JP2018175363A - Device for games and method of controlling device for games - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly manage a communication state between a device for games and a portable terminal device carried by a player.SOLUTION: An inter-machine card processor 10 communicates with a portable terminal device 90 carried by a player by the function of a short-range wireless communication (a), monitors the communication state, and detects disconnection of the communication or reduction in the strength of radio waves (b). When disconnection or the like of the communication occurs, if a game machine operation signal is not being received and a player operation is also not being received, the inter-machine card processor 10 determines that the player has left the seat and makes a shift to an operation locked state (c1). On the other hand, when disconnection or the like of the communication occurs, if the game machine operation signal is being received or the player operation is being received, the inter-machine card processor 10 performs a reconnection of the short-range wireless communication with the portable terminal device 90 (c2).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming apparatus and a gaming apparatus control method installed in a gaming shop that provides gaming using gaming media.

  Conventionally, in the game arcade, a game having a game medium intervened is provided. For example, in pachinko gaming, a game is played by using a game ball as a game medium and striking the game ball into the game board surface. A plurality of winning areas (winning openings) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined number of playing balls are awarded as winning balls based on passage of the playing balls in the winning area. As described above, the number of game media increases or decreases depending on the result of the game, and the game player can exchange the acquired game media for prizes.

  It is general that each base unit is attached to the gaming machine. Each stand device receives payment and performs lending processing of gaming media. In addition, each base device manages the number of gaming media acquired by the game as the number of gaming media, subtracts the number of gaming media and performs a replay process for paying out gaming media (for example, see Patent Document 1) ).

  In addition, when the gaming customer ends the game, when the return button provided on the gaming machine is operated, each stand device discharges the card with the number of holding media managed by the own device in association with the card. The player can exchange the prize for the prize according to the number of game media held by presenting the card with the prize counter. Also, the card is associated with a valuable value that can be used for lending game media. The balance of the valuable value remaining at the end of the game can be settled by a settlement machine.

  When the game player interrupts the game at a break or the like instead of ending the game, the user may leave the seat without discharging the card. In order to prevent the card being taken out illegally by other players while leaving the seat, the function of the operation lock which temporarily prohibits the operation of each base device may be installed, but for a short time Since setting and releasing the operation lock at the time of leaving is complicated, there is a need for a technology for automatically determining the absence of the game player. For example, if the portable terminal device carried by the gaming guest and each base device communicate wirelessly, and if it is determined that they are away when the radio wave intensity of the wireless communication is reduced or the wireless communication is disconnected, It is possible to determine automatically.

JP, 2011-310037, A

  However, when it is determined that the gaming player has left the seat based on the radio wave intensity, there is a problem that a case where erroneous determination is made due to the variation of the radio wave intensity due to the surrounding environment occurs. For example, when a gaming customer puts a portable terminal device in a pocket or a competition with another radio wave occurs, the radio wave intensity decreases even though the gaming customer is not away, and is away from the seat Mistakes may occur. Then, when the operation lock of each platform device is performed based on such an erroneous determination, the game player is inhibited from playing the game.

  From these things, it is important to properly manage the communication state with the portable terminal device carried by the game player. In the game arcade, various devices such as a prize management device and a checkout machine installed in a prize counter are installed, and these gaming devices perform various services by performing wireless communication with the portable terminal device of a gaming guest. Also in the case of providing, management of communication state is important.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems and solve the problems, and it is possible to properly manage the communication state with the portable terminal device carried by the game player and the game apparatus and game Device control method.

  In order to solve the problems described above and to achieve the object, the present invention is a gaming apparatus installed in a game arcade that provides a game using a game medium, and which communicates by radio with a terminal device carried by a gaming guest The wireless communication is disconnected, and the wireless communication reconnection process is performed when the wireless communication is disconnected and the wireless communication is in a predetermined state. And a reconnection processing unit.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, the gaming apparatus is provided on a gaming machine for playing a game using the gaming medium, and each platform apparatus performs processing relating to the gaming medium based on an operation of the gaming customer The present invention is further characterized by further comprising an absence determination unit that determines the absence of the gaming guest based on the state of the wireless communication and the state of the own device determined by the state determination unit.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, when the radio wave intensity of the wireless communication is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the state of the own device is not a predetermined state, It is characterized in that if the state of the own device is in a predetermined state even if the radio wave intensity of the wireless communication is a predetermined value or less, it is determined that the game by the gaming guest is continuing.

  Further, in the present invention according to the above-mentioned invention, when the absence determination unit determines that the gaming guest has left and is accepting a storage medium associated with a value usable for the game, It is characterized by restricting operation by the above-mentioned player.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, the state determination unit is configured to receive a signal indicating that a game is being played from the gaming machine and a state in which an operation by the game player is received. It is characterized in that determination is made as a state.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the reconnection processing unit selectively performs reconnection with a terminal device which is performing wireless communication before the disconnection.

  Further, the present invention is a gaming apparatus control method for controlling a gaming apparatus installed in a gaming shop providing gaming using a gaming medium, the communication step of wirelessly communicating with a terminal apparatus carried by a gaming guest, A state determination step of determining whether or not the own device is in a predetermined state; and reconnection processing for performing reconnection processing of the wireless communication when the wireless communication is disconnected and the own device is in a predetermined state And including steps.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to properly manage the communication state between the gaming apparatus and the portable terminal apparatus carried by the gaming guest.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of each stand device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the game arcade. FIG. 3 is a view showing the appearance of the inter-room card processor. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-room card processor. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the inter-room card processing machine. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for communication with the mobile terminal device. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of notification to a gaming clerk when it is determined that leaving has occurred. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of communication between the clerk terminal device and the inter-base card processor.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a gaming apparatus and a gaming apparatus control method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the present specification, the number of balls is data indicating the gaming media acquired by the gaming customer in the game or the number of the gaming media, and it is possible to provide again for gaming only during the day (time before closing the store) Tell what you can do. The term "reserved balls" refers to game media acquired by a game player in a game or data indicating the number of the game media, and can be used again for the next day or later (time after closing the store). The balls are usable when both a general game player and a member game player can use and change the gaming machine used for the game (so-called platform movement). The balls are normally usable only by member players, and are used when the acquired gaming media are used for the next day or later. A predetermined fee may be charged for use of the balls.

  First, each stand device which is a game device according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of each stand device according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, in the game arcade, an inter-room card processor 10 is juxtaposed to the gaming machine 20. The inter-table card processing machine 10 is each base device that performs various processes related to game balls such as lending of a game ball and replaying based on the operation of a game customer.

  The inter-room card processor 10 has a near field communication function. It is desirable to use a communication standard capable of performing data transmission (broadcasting) that does not specify the communication destination and data transmission / reception (connection) that specifies the communication destination as this short distance wireless communication. As an example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) is available, and particularly, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) with low power consumption is preferable.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the inter-table card processing device 10 communicates with a portable terminal device 90 carried by a gaming customer by the function of near field communication. The mobile terminal device 90 is, for example, a smartphone terminal. The inter-base card processor 10 detects the portable terminal device 90 located in the vicinity of the own device, establishes a connection, and performs communication.

  The inter-base card processor 10 monitors the communication state with the portable terminal device 90, and as shown in FIG. 1 (b), can detect the disconnection of communication and the decrease in radio wave intensity. Then, when detecting disconnection of communication or reduction in radio wave intensity, the inter-standway card processor 10 executes different operations according to the state of the own device.

  Specifically, the inter-room card processing device 10 determines whether or not the gaming machine operation signal is received and whether or not the game customer operation is received as the state of the own device. The gaming machine operation signal is a signal indicating that the gaming machine 20 is performing a game-related operation, and an out signal indicating that the gaming ball has been discharged from the gaming board, or the gaming machine 20 has a prize ball A safe signal or the like indicating that the money has been paid can be used as a gaming machine operation signal. The game customer operation is an operation performed by the game customer on the inter-base card processor 10, and an operation on the display operation unit 13 described later, a deposit operation, and the like can be used as the game customer operation. Furthermore, when the gaming customer performs an operation for calling a gaming staff, it is treated that the gaming customer operation is being performed until the gaming staff corresponding to the calling performs a releasing operation.

  When the disconnection of communication or the like occurs, the gaming machine operation signal is not accepted, and when the game player operation is not accepted either, as illustrated in FIG. 1 (c1), the inter-stage card processor 10 It is determined that the gaming guest has left the seat, and the operation shifts to the operation lock state in which the operation on the inter-room card processing machine 10 is restricted.

  On the other hand, when disconnection of communication or the like occurs, the gaming machine operation signal is received, or when the game player operation is received, the inter-room card processing device 10 as shown in FIG. 1 (c2). Then, it is determined that the gaming state is continuing, and the short-distance wireless communication with the portable terminal device 90 is reconnected. This reconnection is selectively performed on the portable terminal device 90 before disconnection, and connection with the portable terminal device 90 different from that before disconnection is not made.

  As described above, the inter-base card processor 10 communicates with the portable terminal device 90 carried by the gaming guest by near field communication and determines the state of the own device. Then, when the wireless communication is disconnected and the own device is in the predetermined state, the wireless communication reconnection process is executed, so that the wireless communication is prevented from being disconnected during the game, and the communication state is properly made. It can be managed. Further, by determining the absence by using the state of the own device and the radio wave intensity, it is possible to prevent the erroneous determination due to the variation of the radio wave intensity and to determine the absence of the game player with high accuracy.

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

  The gaming machine 20 is a device for playing a game by driving a game ball into a game board surface. A plurality of winning areas (winning openings) are provided on the gaming board surface of the gaming machine 20, and a predetermined number of gaming balls are provided as prize balls based on passage of the gaming balls in the relevant winning area. It has become. In addition, a predetermined number of starting areas (starting openings) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined lottery is performed based on passage of the game balls through the starting areas. If the lottery is a big hit, an operation that is advantageous for the game is performed by, for example, improving the probability of passing the game ball to the above-mentioned winning area or other starting area by the operation of a predetermined movable member or the like. The result of the lottery by passing the ball to the starting opening is displayed on the special symbol display device which displays the result of the lottery. The display of the lottery result of the special symbol display device is performed in a mode in which the finalized display is performed after the variable display of the predetermined time. In addition, the game board surface is provided with a decorative symbol display device that variably displays a decorative symbol such as a predetermined number based on the result of the lottery, and when the result of the lottery becomes a big hit, for example (7, 7 , 7) and other similar symbols are displayed for notification. In addition, it is also possible to provide an area that doubles as the starting area and the winning area.

  The prize area is provided with a prize sensor for detecting the passage of the game ball to the prize area, and the prize sensor detects the passage (winning) of the game ball driven into the prize area. It has become. In addition, the control unit of the gaming machine 20 has a prize ball memory for storing the number of gaming balls to be awarded as prize balls for each winning area.

  Therefore, when passage of the shot game ball to a specific winning area is detected by the prize sensor, the gaming machine 20 should be awarded from the memory contents of the prize ball memory and the number of gaming balls having passed the prize area. The number of prize balls can be determined, and the payout process for the determined number of prize balls can be performed. In addition, regardless of whether or not the game ball which has been shot in has passed through the winning area, it is finally discharged from the back of the game board to the outside of the gaming machine. The game balls discharged to the outside of the gaming machine are detected by an out-ball detection device attached to each gaming machine.

  Inter-room card processor 10 performs acceptance of payment, lending of gaming balls, and communication with card management device 40. When receiving the bill inserted by the gaming guest, the inter-tier card processing machine 10 transmits deposit notification data including the amount of the bill to the card management device 40, and the amount is the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. Add a number according to. Then, if a predetermined ball lending operation is performed, a ball lending request is transmitted to the card management device 40, and the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40 is subtracted, and the number of games corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value Perform the payout process of the balls.

  In addition, when receiving the card insertion, the inter-room card processing device 10 transmits card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. In addition, when receiving the data including the prepaid value, the number of balls, and the number of balls from the card management device 40, the inter-day card processor 10 stores the received prepaid value, the number of balls, and the number of balls. Then, after storing the number of balls held, the inter-room card processing device 10 sends the number-of-balls subtraction request data to the card management device 40, thereby setting the number of balls held by the card management device 40 to zero. clear.

  In addition, when receiving the ball re play operation, the inter-room card processor 10 subtracts a predetermined number from the ball number stored in the own device, and performs payout processing of the number of game balls corresponding to the ball number subtracted. Do. In addition, when receiving the ball replay operation, the inter-tier card processor 10 transmits the ball replay request data to the card management device 40 to subtract a predetermined number from the number of balls managed by the member management device 50. The payout processing of the number of game balls corresponding to the number of stored balls is performed.

  In addition, when the inter-tier card processing device 10 receives a card return operation, it transmits ball-count addition request data including the number of ball-counts managed by the own device to the card management device 40. After the number is added, card ejection notification data is transmitted to the card management device 40 to control ejection of the card.

  The island controller 30 is a relay device for bundling a group of gaming machines 20 and the stand-alone card processor 10 provided on the gaming island.

  The card management device 40 is a device that manages the prepaid value of a card, the number of balls held, etc. as card data. When the card management device 40 receives the card insertion notification data from the inter-standway card processor 10, the card management device 40 associates the card ID of the inserted card with the device ID of the inter-stage card processor 10, and manages the card ID. The prepaid value and the number of balls associated with are transmitted to the inter-day card processor 10. When the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data is a card ID of a member card, the card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data to the member management device 50 and receives it from the member management device 50. The storage ball replay data is transmitted to the stand-alone card processor 10.

  When the card management device 40 receives the ball subtraction request data from the inter-room card processor 10, the card management device 40 clears the number of balls held to zero. In addition, when the card management device 40 receives the ball addition request data from the inter-room card processor 10, the card management device 40 sets the number of balls included in the ball addition request data to the number of balls managed by the card management device 40. to add.

  Further, when the card management device 40 receives the ball lending request data from the inter-room card processor 10, the card management device 40 subtracts the prepaid value associated with the card ID by a predetermined value, and transmits the ball lending permission data to the inter-day card processor 10. Send to Then, when the ball replay request data is received, the ball replay request data is transmitted to the member management device 50, and when the member management device 50 outputs the ball replay data, the ball replay data is displayed between the tables. It transmits to the card processor 10.

  Further, when the card management device 40 receives 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 possessed by the card ID. Furthermore, when the card ID is received from the checkout machine 80, the prepaid value associated with the card ID is notified to the checkout machine 80.

  The member management device 50 is a management device that manages member management data of a member registered as a member in a game arcade. Specifically, in association with the member card ID issued to the member, the number of balls, the number of points, the personal identification number, the name and the like are managed.

  If the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification data from the inter-room card processor 10, the member management device 50 displays the ball replay data including the number of balls and the identification number associated with the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data. It is transmitted to the card processor 10 between the two. In addition, when the member management device 50 receives the ball replay request data from the inter-day card processor 10, the member management device 50 subtracts a predetermined number from the number of balls associated with the card ID indicated in the ball replay request data. The stored-ball replay data including the number of stored balls after subtraction is transmitted to the inter-day card processor 10. Communication between the inter-day card processor 10 and the member management device 50 is performed via the card management device 40.

  Further, when the member management device 50 receives an inquiry about the number of stored balls from the prize management device 60, the member management device 50 notifies the number of stored balls corresponding to the designated card ID to the prize management device 60.

  The prize management device 60 is a terminal device for prize exchange attached to a prize exchange counter in the game arcade, and performs a prize exchange process for exchanging the obtained balls, the number of balls and the number of balls for a prize. The prize management device 60 is connected to a card reader for reading a card ID from a card and a prize dispensing device for dispensing 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 identification data corresponding to the card ID is read from a portable terminal or the like). Request the number of balls possessed by the card ID. When the number of stored balls is exchanged, the number of stored balls is requested to the member management device 50.

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

  Next, the ball lending process of the gaming system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When the gaming customer performs a ball lending operation on the inter-room card processor 10, the inter-room card processor 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 in the inter-room card processor 10 and an address or arbitrary identification data for specifying the inter-room card processor 10 that is the transmission source.

  When 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-base card processor 10 of the transmission source. The inter-room card processor 10 having received the ball lending permission data performs payout processing of the number of gaming balls corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value.

  Next, the ball re-playing process in the case of re-playing the balls in the gaming system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When receiving the insertion of a general card or a membership card, the inter-zone card processor 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 in the inter-room card processor 10, an address for identifying the inter-room card processor 10 that is the transmission source, or any identification data, and the inter-room card processor And 10 data for specifying a rate.

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

  The inter-room card processor 10 stores the number of balls received from the card management device 40. Then, the card management device 40 transmits, to the card management device 40, ball ID subtraction request data indicating that the card ID, the data specifying the rate, and the number of balls possessed are cleared to zero. When the card management device 40 receives the ball subtraction request data, it clears the number of balls in each rate specified by the card ID to zero. In addition, when accepting the ball-replaying operation and performing the ball-replay, the inter-room card processing machine 10 subtracts a predetermined number from the stored number of balls-does, and performs payout processing of the corresponding number of game balls. . When performing payout processing, payout processing is carried out by transmitting a payout instruction to the gaming machine for multiples of units (for example, 25 balls) that can be paid out by the gaming machine, and the remaining are paid out from the nozzle unit 18a of the own machine. Perform the payout process.

  When receiving the card return operation, the inter-zone card processing device 10 transmits the ball addition request data to the card management device 40. This ball-addition-request data includes the card ID of the card to be returned, the address for specifying the inter-room card processor 10 that is the transmission source, or any identification data, and the number of balls for each rate. .

  When the card management device 40 receives 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 of each rate associated with the card ID. Thereafter, the inter-room card processing device 10 transmits card ejection notification data to the card management device 40 to control ejection of the card.

  Next, the ball re-playing process in the gaming system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. If the inter-base card processor 10 reads a card ID from a membership card or a portable terminal usable as a membership card, it transmits card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. The card insertion notification data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-room card processor 10, an address for identifying the inter-room card processor 10 that is the transmission source, or any identification data, and the inter-room card processor And 10 data for specifying a rate.

  The card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data received from the inter-room card processor 10 to the member management device 50. If the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification data, the number of balls of the rate specified by the card insertion notification data among the personal identification number associated with the card ID in the card insertion notification data and the balls. And, it transmits to the room card processing machine 10 ball storage replay data including the number of possible ball replays. The possible number of ball replays indicates the number of balls that can be played back. The possible number of storage ball replays is a multiple of the number of payout units of gaming balls in the storage ball replay. If an upper limit is set for the ball replay, the maximum value within the range of the number of balls and the upper limit is the number of possible balls replay. In addition, you may use the frequency | count which can carry out ball | bowl replay instead of the possible number of ball | bowl replays as a ball | bowl replay frequency. The number of replays of balls corresponds to a quotient obtained by dividing the number of balls by the number of payout units of game balls in the replay of balls. However, when an upper limit is set for the ball replay, the upper limit limits the number of times the ball replay is performed.

  The inter-room card processor 10 stores the received ball replay data, and can accept a ball replay operation if the number of possible ball replays indicated by the ball replay data is one or more.

  After storing the ball replay data, the interstage card processing machine 10 requests the player to input a personal identification number when the ball replay operation is first received, and the inputted code number is the ball replay data It is determined whether or not it matches the password indicated in.

  When the personal identification numbers match, the inter-tier card processor 10 transmits the ball replay request data to the card management device 40. The stored ball replay request data includes a card ID of a card inserted in the inter-room card processor 10, an address for specifying the inter-room card processor 10 that is the transmission source, or any identification data, and inter-room card processing And data for specifying the rate of the machine 10.

  The card management device 40 transmits the ball replay request data to the member management device 50. If the member management device 50 receives the stored-ball replay request data, it subtracts a predetermined value from the balance of stored balls of the rate specified by the message from the stored balls associated with the card ID in the stored-ball replay request data. And recalculate the possible number of deposit replays. Then, storage card replay data including the balance after subtraction and the possible number of the reservoir replays is transmitted to the inter-day card processor 10.

  The inter-day card processor 10 updates the stored number of balls, and performs payout processing of the number of gaming balls corresponding to the number of payout units of stored ball replay. In addition, it is determined whether or not the number of possible balls replayed after the update is one or more. If the number of possible balls replay is 0, it is determined that the operation for replaying the balls can not be accepted. If the number of possible balls replayed after the update is one or more, the ball replaying operation can be accepted again. Confirmation of the PIN is not necessary for the second and subsequent ball replays. The confirmation of the password may be performed each time. In addition, although the case where the inter-room card processing machine 10 performs payout processing of gaming balls after the member management device 50 subtracts the balance of the balls is illustrated here, payout processing of the gaming balls is performed based on the reservoir replay request. Once done, the balance of the ball may be deducted. This is because the possible number of stored ball replays is indicated in the stored ball replay data prior to the request for the replay of the stored balls, and a shortage of balance will not be found after the request for the replay of the stored balls is received.

  Next, the transition from balls to balls in the closing process will be described. The card management device 40 confirms the number of balls possessed by the card management data at the time of closing processing, and if there is a record associated with the number of balls greater than zero, the number of balls possessed by the record together with the card ID and rate. The member management device 50 is notified. The member management device 50 adds the number of balls held notified from the card management device 40 to the number of balls specified by the card ID and the rate. Thereafter, the card management device 40 clears the number of held balls to zero.

  Next, the external appearance of the inter-room card processor 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a view showing the appearance of the inter-room card processor 10. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the external appearance of the inter-base card processor 10 connected to the gaming machine 20 is shown as the inter-platform card processor 10. Further, the gaming machine 20 to be juxtaposed is illustrated by a broken line. Moreover, in FIG. 3, although the stand space card processing machine 10 which receives only a banknote was illustrated, the unit for coin reception can also be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-stage card processor 10 includes a status display unit 11, a bill insertion slot 12a, a display operation unit 13, a card insertion slot 14a, a holding unit 14b, a wireless communication unit 14c, a nozzle unit 18a and a counting unit 18b. Have.

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

  The card insertion slot 14a is an insertion slot for a card possessed by a player. The holding unit 14b holds the mobile terminal used for member registration, and when the mobile terminal is held by the holding unit 14b, data such as a unique ID (for example, IDm) of the mobile terminal is read from the mobile terminal. The wireless communication unit 14 c is a unit that performs wireless communication. The nozzle unit 18 a is a mechanism that ejects gaming balls to the gaming machine 20. The counting unit 18 b is a mechanism for counting the gaming balls dropped from the lower tray of the gaming machine 20.

  Next, the configuration of the inter-base card processor 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-stand-card processor 10 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the inter-stage card processor 10 includes a bill transport unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a holding unit 14b, a wireless communication unit 14c, a communication unit 15, and a storage unit. A controller 16 includes a controller 17, a nozzle unit 18a, and a counting unit 18b.

  The bill conveyance unit 12 is a conveyance unit that conveys the bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 12a to a bill storage unit (not shown) while discriminating the denomination and authenticity of the bill. The display operation unit 13 displays various information such as prepaid value usable for ball lending, the number of balls, the number of balls, and an input / output device such as a touch panel liquid crystal display that accepts various operations such as ball lending operation. It is.

  The reader / writer 14 is a device for reading 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 portion (not shown) via the reader / writer 14. The holding unit 14 b is an interface unit that reads various information such as a unique ID (for example, IDm) of the portable terminal by near field communication when the portable terminal or the like is held up. In addition, the reader / writer 14 has a function of associating the card stored in the card storage unit with value data such as balls and prepaid value shown in the card data 16b and issuing it as a new card in response to the return operation of the game customer. 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 predetermined number (minimum holding number), control is performed so as not to return the card even if there is a return operation. This is a control for preventing a loss in a game arcade by discarding a card associated with a small number of balls. The fixed number can be set, for example, to be the value of the card or the lowest price in the game store, but the value obtained by multiplying the number of balls possessed by the loan unit price per ball is not limited to this, but it is not limited to this It can be freely set by the store policy. In addition, when it is controlled not to return the card even if there is a return operation, it is also possible to pay out the stored balls, but a message to the effect that the card can not be returned and to prompt the replay of the balls is performed. May be

  The communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication with the gaming machine 20 and the island controller 30. The nozzle unit 18a is used to pay out part or all of the game balls when paying out game balls by ball lending or replay. The counting unit 18 b is a unit that counts the game balls.

  The storage unit 16 is a storage device including a hard disk drive, a non-volatile memory, and the like. The storage unit 16 stores the own device state data 16a, the card data 16b, and the communication management data 16c.

  The own-apparatus state data 16 a is data indicating the state of the inter-room card processor 10. The own-apparatus state data 16a includes the apparatus ID of the inter-room card processor and the game setting. The device ID of the inter-room card processor is identification data for uniquely identifying the inter-room card processor 10 in the game arcade. The game setting is data indicating a game type and the like set in the inter-room card processor 10. When dealing with game balls of multiple rates in the game arcade, "ball 1" for 4 yen rate game balls, "ball 2" for 2 yen rate game balls, and "ball 3" for 1 yen rate game balls As such, game name is set and managed for each rate. Inter-room card processor 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 a card being used by a game player. The card data 16 b includes a card ID, prepaid value, balls, balls, the number of possible ball replays, and the like. With regard to balls and balls, data exists for each game type (rate). The card ID is a card ID read by the reader / writer 14. When a card is transported from the 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 transport. 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 by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during the transport.

  The communication management data 16 c is data for managing short distance wireless communication with the portable terminal device 90 by the wireless communication unit 14 c. The communication management data 16 c includes a terminal ID which is identification information of the portable terminal device 90, radio wave intensity and the like.

  The wireless communication unit 14 c detects the portable terminal device 90 located in the vicinity of the own device, establishes a connection, and performs communication. At the time of establishing this connection, the terminal ID of the portable terminal device 90 is acquired and stored in the communication management data 16c. Further, the wireless communication unit 14c acquires the radio wave intensity from the portable terminal device 90, stores it in the communication management data 16c, and thereafter updates the radio wave intensity as needed.

  The control unit 17 is a control unit that controls the entire inter-baseboard card processor 10. The control unit 17 includes a data management unit 17a, a count processing unit 17b, a state determination unit 17c, an absence determination unit 17d, and a reconnection processing unit 17e.

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

  In addition, when a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 12a, the data management unit 17a transmits deposit notification data including the amount of the inserted bill, the card ID and the inter-room card processor ID to the card management device 40.

  Further, the data management unit 17a transmits, to the card management device 40, ball lending request data including a card ID and an apparatus ID when a ball lending operation is performed by a game player. When the ball lending permission data is received as a response to the ball lending request data, the data management unit 17a performs payout processing of a predetermined number of gaming balls.

  In addition, when a game player performs a game replay operation, the data management unit 17a subtracts a predetermined number from the number of balls shown in the card data 16b, and performs payout processing of the corresponding number of game balls. Do.

  In addition, when the number of possible balls replayed indicated by the card data 16b is one or more, the data management unit 17a can display the ball replaying button on the display operation unit 13 and can accept the ball replaying operation. I assume. The data management unit 17a transmits, to the member management device 50, a ball replay request data including a card ID and an inter-room card processor ID when the game player performs a ball replay operation. When 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 process of the number of payout units of the ball replay is performed. In addition, at the time of the first storage ball replay operation, the input of the personal identification number is required, and the ball replay request data is transmitted on the condition that it matches the personal identification number indicated in the card data 16b.

  In addition, when a card return operation is performed by a game player, the data management unit 17a transmits ball addition data including ball ID, device ID, and the number of balls to the card management device 40, and transmits the card data 16b. After clearing the number of held balls to zero, card ejection notification data is sent to the card management device 40, and the card is ejected.

  When gaming balls are inserted into the counting unit 18b, the counting processing unit 17b causes the counting unit 18b to count the gaming balls and adds the counting result to the number of balls held in the card data 16b.

  The state determination unit 17c is a processing unit that determines the state of the own device. Specifically, the state determination unit 17c determines whether the gaming machine operation signal has been received and whether or not the game player operation has been received as the state of the own device.

  The absence determination unit 17 d is a processing unit that determines the absence of the gaming guest based on the state of wireless communication and the state of the own device. Specifically, when the radio wave intensity indicated in the communication management data 16c is equal to or less than the threshold and the gaming machine operation signal is not received, and the gaming guest operation is not accepted, the non-seat determination unit 17d is away. Is determined to have occurred.

  When the absence determination unit 17 d determines that the absence has occurred, the absence determination unit 17 d determines whether the card has a value. If the inserted card is a general card, and both the prepaid value and the balls shown in the card data 16b are equal to or less than a certain number (for example, both are zero), the absence determination unit 17d determines that the card has no value. Do. If either the prepaid value or the number of balls exceeds a certain number, or if the inserted card is a membership card, the absence determination unit 17d determines that the card has value.

  Then, when the absence occurs and it is determined that the card has a value, the absence determination unit 17d starts an operation lock that restricts the operation by the gaming guest. The operation lock ends, for example, on condition of the input of the personal identification number by the game player or the redetection of the portable terminal device 90 having the terminal ID stored in the communication management data 16c.

  When the absence occurs and it is determined that the card has no value, the absence determination unit 17d takes in the card as that the game is over, cuts off the communication by the wireless communication unit 14c, and manages the communication management data. Clear 16c.

  On the other hand, even if the radio wave intensity indicated in the communication management data 16c becomes equal to or less than the threshold value, if the gaming machine operation signal is received or the game customer operation is received, the absence determination unit 17d It is determined that the state of is continuing.

  The reconnection processing unit 17e executes reconnection of the wireless communication when the wireless communication with the portable terminal device 90 is disconnected and the absence determination unit 17d determines that the state during the game is continued. It is a processing unit. This reconnection is selectively performed on the portable terminal device 90 before disconnection. That is, the connection is made by designating the terminal ID stored in the communication management data 16c.

  Next, an example of data stored in the storage unit 16 of the inter-room card processor 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit 16 of the inter-room card processor 10. As shown in FIG.

  The own apparatus state data 16a shown in FIG. 5A indicates that the ID of the inter-room card processor 10 is "3001" and "ball 1" is set as the game type of the inter-room card processor 10. ing.

  The card data 16 b shown in FIG. 5B indicates a state in which the ID of the card inserted in the inter-base-card processor 10 is “2002”. Here, the upper one digit of the card ID indicates the type of the card, the first upper digit "1" card is a general card, the upper first digit "2" card is a membership card. Further, the card data 16 b indicates that the prepaid value is “2000 degrees”. Here, with the frequency of prepaid value, one frequency is equivalent to 1 yen. In the card data 16b, the number of balls held by ball 1 is "375 balls", the number of balls held by ball 2 is "500 balls", and the number of balls held by ball 3 is "2000 balls". It shows.

  Further, in the card data 16b, the secret code number for the ball replay is "7777", the number of possible replays of the ball is "250 balls", and the number of balls of the ball 1 is "250 balls". The number of balls stored in is “1000 balls”, and the number of balls stored in balls 3 is “4000 balls”. In addition, although the structure which stores the number of balls which can be re-played as possible number of re-plays was shown here, you may store the number of times of possible re-play as a re-play frequency. 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 balls, balls, prepaid value in association with the card ID. When a card theft is detected, it is turned on by employee operation. These data are also included and stored in the card data 16b. Furthermore, this "lock" flag can be set according to the function ("use of balls", "embedded", etc.). It can also be used to prevent accidental operation.

  The communication management data 16 c illustrated in FIG. 5C indicates a state in which the terminal ID is “Tm 001” and the radio wave intensity is “−41” dBm.

  Next, a processing procedure for communication with the mobile terminal device 90 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for communication with the portable terminal device 90. First, the wireless communication unit 14c detects the portable terminal device 90 (step S101), establishes a connection, and starts communication (step S102). At the time of establishing this connection, the terminal ID of the portable terminal device 90 is acquired and stored in the communication management data 16c. Further, the wireless communication unit 14c acquires the radio wave intensity from the portable terminal device 90, stores it in the communication management data 16c, and thereafter updates the radio wave intensity as needed.

  The absence determination unit 17d acquires the radio wave intensity from the communication management data 16c (step S103), and determines whether the radio wave intensity is equal to or less than a threshold (step S104). If the radio wave intensity is equal to or less than the threshold (step S104; Yes), the state determination unit 17c determines the state of the own device, and the absence determination unit 17d determines whether the game is in progress based on the state of the own device. It determines (step S105).

  If a game is being played (step S105; Yes), the reconnection processing unit 17e determines whether the wireless communication with the portable terminal device 90 by the wireless communication unit 14c is disconnected (step S106). Then, if wireless communication is disconnected (step S106; Yes), the reconnection processing unit 17e executes reconnection of wireless communication with the portable terminal device 90 (step S107).

  After step S107, if the wireless communication is not disconnected (step S106; No), or if the radio wave intensity exceeds the threshold (step S104; No), the process proceeds to step S103, and the leaving judgment unit 17d The radio wave intensity is acquired from the communication management data 16c.

  On the other hand, when the player is not playing (step S105; No), the absence determination part 17d determines that the absence has occurred (step S108). Then, it is determined whether there is a value in the inserted card (step S109), and if it is determined that there is a value (step S109; Yes), the absence determination unit 17d controls the operation lock for restricting the operation by the gaming guest Is started (step S111), and the process ends.

  If it is determined that there is no value in the inserted card (step S109; No), the absence determination unit 17d disconnects the communication by the wireless communication unit 14c, clears the communication management data 16c, and performs card loading. To end the game (step S110).

  Although the description is omitted in FIG. 6, when the game player performs a card return operation, the card is returned and the game is ended. In this case, regardless of the radio wave intensity, the communication by the wireless communication unit 14c is disconnected to clear the communication management data 16c.

  Next, notification to a game clerk when it is determined that the absence has occurred will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of notification to a gaming clerk when it is determined that leaving has occurred. The absence determination unit 17d determines that the absence has occurred, and after performing the operation lock, when the game is not started even after a predetermined time has elapsed, notification is given to the gaming staff.

  Notification to the game store clerk can be performed by lighting of the status display unit 11 or display of the display operation unit 13 (S1). Further, it is also possible to notify the higher-level device such as the card management device 40 or the hall computer (S2), and to notify the gaming staff from the higher-level device.

  The notification from the higher-level device to the gaming clerk may be made by notifying the clerk terminal device 100 carried by the gaming clerk (S3), or by audio notification to the headset worn by the gaming clerk It is also good (S4).

  Here, it is possible to change the time from the determination that absence has occurred to the notification to the gaming staff according to the conditions. For example, if there is no or little card value, the time until notification to the gaming clerk may be shortened. In addition, in the time slot close to the store closing time, it is possible to change the presence or absence of the notification or the time until the notification depending on the time slot, such as not performing the notification to the gaming staff.

  As described above, if it is possible to appropriately report occurrence of the absence to the gaming staff, the gaming staff releases the operation lock at an early stage even in the case where the gaming patron does not return while away from the seating, and the other gaming patrons It can be put into a usable state, and a decrease in the operating rate can be prevented.

  In addition to the notification to the game shop clerk, the notification to the gaming customer can also be performed when the notification to the gaming customer is possible, such as when the contact address of the gaming customer is registered. In addition, the notification to the gaming guest can be made different in contents such as "attention", "warning", and "cancellation" as time passes.

  Next, communication between the clerk terminal device 100 and the inter-day card processor 10 will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of communication between the clerk terminal device 100 and the inter-base card processor 10. As shown in FIG. When an error occurs in the inter-room card processing machine 10, for example, it may be necessary for a gaming clerk to operate the inter-room card processing machine 10 to deal with the error. However, if a problem does not occur in the gaming machine 20, the gaming customer continues playing the game, and therefore, the gaming staff must deal with the error without disturbing the gaming by the gaming customer as much as possible.

  When the game clerk uses the display operation unit 13 of the stand-alone card processing machine 10 when performing operations on the stand-alone card processing machine 10, the game player may interfere with the game and the game should not be shown to the game player. Information for the store clerk may be displayed.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the clerk terminal device 100 and the inter-day card processor 10 are connected by short distance wireless communication, and necessary information is displayed on the clerk terminal device 100 to display the clerk terminal device 100. Perform error handling etc. by operation input to. As described above, if the clerk terminal device 100 is used, the game player can not be prevented from playing the game, and the game customer can not see unnecessary information.

  Here, the inter-tier card processing device 10 simultaneously performs short distance wireless communication with the clerk terminal device 100 and short distance wireless communication with the portable terminal device 90. If the load for error handling using the store clerk terminal device 100 is high and simultaneous connection can not be performed, the near-field wireless communication with the mobile terminal device 90 is once disconnected, and the mobile terminal device 90 is completed after the error handling etc. is completed. Reconnection with may be performed automatically. With this configuration, it is not necessary for the game player to perform an operation relating to the reconnection of the portable terminal device 90 even when an error handling or the like is performed.

  The clerk terminal device 100 can perform the near-field wireless communication using, for example, a guidance display for dealing with errors, a reference to the operation log, a reference to gaming machine information, a reference to the state of the portable terminal 90, a reset signal Transmission of Further, depending on the contents of the error, it is necessary to explain to the game player, but the contents of the explanation can be displayed on the clerk terminal device 100.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the stand-alone card processing device 10 communicates with the portable terminal device 90 carried by the gaming guest by near field communication and determines the state of the own device, and the wireless communication is disconnected. And, when the own device is in the predetermined state, the reconnection process of the wireless communication is executed, so that the wireless communication can be prevented from being disconnected during the game, and the communication state can be properly managed. Further, by determining the absence by using the state of the own device and the radio wave intensity, it is possible to prevent the erroneous determination due to the variation of the radio wave intensity and to determine the absence of the game player with high accuracy.

  In the above embodiment, a configuration is described where it is determined that the card has no value when both the prepaid value and the ball are equal to or less than a certain number, but the certain number can be set as appropriate. And may differ. For example, if the prepaid value is zero and the number of balls held is equal to or less than the minimum holding number, it can be determined that the card has no value. It is preferable that the minimum holding number be set such that a value obtained by multiplying the number of balls possessed by the rental unit price per ball becomes the value of the card or the lowest price in the game arcade.

  In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the stand-alone card processor 10. However, other gaming devices such as the prize management device 60 and the settlement machine 80 wirelessly communicate with the portable terminal device 90. When communication is performed, disconnection of wireless communication due to variation in radio wave intensity may be prevented, and the communication state may be appropriately managed.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the detailed description of the form of the card, which is a medium that relates the number of game media, is omitted, but such cards include a magnetic card, an IC card, and the like. Further, for convenience of explanation, the “card” is described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to the case where a chip, a stick, a portable terminal or the like is used other than such a card.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, although the case of using game balls as game media has been described as an example, the present invention is also applicable to the case of using a medal for a slot machine.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to an enclosed type game machine using a game ball enclosed in a game machine. In the enclosed type game machine, the number of game balls that can be ejected onto the game board is managed as the number of possible games, and in the case of ball lending or replay, etc., the actual game balls will be paid out. Instead, the number of possible games will be added.

  Further, each configuration shown in the drawings is functionally schematic, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the drawings. That is, the form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to the illustrated one, and all or a part thereof is functionally or physically dispersed or integrated in any unit according to various loads, usage conditions, etc. It can be configured.

  As described above, the gaming apparatus and the gaming apparatus control method according to the present invention are suitable for appropriately managing the communication state with the portable terminal apparatus carried by the gaming guest.

10 card processing machine 11 status display unit 12 bill conveyance unit 12a bill insertion slot 13 display operation unit 14 reader writer 14a card insertion slot 14b holding unit 14c wireless communication unit 15 communication unit 16 storage unit 16a own device status data 16b card data 16c communication management data 17 control unit 17a data management unit 17b count processing unit 17c status determination unit 17d absence determination unit 17e reconnection processing unit 18a nozzle unit 18b counting unit 20 game machine 30 island controller 40 card management device 50 member management device 60 Prize management device 80 Settlement machine 90 Mobile terminal device 100 Terminal device for clerk

Claims (7)

A gaming apparatus installed in a game arcade that provides a game using a game medium,
A communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with a terminal device carried by a gaming guest;
A state determination unit that determines whether the own device is in a predetermined state;
And a reconnection processing unit that executes reconnection processing of the wireless communication when the wireless communication is disconnected and the own device is in a predetermined state. The gaming apparatus is a stand apparatus which is provided side by side with a gaming machine for playing a game using the gaming medium, and performs processing relating to the gaming medium based on an operation of the gaming customer.
The game player according to claim 1, further comprising: an absence determination unit that determines the absence of the gaming guest based on the state of the wireless communication and the state of the own device determined by the state determination unit. Gaming device.   The absence determination unit determines that the gaming guest has left when the radio wave intensity of the wireless communication is less than or equal to a predetermined value and the state of the own device is not a predetermined state, and the radio wave intensity of the wireless communication is 3. The game apparatus according to claim 2, wherein it is determined that the game by the gaming guest is continuing if the state of the own apparatus is a predetermined state even if the value is less than a predetermined value.   The absence determination unit determines that the game customer is away from the game, and restricts the operation by the game customer when receiving a storage medium associated with a value usable for the game. A game apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that:   The state determination unit determines that the predetermined state is a state in which a signal indicating that a game is being played from the gaming machine is received, and a state in which an operation by the gaming guest is received. The gaming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4.   The gaming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reconnection processing unit selectively performs reconnection with a terminal device that has been in wireless communication before the disconnection. A gaming apparatus control method for controlling a gaming apparatus installed in a gaming shop providing gaming using a gaming medium, the gaming apparatus control method comprising:
A communication step of wirelessly communicating with a terminal device carried by a gaming guest;
A state determination step of determining whether the own device is in a predetermined state;
A reconnection processing step of executing reconnection processing of the wireless communication when the wireless communication is disconnected and the own device is in a predetermined state.

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