JP2002172266A - Recording medium handling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To arrange a function of issuing a recording medium in a recording medium handling device, and allow the use of the recording medium handling device in an incommunicative state in a manner that can repress an abnormal use condition of the recording medium handling device. SOLUTION: A card unit capable of issuing an enclosed prepaid card accumulates issued money amount data recorded in the issuance of the issued enclosed prepaid card 23 (S2), and executes processing of determining whether the accumulation value exceeds a predetermined ceiling value or not (S3).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording medium processing device represented by, for example, a card unit, and more particularly, to a communication device configured to be communicable and using a game value specified by recording information on a recording medium. The present invention relates to a recording medium processing device that performs a lending process for lending a game medium usable for a game by a gaming machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A game machine of this type is generally known from the related art. There has been a recording medium processing apparatus that performs a lending process for lending (for example, lending) game media such as balls that can be used for a game by a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine using a gaming value specified by the game machine.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional recording medium processing device, when a player has a recording medium already issued, the recording medium is transferred to the recording medium processing device. You can insert and receive the loan of game media, but if the player does not have the recording medium, or if the player has used up the gaming value of the recording medium, the player Had to leave the gaming machine and go to the recording medium issuing device to have the recording medium issued.

[0004] Therefore, a money receiving unit for receiving money as a purchase price of a player is provided in the recording medium processing device, and a game value corresponding to a predetermined amount within a range of the amount of money received by the money receiving unit is provided. By enabling the issuance of a recording medium on which identifiable information is recorded, and allowing the player to lend a game using the gaming value specified by the recording information on the recording medium, the player can It is conceivable to adopt a configuration in which the trouble of leaving the machine and going to the recording medium issuing device to issue the recording medium can be avoided.

When such a recording medium processing apparatus is used, an administrator of the recording medium processing apparatus can communicate information in order to manage sales related to the use of the recording medium in the recording medium processing apparatus. It may be necessary to configure each recording medium processing device such that In this case, in order to ensure strict management, it is desirable that the recording medium processing device be inactivated immediately when the communication medium processing device becomes incommunicable information.

On the other hand, on the business side of the amusement arcade, it is more advantageous to operate the recording medium processing device as it is, even if the recording medium processing device is in a communication disabled state, if there is no problem in the recording medium processing function of the device.

However, if the recording medium processing device in the communication disabled state can be operated without limitation, the recording medium processing device cannot be managed from the outside. There is a problem that disadvantages are likely to occur on the game arcade side, for example, it is difficult to suppress the abnormal use of the device that occurs.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a recording medium processing device with a function of issuing a recording medium and to suppress abnormal use of the recording medium processing device. In another aspect of the present invention, the recording medium processing device can be used in a communication disabled state.

[0009]

Specific Examples of Means for Solving the Problems and Their Effects
(1) A game medium (for example, a pachinko game machine 2) that is configured to be communicable and can be used for a game by a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 2) using (withdrawing) a gaming value specified by recording information on a recording medium (card) Lend (for example, lend)
Media processing device (card unit 3) for performing a lending process for performing a lending process, a currency accepting unit (a bill insertion slot 6) for accepting a currency as a purchase price of a player, and a currency accepted by the currency accepting unit. And currency identification means (banknote identification device 32) for identifying the authenticity of the game, and information capable of specifying a game value (card balance) corresponding to a predetermined amount within the range of the amount of money identified by the currency identification means. A recording medium issuing means (enclosure type prepaid card reader / writer device 34) for issuing a recorded recording medium (enclosure type prepaid card 23), and the recording medium is specified by recording information of the recording medium issued by the recording medium issuing means. Recording medium processing means (encapsulated prepaid card reader / writer device 34, main control device 33) for performing the lending process using the game value to be provided; Cumulative means for accumulating the game value recorded at the time of issuance of the recording medium issued by the recording medium processing device (S2 in FIG. 5 and RAM of the control unit 350 for storing the issuance amount accumulated value data updated in S2) )
And determining means (S3 in FIG. 5) for determining whether or not the cumulative value of the game value accumulated by the accumulating means has a predetermined correlation with a predetermined upper limit value.

According to such a configuration, when money is accepted, it is possible to have the user issue a recording medium using the recording medium issuing function and play a game using the recording medium. This prevents the player from leaving the front of the gaming machine and the recording medium processing device for purchasing the recording medium usable for the game and lending the game medium, and as a result, the game machine and the recording medium processing device The operation rate can be improved. Moreover, the gaming value recorded at the time of issuance of the recording medium issued by the recording medium processing device is accumulated, and it is determined whether or not the accumulated value has a predetermined correlation with a predetermined upper limit value. Therefore, based on the determination, the usage status of the recording medium in the recording medium processing apparatus is determined by using information specific to the apparatus having a recording medium issuing function such as a game value recorded at the time of issuing the recording medium. Therefore, the recording medium processing device can be used in a communication disabled state in such a manner that abnormal usage of the recording medium processing device can be suppressed.

(2) Issue deactivating means for deactivating the recording medium issuing process when the judgment means judges that the cumulative value has the predetermined correlation with the upper limit value. (S4 in FIG. 5).

According to such a configuration, when it is determined that the cumulative value of the gaming value recorded at the time of issuance of the recording medium issued by the recording medium processing device has a predetermined correlation with the upper limit value. In addition, since the issuance of the recording medium issuing process is disabled, the recording medium cannot be issued any more, so that the abnormal use of the recording medium processing device can be prevented from progressing.

(3) Notification means (a bill usable lamp as shown in FIG. 2 or the like) for notifying when the determination means determines that the cumulative value has the predetermined correlation with the upper limit value. 13, S5) of FIG.

According to such a configuration, when it is determined that the cumulative value of the gaming value recorded at the time of issuance of the recording medium issued by the recording medium processing apparatus has a predetermined correlation with the upper limit value. Since this fact is notified, the game arcade side and the player side can easily grasp that such a state is present.

(4) A recording medium on which information capable of specifying a game value (card balance) usable for a game is recorded, and the recording medium has already been issued to the player (the already issued prepaid card 21). ) Further includes an issued recording medium processing means (issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35, main control device 33) for reading the recorded information and performing the lending process using the game value specified by the recorded information. The recording medium issued by the recording medium issuing means is a recording medium once issued to a player and taken in without being handed over by the player, and recorded on the recording medium after being taken in. An enclosure-type recording medium (encapsulation-type prepaid card 23) in which the gaming medium can be lent using a gaming value (card balance) specified from the information; Performs the issuance processing of the enclosed recording medium in response to the money being identified by the money identifying means (see the description of FIGS. 3 and 5).

The recording medium processing means performs the lending process without the operation of the player by using the game value specified by the recording information of the issued enclosing recording medium (FIG. 3, FIG. 5).

According to such a configuration, both the already-issued recording medium already issued to the player and the enclosing recording medium issued by the recording medium processing device can be used for renting the game medium. Therefore, the convenience for the player can be improved. Furthermore, regarding the enclosing recording medium, the enclosing recording medium is issued in response to the identification of the money,
Since the lending process is performed without the operation of the player using the gaming value specified by the enclosed recording medium,
Accepting money, identifying money, issuing recording media for games,
And the lending of the game media is linked. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the player from leaving the front of the recording medium processing device for purchasing a recording medium usable for a game and lending the game medium, and as a result, to improve the operation rate of the recording medium processing device. Can be. Furthermore, since the once issued recording medium is taken in without being handed to the player, it is possible to make it difficult to perform an illegal act of recording illegal information on the recording medium.

[0018]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment,
A gaming machine using a recording medium processing device configured to be communicable and performing a lending process for lending a gaming medium usable for a game by a gaming machine using a gaming value specified by recording information on a recording medium A pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example, but the gaming machine may be another gaming machine such as a coin gaming machine or a slot machine. In other words, the present invention provides a recording medium process that is configured to be communicable and performs a lending process for lending a game medium usable for a game by a gaming machine using a game value specified by recording information of a recording medium. As long as it is a device, it can be applied to any recording medium processing device.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a pachinko gaming machine 2 as an example of a gaming machine installed on a gaming machine installation island, and a card unit 3 as an example of a recording medium processing device and a gaming device. In the amusement arcade, a gaming machine installation island 200a in which a plurality of pachinko gaming machines 2 are provided side by side (in a mode in which the back sides face each other) is provided. A card unit 3 is attached to the left of each pachinko gaming machine 2 in a one-to-one correspondence with one pachinko gaming machine 2.

In the gaming machine installation island 200a,
At one end, an island edge control box 201 provided with an island edge control device for performing various controls related to the gaming machine installation island 200a such as a banknote transport control in the gaming machine installation island 200a and a device such as a bill collection box is provided. Have been. A prepaid card issuance device (not shown) is installed at the other end of the gaming machine installation island 200a, and a player inserts a bill into the prepaid card issuance device to purchase a prepaid card. Is performed, the issued issued prepaid card 21 composed of a magnetic card or the like is ejected and issued to the player.

The issued prepaid card 21 records card balance data as compensation for the player's insertion fee, security data for maintaining security, a card number for identifying the issued prepaid card 21, and the like. ing.

A player inserts the issued prepaid card 21 into the card slot 3 of the issued prepaid card insertion slot 4.
, The recorded information of the inserted issued prepaid card 21 is read by an already issued prepaid card reader / writer (not shown) provided in the card unit 3. Then, when the ball lending switch 80 is pressed, a part of the card balance included in the read data is withdrawn and the lending corresponding to the card balance is paid out to the upper plate 5 of the pachinko gaming machine 2 and payout. Is done. The card unit 3 and the pachinko gaming machine 2 are wired and connected, and are configured so that data can be exchanged between them. When the already issued prepaid card 21 is inserted and a part of the card balance is withdrawn and used for a game, a ball lending command signal is transmitted from the card unit 3 to the pachinko gaming machine 2, and the pachinko gaming machine 2 Pays out a predetermined number of lending balls to the upper plate 5 accordingly. Then, the player can play the ball by firing the lending ball paid out to the upper plate 5 to the game area. When the already issued prepaid card 21 is to be returned, the return switch 81 is pressed and returned. Also, when the card balance of the issued prepaid card 21 becomes 0, it is automatically returned.

The upper plate 5 is provided with a card balance display 8 for displaying the card balance recorded on the inserted issued prepaid card 21 and the card balance recorded on the enclosed prepaid card 23 described later. ing.

On the other hand, when the player inserts a bill (for example, a 1,000 yen bill) into the bill insertion slot 6 provided in the card unit 3, the enclosed prepaid card 23 as an example of the enclosed recording medium is inserted into the player. Issued to In the card unit 3, a single prepaid card 23 made of a magnetic card or the like is set, and when a bill is inserted from the bill insertion slot 6, a card balance corresponding to the amount of the inserted bill is recorded. The enclosed prepaid card 23 is partially ejected from the enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22 (see FIG. 2B). In other words, a recording medium (encapsulated prepaid card 23) on which information capable of specifying the size of the game value (card balance) corresponding to the amount of money as the purchase price of the player is recorded is issued. . The enclosed prepaid card 23 is carried into the game arcade by the prepaid card issuing company, and is set one by one in each card unit 3 in the game arcade.

Since the issuance of the enclosed prepaid card 23 is performed by inserting a bill, a relatively large amount (for example, 1000 yen) is consumed with one issuance, and the sales of the game arcade are reduced. There are advantages to improve.
In addition, the enclosed recording medium (enclosed prepaid card)
If the game is issued twice, the player plays the game at least until the game value specified from the issued recording information of the enclosing recording medium is used up, so that the operating rate of the gaming machine in the game hall is improved. .

Furthermore, even if there is an upper limit on the number of repetitions of the processing to be taken in and used for a game after the enclosed recording medium is issued, a relatively expensive enclosed recording medium is issued in one processing. Therefore, the total value of the game value used for the game until the upper limit is reached can be increased.

The card unit 3 is provided with a sealed prepaid card reader / writer device 34 (see FIG. 3), and one sealed prepaid card 23 is set in the sealed prepaid card reader / writer device 34. It is in a state of being held at all times. Then, as described above, when the player inserts a bill into the bill insertion slot 6, a card balance corresponding to the inserted amount is written into the enclosing prepaid card 23 by the enclosing prepaid card reader / writer device 34, The enclosure type prepaid card 23 is issued by partially projecting from the enclosure type prepaid card issuance port 22.

The enclosed prepaid card issuance port 22 is covered with a cover 24 made of a transparent resin, so that the player cannot pull out the enclosed prepaid card 23.

The enclosed prepaid card 23 is issued to the player side by partially protruding from the enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22, but is immediately taken into the inside without passing to the player's hand. The taken-in prepaid card 23 is inserted into the prepaid card reader / writer device 3.
The card balance is read by 4, the entire card balance is withdrawn, and the number of lending balls corresponding to the withdrawn amount is paid out from the pachinko gaming machine 2 into the upper plate 5.

When paying out a lending ball using the card balance of the enclosed prepaid card, a lending command signal is sent from the card unit 3 to the pachinko gaming machine 2 similarly to the case of the previously issued prepaid card 21 described above. Is transmitted, and the ball payout control means provided in the pachinko gaming machine 2 operates the ball payout device in accordance with the lending command signal to pay out a predetermined number of balls to the upper plate 5. In the present embodiment, the card balance of the encapsulation type prepaid card 23 is described as being collectively debited, but the card balance may be partially debited. In the figure, reference numeral 7 denotes an enclosed type prepaid card confirmation window, and reference numeral 30 denotes a display plate, which will be described later in detail.

FIG. 2 (a) is a partially enlarged front view of the card unit 3, and FIG. 2 (b) is a sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 2 (a).

At the top of the card unit 3, a frequency identification sticker 9 is attached. The frequency identification sticker 9 is, for example, a card unit management device 400 (see FIG. 4) for managing the card unit 3 and a hall management computer or the like which is a management computer of a game arcade, and the card unit 3 communicates with the infrared communication. Is used to display a communication frequency when wireless communication is performed. The card unit 3 can select and set a plurality of types of communication frequencies, and can recognize which communication frequency the card unit 3 is set to by checking the color of the frequency identification sticker 9.

Below the frequency identification seal 9, a card usable lamp 10 is provided. The card usable lamp 10 is for notifying the operation status of the card unit 30. When the card unit 3 is operating normally, the card usable lamp 10 is turned on to display a display to that effect. Is performed. Also, the card unit 30
When any error occurs in the card, or when a communication error occurs between the card unit 3 and the pachinko gaming machine 2, the card available lamp 10 blinks.
In the figure, reference numerals 11 and 12 are handles. A unit holder (not shown) is provided on the gaming machine installation island, and the card unit 3 can be installed on the gaming machine installation island by pressing the back side of the card unit 3 against the unit holder. Further, by pulling out the card unit 3 from the unit holder, the card unit 3 can be removed from the gaming machine installation island. Attachment and removal of the card unit 3 to and from such a unit holder are performed by gripping the handles 11 and 12.

A bill insertion slot 6 is provided below the handle 11. By inserting, for example, a 1000-yen bill into this bill insertion slot, the bill identifying device 32 (see FIG. 3) takes in the bill and determines whether or not the bill is a proper bill (genuine bill). If the bill is appropriate, the operation of issuing the enclosed prepaid card 23 is performed as described above.

Below the bill slot 6, a display plate 30 for performing various displays is provided. Referring to the enlarged view of the display plate 30, the display plate 30
Includes a bill usable lamp 13, a money amount selection button 14, a money amount display 15, a fraction display button 16, a sealed prepaid card frequency display 17, a ball display 18, a connecting stand direction display 19, and a card insertion lamp 20. Is provided.

The bill usable lamp 13 is used to insert a bill into the bill slot 6 so that the enclosed prepaid card 23 can be issued.
This is for lighting and displaying that it is possible to input the data. In the card unit 3, when the game is being played by inserting the already issued prepaid card 21, it is not possible to insert a bill and issue the enclosed prepaid card 23. In this case, the bill usable lamp 13 is turned off. On the other hand, a bill is inserted and an enclosing prepaid card 23 is issued and the encapsulating prepaid card 23 is issued.
When the card balance of is not 0, the game is not allowed to be performed by inserting the already issued prepaid card 21.

The amount selection button 14 is used to select the card balance amount (ball lending amount) used for one ball lending by the issued prepaid card 21. Each time the amount selection button 14 is pressed, the card balance used for one ball lending is switched. The amount that can be selected by the amount selection button 14 is, for example, 1
A plurality of types are set, such as 00 yen, 200 yen, 300 yen, 400 yen, and 500 yen.
The user can select and determine any of the amounts by the operation described above. Therefore, the player can freely select the ball lending amount.

The relationship between the operation of the amount selection button 14 and the selection of the ball lending amount is as follows. For example, an initial value (default value) is set for the ball lending amount, and each time the amount selection button 14 is pressed once, the ball lending amount becomes 100 yen, 200 yen, 300 yen, 400 yen, and 400 yen. 500
The order is switched in the order of circles, and one more from the selection state of 500 yen
When the rounding operation is performed, the ball lending amount returns to 100 yen again, and is continuously switched in the same order. That is, each time the amount selection button 14 is operated, a plurality of types of ball lending amounts rotate.

As the initial value of the ball lending amount, one amount selected from a plurality of types of amounts is set. As the ball lending amount, one of the plurality of types of selectable ball lending amounts described above is predetermined as an initial value. In the setting of the initial value, one ball lending amount is set from a plurality of types of ball lending amounts by the amount initial value setting device. The initial value of the ball lending amount is, for example, an amount that is considered to have the highest probability that the player selects the ball lending amount (for example,
It is desirable to set the amount to 500 yen or the like in the case of the amount of money described above. If such a setting is made, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of the player performing the operation of changing the ball lending amount. It will be convenient for players.

The ball lending amount selected in response to the operation of the amount selection button 14 is displayed on the amount display 15.
Then, by operating the amount selection button 14, for example, 500
When the prepaid card 21 is already inserted and the ball lending switch 80 provided on the pachinko gaming machine 2 is operated in a state where the ball lending amount of the yen is selected, the prepaid card 21 is issued. 500 yen is deducted from the card balance recorded in, and 500 yen lending is paid out from the pachinko gaming machine 2.

Further, the use of the issued prepaid card 21 is completed, as in the case where the already issued prepaid card 21 is ejected from the already issued prepaid card insertion slot 4 and removed from the issued prepaid card insertion slot 4 by the player. If a predetermined time (for example, one minute) has elapsed without using the newly issued prepaid card 21 from the time when the
The ball lending amount used for the ball lending (ball lending) is returned to the above-described initial value, and the initial value is displayed on the amount display 15.

When the fraction display button 16 is pressed, a display for specifying a card unit setting state such as an ID number for identifying the card unit 3 and a lending state immediately before the last time is performed.

Sealed type prepaid card frequency indicator 17
Displays the current card balance of the enclosed prepaid card 23 that has been issued. The enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17 is also used for displaying an error code. For example, a code is displayed for each cause of abnormality, such as various abnormal states occurring in the card unit 3 and communication abnormalities between the card unit 3 and the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 2.

The ball display 18 is provided for the card unit 3.
Is selectively lit to indicate whether it is for renting a pachinko ball or a medal. Some of the card units 3 are for lending medals (coins), such as slot machines, instead of lending pachinko balls.
Is configured to be able to be recognized by the lighting display of.

The link stand direction indicator 19 is for lighting up and displaying which pachinko gaming machine 2 the card unit 3 is connected to by wire. The card insertion lamp 20 is for illuminating and displaying that the already issued prepaid card 21 is inserted into the already issued prepaid card insertion slot 4.

In the figure, reference numeral 7 denotes an enclosing type prepaid card confirmation window, and the letters "enclosure type prepaid card confirmation window" indicating that the enclosing type prepaid card 23 is the issuing section are below the enclosing type prepaid card confirmation window 7. It is attached to the front part. FIG. 2B shows an AA cross section of the enclosed prepaid card confirmation window 7. A cover 24 made of a transparent resin is provided on the front side of the enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22 provided on the front side of the card unit 3. Then, when the player inserts a regular bill into the bill insertion slot 6, a part of the enclosed prepaid card 23 in which a card balance (frequency) corresponding to the amount of the bill is recorded is transferred from the card issuing slot 22. As a result, the sealed prepaid card 23 is issued to the player. In this issuance state, the player
Although the projected portion of the enclosed prepaid card 23 can be visually recognized through 4, the player cannot pull out the enclosed prepaid card 23 due to the presence of the cover 24. As a result, the operation of once issuing the enclosed prepaid card 23, taking it in again, and lending the ball can be repeated, and the running cost in the game hall can be minimized.

As described above, the enclosed prepaid card 23
Is issued by partially protruding the enclosed prepaid card forward of the front surface of the enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22. A recess may be provided in the front portion of the card unit 3 and the enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22 may be formed in the recess. In this case, the recessed bottom portion is the front surface of the enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22. In order to become, the enclosed prepaid card 2
When a part of 3 protrudes, the enclosed prepaid card 23 is issued. That is, the term “front surface of the enclosing recording medium issuing unit” in the present invention is not limited to the front surface of the card unit 3, but includes a concave bottom surface of the enclosing recording medium issuing unit when the enclosing recording medium issuing unit is depressed. is there.

When the issued prepaid card 21 is inserted into the issued prepaid card insertion slot 4 and used for a game, and the player performs a pressing operation of the return switch 81 as a game ending operation, the card balance updated and reduced is updated. The recorded issued prepaid card 21 is ejected (returned) from the issued prepaid card insertion slot 4. It should be noted that the zero card that has completely used up the card balance is also discharged (returned) from the card insertion slot 4. In such a case, the issued prepaid card 21 is ejected from the already issued prepaid card insertion slot 4 while being held in a manner that allows the player to remove it. The player receives the discharged issued prepaid card 21 by extracting the discharged issued prepaid card 21 in such a state.

The previously issued prepaid card 21 has a conventional general size, but the enclosed prepaid card 23 has a smaller size than the issued prepaid card 21.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the inside of the card unit 3. An issued issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35 is provided below the card unit 3. The issued issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35 has an issued issued prepaid card reader / writer and a microcontroller for controlling the same. And a control board on which a computer or the like is mounted.

Although not shown, at the entrance of the card in the already issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35, for example, in the case of returning the card, the card is positioned near the already issued prepaid card insertion slot 4. There is provided an entrance card detection switch 341 (see FIG. 4) for detecting the inserted card.

An enclosed type prepaid card reader / writer device 34 is provided above the previously issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35. The information in the recording section of the enclosed prepaid card 23 is erased or newly written by the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device 34.

A main controller 33 is provided above the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer 34. In the main control device 33, a control board on which a control unit 330 (see FIG. 4) composed of a control microcomputer for controlling the entire card unit 3 as a whole is provided. .

A bill discriminating device 32 is provided above the main controller 33. A bill inserted from the bill insertion slot 6 is discriminated by the bill discriminating device 32, and its authenticity is determined. In the bill validator 32, a transport unit 321 that transports the inserted bill by a roller driven by a motor, an identification unit 322 that optically identifies the authenticity of the bill transported by the transport unit, and A control board on which a control unit 320 (see FIG. 4) including a control microcomputer for controlling the transport unit 321 and the identification unit 322 is provided.

The side of the main control unit 33 is provided with a state in which the bill recognizing device 32 is in a state in which the bill rejection is prohibited.
2. A bill use control switch 39 comprising a toggle switch for selecting one of the bill accepting states in 2
Is provided.

Although not shown, the bill validator 32
An entrance banknote detector 301 (see FIG. 4) for detecting a banknote carried in from the outside of the banknote recognition device 32 is provided on the entrance side of the banknote recognition device 32. An exit bill detector 302 (see FIG. 4) for detecting bills carried out from the inside of the device 32 to the outside is provided.

A communication relay device 31 is provided above the bill validator 32. Communication with a terminal box installed in the game hall is performed via the communication relay device 31.

At the lowermost part of the card unit 3, a junction box 36 is provided. The junction box 36 stores ID information of the card unit 3, that is, identification information.

As shown in FIG. 3, the card unit 3
The shape of the front part of the is a sealed prepaid card issuing port 2
The front face of the card unit provided with the cover 24 and the issued prepaid card insertion slot 4 and the face provided with the bill insertion slot 6 are compared with the other front face of the card unit (display plate 30). Protruding forward. This allows the player to enter the enclosed prepaid card issuing section 22 and the issued prepaid card insertion slot 4.
And the portion where the bill insertion slot 6 is provided and the other portion can be easily distinguished.

A payout control unit 200 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 2 is provided on the back (back) side of the card unit 3.
(A control unit for performing payout control of lending, etc., see FIG. 4), a card unit management device 400 (see FIG. 4), a management computer for a hall provided in a game arcade, and external devices such as an interface device to be described later. And a relay board 37 provided with electronic components such as a connector for connection. Controller 330 in main controller 33 (see FIG. 4)
Is communicably connected to the external device as described above via a relay board 37.

In the gaming machine installation island 200a, a transport path of the bill transporting device is provided in a space between the rows of the pachinko gaming machines and the card units 3 in which the back side is opposed to the two rows. After being processed, the bills received by the card unit 3 are discharged from the back side of the card unit 3 onto a transport path, transported to a collection box provided at the end of the gaming machine installation island 200a, and collected. You.

Next, control operations of the above-described various devices will be described with reference to FIG. Junction box 36
Has a function of supplying DC power to the inside of the card unit 3 and setting the above-described ID information (identification number) indicating the installation position in the game arcade. The identification number, which is the set ID information, is transmitted to a card unit management device 400 and a management computer for a hall in a game hall, which will be described later, together with information for specifying a use value (sales) accompanying the use of the card. The card unit management device 400 classifies and aggregates sales information and the like for each card unit identification number, and transmits the aggregated information to the unit management center 500, which will be described later, so that it can be useful for business management of the prepaid card issuing company. Is configured. The hall management computer is configured so as to classify and output sales information and the like for each identification number of the card unit and to serve for business management of the amusement arcade.

The already-issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35 takes in the already-issued prepaid card 21 inserted into the already-issued prepaid card insertion slot 4 and reads the information recorded on the already-issued prepaid card 21 to determine the authenticity. And the card balance included in the read information is transmitted to the main controller 33. Main controller 33 performs control for displaying the card balance based on the received card balance information. Specifically, a display control signal for digitally displaying the card balance is output to a balance display provided on the upper plate of the pachinko gaming machine or the like.

Further, main controller 33 outputs a lending command signal to the ball payout control microcomputer of the pachinko gaming machine to pay out a number of lending balls corresponding to a predetermined unit amount (for example, 100 yen). Is output. By repeating the lending operation for one unit amount a plurality of times, a lending corresponding to a predetermined amount is executed. Then, it outputs a subtraction command signal for subtracting the value of the amount of money lent to the already issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35. Already issued prepaid card reader / writer device 3
Reference numeral 5 updates the card balance of the issued issued prepaid card 21 inserted in accordance with the output command signal and writes the reduced card balance into the issued issued prepaid card. Then, when the game is over, a process of discharging the already issued prepaid card 21 from the already issued prepaid card insertion slot 4 is performed.

When a 1,000-yen bill is inserted from the bill insertion slot 6, the bill validator 32 discriminates whether the bill is true or false. Transmit to The main control device 33 sends a control signal to the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device 34. Receiving the control signal, the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer device 34 records balance information for 1,000 yen in the encapsulation type prepaid card 23, and transmits the encapsulation type prepaid card from the encapsulation type prepaid card issuing port 22. 23 is protruded and issued. Then, the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer device 34 takes in the encapsulation type prepaid card 23 and the encapsulation type prepaid card 2
3 is read, and the card balance (1000 yen) included in the read information is transmitted to the main controller 33.

The main controller 33 displays the size of the card balance (1000 yen) transmitted to the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the above-mentioned card balance display 8 in accordance with the transmitted information. Display control to perform the display. Specifically, a display control signal for digitally displaying the transmitted balance of the enclosed prepaid card (1,000 yen) is output to the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the card balance display 8. The enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the card balance display 8 digitally display the size of the card balance (1000 yen) according to the output display control signal.

Further, main controller 33 outputs the above-mentioned one unit (for example, 100 yen) ball lending command signal to the ball payout control microcomputer of the pachinko gaming machine, and performs one unit ball lending operation. Let them do it. By performing the ball lending operation of one unit a plurality of times (10 times in the present embodiment), the ball lending operation for 1,000 yen is performed.

When the ball lending operation for the amount of 1,000 yen is completed, the main controller 33 outputs a reduction update control signal for the amount of 1,000 yen to the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device 34. In response to this, the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device 34 rewrites the card balance information of the enclosed enclosed prepaid card 23 to zero.

On the other hand, the main controller 33 outputs the above-mentioned deduction update control signal, and at the same time, outputs a display control signal for setting the frequency display of the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the card balance display 8 to 0. It outputs to the enclosed type prepaid card frequency display 17 and the card balance display 8.
In the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the card balance display 8, the display of the card balance is set to "0" according to the control signal. Further, when any abnormality occurs in the card unit 3, the main controller 33 performs control to display an error code indicating the cause of the abnormality on the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 or the card balance display 8. . As a result, the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 or the card balance display 8 displays an error code indicating the cause of the abnormality.

More specifically, the enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17 flashes the card balance (remaining number) of the enclosed prepaid card 23 during the lending of the game medium, and displays the card balance (remaining number) when an error occurs. ) And an error code (a code indicating the cause of the error) are alternately displayed as a time difference. If an error occurs during standby for bill insertion, only the error code is displayed. The error codes displayed by the enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17 include errors related to the enclosed prepaid card 23 such as clogging and reading errors of the enclosed prepaid card 23 and errors related to the banknote recognition device 32 such as banknote jam. There is a code indicating a predetermined error related to the processing of the encapsulation prepaid card 23 such as an error of the encapsulation prepaid card related parts (hereinafter referred to as an encapsulation prepaid card processing error).

On the other hand, the error codes displayed by the card balance display 8 include a hardware failure of the issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35 and a card unit 3.
Card unit 30 side errors such as communication errors in various devices, clogging of the issued prepaid card 21, abnormal insertion errors of the issued prepaid card 21, and other errors related to the issued prepaid card, the card unit 3 and the pachinko gaming machine An error related to the connection cable such as a communication error with the second, a previously issued prepaid card 21 such as an error on the pachinko gaming machine side such as an error on the pachinko gaming machine side when the lending refusal situation due to a broken ball or the like occurs on the pachinko gaming machine side during lending of the ball There is a code indicating a predetermined error (referred to as an already issued prepaid card processing related error) related to the above processing.

As described above, the case of displaying an error code on the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the case of displaying an error code on the card balance display 8 depending on the cause of the error are divided into two cases. No error code is displayed.

As described above, the main controller 33 controls the enclosing type prepaid card frequency display 17 to display the balance of the enclosing type prepaid card 23. In addition to this, the main platen of the pachinko gaming machine 2 is also controlled. The display control signal is also transmitted to the card balance display 8 provided in the display 5 to control the display of the balance of the enclosed prepaid card. The card balance display 8 is a dual-purpose display that also displays the card balance of the issued prepaid card 21 under the control of the main controller 33. May be provided respectively. In addition, when it is provided, it is not limited to the upper plate 5 and may be provided at another location, for example, a curtain plate or the like, or may be provided at the same location as the trouble lamp. Further, the balance of the enclosed prepaid card 23 may be displayed on only one of the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the card balance display 8.

The main controller 33 also performs control to display the bill usable lamp 13, the card usable lamp 10, the card insertion lamp 20, and the like as described above.

Next, the configuration of the card unit 3 and the configuration of the management system inside and outside the game arcade will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the card unit 3 and the configuration of the management system inside and outside the game arcade, and the illustration and description of a part of the configuration are omitted.

In the game hall 100, a card unit management device 400 comprising a management computer for managing a plurality of card units 3 provided in the hall is provided. Outside the gaming arcade 100, a unit management center 500 is provided, which is an institution that manages all the card units 3 in the plurality of gaming arcades 100 in which the card units 3 are provided. In the unit management center 500, a central management device 501 including a computer that manages all the card units 3 in the plurality of game arcades 100 is provided. This central management device 501 is communicably connected to the card unit management device 400 of each game arcade 100 via a communication line, and communicates with each card unit management device 400, thereby enabling all of the information in each game arcade 100 to be communicated. Of the card unit 3 is managed in an integrated manner.

The control unit 330 of the main control unit 33 of the card unit 3 includes the control unit 340 of the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device 34, the control unit 350 of the issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35, and the bill validator 3.
The two control units 320 are communicably connected to each other. The control unit 330 of the main control device 33 is provided in the pachinko gaming machine 2 and can communicate with the payout control unit 200, which is a control microcomputer including a control microcomputer capable of paying out balls for lending. Connected by

The control unit 320 of the bill validator 32 gives a control signal to the transport unit 321 to drive and control the transport unit 321 for transporting bills provided in the bill validator 32.
The transport unit 321 is driven and controlled in accordance with a control signal received from the control unit 320, and performs an operation of transporting the inserted bill. The control unit 320 of the banknote recognition device 32 provides a control signal for controlling a recognition operation to a banknote recognition unit 322 provided in the banknote recognition device 32. The identification unit 322 includes the control unit 3
In accordance with the control signal received from 20, a bill discriminating operation is performed, and information indicating the discrimination result is provided to the control unit 320.

Various information (information including signals and data) such as banknote acceptance prohibition command information and banknote acceptance prohibition release command information is sent from the control unit 330 of the main control unit 33 to the control unit 320 of the banknote recognition device 32. Given. Banknote recognition device 3
From the second control unit 320 to the control unit 330 of the main control device 33, various information such as information indicating the identification result of the bill is given.

The control unit 330 of the main control unit 33 controls the lamp to be turned on by supplying power to the card usable lamp 10 when the issued prepaid card 21 is usable, so that the card can be used. When it is impossible (when prohibited), the power supply to the card usable lamp 10 is cut off, and the lamp is controlled to be turned off. In addition, the control unit 330 of the main control device 33 controls the lamp to be turned on by supplying power to the bill usable lamp 13 when the bill can be accepted, and when the receipt of the bill is prohibited. By cutting off the power supply to the bill usable lamp 13, the lamp is controlled to be turned off.

The control unit 330 of the main control unit 33 receives detection signals from the above-described entrance banknote detector 301 and the above-mentioned exit banknote detector 302, and receives the detection signals.
No. 2 recognizes the presence or absence of a bill on the entrance side and the exit side. Further, the control unit 330 of the main control device 33 receives the setting information of the reception prohibition time from the reception prohibition time setting device 38, and after receiving the previous bill, cannot accept the next bill for the set reception prohibition time. Control to make the next bill valid. Here, the reception prohibition time setting device 38 is formed of a dip switch provided on a control board on which the control unit 330 of the main control device 33 is provided, and the reception prohibition time can be switched in a plurality of stages by a staff member. Things. Note that the reception prohibition time setting device 38 may be constituted by other setting means such as a changeover switch other than the dip switch, and is not provided on the control board on which the control section 330 is provided. It may be provided at another position such as a wall surface.

The reception prohibition time set by the reception prohibition time setting device 38 is basically issued from the time when the inserted bill is identified as a genuine bill by the bill validator 32 in accordance with the amount of the bill. Enclosed prepaid card 23
Is set to a time within a time corresponding to a time until all the balls lent based on the card balance are considered to be consumed by firing the balls. In other words, the reception prohibition time is set in a plurality of stages by the reception prohibition time setting unit 38, and when it is considered that all the balls lent in such a manner are consumed by the ball firing in any of the plurality of stages. Until the time corresponding to the time is up.
Therefore, even if the acceptance of the bill is prohibited by the acceptance prohibition timer for a predetermined time, for a general player who performs a normal game, the acceptance acceptance state of the bill is released by the time all the balls are consumed by firing. As a result, the prohibition of acceptance does not pose a particular problem, and does not hinder the player's use of bills. Therefore, there is no disadvantage of a general player and disadvantage of a game hall.

In this manner, by prohibiting the acceptance of the next bill until a predetermined period has elapsed since the bill was identified, excessively frequent use of the bill is restricted, and a prepaid card using a counterfeit bill is restricted. Since the efficiency of illegal issuance and illegal lending of balls is reduced, it is possible to make it difficult to perform fraudulent acts using counterfeit bills. In addition, since the reception prohibition time setting device 38 can set the reception prohibition time for bills, such a reception prohibition time can be arbitrarily set at the game hall. as a result,
It is possible to set a reception prohibition time suitable for the operation of the game arcade.

During the bill acceptance prohibition time, the bill usable lamp 13 is turned off to notify that bills will not be accepted. Therefore, the player can easily recognize that the banknote will not be accepted during the banknote acceptance prohibition time, and the confusion of the player due to the failure to accept the banknote can be prevented.

The control unit 330 of the main control unit 33 receives the payment by the bill and issues the issuance command information for instructing the issuance of the encapsulation type prepaid card 23 to the control unit 340 of the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer device 34. Control unit 330
In response to receiving the issuance command information, the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer device 34 controls the issuance of the encapsulation type prepaid card 23, and in response, issues the issuance command response information indicating that the issuance has been issued. Device 3
3 to the control unit 330.

In response to receiving the issuance command response information, the control unit 330 transfers the issue amount data indicating the issue amount of the enclosed prepaid card to the control unit 350 of the already issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35. Then, the control unit 330 controls the enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 1
7 is provided with an issuance amount display signal, and control is performed to display the issuance amount as a balance on the enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17.

The control unit 350 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a control program, and a CPU (Central Processing) for executing the control program and controlling the operation of the issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35.
Unit) and a microcomputer including a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area when the control program is executed. Upon receiving the transfer of the issue amount data, the control unit 350 accumulates and stores the issue amount data in a predetermined storage area of the RAM.
The accumulated and stored issue amount data, together with consumption amount data to be described later, are transmitted at regular intervals through the communication relay device 31 to the card unit management device 4 installed in the game arcade 100.
Send to 00. Such issuance amount data is similarly transmitted from the control unit 350 to the hall management computer.

After confirming the response information from control unit 340, control unit 330 of main control unit 33 sends a lending command signal for lending pachinko balls corresponding to the deposit amount to payout control unit 200 in pachinko gaming machine 2. Controls transmission.
The lending command signal is a signal for instructing lending of balls by one payout unit. For example, in the case of instructing lending of balls for 1000 yen, a lending instruction signal for instructing lending of one payout unit of balls is 10 units. Will be forwarded. Payout control unit 2
At 00, a lending command signal is received to control the lending, and a lending completion signal is returned to the control unit 330 of the main control device 33 each time one unit of the ball is paid out.

The control unit 330 of the main control unit 33 performs control to update the balance displayed on the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 every time a lending completion signal is received. In addition, when the lending of the full amount of the accepted bill is completed, the control unit 330 of the main controller 33 controls the control unit 340 of the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer device 34.
The balance 0 as a reduction update control signal for writing “0” as the card balance in the enclosed prepaid card 23
Record command information is provided. In the control unit 340, the balance 0
In response to receiving the recording command information, control is performed to rewrite the card balance of the enclosed prepaid card 23 to “0”, and after the rewriting is completed, the balance 0 indicating that the card balance has been rewritten to “0”. Returns the recording command response information.

As described above, the enclosed prepaid card 23
In the case of using, when the player inserts a bill, the enclosed prepaid card 23 is automatically issued, and thereafter, lending of a ball for the entire amount of the issued amount is automatically performed regardless of the operation of the player. It is done. This prevents the player from leaving the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 in front of the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 for purchasing a card usable for the game and lending the ball, and as a result, the operation of the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 Rate can be improved.
Furthermore, since the enclosed prepaid card 23 that has been issued is taken in without being handed over to the player's hand, it is possible to make it difficult to perform an illegal act of recording illegal information on the enclosed prepaid card 23.

If the balance is filled with "0" as a result of the completion of the lending of the ball, the consumption amount data indicating the amount consumed for the lending of the ball out of the issuance amount is displayed. The information is transferred to the control unit 350 of the already issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35. The control unit 350 that has received the transfer of the consumption amount data accumulates (accumulates) the consumption amount data in a predetermined storage area of the RAM (an area different from the storage area of the issuance amount data described above) and stores the accumulated consumption amount data. The money amount data is transmitted to the card unit management device 400 installed in the game arcade 100 via the communication relay device 31 at regular intervals, together with the above-mentioned issue amount data. Further, such consumption amount data is also transmitted from the control unit 350 to the hall management computer.

When a ball is lent out based on the card balance of the prepaid card 21 already issued, the ball lending switch 80 is operated according to the ball lending operation of the ball lending switch 80 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 2. From the main controller 33 to the controller 330. Then, in response to receiving the ball lending operation signal, the control unit 330 pays out the selected amount of money in the case of using the already issued prepaid card 21. Send to Then, when it is confirmed that the payout of the selected amount of the ball lending (for example, 500 yen or the like) is completed, the control unit 330 of the main control unit 33 transmits the control unit 350 of the issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35.
Is updated, and the control unit 350 performs control to rewrite the card balance of the issued prepaid card 21.

When the lending of the ball is completed,
Consumption amount data indicating the amount consumed for lending the ball is transferred from the control unit 330 to the control unit 350 of the already issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35. The control unit 350 that has received the transfer of the consumption amount data of the already issued prepaid card 21 stores the consumption amount data in a predetermined storage area of the RAM (the issue amount data and the consumption amount data of the enclosed prepaid card 23 described above). (Accumulated in an area different from the storage area), and the accumulated consumption data together with the issue amount data and the consumption amount data of the enclosed prepaid card 23 are transmitted via the communication relay device 31 at regular intervals. To the card unit management device 400 installed in the game hall 100. Such consumption amount data is similarly transmitted from the control unit 350 to the hall management computer.

When the above-mentioned error related to the encapsulation type prepaid card processing occurs, the banknote identification device 32, the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer device 34, and the issued prepaid card reader / writer are controlled by the control unit 330. The device 35 is deactivated (however, the issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35 can be activated in accordance with the operation of the bill use control switch 39), the card usable lamp 10, the enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17, and a predetermined notification indicating that an error has occurred is performed using the bill usable lamp 13. In the case of this notification, the card usable lamp 10 blinks. An error code indicating the type of error that has occurred is displayed on the enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17 (if an error occurs during lending of a ball, the card balance and the error code at that time are determined by a predetermined number). Displayed alternately in a cycle). The bill usable lamp 13 is turned off. When performing such notification, the control unit 330
Based on the control signals to the relevant indicators and lamps,
The corresponding indicators and lamps are controlled. When deactivating the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer device 34 and the issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35,
Each device is deactivated by the control unit 330 not performing the process for controlling the corresponding device.

The bill use control switch 39 is provided on a control board on which the control unit 330 of the main controller 33 is provided. And an operation signal indicating the selected state is given to the control unit 330 of the main control device 33.
When the control unit 330 receives the operation signal, the banknote reception prohibition command information for prohibiting the reception of the banknote is given to the control unit 320 of the banknote recognition device 32 when the banknote reception prohibition state is selected. And control part 320 performs control which prohibits acceptance of a bill according to bill acceptance prohibition command information. For this reason, when the banknote acceptance prohibition state is selected due to the above-described error state, the control unit 330 controls the banknote recognition device 32 to a state where banknotes cannot be accepted.
Further, in the control unit 330, when the banknote acceptance prohibited state is selected when an error relating to the processing of the enclosed prepaid card occurs, the already issued prepaid card 2 which has been deactivated is selected.
Control for activating the process 1 is also performed. The control unit 33
In the case of 0, when the bill accepting state is selected, the bill recognizing device 32 is controlled to a state in which bills can be accepted.

As described above, the enclosed prepaid card 23
If the above-described error occurs in the banknote recognition device 32 and the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device 34 that perform the operations related to the processing described above and it is unlikely that the error can be resolved, the control unit 330 uses In accordance with the operation of the bill use control switch 39, the bill discriminating device 32 is controlled to a state in which bills cannot be accepted, thereby controlling the use of the enclosed prepaid card 23 and an already issued prepaid card reader / writer device. 35, the processing of the issued prepaid card 21 is activated. As a result, in such a case, the card unit 3 cannot use the enclosed recording prepaid card 23 but can use the issued prepaid card 21.

When the above-mentioned error relating to the issued prepaid card processing has occurred, the banknote recognition device 32, the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device 34, and
Inactivation of the already issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35, card usable lamp 10, lendable lamp (a lamp provided on the upper plate 5 for indicating that lending of balls is possible), and card balance A predetermined notification indicating that an error has occurred by the display unit 8 and invalidation of the operation of the ball lending switch 80 are performed under the control of the control unit 330.
In the case of this notification, the card usable lamp 10 blinks. An error code indicating the type of error that has occurred is displayed on the card balance display 8 (if an error occurs during lending of a ball, the card balance at that time and the error code alternate at a predetermined cycle. Will be displayed on your device). The lendable lamp is turned off. When such notification is made, the control unit 330 controls the corresponding display and lamp based on a control signal to the relevant display and lamp. Enclosed-type prepaid card reader / writer device 34 and pre-issued prepaid card reader / writer device 3
In the case of deactivating 5, each device is deactivated by the control unit 330 not performing the process for controlling the corresponding device.

The control unit 330 of the main control unit 33
The date information transmitted from the card unit management device 400 is received via the communication relay device 31. This date information is information indicating the date of the day, and is self-managed by the card unit management device 400 itself based on the calendar function of the card unit management device 400. , Are sent from the card unit management device 400 to all the card units 3, 3... The date information received by the control unit 330 is stored in the memory (R
OM) (updated storage). Here, the control unit 33
0 is provided with an area for storing date information in the ROM, and the date information received by the control unit 330 is updated and stored in the storage area for such date information, so that the date information stored in the control unit 330 is stored. Is updated daily. As described above, the date information stored by the control unit 330 is updated according to the date information sent before the start of daily business operation, and thus updated at the game hall 100 before the daily business start. The date information thus stored is sent to the control unit 340 of the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer device 34 every time the encapsulation type prepaid card 23 is issued. Recorded in.

The following information is communicated between each card unit 3 and the central management unit 501 via the card unit management unit 400. Playground 10
On the 0th business day, when the power of the card unit 3 is turned on before the store is opened, the operation indicating that the business operation (normal operation) is started from the main control device 33 of the card unit 3 to the card unit management device 400. Start information is provided.
In the card unit management device 400, the operation start information received from all the card units 3 in the game hall 100 is
Identify the unit number of the sending card unit 3 and
The information is transmitted to the central management device 501. Upon receiving the operation start information from each game hall 100, the central management device 501 indicates that the operation of the corresponding card unit 3 is permitted, on condition that a predetermined operation permission condition is satisfied. The operation permission information is sequentially transmitted to the card unit management device 400 of each game arcade 100 by designating the unit number of the destination card unit 3. Then, the card unit management device 400 that has received the operation permission information immediately transmits the operation permission information to each card unit 3 together with the date information of the self-management (at a stage before the start of business). The card unit 3 is permitted to operate for business on condition that such operation permission information is received, and starts business operation.

When the game hall 100 is closed, after the store is closed, daily sales information on each card unit 3 in the game hall 100 is transmitted from the card unit management device 400 to the central management device 501 in a lump. You. Here, the sales information is information on sales including the issue amount data and the consumption amount data of the enclosed prepaid card 23 and the consumption amount data of the already-issued prepaid card 21 described above. In response to the receipt of the sales information, the central management device 501 tabulates sales information for each card unit, totals sales information for each game hall, totals card information for all game arcades, and the like. And
Manage sales information.

Here, an example in which the sales information is transmitted to the central management device 501 after the game arcade 100 is closed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The sales information may be transmitted from the card unit management device 400 to the central management device 501 every time the sales information is received. Further, the card unit management device 400 receives the sales information from each card unit 3, aggregates the sales information to some extent, and manages the card units at a timing longer than the cycle at which the sales information is sent from each card unit 3. The information may be transmitted from the device 400 to the central management device 501.
That is, for example, when the cycle at which the sales information is sent from each card unit 3 is 30 minutes, the timing at which the sales information compiled from the card unit management device 400 to the central management device 501 is transmitted every three hours May be used.

Next, the issuance / consumption management process executed in the control unit 330 of the main control unit 33 will be described. This issuance / consumption management process is one of subroutine programs started by a main program executed for various controls in the control unit 330, and is used to manage the issuance amount and consumption amount of the enclosed prepaid card 23. This is the process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of the issuance and consumption management processing in the card unit 3. First, in step S (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1, it is determined whether or not the enclosed prepaid card 23 has been issued. If it is determined in S1 that it has not been issued, the process proceeds to S3 described below. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1 that the card has been issued, the process proceeds to S2, in which a process of adding and updating the data of the issuance amount accumulated value by the issuance amount of the enclosed prepaid card 23 (1000 yen in this case) is performed.
Thereafter, the process proceeds to S3.

Here, the data of the total value of the issuance amount is data indicating the total value of the issuance amount (the amount recorded on the card at the time of issuance) of the enclosed prepaid card 23 in the card unit 3, and is the data of the issued prepaid card. It is stored in a predetermined storage area in the above-described RAM included in the control unit 350 of the reader / writer device 35. In response to issuance of the enclosed prepaid card 23, the control unit 330 sends the above-mentioned issuance amount data to the control unit 350 together with the cumulative value update command information for instructing the updating of the amount data, and adds the data of the issuance amount total value. Control for updating is performed. In this case, the control unit 350 performs a process of adding and updating the data of the accumulated issue amount data by the received issue amount data in accordance with the received accumulated value update instruction information. Thus, every time the enclosed prepaid card 23 is issued, the total issue amount is added and updated by the issue amount.

Further, the data of the total issue amount is cleared to “0” when a reset signal is received from the outside of the card unit 3 (the same applies to the total amount of consumption amount described later). Clearing of the data of the accumulated issue amount is performed in the following cases. If the data communication is normally performed between the card unit 3 and the card unit management device 400, the store closing process after the business operation of the game hall 100 is closed (one day after the business hours of the game space end). At the time of execution of the daily closing process for closing the game hall (eg, totaling sales amount), the sales data such as the total issue amount is transferred to the card unit management device 400, and then the card is transferred from the card unit management device 400 to the card unit management device 400. In response to the reset signal given to the unit 3, the data of the total issue amount is cleared. In addition, when data communication is not performed between the card unit 3 and the card unit management device 400 for various reasons such as business reasons of the game arcade and occurrence of communication abnormality, basically, the sealed type is used. When the accumulated issue amount of the prepaid card 23 exceeds the upper limit value, this is performed by using a predetermined data processing device for the card unit 3 individually. This data processing device
It is configured to include a data communication unit, a data storage unit, a control unit, etc., reads out various data accumulated in each card unit 3, stores it in its own memory, and transfers the data to the card unit management device 400. The device is used for each card unit 3 individually.

At S3, the total issue amount updated at S2 is set to a predetermined upper limit (for example, from 400,000 yen to
A determination is made as to whether or not the amount has exceeded 500,000 yen. This upper limit is set, for example, in the card unit management device 400.
The card unit 3 that cannot communicate with the card unit 3 for a predetermined number of days in a normal state (for a relatively short period of time such that the progress of the abnormal operation state of the card unit 3 does not cause a great problem in management, for example, three days ) The value is set in advance to a value that can be reached when operating.

If it is determined in S3 that the total issue amount does not exceed the upper limit, the process proceeds to S6 described later.
On the other hand, if it is determined in S3 that the accumulated issue amount exceeds the upper limit, the process proceeds to S4, in which the control unit 330 of the main control device 33 transmits the above-described bill to the control unit 320 of the bill validator 32. By giving the prohibition command information, a process of prohibiting the acceptance of bills is performed. As a result, the banknote recognition device 32 is set to a state in which the banknote is not accepted, and as a result, the issuance of the enclosed prepaid card 23 is deactivated. Next, proceeding to S5, the bill usable lamp 1
By turning off 3, a notification that the acceptance of banknotes has been prohibited is made. As a result, the fact that the issuance of the encapsulation type prepaid card 23 is deactivated is notified, so that the turning-off of the bill usable lamp 13 in this case means that the issuance of the encapsulation type prepaid card 23 is stopped. It also serves as a notification that it has been deactivated. After S5, the process proceeds to S6.

In S6, it is determined whether or not lending of the balls (in this case, lump-sum payment of 1,000 yen) at the time of issuing the enclosed prepaid card 23 has been completed. S6
If it is determined that the lending has not been completed, the issuance and consumption management process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S6 that the lending has been completed, the process proceeds to S7, in which the enclosed prepaid card 23 is consumed by the lending amount of the ball (1000 yen in this case) when the enclosed prepaid card 23 is issued. A process of adding and updating the data of the accumulated amount of money is performed, and thereafter, the issuance consumption management process ends.

Here, the data of the accumulated value of the consumption amount of the enclosed prepaid card 23 indicates the accumulated value of the consumption amount of the enclosed prepaid card 23 in the card unit 3 (the amount consumed for lending the ball at the time of issuance). Data, the issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35
Is stored in a predetermined storage area (an area different from the data of the issuance amount accumulated value described above) in the above-described RAM included in the control unit 350. Control unit 330
Then, in response to the end of the ball lending of the enclosed prepaid card 23, the aforementioned consumption amount data is sent to the control unit 350 together with the cumulative value update instruction information for instructing the update of the amount data, and the data of the cumulative consumption amount value is updated. Is performed. In this case, in accordance with the received cumulative value update command information, the control unit 350 performs a process of adding and updating the data of the cumulative consumption value of the enclosed prepaid card 23 by the received consumption data. Thereby, every time the enclosed prepaid card 23 is issued, the accumulated consumption amount is added and updated by the consumption amount.

As described above, the accumulated issue amount and consumption amount are transmitted at regular intervals to the card unit management device 400 installed in the game arcade 100 via the communication relay device 31.

Further, the communication between the card unit 3 and the card unit management device 400 is disabled due to various reasons such as a failure of the card unit management device 400, a communication failure in the amusement arcade, and the business convenience of the amusement arcade. In the event that the total issuance amount and consumption amount cannot be managed by the card unit management device 400, but cannot be transmitted at regular intervals, the accumulated value is monitored while being compared with the upper limit value by the card unit 3 itself. (Managed).

The upper limit of the issuance amount of the enclosed prepaid card 23 is set to a value which is considered to be reached when the card unit 3 has been operated in a communication disabled state for a predetermined number of days in a normal use situation in a game arcade. Is set. If the card unit 3 has been operating in a state where communication is not possible, the card unit 3 may have failed, or an illegal card issuance by an illegal actor (an illegal card issuance performed in an extremely short time). ), Even if an abnormal operation state occurs, the issuance of the enclosed prepaid card 23 is disabled when the total value of the issued amount exceeds the upper limit. For this reason, even if the card unit 3 is operated in a state in which communication is not possible, the progress of an abnormal state such as a failure or a fraud is limited. Accordingly, even when the card unit 3 is operated in a state where it cannot communicate with the card unit management device 400 for reasons such as business reasons, disadvantages are less likely to occur to the game arcade side and the prepaid card issuing company.

Next, main effects obtained by this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 and the like, in the card unit 3, it becomes possible to have the card-issuing function issue the enclosed prepaid card 23 and play a game with the card. This prevents the player from leaving the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 in order to purchase a recording medium usable for the game and lend the gaming medium, and as a result, the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 can improve the operation rate. In addition, the issuance amount recorded at the time of issuance of the encapsulation type prepaid card 23 issued in the card unit 3 as shown in S2 of FIG. 5 is accumulated, and as shown in S3 of FIG. Since it is determined whether or not the accumulated amount of money has exceeded a predetermined upper limit, the usage of the encapsulation type prepaid card 23 in the card unit 3 is determined based on the judgment at the time of the issuance of the encapsulation type prepaid card 23. The card unit 3 itself can be monitored using information specific to a device having a card issuing function such as a recorded issue amount, so that the card unit 3 cannot communicate in a manner that can suppress abnormal use of the card unit 3. Can be used in the state.

Further, as shown in S4 of FIG. 5, when it is determined that the accumulated value of the issuance amount of the enclosed prepaid card 23 has exceeded the upper limit, the enclosed prepaid card 2
Since the processing for issuing the card unit 3 is inactivated (inactivated due to the prohibition of accepting banknotes), it is not possible to issue the enclosed prepaid card 23 any more. Can be blocked.

Further, as shown in S5 of FIG. 5, when it is determined that the accumulated value of the issuance amount of the enclosed prepaid card 23 exceeds the upper limit, the fact is notified.
The amusement arcade side and the player side can easily recognize that such a state exists.

Further, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and the like, the enclosed prepaid card 23 is issued by the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device 34 in accordance with the recognition of the bill, and Since the processing for renting a pachinko ball using the card balance specified by the record information of the type prepaid card 23 is performed without the operation of the player, acceptance of banknotes, identification of banknotes, enclosing type prepaid card Issue of 23 and lending of pachinko balls are linked. This prevents the player from leaving the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 in front of the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 for purchasing and lending a ball usable for the game. As a result, the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 are prevented.
Operation rate can be improved. Further, since the enclosed prepaid card 23 that has been issued is taken in without being handed to the player, the enclosed prepaid card 23 is
It is possible to make it difficult to perform an improper act of recording improper information on the Internet.

Next, modifications and features of the embodiment described above will be enumerated below. (1) Although the gaming machine described in the present embodiment pays out gaming media such as lending balls or lending coins, the present invention is not limited to this, and is specified by recording information of a recording medium. Instead of paying out (using) the game value and paying out the game media, the gaming machine gives a score corresponding to the deducted value (score indicating the number of game media for lending such as lending balls or lending coins). ) By adding and updating the score of the player, so that the game is performed using the number of game media corresponding to the score, and by controlling the score to be increased or decreased according to the situation of the game, A game machine may be used in which the game media is not directly paid out, but the game media is provided to the player in the form of scores.

Therefore, in the recording medium processing apparatus for performing a lending process for lending a game medium usable for a game using a gaming machine using a game value specified by the recording information of the recording medium according to the present invention, The term “lending game media” includes both concepts of paying out (lending) actual lending or lending coins to a player and granting lending or lending coins indicated by scores to the player. Is included. Further, the balls or coins included in the game medium include not only actual balls or coins but also those displayed from images.

Further, in order to monitor an abnormal situation in which the player breaks the cover 24 and pulls out the enclosed prepaid card 23, a wire is laid on the inner surface of the cover 24, electricity is supplied to the wire, and electricity flows. If an abnormal state is detected by detecting the abnormal state in which the wiring is cut due to the breakage of the cover 24 and the current stops flowing, abnormal state control such as sounding an alarm may be performed.

(2) The cover 24 prevents the enclosed recording medium (enclosed prepaid card 23) issued from the enclosed recording medium issuing section (enclosed recording medium issuing port 22) from reaching the player's hand. A blocking means for blocking is configured. The blocking means is not limited to the cover 24. For example, the locking means locks the enclosing recording medium partially exposed from the enclosing recording medium issuing section, and the player cannot pull out the locking medium. Etc.
It can be anything.

(3) By the frequency identification seal 9,
Frequency display means for displaying a frequency at the time of wireless communication with the recording medium processing device (card unit 3) is configured.

The bill usable lamp 13 constitutes an enclosed prepaid card issuable display means for displaying that an enclosed recording medium (enclosed prepaid card 23) can be issued using funds owned by the player. I have. It should be noted that the enclosed prepaid card may be issued using coins instead of banknotes, and may be issued using, for example, a credit card or a debit card or using electronic money. . As described above, the issuance of the encapsulation type prepaid card is not limited to bills, and other valuable objects may be used.

[0123] Enclosed prepaid card 23 using coins
In order to enable the issuance of a coin, instead of or in addition to the bill insertion slot 6 and the bill identification device 32, a coin insertion slot as an example of a coin accepting unit and a coin identification device for determining the authenticity of the inserted coin. Are provided in the card unit. Then, the coin discriminating apparatus determines that the coin inserted from the coin receiving unit is an appropriate coin, and a predetermined amount of money (for example, 50
(0 yen), a signal to that effect is transmitted to the main controller 33, and thereafter, the encapsulation type prepaid card 23 is controlled by the same control as in the case of the bill described above. publish. When accepting both banknotes and coins to enable the issuance of the enclosed prepaid card 23, if a banknote is inserted, the enclosed prepaid card 23 is issued only with the inserted banknote and if a coin is inserted, the One method of issuing with only the inserted coin is conceivable, but as another method, according to the selection of the player, the enclosed prepaid card 23 can be issued using the total amount of the inserted bill and the inserted coin. You may.

(4) The enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17 constitutes value display means for displaying the size of the game value (card balance) specified by the recorded information of the enclosed prepaid card. This value display means also has a function of displaying information by which the cause of the abnormality at the time of occurrence of the abnormality can be recognized.

The card inserted lamp 20 constitutes an already-issued recording medium insertion display means for displaying that the already-issued recording medium is being inserted.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, the game value (card balance) is recorded directly on the issued prepaid card 21 or the enclosed prepaid card 23 in addition to the recording medium identification information such as the card number. However, in addition to this, the management computer for the hall of the game arcade or the management computer of the prepaid card issuing company also stores the current game value of the recording medium together with the recording medium identification information, and records the value when the recording medium is used. The recording medium identification information of the medium is transmitted to the management computer, and the gaming value corresponding to the recording medium identification information is searched.
It may be configured such that after checking that the magnitudes of the game values 1 and 23 match, the game can be played using the game values. Further, the game value is not recorded on the already issued prepaid card 21 or the enclosed prepaid card 23, but the game value is recorded only on the hall management computer.
The corresponding game value may be searched based on the recording medium identification information recorded in the storage device 23, and the game medium may be lent (lent) using the game value.

Further, both or one of the previously issued prepaid card 21 and the enclosed prepaid card 23 may be constituted by an IC card. This IC card may be either a contact type or a non-contact type (including a contact type).

(6) The present embodiment is divided into a case where an error code is displayed on the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and a case where an error code is displayed on the card balance display 8 depending on the cause of the error. The same error cause is not displayed as an error code in both, but the same error cause may be displayed as an error code in both the encapsulated prepaid card frequency indicator 17 and the card balance indicator 8 instead. . Furthermore, the error code is composed of a roughly classified error code roughly classified and a finely divided error code which further classifies each major classified error code, and the above-described enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17 and card balance One of the displays 8 may display a large classification error code, and the other may display a fine classification error code.

(7) The card unit 3 shown in FIG. 1 and the like uses the game value (card balance) specified by the recording information (the issued prepaid card 21, the enclosed prepaid card 23) of the recording medium. A recording medium processing device for enabling a game by a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 2). This recording medium processing device may be capable of using a recording medium such as a debit card or a credit card, as well as a card such as an already issued prepaid card. Further, this recording medium processing device may be a card unit capable of processing only the recording medium as described above, as well as a card unit capable of processing bills as described in the above-described embodiment. Further, the above-described recording medium processing device may be capable of processing not only banknotes but also coins in addition to recording media. Also,
The card unit may be a unit that can use a recording medium such as a debit card or a credit card, instead of cash such as the above-mentioned bill. In other words, the recording medium processing device is any recording medium processing device that enables a game to be played by a gaming machine using a game value specified by recording information on a recording medium. Is also targeted. Also, when such a recording medium processing device is provided corresponding to a pachinko gaming machine, the game medium to be paid out is a ball, while, when such a recording medium processing device is provided corresponding to a slot machine, The game medium to be paid out is a coin.

(8) The above-described enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17 is provided on a pachinko gaming machine, for example, instead of being provided on the card unit 3, and is connected to the card unit main control device 33 by wiring so that the card balance ( (Card frequency) may be displayed.

(9) During a period in which the acceptance of money (banknotes) is disabled, the currency identification means (the banknote identification device 3
2) Money is not induced, but if it is not induced,
The following specific examples are included. For example, this includes stopping the transfer of money to the money identifying means. Also, in the case of coins, there are cases where the coin slot is closed and cases where the coin is dropped to the return port without closing the slot. Is switched from the path to the money identifying means to the path to the return port.

(10) The bill usable lamp 13 shown in FIG. 1 and the like constitutes a notifying means for notifying that money cannot be accepted during the period in which the receipt of money is disabled. I have. This notification means is not limited to lamps,
Other notification means such as an LED that emits light by turning on, off, or blinking, or a sound notification means including a speaker or the like that performs notification by voice may be used.

(11) As a value object accepted by the recording medium processing device (card unit 3), a bill, a coin, a debit card, or a credit card may be used, but a value object for identifying the authenticity of the value object. As a discriminating means, a bill discriminating device is used for bills, a coin discriminating device is used for coins, and a card discriminating device is used for debit cards and credit cards.

(12) In the above-described embodiment, the means (the issuance / recording medium-related operation means) that operates in connection with the processing of the issued prepaid card 21 such as the issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35 has a predetermined abnormality. As an example of performing control such that lending (lending) of a ball becomes impossible in the state, it has been described that prohibition of acceptance of banknotes and prohibition of acceptance of already issued prepaid cards have been described. The present invention is not limited to this. When such a predetermined abnormal state occurs, the entire card unit 3 may be automatically stopped (for example, power is not supplied to each unit (particularly, each control unit) in the unit). Etc.).

(13) Card balance display 8 described above
May be provided in the card unit 3 instead of the pachinko gaming machine 2 to display the card balance (card count) and display an error (display an error code, etc.).

(14) In the above-described embodiment, the display of the error code relating to the error state relating to the processing of the encapsulation type prepaid card and the error state relating to the processing of the encapsulation type prepaid card is indicated by two indicators (enclosure type prepaid card frequency display) Although the example in which the display is performed separately by the display 17 and the card balance display 8) is shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display of the error code may be performed using any one display. The display of such an error code may be performed by providing a display dedicated to error notification.

(15) In the above-described embodiment, as an example of the notification by the notification means for notifying the occurrence of the predetermined abnormal state, the display of the error code and the blinking display have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the notification by the notification means may be performed by notification using a notification sound or a combination of the notification using the notification sound and the display or blinking display of the error code.
Instead of displaying the error code, a message using characters (a message indicating the type of error) may be displayed.

(16) Central management device 5 shown in FIG.
01, a plurality of recording medium processing devices (card units 3) provided in each game center are centrally managed via a plurality of management devices (card unit management devices 400) provided in a plurality of game rooms 100. A centralized management device is configured.

(17) Between the centralized management device and the plurality of management devices provided in the amusement arcade, the plurality of management devices are divided into blocks where the amusement arcade is located (for example, the whole country is divided into blocks of a plurality of districts). ) May be provided with a block management device that manages the data in a plurality of blocks. In that case,
The block management device totalizes and manages sales information of the management devices in the block, and transmits the management information to the centralized management device. Then, the centralized management device further collects and manages information transmitted from a plurality of block management devices that manage each area. That is, the block management device has some of the functions of the central management device 501 described in the above-described embodiment. If you do this,
Since the central management device 501 and the block management device share the processing load of the total management, the processing load of the central management device 501 can be reduced.

(18) The management device is not limited to the card unit management device 400 described in the embodiment. For example, the card unit management device 400 may not be provided, and the central management device 5 shown in the embodiment may be omitted.
01 may directly manage the card unit 3. In that case, the central management device 501 corresponds to the management device. The card unit management device 4
00 may be provided outside the game hall, not inside the game hall.
In that case, each card unit 3 is connected using a communication line.
And the card unit management device 400, and perform information mutual communication as described in the above embodiment. When the card unit management device 400 is provided outside the game arcade, a plurality of game arcades (for example, a plurality of game arcades of different management provided within a predetermined area and a plurality of game arcades of the same management) One card unit management device 400 (a card unit management device that manages the card units 3 of a plurality of amusement arcades) may be provided in correspondence with both.

(19) In the above-described embodiment, the accumulated issue amount and the consumption amount accumulated value of the enclosed prepaid card 23 are stored in the issued prepaid card reader / writer device 3.
5 is stored in the control unit 350, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the accumulated issue amount and the consumed amount are stored in the control unit 330 (CPU, ROM,
The information may be stored in a microcomputer (RAM in a RAM including a RAM) and updated.

(20) In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the acceptance of banknotes is prohibited when the total issue amount of the enclosed prepaid card 23 exceeds a predetermined upper limit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to prohibit the acceptance of banknotes when the cumulative issue amount of the enclosed prepaid card 23 reaches the upper limit. In addition, in view of the safety of the abnormal state to some extent, when the accumulated issue amount reaches a predetermined amount lower than the upper limit, the acceptance of the bill may be prohibited. If there is no particular problem in management, the bill acceptance may be prohibited when the accumulated issue amount reaches a predetermined amount higher than the upper limit. That is, when it is determined that the accumulated value has a predetermined correlation with the upper limit value, the process for issuing the recording medium (encapsulated prepaid card 23) is deactivated. If
The deactivation condition is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

(21) In the above embodiment, S3
In this example, the processing of determining whether the total issue amount has exceeded the upper limit shown in S5 to S5 and the processing associated therewith have been performed prior to the processing of determining whether to end the lending at the time of issuance shown in S6 and S7 and the processing associated therewith. . However, not limited to this, S6,
The issue-time ball lending end determination processing shown in S7 and the accompanying processing may be executed prior to the upper limit issue amount total value determination processing and the accompanying processing shown in S3 to S5. .

(22) In the above-described embodiment, the enclosure in which the information for specifying the game value (card balance) corresponding to the total amount of the money identified by the money identifying means (the bill identifying device 32) is recorded. Although only an example in which the type recording medium (enclosed type prepaid card 23) is issued is shown, a change dispensing function (change dispensing section, change storing section, change dispensing apparatus, and change dispensing) is provided to the card unit 3 as follows. Control means)
And a game value (card balance) corresponding to a partial amount (for example, 1000 yen) of the identified money (banknote).
May be issued, and the remaining amount of money may be paid out as a change. For example, in the embodiment as described above, 1 such as 10,000 yen, 5000 yen, and 2000 yen
To accept and identify banknotes of 000 yen or more,
When issuing an enclosed prepaid card 23 recording a card balance of a predetermined amount (1000 yen), a necessary change (for example, a change of 4000 yen in the case of accepting 5000 yen) may be calculated and paid out. Good. That is, the enclosed recording medium (enclosed type prepaid card 23) has a game value (including both a full amount and a partial amount) within a range of the amount of money identified by the money identifying means. Any information that can specify the card balance) may be recorded.

(23) The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a pachinko gaming machine and a card unit installed on a gaming machine installation island.

FIG. 2A is a partially enlarged front view of the card unit, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the inside of the card unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a card unit and a configuration of a management system inside and outside the game hall.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing contents of an issuance and consumption management processing in the card unit 3;

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 pachinko gaming machine, 3 card unit, 6 bill slot, 32 bill recognition device, 23 enclosed prepaid card, 34 enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device, 33 main control unit, 330 control unit, 21 already issued prepaid card, 35 An already issued prepaid card reader / writer device.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (71) Applicant 000128946 Mamiya OP Co., Ltd. 10-13-1, Nishibori, Saitama-shi, Saitama (72) Inventor Shohachi Ugawa 1-164-1, Aioi-cho, Kiryu-shi, Gunma 5 72) Inventor Mitsuo Abe 2-14-21 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Japan Inside Advanced Card System Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Minoru Kumatoriya 1-2-5 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Cosmo EC Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Keijiro Arauchi 10-13-1, Nishibori, Urawa-shi, Saitama F-term (reference) 2M088 BA88 BB03 BB14 BB16 BB19 BB20 BB21 BB23 BB27 BB30 BB36 BB41 BC54 BC68 BC79 CA02 CA07 CA08 CA27 CA28 CA35 EB68 3E044 AA05 AA06 DE07

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium processing apparatus configured to be communicable and performing a lending process for lending a game medium usable for a game by a gaming machine using a game value specified by recording information on a recording medium. A currency accepting unit that accepts money as a purchase price of the player; a currency identifying unit that identifies the authenticity of the currency accepted by the currency accepting unit; and an amount of money identified by the currency identifying unit. A recording medium issuing means for performing an issuance process of a recording medium on which information capable of specifying a game value corresponding to a predetermined amount within a range of the recording medium is recorded; and recording information of the recording medium issued by the recording medium issuing means. A recording medium processing means for performing the lending process using the specified game value; and a game value recorded at the time of issuance of the recording medium issued by the recording medium processing device. It is characterized by including a cumulative means for accumulating, and a judging means for judging whether or not the cumulative value of the game value accumulated by the cumulative means has a predetermined correlation with a predetermined upper limit value. , Recording medium processing device. 2. An issuance inactivating means for inactivating an issuance process of the recording medium when the determining means determines that the cumulative value has the predetermined correlation with the upper limit value. The recording medium processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a notifying means for notifying that the cumulative value has the predetermined correlation with the upper limit value when the determining means determines that the cumulative value has the predetermined correlation. Item 3. The recording medium processing device according to item 1 or 2. 4. A recording medium on which information that can specify a game value usable for a game is recorded and which is already issued to a player, is read, and the recording information is specified by the recording information. Further comprising a previously issued recording medium processing means for performing the lending process using the game value to be issued, wherein the recording medium issued by the recording medium issuing means is once issued to the player, A recording medium that is taken in without passing over, and is a sealed recording medium in which the game medium can be lent using a game value specified from recording information of the recording medium after being taken in. The recording medium issuing means performs an issuance process of the enclosing recording medium in response to the money being identified by the money identifying means, Record 4. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lending process is performed without a player's operation using a game value specified by the information.