JP2007097660A - Game medium dispensing system and method of announcing replenishment and recovery of recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently replenish or recover recording media such as prepaid cards or IC coins to/from a dispenser provided together on a game machine. <P>SOLUTION: A card processor 400 acquires the remaining number of cards and transmits it to a T/C 100, and the T/C 100 specifies the card processor 400 to be the replenishment object or recovery object of the cards corresponding to the remaining number of the cards transmitted from the respective card processors 400 and transmits card replenishment lamp lighting signals or card recovery lamp lighting signals for the cards to the specified card processor 400. The card processor 400 controls the lighting of a card replenishment lamp 402 or a card recovery lamp 403 corresponding to the card replenishment lamp lighting signals or the card recovery lamp lighting signals. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is formed so that a plurality of recording media can be accommodated in the apparatus, and the value of money can be associated with one of the recording media, and based on the value associated with the recording medium. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game medium lending system having a lending processing machine for lending processing of game media and a recording medium replenishing / collecting notification method, and in particular, it is possible to efficiently replenish or collect a recording medium for a lending processor installed in a gaming machine. The present invention relates to a game medium lending system and a recording medium supplement recovery notification method.

  Conventionally, when a game machine such as a pachinko machine is equipped with a device called a card processing machine, and this card processing machine accepts a ball lending operation in a state where a prepaid card associated with the remaining number is received, A game medium lending system that lends game media is known.

  In this type of game media lending system, not only lending game media within the range of the remaining frequency associated with the prepaid card issued from the card issuing machine, but also associating the remaining frequency by cash deposit in the card processing machine Some things are possible. In the latter game medium lending system, if a prepaid card not associated with a frequency is stored in the card processing machine in advance, and the player inserts cash into the card processing machine, the frequency corresponding to the cash amount is reduced. It will be associated with a prepaid card.

  Therefore, a player can borrow a game medium by directly depositing into a card processing machine without purchasing a prepaid card with a card issuing machine, but the player stops the game on the current game machine. When the table is moved, the prepaid card inside the card processing machine is discharged by pressing the card return button. In preparation for such a situation, it is normal that a plurality of prepaid cards not associated with a frequency are stored in advance in the card processor.

  For this reason, the number of prepaid cards inside the card processing machine decreases when the player ejects a prepaid card with a remaining number, and the card processing when the player brings in a prepaid card from another gaming table and inserts it. The number of prepaid cards inside the machine will increase. When the remaining number of prepaid cards in the card processing machine becomes 0, or when the remaining number of prepaid cards reaches the upper limit of the allowable amount, replenishment of the prepaid card inside the card processing machine by an employee of the game shop Or it will be collected. Specifically, the remaining number of cards is displayed on the display unit of the card processing machine by the remote control of the employee, and the employee replenishes the shortage of prepaid cards according to this display content, or the prepaid card for the extra number We are working to collect.

  For this reason, since it is important to efficiently collect the prepaid card from the card processing machine and replenish the prepaid card to the card processing machine, the related art relating to the collection and replenishment is known.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a warning signal is transmitted to the management device by a reporting unit when the remaining number of cards in a card vending machine (corresponding to the card processing unit) reaches a preset number of remaining cards. A management apparatus for a prepaid card vending machine is disclosed. According to this Patent Document 1, it is possible to automatically notify the management device that the remaining number of cards stored in the prepaid card vending machine has reached a predetermined number, so that the management device side in the prepaid card vending machine. It is possible to easily grasp the remaining number of cards.

JP-A-9-115037

  However, when the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is used, the remaining number of cards can be grasped on the management device side, but the remaining number of cards stored in the vending machine cannot be grasped on the prepaid card vending machine side. . For this reason, when this patent document 1 is used, the employee who carries out the printed matter which printed the management result of the management apparatus replenishes or collects the prepaid card on the spot, or from the manager who manages the management apparatus. Employees need to replenish or collect prepaid cards on-site while receiving wireless communication.

  In the case of taking the former measure, there is a possibility that the prepaid card is not replenished or collected in real time, and the situation may be completely changed at the time of replenishment / collection. Further, when the latter measure is taken, there is a problem in that human labor relating to the replenishment / collection work increases because an exchange between the manager and the employee is required.

  For these reasons, a prepaid card system that enables an employee to efficiently grasp the number of replenished or collected prepaid cards in each card processing machine without the need for coordinated remote control operations by an administrator and employees. How to achieve this is an important issue.

  In particular, in large game stores, a large number of gaming machines are arranged in the store, so when a prepaid card is replenished or collected after opening or closing a game store, it is necessary to cooperate with an administrator, refer to printed materials or If the remote control operation is required, the human labor becomes extremely large. Such a problem does not occur only in a prepaid card, but also occurs in a recording medium such as an IC coin associated with a frequency for lending a game medium.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems (problems) of the prior art,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a game medium lending system and a recording medium replenishment collection notification method capable of efficiently replenishing or collecting a recording medium such as a prepaid card or IC coin to a lending processor provided in the gaming machine.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is configured so that a plurality of recording media can be stored inside the apparatus, and one of the recording media can be associated with a valuable value by money. And a gaming medium lending system having a lending processor for lending gaming media based on the value associated with the recording medium, wherein the lending processor is associated with the value stored in the apparatus. A recording medium number managing unit that manages the number of recording media that are not recorded, a notification unit that notifies a predetermined management device of the number of recording media managed by the recording medium number managing unit, and a replenishment notification of the recording medium from the management device A notification means for performing a notification in response to the instruction content when an instruction or a collection notification instruction is received, and the management device is based on the number of recording media notified from each lending processor Determining means for determining whether or not each lending processor needs replenishment or recovery of the recording medium; and if the determining means determines that replenishment of the recording medium is required, replenishing the corresponding lending processor A replenishment / collection instructing unit for instructing a collection / notification instruction to a corresponding lending processor when the determination unit determines that the recording medium needs to be collected is provided. .

  Further, the present invention is the replenishment lamp according to the above-mentioned invention, wherein the lending processor notifies a game shop employee who performs replenishment and collection work of the recording medium that the lending processor needs to be replenished with the recording medium. And a collection lamp that informs the employee that the recording medium needs to be collected from the lending processor, and the notification means receives a recording medium replenishment notification instruction from the management device. The replenishment lamp is controlled to be turned on, and when the recording medium recovery notification instruction is received from the management device, the recovery lamp is controlled to be turned on.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the determination means is based on the number of recording media notified from each lending processing machine, the operating status of the game store, and the model characteristics of the game machine installed in the game store. It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the lending processor needs to replenish or collect the recording medium.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, the determination unit determines that the recording medium needs to be replenished when the number of recording media notified from each lending processor is equal to or less than a predetermined near empty value. When the number of recording media notified from the processor is equal to or greater than a predetermined near full value, it is determined that the recording medium needs to be collected.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the determining means includes an average value calculating means for calculating an average value of the number of recording media notified from each lending processor, and the number of recording media notified from each lending processor. Is less than the average value calculated by the average value calculating means, it is determined that it is necessary to replenish the recording medium, and the number of recording media notified from each lending processor is calculated by the average value calculating means. When the predetermined number is larger than the average value, it is determined that the recording medium needs to be collected.

  Further, the present invention is formed so that a plurality of recording media can be accommodated in the apparatus, and the value of money can be associated with one of the recording media, and the value associated with the recording medium can be obtained. A method for recording and replenishing a recording medium to a lending processor that performs a lending process of game media based on the recording, wherein the lending processor manages the number of recording media not associated with a valuable value stored inside the apparatus. A medium number management step, a notification step of notifying a predetermined management device of the number of recording media managed by the recording medium number management step, and the management device based on the number of recording media notified from each lending processor A determination step for determining whether or not each lending processor needs to be replenished or collected, and if the determination step determines that a replenishment of the recording medium is required, the corresponding lending processor A replenishment collection instruction step for instructing a collection notification instruction to the corresponding lending processor when the determination means determines that the recording medium needs to be collected, and the lending processor, And a notification step of performing notification in response to the content of the instruction when a recording medium replenishment notification instruction or a recovery notification instruction is received from the management apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the lending processor manages the number of recording media not associated with the valuable value stored in the device, and notifies the predetermined management device of the number of recording media. Based on the number of recording media notified from the processing machine, it is determined whether or not each lending processing machine needs replenishment or collection of the recording medium, and if it is determined that replenishment of the recording medium is required, the corresponding lending process Instruct the machine to supply the replenishment notification, and if it is determined that the recording medium needs to be collected, instruct the relevant lending processor to issue the collection notification instruction. When a replenishment notification instruction or a collection notification instruction is accepted, notification is made in response to the instruction contents. Therefore, the management device determines whether the number of recording media of each rental processing machine is excessive or insufficient, On the lending machine Therefore, employees who perform replenishment and cancellation work on the recording medium can efficiently record the recording medium without having to contact the administrator or perform remote control operations to check the excess or deficiency of each lending processor. It can be confirmed whether there is excess or deficiency.

  In addition, according to the present invention, a replenishment lamp for notifying an employee of a game shop that performs a replenishment and collection operation of a recording medium to a lending processor, that the lending processor needs to be replenished with the recording medium, and the employee A recovery lamp that informs the staff that it is necessary to recover the recording medium from the lending processing machine, and when a recording medium replenishment notification instruction is received from the management device, controls the lighting of the replenishment lamp, Since the recovery lamp is controlled to be turned on when a recovery notification instruction for the recording medium is received from the management device, the employee simply looks at the replenishment lamp and the recovery lamp provided in each rental processing machine. It is possible to determine whether it is a replenishment target or a collection target.

  In addition, according to the present invention, based on the number of recording media notified from each rental processing machine, the operating status of the game shop, and the model characteristics of the gaming machine installed in the game shop, the recording medium of each rental processing machine is recorded. Since it is configured to determine whether replenishment or collection is required, it is possible to determine whether replenishment collection is necessary based on the nail situation of the gaming machine or the model characteristics of the gaming machine, thereby reducing the number of times the recording medium is replenished and collected. it can.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the number of recording media notified from each lending processor is equal to or less than a predetermined near empty value, it is determined that the recording medium needs to be replenished, and the recording notified from each lending processor When the number of media is equal to or greater than the predetermined near full value, it is determined that the recording medium needs to be collected. Therefore, the notification regarding the efficient replenishment collection is made using the conventionally used indicators of near empty and near full. It can be performed.

  Further, according to the present invention, the average value of the number of recording media notified from each lending processor is calculated, and when the number of recording media notified from each lending processor is a predetermined number less than the average value, Since it is determined that replenishment is required and the number of recording media notified from each lending processor is greater than the average value by a predetermined number, it is determined that it is necessary to collect the recording media. An appropriate number of sheets can be stored in each rental processing machine in consideration.

  Exemplary embodiments of a game medium rental system and a recording medium supplement recovery method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiment, the case where the game medium lending system according to the present invention is applied to a card management system that performs pachinko ball lending processing using a prepaid card will be described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention is not limited to this, but can be applied in the same manner when performing medal lending processing for medals or pachinko balls lending processing using IC coins.

(Card management system configuration)
First, the system configuration of the card management system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the card management system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of pachinko machines 300 are provided for each group called “Island” in the game store, and each pachinko machine 300 is paired with a card processing machine. 400 is installed. Each card processor 400 is connected to the T / C 100 via the island controller 200. In this amusement store, several card issuing machines 500 and card settlement machines 600 are installed, and these card issuing machines 500 and card settlement machines 600 are directly connected to the T / C 100.

  The T / C 100 is a management device that manages the card ID of the prepaid card used in each card processor 400 and the remaining frequency in association with each other. When the player inserts cash into the card processing machine 400, the frequency of this cash is managed in association with the card ID of the prepaid card in the card processing machine 400. If a pachinko ball lending operation is performed on the gaming machine 300, a lending instruction is issued to the card processing machine 400 within the range of the remaining frequency.

  The T / C 100 manages the remaining number of prepaid cards stored in each card processor 400, specifies the card processor 400 to be replenished or collected, and identifies the specified card. It is configured to instruct the processor 400 to turn on the lamp. Even if the employee does not operate the remote controller or cooperates with the administrator, the card processor 400 that is the target for replenishment and collection of the prepaid card can be specified, and the replenishment and collection operation for the prepaid card is made efficient.

  The island controller 200 is a device that interposes between the card processor 400 and the T / C 100 disposed on each island and relays data between the card processor 400 and the T / C 100. The pachinko machine 300 is a device that launches a pachinko ball into a game area and plays a game. When the ball lending button provided on the pachinko machine 300 is operated, the signal is notified to the card processing machine 400, and after receiving the ball lending permission signal from the card processing machine 400 via the T / C 100, the pachinko ball Will be executed.

  The card processing machine 400 is within the range of the remaining frequency of the prepaid card when the processing of associating the frequency of the cash inserted by the player with the prepaid card stored in the apparatus or a ball lending request from the pachinko machine 300 is accepted. This is a device that performs processing for sending a ball lending permission signal to the pachinko machine 300. When a prepaid card with a remaining number is inserted into the card processor 400, the remaining number corresponding to the card ID of the prepaid card is obtained from the T / C 100, and a ball lending permission signal is within the range of the remaining number. Will be sent out.

  The card processor 400 stores a plurality of prepaid cards with a remaining count of 0, and when a player inserts cash, the card processor 400 associates the frequency of the cash with one of the stored prepaid cards. For this reason, if the prepaid card with the remaining frequency associated with the frequency is discharged in order for the player to move the table, the prepaid card stored in the card processing machine 400 is reduced by one. On the other hand, when a player inserts a prepaid card having a remaining number into the card processing machine 400 and performs a ball lending operation, and the remaining number of the prepaid card becomes 0, the prepaid card is stored in the card processing machine 400. The stored prepaid card is increased by one.

  In this way, in such a card processing machine 400, the number of prepaid cards stored in the card processor fluctuates with the movement of the player by the player, so if the number of prepaid cards becomes excessively small, the employee replenishes the prepaid card. When the number of prepaid cards becomes excessive, it becomes necessary to collect the prepaid card by an employee. For this reason, the card processor 400 has a function of turning on the replenishment lamp or the recovery lamp in accordance with an instruction from the T / C 100. This is because it is not efficient to have the employee communicate with the manager or perform remote control operations on each card processor 400 each time, and the human labor is large. The details of the lamp lighting will be described later.

  The card issuing machine 500 is a device that issues a prepaid card that associates the frequency of the amount when the player inserts cash and pushes down the card button of the desired amount. However, in this embodiment, the card processor 400 can issue a prepaid card associated with the frequency by cash, so that the player can play without the card issuing machine 500.

  The card checker 600 is a device that pays out the cash associated with the prepaid card in cash. Refund is possible when a player interrupts a game on the way after associating the frequency of a large amount of bills.

(Concept of card management system)
Next, the concept of the card management system shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a concept of card management by the card processor 400 and the T / C 100 shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that a plurality of prepaid cards are stored in advance in the storage unit (card storage unit 430 shown in FIG. 6 described later) of the card processor 400.

  As shown in the figure, the card processor 400 is provided with a card insertion / return port 406 for inserting and returning a prepaid card, and a bill insertion port 404 for inserting a bill. A card return button 300 is provided. Therefore, when a player inserts a prepaid card issued by the card issuing machine 500 or a prepaid card returned from another card processing machine 400 into the card insertion / return port 406 and performs a predetermined lending operation, the prepaid card You can borrow a pachinko ball within the range of the remaining frequency.

  Further, when a banknote is inserted into the banknote insertion slot 404 with the prepaid card inserted into the card insertion / return slot 406, the frequency of the inserted banknote is associated with the prepaid card. Further, when the card return button 300 is pressed, the prepaid card is returned from the card insertion / return port 406.

  In addition, even if the player does not insert the prepaid card issued by the card issuing machine 500 into the card insertion / return slot 406, the player can insert the banknote into the banknote insertion slot 404 and store the frequency of the banknote in the storage unit. The card can be associated with the card, and the prepaid card can be ejected from the card insertion / return slot 406 by pressing the card return button 300.

  As described above, in this card management system, the remaining number of prepaid cards stored in the storage unit of the card processor 400 is determined based on whether the prepaid card is inserted into the card insertion / return port 406 or the prepaid card from the card insertion / return port 406. Therefore, the remaining number of prepaid cards in each card processor 400 is managed in the card number management table 132 on the T / C 100.

  The T / C 100 identifies a card processing machine 400 with a short remaining card number and a card processing machine 400 with a surplus number of remaining cards, and instructs the specified card processing machine 400 to replenish a prepaid card. A replenishment lamp lighting signal or a card collection lamp lighting signal for instructing collection of a prepaid card is transmitted.

  Specifically, the card processor 400 shown in the figure is set to notify the T / C 100 of the remaining number of cards at a predetermined time set in advance, and is stored inside at this time. The remaining number of prepaid cards is acquired, and the acquired remaining number of cards is notified to the T / C 100. Upon receiving this notification, the T / C 100 identifies the card processing machine 400 that is to be replenished or collected according to the remaining number of cards in each card processing machine 400, and for the identified card processing machine 400 Then, a card replenishment lamp lighting signal or a card collection lamp lighting signal is transmitted.

  Since a plurality of prepaid cards are stored in advance in the card processing machine 400, the number of the prepaid cards becomes the remaining number of cards when the store is opened. When the prepaid card is discharged from the card, the remaining number of cards is reduced by that amount, and when the player inserts a prepaid card obtained from another table or the card issuing machine 500 into the card processor 400, the amount is increased accordingly. Will do.

  Further, in the T / C 100, the remaining number of cards of each card processor 400 is compared with a preset NE value (near empty value) and NF value (near full value) to determine whether or not the prepaid card should be replenished or collected. judge. Then, as a result of this determination, a card replenishment lamp lighting signal is transmitted to the card processor 400 in which the stored prepaid card is in an insufficient state, and the card processor 400 in which the stored prepaid card is in an excessive state. In response to this, a card collection lamp lighting signal is transmitted.

  Note that the NE value referred to here is a state in which the prepaid card to be stored is 0, that is, a state close to a state where the card processing cannot be performed, for example, 2 cards. In other words, the NE value means a state in which card processing can be performed at the present time, but if the prepaid card is not replenished, the card will run short. Similarly, the NF value is a state close to a state where the prepaid card to be stored is at the upper limit, that is, full and the player cannot insert a new prepaid card. For example, when 10 cards can be stored, 8 cards are applicable. . In other words, the NF value means that a new prepaid card can be accepted at the present time, but the card will be full unless the prepaid card is collected.

  On the other hand, the card processing machine 400 that has received the card replenishment lamp lighting signal from the T / C 100 controls the lighting of the card replenishment lamp 402 for notifying employees who replenish and collect prepaid cards that replenishment is necessary. When the card processor 400 receives the card collection lamp lighting signal from the / C100, the card processing lamp 400 controls the lighting of the card collection lamp 403 for notifying the employee who replenishes and collects the prepaid card that the card collection is necessary.

  Therefore, the card management system according to the present embodiment collectively manages the remaining number of cards in each card processor 400 in the T / C 100 and specifies the card processor 400 to be replenished and collected for the prepaid card, A card replenishment lamp lighting signal or a card collection lamp lighting signal is transmitted to the specified card processing machine 400, and the card processing machine 400 that has received these signals controls lighting of the card replenishment lamp 402 or the card collection lamp 403. The employee who plays the role of replenishing and collecting the prepaid card is configured so that the card processor 400 in which the prepaid card is insufficient and the card processing in which the prepaid card is in an excessive state without cooperation with the administrator or remote control operation. Can grasp the machine 400, so the employees can efficiently and yen It is possible to Do replenishment recovery act.

(Configuration of T / C100)
Next, the internal configuration of the terminal controller (T / C) 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an internal configuration of the terminal controller (T / C) 100 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the T / C 100 includes a display unit 110, a display control unit 111, a control unit 120, a storage unit 130, an input unit 140, an output unit 150, and a communication I / F unit 160.

  The display unit 110 is a display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display. The display unit 110 can display a menu screen, various management data, and the like as a list. The display unit 230 may also realize a function of the input unit 150 described later as a touch panel. The display control unit 111 is a processing unit that controls display by the display unit 110.

  The control unit 120 is a control unit that controls the entire T / C 100, and includes a card number management unit 121 and a replenishment / collection notification processing unit 122. In practice, programs corresponding to the card number management unit 121 and the replenishment / collection notification processing unit 122 are loaded on the CPU and executed.

  The card number management unit 121 is a management unit that manages the remaining card number of each card processor 400 installed in the amusement store using the card number management table 132 stored in the storage unit 130. If the remaining card number is periodically received from each card processor 400, the card number management table 132 is updated based on the received remaining card number.

  The replenishment / collection notification processing unit 122 identifies the card processing machine 400 to be replenished and collected for the prepaid card, and transmits a card replenishment lamp lighting signal or a card collection lamp lighting signal to the specified card processing machine 400. And a processing unit for instructing lamp lighting.

  Specifically, the replenishment / collection notification processing unit 122 determines whether or not the remaining number of cards in the card processing machine 400 is equal to or less than the NE value or greater than or equal to the NF value stored in the NE value / NF value storage unit 131. judge. If the remaining number of cards is less than or equal to the NE value, the replenishment of the prepaid card is required, so a card replenishment lamp lighting signal is transmitted. If the remaining number of cards is greater than or equal to the NF value, the card is collected. Therefore, a card collection lamp lighting signal is transmitted.

  In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the prepaid card is to be replenished and collected based on the NE value and the NF value, but the determination is based on the difference from the average number of stored prepaid cards. It can also be done. In this case, if the remaining number of a certain card processing machine 400 is larger than the average number of stored sheets by a predetermined amount or more, the card is collected.

  The storage unit 130 is a secondary storage medium such as a hard disk, and includes an NE value / NF value storage unit 131 and a card number management table 132. The NE value / NF value storage unit 131 stores an NE value and an NF value that are set in advance by a manager of a game store or the like. For example, when the maximum storage number of the card processor 400 is 10, the standard storage number (appropriate storage number) of the prepaid card is normally 5, the NE value is 2, and the NF value is 8 sheets. Therefore, the NE value = 3 sheets and the NF value = 8 sheets are stored in the NE value / NF value storage unit 131. Note that the NE value and NF value stored in the NE value / NF value storage unit 131 can be changed as appropriate by the administrator of the game store.

  The card number management table 132 is a table for storing the remaining number of prepaid cards stored in each card processor 400 installed in the game store. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the remaining card number data and the stack state of the cards are stored in association with the card numbers (“0001” to “000N”) of each card processor 400. Has been. The NE flag and the NF flag are flags (“0” or “1”) indicating whether or not the remaining number of cards is equal to or less than the NE value or equal to or greater than NF.

  Here, in the card number management table 132 shown in FIG. 4, three cards are stored in the “0001” card processor 400, “10” in “0002”, eight in “0003”, and “5” in “0004”. This shows a situation in which there are 0 remaining cards in “No. 0005”. Accordingly, the “0005” card processor 400 falls under the NE value (2 or less), and the “0002” and “0003” card processors 400 have the NF value (8 or more). .

  In addition, the remaining number of cards for each card processor 400 stored in the card number management table 132 can be displayed as a list by using the display unit 110. By this list display, the manager of the amusement shop Can confirm the change in the remaining number of cards (stacked state) and the remaining number of cards stored in each card processor 400 in time series (predetermined time unit).

  The input unit 140 is an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a trackball for inputting various types of information, and is mainly used by an administrator of a game store. The NE value, NF value, and the like can be changed in a timely manner by input using the input unit 140.

  The output unit 150 is a printing unit such as a printer, and prints the remaining number of cards (contents of the card number management table 132) in each card processor 400 displayed on the display unit 110 by the output unit 150 as a list. Can do. The communication I / F unit 160 is an interface unit for data communication with the card processor 400 via the island controller 200.

(Configuration of pachinko machine 300 and card processor 400)
Next, the configuration of the pachinko machine 300 and the card processor 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is an external front view of the pachinko machine 300 and the card processing machine 400 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the card processing machine 400.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the card processing machine 400 is formed to be vertically long in appearance. On the front panel of the main body 401 of the card processing machine 400, a card replenishment lamp 402, a card collection lamp 403, and a bill insertion A slot 404, an amount setting button 405a, an amount display unit 405b, and a card insertion / return port 406 are provided.

  The card replenishment lamp 402 and the card collection lamp 403 are lamps provided for notifying employees of the game store whether or not the card processing machine 400 is a repaid or collected object for a prepaid card. Turns on and off based on a control signal from the unit 447. The card replenishment lamp 402 is turned on when a “card replenishment lamp lighting signal” is received from the T / C 100, and the card collection lamp 403 is turned on when a “card collection lamp lighting signal” is received from the T / C 100. .

  An employee of the amusement store simply checks the card replenishment lamp 402 and the card collection lamp 403 displayed on the card processing machine 400 to check whether the card processing machine 400 is a replenishment target for a prepaid card. Therefore, work efficiency can be improved. In the present embodiment, the case where the card replenishment lamp 402 and the card collection lamp 403 are provided separately has been described. Employees can be made aware of this.

  The bill insertion slot 404 is an opening for accepting a bill (for example, 10,000 yen bill) inserted by a player and taking this bill into the bill processing unit 450 shown in FIG. When the banknote inserted by the banknote identification unit 460 is a defective banknote (unidentifiable banknote), the banknote insertion slot 404 serves as a return port for returning the defective banknote.

  The amount setting button 405a is a button for setting the frequency of lending (the amount of the pachinko ball to be lent) by the player himself every time the ball lending button 350 of the pachinko machine 300 is operated once by the player. By default, it is set to 5 degrees (500 yen). The amount display unit 405b is an LED that displays the lending unit set by the amount setting button 405a.

  The card insertion / return port 406 is an opening for accepting a prepaid card and taking it into the card reader 410 and returning the prepaid card when the card return button 360 is operated.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, a game area 310 where a player plays a pachinko game is provided in the upper front portion of the pachinko machine 300, and an upper plate 320 and ball lending are provided below the game area 310. Various operation switches (frequency display unit 340, ball lending button 350, card return button 360) are provided.

  Further, a ball throwing mechanism 330 is provided inside the pachinko machine 300. This ball throwing mechanism unit 330 throws pachinko balls for the number of loans to the upper plate 320 when a ball lending permission signal is received from the card processing machine 400 in response to the pressing operation of the ball lending button 35. It is. The ball throwing mechanism 330 is also used when a pachinko ball wins and throws a prize ball.

  The frequency display unit 340 is a display unit composed of LEDs that display the remaining frequency associated with the prepaid card. For example, when the player newly inserts 10000 yen, “100” is associated with the 0-degree prepaid card, so “100” is displayed on the frequency display section 340.

  The ball lending button 350 is a button that is pressed when the player receives a pachinko ball lending within the range of the remaining number of prepaid cards, and the card return button 360 is a prepaid card for moving the table. This button is pressed when returning. For example, when a prepaid card with a remaining number of “10” is inserted into the card processing machine 400 and a card return button 360 is pressed after playing a game for five times, the card insertion / return port 406 associates the number of five times. The prepaid card is returned.

(Configuration of card processor 400)
Next, the internal configuration of the card processor 400 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the card processor 400. As shown in the figure, the card processor 400 includes a card reading unit 410, a card passage detection sensor 420, a card storage unit 430, a control unit 440, a banknote processing unit 450, a banknote identification unit 460, and a banknote. A conveyance path 465 and a communication I / F unit 470 are included.

  The card reading unit 410 holds the prepaid card to be processed that has been drawn out from the card storage unit 430 or the prepaid card inserted from the card insertion / return port 406, and the card ID recorded on the held prepaid card. A card reader for reading. That is, when a plurality of prepaid cards are stored in the card storage unit 430 in the initial state, one of them is drawn up to the position of the card reading unit 410 to process the prepaid card from the card insertion / return port 406. When the prepaid card is inserted, the prepaid card located in the card reading unit 410 is conveyed to the card storage unit 430, and the prepaid card inserted from the card insertion / return port 406 is conveyed to the position of the card reading unit 410 and processed. It becomes.

  The card passage detection sensor 420 is provided on the card conveyance path between the card reading unit 410 and the card storage unit 430, and detects the passage of the prepaid card on the card conveyance path. Specifically, when the passage of the prepaid card for the card storage unit 430 is detected from the card reading unit 410, an IN signal is output to the card number management unit 442, and the card reading unit 410 for the card reading unit 410 is output. When the passage of the prepaid card is detected, an IN signal is output to the card number management unit 442. That is, the card passage detection sensor 420 detects the entry / exit of the prepaid card from the card storage unit 430.

  The card storage unit 430 is a storage unit that stores a plurality of prepaid cards not associated with a frequency (0 frequency). The player stores a plurality of prepaid cards in advance so that the player can play with cash without having to bring a prepaid card. When an employee of a game store stores a plurality of prepaid cards in the card storage unit 430, one of the cards is paid out to the position of the card reading unit 410 and is subject to frequency association with cash.

  In this embodiment, when an amusement store employee refills a prepaid card, the prepaid card with a remaining frequency of 0 is inserted from the card insertion / return slot 406 after entering the card refill mode by remote control operation. Further, when a game store employee collects a prepaid card, the prepaid card with a remaining number of 0 is collected from the card insertion / return port 406 after entering the card collection mode by remote control operation. That is, the prepaid card to be replenished or collected always passes near the card passage detection sensor 420. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a counter for counting the number of prepaid cards can be provided in the card storage unit 430, and the remaining number can be directly counted by this counter.

  The control unit 440 is a control unit that controls the card processing machine 400 as a whole. The ball lending processing unit 441, the card return processing unit 442, the card number management unit 443, the memory 444, the card number notification unit 445, A timer 446 and a communication I / F unit 470 are included.

  When a ball lending button 350 of the pachinko machine 300 is pressed, the ball lending processing unit 441 inquires the T / C 100 about the remaining number of prepaid cards. It is a processing unit that issues a pachinko ball throwing instruction. The pachinko machine 300 that has received this throwing instruction throws out pachinko balls corresponding to the number of loans on the upper or lower plate of the pachinko machine 300.

  The card return processing unit 442 is a processing unit that discharges the prepaid card held at the position of the card reading unit 410 from the card insertion / return port 406 when the card return button 360 of the pachinko machine 300 is pressed. However, a prepaid card with a remaining number of 0 is not returned in the normal mode, but is returned only in the card collection mode by an employee's remote control operation.

  The card number management unit 443 is a management unit that manages the remaining number of prepaid cards stored in the card storage unit 430 of the card processor 400 based on the detection value detected by the card passage detection sensor 420. Specifically, when the employee puts the card processor 400 into the card replenishment mode by operating the remote controller and inserts a prepaid card with a remaining number of 0 into the card insertion / return slot 406 in this state, the prepaid card is stored in the card storage unit 430. And the card passage detection sensor 420 notifies the card number management unit 443 of the IN signal, so that the card number management unit 443 can grasp that the remaining number of prepaid cards has increased by one.

  Similarly, when an employee performs a collection operation with the card processor 400 set in the card collection mode by remote control, the prepaid card stored in the card storage unit 430 is transported to the card insertion / return port 406 and the card passes. Since the detection sensor 420 notifies the card number management unit 443 of the OUT signal, the card number management unit 443 can grasp that the remaining number of prepaid cards has decreased by one.

  When a player inserts a prepaid card having a remaining number into the card insertion / return slot 406, the prepaid card located in the card reading unit 410 is stored in the card storage unit 430, and the inserted prepaid card is read by the card. It is held at the position of the part 410 and becomes a processing target. Here, since the card passage detection sensor 420 notifies the card number management unit 443 of the IN signal, the card number management unit 443 can grasp that the remaining number of prepaid cards has increased by one.

  Similarly, when the player depresses the card return button 360, the prepaid card located in the card reading unit 410 is transported to the card insertion / return slot 406 and the prepaid card stored in the card storage unit 430. Is fed out and held at the position of the card reading unit 410 to be processed. Here, since the card passage detection sensor 420 notifies the card number management unit 443 of the OUT signal, the card number management unit 443 can grasp that the remaining number of prepaid cards has decreased by one.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the card passing detection sensor 420 detects the entry / exit of the prepaid card in any case of the employee and the player, the prepaid card located in the card storage unit 430 is detected. The remaining number of cards can be grasped. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to the case where the remaining number of prepaid cards stored in the card storage unit 430 is directly calculated based on the thickness of the card instead of the card passage detection sensor 420. it can.

  The memory 444 is a storage unit that temporarily stores the remaining number of prepaid cards in the card processor 400 managed by the card number management unit 443. The card number notifying unit 445 is a processing unit that notifies the T / C 100 of the remaining number of prepaid cards managed by the card number managing unit 443. The notification timing is a transmission setting set by the timer 446. Performed based on time. The timer 446 is a timer that counts the transmission setting time for notifying the T / C 100 of the remaining number of prepaid cards from the card processor 400, and the number of cards is always reached when the measured time value reaches a predetermined value. A notification instruction is issued to the notification unit 445.

  The display control unit 447 is a processing unit that controls lighting of the card replenishment lamp 402, the card collection lamp 403, and the money amount display unit 405b provided in the main body unit 401 of the card processing machine 400 (FIG. 5). Specifically, when the card replenishment lamp lighting signal is received from the T / C 100, the card replenishment lamp 402 is turned on, and when the card collection lamp lighting signal is received and transmitted, the card collection lamp 403 is turned on. In addition, when a monetary amount display instruction signal is received, a numerical value corresponding to the monetary amount display unit 405b is displayed as an LED.

  The banknote processing unit 450 stores banknotes inserted by the player into the banknote insertion slot 404, identifies the authenticity and denomination of the banknotes by the banknote identification unit 460, and notifies the control unit 440 of the identification result. And the taken-in banknote is derived | led-out to the banknote conveyance path 465, and is carried out to an island edge collection | recovery box. In addition, when the banknote identification part 460 determines that the banknote inserted from the banknote insertion slot 404 cannot be identified or is a counterfeit banknote, the banknote is returned from the banknote insertion slot 404. The communication I / F unit 470 is an interface unit for data communication with the T / C 100 via the island controller 200.

(Card number management procedure)
Next, the lighting control procedure of the card replenishment lamp 402 or the card collection lamp 403 of the card processor 400 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a lighting control procedure for the card replenishment lamp 402 or the card collection lamp 403 of the card processor 400 shown in FIG. Here, a case is shown in which an amusement shop employee performs the following processing for acquiring the latest status and displaying the lamp immediately before the prepaid card replenishment collection operation.

  As shown in the figure, when the card processor 400 detects the passage of the prepaid card by the card passage detection sensor 420, the card number managed by the card number management unit 443 is updated each time, and the update result is updated. Stored in the memory 444. Therefore, if the remaining card number transmission time to be transmitted to the T / C 100 is reached (Yes at step S110), the remaining card number of the prepaid card is read from the memory 444 (step S120) and read. The remaining number of cards is transmitted to the T / C 100 together with the card number of the card processor 400 (step S130).

  On the other hand, when the T / C 100 receives the remaining card number transmitted from each card processor 400 (Yes in step S140), the T / C 100 updates the card number management table 312 based on the remaining card number received from each card processor 400. (Step S150).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the remaining number of prepaid cards in the card processing machine 400 is equal to or less than the NE value (step S160). If it is equal to or less than the NE value (Yes in step S160), replenishment work for the prepaid card is performed. Therefore, a card replenishment lamp lighting signal is transmitted to the card processor 400 (step S170).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the remaining card number is not equal to or less than the NE value (No at Step S160), it is determined whether the remaining card number is equal to or greater than the NF value (Step S180). As a result, if the remaining number of cards is greater than or equal to the NF value (Yes at Step S180), a card collection lamp lighting signal is transmitted to the card processor 400 (Step S190).

  At this time, the card processor 400 is in a signal waiting state (step S200). When the card replenishment lamp lighting signal is received from the T / C 100, the card replenishment lamp 402 is controlled to be turned on (step S210). When the card collection lamp lighting signal is received from / C100, the card collection lamp 403 is controlled to be lit (step S210).

  In the above series of explanations, for the sake of convenience of explanation, one card processing machine 400 has been described as an object, but actually, the same processing is repeated for each card processing machine 400 disposed in the amusement store. At this time, the card number management table 312 is updated for each card processing unit 400, and then the card processing unit 400 to be replenished or collected is specified based on the stored contents of the card number management table 312. The card replenishment lamp 402 and the card collection lamp 403 may be controlled to be turned on for each of the card processors 400 that have been processed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the card processor 400 acquires the remaining number of cards and transmits it to the T / C 100, which responds to the remaining number of cards transmitted from each card processor 400. Then, the card processor 400 to be replenished or collected is specified, and a card replenishment lamp lighting signal or a card collecting lamp lighting signal is transmitted to the identified card processing machine 400. Since the card replenishment lamp 402 or the card collection lamp 403 is controlled to be turned on in response to the card replenishment lamp lighting signal or the card collection lamp lighting signal, the employee who performs the replenishment collection operation cooperates with the administrator or the remote controller Prepaid cards can be replenished or collected without the need to turn on and off one unit at a time. It is possible to increase the efficiency of work and recovery work.

  In this embodiment, when the remaining card number of the prepaid card is less than or equal to the NE value, a card replenishment lamp lighting signal is transmitted (steps S160 to S170 in FIG. 7), and the remaining card number is greater than or equal to the NF value. In this case, the card collection lamp lighting signal is transmitted (steps S180 to S190 in FIG. 7), but an average value may be used instead of the NE value and the NF value. For example, in step S160 in FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the average value is less than or equal to −α (constant; for example, 3 sheets), and in step S180, it is determined whether or not the average value is greater than or equal to α. It can be performed. For this reason, in such a case, it is necessary to provide an average value calculation unit on the T / C 100 side for calculating the average value of the remaining number of cards of each card processor 400.

  In this embodiment, each card processor 400 is provided with a card replenishment lamp 402 and a card collection lamp 403. However, an LED is provided below these lamps, and the number of replenishment or collection is displayed on this LED. It can also comprise. In this case, it is necessary for the lT / C 100 to notify each card processor 400 of the replenishment number or recovery number together with the card replenishment lamp lighting signal or card recovery lamp lighting signal.

  In addition, among pachinko machines installed in amusement stores, there are a base where nails are tightened and a base where nails are opened. As for the table with the nails squeezed, it is necessary for the player to store more prepaid cards in the apparatus because the possibility that the player moves during the game increases. On the other hand, for the table where the nail is opened, the player is more likely to use up the remaining number of prepaid cards, and the player is also more likely to move from another table, so the inside of the device The remaining number of prepaid cards to be stored should be small. In this way, the remaining number of prepaid cards to be stored in the card processing machine 400 varies depending on the operation status of the pachinko store, such as the nail setting of the pachinko machine, and therefore the T / C 100 based on the operation status of the pachinko store. It is also possible to determine whether or not supplementary collection is necessary.

  Similarly, in some pachinko machines, the jackpot probability is set low and the continuation probability (probability of connecting to the next jackpot) is set high, and the jackpot probability is set high and the continuation probability is set low. There are models. The former model is likely to use up the remaining number of prepaid cards, and the latter model is more likely to be moved before the remaining number of prepaid cards is used up. As described above, the remaining number of prepaid cards to be stored in the card processing machine 400 varies depending on the model characteristics of the pachinko machine in which the card processing machine 400 is provided. / C100 can also determine whether replenishment collection is necessary.

  The present invention is formed so that a plurality of recording media can be accommodated in the apparatus, and the value of money can be associated with one of the recording media, and based on the value associated with the recording medium. This is useful for efficiently replenishing or collecting a recording medium to a lending processing machine that lends game media.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the card management system which concerns on a present Example. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the card management concept by the card processor shown in FIG. 1, and a terminal controller (T / C). It is a functional block diagram which shows the internal structure of the terminal controller (T / C) shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a card management table. It is a front view which shows the external appearance structure of the pachinko machine and card processing machine which were shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the internal structure of the card processing machine shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the lighting control procedure of the card supplement lamp or card collection | recovery lamp of the card processor shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

100 Terminal controller (T / C)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Display part 111 Display control part 120 Control part 121 Card number management part 122 Replenishment / collection notification part 130 Storage part 131 NF value / NE value storage part 132 Card number management table 140 Input part 150 Output part 160,470 Communication I / F Part 200 Island controller 300 Pachinko machine 310 Game area 320 Top plate 330 Ball throwing mechanism part 340 Frequency display part 350 Ball lending button 360 Card return button 400 Card processor 401 Main body part 402 Card replenishment lamp 403 Card collection lamp 404 Banknote insertion slot 405a Amount setting button 405b Amount display section 406 Card insertion / return slot 410 Card reading section 420 Card passage detection sensor 430 Card storage section 440 Control section 441 Ball lending processing section 442 Card return processing section 443 Card number management Section 444 Memory 445 Card number notification section 446 Timer 450 Banknote processing section 460 Banknote identification section 465 Banknote transport path 500 Card issuing machine 600 Card settlement machine

Claims (6)

A plurality of recording media can be stored inside the apparatus, and the value of money can be associated with one of the recording media, and the rental of game media based on the value associated with the recording medium A gaming medium lending system having a lending processor for processing,
The lending processor is
A recording medium number managing means for managing the number of recording media stored in the apparatus and not associated with a valuable value; a notifying means for notifying a predetermined managing apparatus of the number of recording media managed by the recording medium number managing means; And a notification means for performing a notification in response to the instruction content when a refill notification instruction or a recovery notification instruction for the recording medium is received from the management device,
The management device
Based on the number of recording media notified from each lending processor, a determination unit that determines whether or not each lending processor requires replenishment or collection of the recording medium, and the determination unit determines that replenishment of the recording medium is required If it is determined that the replenishment notification instruction is given to the corresponding lending processor, the recovery means is instructed to the corresponding lending processor if the determination means determines that the recording medium needs to be recovered. A game medium lending system comprising a replenishment collection instruction means. The lending processing machine has a replenishment lamp for notifying an employee of a game shop that performs replenishment and collection work of a recording medium that the recording medium needs to be replenished to the lending processing machine, and the lending to the employee. A recovery lamp for notifying that it is necessary to recover the recording medium from the processing machine;
The notification means includes
The refill lamp is controlled to be turned on when a recording medium replenishment notification instruction is received from the management apparatus, and the recovery lamp is turned on when a recording medium recovery notification instruction is received from the management apparatus. The game medium rental system according to claim 1.   The determination means replenishes or collects the recording medium in each lending processor based on the number of recording media notified from each lending processor, the operating status of the amusement store, and the model characteristics of the gaming machine installed in the amusement store. 3. The game medium lending system according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not it is necessary.   The determination means determines that replenishment of the recording medium is required when the number of recording media notified from each lending processor is equal to or less than a predetermined near empty value, and the number of recording media notified from each lending processor 4. The game medium lending system according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the recording medium needs to be collected when the value is equal to or greater than a predetermined near full value.   The determination means includes an average value calculating means for calculating an average value of the number of recording media notified from each lending processor, and the number of recording media notified from each lending processor is calculated by the average value calculating means. When the predetermined number is smaller than the average value, it is determined that the recording medium needs to be replenished. When the number of recording media notified from each lending processor is larger than the average value calculated by the average value calculating means, the recording is performed. 4. The game medium lending system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein it is determined that the medium needs to be collected. A plurality of recording media can be stored inside the apparatus, and the value of money can be associated with one of the recording media, and the rental of game media based on the value associated with the recording medium It is a recording medium supplement recovery notification method to a lending processor that performs processing,
The lending processing machine manages the number of recording media that are associated with the valuable value stored in the device, and the number of recording media managing step,
A notification step of notifying a predetermined management device of the number of recording media managed by the recording medium number management step;
A determination step of determining whether or not each of the lending processing machines requires replenishment or collection of the recording medium based on the number of recording media notified from each of the lending processing machines;
When it is determined that the recording medium needs to be replenished in the determination step, a replenishment notification instruction is instructed to the corresponding lending processor, and when the determination unit determines that the recording medium needs to be recovered, it corresponds A replenishment collection instruction step for instructing a lending processor to perform a collection notification instruction;
A recording medium replenishment / collection notification including a notification step of performing a notification in response to an instruction content when the lending processor receives a recording medium replenishment notification instruction or a recovery notification instruction from the management device Method.

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