JP2020036745A - Game management system and game management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently manage the gaming performance of a gaming machine. SOLUTION: A card management device 40 stores and manages a state related to a game performance of a game machine 20 in a state management data. The state related to the game performance includes a nail adjustment state and a lottery setting. The card management device 40 acquires the result of the game by the game machine 20 as the game result, compares the acquired game result with the state management data, and determines whether or not the state related to the game performance needs to be changed. Make a judgment. As a result of the determination, the gaming machine 20 that needs to change the state related to the gaming performance is notified. This notification can be performed by the list display on the card management device 40 or the display by the inter-machine card processing machine 10 attached to the game machine 20 that needs to change the state related to the game performance. In addition, in the notification, the change content within the range of the game performance is notified as the recommended change content. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a game management system and a game management method for managing a game in a game arcade where a gaming machine for playing a game using a game medium is installed.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, game stores provide games with game media interposed. For example, in a pachinko game, a game ball is used as a game medium, and a game ball is driven into a game board to play a game. A plurality of prize areas (prize ports) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined number of game balls are provided as prize balls based on the passing of the game balls in the prize area. In this way, the number of game media increases or decreases depending on the result of the game, and the player can exchange the acquired game media for a prize.

  In addition to the prize area, various components such as a liquid crystal display and obstacle nails are arranged on the game board surface of the pachinko game machine, and these components flow through the game board flowing down on the game board surface. Affect. As a result, the number of game balls passing through the winning area changes depending on the state of various components on the game board surface, particularly the state of the obstacle nail. For this reason, maintenance of the state of the game board surface is an important task for a game arcade. On the other hand, as in Patent Literature 1, a technique for determining whether or not the state of an obstacle nail is advantageous for a player is also conceivable. ing.

  Also, there is known a gaming machine which can be set to change the gaming performance of the gaming machine. Here, the gaming performance indicates how much gaming media can be expected to be obtained when playing a game with the gaming machine. For example, in a slot game, a setting can be selected from six stages of settings 1 to 6, and the game performance is changed by changing the probability of a lottery performed during the game depending on the selected setting.

  The setting relating to the game performance is performed not only in the slot game but also in the pachinko game. If the setting relating to the game performance is enabled in the pachinko game machine, the actual game performance is affected by the selected setting and the adjustment state of the obstacle nail.

Patent No. 5812742 JP 2011-131037 A JP-A-2002-233635

  However, the conventional technique has a problem that a great deal of labor is required to manage the gaming performance of the gaming machine. A gaming shop operates a gaming machine by varying the gaming performance within an appropriate range to a certain extent, but there are cases where the gaming performance deviates from the appropriate range depending on the settings and adjustments.

  Therefore, the gaming store manages the settings and adjustments related to the gaming performance of all the gaming machines, evaluates the actual gaming performance, and performs maintenance on the gaming machines that deviate from an appropriate range. In particular, when there are a plurality of factors that affect the game performance, such as the selection of settings and the adjustment state of the obstacle, the maintenance for keeping the game performance within an appropriate range is difficult and labor intensive.

  For these reasons, how to efficiently manage the gaming performance of the gaming machine has been an important issue.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has as its object to provide a game management system and a game management method capable of efficiently managing the game performance of a gaming machine.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a game management system that manages a game in a game store in which a game machine that performs a game using a game medium is installed. State information storage means for storing state information indicating a state relating to gaming performance, game result information obtaining means for obtaining a result of a game by the gaming machine as game result information, and comparing the state information with the game result information And notifying means for notifying a gaming machine that needs to change the state related to the gaming performance.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the notifying unit causes each of the devices installed in the gaming machine which needs to change the state related to the gaming performance to output an output indicating that the state needs to be changed. And

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the notifying means displays a list of gaming machines which need to change a state related to the gaming performance.

  Further, in the present invention according to the above invention, the notifying unit determines that the state of the game performance needs to be changed when the game result information deviates from an appropriate range, and the game performance is determined to be within the appropriate range. It is characterized in that the contents of the change are notified.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, the state relating to the game performance is a state in which the gaming machine is set to specify a probability in a lottery performed during the game.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, the state relating to the game performance is an adjustment state of a component for controlling a movement of the game medium on a board of the gaming machine.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, the gaming machine is an enclosed gaming machine for playing a game using a game medium enclosed therein.

  Further, the present invention is a game management method for managing a game in a game store in which a game machine for playing a game using a game medium is installed, wherein state information indicating a state relating to game performance of the game machine is determined. State information storing step to be stored in the storage unit, a game result information obtaining step of obtaining the result of the game by the gaming machine as game result information, and comparing the state information and the game result information, the game performance And a notifying step of notifying a gaming machine requiring such a state change.

  According to the present invention, gaming performance of a gaming machine can be efficiently managed.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of the game management system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the game store. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the inter-card processing machine and the gaming machine. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of the inter-card processing machine and the gaming machine shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the inter-card processing machine. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the card management device shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for describing an example of data stored in the storage unit of the card management device. (Part 1) FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the storage unit of the card management device. (Part 2) FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure relating to management of game performance by the card management device. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for analyzing and comparing game results.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a game management system and a game management method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the present specification, the possessed ball is a game medium acquired by the player in the game or data indicating the number of the game medium, and can be provided to the game again only during the day (time before closing). Say what you can do. The coins are data indicating the game media or the number of the game media acquired by the player in the game, and can be used again for the game after the next day (time after closing the store). The possessed ball can be used by both the general player and the member player, and is used when the gaming machine used for the game is changed (so-called table movement). Normally, only the member gaming customers can use the savings, and they are used when the acquired game medium is used for a game on and after the next day. A predetermined fee may be imposed on the use of the coins.

  First, the concept of the game management system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of the game management system according to the present embodiment. A plurality of gaming machines 20 are installed in the amusement store, and each gaming machine 20 is provided with a stand-to-stand card processing machine 10 which is a stand apparatus.

  The gaming machine 20 is an enclosed gaming machine having a structure in which a player does not touch a game ball as a game medium, and manages the number of game balls that can be fired as the number of playable games. A large number of obstacle nails are planted on the game board surface of the gaming machine 20, and a game ball fired on the game board surface by operating the handle falls between the obstacle nails and wins a winning opening and a starting opening. Or, it is discharged out of the game board from the out port of the game board without winning. The game balls discharged from the game board are conveyed inside the gaming machine 20 and used again for firing.

  The stand-to-stand card processing machine 10 is a stand-by device that executes processing such as accepting payment and lending game balls. Lending of game balls is performed not by paying out game balls in kind, but by adding the number of playable game machines 20. In addition, the inter-card processing machine 10 can count the number of gaming balls by shifting the number of playable games managed by the gaming machine 20 to the number of balls managed by the own device.

  When the player ends the game, the number of playable balls is shifted to the possessed ball, and the possessed ball is discharged in association with the card. Alternatively, the game is finished by exhausting all the playable number. Therefore, if the game player ends the game properly, the gaming machine 20 is in a state where the number of playable games does not remain after the business hours.

  Further, the inter-card processing machine 10 is connected to the card management device 40, and transmits the card ID and the number of balls to the card management device 40 in association with each other when the card is ejected. Have them manage their ball.

  Further, the card management device 40 stores and manages a state relating to the gaming performance of the gaming machine 20 in state management data. The state relating to the game performance includes a nail adjustment state, a lottery setting, and the like. The nail adjustment state indicates the angle of the main obstacle nail that controls the movement of the game ball (the path along which the game ball flows) on the board of the gaming machine 20. The lottery setting is a set value that specifies a probability of a lottery performed by the gaming machine 20 during a game.

  In addition, the card management device 40 acquires the result of the game by the gaming machine 20 as the game result, and compares the acquired game result with the state management data to determine whether or not the state related to the game performance needs to be changed. The game result is determined. Specifically, when the game result deviates from the appropriate range, it is determined that the state related to the game performance needs to be changed.

  As a result of the determination, the card management device 40 notifies the gaming machine 20 that the state of the gaming performance needs to be changed. This notification can be performed by a list display on the card management device 40 or a display by the inter-card processing machine 10 provided in the gaming machine 20 which needs to change the state related to the game performance. In addition, in the notification, a change content in which the game performance is within the range is notified as a recommended change content.

  For this reason, the gaming clerk performing the maintenance identifies the target gaming machine 20 from the list of the card management device 40 and confirms the change recommended by the inter-card processing machine 10 attached to the target gaming machine 20. Work can be performed efficiently while doing so.

  As described above, in the game management system, the card management device 40 stores the state related to the game performance of the gaming machine 20 as the state management data, acquires the game result by the game machine 20, and sets the state related to the game performance and the game result. Is performed to notify the gaming machine that needs to change the state related to the gaming performance, so that the gaming performance of the gaming machine 20 can be efficiently managed.

  Next, the system configuration of the game store will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the game store. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of gaming machines 20 and an inter-card processing machine 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20 are installed in the gaming shop. The inter-card processing machine 10 is connected to a communication line, which is an in-store network, via the island controller 30. The island controller 30, the card management device 40, the member management device 50, the prize management device 60, and the checkout machine 80 are connected to the communication line.

  The gaming machine 20 is a device for playing a game by driving a game ball enclosed in the device into a game board surface. A plurality of prize areas (prize ports) are provided on the game board surface of the gaming machine 20, and a predetermined number of game balls are provided as prize balls based on the passing of the game balls in the prize area. Has become. Also, a predetermined number of starting areas (starting ports) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined lottery is performed based on a game ball passing through the starting area. If the lottery becomes a big hit, the operation of the predetermined movable member or the like will perform an operation that is advantageous in the game, such as improving the probability of the game ball passing to the above-mentioned winning area or another starting area. Note that an area that also serves as a start area and a winning area may be provided.

  The prize area is provided with a prize sensor for detecting the passage of the game ball to the prize area. The prize sensor detects the passage (prize) of the game ball driven into the prize area. Has become. In addition, the control unit of the gaming machine 20 has a prize ball memory for storing the number of game balls to be provided as prize balls for each prize area, and a playable number memory indicating the number of balls that can be thrown out by the player. I have.

  Therefore, when the passing of the driven game ball to the specific prize area is detected by the prize sensor, the gaming machine 20 should award the game ball based on the stored contents of the prize ball memory and the number of the game balls passing through the prize area. The prize ball number is determined, and the payout process of the determined prize ball number can be performed.

  In the enclosed gaming machine 20, the payout processing of the number of prize balls is performed by adding the number of prize balls to the playable number stored in the playable number memory and updating the stored content. When the number of playable games is transferred as the number of balls held by the inter-card processing machine 10, the number of playable games held in the number-of-games memory is notified to the inter-card processing machine 10, and the number of playable games is notified. Is cleared to zero. Further, when a notification of the addition of the number of playable games by the ball lending operation or the like is received from the inter-card processing machine 10, the notified number of balls is added to the number of playable games to update the stored contents.

  The inter-card processing machine 10 receives payment, lends a game ball, communicates with the card management device 40, and communicates with the gaming machine 20. When accepting the bill inserted by the player, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the payment notification data including the amount of the bill to the card management device 40, and the amount of money is added to the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. The number corresponding to is added. When a predetermined ball lending operation is performed, a ball lending request is transmitted to the card management device 40, the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40 is subtracted, and the number of games corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value is reduced. The payout processing of the ball is performed.

  In the enclosed gaming machine 20, the payout processing of the gaming ball based on the ball lending is performed by notifying the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value and adding the number to the number of playable games.

  Further, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the card insertion notification data to the card management device 40 when the card insertion is accepted. In addition, if the inter-card processing machine 10 receives data including the prepaid value, the number of held balls, and the number of stored balls from the card management device 40, the inter-card card processor 10 stores the received prepaid value, the number of held balls, and the number of stored balls. Then, if the number of possessed balls is stored, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the possessed ball subtraction request data to the card management device 40 to reduce the number of possessed balls managed by the card management device 40 to zero. clear.

  In addition, when accepting the ball replay operation, the inter-card processing machine 10 subtracts a predetermined number from the ball number stored in its own device, and performs a payout process of a game ball of a number corresponding to the subtracted ball number. Do. In addition, when accepting the ball storage replay operation, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the ball storage replay request data to the card management device 40, thereby subtracting a predetermined number from the ball storage number managed by the member management device 50. Then, the payout process of the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted number of stored balls is performed. The payout processing of the game balls based on the ball replay and the ball replay is also performed by notifying the corresponding number to the gaming machine 20 and adding the number to the possible game number.

  In addition, when accepting the card return operation, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the ball holding request data including the ball holding number managed by the own device to the card management device 40, and the card management device 40 After the number is added, card ejection notification data is transmitted to the card management device 40, and ejection of the card is controlled. It is desirable that the card ejection control be performed on condition that the number of playable games of the gaming machine 20 is zero.

  Also, the inter-card processing machine 10 has a function of acquiring a gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 and performing authentication of the gaming machine 20 using the acquired gaming machine ID and an authentication key received from the card management device 40. Have. This authentication is performed at the time of the store opening process or the like, and the gaming machine 20 can be played on condition that the authentication is successful.

  The island controller 30 is a relay device that bundles a group of gaming machines 20 and a stand-to-stand card processor 10 provided on a gaming island.

  The card management device 40 is a device that manages the prepaid value of the card, the number of balls, and the like as card data. Upon receiving the card insertion notification data from the inter-card processor 10, the card management device 40 manages the card ID of the inserted card in association with the device ID of the inter-card processor 10, and manages the card ID. Is transmitted to the inter-card processing machine 10. When the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data is the card ID of the member card, the card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data to the member management device 50 and receives the card insertion notification data from the member management device 50. The stored ball replay data is transmitted to the inter-card processing machine 10.

  In addition, when the card management device 40 receives the ball holding subtraction request data from the inter-card processor 10, the card management device 40 clears the ball holding number to zero. When the card management device 40 receives the ball-addition request data from the inter-card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 changes the ball number included in the ball-addition request data to the ball number managed by the card management device 40. to add.

  When the card management device 40 receives the ball lending request data from the inter-card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID, and transfers the ball lending permission data to the inter-card processing device 10. Send to Then, when the ball storage replay request data is received, the ball storage replay request data is transmitted to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 outputs the ball storage replay data, the ball storage replay data is It is transmitted to the card processor 10.

  When receiving the card ID from the prize management device 60, the card management device 40 notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls held associated with the card ID. Further, when the card ID is received from the payment machine 80, the prepaid value associated with this card ID is notified to the payment machine 80.

  Further, the card management device 40 acquires the gaming machine ID from the inter-card processing machine 10 and manages the gaming machine 20 installed in the own store. Then, an authentication key for authenticating the gaming machine 20 set in the own store is obtained from the authentication key management center outside the game store, and distributed to the inter-card processing machine 10.

  The member management device 50 is a management device that manages member management data of members registered as members at the game store. Specifically, the number of coins stored, the number of points, a password, a name, and the like are managed in association with the member card ID issued to the member.

  Upon receiving the card insertion notification data from the inter-card processing machine 10, the member management device 50 stores the ball replay data including the ball storage number and the password associated with the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data. To the inter-card processor 10. In addition, when the member management device 50 receives the ball storage replay request data from the inter-card processing machine 10, the member management device 50 subtracts a predetermined number from the ball storage number associated with the card ID indicated in the ball storage replay request data, The ball storage replay data including the number of stored balls after the subtraction is transmitted to the inter-card processing machine 10. Communication between the inter-card processing machine 10 and the member management device 50 is performed via the card management device 40.

  In addition, when the member management device 50 receives the inquiry about the number of stored coins from the prize management device 60, the member management device 50 notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of stored coins corresponding to the designated card ID.

  The prize management device 60 is a prize exchange terminal device attached to a prize exchange counter in the game store, and performs a prize exchange process of exchanging the obtained balls, the number of stored balls and the number of possessed balls into prizes. The prize management device 60 is connected to a card reader that reads a card ID from a card and a prize payout device that pays out a prize. The prize management device 60 transmits the card ID to the card management device 40 when the card ID is read from the general card or the membership card (or when the identification data corresponding to the card ID is read from a portable terminal or the like). Then, the number of balls possessed by the card ID is requested. When exchanging the number of coins to be awarded, the member management device 50 is requested to exchange the number of coins.

  When the card associated with the prepaid value is inserted, the checkout machine 80 transmits the card ID of the card to the card management device 40 and receives the response data to obtain the prepaid value associated with the card. Then, pay out money according to the acquired prepaid value.

  In addition to these components, the card management device 40 stores the state related to the gaming performance of the gaming machine 20 as state management data, acquires the game result by the gaming machine 20, and sets the state related to the gaming performance as described above. And a function of notifying a gaming machine that needs to change a state related to gaming performance by performing a game result determination using the game result.

  Next, a ball lending process of the gaming system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When the player performs a ball lending operation on the inter-card processing machine 10, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits ball lending request data to the card management device 40. The ball lending request data includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-card processing machine 10 and an address for specifying the inter-card processing machine 10 that is the transmission source or arbitrary identification data.

  Upon receiving the ball lending request data, the card management device 40 subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID of the ball lending request data. Then, the card management device 40 transmits the ball lending permission data to the inter-card processing machine 10 of the transmission source. The inter-card processing machine 10 that has received the ball lending permission data performs payout processing of the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value.

  Next, a description will be given of a held ball replay process in the case where the held ball is replayed in the gaming system shown in FIG. When receiving the insertion of a general card or a membership card, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. The card insertion notification data includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-card processor 10, an address for specifying the inter-card processor 10 as a transmission source, or arbitrary identification data, And data for specifying 10 rates.

  When the card management device 40 receives the card insertion notification data from the inter-card processing device 10, the card management device 40 notifies the inter-card processing device 10 of the number of balls held at each rate associated with the card ID in the card insertion notification data. Notice.

  The inter-card processing machine 10 stores the number of balls received from the card management device 40. Then, the card ID, the data for specifying the rate, and the ball holding subtraction request data indicating that the ball holding number is cleared to zero are transmitted to the card management device 40. If the card management device 40 receives the ball-count subtraction request data, the card management device 40 clears the ball-count of each rate specified by the card ID to zero. In the case of accepting a ball-replay operation and performing ball replay, the inter-card processing machine 10 subtracts a predetermined number from the stored ball number and pays out the corresponding game ball number. . Here, the inter-card processing machine 10 is in a case where the number of possessed balls other than its own rate exists, and the possessed ball replay using the number of possessed balls other than its own rate is permitted. If the setting has been made, the number of balls possessed other than the player's own rate can be converted to the number of balls possessed by the player's own rate in accordance with the operation of the player, and the ball replay can be performed. Here, assuming that the unit price A per game medium of another rate and the unit price of the own machine rate are B, X × (A / B) payout processing is performed by subtracting X pieces of balls at other rates. It can be performed.

  If the inter-card processing machine 10 receives from the gaming machine 20 management shift request data for shifting the management by setting the number of playable games of the gaming machine 20 to be the possessed balls of the inter-card processing machine 10, the management shift is performed. The number of possible games indicated in the request data is added to the number of balls possessed by the own device. Thereafter, if a card return operation is received, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the ball-addition request data to the card management device 40. The ball-addition request data includes the card ID of the card to be returned, an address specifying the inter-card processing machine 10 that is the sender, or arbitrary identification data, and the number of balls at each rate. .

  When receiving the card return operation, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the ball-addition request data to the card management device 40. The ball-addition request data includes the card ID of the card to be returned, an address specifying the inter-card processing machine 10 that is the sender, or arbitrary identification data, and the number of balls at each rate. .

  Upon receiving the ball-addition request data, the card management device 40 adds the ball-number included in the ball-addition request data to the ball-number at each rate associated with the card ID. Thereafter, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the card ejection notification data to the card management device 40.

  Next, a description will be given of a stored ball replay process in the gaming system shown in FIG. When reading the card ID from the membership card or a portable terminal usable as a membership card, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. The card insertion notification data includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-card processor 10, an address for specifying the inter-card processor 10 as a transmission source, or arbitrary identification data, And data for specifying 10 rates.

  The card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data received from the inter-card processing machine 10 to the member management device 50. Upon receiving the card insertion notification data, the member management device 50 determines the password associated with the card ID in the card insertion notification data and the number of coins stored at the rate specified by the card insertion notification data among the coins stored. And the ball storage replay data including the possible number of ball storage replays is transmitted to the inter-card processing machine 10. The possible number of ball savings replays indicates the number of times the ball savings replay can be performed, and corresponds to a quotient obtained by dividing the number of ball savings by the payout unit of game balls in the ball savings replay. However, when an upper limit is set for the ball storage replay, the possible number of the ball storage replay is limited by the upper limit.

  The inter-stands card processor 10 stores the received ball replay data, and when the possible number of ball replays indicated in the ball replay data is one or more, enables the ball replay operation.

  After storing the ball replay data, the inter-card processing machine 10 prompts the player to enter a password when the ball replay operation is first received, and the entered password is stored in the ball replay data. It is determined whether or not the password matches the personal identification number indicated in (1).

  When the personal identification numbers match, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the stored ball replay request data to the card management device 40. This ball storage replay request data includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-card processing machine 10, an address for specifying the inter-card processing machine 10 which is the transmission source, or arbitrary identification data, and the inter-card processing. And data for specifying the rate of the device 10.

  The card management device 40 transmits the ball-play replay request data to the member management device 50. If the member management device 50 receives the ball-stop replay request data, the member management device 50 subtracts a predetermined value from the balance of the ball-point at the rate specified by the message among the ball-points associated with the card ID in the ball-point replay request data. Then, recalculate the possible number of ball replays. Then, the ball storage replay data including the balance after the subtraction and the possible number of ball storage replays is transmitted to the inter-card processor 10.

  The inter-card processing machine 10 updates the stored number of stored balls and performs payout processing of the number of game balls corresponding to the payout unit of the stored ball replay. Here, the inter-card processing machine 10 is set to permit replay of the accumulated ball using the number of accumulated coins other than the rate of the own machine when the number of accumulated coins other than the rate of the own machine exists. In this case, as in the case of ball replay, in accordance with the operation of the player, the number of balls saved other than the player's own rate can be converted to the number of balls saved at the player's own rate, and the player can play the ball replay. it can. Further, after the payout process, the inter-card processing machine 10 determines whether the possible number of the accumulated ball replays after the update is one or more. If the possible number of accumulated ball replays is 0, it is determined that the accumulated ball replay operation cannot be accepted. If the possible number of the accumulated ball replays after the update is 1 or more, the accumulated ball replay operation can be accepted again. It is not necessary to confirm the password in the second and subsequent ball replays. The confirmation of the personal identification number may be performed every time. In addition, here, the case where the inter-card processing machine 10 performs the payout processing of the game ball after the member management device 50 subtracts the balance of the game ball is described, but the payout processing of the game ball is performed based on the ballpark replay request. After performing, the balance of the savings may be subtracted. This is because the possible number of ball-ball replays is indicated in the ball-ball replay data before the ball-ball replay request, and the shortage of the balance is not determined after the ball-ball replay request is accepted.

  Next, a description will be given of a shift from a held ball to a stored ball in the store closing process. The card management device 40 checks the number of balls held in the card management data at the time of the store closing process, and if there is a record associated with the number of balls held larger than zero, the number of balls held in the record together with the card ID and the rate. Notify the member management device 50. The member management device 50 adds the number of balls held notified from the card management device 40 to the number of balls to be stored specified by the card ID and the rate. After that, the card management device 40 clears the number of possessed balls to zero.

  Next, the appearances of the inter-card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the inter-card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20. Although FIG. 3 shows the inter-card processing machine 10 that accepts only bills, a unit for receiving coins may be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-card processing machine 10 includes a status display unit 11, a bill insertion slot 12a, a display operation unit 13, a display operation unit 22, a card insertion slot 14a, and a shade unit 14b.

  The status display unit 11 displays the status of the device of the inter-card processing machine 10 by lighting or blinking a lamp of a predetermined color. The bill insertion slot 12a is an insertion slot for various bills required for lending game balls. The display operation unit 13 is a device that displays an operation button such as a touch panel type liquid crystal display and receives an input operation using the operation button.

  The card insertion slot 14a is an insertion slot for a card possessed by the player. The holding section 14b is a section for holding the mobile terminal used for member registration. When the mobile terminal is held over the holding section 14b, data such as a unique ID (for example, IDm) of the mobile terminal is read from the mobile terminal.

  The display operation unit 22 is a display device such as a touch panel display, and is located at the front of the gaming machine 20, but its input / output is controlled by the inter-card processor 10. The display operation unit 22 is used for displaying various information such as the balance of possessed balls and receiving various operations such as a display switching operation.

  The gaming machine 20 is provided with a gaming board surface, a handle 21 used when the enclosed game balls are thrown out on the gaming board surface, and a counting button 23.

  The count button 23 subtracts the number of playable games of the gaming machine 20 and adds the corresponding number to the number of balls of the inter-card processing machine 10 to manage the number of balls that can be thrown out of the gaming machine 20 from the This is an operation button for performing management transfer to be transferred to the card processor 10. This management shift corresponds to a counting process in which an open-type gaming machine in which a real game ball is paid out by a prize, the paid-out game ball is counted by the inter-card processing machine 10 and added to the possessed ball.

  Next, the configurations of the inter-card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configurations of the inter-card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the inter-card processing machine 10 includes a bill transporting unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a holding unit 14 b, a communication unit 15, a game management unit 18, a storage unit 16, a control unit 17, and a display operation unit 22.

  The bill transport unit 12 is a transport unit that determines the denomination and authenticity of a bill inserted from the bill insertion slot 12a and transports the bill to a bill storage unit (not shown). The display operation unit 13 is an input / output device such as a touch panel type liquid crystal display for displaying various information such as a prepaid value, the number of balls, and the number of balls to be used for ball lending, and accepting various operations such as ball lending operations. It is.

  The reader / writer 14 is a device that reads a card ID from a card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a. The card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a is stored in a card storage unit (not shown) via the reader / writer 14. The holding unit 14b is an interface unit that reads various information such as a unique ID (for example, IDm) of the mobile terminal by short-range wireless communication when the mobile terminal or the like is held over, and is associated with the mobile terminal owned by the player. It is used for replaying the number of saved balls. In addition, the reader / writer 14 associates a card stored in the card storage unit with a valuable value such as a possessed ball or a prepaid value indicated in the card data 16b and issues the card as a new card in response to a return operation of the player. Also have. However, if the prepaid value shown in the card data 16b is 0 and the number of balls held is less than a certain number, control is performed so that the card is not returned even if there is a return operation. This is a control for suppressing a loss at a game store due to discarding a card associated with a small number of balls. As a certain number, for example, a value obtained by multiplying the number of possessed balls by the lending unit price per ball can be set so as to be the value of the card or the lowest-priced prize in the game store. Can be set freely according to store policy. Further, in the case of controlling not to return the card even if there is a return operation, the stored ball can be transmitted to the gaming machine 20 as the number of playable games, but the fact that the card cannot be returned and the A display urging replay may be displayed.

  The communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication with the card management device 40 and the like via the island controller 30.

  The storage unit 16 is a storage device including a hard disk device and a nonvolatile memory. The storage unit 16 stores the own device status data 16a and the card data 16b.

  The own device status data 16a is data indicating the status of the inter-card card processor 10. The own device status data 16a includes the device ID of the inter-card processing machine and the game settings. The device ID of the inter-card processing machine is identification data for uniquely identifying the inter-card processing machine 10 in a game arcade. The game setting is data indicating a game type and the like set in the inter-card processing machine 10. When dealing with a plurality of rates of game balls in a game store, "ball 1" for 4-yen game balls, "ball 2" for 2-yen game balls, and "ball 3" for 1-yen game balls A game type name is set and managed for each rate, such as "ball 4" for a game ball with a 0.5 yen rate. The inter-card processing machine 10 selects a rate to be used for a game from these game types, and stores it as a game setting.

  The card data 16b is data relating to the card being used by the player. The card data 16b includes a card ID, a prepaid value, a possessed ball, a stored ball, a possible number of stored ball replays, and the like. The card ID is a card ID read by the reader / writer 14. When a card is conveyed from a card storage unit (not shown) to the card insertion slot 14a and the card is ejected, the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during the conveyance. Also, when a card is transported from the card insertion slot 14a to a card storage unit (not shown), the card data 16b is updated with the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during the transport.

  The game management unit 18 is a processing unit that performs processes related to authentication and communication with the gaming machine 20. It is desirable that the game management section 18 be formed on a different substrate from the control section 17. The game management section 18 has an authentication processing section 18a, an authentication key management section 18b, and a gaming machine state management section 18c.

  The authentication processing unit 18a performs authentication of the gaming machine 20 using the authentication key received from the card management device 40. If the authentication is successful, the authentication processing unit 18a transmits an operation permission to the gaming machine 20. Even if the authentication has failed, the authentication processing unit 18a transmits an operation permission to the gaming machine 20 within a predetermined period from the last successful authentication, but after a predetermined period has elapsed since the last successful authentication. Does not transmit the operation permission to the gaming machine 20, and prohibits the use of the gaming machine 20. The authentication processing unit 18a transmits the result of the authentication such as the success or failure of the authentication to the card management device 40, and controls the display operation unit 13 to appropriately display the result.

  The authentication key management unit 18b is a processing unit that manages an authentication key. A use time is set for the authentication key, and when the total operating time of the gaming machine 20 reaches the use time of the authentication key, the authentication key becomes unusable. Specifically, the authentication key management unit 18b manages the usage time of the authentication key by using the energization time of the board on which the game management unit 18 is formed as the operation time of the gaming machine 20. When the authentication key becomes unusable, the authentication key management unit 18b acquires a new authentication key from the authentication key management center via the card management device 40, and updates the authentication key.

  The gaming machine state management unit 18c is a processing unit that communicates with the gaming machine 20 and manages the state of the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the gaming machine state management unit 18c acquires the gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20, transmits an addition request to the number of playable balls by lending the ball, and changes the number of balls to the number of playable balls by replaying the held ball. Transmission of a management shift request, transmission of an addition request to the number of playable balls by replay of ball storage, reception of game results such as the number of driven balls and the number of awarded balls in the gaming machine 20, and the conversion of the number of playable balls to the number of dice by counting The management shift request is received. The gaming machine state management unit 18c periodically acquires the number of playable gaming machines 20 as a reference value. The number of possible games acquired by the gaming machine state management unit 18c can be displayed and controlled on the display operation unit 13 and the like. Note that the communication between the inter-card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 may use encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

  Note that the gaming machine state management unit 18c may further acquire the current playable number of the gaming machines 20, the state set for the game such as "big hit", and the operating state of the handle 21. The time interval at which the gaming machine state management unit 18c acquires the state of the gaming machine 20 is desirably set shorter than the interval at which gaming balls are fired (used) in the gaming machine 20.

  Further, the gaming machine state management unit 18c can acquire a state relating to gaming performance from the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the gaming machine 20 stores the selected lottery setting, and the gaming machine state management unit 18c can acquire the lottery setting from the gaming machine 20.

  The control unit 17 is a control unit that controls the entire inter-card processing machine 10, and includes a data management unit 17a, a game setting processing unit 17b, a game machine information notification unit 17c, and a notification processing unit 17d.

  When a card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits card insertion notification data including the device ID of the own device status data 16a and the card ID of the card data 16b to the card management device 40. In addition, when data including a valuable value (at least one of the prepaid value, the number of balls held, and the number of accumulated balls) is received from the card management device 40, the data management unit 17a updates the card data 16b with the received value. . The data management unit 17a controls the display operation unit 13 to appropriately display the prepaid value, the number of balls, and the number of accumulated balls indicated in the card data 16b.

  Further, when a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 12a, the data management unit 17a transmits payment notification data including the amount of the inserted bill, the card ID, and the inter-card processing machine ID to the card management device 40.

  Further, the data management unit 17a transmits ball lending request data including the card ID and the device ID to the card management device 40 when a ball lending operation is performed by the player. If ball lending permission data is received as a response to the ball lending request data, the data management unit 17a instructs the game management unit 18 to add a predetermined number of balls to the playable number of the gaming machine 20. Perform payout processing.

  In addition, when a game player performs a ball-playing replay operation, the data management unit 17a subtracts a predetermined number from the ball-holding number indicated in the card data 16b, and determines the corresponding ball-number in the gaming machine 20. The payout process is performed by instructing the game management unit 18 to add to the possible number.

  In addition, when the possible number of ball storage replays indicated in the card data 16b is one or more, the data management unit 17a displays a ball storage replay button on the display operation unit 13 and can accept a ball storage replay operation. And The data management unit 17a transmits ball storage replay request data including the card ID and the inter-card processing machine ID to the member management device 50 when the player performs a ball storage replay operation. If the ball replay data is received as a response to the ball replay request data, the number of balls stored in the card data 16b is updated, and the payout unit of the ball replay is added to the playable number of the gaming machine 20. The payout process is performed by instructing the management unit 18. At the time of the first ball storage replay operation, input of a password is requested, and ball storage replay request data is transmitted on condition that the password matches the password shown in the card data 16b.

  In addition, when the game management unit 18 receives a game ball transfer request from the gaming machine 20, the data management unit 17a adds the number of balls specified by the game management unit 18 to the number of balls in the card data 16b. Update.

  Further, when the card return operation is performed by the player, the data management unit 17a transmits the ball-addition request data including the card ID, the device ID, and the number of balls to the card management device 40, and transmits the card data 16b After clearing the number of balls to zero, the card discharge notification data is transmitted to the card management device 40, and the card is discharged.

  The game setting processing unit 17b displays the rate corresponding to the current game type set in the game setting of the own device state data 16a on the display operation unit 13 or each display device 110, and displays the rate by the player. When the setting for accepting the selection is made, the selectable rate is displayed on the display operation unit 13 or each display device 110. When the player selects a desired rate, the game setting processing unit 17b updates the game setting of the own device state data 16a with the game type corresponding to the selected rate. On the other hand, when the setting for accepting the selection of the rate by the player is not set, the selectable rate is not displayed during the game. In this case, a selectable rate is displayed on condition that the remote control operation or the like by the employee is accepted and authentication is performed. When the employee selects a rate, the game setting processing unit 17b updates the game setting of the own device state data 16a with the game type corresponding to the selected rate. Also, in this case, when a signal instructing selection of a game type is received from a higher-level device such as the card management device 40, the own device state data 16a is displayed according to the specified game type without displaying a selectable rate. Update game settings.

  The gaming machine information notification unit 17c performs a process of notifying the card management device 40 of information on the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the gaming machine information notification unit 17c can transmit the result of the game played by the gaming machine 20 to the card management device 40. The result of the game includes the number of driving balls, which is the number of game balls thrown on the game board surface by the gaming machine 20, the number of awarded balls, which is the number of game balls obtained by winning, the lottery results such as big hits, and the like. included. Further, the result of the game may include the processing of the inter-card processing machine 10. For example, deposit, ball lending, ball replay, ball replay, and the like can be included in the game result.

  In addition, it is also possible to transmit the result of the game performed in the test mode outside the business hours to the card management device 40 without being limited to the result of the game performed for the player during the business hours. In particular, the change of the state related to the gaming performance of the gaming machine 20 is performed outside the business hours based on the game result in the test mode.

  Further, the gaming machine information notifying unit 17c can acquire the lottery setting stored in the gaming machine 20 and output it by displaying it on the display operating unit 13 or transmitting it to the card management device 40. By obtaining and outputting the lottery setting of the gaming machine 20, it becomes possible to accurately manage the lottery setting of the gaming machine 20. In particular, when changing the lottery setting, it can be confirmed that the change has been properly completed. Further, the game result can be analyzed in detail by associating the game result with the lottery setting.

  The notification processing unit 17d performs notification using the display output of the display operation unit 13 and the display operation unit 22 when the state of the gaming performance related to the gaming machine 20 needs to be changed. This notification is performed based on an instruction from the card management device 40. In addition, the notification can include a message indicating that the state of the game performance needs to be changed, and the recommended change content.

  Next, an internal configuration of the gaming machine 20 will be described. The gaming machine 20 includes a communication control unit 24, an effect control unit 25, a game control unit 26, and a game ball control unit 27. The communication control unit 24 is a control unit for controlling data communication with the inter-card processing machine 10. Communication with the inter-card processing machine 10 may use encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

  The communication control unit 24 reads the identification information from the control CPU provided in the game control unit 26 and / or the game ball control unit 27 at the time of starting the gaming machine 20 and checks whether the identification information is appropriate. Then, the communication with the inter-card processing machine 10 is established and the apparatus enters a standby state. In the standby state, if an operation permission is received from the inter-card processing machine 10, the effect control unit 25, the game control unit 26, and the game ball control unit 27 are activated, and the game is enabled.

  The game control unit 26 is a control unit that controls a game played by the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the game control unit 26 controls the firing of the game ball to the game board surface by detecting the handle operation, the detection of the game ball entering the winning opening on the game board surface, and the random number (0 to Acquisition and lottery (special symbols and ordinary symbols) of random number values of 65535, which are assigned big hits, small hits, and misses for each predetermined range, and movable members (tulips etc.) provided on the game board ), Display control of a special symbol display device provided on the game board surface, detection of an abnormality (the front frame is opened, vibration is detected, etc.) which may be illegal, and notification to a higher-level device.

  A large number of obstacle nails are planted on the game board surface, and the game balls fired on the game board surface by operating the handle fall between the obstacle nails and win or win the winning opening, starting opening or win. Is discharged out of the game board from the out port of the game board. A lottery is performed when the game ball wins the starting opening, and when a big hit is made, a big hit game is performed in which a predetermined winning opening on the gaming board surface is controlled to be opened plural times, and the game ball wins in this winning opening. , A prize ball is given to the player.

  In addition, the big hit includes a big hit game with a privilege for giving a predetermined privilege game to a player after the big hit game ends. The jackpot game with a privilege includes a probability fluctuation jackpot and a time reduction jackpot. The probability fluctuation jackpot and the time reduction jackpot are to give a probability fluctuation game and a time reduction game as bonus games after the jackpot, respectively. The time-saving game is a variation of the normal symbol lottery (opening and closing lottery of the movable member described above) and / or a special symbol lottery (big hit lottery by winning the above-mentioned game ball) (from when the lottery process is started until the result is displayed) This is a bonus game in which the number of lotteries per unit time is increased by shortening the time, and the probability of winning a big hit per unit time is increased. This bonus game may include a normal symbol probability variation that increases the probability of winning the normal symbol. The time-saving game based on the time-saving big hit ends when the number of times of the special symbol lottery is performed a predetermined number of times after the big hit. The probability variation game will be described later.

  The game control unit 26 has a probability changing function. The probability variation function performs control of changing the random number range of the jackpot to be used for the next lottery (generally about 10 times) when the lottery result falls within a particularly determined random number range among the jackpots. Function. In the probability changing game, a special symbol lottery is performed using the changed probability. The probability variation game is continued until the next big hit is won. Further, the probability variation game and the time reduction game may be simultaneously provided. However, in order to prevent accidental damage to a game store, if a player obtains a certain game medium after starting a probability-variable game or a time-saving game, the player must stop the game (eject the card once, request a prize exchange or move the platform). Yes) processing. In this case, the game machine 20 counts the number of game media acquired after the probability variation gaming state is reached, and performs game stop control such as stopping the emission of game balls when the counted value reaches a predetermined value. This can be achieved by:

  The effect control unit 25 is a control unit that controls an effect during a game, and includes an effect symbol lottery unit 25a and an effect lottery unit 25b. The effect symbol lottery unit 25a draws (specifically, finally displays) an effect symbol (a symbol displayed on an effect symbol display device such as a display device in a game board) based on the special symbol lottery in the game control unit 26. 7, 7, 7).

  The effect lottery unit 25b performs a lottery of the type of effect to be performed until the result of the lottery by the effect symbol is displayed (for example, a character appears and performs a reach effect). This effect is set so that the effect selected for the main lottery result is different.

  The effect control unit 25 stores effect data of each effect. Furthermore, the effect control unit 25 controls the display of the effect symbol display device, and at the time of executing the effect, performs the effect display by superimposing the effect data on the background symbol data. When the probability changes, background color data different from the normal state is set.

  The game ball control unit 27 is a control unit that controls the number of playable games. Specifically, the playable number is stored in the playable number memory 27a, and the number of playable games is reduced by "1" each time a game ball is fired, and the number of prize balls awarded by winning is added to the number of playable games. . When the number of balls is notified from the inter-card processing machine 10, the notified number of balls is added to the number of playable games stored in the playable number memory 27a. A confirmation signal indicating the addition to the playable number is transmitted. The game ball control section 27 can also perform cleaning control of game balls (circulation balls) sealed in the gaming machine 20.

  In addition, the game ball control unit 27 periodically transmits the playable number stored in the playable number memory 27 a to the inter-card processing machine 10. In this case, the game ball control unit 27 does not clear the contents of the playable number memory 27a to zero, continues updating the playable number according to the game state, and sends the data to the inter-card processing machine 10 at the time of data acquisition. The number of possible games is transmitted.

  Further, the game ball control section 27 can write and hold the lottery setting in the lottery setting memory 27b. The lottery setting is a set value that specifies the probability of a lottery performed by the game control unit 26 during a game, and the game control unit 26 executes the lottery at a probability corresponding to the lottery setting. The lottery setting memory 27b is not limited to the game ball control unit 27, but may be provided in the game control unit 26, the effect control unit 25, and the like.

  The gaming machine 20 is provided with a counting button 23, and a signal indicating that the counting button 23 has been pressed is input to the game ball control unit 27. The game ball control unit 27 detects the pressing operation of the counting button 23, and if the time from the rise to the fall of the detection signal is less than a certain time, the number of playable games by a certain number (for example, 100 balls per one operation). The management transfer request is transmitted to the inter-card processing machine 10 together with the data of (1). Then, the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-card processing machine 10 is subtracted (invalidated) from the playable number. In addition, when the pressing operation of the counting button 23 is detected and the falling is not detected for a predetermined time or more after the rising of the detection signal, a certain number (for example, 5 seconds The management transfer request is transmitted to the inter-card processing machine 10 together with the data of the number of playable games (200 coins). Then, the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-card processing machine 10 is subtracted (invalidated) from the playable number. When subtracting from the playable number, a method of decrementing the value to be subtracted from the value of 1 stored in the memory, updating the value stored in the memory with the value after the subtraction, and deleting or logically deleting the value before the subtraction A method of deleting and invalidating the value is conceivable, but is not particularly limited as long as the value after subtraction can be specified.

  The game control unit 26 and the game ball control unit 27 are respectively formed on separate substrates. The game control board on which the game control unit 26 is configured and the game ball control board on which the game ball control unit 27 is configured have unique IDs. The gaming machine 20 combines the ID of the game control board and the ID of the game ball control board and uses them as the gaming machine ID.

  Next, an example of data stored in the storage unit 16 of the inter-card processing machine 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the storage unit 16 of the inter-card processing machine 10.

  The own device status data 16a shown in FIG. 5A indicates that the device ID of the inter-card processing machine 10 is “3001” and “ball 3” is set as the game type of the inter-card processing machine 10. Is shown.

  The card data 16b shown in FIG. 5B shows a state where the ID of the card inserted into the inter-card processor 10 is “2002”. Here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, the card with the first digit “1” is a general card, and the card with the first digit “2” is a membership card. Further, the card data 16b indicates a state in which the prepaid value is “2000 degrees”. Here, the frequency of the prepaid value is equivalent to 1 yen per frequency. The card data 16b indicates that the number of balls held for ball 1 is “0”, the number of balls held for ball 2 is “0”, the number of balls held for ball 3 is “875”, and the number of balls held for ball 4 is “0”. A state of “500 balls” is shown.

  In the card data 16b, the password for the ball replay is “7777”, the possible number of ball replays is “1”, the number of balls stored for ball 1 is “250”, and the ball 2 This shows a state in which the number of stored balls is “0”, the number of stored balls of ball 3 is “50”, and the number of stored balls of ball 4 is “0”. Although not shown, the card management device 40 also stores ON / OFF of a “lock” flag indicating validity / invalidity of the card in addition to the possessed ball, the accumulated coins, and the prepaid value in association with the card ID. Is turned on by an employee operation when the card is stolen. These data are also included and stored in the card data 16b. Furthermore, this "lock" flag can be set for each function ("use of coins", "entry", etc.). For example, only the "entry" function is subject to "lock" at the request of the player. Alternatively, it can be used to prevent erroneous operations.

  Next, the configuration of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the card management device 40 includes a display unit 41, an input unit 42, an external network communication unit 43, a store network communication unit 44, a storage unit 45, and a control unit 46.

  The display unit 41 is a display device of a liquid crystal display device. The input unit 42 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The external network communication unit 43 is an interface unit for performing data communication via a network outside the game store. The store network communication unit 44 is an interface unit for performing data communication with the island controller 30, the member management device 50, the prize management device 60, and the checkout machine 80 via a communication line in the game store.

  The storage unit 45 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a nonvolatile memory, and stores game type setting data 45a, card management data 45b, device management data 45c, and state management data 45d.

  The game type setting data 45a is data in which a lending rate and a display name are associated with a game type. The card management data 45b is data in which the prepaid value, the number of balls held for each game type, and the used device ID indicating the device ID of the inter-card processing machine 10 in which the card is inserted are associated with the card ID. is there. The device management data 45c is data relating to devices arranged in the game arcade. The device management data 45c includes the device ID of the inter-card processing machine 10, the address of the inter-card processing machine 10, the installation location, the gaming machine ID and the model data of the attached gaming machine 20.

  The state management data 45d is data in which identification information of the gaming machine 20 is associated with a state relating to gaming performance. The state relating to the game performance includes a nail adjustment state, a lottery setting, and the like.

  The control unit 46 is a control unit that controls the entire card management device 40, and includes a game type setting management unit 46a, a card management unit 46b, a device management unit 46c, a gaming machine status management unit 46d, a game result acquisition unit 46e, a determination And a notification control unit 46g. Actually, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a non-illustrated ROM or a non-volatile memory, and these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed, whereby a game type setting management unit is executed. 46a, the card management unit 46b, the device management unit 46c, the gaming machine state management unit 46d, the game result acquisition unit 46e, the determination unit 46f, and the notification control unit 46g execute the corresponding processes.

  The game type setting management unit 46a is a processing unit that manages, as game type setting data 45a, a game type used in a game store, a rate, and a display name in association with each other.

  The card management unit 46b is a processing unit that manages the card management data 45b. Specifically, when the card management unit 46 b receives the card insertion notification data from the inter-card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46 b changes the use destination device ID of the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data to the card insertion notification. The device ID shown in the data is used. Further, the prepaid value associated with the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data and the number of balls held at each rate are notified to the inter-card processing machine 10 as value. If the inserted card is a member card, the card management server 50 transmits card insertion notification data to the member management device 50. The card management unit 46b clears the number of possessed balls at the rate indicated in the possessed ball subtraction request data to zero when receiving the possessed ball subtraction request data from the inter-card processing machine 10.

  In addition, when receiving the ball lending request data including the card ID from the inter-card processor 10, the card management unit 46b determines whether the prepaid value associated with the card ID is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. . When the prepaid value is equal to or more than the predetermined value, the card management unit 46b subtracts the predetermined value from the prepaid value stored in the card management data 45b and includes the updated prepaid value in the inter-card processing machine 10. Send ball lending permission data. On the other hand, when the prepaid value is less than the predetermined value, the card management unit 46b notifies the inter-card processing machine 10 of the ball lending impossible data.

  When the card management unit 46b receives the payment notification data including the amount of money, the card ID, and the device ID inserted from the inter-card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46b notifies the prepaid value associated with the card ID of the payment. Add the prepaid value for the amount shown in.

  In addition, when the card management unit 46 b receives the ball storage replay request data from the inter-card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46 b transfers the ball storage replay request data to the member management device 50. In addition, the response data from the member management device 50 to the accumulated ball replay request data is also transferred to the card management device 40.

  When the card management unit 46b receives the ball-addition request data, the card management unit 46b adds the ball-number included in the ball-addition request data to the ball-number at the corresponding rate. When receiving the card ejection notification data, the card management unit 46b deletes the use destination device ID of the card ID.

  When receiving the card ID from the prize management device 60, the card management unit 46b notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls held at each rate associated with the card ID. When receiving the card ID from the payment machine 80, the card management unit 46b notifies the payment machine 80 of the prepaid value associated with the card ID.

  The device management unit 46c is a processing unit that manages the device management data 45c. The device management unit 46c generates and updates the device management data 45c based on the device ID acquired from the inter-card processor 10, the address of the inter-card processor 10, the installation location, and the gaming machine ID.

  The gaming machine state management unit 46d manages the state related to the gaming performance of the gaming machine 20 by storing the state in the state management data 45d in association with the identification information of the gaming machine 20. The state relating to the game performance includes a nail adjustment state, a lottery setting, and the like.

  The game result acquisition unit 46e performs a process of acquiring a result of a game by the gaming machine 20 as a game result. The game results include the number of hits, which are game balls thrown out by the gaming machine 20 on the game board surface, the number of awarded balls, which is the number of game balls obtained by winning, a lottery result such as a big hit, a deposit amount, a loaned ball. This includes the number, the number of ball replays, and the number of ball replays. The game result acquisition unit 46e can total the acquired game results, and obtain the big hit probability, the number of payouts, and the like.

  The determination unit 46f performs a game result determination to determine whether or not a state related to the game performance needs to be changed using the game results acquired and counted by the game result acquisition unit 46e. Specifically, the determination unit 46f determines that the state related to the game performance needs to be changed when the game result deviates from the appropriate range.

  As a result of the determination, the notification control unit 46g notifies the gaming machine 20 that the state of the gaming performance needs to be changed. This notification can be performed by a list display on the display unit 41 or a display by the inter-card processing machine 10 attached to the gaming machine 20 which needs to change the state related to the game performance. In addition, in the notification, a change content in which the game performance is within the range is notified as a recommended change content.

  Next, an example of data stored in the storage unit 45 of the card management device 40 will be described. 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit 45 of the card management device 40.

  In the game type setting data 45a shown in FIG. 7A, the rate "4 yen" and the display name "4 cracks" are associated with the game type name "ball 1". In addition, the game type setting data 45a associates the rate “2 yen” and the display name “2 cracks” with the game type name “ball 2”. In addition, the game type setting data 45a associates the rate “1 yen” and the display name “1 crack” with the game type name “ball 3”.

  In the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 7B, the card ID “1001” has a prepaid value “2500”, the number of balls 1 “1500”, the number of balls 2 “2300”, and the number of balls 3 Is associated with the number of balls "0". That is, the card with the card ID “1001” is not inserted in the inter-card processing machine 10, and the management of the ball is performed by the card management device 40.

  In the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 7B, the card ID "1002" is associated with the prepaid value "500", the number of balls held at each rate "0", and the destination apparatus ID "3004". That is, the card with the card ID “1002” is inserted into the inter-card processing machine 10 with the device ID “3004”, and the number of balls held is transferred to the inter-card processing machine 10. Therefore, the number of balls held at each rate is zero.

  In the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 7B, the prepaid value "2000", the number of balls held at each rate "0", and the destination apparatus ID "3001" are associated with the card ID "2002". That is, the card with the card ID “2002” has been inserted into the inter-card processing machine 10 with the device ID “3001”, and the management of the possessed balls has been transferred to the inter-card processing machine 10. Therefore, the number of balls held at each rate is zero.

  In the device management data 45c shown in FIG. 7C, the network address of the inter-card processor 10 having the device ID "3001" is "AB.CD.EF.GH" and the installation location is "Island 1-." 1 ", the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is" A0012X4233 ", the game type is" ball 3 ", and the model of the connected gaming machine 20 is" EV01 ". It also indicates that the gaming machine 20 is in use.

  The state management data 45d illustrated in FIG. 8D associates a model, a gaming machine ID, a game result, a determination result, and a state related to game performance. The game result includes various total values by the game result acquisition unit 46e, such as a big hit probability. The determination result takes one of two values: “in range” indicating that the game result is within the appropriate range, and “range deviation” indicating that the game result is outside the appropriate range.

  The state relating to the game performance includes a lottery setting, a recommended setting, a nail adjustment angle, and a recommended angle. The lottery setting indicates a lottery setting set in the gaming machine 20. The recommended setting indicates a lottery setting recommended to be within an appropriate range when the determination result is “range deviation”. The nail adjustment angle indicates the angle of the main obstacle nail. The recommended angle indicates the angle of the obstacle nail that is recommended to be within the appropriate range when the determination result is “out of range”. That is, the recommended settings and the recommended angles are the changes recommended by the card management device 40. If the determination result is “within the range”, the recommended setting and the recommended angle are set to “−” indicating that there is no need to change.

  Specifically, the model “EV01”, the gaming machine ID “P001”, the jackpot probability of the game result “1/199”, the determination result “in range”, the lottery setting “3”, the recommended setting “−”, the nail adjustment angle "89 degrees" and the recommended angle "-" are associated.

  Also, the model “EV02”, the gaming machine ID “P002”, the jackpot probability of the game result “1/230”, the determination result “in range”, the lottery setting “6”, the recommended setting “−”, and the nail adjustment angle “90 degrees” ”And a recommended angle“ − ”.

  In addition, the model “EV02”, the gaming machine ID “P003”, the jackpot probability of the game result “1/250”, the determination result “in range”, the lottery setting “3”, the recommended setting “−”, and the nail adjustment angle “91 degrees” ”And a recommended angle“ − ”.

  In addition, model “EV02”, gaming machine ID “P004”, jackpot probability of game result “1/320”, determination result “range deviation”, lottery setting “1”, recommended setting “4-6”, nail adjustment angle “ 88 degrees "and a recommended angle of" 90 to 92 degrees ".

  Next, a processing procedure related to the management of the game performance by the card management device 40 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure related to the management of the game performance by the card management device 40.

  First, the gaming machine state management unit 46d of the card management device 40 stores the lottery setting and the nail adjustment state in the state management data 45d for each gaming machine (step S101). Then, the game result acquiring unit 46e starts the test mode (Step S102), and acquires the game result of each game machine 20 in the test mode (Step S103).

  The determination unit 46f performs a game result determination to determine whether or not a change in the state relating to the game performance is necessary, using the game results acquired and counted by the game result acquisition unit 46e (Step S104). If there is a gaming machine 20 whose game result is out of the appropriate range (Step S105; No), the notification control unit 46g notifies an alert (Step S106) and notifies the user of the recommended change (Step S106). S107), and proceeds to step S103.

  The alert notification may be performed by displaying a list on the display unit 41. In addition, the notification of the recommended change content may be made by a display by the between-stands card processing machine 10 attached to the corresponding gaming machine 20. This is because the person in charge can change the lottery settings and adjust the obstacles while checking the displayed changes. After the end of the operation, the game in the test mode is performed by the gaming machine 20, and it is determined whether or not the game result is within the appropriate range by the processing after step S103.

  If the game results of all the gaming machines 20 are within the appropriate range (Step S105; Yes), the game result acquisition unit 46e ends the test mode (Step S108) and notifies that it is possible to operate. Then (step S109), the process ends.

  Next, analysis and comparison of game results will be described. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for analyzing and comparing game results. When acquiring the game result, the game performance of the gaming machine 20 can be analyzed in more detail and compared by associating the state relating to the game performance.

  For example, if there is a pachinko gaming machine that cannot change the lottery setting, and if it becomes possible to change the lottery setting with the succeeding machine, the gaming shop that considers replacing the successor machine will consider the gaming performance of the old model before the replacement. There is a request to set a state relating to the game performance of a new model, which is a successor machine, for reference. In such a case, the game result of the old model and the game result of the new model are compared, and setting and adjustment corresponding to a desired game result may be performed.

  FIG. 10 shows the game results of the old model “EV03” having no lottery setting change function and the new model “EV03a” having the lottery setting change function. Specifically, the model “EV03”, the jackpot probability of the game result “1/199”, the payout rate of the game result “102.3%”, and the nail adjustment angle “89 degrees” are associated with each other. In addition, the model “EV03”, the jackpot probability of the game result “1/230”, the payout rate of the game result “98.3%”, and the nail adjustment angle “93 degrees” are associated with each other. In addition, the model “EV03”, the jackpot probability of the game result “1/250”, the payout rate of the game result “87.7%”, and the nail adjustment angle “91 degrees” are associated with each other.

  Similarly, in FIG. 10, the model “EV03a”, the big hit probability of the game result “1/240”, the payout rate of the game result “94.9%”, the lottery setting “4”, and the nail adjustment angle “92 degrees” Associated. In addition, the model “EV03a”, the jackpot probability of the game result “1/267”, the payout rate of the game result “86.5%”, the lottery setting “2”, and the nail adjustment angle “90 degrees” are associated with each other. In addition, the model “EV03a”, the jackpot probability of the game result “1/200”, the payout rate of the game result “108.8%”, the lottery setting “5”, and the nail adjustment angle “88 degrees” are associated with each other.

  In this way, by managing the game results of the old model and the new model in association with the state related to the game performance, the game performance of the old model and the game performance of the new model are compared, and the desired game performance of the new model is determined. Lottery settings and nail adjustments can be made to achieve this.

  Similarly, a comparison can be made between gaming machines of different models. In addition, FIG. 10 illustrates the jackpot probability and the payout rate, but the gaming machine 20 can be analyzed using any index such as the number of revolutions, the profit rate, and the gross profit. Furthermore, for example, when a desired platform gross is designated, it becomes possible to output a lottery setting or a nail adjustment angle corresponding to the designated platform gross as a recommended setting.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the card management device 40 stores the state related to the gaming performance of the gaming machine 20 as state management data, acquires the game result by the gaming machine 20, and determines the state related to the gaming performance. A game result determination using the game result is performed to notify a gaming machine that needs to change a state related to the gaming performance, so that the gaming performance of the gaming machine 20 can be efficiently managed.

  Further, by causing the inter-card processing machine 10 attached to the gaming machine requiring a change in the state relating to the gaming performance to output an output indicating that the change is required, it is possible to easily recognize the target gaming machine. it can. In addition, the card management device 40 can display a list of gaming machines that require a change in state related to gaming performance.

  Also, when the game result deviates from the appropriate range, it is determined that the state related to the game performance needs to be changed, and by notifying the change content that the game performance is within the appropriate range, various operations on the gaming machine 20 can be performed. Efficiency can be improved.

  Specifically, it is possible to evaluate a state of setting for designating a probability in a lottery performed by the gaming machine 20 during a game and an adjustment state of a component that controls the movement of a game ball on the board of the gaming machine 20.

  Note that, in the above-described embodiment, an explanation has been given by taking an example of an enclosed type gaming machine that performs a game using a game medium enclosed therein, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to apply the present invention to an open-type gaming machine that accepts insertion and pays out prize balls.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where a game ball is used as a game medium has been described as an example, but the present invention is also applicable to a case where a medal for a slot machine is used.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the card management device 40 manages the state related to the game performance is exemplified. The management may be performed.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the detailed description of the form of the card as the medium for relating the number of game media is omitted, but such a card includes a magnetic card, an IC card, and the like. In addition, although a “card” has been described as an example here for convenience of description, the present invention can be applied to a case where a chip, a stick, a portable terminal, or the like is used in addition to the card.

  Further, each configuration illustrated is a schematic function, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof is functionally or physically distributed / integrated in arbitrary units according to various loads and usage conditions. Can be configured.

  As described above, the game management system and the game management method according to the present invention are suitable for efficiently managing the game performance of the gaming machine.

10 Card processing machine between 11 11 Status display section 12 Bill transport section 12a Bill insertion slot 13, 22 Display operation section 14 Reader / writer 14a Card insertion slot 14b Holding section 15 Communication section 16, 45 Storage section 16a Own apparatus state data 16b Card data 17, 46 control unit 17a data management unit 17b gaming setting processing unit 17c gaming machine information notification unit 17d notification processing unit 18 gaming management unit 18a authentication processing unit 18b authentication key management unit 18c gaming machine state management unit 20 gaming machine 21 handle 23 counting Button 24 Communication control part 25 Production control part 25a Production design lottery part 25b Production lottery part 26 Game control part 27 Game ball control part 27a Playable number memory 27b Lottery setting memory 30 Island controller 40 Card management device 41 Display part 42 Input part 43 External network communication unit 4 Store network communication unit 45a game type setting data 45b card management data 45c device management data 45d state management data 46a game type setting management unit 46b card management unit 46c device management unit 46d gaming machine state management unit 46e game result acquisition unit 46f determination unit 46g Notification control unit 50 Member management device 60 Prize management device 80 Payment machine

Claims (8)

A game management system that manages games in a game store where a gaming machine that performs a game using a game medium is installed,
State information storage means for storing state information indicating a state relating to gaming performance with respect to the gaming machine,
A game result information acquiring means for acquiring a result of a game by the gaming machine as game result information,
A notifying unit that compares the state information with the game result information and notifies a gaming machine that needs to change a state related to the gaming performance.   2. The game management system according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit causes each of the devices installed in the gaming machine requiring a change in the state related to the game performance to output an output indicating that a change is required. 3. system.   3. The game management system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit displays a list of gaming machines requiring a change in a state related to the gaming performance. 4.   The notifying unit determines that the state of the game performance needs to be changed when the game result information deviates from the appropriate range, and notifies the change content that the game performance is within the appropriate range. The game management system according to claim 1, wherein:   The game management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the state relating to the game performance is a state of setting that specifies a probability in a lottery performed by the gaming machine during the game.   The game management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the state relating to the game performance is an adjustment state of a component that controls movement of the game medium on the board of the game machine. .   The game management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the game machine is an enclosed game machine that performs a game using a game medium enclosed therein. A game management method for managing a game in a game store in which a gaming machine that performs a game using a game medium is installed,
A state information storing step of storing state information indicating a state relating to gaming performance with respect to the gaming machine in a predetermined storage unit;
A game result information obtaining step of obtaining a result of the game by the gaming machine as game result information,
A notification step of comparing the state information with the game result information and notifying a gaming machine requiring a change in the state relating to the gaming performance.

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