purchase selection switch 212 and a balance is generated, the bill dispensing device 230 for paying back the balance is used to store the bill. The bill storage tank is provided so as to discharge bills corresponding to the balance from a bill payout port 232 provided on the front panel 201.

On the front panel 201 of the card issuing machine 200, an in-progress lamp 221 indicating that the card can be issued, an issuance stop lamp 222 indicating that the card cannot be issued, and a bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 211. A bill insertion display 223 for indicating whether or not the card is accepted, a card issuance display 224 for notifying the card issuance state, and a bill dispensing display 225 for notifying the state of disbursement of the balance.

Further, the card issuing machine 200 of this embodiment
In order to distinguish each of a plurality of (several tens) issuing machines installed in a game arcade and to allow the management apparatus 400 to identify the issuing machine that has issued a specific card, the machine number setting device 205 is internally provided. The setting device 205
Is sent to the management device 400,
It is used for generating a transmission address at the time of data communication and creating a data file for each issuing machine.

On the other hand, the issuing device 700 selects the cards stocked for each amount in the plurality of card tanks 701, takes out the cards one by one, prints the issue date on the printing device, and displays the issued date. The card is ejected from a card issuing port 202 provided in the front panel 201 after opening the indicated issuing hole. The purpose of making an issuance hole at the time of issuance is to make only a card issued by an issuing machine a valid card. In addition, a method of additionally writing a specific code on a magnetic surface at the time of issuance is also conceivable. The information on the issued card is recorded in a file in the management device 400.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the card settlement machine 300.

The card settlement machine 300 of this embodiment includes a card reader for reading the card number and the amount of money and the number of balls held in the magnetic recording section of the inserted card CD, and the number of balls held by the game. Printer that issues a receipt printed with, and various indicators 303, 304, and 34
1, 342 and a unit control device for controlling the entire card settlement machine 300.

The card settlement machine 300 includes an upper panel 30
1 is configured to be rotatable in the vertical direction. A card insertion slot 302 is provided at the front end of the upper panel 301, and the number of awarded spheres acquired is provided at the upper surface of the upper panel 301, corresponding to the card settlement apparatus 310. A ball number display 303 for displaying the number of balls) and an amount display 304 for displaying the amount of money when a prize ball is redeemed. Moreover, the card settlement machine 300 of this embodiment has a flat upper surface so as to constitute a counter installed in a pachinko parlor, and is provided with two sets of a ball number display 303 and a money amount display 304. One is inclined forward to make it easier for a player to read, and the other is inclined backward to make it easier for a staff member inside the counter to read. Also, the upper panel 30
A display reset switch 305 for clearing the display on the display to "0" is provided on the rear side of the upper surface of 1. When a player first inserts a card through the card insertion slot 302, the card reader in the card settlement machine 300 reads the card number, the amount, and the number of balls recorded on the magnetic surface of the card CD, and displays the number of balls indicator 303. And the card number is sent to the management device to confirm the file, and then the printer issues a receipt on which the unused amount, the number of acquired balls, the history data and the like are printed. If the balance of the card after the settlement is zero, it will be confiscated in the internal card collection tank.

Further, the card settlement machine 300 of this embodiment
Incorporates a bill dispenser that dispenses bills and a coin dispenser that dispenses 100-yen coins so that prize balls can be redeemed or the unused amount can be settled, and a front panel 306 is provided corresponding to the bill dispenser. Is provided with a bill outlet 322 and a coin outlet 326 corresponding to the coin dispenser. However, these devices do not necessarily need to be provided, and the settlement of unused money may not be possible. The reason is that the card with the balance can be used on the next day and at another game store.

Further, on the upper surface of the upper panel 301 of the card settlement machine 300, there are provided a settlement lamp 341 indicating that the card is being settled and a settlement stop lamp 342 indicating that the card cannot be settled.

On the other hand, the pachinko machines constituting the above-mentioned system are of a sealed ball circulation type, and each pachinko machine 100 has a card reader 120 as a storage medium reading device and an amount of balls held therein as shown in FIG. A display lamp 105 for displaying in an analog manner is provided above the pachinko machine 100,
An operation panel 110 and an additional purchase device 1 for giving an instruction for terminating a game with a card, converting the game into a ball held as a game right, and the like.
50 are provided at the lower part of the pachinko machine, respectively. In addition, an additional purchase lamp 106 is provided at the lower portion of the front of the pachinko machine corresponding to the additional purchase device 150 and is lit when the remaining balance of the card becomes zero to prompt the user to make an additional purchase.
Further, inside each pachinko machine 100, an enclosed ball circulating device and a hitting ball launching device that launches an enclosed ball one by one into the game area are arranged, and an operation dial 104 is provided at a lower part of the front surface, Above the operation dial 104, a money amount display 11 as valuable data display means for enabling a procedure for starting a game using the card.
1, ball number display 112, conversion switch 113, interruption switch 114, end switch 115, game state display 11
An operation panel 110 provided with an operation panel 6 and the like is provided. The configuration of the game area on the front of the pachinko game board is the same as the conventional one. A conversion switch 113 as a conversion command means is an instruction switch for converting the card into a game ball in units of 200 yen or the like within a range of the amount of money of the card assuming insertion of the card into the card reader 120, The converted game balls are the number of possessed balls. The remaining amount of the card is displayed on the amount display 111 in the unit of 100 yen as one unit, and the converted number of balls is displayed on the number-of-balls display 112, and one ball is played by the hitting ball firing device. Each time the ball is fired, the number of possessed balls is decremented by one, and when a winning ball is generated, the number of prize balls is added and displayed. The end switch 115 is turned on whenever the player wants to end the game (including when the player wants to change the game console), so that the card in use can be ejected from the card reader 120. At that time, the card reader 120 displays the remaining amount and the number of balls (the sum of the purchased balls and the acquired balls) of the player at that time on the variable display section DSP of the card and records them on the magnetic recording section MG of the card. Then eject the card. The interrupt switch 114 is a switch used by the player to temporarily stop the game for a break, although the player does not intend to stop the game at the game machine currently playing. When this switch is operated, The card reader 120 once ejects the card and waits until the same card is inserted again, during which time the card reader 120 does not accept another card. At this time, the remaining amount and the number of balls are displayed and recorded on the card and discharged. The conversion switch 113 among the above switches is of a built-in lamp type. When the number of balls held is "0", the lamp in the conversion switch 113 blinks.

FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of the card reader 120.

One end (right end in the figure) of the card reader 120
Is provided with a card insertion / ejection port 121 as a storage medium insertion port, and a photoelectric insertion detection sensor 131 for detecting an end of the card is provided near the card insertion / ejection port 131.

A card running path 123 is provided inside the card reader in correspondence with the card insertion / ejection opening 121, and transport rollers 124 and 125 and a transport motor 126 are arranged along the card running path 123. A transport belt 127 is wound between the transport rollers 124 and 125 and the transport motor 126. Further, at the end (left end in the figure) of the card running path 123, a sensor 132 for detecting a reversal position of the card is provided.
In the middle, that is, between the transport rollers 124 and 125,
A sensor 135 for reading a security mark provided on a card and a magnetic head 13 for reading and writing data of a magnetic recording unit MG provided on the card
6 are provided. Next to the magnetic head 136,
A magnetic fixing device 140 for writing to the variable display portion DSP provided on the card and a magnetic releasing device 139 for erasing the display of the variable display portion DSP are disposed so as to face each other with the running path 123 interposed therebetween. Have been.

The card reader 120 is used for the card slot 1
When a card is inserted into the card 21, the insertion detection sensor 131 ejects the end of the card, and based on the detection signal, the conveyance motor 126 composed of a pulse motor is driven, and the conveyance rollers 124 and 125 are driven via the conveyance belt 127. Rotated. Then, the card is transported along the traveling path 123,
Captured in the card reader. The transport motor 126 is provided with an encoder 133 for detecting a rotation angle and a rotation position detection sensor 134. When the card is transported by a predetermined amount, the motor is stopped.

The magnetic fixing device 140 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
0 (B), a minute solenoid S formed by winding a coil 142 around an elongated iron core (core) 141.
1 to S7 have a head 143 arranged in a seven-segment shape as shown in FIG. 10A, and a current is selectively supplied to a predetermined solenoid, thereby changing the variable display section DS of the card.
Arbitrary numbers can be displayed by adsorbing the magnetic powder released in P on the surface. Magnetic fixing device 1
Numeral 40 may be provided with the above-mentioned heads 143 for the number of display digits, and may write all digits at one time.
May be provided, and the card may be intermittently fed and written one digit at a time in order.

The magnetic substance releasing device 139 is shown in FIG.
Can be configured by winding a coil around a core approximately the same size as the head 143. Although the card reader 120 has been described as being integrated with the pachinko machine 100, the present invention is not limited to this, and the card reader 120 may be provided separately as long as it is arranged near the pachinko machine 100.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the configuration of the additional purchase device 150 provided below the pachinko machine 100.

The additional purchase device 150 of this embodiment includes a bill insertion slot 1 serving as a money receiving section on the front surface of the mounting board 151.
52, a coin slot 153 as a money receiving unit, an amount indicator 154, a purchase switch button 155, and a coin return port 156. On the other hand, a bill discriminating device 157 including a transporting unit, an optical sensor, and a discriminating unit is provided on the back surface of the mounting board 151 in correspondence with the bill insertion slot 152.

A coin detecting device 158 including a slot opening / closing means, a coin sorting mechanism, and a coin detector is provided on the back surface of the mounting board 151 in correspondence with the coin slot 153. Further, on the back surface of the mounting board 151, the input amount (total) is calculated on the basis of the detection signals from the banknote identification device 157 and the coin detection device 158, and the amount of 100 yen as one unit is indicated by the amount display. An additional purchase control device 159 is provided as an addable valuable data generating means to be displayed in 154. The purchase switch button 155 has a built-in lamp, and when a bill or coin is detected, the built-in lamp of the purchase switch button 155 is turned on by the control device 159.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the configuration of a pachinko machine control system.

In the figure, reference numeral 188 denotes a transport motor 12 as each component of the card reader 120 shown in FIG.
6. A card reader control device that functions as a part of a storage medium data reading unit and a valuable data updating unit that controls the magnetic head 136, the magnetic fixing device 140, and the like. The card reader control device 188 functions as a part of an insertion storage medium valuable data storage unit, a valuable data addition unit, a valuable data update unit, and the like connected to a management device (described later) of the entire game store via a communication line. Connected to the unit control device 180 that performs the operation. The unit controller 180 receives an input from a unit number setting switch 171 and a call switch 165 provided in the pachinko machine, and receives the analog lamp 1
05, Pachinko machine status lamp 162, Safe ball lamp 1
64, the card insertion lamp 168 and the speaker 166 are controlled.

The control unit 159 of the additional purchase unit 150 is connected to the unit control unit 180 so that the additional purchase amount is notified to the management unit or sent to the card reader 120 for recording.

Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the controller 195 of the pachinko machine 100 is connected to the unit controller 180 via an optical cable 191.
A detection signal from various sensors is input, and a drive control signal for a display or the like is output. In order to enable communication using an optical fiber cable, an optical multiplex data link (interface) including a parallel-to-serial converter for converting parallel data and serial data, an optical-electric converter for converting electric signals to optical signals, and the like. Are between the unit controller 180 and the optical fiber cable 191 and between the optical fiber cable 191 and the pachinko machine controller 19.
5 are provided at respective connection portions (described later).

By using the optical fiber cable 191 for data communication between the unit control device 180 and the pachinko machine control device 195, a large number of wirings conventionally arranged in a complicated manner behind the pachinko machine can be reduced. Maintenance and management can be facilitated, and malfunction due to noise can be prevented.

Under the control of the pachinko machine control device 195, the money amount display 111, the number of balls display 112, the purchase lamp 121, the game state display lamp 123, and the hit ball launching device 10
3 and a signal from the ball detection sensors SNS1 to SNS5 such as the purchase switch 115 and an out sensor are shaped by the pachinko machine control device 195, and the unit control device 180 It is supplied to.

Here, of the various controls by the unit controller 180, the driving of the additional purchase lamp 106 and the control of the additional purchase device 150 related to the present invention will be described.

The unit control unit 180 starts the processing of FIG. 13 by, for example, a timer interrupt, and periodically (every few seconds) among the information on the card used in the pachinko machine that is held in the internal memory 181. The number of balls and the balance data are read to determine whether the balance is "0" (steps S301 and S302).

Here, when the balance is not "0", the interruption processing is ended, and when the balance is "0", the step S303 is executed.
After turning on the additional purchase lamp 106 at the lower part of the front of the pachinko machine, it is determined whether or not the number of balls possessed is "0" (step S304). If it is determined that the number of possessed balls is also "0", the timer is started and, for example, 30 seconds elapse (steps S305 and S306). Then, after giving 30 seconds, a command to turn off the additional purchase lamp 106 is given to the pachinko machine control device 195, and then a card ejection command is given to the card reader control device 188 (steps S307, S308).

FIG. 14 shows a control procedure when the control device 159 of the additional purchase device 150 notifies the unit control device 180 that the additional purchase switch 155 has been turned on.

When the unit controller 180 knows that the additional purchase switch 155 has been turned on, the unit controller 180 fetches the purchase amount data sent from the additional purchase controller 159, and reads the balance data of the card in the pachinko machine from the internal memory 181. Is read (step S311). Then, the received additional purchase amount is added to the remaining money data, the amount data is transmitted to the card reader control device 188 to give a recording instruction to the card, and a response from the card reader control device 188 is waited (steps S312 to S314). ). When receiving the amount data, the card reader control device 188 drives the card reader 120 to write the amount data to the magnetic recording unit MG, and then sends an end signal to the unit control device 180. Then, the unit control device 180 determines that there is a response in step S314, shifts to step S315, writes the additional purchase amount in the card data column of the internal memory 181 and rewrites the balance data, and then sends the management device 400 the card reader Is transmitted, and the sum of the card number and the additional purchase amount data and the balance or use amount, that is, the amount converted to the possessed ball, is transmitted, and a response from the management device 400 is waited for (steps S316 and S317).

When "ACK" (acknowledge) is returned from management device 400, unit control device 180 sends an end signal of the additional purchase processing to additional purchase control device 159 (step S318), and turns off additional purchase lamp 106. An instruction to perform the operation is given to the pachinko machine control device 195, and the process ends (step S319). Then, the additional purchase control device 1
59 clears the display of the amount indicator 154 to "0",
The lamp inside the purchase switch 155 is turned off.

The additional purchase switch 10 illuminated when the balance of the card in the pachinko machine becomes "0".
In the case of No. 6, the light is turned off when 30 seconds have elapsed since the possessed ball also became "0" or when the additional purchase processing is completed.

According to the above flow, additional purchase can be made even when the amount of the card is not “0”.

On the other hand, each time the additional purchase control device 159 detects a bill inserted from the bill insertion slot 152 or a coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 153, the processing shown in FIG. Is displayed on the price indicator 154, and the purchase lamp built in the purchase switch 155 is turned on (steps S401 to S403). Then, in step S404, it is determined whether or not there is a detection signal of the next bill or coin. If not, it is determined whether or not the switch 155 is turned on. If it is off, the process returns to step S404 and waits for the switch 155 to be turned on. (Step S
405). If a bill or coin insertion detection signal is input again while waiting for the purchase switch 155 to be turned on, the process returns from step S404 to S401 to add and display the additional insertion amount.

In step S405, the purchase switch 1
If it is detected that 55 has been turned on, step S406
Then, after transmitting the additional purchase amount data to the unit controller 180, the lamp built in the purchase switch 154 is turned off (step S407).

In the above-described embodiment, an additional purchase device is shown which can be additionally purchased up to tens of thousands of yen in units of 100 yen. However, as in the embodiment, coins can be inserted in addition to bills, If you try to make a configuration that can insert multiple
Since the additional purchase device becomes complicated, the additional purchase device may be configured to be able to insert only a 1,000-yen bill or only coins. In this way, the device can be made compact, and it becomes easy to incorporate additional purchase devices for each pachinko machine.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of the additional purchase device 150.

The additional purchase device 150 of this embodiment has a structure suitable for being disposed between the pachinko machines of the island facility, instead of being built in the pachinko machine 100.

The components of the additional purchase device of this embodiment are as follows:
It is almost the same as the additional purchase device of the embodiment of FIG. 11, and has a bill slot 152 and a coin slot 153, an amount indicator 154, a coin return slot 156, a bill discriminating device 157, and a coin detecting device 15.
8 and a control device 159. The difference is that, in order to improve the space efficiency at the time of mounting, box-shaped cases 151a and 151 are used in place of the substrate 151, and the above-described units are arranged along the vertical direction to form a vertically long structure. The point is that, instead of the switch button 155, purchase selection switch buttons 155a to 155 are provided so that the purchase amount can be specified within the range of the amount of input. Further, a display lamp 108 for indicating that the apparatus is in a usable state and an alarm display lamp 109 for notifying that there is a fraud or an abnormality are provided as auxiliary. This additional purchase device is provided for each pachinko machine, and the purchase price is recorded on a card in the card reader of the adjacent pachinko machine.

Although the change return device is not shown in this embodiment, a structure in which only a 1,000-yen bill can be inserted may be provided in order to provide a change return device or to reduce the size of the device.

Further, instead of using the additional purchase method, a tank for storing only a prepaid card of, for example, 1000 yen is provided in this apparatus, and a simple card issuing machine is provided between the pachinko machine and the pachinko machine. Is also good. In that case, the control device 159 of the device may be directly connected to the management device of the game store.

Further, instead of providing the additional purchase device in a one-to-one relationship with each gaming machine, it is also possible to share one additional purchase device with two pachinko machines.

FIG. 17 shows a specific configuration of the management device 400, and FIG. 18 shows a system configuration of the management device 400.

The management device 400 includes a master control device 401 in which a central processing unit CPU of a mini-con class, a main storage device M-MEM including a semiconductor memory (RAM), a transmission control device SCC, and the like are stored. It is composed of a floppy disk storage device (auxiliary storage device 2) 402 as an auxiliary storage device, a hard disk storage device (auxiliary storage device 1) 403, and a personal computer 410 provided at the upper part of the device. The personal computer 410 has a CRT display device 411 for displaying messages and collected data, and a console 412 for the operator to give commands and setting data.
U and a timer TMR (including a calendar), a local processing unit 413 connected to a central processing unit in the master control unit 401 via a communication line and an interrupt line, and a printer for printing collected data and the like. 414.

The local processing unit 413 and the central processing unit C
The serial communication controller 406 for coupling with the PU
a and 406b are provided in the master control device 401. Among them, the communication control device 406a performs normal communication,
The communication control device 406b is used for emergency interrupt communication.

The printer 414 includes a buffer 414a for temporarily storing data to be printed in order to improve the throughput of the management device 400.

Further, the management device 400 includes a card issuing device 700 for issuing a test card capable of starting a pachinko machine in a state separated from the system, and a pachinko machine, which are unique to the pachinko gaming system. A box 420 having a built-in auxiliary printer 408 for printing in real time emergency information generated by the system, such as "stopping" generated by the system, and an auxiliary power supply 409 are provided adjacent to the master control device 401. The card issuing device 700 and the auxiliary printer 408 are connected to a central processing unit CPU via communication control devices 406c and 406d, respectively. In addition, the card issuing device 7
00 is a card issuing device 700 in the card issuing machine 200.
It has exactly the same configuration as the one used. 202 is the card issuing port.

The auxiliary power supply 409 protects the operating data of all terminals volatilely held in the main storage M-MEM and the data of all issued cards to the hard disk storage 403 when a power failure occurs. In order to be able to do so, backup the management device so that it can operate for at least about 10 minutes.

In FIG. 18, reference numeral SCC1 enables data transmission between terminals via the network 500, and SCC2 enables data transmission between the central processing center and the data processing device via a public telephone line or the like. Is a transmission control device.

In this embodiment, the pachinko machine 100, the card issuing machine 200, and the card settlement machine 30 are mainly used.
The system including the management apparatus 400 and the management apparatus 400 will be described. However, the in-store broadcasting apparatus, the prize exchange apparatus, the vending machine, and the like can be extended to a system in which the management apparatus 400 is controlled. In particular, there is a possibility that the prize exchange apparatus can easily realize a system in which a prize can be directly exchanged for a prize without passing through the settlement machine 300 using a card.

Further, the console 412 constituting the management device 400 also has a unique key configuration most suitable for the pachinko game system of this embodiment.

FIG. 19 shows an example of the configuration of the console 412. FIG. 1B shows the upper surface of the console, that is, the panel surface, and FIG. 1A shows the rear surface of the console.

In FIG. 19, reference numeral 421 denotes a store opening switch for instructing the start of business for each terminal of the system;
Reference numeral 22 denotes a store closing switch for instructing the end of business. The card can be operated in each terminal device after the store opening switch 421 is turned on until the store closing switch 422 is turned on. Reference numeral 423 denotes a system end switch for storing the operation data of all terminals in the floppy disk storage device 402 after the business is closed and instructing the management device to stop the control.

The store opening switch 421, store closing switch 422, and system end switch 423 are particularly important switches for the present system. To prevent the system from being easily operated during operation of the system, the switch is located at the rear (upward in the figure). ), The switches 421 to 424 cannot be turned on unless the key switch 420 is turned on.

Reference numerals 425, 426, and 427 denote ten keys, a return key, and a delete key, which are the same as those provided on a console of an ordinary personal computer or the like.

On the other hand, reference numeral 428 denotes a display menu switch for giving an instruction to display data on the card, operation data of each terminal, and the like on the screen of the CRT display device 411.
Is a CRT clear switch for requesting deletion of data displayed on the CRT display device. Reference numeral 430 denotes a print menu switch for giving a command to cause the printer 414 to print data on the card, operation data of each terminal, and the like. Reference numeral 432 denotes a setting switch for requesting setting of the number of hits and the hitting mode in the pachinko machine, and 433 denotes a hitting, that is, a game continuation impossible state, in which a prize ball of the set hitting number is paid out. A stop release switch 434 for giving a release command of the stopped state of the pachinko machine that is used forcibly terminates the terminal by type at the end of business hours, or performs normal control and data collection due to a communication network abnormality or the like. A forced termination switch for forcibly terminating all terminals when it becomes impossible, or forcibly stopping a specific terminal when a player's fraud is discovered, 435 releases the suspension of the forcibly terminated terminal An end release switch 439 for performing the operation is a date and time setting switch. Further, the console 412 of the embodiment is provided with a buzzer 440 for generating a sound urging the operator to urge when an emergency such as a pachinko machine is hit and a buzzer stop switch 436 for instructing to stop sounding. Have been. 431a and 4
Reference numeral 31b denotes a spare switch prepared in anticipation that the function of the management device 400 will be expanded in the future, and can be used as a switch for instructing interruption of printing by the printer 414, for example.

Of the above switches, switches 421 to 424 and 432 to 436 indicated by double frames in the drawing are:
These switches are built-in lamps, and when these switches are turned on, the built-in lamps are turned on during execution of the corresponding processing or while the state is continued. However, the buzzer stop switch 43
The lamp in 6 is linked with the buzzer, is turned on while the buzzer is sounding, and turned off when the stop switch 436 is pressed.

Further, the console 412 of this embodiment has a test card switch 439 for giving a test card issuance command on the back thereof, an exchange rate of purchased balls, a store code, the total number of terminals, and a prize when the system is introduced. A built-in switch 438 for setting a set value such as the number of prize balls per ball and changing the set value is provided. Unlike other switches, these switches 437 and 438 are switches that are usually hardly used, and are switches that only require a specific person (such as a manager of an amusement store) to know the existence thereof. It is provided in.

In the system of this embodiment, although not particularly limited, the pachinko machine 100, the card issuing machine 200, and the card settlement machine 300 are all under the management of the management device 400, and if the management device 400 is not activated, In principle, it cannot work alone. Therefore, at the time of system startup, the management apparatus 400 gives setting values to all terminals and initializes them. In addition, prior to the initialization, the terminal numbers are collected from each terminal to enable data transmission, and each transmission address is formed. During the operation of the system, operation data of all the terminals is collected in real time and stored in the main memory M-MEM.

In other words, since the number of terminals under the control of the management device 400 is large, the response is slow if all control is performed by the management device. Therefore, a part of the processing is delegated to the unit control device of the terminal. The system adopts the method, and collects data of all terminals by scheduled data collection and monitors the operation status.

Further, when the periodic data is collected, the amount of data handled by the management device 400 becomes enormous. Therefore, in this embodiment, these data are organized by file management to facilitate handling.

File FL1 other than the transmission address file FL6 among the files in the main memory M-MEM
FL5 are saved in the hard disk HDD (auxiliary) storage device 403 at the time of power failure. Further, the data files relating to the terminals, that is, the pachinko machine file (hereinafter referred to as P machine file) FL2, the issuing machine file FL3, and the settlement machine file FL4 are stored in the floppy disk FDD (auxiliary storage device 402) at the end of business as daily report files. , And monthly operation data.

Further, the set value file FL5 and the transmission address file FL6 are loaded from the hard disk HHD into the main memory M-MEM when the system starts up, and are saved on the hard disk HHD when there is a change.

The setting value file is stored in the main storage M-
The data is loaded into a common data area provided in the MEM. This common data area is the central processing unit CPU
In this area, a system mode, a power failure flag, and the like are stored in addition to the setting file FL5.

FIG. 20 shows a configuration example of the data processing device 450 of the central management center CNT, and FIG. 21 shows a configuration example of the data processing device 470 of the district management center BMC.

Data processing device 4 of central control center CNT
50 is a master control device 401 of the management device 400 of the game store.
And the configuration is almost the same. That is, a central processing unit CPU such as a microcomputer, a main storage unit 451 which stores various data files which are successively updated during operation of the system and provides a work area, and a floppy disk unit. A first auxiliary storage device 452 for storing and storing sales and the like at each game store every day, and a hard disk drive for storing programs and important data for managing the system and totalizing data. Second auxiliary storage device 45
3 for communicating data with the communication controllers 454 and 455 as interfaces for connecting the console 461 or printer 462 such as a keyboard to the central processing unit CPU, and the data processing unit 470 of the district management center BMC. And a transmission control device 456.

The hardware configuration of the data processing device 470 of the district management center BMC shown in FIG. 21 is almost the same as that of the data processing device 460 of the central management center CNT. The difference is that, in addition to the transmission control device 476 for performing data communication with the data processing device 460 of the central management center CNT, the transmission for performing data communication with the management device 400 of the amusement store under its own control. The only difference is that a transmission control device 478 for performing data communication between the control device 477 and the data processing device of another district management center is provided.

Next, the management device 40 relating to the card operation by the gaming arcade HALL, the district management center BMC and the central management center CNT constituting the network shown in FIG.
0 and the processing contents in each of the data processing devices 450 and 470 will be described.

FIG. 22 shows a processing procedure when the management apparatus 400 of the game store receives a “card purchase” packet from the card issuing machine 200.

When the amount is designated by the selection switch after inserting the bill into the card issuing machine 200, the card of the corresponding amount is taken out from the tank 701, the card number is read by the card reader, the amount is confirmed, and then the card number and A “card purchase” packet containing the amount is sent to the management device 400. When the management device 400 receives this packet, it searches for a card file preset in the main storage device and confirms that the card is a legitimate card set in the issuing machine (step S1).

Next, the management device 400 is connected to the central management center C
The card is notified to the NT data processing device 450.
At this time, the number and the amount of the card to be issued are also transmitted (step S2). Then, the central management center checks the received card number and amount against the data in the issued card file, and then checks a response ACK indicating permission.
Alternatively, a response NAK indicating rejection is returned.

The management apparatus 400 of the amusement store waits for a response from the central management center and, if there is an ACK, calculates the sales amount (accumulates the amount of the issued card) and updates the sales file (steps S3 to S5). . Then, after changing the card status of the card in the card file to issued, the issuing machine file (number of issued cards, amount of money, etc.) storing the operation data of the card issuing machine is updated, and ACK is sent to the card issuing machine 200. Transmit the packet (steps S6 to S
8). Then, the card issuing machine 200 discharges the card removed from the tank 701 from the issuing port 202.

On the other hand, in step S2, the central management center CN
T is notified of the card issuance, and when a NAK is returned as a response, a NAK packet is transmitted to the card issuing machine 200 to stop ejection of the card (step S).
9, S10).

[0101] However, from the game store to the central management center CNT
In order to prevent the concentration of card issuance transmissions to the central office, if a method of periodically notifying the issuance of a plurality of cards is adopted, without waiting for a response from the central management center as indicated by a broken line A, For the time being, the file is updated and an ACK packet is returned to the card issuing machine. When the NAK returns from the management center, the fact is displayed on the screen of the CRT display together with an invalid card number. Is also good.

FIG. 23 shows a processing procedure in the case where the management apparatus 400 of the gaming shop receives a “card payment” packet from the card payment machine 300.

The card settlement machine 300 is provided with the card insertion slot 30.
When the card is inserted into the card 2, the card number and unused money recorded on the card are read by an internal card reader, and a “card settlement” packet is sent to the management device 400.

When the management device 400 receives this packet, it searches for a card file in the main storage device using the card number and checks whether the file of the card exists.
If there is no file, a NAK packet is transmitted to card settlement machine 300 (steps S21, S22, S29).
Then, the settlement machine 300 returns the card taken into the internal card reader to the card insertion slot 302 as it is, and refuses the settlement. This is to refuse to settle a card that has not been issued or a prize ball obtained at another game store.

On the other hand, when the file of the card is found, the process proceeds from step S21 to S23 to read the data of the card file and check whether it matches the issue date of the card received from the card settlement machine 300 (step S21). S24). Next, it is checked whether the amount read from the card matches the number of balls (step S25). If not, the process jumps to step S29 and returns a NAK packet to the card settlement machine 300. In the gaming system of this embodiment, all the pachinko machines 100 are managed by the management device 40.
0, and the data of the card when the game is ended or interrupted is sent from the game to the management device and stored in the card file, so the check in step S25 is performed. In a system that does not send such data to the management device,
As indicated by the broken line B, the process may proceed to the next step S26 without checking the step S25.

In the next step S26, the status of the card in the card file is changed to “paid”, the number of balls is rewritten to zero, and the data (payment card number, number of sheets, total payment amount, etc.) in the card file are rewritten. Checkout machine 300
ACK packet (steps S27, S2)
8). Then, the card settlement machine 300 issues a receipt on which the number of prize balls and the like are printed, and the adjusted card is placed in the card insertion slot 3.
Return to 02.

At this time, if the unused amount of the payment-completed card is zero, the card may be confiscated inside. If the management apparatus 400 has a system that does not collect data related to the card from the pachinko machine 100, in step S26, the card settlement machine 30
The unused amount of the card received from 0 may be written in the card file.

FIG. 24 shows a processing procedure of the management device 400 when a card is inserted into the control unit 160 of the pachinko machine 100.

When the card is inserted into the pachinko machine 100, the control device of the pachinko machine sends a "card-in" packet containing the card number and the amount to the management device 400. Upon receiving this packet, the management device 400 searches for a card file using the received card number, and if a file for the card is not found, creates a new file for the card and stores the file of the received card in the file. The unused amount is written (steps S41 to S44). This is to enable a game with a card issued at another game store. If necessary, the card number may be sent to the central management center CNT to confirm the amount.

On the other hand, if the card file is found in step S42, the process proceeds to step S51 to read the data of the card, and if the amount of money and the number of balls are both zero, a NAK packet is sent to the pachinko machine 100 (step S52). To S54). If the amount is not zero, step S
45, rewrite the card state in the card file during the game, rewrite the data (operation state, card number, etc.) in the pachinko machine file, and then
ACK packet to the ACK packet (steps S46 and S4).
7).

When the pachinko machine 100 receives the ACK packet, it starts the game, and upon receiving the NAK packet, the card reader in the control unit 160 ejects the card, and refuses to start the game.

FIG. 25 shows the management device 400 when the interruption switch 114 or the end switch 115 is turned on in the pachinko machine 100 in which the game has been started as described above.
The following shows the processing procedure.

When the interruption switch 114 or the end switch 115 is turned on, the pachinko machine 100 stores a packet containing the number of the card being played and the unused amount in the management device 400.
Send to When the management device 400 receives this packet,
The card file is searched using the card number in the packet, and the data of the card is read (step S61,
S62).

Then, by subtracting the received amount from the amount in the card file, the amount (sales) converted to lending by the pachinko machine is obtained, added to the data of the sales file and stored (steps S63, S64). ). Then, the received number of balls and the amount of money are written into the card file, the card state is changed if necessary, the data (operation state, etc.) in the pachinko machine file is rewritten, and then an ACK packet is sent to the pachinko machine 100 (step S6).
5 to S67). Control unit 160 of pachinko machine 100
Receives the ACK, the card reader rewrites the unused amount of the card and then ejects the card.

In FIG. 26, the management device 400 is a pachinko machine 1
The processing procedure when an “additional purchase” packet is received from the unit control device 180 of FIG. The “additional purchase” packet contains the additional purchase amount and the balance (or usage amount) together with the card number, and the management device 400 first searches the card file, and corrects the card file based on the source address and the pachinko machine number in the file. It is confirmed that the card is a card (step S71).

Next, the management device 400 is connected to the central management center C.
Inform the NT data processing device 450 of the additional purchase. At this time, the number of the additionally purchased card and the amount of the additional purchase are also transmitted (step S72). Then, the central management center compares the received card number with the card number in the issued card file, and then returns a response ACK indicating permission or a response NAK indicating rejection.

Next, the management apparatus 400 of the amusement store waits for a response from the central management center, and if there is an ACK, calculates the total amount of the additional purchase and updates the additional purchase file (steps S73 and S74). Then, the initial amount of the card in the card file is read out, the additional purchase amount is added, and the new amount is written in the card file (steps S75 and S76). Thereafter, the pachinko machine file storing the operation data of the pachinko machine ( (Additional purchase, amount, etc.) and update the AC to the pachinko machine 100.
The K packet is transmitted (steps S77, S78).

On the other hand, in step S72, the central management center C
The NAK is notified of the additional purchase, and when a NAK is returned as a response, a NAK packet is transmitted to the pachinko machine 100 (steps S79 and S80).

[0119] However, from the game store to the central management center CNT
In order to prevent the concentration of additional purchases from being sent to the server, a method of periodically notifying a plurality of additional purchases is adopted, as shown by a broken line B, without waiting for a response from the central management center. Update the file to the pachinko machine A
The CK packet may be returned, and when the NAK returns from the management center, the fact may be displayed on the screen of the CRT display together with the invalid card number.

FIG. 27 shows a processing procedure when the data processing device 470 of the district management center BMC receives a data transmission from a game arcade.

When the data processing device 470 receives the data transmission from the management device 400 of the amusement store, the data processing device 470 searches the address file by using the hall number given for each amusement store, and the data processing device 470 is the amusement store under its own umbrella. When it is confirmed, the address of the transmission destination (central management center) is read, added to the received data, and sent to the central management center CNT via the communication line.
(Steps S101 to S104).

On the other hand, when there is a transmission from a game store other than its own umbrella, a NAK (negative response) is returned to the transmission source (step S105).

FIG. 28 shows a processing procedure when the data processing device 450 of the central management center CNT receives a “card issuance” message from a game store through the district management center BMC. This processing may be performed in the district management center, and only the result may be reported to the central management center.

Card issuing machine 200 installed in each game store
When a card is issued at the game store management device 4
00, a message notifying the card issuance is sent to the data processing device 450 (step S52 in FIG. 13).
reference).

When the data processing device 450 receives the above message, it searches the issued card file in the main storage device 451 using the card number in the message (step S201). This issued card file may be created when the central management center hands over the card to the game store, and may store the card number, the amount, the name of the game store, and the like.

As a result of searching the issued card file, if there is data of the card, it is checked whether or not the card amount in the message matches the amount in the file (steps S202, S203). If the card number does not exist or the amounts do not match, it is determined that the card is an unauthorized card, and a NAK is sent to the management device 400 of the game store.
(Negative response) is returned (step S208).

On the other hand, if a file with the same card number is found and the amounts match, the process moves to step S204, where the card status in the card file is changed from unissued to issued, and the name of the game store that issued the card is written. (Step S205). Then, using the hall number to identify the amusement store, search the usage fee file, write the number and amount of the issued card, calculate the accumulated value of the issued amount up to that time, record and store it as a sales amount in the file (Steps S206 and S207).

FIG. 29 shows a processing procedure when the data processing device 450 of the central management center CNT receives an “additional purchase” message from a game store through the district management center BMC. This processing may be performed in the district management center, and only the result may be reported to the central management center.

When an additional purchase is made in the additional purchase device 150 provided in the pachinko machine 100 of each game store, the management device 400 of the game store sends the data processing device 450.
A message is sent to inform you of the additional purchase (Figure 2
6 step S72).

When the data processing device 450 receives the message, it searches the main storage device 451 for an issued card file using the card number in the message (step S231).

As a result of searching the issued card file, if the card does not exist or the amount does not match, it is determined that the card is an unauthorized card, and a NAK is sent to the management device 400 of the game store.
(Negative response) is returned (step S238).

On the other hand, if a file with the same card number is found and the amounts match, the flow shifts to step S233 to change the card status in the card file from issued to additional purchase, and changes the name of the amusement store that has made the additional purchase. Write (step S234). Then, using the hall number indicating the amusement store, search the usage fee file, write the number of the card that has been additionally purchased and the additional purchase amount, obtain the total amount of the additional purchase amount up to that time, and record it in the file. It is stored (steps S235 to S237).

FIG. 30 shows a processing procedure when the data processing device 450 of the central management center CNT receives a sales request message from the management device 400 of the amusement shop. The sales request message includes the numbers and usage amounts of all cards used in the game at the amusement store, the total usage price and issuance amount, the additional purchase amount, and the total sales amount, and transmits the message. come.

When data processing device 450 receives this message, it searches for the issued card file (step S).
211), comparing the number of the billing card with the card status and the amount of money, and using the card number without the billing card, the card status not issued or the card amount (unused money) If there is a larger amount of money, a NAK is transmitted to the game store (steps S212 and S212).
222). This can eliminate fraudulent charges.

On the other hand, if all the card numbers for billing exist and both the card status and the usage amount are normal, step S
The process proceeds to 213, where the usage fee file is read from the hole number. Then, the sales amount of the game store already recorded in the file in the process of FIG. 28 is compared with the sales amount in the message (step S214). When step S2
Then, the process proceeds to step S215, and the total of the additional purchase amount of the game store in the file is compared with the total of the additional purchase amount according to the request in the message (step S215). If they do not match, the flow shifts to step S222 to transmit the NAK. If they match, the flow shifts to step S216, where the usage price (total of the usage amount) and the sales amount (the sum of the issuance amount and the additional purchase amount) are calculated. Compare. As a result, if the usage fee is larger, that is, if the sum of the usage amount on all pachinko machines is larger than the sum of the issue amount and the additional purchase amount on the card issuing machine at the game store, the difference is calculated and the payment amount is calculated. Determined and written in the usage price file (steps S217, S
218). If the sales amount is larger than the usage price, the calculation of the payment amount is omitted and the usage price is written in the usage price file.

Then, it is checked whether or not the unused money remains for all the billed cards (step S21).
9) If there is no remaining, delete the data of the card in the issued card file (steps S220, S22)
1). Also, if there is any unused card remaining in the billed card, the remaining balance of the card is rewritten (the amount may be increased). As a result, the unused amount of all issued cards can be ascertained on a daily basis, and when the same card is billed from another game store or from the same store at a later date, avoiding payment of more than the already paid usage fee. can do. In addition, if there is an inquiry about unused money from a game store during business hours, it is possible to respond to the inquiry, thereby minimizing damage to the game store due to forgery of a card. The central management center CNT transmits the usage fee file to the financial institution and transfers the payment amount to the designated account, thereby executing the settlement. This settlement may be performed every day or every month.

In the above embodiment, the status of card issuance and additional purchase is monitored in real time by the central management center CNT.
However, it may be reported to the card issuing center at the same time as the request for the usage fee after the business is closed for one day.

In the above embodiment, the central management center CN
T is a fixed amount card (for example, 1000 yen, 50 yen
(00 yen, 10000 yen, etc.), each game store purchased cards from the central management center in a lump, replenished cards to each issuing machine located in its own store, and the cards were actually purchased At the time, the information is reported to the central management center.However, the central management center manages all card issuing machines and additional purchase devices installed at each game store, and the game store manages only the amount used for pachinko machines, The sum may be calculated as a billing amount and reported to the management center.

Further, in the above embodiment, the operation system in which the unused amount is recorded on the card has been described. However, only the identification code is recorded on the card, and the amount and the number of balls are stored and managed in a file of the management device. It can also be applied to systems that do this.

[0140]

As described above, according to the present invention, a gaming machine according to the present invention comprises a gaming machine capable of executing a game in connection with a storage medium being inserted into a storage medium reading device, and In a gaming facility comprising a management device to which the gaming device is communicably connected, the gaming device includes:
Valuable data display means capable of displaying valuable data as money amount information held by the storage medium inserted in the storage medium reading device; and conversion command means for giving a command to convert the valuable data into a symbol of a game right. A storage medium insertion slot into which the storage medium is inserted corresponding to the gaming device, storage medium data reading means for reading various data stored in the storage medium inserted into the storage medium insertion port, An insertion storage medium valuable data storage unit for storing valuable data read by the storage medium data reading unit, and generating, as addable valuable data, valuable data corresponding to a currency value received from a currency receiving unit capable of accepting money. Addable valuable data generating means, and a predetermined additional valuable data based on a predetermined valuable data addition operation, Valuable data adding means for adding and storing the valuable data to the valuable data in the value data storing means; and the valuable data to which the valuable data has been added by the valuable data adding means as new valuable data in the game storage medium. Since the valuable data updating means for storing is provided, even if the balance of the card as a game medium becomes zero, the amount of the card can be increased by the additional purchase device constituting the addable valuable data generating means. Since it is possible to avoid the deterioration of the beauty due to the scattering of the invalidated card and the work of collecting it, the use period of one card is prolonged, and the total number of issued cards can be reduced, and the total card number can be reduced. There is an effect that the issue cost can be reduced and the waste of resources can be prevented.

The present invention is not limited to the operation of pachinko gaming cards, but can be used when it is desired to operate a prepaid card in an arrangement ball, a slot machine, and other game systems.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a card operation system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a card-type pachinko gaming system.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a configuration example of a card used in the system.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an example of the structure of a variable display section of the card, and a plan view and a sectional view showing the shape of a spacer in the variable display section.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a card issuing machine which also constitutes the card type gaming system.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where a front panel of the card issuing machine is opened.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a card settlement machine constituting the card-type gaming system.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing an embodiment of the pachinko machine constituting the card-type gaming system.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a card reader.

FIG. 10 is a front view and a side view showing a configuration example of a magnetic fixing head in the card reader.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the additional purchase device.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the entire pachinko machine.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control procedure of an additional purchase lamp by the unit control device of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a process performed by the unit control device when an additional purchase is made in the additional purchase device.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure when a bill or a coin is detected by the additional purchase control device.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the additional purchase device.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a management device constituting the card-type gaming system.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the management device.

FIG. 19 is a rear view and a plan view showing a configuration example of a keyboard of the management device.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration example of a data processing device of a central management center.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration example of a data processing device of a district management center.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of receiving a “card purchase” packet in the management apparatus of the game store.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a “card settlement” packet is received.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a “card-in” packet is received.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a “suspend switch” or “end switch” packet is received.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when receiving an “additional purchase” packet.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a data relay processing procedure in the data processing device of the district management center.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a “card issuance” message in the data processing device of the central management center.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an “additional purchase” message in the data processing device of the central management center.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a “sales request” message processing procedure in the data processing device of the central management center.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Pachinko machine 113 Purchase switch 114 Interruption switch 115 Exit switch 150 Additional purchase device 200 Card issuer 300 Card settlement machine 400 Management device 450,470 Data processing device

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 9, 1997

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Name of invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Title of the Invention] Game storage medium

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0001

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game storage medium used for a game machine such as a card type pachinko machine.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0002

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The basic structure of a card-type pachinko machine has been proposed by the present applicant in Japanese Patent Application No. 50-154787. This means that a certain number of real balls actually fired by the player are circulated and used in the pachinko machine, and the number of balls held, the number of launched balls, the number of foul balls, the number of winning balls or the accompanying number of balls at the beginning of the game All conversion factors, such as the number of converted prize balls, and the number of prize balls to be provided to the player after the game has been stopped or completed, are added to the increase / decrease factors associated with the pachinko game, and are converted into electric signals and calculated electronically. All you have to do is carry around the card you remember, and you don't have to touch the real ball, which tends to be bulky.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0003

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0004

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The card used in the above-mentioned conventional card-type pachinko machine has a magnetic band formed on the surface of the card, and information such as the number of spheres is stored in the magnetic band. This is a utilization mode in which a punch hole is formed in accordance with the information.

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0005

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0005]

However, the conventional information storage card described above cannot directly and visually display information such as the number of balls at the hands of the player, and is difficult for beginners and female customers unfamiliar with pachinko games. However, there was annoyance about the number of balls and the like, and annoyance that information could not be confirmed without passing through a card reader at a pachinko machine or a premium exchange each time. That is, even if a card is issued by a card issuing machine to obtain a card, the number of balls stored on the card cannot be visually recognized by the player. For this reason, when moving to another pachinko machine and playing games,
There is a problem that the player has to remember the number of balls, which is inconvenient. In addition, there is also an inconvenience that it is difficult for the beginners and female customers to determine whether to replay the game with the number of balls at hand or to exchange for a prize.

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

In view of the above, there has been proposed a game card constituted by a storage device for storing information of increase / decrease factors such as the number of balls and the number of coins, and a so-called IC card equipped with a display device, a drive circuit, a battery, and the like. Yes (Tokuhei 2-3027
No. 1). However, the above-described IC card requires advanced electronic technology, has a complicated configuration, and has a high unit price for its components. Therefore, there is a problem that the cost of the card itself increases.
For this reason, the actual situation is that it has not yet been put into practical use because of the large financial burden on the game store.

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0007

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game storage medium capable of storing information of an increase / decrease element in an inexpensive configuration so as to be displayed. To provide.

[Procedure amendment 10]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a game storage medium provided with display means (variable display section DSP) for displaying information of an increase / decrease element relating to a game using a game medium. A card CD), wherein the game storage medium is a storage medium reading device (card reader 12) capable of reading and writing information from and to the game storage medium.
0) and a control device (unit control device 180), and a storage medium insertion port (card insertion / ejection port 121) provided in connection with a game device (for example, a pachinko machine 100) that provides a game using a game medium. The display means is opposed to the writing means (for example, the magnetic fixing device 140) of the storage medium reading device, and the display content of the display means is based on the information transmitted by the control device. In addition to being made updatable, during the game, the increase / decrease element information (for example, the number of balls) on the storage medium for the game is displayed on the increase / decrease element display device (for example, the ball number display 112) provided in the gaming device. ) Is made visible to the player by the display means during the non-game.

[Procedure amendment 11]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to the above-described means, during the game, the increase / decrease element related to the game storage medium displayed on the increase / decrease element display device (for example, the money amount display 111 or the ball number display 112) provided in the game device. The information (for example, the amount of money and the number of balls) can be visually recognized by the player by the display means (variable display unit DSP) at any time even during the non-game, so that the reading device for confirming the information of the increase / decrease element during the non-game Is unnecessary, and the player can check the information of the increase / decrease element very easily. In addition, since the increase / decrease element information is not stored as electrical data as in the related art, the increase / decrease element information (for example, the amount of money and the number of balls) can be displayed and stored with a simple configuration. Cost is not increased, and it is possible to reduce the economic burden on the game store operating the storage medium.

[Procedure amendment 12]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0017

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Next, a card as a game storage medium according to the present invention will be described.

[Procedure amendment 13]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0018

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The card CD according to the present embodiment is, for example, shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the price display section PR on which the purchase price and the like are printed
T is provided at the center of the card along the longitudinal direction of the card.

[Procedure amendment 14]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0019

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Immediately above the money amount display section PRT, a variable display section D as a display means for storing and displaying the balance and the number of balls as card increase / decrease element information in a form corresponding to numbers.
An SP is provided.

[Procedure amendment 15]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0038

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of a card reader 120 as a storage medium reading device capable of reading and writing information.

[Procedure amendment 16]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0140

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The gaming card according to the present invention can be used not only in pachinko machines, but also in arrangement games, slot machines and other gaming systems.

[Procedure amendment 17]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name]

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0141]

As described above, the present invention relates to a game storage medium provided with display means for displaying information of an increase / decrease element relating to a game using a game medium. A storage medium reading device capable of reading and writing information to and from a game storage medium, and a control device, which is inserted into a storage medium insertion slot provided in connection with a game device that provides a game using the game medium Thereby, the display means is opposed to the writing means of the storage medium reading device, so that the display content of the display means can be updated based on the information transmitted by the control device, and during the game, the display content of the display means can be updated. The increase / decrease element information relating to the game storage medium displayed on the increase / decrease element display device provided in the game device can be visually displayed to the player by the display means during the non-game. In the game, the player can visually recognize the increase / decrease element information on the storage medium for the game displayed on the increase / decrease element display device provided in the gaming device at any time by the display means. A reading device for confirming the information of
There is an effect that the player can check the information of the increase / decrease element very easily. In addition, since it is not a method of storing increase / decrease element information as electric data as in the related art,
Since the increase / decrease element information can be displayed and stored with a simple configuration, the cost of the game media for the game itself does not increase, and there is an effect that the economic burden on the game store that operates the game media can be reduced. .

[Procedure amendment 18]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration as an embodiment of a card operation system (network).

[Procedure amendment 19]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0037

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

On the other hand, a pachinko machine as an example of a game machine constituting the above-mentioned system is of a sealed ball circulation type, and each pachinko machine 100 has a card reader 120 as a storage medium reading device as shown in FIG. A display lamp 105 for displaying the amount of possessed balls in an analog manner is provided on the upper part of the pachinko machine 100, and an operation panel 110 for giving commands for terminating the game with the card, converting to a possessed ball as a game right, and the like. Additional purchase devices 150 are provided at the lower part of the pachinko machine, respectively. In addition, an additional purchase lamp 106 is provided at the lower portion of the front of the pachinko machine corresponding to the additional purchase device 150 and is lit when the remaining balance of the card becomes zero to prompt the user to make an additional purchase. Furthermore, each pachinko machine 100
Inside, a sealed ball circulating device and a hitting ball firing device that shoots a sealed ball one by one into the game area are arranged, and an operation dial 104 is provided on a lower front part, and above the operation dial 104 The money amount display 111 constituting an increase / decrease element display device as valuable data display means for enabling a procedure for starting a game using the card,
The ball number display 112, the conversion switch 113, the interruption switch 114, and the end switch 11 constituting the increase / decrease element display device
5. Operation panel 110 provided with game state display 116 and the like
Is provided. The configuration of the game area on the front of the pachinko game board is the same as the conventional one. The conversion switch 113 as a conversion command means is used to convert the card into a game ball in a unit of 200 yen or the like within a range of the amount as the increase / decrease element information of the card on the premise that the card is inserted into the card reader 120. With the instruction switch, the converted game ball becomes the number of balls held as the increase / decrease element information. The remaining amount of the card is displayed on the amount indicator 111 in a unit of 100 yen as one unit, and the converted number of balls is indicated by the number of balls indicator 1
12, the number of possessed balls is decremented by one every time one game ball is fired by the hit ball launching device, and when a winning ball is generated, the number of prize balls is added and displayed. End switch 11
5 turns on the card whenever the player wants to end the game (including when the player wants to change the game console), so that the card reader 120 can eject the card in use. At that time, the card reader 120 displays the remaining amount of the player and the number of balls (the sum of the purchased ball and the acquired ball) at that time on the variable display portion DSP of the card and records the same on the magnetic recording portion MG of the card. Then eject the card. The interrupt switch 114 is a switch used by the player to temporarily stop the game for a break, although the player does not intend to stop the game at the game machine currently playing. When this switch is operated, The card reader 120 once ejects the card and waits until the same card is inserted again, during which time the card reader 120 does not accept another card. At this time, the remaining amount and the number of balls are displayed and recorded on the card and discharged. The conversion switch 113 among the above switches is of a built-in lamp type. When the number of balls held is "0", the lamp in the conversion switch 113 blinks.

[Procedure amendment 20]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0043

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Further, the magnetic fixing device 140 as a writing means may have any configuration as long as it can write a predetermined numerical value or the like on the card CD. The magnetic material releasing device 139 can be configured by winding a coil around a core having a size similar to that of the head 143 in FIG. The card reader 120
In the present embodiment, the pachinko machine 100 has been described as being integrated with the pachinko machine 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the card reader 120 is provided separately, and the pachinko machine 100 is one-to-one near the pachinko machine 100. With card reader 120
The game machine may be configured by the pachinko machine 100 and the card reader unit in association with a card reader unit or the like having the same.

[Procedure amendment 21]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name]

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Further, in the above embodiment, the operation system in which the unused amount is recorded on the card has been described. However, only the identification code is recorded on the card, and the amount and the number of balls are stored and managed in a file of the management device. It can also be applied to systems that do this. Further, in the present embodiment, the case has been described in which the amount (remaining balance) information and the number of balls held as the increase / decrease element information are displayed on the display means of the card as the game storage medium, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, any information can be stored so as to be able to be displayed, as long as it is increase / decrease element information related to the game. The increase / decrease element information may be a part as long as the information is related to the game.For example, when the increase / decrease element information is only the amount information and only the amount information is displayed on the display means of the card, Alternatively, the present invention can be applied to a case where only the number of held balls is displayed as the increase / decrease element information, and only the information on the number of held balls is displayed on the display means of the card.

[Procedure amendment 22]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0040

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Further, a card running path 123 is provided inside the card reader corresponding to the card insertion / ejection opening 121, and conveying rollers 124 and 125 and a conveying motor 126 are arranged along the card running path 123. A transport belt 127 is wound between the transport rollers 124 and 125 and the transport motor 126. Further, at the end (left end in the figure) of the card running path 123, a sensor 132 for detecting a reversal position of the card is provided.
In the middle, that is, between the transport rollers 124 and 125,
A sensor 135 for reading a security mark provided on a card and a magnetic head 13 for reading and writing data of a magnetic recording unit MG provided on the card
6 are provided. Next to the magnetic head 136,
A magnetic fixing device 140 as writing means for writing to the variable display portion DSP provided on the card and a magnetic material releasing device 139 constituting a part of writing means for erasing the display of the variable display portion DSP are provided. They are arranged to face each other with the running path 123 interposed therebetween.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Agency reference number FI Technical display location G07F 7/08 J

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A game device comprising: a game device capable of executing a game in connection with a storage medium being inserted into a storage medium reading device; and a management device to which at least the game device is communicably connected. In the equipment, the gaming device comprises: valuable data display means capable of displaying valuable data as money information held by a storage medium inserted in the storage medium reading device; and a command for converting the valuable data into a symbol of a gaming right. And a conversion command means for providing a storage medium insertion slot into which the storage medium is inserted corresponding to the gaming machine; and various data stored in the storage medium inserted into the storage medium insertion slot. Storage medium data reading means for reading the data, insertion storage medium valuable data storage means for storing the valuable data read by the storage medium data reading means, and capable of accepting money Addable valuable data generating means for generating valuable data corresponding to the monetary value received from the bill accepting unit as additional valuable data, and inserting predetermined additional valuable data based on a predetermined valuable data addition operation Valuable data adding means for adding and storing valuable data to the valuable data of the storage medium valuable data storage means; and valuable data to which the valuable data has been added by the valuable data adding means as new valuable data of the game storage medium. A game facility comprising: valuable data updating means stored in a means. 2. The gaming facility according to claim 1, wherein the symbol of the gaming right is second value data substantially equivalent to the gaming right representing the number of gaming balls. 3. The gaming facility according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine includes second value data display means capable of displaying the second value data.