Gaming system, management device and abnormality detection method

Abstract

To improve the efficiency of work of coping with an abnormal state by detecting an abnormality related to authentication information of a game machine.SOLUTION: Data relating to authentication information is transmitted and received among a game machine 20, an inter-machine card processor 10, a management device 50, a management center 100 and an information center 110. Also, the management device 50 stores a reception time of SC communication received from an SC base plate, a transmission time of center communication notified to the information center 110 and a reception time of a center response received from the information center 110 in each SC type (S1). SC communication data is retrieved by using a determination condition for detecting abnormality, and if it matches the determination condition, an abnormality is determined and notified (S2). Concretely, if there is 60 minutes or more in difference between the SC communication reception time and a center communication reception time, an abnormality is determined to exist in the information center and the existence of the abnormality is notified.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming system, a management device, and an abnormality detection method that can detect an abnormality in communication related to authentication information of a gaming machine and improve the efficiency of responding to the abnormal state. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, gaming establishments provide games using gaming machines that incorporate gaming media. In many cases, each machine device is attached to the gaming machine, and both devices are required to be registered with an information center that manages devices related to games. In order to start up the gaming machine and make it playable, mutual authentication must be performed between the gaming machine and each machine device attached to it, and an authentication key for this purpose is distributed by the information center.

[0003] Although data for mutual authentication is encrypted between the gaming machine and each machine installed therein, authentication often fails. For this reason, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that makes it possible to guess the cause of authentication failure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-144281 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, recently, a sealed managed gaming machine that does not pay out gaming media outside the machine has been considered, and in such a managed gaming machine, the managed gaming machine and each machine are communicatively connected to an information center via a network, and an encrypted authentication key is sent and received. The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 detects an abnormality in mutual authentication between the gaming machine and each machine and infers the cause, but cannot detect an abnormality between the information center via the network. Therefore, the problem is how to detect an abnormality in the sending and receiving of authentication information such as an authentication key between the managed gaming machine and each machine and the information center.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the conventional technology described above, and aims to provide a gaming system, a management device, and an abnormality detection method that can detect abnormalities related to the authentication information of a gaming machine and streamline the work of responding to abnormal conditions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a gaming system having an enclosed gaming machine that provides a game based on a number of gaming media stored in a predetermined storage unit, a gaming device attached to the gaming machine, and a management device communicably connected to an information management device that manages information related to the gaming machine and the gaming device, the management device comprising: a first notification means for acquiring request information from the gaming machine and the gaming device and notifying the information management device of the acquired request information; a second notification means for acquiring response information notified by the information management device in response to the request information and notifying the gaming machine and the gaming device of the acquired response information; a storage means for storing an acquisition time of the request information, a notification time of the request information to the information management device, and an acquisition time of the response information; a detection means for detecting the occurrence of an abnormality based on the acquisition time of the request information stored in the storage means, the notification time of the request information to the information management device, and the acquisition time of the response information; and an alarm means for alarming an abnormality when the detection means detects an abnormality. The detection means determines that an abnormality has occurred when a time difference between a first acquisition time of the first request information stored in the storage means and a second acquisition time of the second request information newly stored in the storage means is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. It is characterized by:

[0009] In the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, the detection means determines that an abnormality has occurred when the time difference between the second acquisition time and the current time is equal to or greater than the first threshold value.

[0010] Further, in the above-mentioned invention, the detection means is The first request information stored in the storage means It is characterized in that it is determined that there is an abnormality when the time difference between the first acquisition time and the notification time at which the request information is notified to the information management device is equal to or greater than a second threshold value.

[0011] The present invention also provides a method for producing a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: A gaming system including an enclosed gaming machine that provides a game based on a number of gaming media stored in a predetermined storage unit, a gaming device attached to the gaming machine, and a management device communicably connected to an information management device that manages information related to the gaming machine and the gaming device, the management device including: a first notification means for acquiring request information from the gaming machine and the gaming device and notifying the information management device of the acquired request information; a second notification means for acquiring response information notified by the information management device in response to the request information and notifying the gaming machine and the gaming device of the acquired response information; a storage means for storing an acquisition time of the request information, a notification time of the request information to the information management device, and an acquisition time of the response information; a detection means for detecting the occurrence of an abnormality based on the acquisition time of the request information, the notification time of the request information to the information management device, and the acquisition time of the response information stored in the storage means; and an alarm means for alarming an abnormality when the detection means detects an abnormality; The detection means determines that an abnormality has occurred when a time difference between the first acquisition time and an acquisition time of the response information is equal to or greater than a third threshold value.

[0012] The present invention also provides a management device communicably connected to a gaming device attached to an enclosed gaming machine that provides a game based on a number of gaming media stored in a predetermined storage unit and an information management device that manages information related to the gaming machine and the gaming device, the management device comprising: a first notification means for acquiring request information from the gaming machine and the gaming device and notifying the information management device of the acquired request information; a second notification means for acquiring response information notified by the information management device in response to the request information and notifying the gaming machine and the gaming device of the acquired response information; a storage means for storing an acquisition time of the request information, a notification time of the request information to the information management device, and an acquisition time of the response information; a detection means for detecting the occurrence of an abnormality based on the acquisition time of the request information stored in the storage means, the notification time of the request information to the information management device, and the acquisition time of the response information; and an alarm means for alarming the occurrence of an abnormality when the detection means detects an abnormality. The detection means determines that an abnormality has occurred when a time difference between a first acquisition time of the first request information stored in the storage means and a second acquisition time of the second request information newly stored in the storage means is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. It is characterized by: The present invention also relates to a management device communicably connected to a gaming device attached to an enclosed gaming machine that provides games based on the number of gaming media stored in a predetermined storage unit and an information management device that manages information related to the gaming machine and the gaming device, the management device including a first notification means for acquiring request information from the gaming machine and the gaming device and notifying the information management device of the acquired request information, a second notification means for acquiring response information notified by the information management device in response to the request information and notifying the gaming machine and the gaming device of the acquired response information, and a notification means for notifying a time when the request information was acquired, a time when the request information was acquired, a time when the request information was acquired, a time when the request information was acquired, and a time when the request information was acquired. The information management device is provided with a storage means for storing the time when request information is notified to the information management device and the time when the response information is acquired, a detection means for detecting the occurrence of an abnormality based on the acquisition time of the request information stored by the storage means, the time when the request information is notified to the information management device, and the acquisition time of the response information, and a notification means for notifying the abnormality when the detection means detects the abnormality, wherein the detection means determines that an abnormality has occurred when the time difference between the first acquisition time of first request information stored in the storage means and the acquisition time of the response information is equal to or greater than a third threshold value.

[0013] The present invention also provides an abnormality detection method for a gaming system having an enclosed gaming machine that provides a game based on a number of gaming media stored in a predetermined storage unit, a gaming device attached to the gaming machine, and a management device communicably connected to an information management device that manages information related to the gaming machine and the gaming device, the method including a first notification step in which the management device acquires request information from the gaming machine and the gaming device and notifies the information management device of the acquired request information, and a second notification step in which the management device notifies response information notified by the information management device in response to the request information. a second notification step of acquiring the request information and notifying the acquired response information to the gaming machine and the gaming device; a storage step of the management device storing in a storage unit the acquisition time of the request information, the notification time of the request information to the information management device, and the acquisition time of the response information; a detection step of the management device detecting the occurrence of an abnormality based on the acquisition time of the request information, the notification time of the request information to the information management device, and the acquisition time of the response information stored in the storage unit; and a notification step of the management device notifying the occurrence of an abnormality when the abnormality is detected in the detection step. The detection step determines that an abnormality has occurred when a time difference between a first acquisition time of the first request information stored in the storage unit and a second acquisition time of the second request information newly stored in the storage unit is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. It is characterized by: The present invention also provides an abnormality detection method for a gaming system having an enclosed gaming machine that provides a game based on a number of gaming media stored in a predetermined storage unit, a gaming device attached to the gaming machine, and a management device communicably connected to an information management device that manages information related to the gaming machine and the gaming device, the method including a first notification step in which the management device acquires request information from the gaming machine and the gaming device and notifies the information management device of the acquired request information, a second notification step in which the management device acquires response information notified by the information management device in response to the request information, and notifies the gaming machine and the gaming device of the acquired response information, and The method includes a storage process in which the device stores in a storage unit the acquisition time of the request information, the time the request information was notified to the information management device, and the acquisition time of the response information; a detection process in which the management device detects the occurrence of an abnormality based on the acquisition time of the request information stored in the storage unit, the time the request information was notified to the information management device, and the acquisition time of the response information; and an alarm process in which the management device notifies the management device of an abnormality when the detection process detects such an abnormality, wherein the detection process determines that an abnormality has occurred when the time difference between the first acquisition time of the first request information stored in the storage unit and the acquisition time of the response information is equal to or greater than a third threshold value. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, abnormalities related to the authentication information of a gaming machine can be detected, and the process of responding to the abnormal state can be made more efficient. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of the gaming system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the gaming system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the inter-machine card processor and the gaming machine shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine shown in FIG. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the device status data, the card data, and the SC communication condition data shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of the gaming machine shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the SC communication condition data shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the management device illustrated in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the card management data, the device management data, the member management data, and the abnormality determination threshold data shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the SC communication data shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an abnormality determination pattern according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating a processing procedure of the management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating the processing procedure of the management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of the gaming system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the operation model management data and the device management data shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] [Embodiment 1] The gaming system, management device, and abnormality detection method according to the first embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0017] In this specification, "held balls" refers to data indicating game media acquired by a player in a game, which can be used again only on the same day (before the closing time of the game establishment). "Number of held balls" refers to the number of game media acquired by a player in a game. "Saved balls" refers to data indicating game media deposited by a player in a game establishment, which can be used again on the following day (after the closing time of the game establishment). "Saved balls" refers to the number of game media deposited by a player in a game establishment. Both regular and member players can use held balls, and are used when a game machine is moved. In principle, only member players can use saved balls, and are used when acquired game media are used to play a game machine on the following day. "Number of game balls" refers to the number of playable balls that a player can use for a game.

[0018] <Overview of the gaming system according to the first embodiment> First, an outline of the gaming system according to the present embodiment 1 will be described. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of the gaming system according to the present embodiment 1. First, a data flow related to authentication information will be described. As shown in Fig. 1(a), in the gaming system according to the present embodiment 1, SC communication 1 requesting an authentication key from the SC board of the gaming machine 20, and SC communication 2 requesting information about the gaming machine from the SC board of the inter-machine card processor 10 are each encrypted and notified to the management device 50.

[0019] The management device 50 collects the received SC communication 1 and SC communication 2 (hereinafter referred to as "SC communication") into a file and notifies the information center 110 as a center communication via the management center 100 that manages information related to games. The information center 110 notifies the authentication key and information related to the gaming machine corresponding to the received center communication as a center response. The management device 50 divides the received center response into SC response 1 related to the authentication key and SC response 2 related to the gaming machine information, and notifies the gaming machine 20 and the inter-machine card processor 10 of each.

[0020] In consideration of the possibility that an abnormality may occur between the gaming machine 20 and the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the information center 110 during the transmission and reception of data related to the above authentication information, if the SC boards of the gaming machine 20 and the inter-machine card processing machine 10 do not receive an SC response within a specified time after sending an SC communication, they resend the SC communication.

[0021] In the gaming system according to the first embodiment, in order to clarify the device in which an abnormality has occurred, the management device 50 stores the reception time / transmission time of the SC communication, the center communication, and the center response. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1(b), the management device 50 stores in the SC communication data for each SC type the reception time of the SC communication received from the SC board, the transmission time of the center communication notified to the information center 110, and the reception time of the center response received from the information center 110 (S1).

[0022] Next, the SC communication data is searched using the judgment conditions for detecting anomalies, and if the judgment conditions are met, it is judged to be an anomaly and notified (S2). Specifically, if the difference between the time the SC communication was received and the time the center response was received is 60 minutes or more, it is judged that an anomaly has occurred in the information center, and a notice to that effect is issued.

[0023] In this way, the gaming system can detect abnormalities in communications related to the authentication information of the gaming machine, and can streamline operations to respond to abnormal conditions.

[0024] <System configuration> Next, the system configuration of the gaming system according to the present embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the gaming system according to the present embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 2, a gaming establishment is equipped with a plurality of gaming machines 20 and an inter-machine card processor 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20. The inter-machine card processor 10 is connected to a communication line, which is a network within the establishment, via an island controller 30. The island controller 30, a management device 50, a prize management device 60, and a settlement machine 70 are connected to the communication line. The management device 50 is also connected to a management center 100 and an information center 110 via the Internet, which is an external network, so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0025] The gaming machine 20 is a device that plays games by shooting gaming balls enclosed inside the device onto a gaming board. The gaming balls are physical "balls" used in the game, and are different from "game balls" that the gaming machine 20 treats as data. The gaming board of the gaming machine 20 is provided with a plurality of winning areas (winning holes), and a predetermined number of gaming balls are awarded as prize balls based on the passing of the gaming balls through the winning areas. In addition, the gaming board is provided with a predetermined number of starting areas (starting holes), and a predetermined lottery is performed based on the passing of the gaming balls through the starting areas. If the lottery is a jackpot, a predetermined movable member or the like is operated to increase the probability of the gaming balls passing through the winning areas or other starting areas, and other operations that are advantageous in the game are performed. It is possible for there to be an area that serves as both a starting area and a winning area.

[0026] The winning area is provided with a winning sensor for detecting the passage of a game ball into the winning area, and the winning sensor detects the passage (winning) of a game ball shot into the winning area. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also has a prize ball memory that stores the number of game balls to be awarded as prize balls for each winning area, and a playable number memory that indicates the number of game balls. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also periodically transmits the number of game balls to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

[0027] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a deposit from a player, it associates a prepaid value corresponding to the amount of the deposit with the identification information (card ID) of the card stored inside the machine. This prepaid value can be used to lend game balls. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 can also accept the insertion of a card associated with a prepaid value, retained balls, saved balls, etc. Then, at the end of a game, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 ejects the card associated with the prepaid value, retained balls, saved balls, etc. and returns it to the player. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 also transmits a history of operations such as deposits, card insertion, and card ejection to the management device 50.

[0028] When a predetermined number of game balls are shot onto the game board, the game machine 20 transmits out data to the inter-machine card processor 10. When a game ball passes through a winning area (so-called winning) and a predetermined number of prize balls are added to the game balls, the game machine 20 transmits safe data to the inter-machine card processor 10. Furthermore, when a special state such as a jackpot occurs during play, the game machine 20 transmits special prize data indicating the occurrence of such state to the inter-machine card processor 10.

[0029] The out data corresponds to the number of balls inserted, which is the number of balls inserted by the player onto the game board. The safe data corresponds to the number of balls won as a result of winning. Furthermore, the special prize data indicates the status of the gaming machine 20, such as a jackpot. Each piece of data is transmitted to the management device 50 via the inter-machine card processing device 10, and the management device 50 can obtain the operation history of the gaming machine 20 by accumulating the out data, safe data, and special prize data.

[0030] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts deposits, lends game balls, and communicates with the management device 50 and the gaming machines 20. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts bills inserted by a player, it sends a deposit notification including the amount of the deposit to the management device 50, thereby adding the prepaid value equivalent to the amount of the deposit to the prepaid value managed by the management device 50. Then, when a prescribed ball lending operation is performed, it sends a ball lending request to the management device 50, subtracts the prepaid value managed by the management device 50, and notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value, which is added to the number of game balls.

[0031] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a card, it sends a card insertion notification to the management device 50. Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the prepaid value, the balance of held balls, or the balance of saved balls from the management device 50, it stores the balance. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives and stores the balance of held balls, it sends a request to subtract held balls to the management device 50, thereby clearing the balance of held balls (number of held balls) managed by the management device 50 to zero.

[0032] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a held ball replay operation, it subtracts a predetermined number from the number of held balls managed by itself, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted number of held balls, and adds it to the number of game balls. In addition, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a saved ball replay operation, it sends a saved ball replay request to the management device 50, thereby subtracting a predetermined number from the number of saved balls managed by the management device 50, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted number of saved balls, and adds it to the number of game balls.

[0033] When the inter-machine card processor 10 accepts a card return operation, it sends a ball addition request including the number of held balls to the management device 50, and after having the management device 50 add the number of held balls, it sends a card ejection notification to the management device 50 and controls the ejection of the card. Note that if a counting operation is accepted from the gaming machine 20 before the card return operation, the number of game balls is added to the number of held balls.

[0034] The inter-machine card processing device 10 has a function of acquiring a gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20, and authenticating the gaming machine 20 using the acquired gaming machine ID and an authentication key received from the management device 50. This authentication is performed at the time of opening a store, etc., and the gaming machine 20 becomes available for play on condition that the authentication is successful.

[0035] The inter-machine card processor 10 performs various display controls based on the status of the gaming machine 20 and transmits the status of the gaming machine 20 to the management device 50.

[0036] The gaming machine 20 and the inter-machine card processor 10 notify the information center 110 of the SC communication via the management device 50 based on a predetermined condition, and perform authentication processing if they receive an SC response to the notification. If the gaming machine 20 and the inter-machine card processor 10 do not receive an SC response to the notification within a predetermined time after notifying the SC communication, they notify the SC communication again.

[0037] The island controller 30 is a device that bundles together a group of gaming machines 20 and inter-machine card processors 10 installed on the gaming island, and relays various information to the management device 50.

[0038] When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it manages the identification information of the inserted card (hereinafter referred to as the "card ID") in association with the inter-machine card processing device 10, and transmits the prepaid value and the remaining balls associated with the card ID to the inter-machine card processing device 10. Also, if the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification is the card ID of a membership card, it transmits the stored ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0039] In addition, when the management device 50 receives a request to subtract balls held from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it clears the balance of held balls to zero, and when it receives a request to add balls held from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it adds the number of held balls indicated in the request to add balls held to the balance of held balls.

[0040] Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a ball lending request from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID and transmits ball lending permission to the inter-machine card processing device 10. When the management device 50 receives a saved ball replay request, it transmits saved ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0041] Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a card ID from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls held associated with this card ID. Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a card ID from the settlement machine 70, it notifies the settlement machine 70 of the prepaid value associated with this card ID.

[0042] In addition, the management device 50 acquires the gaming machine ID from the inter-machine card processor 10 and manages the gaming machines 20 installed in its own store.

[0043] The management device 50 also manages the member management data of the members who are registered with the gaming establishment. Specifically, the management device 50 manages the number of balls, points, PIN, name, etc., in association with the member card ID issued to the member.

[0044] When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it transmits stored ball replay data including the balance of stored balls and the PIN number corresponding to the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. In addition, when the management device 50 receives a stored ball replay request from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it subtracts a predetermined number from the balance of stored balls associated with the card ID indicated in the stored ball replay request, and transmits stored ball replay data including the balance of stored balls after the subtraction to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0045] In addition, when the management device 50 receives an inquiry about the number of stored balls from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the balance of the stored balls corresponding to the specified card ID.

[0046] The management device 50 also stores, as SC communication data for each SC type, the reception time of the SC communication received from the gaming machine 20 and the inter-machine card processor 10, the transmission time of the center communication notified to the information center 110, and the reception time of the center response received from the information center 110. The management device 50 searches for the SC communication data using the judgment conditions, and if the judgment conditions are met, judges it to be an abnormality and reports it.

[0047] The prize management device 60 is a terminal device for prize exchange that is attached to the prize exchange counter in the game facility, and performs the prize exchange process for acquired balls, saved balls, and held balls. A card reader that reads the card ID of a card and a prize payout device that pays out prizes are connected to this prize management device 60. When the prize management device 60 reads the card ID from a general card or a membership card (or when it reads the identification information corresponding to the card ID from a mobile terminal, etc.), it transmits the card ID to the management device 50 and requests the remaining balance of held balls for that card ID. When saved balls are to be exchanged for prizes, the management device 50 is requested to provide the remaining balance of saved balls.

[0048] When a card associated with a prepaid value is inserted, the settlement machine 70 transmits the card ID of the card to the management device 50, obtains the prepaid value associated with the card, and dispenses cash equivalent to the obtained prepaid value.

[0049] The management center 100 is a center that manages information related to games in a plurality of gaming facilities. The management center 100 relays center communications and center responses between the management device 50 and the information center 110.

[0050] The information center 110 is a center that manages authentication information related to the gaming machines 20 and the inter-machine card processing machine 10. When the information center 110 receives a center communication from the management device 50, it notifies the management device 50 of the authentication key corresponding to the center communication and information related to the gaming machine as a center response.

[0051] Next, a description will be given of the ball lending process in the gaming system according to the present embodiment 1. When a player performs a ball lending operation on the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and a ball lending request.

[0052] When the management device 50 receives a message including a ball lending request, it updates the card management data by subtracting a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID in the message, and transmits ball lending permission to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that transmitted the message. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 that has received the ball lending permission transmits an addition signal to the gaming machine 20 requesting the addition of a number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value (e.g., "125") to the number of game balls.

[0053] The gaming machine 20 that has received the addition signal adds up the number of gaming balls and transmits the added number of gaming balls to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 compares the sum of the number of gaming balls before the addition and the number of balls lent with the number of gaming balls after the addition, and determines whether the addition of the number of gaming balls has been performed appropriately.

[0054] Next, a description will be given of the ball replay process in the gaming system according to the present embodiment 1. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a general card or a membership card, it transmits a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a card insertion notification.

[0055] When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the balance of balls held at the rate specified by the message, among the balls held associated with the card ID in the message.

[0056] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 stores the balance of held balls received from the management device 50. Then, it transmits a message including information specifying the card ID and rate, and a request to subtract held balls to the management device 50. When the management device 50 receives the request to subtract held balls, it clears the balance of held balls specified by the card ID and rate to zero. Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a request to replay held balls, it subtracts a fixed number from the balance of held balls, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the corresponding number, and adds it to the number of game balls.

[0057] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a management transfer request from the gaming machine 20 to transfer the management by making the number of gaming balls of the gaming machine 20 the balls held by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 adds the number of gaming balls indicated in the management transfer request to the balls held by the gaming machine 20. After that, when the card return operation is accepted, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits a message including a request to add the balls held to the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card to be discharged, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the balance of the balls held, and a request to add the balls held.

[0058] When the management device 50 receives the request to add the balls in hand, it updates the balance (number of balls in hand) of the balls in hand associated with the card ID in the message to the received value. After that, the card processor 10 transmits a card ejection notification to the management device 50 and controls the ejection of the card.

[0059] Next, the stored ball replay process in the gaming system according to the present embodiment 1 will be described. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a membership card or reads identification information corresponding to the card ID from a mobile terminal that can be used as a membership card, it transmits a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 (or identification information corresponding to the card ID read from the mobile terminal), an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a card insertion notification.

[0060] The management device 50 transmits stored ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the data including the PIN number associated with the card ID in the message and the remaining balance of stored balls at the rate specified by the message.

[0061] The inter-machine card processing device 10 stores the received saved ball replay data, and when the balance of saved balls indicated in the saved ball replay data is equal to or greater than the number of game ball payout units in saved ball replay (number of saved ball replay units, for example "125 balls"), it is capable of accepting a saved ball replay operation.

[0062] When the inter-machine card processor 10 receives a saved ball replay operation for the first time after storing the saved ball replay data, it requests the player to input a PIN number and checks whether the input PIN number matches the PIN number shown in the saved ball replay data.

[0063] If the PIN numbers match, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 sends a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a request to replay the stored balls.

[0064] The management device 50 subtracts a predetermined value from the balance of stored balls at the rate specified by the message among the stored balls associated with the card ID in the message, and transmits stored ball replay data including the balance after subtraction to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0065] The inter-machine card processing device 10 receives the stored ball replay data, updates the balance of stored balls, and notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the number of stored ball replay units to add it to the number of game balls. It also determines whether the updated balance of stored balls is less than the number of stored ball replay units. If the updated balance of stored ball data is equal to or greater than the number of stored ball replay units, it is possible to accept a stored ball replay operation again, and if a stored ball replay operation is accepted, it transmits a stored ball replay request. For the second or subsequent stored ball replay operations, it is not necessary to confirm the PIN number. If the updated balance of stored ball data is less than the number of stored ball replay units, it is not possible to accept a stored ball replay operation.

[0066] Next, the transition from held balls to saved balls during the store closing process will be explained. The management device 50 checks the balance of held balls in the card management data during the store closing process, and if there are held balls whose balance is greater than "0", it adds the balance of the held balls to the balance of saved balls to update it. After that, the management device 50 clears the balance of the held balls to zero.

[0067] <External configuration of the inter-machine card processing device 10 and the gaming machine 20> Next, the external configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2. In the figure, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that accepts only paper money is illustrated, but a unit that can accept electronic money can also be provided.

[0068] As shown in Figure 3, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is provided with a status display unit 11 which displays the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by turning on or blinking lamps of a predetermined color, a bill insertion slot 12a which accepts various types of bills, a display operation unit 13 such as a touch panel display, and a card insertion slot 14a which accepts cards associated with a card ID.

[0069] The gaming machine 20 is provided with a gaming board, a handle 21 used to throw enclosed gaming balls onto the gaming board, and a counting button 22.

[0070] The count button 22 is an operation button for performing a management transfer, which transfers management of the number of balls that can be dispensed from the gaming machine 20 to the inter-machine card processor 10, by subtracting the number of gaming balls in the gaming machine 20 and adding the corresponding number to the balls held by the inter-machine card processor 10. In the open-type gaming machine 20 in which actual gaming balls are dispensed upon winning, this management transfer corresponds to a counting process in which the inter-machine card processor 10 counts the dispensed gaming balls and adds them to the balls held.

[0071] <Configuration of the inter-machine card processing device 10> Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 has a banknote transport unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a communication unit 15, a memory unit 16, a control unit 17, and a game management unit 18.

[0072] The bill transport unit 12 is a transport unit that transports the bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 12a to a bill storage unit (not shown) while determining the denomination and authenticity of the bills. The display operation unit 13 is an input / output device such as a touch panel display that displays various information such as value and accepts various operations such as ball lending operations.

[0073] The reader / writer 14 is a reading unit 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) through the reader / writer 14. The communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication with the management device 50 via the island controller 30.

[0074] The storage unit 16 is a storage device including a hard disk drive, a non-volatile memory, etc. The storage unit 16 stores device status data 16a, card data 16b, and SC communication condition data 16c.

[0075] The own machine status data 16a is data indicating the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The own machine status data 16a includes the inter-machine card processing machine ID, the game machine ID, the game type, etc. The inter-machine card processing machine ID is identification information for uniquely identifying the inter-machine card processing machine 10 within the gaming establishment. The game type is data indicating the rate set in the inter-machine card processing machine 10. When game balls of multiple rates are handled within the gaming establishment, game type names are set and managed for each rate, such as "Ball 1" for game balls of a 4 yen rate, "Ball 2" for game balls of a 2 yen rate, and "Ball 3" for game balls of a 1 yen rate. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 selects a rate to be used for a game from these game types and stores it as the game type. The game type may be fixed for each section in which the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is installed, or may be changeable by the operation of the player.

[0076] The card data 16b is data related to the card being used by the player. The card data 16b includes a card ID, a PIN number, a prepaid value, held balls, saved balls, etc. The card ID is a card ID read by the reader / writer 14. When a card is transported from a card storage section (not shown) to the card insertion slot 14a and then ejected, the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during this transport. Also, when a card is transported from the card insertion slot 14a to a card storage section (not shown), the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during this transport. The prepaid value indicates the balance of the prepaid value that can be used for ball lending, and the held balls and saved balls indicate their respective balances.

[0077] The SC communication condition data 16c is data indicating the conditions for notifying the SC communication 2. The SC communication condition data 16c specifies the conditions, such as when a new gaming machine 20 is connected to the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and when the conditions are met, the game management unit 18 notifies the SC communication 2.

[0078] The gaming management unit 18 is a processing unit that performs processing related to authentication and communication with the gaming machine 20. It is preferable that the gaming management unit 18 is formed on a board different from that of the control unit 17. The gaming management unit 18 has an authentication processing unit 18a, an authentication key management unit 18b, a gaming machine status management unit 18c, and an SC communication management unit 18d. In practice, these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed, causing the authentication processing unit 18a, the authentication key management unit 18b, the gaming machine status management unit 18c, and the SC communication management unit 18d to execute processes corresponding thereto.

[0079] The authentication processing unit 18a performs authentication of the gaming machine 20 using the authentication key received from the management device 50. If the authentication is successful, the authentication processing unit 18a transmits an operation permission to the gaming machine 20. If the authentication is unsuccessful, the authentication processing unit 18a prohibits the use of the gaming machine 20. Note that even if the authentication is unsuccessful, the authentication processing unit 18a may be configured to transmit an operation permission to the gaming machine 20 if it is within a predetermined period from the last successful authentication, and not transmit an operation permission to the gaming machine 20 after the predetermined period has elapsed from the last successful authentication, and to prohibit the use of the gaming machine 20.

[0080] The authentication key management unit 18b is a processing unit that manages the authentication key. A usage time is set for the authentication key, and when the cumulative operating time of the gaming machine 20 reaches the usage time of the authentication key, the authentication key becomes unusable. Specifically, the authentication key management unit 18b uses the power-on time of the board on which the game management unit 18 is formed as the operating time of the gaming machine 20, and manages the usage time of the authentication key. When the authentication key becomes unusable, the authentication key management unit 18b obtains a new authentication key from the information center 110 via the management device 50, and updates the authentication key.

[0081] The gaming machine status management unit 18c is a processing unit that communicates with the gaming machine 20 and manages the status of the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20, transmits a request to add to the number of gaming balls by ball lending, transmits a request to shift management from held balls to the number of gaming balls by replaying held balls, transmits a request to add to the number of gaming balls by replaying saved balls, receives game results such as the number of balls inserted and the number of winning balls in the gaming machine 20, and receives a request to shift management from the number of gaming balls to held balls by counting. The communication between the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 is encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

[0082] The gaming machine status management unit 18c also acquires the status set for the game, such as the current number of gaming balls, start, jackpot, jackpot type, and number of lotteries of the gaming machine 20. It is desirable to set the time interval at which the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the status of the gaming machine 20 shorter than the interval at which gaming balls are shot (used) in the gaming machine 20. Furthermore, when the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the number of gaming balls from the gaming machine 20, it passes the number of gaming balls to the control unit 17.

[0083] The timing when the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires a new gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 is not limited to before opening. The acquisition of the gaming machine ID and the determination of replacement of the gaming machine 20 can be performed when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is powered on or off, during regular communication, when processing related to the number of gaming balls (ball lending, replay, counting, etc.) is performed, when returning from an offline state, etc. Also, these timings may be used in combination.

[0084] The SC communication management unit 18d is a processing unit that performs management related to the SC communication 2. The SC communication management unit 18d refers to the conditions stored in the SC communication condition data 16c, and if the conditions are met, encrypts a request for information on the connected gaming machine 20 and notifies the information center 110 via the management device 50 as SC communication 2. When the SC communication management unit 18d receives an SC response 2 from the information center 110 via the management device 50, it decrypts the SC response 2 to extract information on the gaming machine including an authentication key, and passes it to the authentication key management unit 18b.

[0085] The control unit 17 is a control unit that performs overall control of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and loads a program corresponding to the data management unit 17a into the CPU and executes it.

[0086] When a card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits a card insertion notification including the card ID and the inter-machine card processor ID to the management device 50. When the data management unit 17a receives data including a value (at least one of a prepaid value, a held ball, and a saved ball) from the management device 50, it updates the card data 16b with the received value.

[0087] Furthermore, when a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 12a, the data management unit 17a transmits a deposit notification to the management device 50, the deposit notification including the amount of the inserted bill, the card ID, and the inter-machine card processor ID.

[0088] In addition, when a ball lending operation is performed by a player, the data management unit 17a transmits a ball lending request including the card ID and the inter-machine card processor ID to the management device 50. If permission to lend balls is received as a response to this ball lending request, the data management unit 17a instructs the game management unit 18 to subtract the prepaid value of the card data 16b and add a predetermined number of balls to the number of game balls of the gaming machine 20.

[0089] In addition, when the data management unit 17a accepts a held ball replay operation, it instructs the game management unit 18 to subtract and update the held balls in the card data 16b and add the corresponding number of balls to the number of game balls in the gaming machine 20.

[0090] In addition, when the balance of the stored balls shown in the card data 16b is equal to or greater than the number of the stored ball replay units, the data management unit 17a displays a stored ball replay button on the display operation unit 13, and allows the stored ball replay operation to be accepted. When the stored ball replay operation is performed by the player, the data management unit 17a transmits a stored ball replay request including the card ID and the inter-machine card processor ID to the management device 50. If the data management unit 17a receives stored ball replay data in response to the stored ball replay request, it updates the balance of the stored balls in the card data 16b and instructs the game management unit 18 to add the number of balls corresponding to the number of the stored ball replay units to the number of game balls in the gaming machine 20. In addition, when the stored ball replay operation is performed for the first time, the input of a PIN is requested, and the condition for transmitting a stored ball replay request is that the PIN matches the PIN shown in the card data 16b.

[0091] In addition, when the game management unit 18 receives a request to transfer game balls from the game machine 20, the data management unit 17a adds the number of balls instructed by the game management unit 18 to the held balls in the card data 16b to update it.

[0092] In addition, when the data management unit 17a accepts a card return operation, it transmits a ball addition request including the card ID, the inter-machine card processing machine ID, and the remaining balls to the management device 50. Then, after clearing the card data 16b, it transmits a card ejection notification to the management device 50 and ejects the card.

[0093] Next, a specific example of data stored in the memory unit 16 of the inter-machine card processor 10 shown in Fig. 4 will be described. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the own device status data 16a, the card data 16b, and the SC communication condition data 16c shown in Fig. 4.

[0094] The own device status data 16a shown in Figure 5 (a) indicates a state in which the ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is "A101", the gaming machine ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201", and "1 ball" is set as the game type of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0095] The card data 16b shown in Fig. 5(b) indicates that the ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processor 10 is "2001". Here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, with a card with the first digit "1" being a general card and a card with the first digit "2" being a membership card. The card data 16b also indicates that the pin number for replaying saved balls is "1234" and the prepaid value is "3000" yen.

[0096] In addition, card data 16b indicates that, in terms of held balls, the balance of held balls for ball 1 is "1500" balls, the balance of held balls for ball 2 is "2500" balls, and the balance of held balls for ball 3 is "0" balls, and, in terms of saved balls, the balance of saved balls for ball 1 is "500" balls, the balance of saved balls for ball 2 is "0" balls, and the balance of saved balls for ball 3 is "0" balls.

[0097] The SC communication condition data 16c shown in Figure 5 (c) indicates that condition 1 is set as "when a new gaming machine is connected," condition 2 is set as "when reconnected to the same gaming machine," condition 3 is set as "when the own device is relocated," condition 4 is set as "when 140 hours have passed since the gaming machine information was updated," and condition 5 is set as "when there is no SC response 2 within 1 hour after the notification of SC communication 2."

[0098] <Configuration of the gaming machine 20> Next, the configuration of the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 6, the gaming machine 20 has a communication control unit 23, a performance control unit 24, a game control unit 25, a game ball control unit 26, and a memory unit 27.

[0099] The storage unit 27 is a storage device including a hard disk drive, a non-volatile memory, etc. The storage unit 27 stores SC communication condition data 27a. The SC communication condition data 27a is data indicating conditions for notifying SC communication 1. The SC communication condition data 27a specifies conditions such as when the device itself is newly connected to the inter-machine card processor 10, and when the conditions are met, the communication control unit 23 notifies SC communication 1.

[0100] The communication control unit 23 is a control unit that controls data communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and manages the SC communication 1. The communication control unit 23 refers to the conditions stored in the SC communication condition data 27a, and if the conditions are met, encrypts a request for information on the authentication key and notifies the information center 110 via the management device 50 as SC communication 1. When the communication control unit 23 receives an SC response 1 from the information center 110 via the management device 50, it decrypts the SC response 1 to extract the authentication key. The communication control unit 23 controls communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and the communication at that time uses encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

[0101] When the gaming machine 20 is started up, the communication control unit 23 reads out the identification information from the control CPU provided in the gaming control unit 25 and / or gaming ball control unit 26, checks whether the identification information is appropriate, and if it is appropriate, establishes communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and goes into standby mode. In the standby mode, if an operation permission is received from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the performance control unit 24, the gaming control unit 25, and the gaming ball control unit 26 are started up, making the gaming machine ready for play.

[0102] The game control unit 25 is a control unit that controls games played by the gaming machine 20. In practice, a program corresponding to the game control unit 25 is loaded into the CPU and executed, thereby causing the CPU to execute a process.

[0103] Specifically, the game control unit 25 controls the launch of game balls onto the game board by detecting handle operation, detects game balls that have entered the winning hole on the game board, obtains random numbers (random numbers from 0 to 65535, with numbers assigned to a jackpot, small jackpot, or miss within a predetermined range) using game balls that have entered the starting hole and draws lots (special and normal symbols), controls movable members (tulips, etc.) installed on the game board, controls the display of a special symbol display device installed on the game board, detects abnormalities that may be fraudulent (the front frame is open, vibration is detected, etc.) and notifies a higher-level device, etc.

[0104] A large number of obstacle pins are set on the game board, and a game ball is shot onto the game board by operating the handle, falls between the obstacle pins, and either enters a prize hole or a starting hole, or is ejected from the game board through an outlet hole without entering a prize. When a game ball enters a starting hole, a lottery is held, and if a jackpot is awarded, a jackpot game is played in which a specific prize hole on the game board is controlled to be open multiple times, and by making it easier for game balls to enter the prize hole, a prize ball is awarded to the player.

[0105] In addition, there is a special jackpot game that gives a player a special bonus game after the jackpot game ends. The special jackpot game includes a probability-varying jackpot and a time-saving jackpot. The probability-varying jackpot and the time-saving jackpot give the probability-varying game and the time-saving game as special bonus games after the jackpot, respectively. The time-saving game is a bonus game that increases the number of lotteries per unit time by shortening the fluctuation time (the time from the start of the lottery process to the display of the result) of the normal pattern lottery (the lottery for opening and closing the movable member described above) and / or the special pattern lottery (the lottery for the jackpot lottery by the winning of the game ball described above), thereby increasing the probability of winning the jackpot per unit time. This bonus game may include a normal pattern probability fluctuation that increases the probability of winning the normal pattern. The time-saving game by the time-saving jackpot ends when the number of lotteries for the special pattern lottery has been performed a predetermined number of times after the jackpot. Probability-changing games will be described later.

[0106] The game control unit 25 has a probability variation function. The probability variation function is a function that performs control to change the random number range of the jackpot used in the next lottery (generally to about 10 times) when the lottery result is a jackpot that falls within a particularly specified random number range. The probability variation game is a game in which a special symbol is drawn using the changed probability. The probability variation game continues until the next jackpot is won. In addition, the probability variation game and the time-saving game may be given at the same time. However, in order to prevent unexpected losses to the gaming facility, if a player acquires a certain number of game media after the probability variation game or the time-saving game starts, a process of stopping the game (discharging the card once and requesting a prize exchange or a machine move) may be performed. In this case, the number of game media after the probability variation game state is entered is counted by the gaming machine 20, and when the count value reaches a predetermined value, the game can be stopped by performing a game stop control such as stopping the release of game balls.

[0107] The performance control unit 24 is a control unit that controls the performance during a game, and has a performance symbol lottery unit 24a and a performance lottery unit 24b. In practice, by loading these programs into a CPU and executing them, the performance symbol lottery unit 24a and the performance lottery unit 24b will execute processes corresponding to them, respectively.

[0108] The effect pattern lottery unit 24a performs lottery (specifically, whether to stop the display at 7, 7, 7, etc.) for effect patterns (patterns to be displayed on an effect pattern display device such as a display device on the game board surface) based on the special pattern lottery in the game control unit 25.

[0109] The effect selection unit 24b selects the type of effect to be performed before the result of the selection based on the effect symbols is displayed (such as a character appearing and a reach effect). Such effects are set so that the effects selected are different from the main selection result.

[0110] The performance control unit 24 stores performance data for each performance. Furthermore, the performance control unit 24 controls the display of the performance pattern display device, and when a performance is executed, the performance data is superimposed on the background pattern data to display the performance. In addition, when the probability fluctuates, background color data different from that in the normal state is set.

[0111] The game ball control unit 26 is a control unit that controls the number of game balls. In practice, a program corresponding to the game ball control unit 26 is loaded into the CPU and executed to execute the process. The playable number management unit 26a is a management unit that manages the playable number, i.e., the number of game balls.

[0112] Specifically, the game ball control unit 26 stores the number of game balls in a playable number memory, subtracts "1" from the number of game balls each time a game ball is shot, and adds the number of prize balls acquired by winning to the number of game balls. When the number of balls is notified by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the game ball control unit 26 adds the notified number of balls to the number of game balls and transmits a confirmation signal to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 indicating that the number of game balls has been added. The game ball control unit 26 can also perform cleaning control of the game balls (circulating balls) enclosed in the game machine 20.

[0113] In addition, the game ball control unit 26 periodically transmits the number of game balls stored in the playable number memory to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. In this case, the game ball control unit 26 transmits the number of game balls at the time of data acquisition to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 while continuing to update the number of game balls according to the game status without clearing the contents of the playable number memory to zero.

[0114] The gaming machine 20 is also provided with a counting button 22, and a signal indicating that the counting button 22 has been pressed is input to the gaming ball control unit 26. The gaming ball control unit 26 detects the pressing of the counting button 22, and if the detection signal rises and falls within a certain period of time, it transmits a management transfer request to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 together with data on the number of gaming balls by a certain number (for example, 100 balls per operation). Then, it subtracts (invalidates) the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 from the number of gaming balls. Also, if it detects the pressing of the counting button 22 and does not detect a fall for a certain period of time or more after the detection signal rises, it transmits a management transfer request to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 together with data on the number of gaming balls by a certain number (for example, 200 balls per 5 seconds) each time the detection signal rises and continues for a certain period of time. Then, it subtracts (invalidates) the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 from the number of gaming balls. When subtracting from the number of game balls, possible methods include decrementing the value to be subtracted from the value of 1 stored in memory, or updating the value stored in memory with the value after the subtraction and deleting or logically deleting the value before the subtraction to invalidate it, but there are no particular limitations as long as the value after the subtraction is identifiable.

[0115] The game control unit 25 and the game ball control unit 26 are each configured on a separate board. The game control board on which the game control unit 25 is configured and the game ball control board on which the game ball control unit 26 is configured each have their own unique ID. The game machine 20 combines the ID of the game control board and the ID of the game ball control board and uses them as the game machine ID.

[0116] Next, a specific example of data stored in the storage unit 27 of the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 6 will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the SC communication condition data 27a shown in Fig. 6.

[0117] The SC communication condition data 27a shown in Figure 7 indicates that condition 1 is set as "when a new connection is made to a machine-to-machine card processing machine," condition 2 is set as "the 15th of every month," condition 3 is set as "when 600 hours have passed since the authentication key was updated," condition 4 is set as "when an abnormality occurs in decryption using the authentication key," and condition 5 is set as "when there is no SC response 1 within 1 hour after the notification of SC communication 1."

[0118] <Configuration of management device 50> Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the management device 50 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the management device 50 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 8, the management device 50 is connected to a display unit 51 and an input unit 52, and has an external network communication unit 53, a store network communication unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 56.

[0119] The display unit 51 is a liquid crystal panel, a display device, etc. The input unit 52 is a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The external network communication unit 53 is an interface unit for data communication with the information center 110 via an external network. The store network communication unit 54 is an interface unit for data communication with the island controller 30, the prize management device 60, and the settlement machine 70 via a communication line within the gaming facility.

[0120] The storage unit 55 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a non-volatile memory, and stores card management data 55a, device management data 55b, member management data 55c, abnormality determination threshold data 55d, and SC communication data 55e.

[0121] The card management data 55a is data that associates the card ID with the remaining prepaid value and the remaining balls. The device management data 55b is data related to the devices installed in the gaming facility. This device management data 55b includes the machine-to-machine card processing machine ID, the installation location, the gaming machine ID, the model data of the gaming machine 20, and the like.

[0122] The member management data 55c is data that associates the card ID of the member card issued to the member with the member's name, ball storage information, etc. The abnormality determination threshold data 55d is data that indicates a threshold for determining an abnormality related to SC communication, etc. The SC communication data 55e is data that indicates the transmission and reception time of communication related to SC communication, etc.

[0123] The control unit 56 is a control unit that performs overall control of the management device 50, and has a card management unit 56a, a device management unit 56b, a member management unit 56c, a threshold management unit 56d, an SC communication control unit 56e, an SC communication management unit 56f, an SC reception determination unit 56g, a center transmission determination unit 56h, a center reception determination unit 56i, and an alarm unit 56j. In reality, by loading these programs into a CPU and executing them, the card management unit 56a, the device management unit 56b, the member management unit 56c, the threshold management unit 56d, the SC communication control unit 56e, the SC communication management unit 56f, the SC reception determination unit 56g, the center transmission determination unit 56h, the center reception determination unit 56i, and the alarm unit 56j are caused to execute processes corresponding thereto.

[0124] The card management unit 56a is a processing unit that manages the card management data 55a. The card management unit 56a communicates with the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the prize management device 60, and the settlement machine 70 to update the prepaid value and the balance of the balls associated with the card ID. In addition, when the card management unit 56a receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it notifies the value and the balance of the balls associated with the card.

[0125] The device management unit 56b is a processing unit that manages the device management data 55b. The device management unit 56b generates and updates the device management data 55b based on the inter-machine card processor ID, the installation location, and the gaming machine ID acquired from the inter-machine card processor 10.

[0126] The member management unit 56c is a processing unit that manages the member management data 55c. The member management unit 56c communicates with the prize management device 60 and updates the balance of the balls associated with the card ID. In addition, when the member management unit 56c receives a member registration request, it updates the member management data 55c to add the member.

[0127] Here, the stored ball replay process by the member management unit 56c will be explained. When the member management unit 56c receives the stored ball replay request data from the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10, it subtracts the payout unit number of the remaining balls of the payout rate from the stored balls associated with the card ID in the stored ball replay request data, and recalculates the number of possible stored ball replays. Then, it transmits the stored ball replay data including the remaining balance after subtraction and the number of possible stored ball replays to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

[0128] The threshold management unit 56d is a processing unit that manages the abnormality determination threshold data 55d. The threshold management unit 56d receives the SC reception threshold, the center transmission threshold, and the center reception threshold from the input unit 52, and stores each of them in the abnormality determination threshold data 55d.

[0129] The SC communication control unit 56e is a processing unit that relays the SC communication and the center response. The SC communication control unit 56e collects the SC communication 1 and the SC communication 2 received from the gaming machine 20 and the inter-machine card processor 10 into a file, creates a center communication, and notifies the information center 110 via the management center 100. The SC communication control unit 56e divides the center response received from the information center 110 via the management center 100 into an SC response 1 related to the authentication key and an SC response 2 related to gaming machine information, and notifies the gaming machine 20 and the inter-machine card processor 10 of each.

[0130] The SC communication management unit 56f is a processing unit that manages the SC communication data 55e. For each of the SC communication 1 and the SC communication 2 received from the gaming machine 20 and the inter-machine card processor 10, the SC communication management unit 56f stores the time at which the SC communication was received in the SC communication reception time 2 if there is data at the SC communication reception time 1 of the SC communication data 55e, and stores the time at which the SC communication was received in the SC communication reception time 1 and the SC communication reception time 2 if there is no data at the SC communication reception time 1.

[0131] The SC communication management unit 56f stores the transmission time of the center communication transmitted to the information center 110 via the management center 100 as the center communication transmission time of the SC communication data 55e. The SC communication management unit 56f stores the reception time of the center response received from the information center 110 via the management center 100 as the center response reception time of the SC communication data 55e, and erases the data of the SC communication reception time 1.

[0132] The SC reception determination unit 56g is a processing unit that determines whether there is an abnormality related to the reception of SC communication. If the difference between the SC communication reception time 1 and the SC communication reception time 2 of the SC communication data 55e in each of the SC communication 1 and the SC communication 2 is equal to or greater than the SC reception threshold of the abnormality determination threshold data 55d, the SC reception determination unit 56g determines that there is an abnormality in the transmission of the SC board of the gaming machine 20 or the inter-machine card processor 10, and transfers the process to the notification unit.

[0133] If data is stored at SC communication reception time 1 and SC communication reception time 2 of the SC communication data 55e and the difference between the SC communication reception time 2 and the current time is equal to or greater than the SC reception threshold of the abnormality judgment threshold data 55d, the SC reception judgment unit 56g judges that there is a transmission abnormality in the SC board of the gaming machine 20 or the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and hands the processing over to the alarm unit.

[0134] The center transmission determination unit 56h is a processing unit that determines an abnormality related to the transmission of the center communication. If the difference between the SC communication reception time 1 and the center communication transmission time of the SC communication data 55e related to the SC communication 1 or the SC communication 2 is equal to or greater than the center transmission threshold of the abnormality determination threshold data 55d, the center transmission determination unit 56h determines that there is an abnormality in the transmission of the SC communication control unit 56e, and transfers the process to the notification unit.

[0135] The center reception determination unit 56i is a processing unit that determines whether there is an abnormality related to the reception of the center response. If the difference between the SC communication reception time 1 and the center response reception time of the SC communication data 55e related to the SC communication 1 or SC communication 2 is equal to or greater than the center reception threshold of the abnormality determination threshold data 55d, the center reception determination unit 56i determines that there is an abnormality in the transmission of the information center 110, and transfers the process to the notification unit.

[0136] The notification unit 56j is a processing unit that notifies the occurrence of an abnormality in SC communication when an abnormality in SC communication is detected. When the process is handed over from the SC reception determination unit 56g, the center transmission determination unit 56h, or the center reception determination unit 56i, the notification unit 56j notifies an employee terminal (not shown) of the occurrence of an abnormality in SC communication.

[0137] Next, a description will be given of specific examples of data stored in memory unit 55 of management device 50 shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 are diagrams showing examples of card management data 55a, device management data 55b, member management data 55c, abnormality determination threshold data 55d, and SC communication data 55e shown in Fig. 8.

[0138] In the card management data 55a shown in Fig. 9(b), the card ID "1001" is associated with a prepaid value of "0" yen, the remaining balls of each rate "0", and the destination ID "A101". That is, the card with the card ID "1001" is inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with the device ID "A101", and the management of the remaining balls has been transferred to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Therefore, the remaining balls of each rate are zero.

[0139] In the card management data 55a, the card ID "2001" is associated with a prepaid value of "3000" yen, and the remaining balls for ball 1 are "1500", the remaining balls for ball 2 are "2500", and the remaining balls for ball 3 are "0", but there is no association with a usage ID. In other words, the card with the card ID "2001" is not inserted into the inter-machine card processor 10, and the management of the remaining balls is performed by the management device 50.

[0140] The device management data 55b shown in Fig. 9(b) indicates that the location of the inter-machine card processor 10 with ID "A101" is "island 1-1", the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201", the gaming machine number is "11", the game type is "Ball 1", the model of the connected gaming machine 20 is "EV01", and the serial number is "a". It also indicates that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

[0141] The device management data 55b indicates that the location of the inter-machine card processor 10 with ID "A201" is "island 2-1", the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B506", the gaming machine number is "21", the game type is "ball 3", the model of the connected gaming machine 20 is "DX03", and the serial number is "g". It also indicates that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

[0142] Member management data 55c shown in Fig. 9(c) indicates the name, saved balls, etc. associated with the card ID. Specifically, member management data 55c associates the name "Tokutei Taro," the saved ball balance of "1500" balls for "Ball 1," the saved ball balance of "200" balls for "Ball 2," and the saved ball balance of "0" balls for "Ball 3" with the card ID "2005."

[0143] Abnormality determination threshold data 55d shown in FIG. 9(d) indicates that the SC reception threshold is set to "60 minutes", the center transmission threshold is set to "20 minutes", and the center reception threshold is set to "60 minutes".

[0144] In the SC communication data 55e shown in FIG. 10, for the SC type "SC1" of the inter-machine card processing machine ID "A101", the SC communication reception time 1 is "2020 / 10 / 01 19:10", the SC communication reception time 2 is "2020 / 10 / 01 20:15", the center communication transmission time is "2020 / 10 / 01 17:00", and the center response reception time is "2020 / 10 / 01 17:30". For the SC type "SC2" of the inter-machine card processing machine ID "A101", the SC communication reception time 1 is "2020 / 10 / 01 19:20", the SC communication reception time 2 is "2020 / 10 / 01 19:20", and the center communication transmission time is "2020 / 10 / 01 The center response reception time is associated with "2020 / 10 / 01 17:00".

[0145] In addition, for the SC type "SC1" of the inter-machine card processing machine ID "A102", the SC communication reception time 1 is "2020 / 10 / 01 19:30", the SC communication reception time 2 is "2020 / 10 / 01 19:30", the center communication transmission time is "2020 / 10 / 01 20:00", and the center response reception time is "2020 / 10 / 01 17:50". For the SC type "SC2" of the inter-machine card processing machine ID "A102", the SC communication reception time 1 is "2020 / 10 / 01 19:50", the SC communication reception time 2 is "2020 / 10 / 01 19:50", the center communication transmission time is "2020 / 10 / 01 20:00", and the center response reception time is "2020 / 10 / 01 "21:00" is associated with the timestamp.

[0146] <Abnormality determination pattern according to the first embodiment> Next, a description will be given of an abnormality determination pattern according to the embodiment 1. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an abnormality determination pattern according to the embodiment 1.

[0147] First, the abnormality determination patterns are divided into four, Pattern 1 to Pattern 4. In Pattern 1, if the difference between the earliest reception time and the latest reception time from the same SC board is equal to or greater than the SC reception threshold, it is determined that there is a transmission abnormality in the SC board.

[0148] For example, in the case of the inter-machine card processing machine ID "A101" and the SC type "SC1" in Figure 10, the difference between the SC communication reception time 1 and the SC communication reception time 2 (65 minutes) is greater than the SC reception threshold (60 minutes) in Figure 9 (d), so it is determined that there is a transmission abnormality in the SC board of the gaming machine 20 that transmits the SC communication 1.

[0149] In pattern 2, if the earliest and latest reception times from the same SC board are stored and the difference between the latest reception time and the current time is equal to or greater than the SC reception threshold, a transmission abnormality is determined to exist in the SC board.

[0150] For example, in the case of the inter-machine card processing machine ID "A101" and SC type "SC2" in Figure 10, data is stored at SC communication reception time 1 and SC communication reception time 2, and the difference (70 minutes) between SC communication reception time 2 and the current time (20:30) is greater than the SC reception threshold (60 minutes) in Figure 9 (d), so it is determined that there is a transmission abnormality in the SC board of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that sends SC communication 2.

[0151] In pattern 3, if the difference between the earliest reception time from the SC board and the center transmission time is equal to or greater than the center transmission threshold, the management device 50 determines that there is an abnormality in transmission to the center.

[0152] For example, in the case of the inter-machine card processing machine ID "A102" and SC type "SC1" in Figure 10, the difference (30 minutes) between the SC communication reception time 1 and the center communication transmission time is greater than the center transmission threshold (20 minutes) in Figure 9 (d), so it is determined that there is an abnormality in transmission from the management device 50 to the information center 110.

[0153] In pattern 4, if the difference between the earliest reception time from the SC board and the center reception time is equal to or greater than the center reception threshold, it is determined that there is a transmission abnormality on the center side.

[0154] For example, in the case of the inter-machine card processing machine ID "A102" and the SC type "SC2" in Figure 10, the difference (70 minutes) between the SC communication reception time 1 and the center response reception time is greater than the center reception threshold (60 minutes) in Figure 9 (d), so it is determined that there is an abnormality in transmission from the information center 110 to the management device 50.

[0155] <Processing Procedure of the Management Device 50 According to the First Embodiment> Next, a description will be given of the processing procedure of the management device 50 according to the embodiment 1. Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the management device 50 according to the embodiment 1.

[0156] First, if no SC communication has been received from the gaming machine 20 or the inter-machine card processor 10 (step S101; No), the process proceeds to step S107. If an SC communication has been received (step S101; Yes), the reception time is stored as the SC communication reception time 2 of the SC communication data 55e (step S102).

[0157] If there is no data at SC communication reception time 1 (step S103; No), the reception time of the SC communication is stored at SC communication reception time 1 (step S106). If there is data at SC communication reception time 1 (step S103; Yes) and the difference between SC communication reception time 1 and SC communication reception time 2 is equal to or greater than the SC reception threshold (step S104; Yes), it is determined that there is a transmission abnormality in the SC board and a notification to that effect is issued (step S105).

[0158] Furthermore, if there is data at SC communication reception time 1 and SC communication reception time 2 (step S107; Yes) and the difference between SC communication reception time 2 and the current time is greater than or equal to the SC reception threshold (step S108; Yes), it is determined that there is a transmission abnormality in the SC board and this is notified (step S109).

[0159] Next, if a center communication has not been transmitted to the information center 110 (step S110; No), the process proceeds to step S114. If a center communication has been transmitted (step S110; Yes), the transmission time is stored as the center communication transmission time of the SC communication data 55e (step S111).

[0160] If the difference between the SC communication reception time 1 and the center communication transmission time is equal to or greater than the center transmission threshold (step S112; Yes), it is determined that there is an abnormality in the center communication transmission from the management device 50 to the information center 110, and this is notified (step S113).

[0161] Next, if a center response has not been received from the information center 110 (step S114; No), the process proceeds to step S119. If a center response has been received (step S114; Yes), the reception time is stored as the center response reception time of the SC communication data 55e (step S115).

[0162] If the difference between the SC communication reception time 1 and the center response reception time is equal to or greater than the center reception threshold (step S116; Yes), it is determined that there was an abnormality in the transmission of the center response from the information center 110 to the management device 50, and this is notified (step S117). The data of the SC communication reception time 1 in the SC communication data 55e is erased (step S118), and the presence or absence of an instruction to stop the gaming system is confirmed (step S119).

[0163] If there is no instruction to stop the gaming system (step S119; No), the process proceeds to step S101. If there is an instruction to stop the gaming system (step S119; Yes), the process ends.

[0164] In this way, the gaming system according to the first embodiment can detect an abnormality in communication related to the authentication information of the gaming machine, and can streamline the work of responding to the abnormal state.

[0165] In the above embodiment 1, a configuration is described in which the management device 50 detects communication abnormalities related to authentication information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the management center 100 can also be configured to detect communication abnormalities related to authentication information.

[0166] As described above, in this embodiment 1, the management device 50 is communicatively connected to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 attached to the enclosed gaming machine 20, and stores in the SC communication data 55e the earliest and latest reception times of SC communication 1 and SC communication 2 notified from the gaming machine 20 and the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the notification time of the center communication notified by the management device 50, and the reception time of the center response notified from the information center 110. When a center response notified from the information center 110 is received, the earliest reception times for SC communication 1 and SC communication 2 stored in the SC communication data 55e are erased, and the SC communication data 55e is searched using the abnormality judgment threshold data 55d to detect and report the occurrence of an abnormality, thereby making it possible to efficiently respond to abnormal conditions.

[0167] [Embodiment 2] Incidentally, in the above embodiment 1, a configuration for detecting communication abnormalities related to authentication information of a gaming machine has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it can also be configured so that for an inter-machine card processing machine that is compatible with both enclosed pachinko gaming machines and slot gaming machines, the management device can specify which model the machine is compatible with, thereby making it possible to efficiently manage and operate the device.

[0168] In this embodiment 2, a configuration is described that makes the management and operation of a machine-to-machine card processing machine, which is compatible with both enclosed pachinko and slot game machines, more efficient by allowing the management device to specify which model the machine is compatible with.

[0169] Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of the gaming system according to the present embodiment 2. As shown in Fig. 14, the management device 200 sets the operating model of the inter-machine card processor 300 (S11). The inter-machine card processor 300A connected to the pachinko gaming machine 20A and the inter-machine card processor 300B connected to the slot gaming machine 20B notify a machine authentication application (S12).

[0170] The management device 200 performs device authentication of the inter-machine card processor 300 (S13), and notifies the inter-machine card processor 300 of the set operation model (S14). Upon receiving the notification, the inter-machine card processor 300 operates the game based on the specified operation model (S15).

[0171] In this way, for an inter-machine card processing machine that is compatible with both enclosed pachinko and slot gaming machines, the management device can specify which model the machine is compatible with, thereby making it possible to make the management and operation of the device more efficient.

[0172] <Configuration of management device 200 according to the second embodiment> Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the management device 200 according to the present embodiment 2. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing the configuration of the management device 200 according to the present embodiment 2. Note that a description of the same functional units as those of the management device 50 shown in Fig. 8 will be omitted.

[0173] The management device 200 is connected to a display unit 51 and an input unit 52 , and includes an external network communication unit 53 , a store network communication unit 54 , a storage unit 210 , and a control unit 220 .

[0174] The storage unit 210 is a storage device including a hard disk drive, a non-volatile memory, etc. The storage unit 210 stores card management data 55a, operating model management data 211, device management data 212, and member management data 55c.

[0175] The operating model management data 211 is data indicating an operating model specified for the inter-machine card processor 300. The operating model management data 211 includes an inter-machine card processor ID, a model, an operating model, and the like.

[0176] The device management data 212 is data related to devices installed in the gaming establishment. The device management data 212 includes the gaming machine number, the gaming machine ID, the device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 300, the machine type, the operating machine type, the type of game, and the like.

[0177] The control unit 220 is a control unit that performs overall control of the management device 200, and has a card management unit 56a, an operating model management unit 221, a device management unit 222, and a member management unit 56c. In practice, by loading these programs into a CPU and executing them, the card management unit 56a, the operating model management unit 221, the device management unit 222, and the member management unit 56c will each execute a corresponding process.

[0178] The operational model management unit 221 is a processing unit that manages the operational model management data 211. The operational model management unit 221 stores the model of the inter-machine card processing machine 300 and the operational model received from the input unit 52 in the operational model management data 211.

[0179] The device management unit 222 is a processing unit that manages the device management data 212. When the device management unit 222 accepts a device authentication application from the inter-machine card processing machine 300, it stores information related to the inter-machine card processing machine 300 included in the device authentication application and information in the operation model management data 211 related to the inter-machine card processing machine 300 in the device management data 212, and notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 300 of the information related to device authentication of the inter-machine card processing machine 300 and the operation model management data 211.

[0180] Next, a specific example of data stored in the storage unit 210 of the management device 200 shown in Fig. 15 will be described. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the operational model management data 211 and the device management data 212 shown in Fig. 15.

[0181] The operational model management data 211 shown in Figure 16 (a) indicates that for the inter-machine card processing machine ID "A101", the model is set to "JC01" and the operational model is set to "JCK", and for the inter-machine card processing machine ID "A201", the model is set to "JC03" and the operational model is set to "JMK".

[0182] The device management data 212 shown in Figure 16 (b) indicates that for the gaming machine number "11", the gaming machine ID is "B201", the device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 300 is "A101", the model is "JC01", the operating model is "JCK", and the game type is "Ball 1", and for the gaming machine number "21", the gaming machine ID is "C506", the device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 300 is "A201", the model is "JC03", the operating model is "JMK", and the game type is "Medal 3".

[0183] In this way, for an inter-machine card processing machine that is compatible with both enclosed pachinko and slot gaming machines, the management device can specify which model the machine is compatible with, thereby making it possible to make the management and operation of the device more efficient.

[0184] In the above embodiment 2, a configuration has been described in which the operating model of the inter-machine card processing machine can be specified to be compatible with both pachinko and slot gaming machines. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the screen color of the inter-machine card processing machine can also be changed depending on the specified operating model, making it easy to identify which operating model is being used.

[0185] In addition, in the above embodiment 2, a configuration has been described in which the operating model of the inter-machine card processing machine can be specified to make it compatible with both pachinko and slot gaming machines, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to install multiple management software programs on the same device and configure it to be operated centrally depending on the application.

[0186] In addition, in the above embodiment 2, a configuration has been described in which the operating model of the inter-machine card processing machine can be specified to make it compatible with both pachinko and slot gaming machines, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it can also be configured to enable mutual conversion between gaming balls and medals by converting the gaming types of gaming balls and medals with the same value.

[0187] In addition, in the above embodiment 2, a configuration has been described in which the operating model of the inter-machine card processing machine can be specified to make it compatible with both pachinko and slot gaming machines, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it may also be configured to specify only the game type of pachinko or slot.

[0188] In addition, the configurations illustrated in the above embodiments are merely functional schematics, and are not necessarily physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that illustrated, and all or part of the devices can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads, usage conditions, etc. [Industrial Applicability]

[0189] The gaming system, management device, and anomaly detection method according to the present invention are suitable for detecting an anomaly in communication related to authentication information of a gaming machine, and for making the work of responding to the anomaly more efficient. [Explanation of symbols]

[0190] 10 Card Processing Machines 11 Status display section 12 Banknote transport section 12a Bill insertion slot 13 Display operation section 14 Reader / Writer 14a Card slot 15 Communications Department 16 Memory section 16a Device status data 16b Card Data 16c SC communication conditions data 17 Control section 17a Data Management Department 18 Gaming Management Department 18a Authentication processing section 18b Authentication key management unit 18c Gaming Machine Status Management Department 18d SC Communication Management Department 20 Gaming Machines 21 Handle 22 Count button 23 Communication control section 24 Production Control Unit 24a Design drawing lottery section 24b Production Lottery Section 25 Game control unit 26 Game ball control unit 26a Playable Number Management Department 27 Memory section 27a SC communication condition data 30 Island Controller 50 Management device 51 Display section 52 Input section 53 External network communication section 54 Store Network Communication Department 55 Storage section 55a Card management data 55b Equipment Management Data 55c Membership Management Data 55d Abnormality judgment threshold data 55e SC communication data 56 Control section 56a Card Management Department 56b Equipment management department 56c Membership Management Department 56d Threshold Management Unit 56e SC communication control unit 56f SC Communication Management Department 56g SC reception judgment unit 56h Center transmission decision section 56i Center reception judgment unit 56j Notification Department 60 Prize Management Device 70 Payment machine 100 Management Center 110 Information Center 200 Management device 210 Storage section 211 Operational Model Management Data 212 Equipment Management Data 220 Control section 221 Operational Model Management Department 222 Equipment Management Department 300 card processing machines

Claims

1. A gaming system including an enclosed gaming machine that provides a game based on a number of gaming media stored in a predetermined storage unit, a gaming device attached to the gaming machine, and a management device communicably connected to an information management device that manages information related to the gaming machine and the gaming device, The management device includes: a first notification means for acquiring request information from the gaming machine and the gaming device and notifying the information management device of the acquired request information; a second notification means for acquiring response information notified by the information management device in response to the request information, and notifying the gaming machine and the gaming device of the acquired response information; a storage means for storing a time when the request information is acquired, a time when the request information is notified to the information management device, and a time when the response information is acquired; a detection means for detecting an occurrence of an abnormality based on an acquisition time of the request information stored in the storage means, a notification time of the request information to the information management device, and an acquisition time of the response information; a notification means for notifying an abnormality when the detection means detects the abnormality; Equipped with The detection means includes: When a time difference between a first acquisition time of the first request information stored in the storage means and a second acquisition time of the second request information newly stored in the storage means is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred. A gaming system comprising:

2. The detection means includes:

2. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein an abnormality is determined when the time difference between the second acquisition time and the current time is equal to or greater than the first threshold value.

3. The detection means includes: The gaming system described in claim 1, characterized in that an abnormality is determined when the time difference between the first acquisition time of the first request information stored in the memory means and the notification time at which the request information is notified to the information management device is greater than or equal to a second threshold value.

4. A gaming system having an enclosed gaming machine that provides games based on a number of gaming media stored in a predetermined memory unit, a gaming device attached to the gaming machine, and a management device communicably connected to an information management device that manages information related to the gaming machine and the gaming device, The management device includes: a first notification means for acquiring request information from the gaming machine and the gaming device and notifying the information management device of the acquired request information; a second notification means for acquiring response information notified by the information management device in response to the request information, and notifying the gaming machine and the gaming device of the acquired response information; a storage means for storing a time when the request information is acquired, a time when the request information is notified to the information management device, and a time when the response information is acquired; a detection means for detecting an occurrence of an abnormality based on an acquisition time of the request information stored in the storage means, a notification time of the request information to the information management device, and an acquisition time of the response information; a notification means for notifying an abnormality when the detection means detects the abnormality; Equipped with The detection means includes: When a time difference between a first acquisition time of the first request information stored in the storage means and an acquisition time of the response information is equal to or greater than a third threshold, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred. A gaming system comprising:

5. A management device communicably connected to a gaming device attached to an enclosed gaming machine that provides a game based on a number of gaming media stored in a predetermined storage unit and an information management device that manages information related to the gaming machine and the gaming device, a first notification means for acquiring request information from the gaming machine and the gaming device and notifying the information management device of the acquired request information; a second notification means for acquiring response information notified by the information management device in response to the request information, and notifying the gaming machine and the gaming device of the acquired response information; a storage means for storing a time when the request information is acquired, a time when the request information is notified to the information management device, and a time when the response information is acquired; a detection means for detecting an occurrence of an abnormality based on an acquisition time of the request information stored in the storage means, a notification time of the request information to the information management device, and an acquisition time of the response information; a notification means for notifying an abnormality when the detection means detects the abnormality; Equipped with The detection means includes: When a time difference between a first acquisition time of the first request information stored in the storage means and a second acquisition time of the second request information newly stored in the storage means is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred. A management device comprising:

6. A management device communicably connected to a gaming device attached to an enclosed gaming machine that provides a game based on a number of gaming media stored in a predetermined memory unit and an information management device that manages information related to the gaming machine and the gaming device, a first notification means for acquiring request information from the gaming machine and the gaming device and notifying the information management device of the acquired request information; a second notification means for acquiring response information notified by the information management device in response to the request information, and notifying the gaming machine and the gaming device of the acquired response information; a storage means for storing a time when the request information is acquired, a time when the request information is notified to the information management device, and a time when the response information is acquired; a detection means for detecting an occurrence of an abnormality based on an acquisition time of the request information stored in the storage means, a notification time of the request information to the information management device, and an acquisition time of the response information; a notification means for notifying an abnormality when the detection means detects the abnormality; Equipped with The detection means includes: When a time difference between a first acquisition time of the first request information stored in the storage means and an acquisition time of the response information is equal to or greater than a third threshold, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred. A management device comprising:

7. A method for detecting an abnormality in a gaming system having an enclosed gaming machine that provides a game based on a number of gaming media stored in a predetermined storage unit, a gaming device attached to the gaming machine, and a management device communicably connected to an information management device that manages information related to the gaming machine and the gaming device, comprising: a first notification step in which the management device acquires request information from the gaming machines and the gaming devices and notifies the information management device of the acquired request information; a second notification step of the management device acquiring response information notified by the information management device in response to the request information, and notifying the gaming machine and the gaming device of the acquired response information; a storage step of the management device storing in a storage unit an acquisition time of the request information, a notification time of the request information to the information management device, and an acquisition time of the response information; a detection step in which the management device detects occurrence of an abnormality based on an acquisition time of the request information stored in the storage unit, a notification time of the request information to the information management device, and an acquisition time of the response information; a notification step of notifying the management device when the management device detects an abnormality in the detection step; Including, The detection step includes: When a time difference between a first acquisition time of the first request information stored in the storage unit and a second acquisition time of the second request information newly stored in the storage unit is equal to or greater than a first threshold, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred. The anomaly detection method according to the present invention is characterized in that

8. A method for detecting an abnormality in a gaming system having an enclosed gaming machine that provides a game based on a number of gaming media stored in a predetermined memory unit, a gaming device attached to the gaming machine, and a management device communicably connected to an information management device that manages information related to the gaming machine and the gaming device, comprising: a first notification step in which the management device acquires request information from the gaming machines and the gaming devices and notifies the information management device of the acquired request information; a second notification step of the management device acquiring response information notified by the information management device in response to the request information, and notifying the gaming machine and the gaming device of the acquired response information; a storage step of the management device storing in a storage unit an acquisition time of the request information, a notification time of the request information to the information management device, and an acquisition time of the response information; a detection step in which the management device detects occurrence of an abnormality based on an acquisition time of the request information stored in the storage unit, a notification time of the request information to the information management device, and an acquisition time of the response information; a notification step of notifying the management device when the management device detects an abnormality in the detection step; Including, The detection step includes: When a time difference between a first acquisition time of the first request information stored in the storage unit and an acquisition time of the response information is equal to or greater than a third threshold, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred. The anomaly detection method according to the present invention is characterized in that

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