JP2005110886A - Device for game - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for a game, when receiving a return operation in a state where remains are not zero, impressing a player a necessity of inserting a recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: When a settlement card return button 16 is operated, a control means 22 determines whether or not a settlement card 5 with no remains is retained in a settlement card R/W 26; when determining not to be retained, the control part 22 determines whether or not paid remains stored in an enclosed card 4 are not zero; and subject to the determination that the paid remains are not zero, flashes a multifunctional lamp 27 in green. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming device that is provided corresponding to a gaming machine and performs lending processing for accepting money and lending gaming media, and in particular, the remaining amount that has not been used for lending gaming media to a player. It is related with the game apparatus for returning.

  Conventionally, as shown in, for example, Patent Document 1, as a ball lending unit that is provided corresponding to a gaming machine and that accepts money and a prepaid card and performs a lending process for lending gaming media, based on the deposit by money It is known that if there is a remaining amount that has not been used for lending game media, a card in which the remaining amount is recorded is issued to the player. According to this, when the issued card is received by another ball lending unit, the remaining amount recorded on the received card can be used to play a game on another gaming machine. If there is no remaining amount that was not used for lending gaming media when lending gaming media based on payment, the card is not issued, but the remaining amount recorded on the accepted card is zero. If it becomes, the accepted card is returned to the player.

JP 2002-360910 A (page 4, FIG. 1)

  However, in the conventional ball lending unit, a conveying device for supplying the issuing card to the ball lending unit is provided on the game island where the ball lending unit is installed. However, there was a problem that the installation cost of the amusement island was complicated.

  Further, when the transport device is not provided, the player receives the issued card from the store clerk of the game hall, inserts it into the ball lending unit, receives the settlement card on which the remaining amount is recorded, Checkout may be performed using a checkout card in which the balance is recorded. However, in this case, if there is a remaining amount of money deposited, even if the player operates the card return button in the same manner as when the player plays a game using a settlement card with the remaining amount, Since the recorded card is not returned, there arises a problem that a player who is not accustomed to the settlement with the settlement card is confused.

  The present invention has been made based on such a background, and the purpose of the present invention is to return the remaining amount, which is a valuable value that has not been used for lending game media, to the player. When there is no need to supply and replenish the game device (equivalent to the ball lending unit) with a recording medium (corresponding to the card) for making the remaining amount identifiable, and the remaining amount of money received (lending with money) When the return operation (corresponding to the operation of the card return button) is accepted when the remaining amount of the player is not zero, the player or the store clerk recognizes that the recording medium needs to be inserted, and the return operation is performed. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming apparatus that can prevent a player who has played the game from being confused without returning the recording medium on which the deposit amount is recorded.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to solve the above problems. The reference numerals used in the description of the best mode for carrying out the invention and the drawings to be described later are appended in parentheses for reference, but the constituent elements of the present invention are not limited to the appended description.

  First, the invention according to claim 1 is provided corresponding to a gaming machine (pachinko machine 10), and a currency receiving means (a banknote discriminator 23, a coin discriminator 24) for receiving money (banknote 2, coin 3), Storage means (enclosed card 4) for storing the magnitude of the valuable value (payment balance) corresponding to the amount of money accepted by the currency acceptance means, and a predetermined value within the range of the valuable value stored in the storage means Lending processing means (control units 22, 22 ') for performing lending processing (ball lending processing) for lending a game medium (pachinko ball) corresponding to a valuable value (ball lending set amount) of Subtraction processing means for performing subtraction processing for subtracting the value (usage amount) used for lending game media by the processing means from the value stored in the storage means (control unit 22, 22 ') and for gaming When receiving a recording medium (settlement card 5) inserted from outside, determination means for determining whether the value of the valuable value stored in the storage means is zero (control units 22, 22 ′) And the storage means from the received recording information (payment ID and card balance) on the condition that the determination means determines that the value of the valuable value stored in the storage means is not zero. After the processing for making it possible to specify the size of the valuable value stored in the storage device, the valuable value specifying processing means (settlement card R / W 26, 26 ') for returning the recording medium to the player, And when a recording medium having a non-zero value (card balance) specified from the recording information is received, the value is within the range of the value specified from the recording information of the received recording medium. In The lending processing means performs lending processing for lending gaming media corresponding to a predetermined value of the valuable value, and records the magnitude of the valuable value used for lending gaming media by the lending processing means. A gaming device (card unit 20, 20 ′) that performs a subtraction process for subtracting from the value of the value specified from the recorded information of the medium by the subtraction processing means, wherein the gaming device receives the acceptance A return operation accepting means (accounting card return button 16) for accepting a return operation for returning the recorded recording medium to the player, and when the return operation is accepted by the return operation accepting means, the storage means Whether the value of the valuable value stored in the storage means is zero or not, and the value of the valuable value stored in the storage means by the determination means is zero. On the condition that it is determined that it is not, it is further provided with an insertion instruction notification means (multifunctional lamp 27) for performing notification for prompting the insertion of the recording medium.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the gaming apparatus (card unit 20, 20 ′) according to claim 1, wherein the lending process (ball lending process) is performed on the lending processing means (control unit 22, 22 ′). A lending process operating means (ball lending button 15) operated by the player to perform the operation, and the insertion instruction notifying means (multifunctional lamp 27) notifies the insertion of the recording medium (settlement card 5). Based on the fact that the loan processing operation means is operated in the state of being performed, the loan processing operation means terminates the notification by the insertion instruction notification means without performing the loan processing by the loan processing means, and the loan processing operation means operates again. Based on the above, the lending processing is performed by the lending processing means.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the gaming apparatus (card unit 20, 20 ′) according to claim 1, wherein the lending process (ball lending process) is performed on the lending processing means (control unit 22, 22 ′). A lending process operating means (ball lending button 15) operated by the player to perform the operation, and the insertion instruction notifying means (multifunctional lamp 27) notifies the insertion of the recording medium (settlement card 5). A gaming device characterized in that, based on the operation of the lending processing operation means in a state of being performed, the notification by the insertion instruction notifying means is terminated and the lending processing is performed by the lending processing means. is there.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the gaming apparatus (card unit 20, 20 ') according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insertion instruction notifying means (multifunctional lamp 27) is: The gaming device is characterized in that a notification mode is changed when the recording medium is not inserted within a predetermined time from the start of notification for prompting insertion of the recording medium (settlement card 5).

  The invention according to claim 5 is the gaming apparatus (card unit 20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the recording information (payment of money) of the received recording medium (payment card 5) is received. When the magnitude of the valuable value (card balance) specified from the ID and card balance) becomes zero after the subtraction process by the subtraction processing means (control unit 22), the received recording medium is stored inside the gaming device. The reservation means (accounting card R / W26) is reserved, and the determination means (control unit 22) receives the return operation by the return operation accepting means (accounting card return button 16). It is determined whether or not the recording medium is reserved in the gaming device by the means, and whether the value of value (remaining deposit) stored in the storage means (enclosed card 4) is zero. The valuable value specifying processing means (settlement card R / W26) has the recording medium stored in the gaming device by the reservation means by the determination means, and the valuable value stored in the storage means. After performing a process for making it possible to specify the magnitude of the valuable value stored in the storage means from the recording information of the reserved recording medium on the condition that the size of the recording medium is determined to be non-zero , A gaming apparatus characterized by returning the recording medium to the player.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the gaming apparatus (card unit 20 ') according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the recording information (accounting card 5) received ( When the magnitude of the valuable value (card balance) specified from the deposit ID and the remaining card amount becomes zero after the subtraction processing by the subtraction processing means (control unit 22 '), the received recording medium is used for gaming. The apparatus further includes a reservation means (accounting card R / W26 ') reserved inside the apparatus, and the valuable value specifying processing means (adjustment card R / W26') stores the recording medium inside the gaming apparatus by the reservation means. When the money (banknote 23, coin identifier 24) is received by the money receiving means (banknote identification machine 23, coin identification machine 24), the received information is received from the recording information of the reserved recording medium. The lending processing means (control unit 22 ′) performs a process for making it possible to specify the value of the value corresponding to the amount of money, and the value specified from the recording information of the reserved recording medium. Perform lending processing (ball lending processing) for lending game media (pachinko balls) corresponding to a predetermined value of valuable value (ball lending set amount) within the range of the size (card balance) The operation accepting means (settlement card return button 16) is a gaming apparatus characterized by accepting a return operation for returning the reserved recording medium to the player.

  Further, the invention according to claim 7 is the gaming apparatus (card unit 20, 20 ′) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the value of the valuable value specified from the record information (payment ID and card balance) is large. Reservation notifying means (multifunctional) for notifying that the recording medium (settlement card 5) having zero (remaining card amount) is retained in the gaming machine by the retaining means (settlement card R / W 26, 26 ') The gaming apparatus further includes a lamp 27).

  First, according to the gaming device according to claim 1, when returning the deposit balance, which is the remaining amount when money is received and lending processing, to the player, a recording medium owned by the player is received, It is not necessary to provide a transport device on the game island for supplying the recording medium to the gaming device in order to perform processing for making it possible to specify the deposit balance from the recorded information recorded on the received recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the cost of introducing the transfer device and to prevent the facilities on the game island from becoming complicated. In addition, when a return operation is accepted with a non-zero deposit balance, a notification is made to prompt the user to insert a recording medium, so that the player or game shop clerk will recognize that the recording medium needs to be inserted and return it. It is possible to prevent the player who has performed the operation from being confused without returning the recording medium on which the deposit amount is recorded.

  According to the gaming apparatus of claim 2, a player who is confused that the recording medium whose remaining amount can be specified is not returned even if the recording medium is returned is operated by mistake. In such a case, the lending process is prevented from being performed against the player's intention.

  According to the gaming apparatus of claim 3, when the player operates the lending processing operation means when the recording medium capable of specifying the remaining amount is not returned even if the recording medium is returned, The lending process can be performed without troublesome troublesome re-operation.

  According to the gaming device of the fourth aspect, since the notification mode is changed when the recording medium is not inserted within a predetermined time from the start of the notification for prompting the insertion of the recording medium, The store clerk confirms a gaming device that needs to be dealt with immediately (a gaming device that is likely to have a player who does not know that a recording medium must be inserted to return the deposit). Can do.

  According to the gaming apparatus of claim 5, the recording medium with the remaining amount being zero is reserved in the gaming apparatus, and the deposit amount can be specified from the recording information of the reserved recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the issuance work of the recording medium in which the remaining amount is zero by the game shop clerk and return the remaining payment amount to the player in a short time. Furthermore, since the recording medium with the remaining amount remaining is reserved inside the gaming device, the labor of the game hall and the player can reduce the trouble of processing the recording medium with the remaining amount reduced, and the remaining amount becomes zero. It is possible to prevent an increase in cost due to the discarded recording medium.

  According to the gaming device of claim 6, the recording medium having the remaining balance of zero is reserved inside the gaming device, and the money received by the money accepting means is recorded from the recording information of the reserved recording medium. The processing for making it possible to specify the magnitude of the valuable value corresponding to the amount of money, and the recording medium can be returned, so that it is possible to reduce the work of issuing the recording medium with zero remaining amount by the game shop clerk, The remaining deposit can be returned to the player in a short time. Furthermore, since the recording medium with the remaining amount remaining is reserved inside the gaming device, the labor of the game hall and the player can reduce the trouble of processing the recording medium with the remaining amount reduced, and the remaining amount becomes zero. It is possible to prevent an increase in cost due to the discarded recording medium.

  Furthermore, according to the gaming device of the seventh aspect, the player can be surely recognized that the remaining amount can be returned without inserting a recording medium having a remaining amount of zero. Thus, it is possible to prevent the player from being issued a recording medium in vain.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, card units 20 and 20 ′ that are gaming devices according to the present invention are provided corresponding to gaming machines (pachinko machines 10), and accept money (banknotes 2 and / or coins 3). The lending process (ball lending process) of game media (pachinko balls) using the magnitude of the valuable value (payment balance) corresponding to the received money amount can be performed, and the magnitude of the valuable value can be specified. Receiving a recording medium (payment card 5) in which information (payment ID and remaining card amount) is recorded, and using the magnitude of the valuable value (card remaining amount) specified from the recorded information of the received recording medium Lending processing is performed, and in particular when the return operation is accepted by the return operation accepting means (settlement card return button 16), the judging means (control unit 22, 22 ′) stores the memory means (encapsulated card 4). On condition that the stored magnitude of the negotiable value (deposit balance) is determined not to be zero, and is characterized in that performing a notification prompting the insertion of the recording medium (payment card 5).

  In this gaming machine, when returning the deposit amount to the player, as shown in FIG. 5, when money is received (paid) with the payment card 5 reserved, The deposit amount is recorded on the enclosing card 4 as a deposit balance and when the return operation of the settlement card 5 is accepted, the deposit amount is recorded on the settlement card 5 as a card balance and retained. As shown in FIG. 6, when the money is received (deposited) with the payment card 5 reserved, the amount of money deposited is shown. A card unit 20 ′ according to the second embodiment is included, which is recorded on the payment card 5 as the balance of the card and returns the reserved payment card 5 when a return operation of the payment card 5 is accepted.

  In the following, first, the card unit 20 according to the first embodiment will be described, and then only the points of the card unit 20 'according to the second embodiment that are different from the card unit 20 according to the first embodiment will be described. In the following, the reader / writer is abbreviated as “R / W”.

[1. Card unit 20 according to the first embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 1, a card unit 20 that is a gaming device according to the first embodiment is connected to a system computer 50, which will be described later, so that the system computer 50 and a plurality of card units 20 A gaming system 1 is configured. In the card unit 20, bills 2, coins 3, enclosing cards 4, and a settlement card 5 are used.

  The banknote 2 is an example of money, and here, as shown in FIG. 2, there are four types of banknotes: a 1000 yen banknote, a 2000 yen banknote, a 5000 yen banknote, and a 10000 yen banknote. The coin 3 is also an example of money, and here, as shown in FIG. 2, there are two types of coins, a 100 yen coin and a 500 yen coin.

  The enclosing card 4 is an example of a storage unit, and stores the value of the value corresponding to the amount of the bill 2 or the coin 3 received (that is, deposited) by the bill discriminator 23 or the coin discriminator 24 described later. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the deposited amount corresponding to the value of the valuable value is recorded (stored) as the deposit balance as shown in FIG. The encapsulating card 4 is formed by forming a recording area (not shown) in which a deposit ID, a deposit amount, and the like are recorded at a predetermined portion of a thin plastic plate having a rectangular shape. As an IC card on which a non-contact type integrated circuit including a nonvolatile EEPROM is mounted. The encapsulated card 4 is encapsulated inside the card unit 20 in such a manner that the player cannot touch it.

  The checkout card 5 is an example of a recording medium and records information that can specify the value of the valuable value. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the information that can specify the value of the valuable value. As (recording information), the remaining amount of the card, which is the value of the valuable value, is recorded in association with a deposit ID described later. This checkout card 5 is also formed by forming a recording area (not shown) in which a deposit ID, a remaining card amount, etc. are recorded at a predetermined part of a thin plastic plate having a rectangular shape. As an IC card on which a non-contact type integrated circuit including a nonvolatile EEPROM is mounted. This payment card 5 is issued by a game shop clerk in a state in which no deposit ID and card balance are recorded, and is inserted into the card unit 20 for use.

  The card unit 20 is an example of a gaming device, and is provided corresponding to the pachinko machine 10 (here, adjacent to the left side of the pachinko machine 10) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A. . Here, the pachinko machine 10 is an example of a gaming machine, and is arranged at a predetermined position on a gaming island (not shown) in a game arcade according to a model and the like, and a game is played by driving a pachinko ball as a gaming medium into the gaming area. Here, a so-called CR-type pachinko machine that is communicable with the corresponding card unit 20 and exchanges signals with the card unit 20 regarding the lending of pachinko balls to perform ball lending processing. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the pachinko machine 10 includes a game area, an upper plate, a lower plate, a launching handle, and the like on the front surface thereof, a remaining frequency indicator 14, a ball lending button 15, and a checkout card. A return button 16 is provided, and as shown in FIG. 1, a game control board 11, a payout control board 12, a ball payout device 13 and the like are provided therein, and these components are connected as shown in FIG. Has been.

  The game control board 11 controls the gaming state in the pachinko machine 10. The payout control board 12 is communicably connected to a ball lending communication unit 21b described later of the card unit 20 and controls communication between the pachinko machine 10 and the card unit 20. Thereby, when the ball lending process is performed, signals related to the lending of the pachinko balls are exchanged between the pachinko machine 10 and the card unit 20. The payout control board 12 is connected to the ball payout device 13 and controls the ball payout device 13. Further, the payout control board 12 is also connected to a remaining frequency indicator 14, a ball lending button 15, and a payment card return button 16. The ball payout device 13 pays out a pachinko ball lent to a player through ball lending processing and a pachinko ball (so-called prize ball) given to the player as a result of the game. Here, the remaining frequency indicator 14, the ball lending button 15, and the payment card return button 16 are arranged on the front surface of the pachinko machine 10, but are connected to the card unit 20 via the payout control board 12. Since it is connected for communication, it also belongs to the card unit 20.

  The remaining number indicator 14 is a display for displaying the remaining number corresponding to the deposit remaining amount recorded in the enclosing card 4 or the remaining number corresponding to the remaining card amount recorded in the settlement card 5. Here, the remaining frequency is a value obtained by converting the deposit balance and the remaining card amount at a predetermined ratio (for example, 100 yen = 1 frequency).

  The ball lending button 15 is a button for accepting a ball lending operation using the deposit remaining amount recorded on the encapsulated card 4 or the card remaining amount recorded on the settlement card 5. The ball lending button 15 is an example of a lending processing operation means, and is operated by a player to cause a lending processing means (control units 22, 22 ′) described later to perform lending processing (ball lending processing). . The settlement card return button 16 is an example of a return operation accepting unit, and is a button for accepting a return operation for returning the settlement card 5 received (or reserved) by the settlement card R / W 26 described later to the player. It is.

  The card unit 20 has a vertically long box shape, and as shown in FIG. 2A, a multi-function lamp 27, a bill insertion slot 23a, a coin insertion slot 24a, a coin return button 24e, A coin return port 24f, a sealed card confirmation window 25a, a checkout card insertion port 26a, etc. are provided, and as shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 2 (c), a bill discriminator 23 and a communication unit for system computers are provided therein. 21a, a ball lending communication unit 21b, a control unit 22, a coin discriminator 24, an enclosing card R / W 25, a settlement card R / W 26, a settlement card collection unit 26b, etc., and these components are shown in FIG. Connected as shown.

  The system computer communication unit 21a is communicably connected to a later-described communication unit 51 of the system computer 50, and manages communication between the card unit 20 and the system computer 50. The ball lending communication unit 21b is communicably connected to the payout control board 12 of the pachinko machine 10 as described above.

  The control unit 22 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. When the processing program stored in the ROM is executed by the CPU using the RAM as a work area, the operation of each component included in the card unit 20 is performed. Various processes are performed under control.

  The control unit 22 is an example of a lending processing unit, and has a predetermined value of value within the range of the value of value stored in the storage unit (enclosed card 4) (payment balance) (ball lending setting). Lending processing for lending a game medium (pachinko ball) equivalent to (amount of money). Specifically, when the ball lending button 15 is operated and a ball lending operation is accepted, Comparing the recorded deposit balance with a preset ball lending amount (for example, 500 yen) and paying out a pachinko ball corresponding to the ball lending set amount if the remaining deposit amount is equal to or larger than the ball lending set amount. Processing for instructing the substrate 12 is performed, and processing for instructing the payout control substrate 12 to pay out the pachinko balls corresponding to the deposit remaining amount is performed if the deposit remaining amount is smaller than the set amount.

  When the control unit 22 functioning as a lending processing unit receives a recording medium (checkout card 5) whose value (card balance) specified by the record information (payment ID and card balance) is not zero. Loan for lending a game medium (pachinko ball) corresponding to a predetermined value of value (a ball lending set amount) within the range of the value of value specified from the recording information of the received recording medium Specifically, when the ball lending button 15 is operated and a ball lending operation is accepted, the card remaining amount recorded in the settlement card 5 and a preset ball lending set amount (for example, 500) are processed. Yen), and if the remaining card amount is equal to or larger than the ball lending set amount, the payout control board 12 is instructed to pay out the pachinko balls corresponding to the ball lending set amount, and the remaining card amount is less than the ball lending setting. If the amount performs processing of instructing the payout of pachinko balls corresponding to the card balance against payout control board 12.

  The payout control board 12 instructed to pay out the pachinko balls instructs the ball payout device 13 to pay out the pachinko balls, whereby the pachinko balls are paid out from the ball payout device 13 and the pachinko balls are lent. .

  Further, the control unit 22 is an example of a subtraction processing unit, and the value (usage amount) of valuable value used for lending game media (pachinko balls) by the lending processing unit (control unit 22) is stored in the storage unit ( A subtraction process for subtracting from the value of the valuable value (payment balance) stored in the encapsulating card 4) is performed. Specifically, when the ball lending process is performed, the deposit balance ≥ balls If the set amount is a loan amount, the set amount for the ball is subtracted from the remaining deposit amount recorded on the encapsulating card 4 as the used amount. If the remaining deposit amount is less than the set amount for the ball loan, the remaining amount is set as the used amount. A process of subtracting from the deposit amount recorded in 4 is performed (that is, the deposit amount is zero).

  Further, the control unit 22 functioning as a subtraction processing unit determines the value (use amount) of the valuable value used for lending game media (pachinko balls) by the lending processing unit (control unit 22). 5) A subtraction process for subtracting from the value of value (card balance) specified from the recorded information (payment ID and card balance) is performed. Specifically, the ball lending process is performed. When the remaining card amount is equal to or larger than the set amount of the ball lending, the processing amount is subtracted from the remaining amount of the card recorded on the settlement card 5 as the used amount. A process of subtracting the remaining card amount from the remaining card amount recorded on the settlement card 5 as the amount to be used is performed (that is, the remaining card amount becomes zero).

  Further, the control unit 22 is an example of determination means, and when the recording medium (settlement card 5) is received from outside the gaming apparatus, the value of the valuable value stored in the storage means (encapsulated card 4) ( It is determined whether the (payment balance) is zero. The control unit 22 functioning as a determination unit reserves the recording medium (settlement card 5) in the gaming device by a reservation unit (to be described later) when a return operation is received by the return operation acceptance unit (settlement card return button 16). It is determined whether or not the value of the valuable value (payment balance) stored in the storage means (enclosed card 4) is zero.

  Further, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the payment card 5 with no card balance is retained in the payment card R / W 26 when money is deposited into the card unit 20. Furthermore, when the payment card 5 is received, the control unit 22 determines whether or not a payment ID and a card balance are recorded on the received payment card 5.

  The bill validator 23 is an example of money accepting means, and accepts money. Here, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), in the state where the deposit balance and the card balance are zero, It is a discriminator that receives the four types of banknotes 2 and identifies the received banknotes 2. The banknote 2 received by the banknote identification machine 23 is discharged from the back of the card unit 20 through the banknote passage 23b and is transported by a banknote transport mechanism (not shown) provided on the amusement island. ).

  The coin discriminator 24 is also an example of a currency accepting unit, and accepts money. Here, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), in the state where the deposit balance and the card balance are zero, It is an identification machine that accepts the two types of coins 3 and identifies the coins 3 conveyed through the coin passage 24b. The coin 3 received by the coin discriminator 24 is also discharged outside from the back of the card unit 20 through the coin passage 24c, and is transported by a coin transport mechanism (not shown) provided on the amusement island. ). The coin return button 24e is a button for accepting a return operation of the coin 3 jammed in the coin passage 24b or the coin discriminator 24, and when the coin return button 24e is operated by the player, the jammed coin 3 becomes a coin. It returns to the coin return port 24f through the passage 24d.

  The encapsulated card R / W 25 records (writes) the deposit ID and the remaining deposit amount in the encapsulated card 4 encapsulated in the encapsulated card R / W 25, and also records the deposited deposit amount recorded on the encapsulated card 4. In this example, an IC card R / W corresponding to the encapsulated card 4 which is the IC card is provided. The encapsulated card 4 encapsulated in the encapsulated card R / W 25 is visible to the player and cannot be touched through the encapsulated card confirmation window 25a.

  The settlement card R / W 26 receives the settlement card 5 from the settlement card insertion slot 26a, and records (writes) the payment ID and the remaining amount of the card on the accepted settlement card 5, and is recorded on the settlement card 5. The IC card R / W corresponding to the settlement card 5 which is the IC card is provided here for reading the deposit ID and the balance of the card.

  This settlement card R / W 26 is an example of reservation means, and the value (card balance) of the valuable value specified from the record information (payment ID and card balance) of the received recording medium (payment card 5) is stored. When the subtraction processing means (control unit 22) becomes zero after the subtraction processing, the received recording medium is reserved inside the gaming device. Specifically, the accepted checkout card 5 Even if the remaining amount of the card becomes zero, the settlement card 5 is retained (held) inside the settlement card R / W 26 without being discharged from the settlement card insertion slot 26a.

  Further, the settlement card R / W 26 is an example of valuable value specifying processing means, and accepts the recording medium (settlement card 5) from the outside of the game apparatus, and the storage means (encapsulated card 4) is received by the determination means (control unit 22). ) Stored in the storage means from the received recording information (payment ID and remaining card amount) on the condition that the value of the valuable value stored in () is determined to be non-zero. After performing processing for enabling the value to be specified, the recording medium is returned to the player. Specifically, as the process for enabling the identification, it is determined whether or not the payment ID and the remaining card amount are recorded in the payment card 5 received by the control unit 22 which is a determination unit. On the condition that it is determined that the deposit ID and the card remaining amount are not recorded, the deposit ID recorded on the encapsulated card 4 is recorded, and the deposit remaining amount recorded on the encapsulated card 4 is recorded as a card remaining amount.

  Further, the settlement card R / W 26 functioning as the valuable value specifying processing means accepts a return operation by the return operation accepting means (the settlement card return button 16), and the reservation means (the settlement card R) by the determination means (control unit 22). / W26), it is determined that the recording medium (settlement card 5) is reserved in the gaming machine and that the value of value (payment balance) stored in the storage means (enclosed card 4) is not zero. On the condition that the value of the valuable value stored in the storage means can be specified from the recorded information of the reserved recording medium, the recording medium is returned to the player Specifically, as the process for enabling the identification, the reserved card 5 (which has the deposit ID recorded) is recorded on the enclosing card 4. To record the payment balance as a card balance.

  The payment card collection unit 26b uses the reservation means (the payment card R /) as the recording medium (the payment card 5) whose value (card balance) specified by the record information (payment ID and card balance) is zero. When the recording medium different from the reserved recording medium is received in the state reserved in the game apparatus by W26), the reserved recording medium is released and the reserved recording medium is retained. Specifically, when the settlement card R / W 26 accepts another settlement card 5 in a state where the settlement card R / W 26 holds the settlement card 5 with no remaining card amount, the settlement card R / W 26 The reserved card is released and the reserved payment card 5 is conveyed toward the back of the card unit 20, and the reserved payment card 5 is collected (stored) in the adjusted card collection unit 26b. The payment card collection unit 26b can collect a plurality of payment cards 5.

  The multi-function lamp 27 is a lamp that notifies the state of the card unit 20 by lighting or blinking in any one of a plurality of predetermined colors. The multi-function lamp 27 is an example of an insertion instruction notifying unit, and when a return operation is accepted by the checkout card return button 16, it is stored in the storage unit (encapsulated card 4) by the determination unit (control unit 22). On the condition that the value of the value (payment balance) determined is not zero, the notification is made to prompt the user to insert the checkout card 5, and specifically, the notification is made by blinking in green. Do. When the recording medium (settlement card 5) is not inserted within a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) from the start of the notification (flashing in green), the multi-function lamp 27 serving as an insertion instruction notification means is informed. To change. Specifically, the light emission mode is changed from green blinking to red blinking.

  The multi-function lamp 27 is an example of a reservation notifying means, and a recording medium (checkout card 5) in which the value of value (card balance) specified from the record information (payment ID and card balance) is zero. The reservation means (settlement card R / W 26) notifies the player that the game device is reserved. Specifically, the notification is performed by lighting in yellow.

  The system computer 50 is an example of a management device, and is provided at a predetermined location (for example, a management office) in a game hall. The communication unit 51, the control unit 52, and the hard disk connected as shown in FIG. 53 and the like.

  The communication unit 51 is communicably connected to the system computer communication unit 21a of the card unit 20 as described above. The control unit 52 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. When the processing program stored in the hard disk 53 is executed by the CPU using the RAM as a work area, the operation of each component included in the system computer 50 is performed. Is used to perform various processes. When the information that can identify the deposited amount is transmitted from the card unit 20, the control unit 52 generates a deposit ID that can identify the deposited amount. As shown in FIG. 3, the hard disk 53 stores the deposit amount transmitted from the card unit 20 as a remaining amount in association with the generated deposit ID.

  The operation of the gaming system 1 including the card unit 20 described above will be described. First, referring to FIG. 3, the operation of the card unit 20 in a state where the checkout card 5 is not reserved will be described. First, in the card unit 20, when the bill 2 or the coin 3 is received by the bill discriminator 23 or the coin discriminator 24 and deposited (here, 10,000 yen) (S11), the control unit 22 applies the settlement card R / W 26 to the settlement card R / W 26. It is determined whether or not the checkout card 5 having no remaining card amount is reserved. If it is determined that the settlement card 5 with no remaining amount is not reserved, the deposited amount is recorded on the encapsulated card 4 as a deposit remaining amount (S12), and the remaining number corresponding to the remaining amount is displayed. The information displayed on the container 14 and capable of specifying the amount of money received is transmitted from the card unit 20 to the system computer 50 (S13).

  Next, in the system computer 50 that has received the information that can identify the deposited amount, the control unit 52 generates a deposit ID that can identify the deposited amount (S14). The amount of money received in association is stored in the hard disk 53 as the remaining amount (S15), and the generated payment ID is transmitted from the system computer 50 to the card unit 20 of the transmission source (S16). Then, in the card unit 20 that has received the generated deposit ID, the received deposit ID is recorded on the encapsulated card 4 (S17).

  Next, in the card unit 20, when the ball lending button 15 is operated and a ball lending operation is accepted (S21), the ball lending process using the deposit amount is performed by the control unit 22 which is a lending processing means, and the enclosing card 4 Subtracting processing for subtracting the used amount (500 yen in this case) used for lending the pachinko ball from the deposit amount recorded in (2) is performed by the control unit 22 which is a subtraction processing means (S22), and the remaining frequency indicator 14 is displayed. The frequency corresponding to the used amount is subtracted from the displayed remaining number, and the payment ID and information that can specify the used amount are transmitted from the card unit 20 to the system computer 50 (S23). Then, in the system computer 50 that has received the payment ID and information that can identify the usage amount, the received usage amount is subtracted from the remaining amount stored in the hard disk 53 in association with the received payment ID (S24). ).

  Next, in the card unit 20, the payment card R / W 26 is used for the payment card 5 with no remaining balance (obtained from the store clerk at the timing when the player finishes the game, or any before the player ends the game) Is received from the store staff at the timing (S31), the controller 22 which is a determination means determines whether or not the deposit remaining amount recorded on the encapsulated card 4 is zero, and the deposit On condition that the balance is determined to be non-zero, the deposit ID and deposit balance recorded on the encapsulated card 4 are recorded on the settlement card 5 (S32), and the recorded contents of the encapsulated card 4 are erased and the remaining frequency is displayed. The remaining frequency displayed on the container 14 is cleared to zero, the payment card 5 with the remaining card amount is discharged from the payment card insertion slot 26a and returned to the player (S33).

  Thus, when returning the deposit amount that has not been used for the lending of the pachinko ball to the player, the payment card 5 inserted from the outside of the gaming device is received, and the recorded information of the received payment card 5 ( Here, in order to perform processing (here, recording of the payment ID and the remaining card amount for the payment card 5) to make it possible to specify the remaining card amount corresponding to the remaining payment amount from the payment ID and the remaining card amount) Since it is not necessary to provide a transport device for supplying to the unit 20 on the game island, it is possible to eliminate the cost of introducing the transport device and to prevent the facilities on the game island from becoming complicated.

  When the player inserts the settlement card 5 with the remaining card amount discharged from the card unit 20 as described above into a settlement apparatus (not shown) connected to the system computer 50, the settlement card 5 records the settlement card 5 by the settlement apparatus. The received deposit ID and remaining card amount are read, and the read deposit ID and remaining card amount are transmitted to the system computer 50. In the system computer 50, based on the received deposit ID and the remaining card amount, the remaining amount stored in the hard disk 53 in association with the received deposit ID is collated with the received card remaining amount, and the received card remaining amount ≦ hard disk If the balance is stored in 53, information indicating that payment is permitted is transmitted to the payment apparatus, and the payment apparatus that has received the information indicating that payment is permitted corresponds to the read card balance. Pay out the amount of money to the player.

  Next, in the card unit 20, when the settlement card R / W 26 accepts the settlement card 5 with the remaining card amount (here, the deposit ID is N00002 and the remaining card amount is 500 yen) (S41), it is recorded in the settlement card 5 The received deposit ID and the remaining card amount are read by the settlement card R / W 26, and the read deposit ID and information that can identify the remaining card amount are transmitted from the card unit 20 to the system computer 50 (S42).

  Next, in the system computer 50 that has received the receipt ID and information that can specify the remaining card amount, the received card balance and the remaining amount stored in the hard disk 53 are collated based on the received receipt ID. (S43), and information indicating verification OK is transmitted from the system computer 50 to the transmission source card unit 20 on condition that the verification is OK (here, the remaining amount of the card ≦ the remaining amount stored in the hard disk 53). (S44). The card unit 20 that has received the information indicating the verification OK is in a state where it can accept the ball lending operation (S45), and the remaining frequency corresponding to the read card remaining amount is displayed on the remaining frequency display 14. If the balance is OK and the remaining amount of the card is smaller than the remaining amount stored in the hard disk 53, the remaining amount stored in the hard disk 53 is rewritten to the remaining amount of the card (that is, rewritten to the smaller remaining amount). = Remaining amount stored in the hard disk 53.

  Next, in the card unit 20, when the ball lending button 15 is operated and a ball lending operation is accepted (S51), the ball lending process using the remaining amount of the card is performed by the control unit 22 which is a lending processing means, and the checkout card 5 The subtracting process for subtracting the used amount (500 yen in this case) used for lending pachinko balls from the remaining card amount is performed by the control unit 22 which is a subtracting means (S52), and the remaining frequency indicator 14 The frequency corresponding to the used amount is subtracted from the remaining number displayed on the screen, and the payment ID and information that can specify the used amount are transmitted from the card unit 20 to the system computer 50 (S53). Then, in the system computer 50 that has received the receipt ID and information that can identify the use amount, the received use amount is subtracted from the remaining amount stored in the hard disk 53 in association with the received receipt ID (S54). ).

  Here, in the card unit 20, when the remaining amount of the card recorded in the settlement card 5 received by the settlement card R / W 26 becomes zero after the subtraction processing by the control unit 22 which is a subtraction processing means, the accepted settlement card 5 is displayed. Reserved inside the gaming device (S55). At this time, a notification indicating that the payment card 5 is reserved (here, the multi-function lamp 27 is lit in yellow) is started (S56). In addition, when the payment card return button 16 is operated in a state where the card balance recorded in the payment card 5 is not zero, the payment card 5 is discharged from the payment card insertion slot 26a.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, when the payment card return button 16 is operated (S30), it is determined by the control unit 22 which is a determination means whether or not the payment card 5 with no remaining card amount is reserved. Is done. When it is determined by the determination that the payment card 5 with no remaining card amount is not retained, it is determined by the control unit 22 that is a determination means whether or not the remaining payment amount stored in the encapsulated card 4 is zero, On condition that it is determined by the determination that the deposit amount is not zero, the control unit 22 starts executing the return operation program shown in FIG. 4 (S30a). First, the control unit 22 causes the multi-function lamp 27 to blink green based on the above determination (S30b). Accordingly, since the multi-function lamp 27 blinks in green in order to prompt the insertion of the checkout card 5 based on the fact that the return operation is accepted in a state where the remaining card amount is not zero, the checkout card 5 needs to be inserted. It is possible to prevent the player or the store clerk from recognizing the fact and operating the checkout card return button 16 from being confused without returning the checkout card 5 in which the remaining card amount is recorded.

  Subsequently, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the payment card 5 has been received (whether or not it has been detected that the payment card R / W 26 has received the payment card 5) (S30c). When it is determined in S30c that the payment card 5 has been received, the flashing of the multi-function lamp 27 is terminated (S30d), and it is subsequently determined whether or not the payment card 5 received has a remaining amount (S30e). Here, when it is determined that there is a card balance in the payment card 5, the control unit 22 discharges the received payment card 5 with the balance from the payment card insertion slot 26a, and returns to S30c (acquisition of payment card 5). On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no remaining card amount in the accepted payment card 5, the same processing as S32 to S33 described above is performed, and the return operation program ends.

  Returning to S30c, when it is determined that the payment card 5 has not been received, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the ball lending button 15 has been operated (whether or not it has been detected that the ball lending button 15 has been operated). (S30f). Here, when it is determined that the ball lending button 15 has been operated, the flashing of the multifunction lamp 27 is terminated (S30g), and the return operation program is terminated (S30h). When the ball lending button 15 is operated again after the return operation program ends (S21), the ball lending process is performed based on the processes of S22 to S24 as described above. In other words, during execution of the return operation program, a player who was confused that the payment card 5 recorded with the remaining card amount was not returned even if the payment card return button 16 was operated, accidentally operated the ball lending button 15. In this case, the ball lending process is prevented from being performed against the player's intention.

  Here, when the control unit 22 determines that the payment card 5 is not received in S30c and determines that the ball lending button 15 is operated in S30f, the flashing of the multifunction lamp 27 is terminated (S30g). After ending the return operation program (S30h), the ball lending process may be automatically performed based on the processes of S22 to S24 without the ball lending button 15 being operated again. That is, this processing ends the notification by the multi-function lamp 27 based on the operation of the ball lending button 15 in a state where the multi-function lamp 27 is informing the user to insert the checkout card 5, and the loan The processing is performed. According to this, if the player operates the ball lending button 15 when the settlement card return button 16 is not returned even when the settlement card return button 16 is operated, the player is troublesome to replay. The lending process can be performed without taking time and effort such as operation. Note that one of the above two types of ball lending processing methods can be selected on the game hall side, and for example, the ball lending processing method may be selected according to the customer base, the hall operating policy, or the like.

  Returning to S30f, when it is determined that the ball lending button 15 is not operated, it is determined whether or not the multi-function lamp 27 is blinking in red (S30i). If it is determined that the multi-function lamp 27 is blinking red, the process returns to S30c. On the other hand, when it is determined that the multi-function lamp 27 is not blinking in red, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since the multi-function lamp 27 started blinking in green (S30b) ( S30j). Here, when it is determined that the predetermined time (here, 10 seconds) has elapsed, the multifunction lamp 27 blinking in green blinks in red (S30k), and the process returns to S30c. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time (here, 10 seconds) has not elapsed, the process returns to S30c. Thus, since the notification mode is changed when the payment card 5 is not inserted within a predetermined time (here, 10 seconds) from the start of notification for prompting the insertion of the payment card 5, the clerk at the amusement hall However, confirm the card unit 20 that needs to be dealt with promptly (the card unit 20 that is likely to have a player who does not know that it is necessary to insert the payment card 5 to return the deposit amount). Can do.

  Next, referring to FIG. 5, the settlement card 5 (in this case, the deposit ID is N00002 and the remaining card amount is 0 yen) is reserved (in this state, the control unit 22 performs the settlement without remaining balance in S11 described above). The operation of the card unit 20 in the case where it is determined that the payment card 5 is retained in the card R / W 26 will be described. At this time, as described above, in the card unit 20, the fact that the payment card 5 with no remaining card amount is reserved is informed by turning on the multi-function lamp 27 in yellow (S56). According to this, the player can be surely recognized that it is possible to return the remaining payment amount without inserting the payment card 5 with no remaining card amount. It is possible to prevent the card 5 from being issued.

  Next, in the card unit 20, when the bill 2 or the coin 3 is received by the bill discriminator 23 or the coin discriminator 24 and deposited (here, 10,000 yen) (S61), the settlement card R / W 26 is obtained by the control unit 22. It is determined whether or not the payment card 5 with no remaining card amount is reserved. Here, since it is determined that the payment card 5 with no card balance is reserved, the payment ID recorded on the payment card 5 is recorded on the encapsulated card 4 and the deposited amount is stored in the encapsulated card 4 as the deposit balance. Record (S62), display the remaining frequency corresponding to the deposit remaining amount on the remaining frequency display 14, and receive the deposit ID and the information for identifying the deposited amount from the card unit 20 to the system computer 50. Transmit (S63). Then, the system computer 50 that has received the deposit ID and information that can identify the deposited amount stores the deposited amount in the hard disk 53 in association with the received deposit ID as a remaining amount (S64).

  Next, in the card unit 20, when the ball lending button 15 is operated and a ball lending operation is accepted (S71), the ball lending process using the deposit amount is performed by the control unit 22 which is a lending processing means, and the enclosing card 4 Subtracting processing for subtracting the used amount (500 yen in this case) used for lending the pachinko ball from the deposit amount recorded in (2) is performed by the control unit 22 which is a subtraction processing means (S72), and the remaining frequency indicator 14 is displayed. The frequency corresponding to the used amount is subtracted from the displayed remaining number, and the payment ID and information that can specify the used amount are transmitted from the card unit 20 to the system computer 50 (S73). Then, in the system computer 50 that has received the payment ID and information that can identify the usage amount, the received usage amount is subtracted from the remaining amount stored in the hard disk 53 in association with the received payment ID (S74). ).

  Next, in the card unit 20, when the payment card return button 16 is operated and a return operation is accepted (S81), whether or not the payment card 5 is retained in the gaming device by the payment card R / W 26 and enclosed It is determined by the control unit 22, which is a determination means, whether or not the deposit amount recorded on the card 4 is zero, and it is determined that the payment card 5 is reserved in the game apparatus and the deposit amount is not zero. On the condition that the deposit ID and the deposit amount recorded on the encapsulated card 4 are recorded on the settlement card 5 (S82), the recorded contents of the encapsulated card 4 are erased and displayed on the remaining frequency display 14. The remaining number is cleared to zero, the payment card 5 with the remaining card amount is discharged from the payment card insertion slot 26a and returned to the player (S83).

  In this way, it is possible to reserve the payment card 5 with no card balance inside the gaming device and specify the card balance from the recorded information (payment ID and card balance here) of the reserved card 5 Processing (here, recording of the payment ID and the remaining amount of the payment card 5), it is possible to reduce the issuance work of the payment card 5 where the remaining amount of the card by the amusement hall clerk is zero, and the card remaining amount It can be returned to the player in a short time. Furthermore, since the checkout card 5 with the remaining card amount remaining at zero is reserved inside the gaming device, the labor of the game hall and the player is reduced from the trouble of processing the checkout card 5 with the remaining card amount remaining at zero. It is possible to prevent an increase in cost due to the discarding of the checkout card 5 whose remaining amount is zero.

  When the settlement card R / W 26 accepts another settlement card 5 in a state where the settlement card 5 with no remaining card amount is reserved, the settlement card R / W 26 cancels the reservation and the settlement card that has been retained. 5 is conveyed toward the back side of the card unit 20, and the reserved payment card 5 is collected in the payment card collection unit 26b. According to this, since the payment card 5 that has been reserved is collected, it is possible to save the player who wants to insert a new payment card 5 to return the payment card 5 that has been reserved.

[2. Card unit 20 ′ according to the second embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 1, a card unit 20 ′, which is a gaming device according to the second embodiment, is communicably connected to a system computer 50 similar to that of the first embodiment. A gaming system 1 'is configured with the card unit 20'. In this card unit 20 ′, the same banknote 2, coin 3, enclosing card 4, and settlement card 5 as in the first embodiment are used. However, in the card unit 20 ′, in the state where the payment card 5 without a card balance is reserved, unlike the first embodiment in which the deposit balance is recorded in the encapsulated card 4, as shown in FIG. In a state in which no settlement card 5 is reserved, the remaining payment amount is recorded on the settlement card 5.

  The card unit 20 ′ is an example of a gaming device, and is provided corresponding to the pachinko machine 10 similar to that of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Compared with the card unit 20 according to the first embodiment, the card unit 20 ′ has a control unit 22 ′ instead of the control unit 22, and a checkout card R / W26 ′ instead of the checkout card R / W26. The only difference is that it has, and the other points are the same.

  The control unit 22 ′ includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and a processing program stored in the ROM is executed by the CPU using the RAM as a work area, whereby each component included in the card unit 20 ′. Various operations are performed by controlling the operation. The control unit 22 'functions as a subtraction processing unit and a determination unit, like the control unit 22 according to the first embodiment.

  Similarly to the control unit 22 according to the first embodiment, the control unit 22 ′ reserves the payment card 5 without a card balance in the payment card R / W 26 ′ when money is deposited into the card unit 20 ′. It is determined whether or not it has been done. Furthermore, when the control unit 22 ′ receives the payment card 5, the control unit 22 ′ determines whether or not a deposit ID and a card balance are recorded on the received payment card 5.

  Further, the control unit 22 ′ is an example of a lending processing unit, and similarly to the control unit 22 according to the first embodiment, the value of the value (remaining deposit amount) stored in the storage unit (encapsulated card 4). A lending process for lending gaming media (pachinko balls) corresponding to a valuable value (ball lending set amount) of a predetermined size within the range is performed, and from the record information (payment ID and card balance) When a recording medium (payment card 5) with a specified value of value (card balance) is not zero is received, a predetermined value within the range of the value of value specified from the recording information of the received recording medium A lending process for lending a game medium (pachinko ball) corresponding to a valuable value (ball lending set amount) of the size of.

  Further, unlike the control unit 22 according to the first embodiment, the control unit 22 ′ functioning as an example of the lending processing unit is a recording medium (payment card) reserved by a reservation unit (payment card R / W 26 ′) described later. 5) A game medium (pachinko ball) corresponding to a predetermined value of value (amount set for ball lending) within the range of the value of value (card balance) specified from the record information (payment ID and card balance) ) For lending.

  The settlement card R / W 26 ′ receives the settlement card 5 from the settlement card insertion slot 26 a, records (writes) the payment ID and the remaining card amount on the accepted settlement card 5, and is recorded on the settlement card 5. The IC card R / W corresponding to the settlement card 5 which is the IC card is provided here. This payment card R / W 26 'functions as a reservation means, like the payment card R / W 26 according to the first embodiment.

  Further, the settlement card R / W 26 ′ is an example of a valuable value specifying processing unit, and, similarly to the settlement card R / W 26 according to the first embodiment, accepts the recording medium (the settlement card 5) from outside the gaming device, Recording information of the received recording medium on condition that the determination means (control unit 22) has determined that the value of value (payment balance) stored in the storage means (enclosed card 4) is not zero. After performing a process for making it possible to specify the magnitude of the valuable value stored in the storage means from the (payment ID and card balance), the recording medium is returned to the player. As the process for enabling the identification, the receipt ID recorded on the encapsulating card 4 is recorded on the accepted settlement card 5 (the receipt ID and the remaining card amount are not recorded), and the enclosing card To record the payment balance that has been recorded in the de-4 as a card balance.

  The settlement card R / W 26 ′ functioning as the valuable value specifying processing means is different from the settlement card R / W 26 according to the first embodiment, and the recording medium (settlement card) by the reservation means (settlement card R / W 26 ′). 5) When the money (banknote 2 or coin 3) is received by the money receiving means (the banknote discriminator 23 or the coin discriminator 24) in the state where the banknote is reserved, the recording information of the recording medium that is reserved A process for making it possible to specify the magnitude of the valuable value corresponding to the amount of money received from the (payment ID and the balance of the card) is performed. Specifically, as the process for making the specification possible, The amount of money deposited is recorded as the balance of the card on the payment card 5 (the card with no card balance). The reserved payment card 5 is discharged from the payment card R / W 26 'and returned to the player when the return operation receiving means (the payment card return button 16) is operated and the return operation is received. .

  The operation of the gaming system 1 'including the card unit 20' described above will be described. First, the operation of the card unit 20 'when the checkout card 5 is not reserved is the same as that of the first embodiment as shown in FIGS.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the operation of the card unit 20 'in a state where the settlement card 5 (here, the deposit ID is N00002 and the remaining card amount is 0 yen) will be described. At this time, as in the first embodiment, in the card unit 20 ′, the fact that the checkout card 5 with no remaining card amount is reserved is informed by turning on the multi-function lamp 27 in yellow ( S56 in FIG. According to this, the player can be surely recognized that it is possible to return the remaining payment amount without inserting the payment card 5 with no remaining card amount. It is possible to prevent the card 5 from being issued.

  Next, in the card unit 20 ′, when the banknote 2 or the coin 3 is received by the banknote discriminator 23 or the coin discriminator 24 and deposited (here, 10,000 yen) (S61 ′), the settlement card is processed by the controller 22 ′. It is determined whether or not the payment card 5 with no remaining card amount is reserved in the R / W 26 '. Here, since it is determined that the payment card 5 with no card balance is reserved, the deposited amount is recorded on the payment card 5 as the card balance (S62 ′), and the remaining frequency corresponding to the card balance is calculated. The card ID 20 ′ and the information that can be used to specify the deposited amount are transmitted from the card unit 20 ′ to the system computer 50 (S63 ′). Then, in the system computer 50 that has received the deposit ID and information that can identify the deposited amount, the deposited amount is stored in the hard disk 53 in association with the received deposit ID as the remaining amount (S64 ′). .

  Next, in the card unit 20 ′, when the ball lending button 15 is operated and the ball lending operation is accepted (S71 ′), the ball lending processing using the remaining amount of the card is performed by the control unit 22 ′ which is a lending processing unit, A subtracting process for subtracting the used amount (500 yen in this case) used for lending pachinko balls from the remaining card amount recorded on the checkout card 5 is performed by the control unit 22 ′, which is a subtracting means (S72 ′). The frequency corresponding to the usage amount is subtracted from the remaining frequency displayed on the frequency display 14, and the payment ID and information for specifying the usage amount are transmitted from the card unit 20 'to the system computer 50 (S73'). . Then, in the system computer 50 that has received the payment ID and information that can identify the usage amount, the received usage amount is subtracted from the remaining amount stored in the hard disk 53 in association with the received payment ID (S74). ').

  Next, in the card unit 20 ′, when the payment card return button 16 is operated and a return operation is accepted (S81 ′), the remaining frequency displayed on the remaining frequency display 14 is cleared to zero, and the payment card R / The payment card 5 with the remaining amount of card reserved at W26 ′ is discharged from the payment card insertion slot 26a and returned to the player (S82 ′).

  In this way, the payment card 5 with a remaining card balance of 0 is reserved in the gaming device, and is received by the currency receiving means from the recorded information (payment ID and card balance) of the reserved payment card 5. Processing to make it possible to specify the value of the value corresponding to the amount of money (here, recording the remaining amount of the card for the payment card 5), and the payment card 5 can be returned. It is possible to reduce the issuance work of the checkout card 5 in which the remaining card amount is zero and return the remaining card amount to the player in a short time. Furthermore, since the checkout card 5 with the remaining card amount remaining at zero is reserved inside the gaming device, the labor of the game hall and the player is reduced from the trouble of processing the checkout card 5 with the remaining card amount remaining at zero. It is possible to prevent an increase in cost due to the discarding of the checkout card 5 whose remaining amount is zero.

  When another payment card 5 is received in the state where the payment card R / W 26 ′ holds the payment card 5 with no remaining card amount, the payment card R / W 26 ′ holds the reservation as in the first embodiment. The settlement card 5 that has been released and retained is conveyed toward the back side of the card unit 20 ', and the retained settlement card 5 is collected in the settlement card collection unit 26b. According to this, since the payment card 5 that has been reserved is collected, it is possible to save the player who wants to insert a new payment card 5 to return the payment card 5 that has been reserved.

  Finally, a modification of the present invention will be described.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 (a), the deposit ID and the remaining balance are recorded in the encapsulating card 4 as the storage means, and the deposit ID and the remaining card amount are recorded in the settlement card 5 as the recording medium. Although the example in which the deposit ID and the remaining amount are stored in the hard disk 53 of the system computer 50 has been described, these recorded contents / stored contents may be modified examples 1 to 5 shown in FIGS. good. However, the recorded contents / stored contents are not limited to those shown in the first to fifth modifications, and may be a combination of each modification as appropriate.

  First, as in Modification 1 shown in FIG. 7B, the RAM of the control units 22 and 22 ′ is used as the storage means instead of the enclosing card 4, and the deposit ID is stored in the RAM of the control units 22 and 22 ′ as the storage means. In addition, the deposit amount and the remaining amount may be recorded, the deposit ID and the remaining amount of the card may be recorded on the checkout card 5 as a recording medium, and the deposited ID and the remaining amount may be stored in the hard disk 53 of the system computer 50. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the encapsulated card 4 and the encapsulated card R / W 25 in the game apparatus (card units 20, 20 ').

  Further, as in Modification 2 shown in FIG. 7 (c), the deposit ID and the remaining deposit amount are recorded in the enclosing card 4 which is a storage means, and only the deposit ID is recorded as the record information in the settlement card 5 which is a recording medium. The deposit ID and the remaining amount may be stored in the hard disk 53 of the system computer 50 (that is, the remaining card amount is not recorded). In this case, the deposit ID read from the settlement card 5 by the settlement card R / W 26, 26 'is transmitted from the card unit 20 to the system computer 50, and the system computer 50 that has received the deposit ID receives the receipt ID. The remaining amount stored in the hard disk 53 in association with the received payment ID is specified. Note that only the deposit ID may be recorded on the enclosing card 4, and in this case also, the deposit ID read from the settlement card 5 by the settlement card R / W 26, 26 'is transferred from the card unit 20, 20' to the system computer. 50, and the system computer 50 that has received the deposit ID identifies the remaining amount stored in the hard disk 53 in association with the received deposit ID.

  Further, as in Modification 3 shown in FIG. 7 (d), the encapsulated card ID, which is information that can individually identify the encapsulated card 4 and the deposit amount, are recorded on the encapsulated card 4 that is a storage means, which is a recording medium. The settlement card 5 is recorded with the settlement card ID and the card balance as information that can individually identify the settlement card 5 as the record information. The remaining amount may be stored. That is, the remaining amount is managed in association with the enclosing card ID recorded in advance on the enclosing card 4 or the settlement card ID recorded in advance on the settlement card 5 instead of the deposit ID generated when the deposit is made. Anyway. In this case, it is not necessary to generate a deposit ID by the control unit 52 of the system computer 50. Note that only the enclosed card ID may be recorded on the encapsulated card 4, and only the settlement card ID may be recorded on the settlement card 5. Also in this case, the encapsulated card ID read from the encapsulated card 4 by the encapsulated card R / W 25 and the settlement card ID read from the settlement card 5 by the settlement card R / W 26, 26 'are stored in the system from the card units 20, 20'. In the system computer 50 that is transmitted to the computer 50 and receives the encapsulated card ID and the settlement card ID, the remaining payment amount stored in the hard disk 53 in association with the received encapsulated card ID, and the received settlement card The card remaining amount stored in the hard disk 53 in association with the ID is specified.

  Further, as in Modification 4 shown in FIG. 7 (e), the RAM of the control units 22, 22 ′ is used as storage means instead of the enclosing card 4, and the RAM of the control units 22, 22 ′ as the storage means is used for gaming. Information that can individually identify the payment card 5 as the recorded information is recorded in the payment card 5 that is a recording medium, in which the unit ID and the deposit amount that are information that can individually identify the device (card unit 20, 20 ') are recorded. The payment card ID and the remaining card amount may be recorded, and the unit ID, the remaining payment amount, the payment card ID, and the remaining card amount may be stored in the hard disk 53 of the system computer 50. That is, instead of the deposit ID generated when the deposit is made, the remaining amount is managed in association with the unit ID that can individually identify the gaming device or the settlement card ID recorded in advance on the settlement card 5. May be. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the enclosing card 4 and the enclosing card R / W 25 in the gaming apparatus (card units 20, 20 ′), and it is not necessary to generate a deposit ID by the control unit 52 of the system computer 50. .

  Further, as in Modification 5 shown in FIG. 7 (f), only the deposit balance is recorded on the enclosing card 4 (that is, various IDs are not recorded), and the card balance as the recorded information is recorded on the settlement card 5 which is a recording medium. May be recorded (that is, various IDs are not recorded). That is, the remaining amount may not be ID-managed. This eliminates the need to provide the system computer 50.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when money is deposited (S 61, 61 ′), in the state in which the checkout card 5 with a remaining card amount of zero is reserved, the reservation is made. The payment ID is recorded on the payment card 5 (that is, the payment ID recorded before the card balance of the payment card 5 becomes zero) and corresponds to the recorded payment ID. Although the example in which the deposit balance corresponding to the amount of money deposited with the deposit is recorded (S62, S62 ′) has been described, the deposit ID recorded on the settlement card 5 is not limited to this. It may be deleted when the recorded card balance becomes zero, and a new deposit ID may be generated each time money is deposited. For example, in the card unit 20 of the first embodiment, when money is deposited (S61), even when the checkout card 5 with the remaining card amount being zero is retained (FIG. 5), S12 of FIG. A new deposit ID is generated by the system computer 50 as shown in -S17, and the newly generated deposit ID is recorded on the enclosing card 4, so that the processing shown in S71-S83 in FIG. . Further, in the card unit 20 ′ of the second embodiment, even when the payment card 5 with the remaining card amount being zero is retained (FIG. 6) when money is deposited, S12 to S17 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, a new deposit ID is generated and the newly generated deposit ID is recorded on the checkout card 5, and the processing shown in S71 ′ to S82 ′ of FIG. 6 may be enabled.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the example in which the gaming apparatus according to the present invention is the card unit 20, 20 ′ has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the gaming apparatus according to the present invention is a card. It may be a gaming system 1, 1 ′ comprising units 20, 20 ′ and a system computer 50. In this case, at least the money accepting means, the lending processing means, and the valuable value specifying processing means correspond to the gaming machine (pachinko machine 10) among the components provided in the card units 20, 20 ′ as described above. As long as it is provided inside the gaming apparatus provided as a part, all or part of the storage means, the subtraction processing means, and the determination means may be provided in the system computer 50. For example, when only the deposit ID is recorded in the enclosing card 4 and the settlement card 5, the storage means, the subtraction means, and the determination means are provided on the system computer 50 side, and the currency acceptance provided in the card units 20, 20 ′ is provided. Together with the means, the lending processing means, and the valuable value specifying processing means, the system computer 50 and the card units 20, 20 ′ function as a gaming device.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the insertion instruction notification unit and the reservation instruction notification unit are the multi-function lamps 27 provided in the card units 20 and 20 ′ has been described. The instruction notification means may be a call lamp device provided on the upper part of the pachinko 10. That is, the insertion instruction notifying means does not need to be provided in the main body portion of the card unit 20, and is connected to the card units 20 and 20 ′, and prompts the game device corresponding to the specific pachinko machine 10 to insert the checkout card 5. What is necessary is just to be able to make a notification or to notify that the settlement card 5 is reserved. At this time, the gaming apparatus according to the present invention is a gaming system including the card units 20, 20 'and the calling lamp apparatus.

  In the above embodiment, the multifunctional lamp 27 that is an insertion instruction notifying unit blinks in a predetermined color (green or red) to notify the insertion of the checkout card 5, and the multifunctional lamp that is a reservation notifying unit. The example in which the notification that the checkout card 5 is reserved is performed by turning on 27 in a predetermined color (yellow) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and blinking, lighting, and emission color are arbitrary. Any form that can be recognized by a person or a store clerk at a game hall may be used.

  Further, the insertion instruction notifying means and the reservation instruction notifying means do not have to perform the notification by emitting light in a predetermined light emission mode. For example, the vibration of the checkout card return button 16 or the card units 20, 20 ′ Alternatively, the notification may be performed by sound from a speaker provided in the pachinko machine 10. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the insertion instruction notifying unit and the reservation notifying unit are the multi-function lamp 27 has been described. It may be a liquid crystal display or the like that displays text information indicating that it is reserved inside the gaming device by means of reservation means (payment card R / W 26, 26 ').

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the types of banknotes 2 that can be received by the banknote discriminator 23 are four types of 1000 yen banknotes, 2000 yen banknotes, 5000 yen banknotes, and 10000 yen banknotes. Although demonstrated, not only this but the kind of the banknote 2 which can be received may be arbitrary 1 type in these 4 types, or 2 or more types. Similarly, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the types of coins 3 that can be received by the coin discriminator 24 are two types of 100-yen coins and 500-yen coins has been described. The type of coin 3 may be any one of the two types. In addition, it is not restricted to what accepts both the banknote 2 and the coin 3 as money, You may accept only either the banknote 2 or the coin 3.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the currency (banknote 2, coin 3) received by the currency receiving means (banknote identification machine 23, coin identification machine 24) is the gaming device (card unit 20, 20 ′). ) Although the example discharged | emitted outside and conveyed by the banknote conveyance mechanism and the coin conveyance mechanism was demonstrated, not only this but the received money may be made to store inside the game device.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, an example in which money (banknote 2, coin 3), which is a tangible object, is received in the currency receiving means (banknote identification machine 23, coin identification machine 24). Not limited, but accepts intangible money (for example, money data equivalent to money such as electronic money, credit amount specified from a credit card, deposit amount specified from a debit card, etc.) in contact or non-contact You may do it.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the encapsulated card 4 is a non-contact type IC card has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the encapsulated card 4 may be a contact type integrated circuit, magnetic, two-dimensional code (for example, a bar code). ), A three-dimensional code, or light interference (for example, a hologram) may be used to record information.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the recording medium (the checkout card 5) is a non-contact type IC card has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the recording medium may be a contact type integrated circuit, magnetic, two-dimensional code ( For example, information may be recorded by bar code), three-dimensional code, optical interference (for example, hologram), or the like. The shape of the recording medium is not limited to a card type, and may be a coin type.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the gaming machine is the pachinko machine 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the gaming machine is, for example, a slot machine that uses medals as gaming media, and a slot that uses pachinko balls as gaming media. Pachinko machines, slot machines, and pachinko machines that can be played using score data without using pachinko balls or medals. Alternatively, an image-type pachinko machine in which pachinko balls are displayed as images, an image-type slot machine in which reels are displayed as images, or the like may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the lending process for lending a recording medium is a ball lending process for lending a pachinko ball has been described. However, the lending process is not limited to this, and the lending process lends the medal. For example, a process or a process of converting the value of the valuable value into a score as a game medium and using it in a game in the image type pachinko machine or slot machine may be used.

  In the above embodiment, when the ball lending process is performed, signals relating to the lending of pachinko balls are exchanged between the gaming apparatus (card units 20, 20 ′) and the gaming machine (pachinko machine 10). The example in which the pachinko balls are paid out and lent out from the ball payout device 13 provided in the gaming machine has been described, but is not limited thereto, and the pachinko ball is provided from a ball payout device (not shown) provided in the gaming device. May be paid out and loaned.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the remaining number display 14, the ball lending button 15 as the lending processing operation means, and the payment card return button 16 as the return operation accepting means are the gaming machine (pachinko machine 10). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the remaining number indicator 14, the ball lending button 15, and the checkout card return button 16 are not limited thereto. You may make it provide a part or all in a game device.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which money (banknote 2 and / or coin 3) can be received in a state where the deposit balance and the card balance are zero has been described. Even when the remaining amount of the card is not zero, money may be accepted.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), the example in which the collection means (the settlement card collection unit 26b) is provided behind the settlement cards R / W 26, 26 'is not limited to this. A collection means may be provided below the settlement cards R / W 26, 26 ', and the settlement card 5 retained in the settlement cards R / W 26, 26' may be dropped and collected.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the amount of money itself is stored and managed as the magnitude of the valuable value has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the amount is converted at a predetermined ratio as the magnitude of the valuable value. You may make it memorize | store and manage a remaining number, a score, etc.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a gaming system including a card unit which is a gaming apparatus according to the present invention. 2A is a front view of the card unit and the pachinko machine, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional right side view of the card unit, and FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the card unit in a state where the payment card is not reserved. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of a return operation program executed by the control unit of the card unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the card unit according to the first embodiment in a state where the checkout card is reserved. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the card unit according to the second embodiment in a state where the payment card is reserved. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the operation of the card unit.

Explanation of symbols

2 ... Banknote 3 ... Coin 4 ... Enclosed card 5 ... Settlement card 10 ... Pachinko machine 15 ... Ball loan button 16 ... Settlement card return button 20 ... Card unit 22 ... Control unit 23 ... Banknote discriminator 24 ... Coin discriminator 26 ... Checkout Card R / W
26b ... Settlement card collection unit 27 ... Multifunctional lamp

Claims (7)

A currency accepting means provided corresponding to the gaming machine and accepting money;
Storage means for storing the value of value corresponding to the amount of money received by the money receiving means;
Lending processing means for performing lending processing for lending a game medium corresponding to a predetermined value of value within the range of the value of value stored in the storage means;
Subtraction processing means for performing a subtraction process for subtracting the value of the valuable value used for lending the game medium by the loan processing means from the value of the valuable value stored in the storage means;
Determining means for determining whether or not the value of the valuable value stored in the storage means is zero when a recording medium inserted from outside the gaming apparatus is received;
On the condition that the value of the valuable value stored in the storage means is determined to be non-zero by the determination means, the value of the valuable value stored in the storage means is determined from the recording information of the received recording medium. Valuable value specifying processing means for returning the recording medium to the player after performing processing for enabling identification;
When a recording medium having a value of non-zero value specified from the recording information is received, the value of a predetermined value within the range of the value of the value specified from the recording information of the received recording medium The lending processing means performs lending processing for lending the game medium corresponding to the value, and the lending processing means specifies the magnitude of the valuable value used for lending the game medium from the recording information of the recording medium. A game apparatus for performing subtraction processing for subtracting from the value of the valuable value to be obtained by the subtraction processing means,
The gaming device is:
A return operation receiving means for receiving a return operation for returning the received recording medium to the player;
When the return operation is accepted by the return operation acceptance means, the determination means determines whether the value of the valuable value stored in the storage means is zero,
The apparatus further comprises an insertion instruction notifying means for notifying the insertion of the recording medium on condition that the determination means determines that the value of the valuable value stored in the storage means is not zero. Game equipment. A gaming device according to claim 1,
A loan processing operation means operated by a player to cause the loan processing means to perform the loan processing;
Based on the fact that the lending processing operation means is operated in a state in which the insertion instruction notifying means is instructing to insert the recording medium, the insertion instruction notifying is performed without performing lending processing by the lending processing means. A gaming apparatus, wherein the lending processing is performed by the lending processing means based on the end of the notification by the means and the operation of the lending processing operating means again. A gaming device according to claim 1,
A loan processing operation means operated by a player to cause the loan processing means to perform the loan processing;
Based on the operation of the lending processing operation means in a state in which the insertion instruction notifying means is instructing to insert the recording medium, the notification by the insertion instruction notifying means is terminated, and the lending processing means The gaming apparatus is characterized by performing the lending process. A gaming device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insertion instruction notifying means changes a notification mode when the recording medium is not inserted within a predetermined time since the notification for prompting the insertion of the recording medium is started. A gaming device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
Reservation means for retaining the received recording medium inside the gaming device when the value of the value specified from the recording information of the received recording medium becomes zero after the subtraction processing by the subtraction processing means. Further comprising
The determination means determines whether or not the recording medium is reserved in the gaming device by the reservation means when the return operation is received by the return operation reception means, and the value stored in the storage means. Determine if the magnitude of the value is zero,
In the valuable value specifying processing means, it is determined by the determining means that the recording medium is reserved in the gaming apparatus by the reservation means, and the value of the valuable value stored in the storage means is not zero. On the condition that the value of the valuable value stored in the storage means can be specified from the recording information of the reserved recording medium, then the recording medium is returned to the player A gaming device characterized by that. A gaming device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
Reservation means for retaining the received recording medium inside the gaming device when the value of the value specified from the recording information of the received recording medium becomes zero after the subtraction processing by the subtraction processing means. Further comprising
The valuable value specifying processing means records information stored in the recording medium when the money is accepted by the money accepting means in a state where the recording medium is reserved inside the gaming device by the reservation means. A process for making it possible to specify the value of the value corresponding to the amount of money received from
The lending processing means performs a lending process for lending a game medium corresponding to a value of a predetermined value within a range of the value of value specified from the recording information of the reserved recording medium. ,
The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the return operation receiving means receives a return operation for returning the reserved recording medium to the player. A gaming device according to claim 5 or 6,
A gaming apparatus further comprising reservation notifying means for notifying that a recording medium having a value of zero specified from the recording information is reserved inside the gaming apparatus by the reservation means. .

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