JP2009183408A - Cashless game system and card - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system dispensing with the handling of cash. <P>SOLUTION: This cashless game system includes: a card charger machine authenticating whether a card user is a regular cardholder or not based on biological information of the cardholder and, on condition that the card user is the regular cardholder, transferring a specified amount of money from an account that the cardholder has in a financial institution to a server computer according to the operation of the user; a game medium dispenser, after the authentication, dispensing a predetermined amount of game media in exchange for the amount of money stored in the server computer; a medium counter for counting the game media after the authentication; a medium exchanger for transmitting the amount of returned money to the server computer of a data center after the authentication; and the server computer in the data center withdrawing the specified amount of money from the account that the cardholder has in the financial institution, storing the amount of money along with information related to the cardholder and adding the amount of returned money to the amount of residual money based on the command from the medium exchanger. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming system that can be used without using cash, and a card that can be used in the system. More specifically, the present invention is based on biological information on the assumption that cash is held in an account of a financial institution. After confirming the identity, the data center server computer monitors the money flow associated with the game via the game media lending machine and the media exchange, and makes the money flow associated with the game transparent by interlocking with the financial institution. The present invention relates to a cashless gaming system and a card that can be used in such a system.
In addition, the present invention is based on the premise of having cash in an account of a financial institution, and after confirming the identity by biometric information, the data center monitors the flow of money associated with the game through game medium lending and medium exchange, It also relates to a game management method for making money flow transparent in conjunction with financial institutions.

  Conventionally, it is a common practice to rent a game medium in cash (playing pachinko balls in a pachinko store) and playing games at game halls. On the other hand, when withdrawing cash from a financial institution such as a bank, a card is used to withdraw cash from an account, deposit cash, and transfer money. Also, there is a card that stores a certain amount of money in a card and subtracts this amount when shopping. Furthermore, a prepaid card used in a play facility such as a prepaid card used for a ball lending machine in a pachinko parlor is also known (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-306793 (Patent Document 1), Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-303046). Publication (Patent Document 2)). In this method, points are stored in a prepaid card by depositing cash into a ticket selling and charging device, and balls are lent out within a range of points stored in the prepaid card by inserting them into a ball lending machine. Moreover, it may have a function of converting the remaining balls into points and storing them in a prepaid card. Furthermore, the points stored in the prepaid card can be exchanged for prizes other than the ball rental, or can be exchanged for cash in some cases.

  These have some functions to identify and prove the identity of the person when accessing the financial system, etc., and with regard to cards that store the amount of money, it is possible to make certain transactions with card readers. Card.

  The above-described card and the system based on the above-described card are generally required to connect the card to a card reader, and data required between the server computer having account information and the like via a computer that controls the card reader. However, it is assumed that the card user is a legitimate owner of the card, and consideration is given to how to eliminate the use of the card by unauthorized users. As will be described later, it is not enough.

  In addition, the number of remaining game media (remaining balls for pachinko, coins for roulette, etc.) is stored in cards used for games at the game facility, and based on the data at the next game There are those that provide game media and those that can exchange the remaining stored game media for prizes. In this case, a so-called special prize is selected as a prize, and the game medium is substantially exchanged by selling it outside the amusement hall. Articles with no market value are used. Therefore, this kind of exchange / purchase system using special prizes as a medium tends to be a transaction with low transparency, such as it is difficult to grasp the total number from the outside.

  In addition, when using a user card used at amusement halls to exchange for prizes that are actually high in cash value, such as gold bullion, for example, a large amount of money is handled as gold bullion. Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate not only the legitimacy on the user side but also the possibility of data falsification by the side managing the card reader that reads the user card.

  In addition, by taking all possible measures for the safety of information as described above, a very wide range of usage becomes realistic, and convenience is greatly improved. Furthermore, since the use of cash between the user and the amusement hall is reduced, not only safety is improved, but also transparency of money flow is increased.

  In addition, when exchanging gaming media and prizes at amusement halls, it is necessary to give certain considerations such as prohibiting the exchange of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages if the user is a minor.

In connection with prize exchange without using cash at amusement halls, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-16640 (Patent Document 3) allows game media to be converted into money and stored, and the accumulated money is purchased at a store. In other words, a game medium exchange system is disclosed that enables the exchange and expands the exchange value of the game medium. The method includes a first server in a pachinko store, a second server in a store, a third server and a database in a management center, an account corresponding to a player's membership card is opened, and a game acquired at a game store Data on the number of media is converted into money amount data at a predetermined exchange rate and recorded in an account, and when a player purchases a product at a store, the price can be settled with the money amount data recorded in the account.
The method disclosed in Patent Document 3 does not consider whether the purchaser is a minor or not as to what to purchase with the amount obtained by converting the competition medium. Therefore, for example, there is a problem that minors can purchase tobacco and alcoholic beverages through game media.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-54575 (Patent Document 4) discloses a game medium counting device that is activated in association with fingerprint registration of a game medium counting device administrator. Specifically, it is a game medium counting device having a storage authentication device, a counting mechanism, and a display mechanism, which stores the biometric information of the game medium counting device administrator and stores the biometric information and the biometric information. A biometric information registration mechanism that performs collation, and an operating state storage device that sets and resets the game medium counting device to an operating state and stores the progress of the operating state for each biometric information registration / authentication or authentication and authentication of an administrator It is a system equipped.
This system allows users to independently count game media by starting the game media counting device with the administrator whose fingerprint has been registered. No consideration is given to the confirmation of whether or not, or the age confirmation.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2001-276395 (Patent Document 5) discloses a prize exchange system that can be exchanged for various prizes according to the player's taste even in a small-scale game shop. Specifically, a counter for counting the number of game media obtained in the game and generating increased data of the number of game media stored in the account, and for exchanging prizes for instructing the exchange of the game media stored in the account and the prize In the prize exchange system comprising a terminal and a computer connected to the counter and the prize exchange terminal, the account is divided into a plurality of individual accounts so as to store game media for each game store. The number of game media saved is recorded in the individual account, and the game store corresponding to the individual account to be used for exchange with the prize by inputting the account information and the prize into the prize exchange terminal. Based on the information, prize exchange information including at least player and prize information is generated.
In other words, the invention is an invention in which the number of game media remaining in a plurality of game stores is counted and aggregated, and this can be exchanged for prizes collectively as desired, thereby increasing the degree of freedom of prize exchange. Again, no consideration is given to the age verification of the amusement hall users.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-76060 (Patent Document 6) discloses a cigarette vending machine that sells cigarettes as exchanges for game media, that is, considers not to sell cigarettes to minors. It is a thing. Specifically, the cigarette vending machine disclosed in Patent Document 4 reads the ID code from the member card when the member card is inserted into the card insertion part of the operation part, and the member identified by the read ID code The date of birth is taken from the hall computer system. Based on the date of birth, it is determined whether or not the member is over 20 years old. Only when the member is over 20 years old, the cigarette selection button can be activated to provide tobacco. is there.
In the case of this invention, since it is determined whether or not the user is a minor with reference to the birth date information in the computer system referenced by the membership card and the ID code recorded on the membership card, the minor When borrowing a card from an adult and using it, the possibility of tobacco being supplied to a minor cannot be excluded. In addition, the invention considers only the relationship between the membership card and the cigarette vending machine, but considering the situation where the number of remaining balls is counted and exchanged for various prizes on the spot, exchangeable prizes are considered. It is much more convenient to have a relationship with age verification for all of them at once.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-76061 (Patent Document 7) locks a button of a cigarette vending machine to minors when selling tobacco as a prize, as in Patent Document 6. . Specifically, when a member card is inserted into the insertion / eject port, the card reader reads the ID code from the member card, and takes in the date of birth of the member identified by the read ID code from the hall computer system. The member data including the date of birth is output to the cash register. The cash register extracts the date of birth from the member data, determines whether the member is over 20 years old, and locks the cigarette selection key when the member is under 20 years old, making it impossible to exchange cigarettes And
Also in the case of this invention, when a minor borrows and uses an adult's card, the possibility that tobacco is supplied to the minor cannot be excluded. Considering only the relationship with the vending machine, considering the situation where the number of remaining balls is counted and exchanged for various prizes on the spot, age verification is collectively performed for all exchangeable prizes. It is the same as the invention disclosed in Patent Document 6 that it is much more convenient to provide relevance.
JP 2002-306793 A JP 2004-303046 A JP 2004-16640 A JP 2007-54575 A JP 2001-276395 A JP-A-10-76060 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-76061

  On the other hand, there is also a system that permits the use of a card after confirming whether or not the card user is an authorized card holder based on the user's biometric information (for example, fingerprint, vein shape, iris shape). In these systems, the biometric information of the registered user is stored in the card, and the user causes the card reader to read his / her biometric information when using the card. The card reader compares the read biometric information of the user with the biometric information of the cardholder stored in the card and determines whether or not they match.

  In this case, once the cardholder's biometric information stored on the card is read by a third party, it is not impossible to create a copy card or a counterfeit card. Therefore, it is necessary to construct a system that does not unduly read biometric information that is important for identification.

  In view of the state of the prior art and the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the present invention is a gaming system that does not use cash, which makes the entire money flow transparent, reduces labor associated with cash processing, and eliminates fraud. It is a challenge to realize a cashless gaming system and a card used in the system that can bring many effects such as convenience, safety improvement, thorough legal compliance, etc. by making cash preparation unnecessary .

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention authenticates whether or not the card user is a legitimate card owner based on the card holder's biometric information, and the card user is legitimate. A card charging machine that transfers a specified amount to a server computer provided in the data center from an account held by the cardholder in accordance with the operation of the user on the condition that the cardholder is operated,
Based on the cardholder's biometric information, it authenticates whether the card user is an authorized cardholder, and is stored in the server computer on the condition that the card user is an authorized cardholder. A game media lending machine that lends a predetermined amount of game media in exchange for
Based on the cardholder's biometric information, authenticates whether the card user is a legitimate cardholder, and the card user exchanges it on condition that the card user is a legitimate cardholder. A media counter for counting the number of game media desired and transmitting the number of game media and the unit price to the server computer;
Based on the cardholder's biometric information, it is authenticated whether the card user is a legitimate cardholder, and the above-mentioned counted game is performed on condition that the card user is a legitimate cardholder. Convert the refund amount at a predetermined exchange rate based on the medium, and if there is a replacement product, send the return amount, which is the amount equivalent to the replacement product amount, from the refund amount to the server computer in the data center, If there is not, a medium exchange that transmits the refund amount to the server computer of the data center;
Establish data transmission / reception among the card charging machine, the media exchange and the computer of the financial institution, and withdraw the specified amount from the account held by the card holder to the financial institution based on the instructions from the card charging machine A data center server computer that stores the amount of money together with information about the cardholder, and adds a refund amount to the remaining amount based on an instruction from the media exchange,
Provided is a cashless game system that allows a game to be played based on the amount stored in an account of a financial institution without paying out and depositing cash, and that enables the exchange of surplus media after the game.

  The cardholder's biometric information is, for example, a fingerprint, a voiceprint, a vein shape, an iris shape, a face shape, and the like, which are unique to the person, that is, different from those of another person. To authenticate whether a card user is an authorized cardholder, first, when issuing a card, the cardholder's identity, such as a driver's license, insurance card, or resident's card, is required. After confirming the identity based on the material that can be confirmed, the cardholder's biometric information is acquired and recorded. The recording location may be a data center server computer, a card, or some other location. Detailed information including the cardholder's biometric information may be recorded on a server computer in the data center, and only specific information essential for identity verification may be recorded on the card.

  In a gaming card charging machine, when the cardholder's biometric information matches the card user's biometric information, the user is authenticated as the owner and the gaming medium is lent out. There may be included a certain amount of error. If the card user is not authorized to be a legitimate card holder, not only simply refuses further operations, but also issues a certain penalty, such as issuing an alarm to the administrator or even preventing the card from being removed. If this is imposed, further transaction security can be expected. Alternatively, when the predetermined biometric authentication level is not reached, or when the predetermined biometric authentication level is not reached but a certain degree of identity is obtained, the auxiliary personal authentication information registered in advance, for example, the first love of an elementary school One or a plurality of questions such as the name of the person may be answered, and if the answer is correct, it may be configured that the personal authentication is obtained.

  To transfer the specified amount from the account held by the financial institution to the server computer installed in the data center means to reduce the amount of the account by the specified amount and record the same amount as the reduction on the server computer in the data center. In this case, a set numerical value such as a fixed fee may be subtracted.

  In general, after the game is over, based on the remaining game medium, prize exchange and recording of the game medium for the next game opportunity is performed. At that time, according to the present invention, the medium exchange reads the card again and confirms the match between the card user and the card holder. When playing a game using a game medium, it is not essential to perform identity verification using the card. However, the game device can be operated with the identity always confirmed by enabling the game device for the first time by inserting the card. For example, if it is a pachinko machine, the number of pachinko balls lent out by the game media lending machine and the number of balls issued by the pachinko machine will be used to finally determine the number of pachinko balls that should be exchanged by the medium exchange machine. It is possible to calculate in advance, and it is possible to eliminate fraud such as bringing a pachinko ball from the outside illegally and putting it on a medium exchange. However, for that purpose, the number of pachinko machines must be sent to the data center server computer.

  In the above-described configuration, the medium counter and the medium exchanger are configured separately, but they may be integrated devices. In that case, instead of using a separate medium counter and medium exchange, the card user is authenticated based on the cardholder's biometric information to determine whether or not the cardholder is a legitimate cardholder. On the condition that the player is a legitimate cardholder, the game media is counted, the refund amount is converted at a predetermined exchange rate, and if there is a replacement product, the amount corresponding to the replacement product amount is calculated from the return amount. A media exchange may be provided that transmits the reduced refund amount to the data center server computer and transmits the return amount to the data center server computer when there is no replacement product.

  When the user wishes to exchange the remaining game media, the media exchange converts the remaining game media into an amount at a predetermined exchange rate, and transmits the amount to a server computer in the data center for recording. At that time, if there is a balance remaining in the server computer, it is natural to add it. Of course, it is easily conceivable to control whether the customer can select all or part of the money with the medium exchange.

  With such a configuration, it becomes possible to play based on the amount stored in the financial institution's account without paying out and depositing cash, and it is possible to exchange the surplus medium after the game, so play with cash Compared to the case, there is no need to carry cash, it is highly secure, and the charge amount, server remaining amount and cash exchange amount of prize exchange amount can always be confirmed, and it is possible to leave a record The money flow can be made transparent, and a clear play form can be realized as a whole.

  When exchanging prizes by the medium exchange, the medium exchange can select gold as an exchange product, and if the user designates exchange for gold, the refund amount and money at a predetermined exchange rate. The exchanged gold mass may be sent to the server computer in the data center. In this case, the server computer in the data center needs to store the gold mass transmitted from the media exchange. Of course, this calculation can be performed by either a server computer or a media switch.

  Regular gold trading involving the exchange of real gold requires a transaction of a certain amount of gold, and thus requires a certain amount of cash, but in principle, in the case of the above system, Since it is possible to buy and sell in units of one yen or one game medium, convenience is high. Furthermore, as will be described later, if the user can sell gold at the current price, an asset management effect will also be produced, which is expected to attract more interest from the user.

  The server computer in the data center is preferably capable of transferring the remaining amount (here, including the amount converted into game media) to the account held by the cardholder in the financial institution. By doing so, the amount once withdrawn for play can be returned to the account of the financial institution, which is convenient for the user. Basically, if the remaining amount is returned to the account of the financial institution, the loss is small even if the card is lost.

  Preferably, the data center server computer can transfer the remaining amount to an account held by the cardholder at the financial institution. For example, the cardholder can exchange the remaining gaming media for gold, and then exchange the gold for cash at the time when the price of the gold rises or when the cash becomes necessary, and use it as cash. If the exchange rate from gold to cash at this time is the market price, it is possible to invest in gold as described above.

  Of course, the data center server computer should preferably be able to transfer the remaining amount to an account held by the cardholder at the financial institution.

  The game media lending machine may be capable of lending a predetermined amount of game media in exchange for the remaining amount stored in the server computer of the data center or the mass of the remaining gold. In particular, according to the configuration in which game media can be lent out in exchange for the persistence of the remaining gold, the utility value of gold is further increased.

  The card charger uses the second biometric information of the user as a key, decrypts the cardholder's biometric information encrypted and stored in the card, and compares it with the biometric information of the user The card user may authenticate whether or not the card user is an authorized card holder. The second biological information is referred to as second biological information in a sense that distinguishes it from the biological information in context, but does not exclude the possibility of being the same biological information as the biological information.

  The second biological information may be a fingerprint, a voiceprint, a vein shape, an iris shape, or the like, similar to the biological information. However, in order to use biometric information as a key for decryption, it is preferable that the second biometric information is relatively simplified information determined from information such as a fingerprint. For example, the classification name when fingerprints or palm prints are classified into a plurality of patterns, and which division includes a predetermined shape such as a branch by dividing the palm vein image into a plurality of divisions (for example, 9 divisions or 16 divisions) For example, information on the first, fifth, seventh, and eighth sections having a predetermined vein branch, information representing voiceprint classification, and the like, for example, information that can be represented by several bits to several tens of bits. desirable.

  The biometric information encrypted and stored in the card is more detailed information for determining the identity between the card user and the card registrant, for example, detailed images such as fingerprints, voiceprints, vein shapes, iris shapes, etc. It is. In general, this detailed image has much more data than tens of bits.

  In general, the cardholder's biometric information is recorded without being encrypted on the card itself, and various conditions regarding reading are imposed to prevent unauthorized reading. This is because if you have recorded the encrypted biometric information on the card, you have to enter the decryption key to decrypt the information. It is necessary to memorize it as a simple decryption key as long as there is no mistake, so in any case, the problem is that the reliability of confidentiality by encryption is not so high. However, when the biometric information is encrypted and stored in the card as described above and can be read only by the biometric key, unauthorized reading is almost impossible. In addition, since it is not necessary to write or remember the decryption key in the notebook, there is no concern that the decryption key will be stolen by others, which is extremely secure.

  At least one of the card charging machine, the medium lending machine, and the medium switching machine may be configured to deny the use of the card when the card user is not a legitimate card owner. At least one of the media lending machine and the media exchange notifies the data center server computer when the card user is not an authorized card holder, and the data center server computer notifies the financial institution It may be configured to notify this and to instruct other card charging machines, medium lending machines, and medium exchanges to refuse the handling of the card.

  In these cases, it is clear that unauthorized use of the card becomes very difficult, and unauthorized use is prevented in advance.

  The server computer in the data center holds the age information necessary to calculate the cardholder's age, and the media exchange calculates the user's age based on the age information and can be exchanged as necessary You may restrict | limit exchange goods.

  Some exchangeable prizes are subject to age restrictions on items such as cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, so the system with age verification as described above is highly convenient. In order to obtain the same effect, the media exchange reads the age information necessary for calculating the cardholder's age from the card, calculates the user's age based on the age information, and if necessary The exchangeable products that can be exchanged are limited.

The present invention also provides a card used in the above-described cashless game system, in which a specific identification code and cardholder's biometric information are recorded. Here, the card is used in the general meaning of a medium in which information that can be read by a computer is recorded, and a magnetic card, an IC card, an RFID card, and the like are typical, and therefore, referred to as a card in this specification for convenience. However, it may have a non-card appearance such as a stick shape or a mobile phone shape.
By using such a card in the above-described card utilization system, the various effects described above can be exhibited.

  The card may be a card in which only a specific identification code and the cardholder's biometric information are recorded in a computer-readable format. In this case, necessary information other than the identification number and the cardholder's biometric information is recorded in the server computer etc. of the data center, and the card usage is based on the identification code recorded on the card and the cardholder's biometric information. It is preferable that the information is read only when it is confirmed that the person is an authorized registrant.

  Furthermore, it is more preferable that the cardholder's biometric information is encrypted and recorded in a form that can be decrypted only by using the cardholder's second biometric information as a key. With this configuration, it becomes virtually impossible to illegally read the cardholder's biometric information.

  If the second biometric information of the card user does not match the second biometric information of the cardholder, not only unauthorized reading is possible by rejecting subsequent data transmission / reception, but also the illegal It is expected to have an effect of preventing the read attempt itself.

On the surface of the card, information that can be identified with the naked eye is not displayed except for the pattern and color, and only the cardholder may be able to distinguish his / her card by the pattern and color.
When the identification code and the biometric information are recorded on the card in a format that can be read by a computer, a large number of cards that are indistinguishable in appearance are manufactured. If a cardholder other than the cardholder attempts to use it, it will be very important to use the card without making any mistakes, such as penalizing a subsequent transaction. Displaying personally identifiable information (for example, name, ID number, etc.) on the card surface is also harmful. Therefore, instead of displaying any personally identifiable information on the surface of the card, the surface pattern and color of each card may be different so that only the card owner can identify his or her own card. Is convenient.

  If such a card further has at least one of a cash card function, a prepaid card function, a debit card function, a service point storage function, and a game point storage function, it is more convenient.

The present invention also authenticates whether the card user is an authorized cardholder based on the cardholder's biometric information, provided that the card user is an authorized cardholder, In accordance with the user's operations, the cardholder transfers the specified amount from the account held in the financial institution to the data center,
Based on the cardholder's biometric information, it is verified whether the card user is a legitimate cardholder and is stored in the data center on the condition that the card user is a legitimate cardholder. A certain amount of game media in exchange for
Based on the cardholder's biometric information, authenticate whether the card user is a legitimate cardholder, and count the game media on condition that the card user is the legitimate cardholder. , Convert the refund amount at a predetermined exchange rate, and if there is a replacement product, send the refund amount, which is the amount corresponding to the replacement product amount from the refund amount, to the data center, and if there is no replacement product, Send the refund amount to the data center,
The present invention relates to a game management method that allows a game to be played based on the amount stored in an account of a financial institution without paying out and depositing cash, and that enables the exchange of surplus media after the game.

  In the above game management method, gold can be selected as the exchange product. When the user designates exchange for gold, the exchange amount is exchanged for money at a predetermined exchange rate. The mass of the metal may be sent to the data center for storage.

  In addition, the data center is preferably configured so that the remaining amount can be transferred to an account held by the cardholder in a financial institution.

  Furthermore, the data center is more convenient if it converts the mass of the remaining gold into an amount at a predetermined exchange rate and adds it to the remaining amount based on the operation of the cardholder.

  It is preferable that a predetermined amount of game media can be rented in exchange for the remaining amount stored in the data center or the remaining amount of gold. Authentication of whether or not the card user is an authorized card holder uses the second biometric information of the user as a key and decrypts the cardholder's biometric information encrypted and stored in the card This can also be done by comparing this with the biological information of the user. In that case, as a result of the authentication, if the card user is not an authorized card holder, the card use may be rejected. Furthermore, if the card user is not an authorized cardholder as a result of the authentication, the fact that the card is illegally used is reported to the financial institution through the data center and the handling of the card is refused. The possibility of unauthorized use can be further eliminated.

  The data center holds the age information necessary to calculate the cardholder's age, and if the exchangeable products that can be exchanged are restricted as necessary, minors can use tobacco and liquor as premiums. Can be excluded. Specifically, the age information necessary for calculating the age of the cardholder is read from the card, the age of the user is calculated based on the age information, and exchangeable products that can be exchanged are limited as necessary. It is preferable that it is a method to do.

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the conceptual diagrams, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the examples described below.
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the present invention and the concept of data flow.
First, the cash card 100 and the card 300 based on the present invention (for convenience of explanation, the card based on the present invention will be referred to as an AD card) are inserted into the card charger 200 to charge cash. The AD card may have a cash card function, but here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the cash card 100 and the AD card 300 are different. At the time of cash charging, the card charging machine 200 communicates with a computer of the financial institution 250 that manages the cash card 100 via a wired or wireless line, and the card user is authorized based on the cardholder's biometric information. A server provided in the data center from an account held in the financial institution 250 according to the operation of the user when the card user authenticates whether or not the card holder is a legitimate card holder. The designated amount is deducted from the corresponding account of the financial institution 250 that manages the cash card 100 that causes the computer 500 to transfer the designated amount, and the same amount is recorded in the server computer 500.

  Next, the user inserts the AD card 300 into the game medium lending machine 700 and borrows a specified amount of game media. At this time, the game media lending machine authenticates whether the AD card user is a legitimate AD card owner based on the biometric information of the AD card owner, and the AD card user authenticates the legitimate AD card. On the condition that it is the owner, a predetermined amount of game media is lent out in exchange for the amount stored in the server computer 500. In other words, taking a pachinko game as an example, a pachinko ball is lent.

  The user can play a game using the borrowed game media. Taking pachinko as an example, you can play pachinko. The game ends when all of the pachinko balls have been removed by the game, but there are cases where pachinko balls remain or, in some cases, the number of winning balls is more than the number borrowed.

  At this time, the remaining game media can be counted by the media counter 410, transmitted to the server computer and stored, and then brought into the media exchange 400 to be exchanged. The media exchange 400 authenticates whether the card user is a legitimate card owner based on the card holder's biometric information, and on condition that the card user is a legitimate card owner. Convert the refund amount at the specified exchange rate. When the user wishes to exchange part or all of the remaining medium for a free gift, the medium exchange 400 uses the data center server to calculate the return amount obtained by subtracting the amount corresponding to the amount of the replacement product from the return amount. Send it to a computer to increase the amount. If the user does not want to exchange for the prize, but wants to redeem the whole, the media exchange 400 sends the return amount to the server computer in the data center to increase the amount. .

  The server computer 500 in the data center establishes data transmission / reception among the card charging machine 200, the medium exchange 400, and the computer 250 of the financial institution, and sends the card to the financial institution based on an instruction from the card charging machine 400. A designated amount is withdrawn from the account held by the owner, the amount is stored together with information relating to the cardholder, and the return amount is added to the remaining amount based on an instruction from the medium exchange 400. The server computer 500 may further establish data transmission / reception with the game medium lending machine.

  The server computer 500 may record the amount transferred from the medium exchange 400 so that the user can use it as it is at the next opportunity, or remit money to the computer 250 of the financial institution. good. Needless to say, when the money is transferred to the computer of the financial institution, the user can withdraw cash not only through the game but also through the ATM 600 as in the case of ordinary savings and savings. In addition, when the medium is exchanged, the medium exchange 400 may be capable of selecting whether the exchanged amount is held in the server computer 500 or transferred to an account of a financial institution.

 FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a position example in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko parlor. The same components as those in the embodiment shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration of the invention will be described according to a typical process flow from when a user enters the pachinko parlor to when he leaves.

  The user shall enter the pachinko parlor from the entrance which is described as entrance at the lower left of the drawing. First, a card issuing machine 150 is provided in the immediate vicinity of the entrance. Here, the card (AD card) used in the pachinko parlor can be issued thereafter. As described above, this AD card can be used in other pachinko parlors, or may be used for shopping at a general store or as a cash card or a credit card. In addition, since it is assumed that identity verification will be required for the use of AD cards thereafter, identity verification will be conducted using a driver's license, resident card, health certificate, etc. that can correctly identify the individual cardholder. It is desirable to issue an AD card. If the user already has a card, it is not necessary to issue the card again in principle.

  When the AD card is obtained, the user proceeds to the card charging machine 200 and charges the AD card 300 with a desired amount. In this case, it may be transferred from a bank account or charged with cash. It goes without saying that if the AD card 300 has a sufficient remaining amount, it is not necessary to charge it.

  When the AD card 300 has been charged, the user proceeds to a play device 700 such as a pachinko machine or slot, and places the AD card in the game media lending machine 710 provided as an integral or separate body with the play machine (pachinko machine) 700. Insert and receive the desired number of gaming media. When the game medium lending machine 710 is integrated with the play device (pachinko machine) 700, pachinko balls are directly supplied to the pachinko machine 700. In the case of a separate body, the user once holds the pachinko ball and puts it on the pachinko machine. In particular, if the pachinko machine 710 and the game media lending machine 710 are integrated, assuming that the user plays with the card inserted in the game medium lending machine or the pachinko machine, the user The number of pachinko balls possessed can always be grasped, and it is possible to eliminate frauds such as bringing in pachinko balls from other places and counting them, or taking out pachinko balls conversely.

  When the user finishes the game with the pachinko balls remaining, the user brings the pachinko balls into the medium counter 410 to perform the coefficient, and the number is added to the data center along with the user specific information via the AD card 300. To the server computer. At this time, as shown in the figure, a ball counter 410 is provided for each group of play devices 700 so that the pachinko balls remaining in the group of play devices 700 can be counted only by the counter 410 attached thereto. If the ball counting machine 410 or a number for specifying a group of play devices is recorded, it is possible to easily cope with the case where the unit price of the pachinko ball is different for each group of play devices. The AD card 300 is used for identifying and confirming the identity of the user, and it is not always necessary that information such as the number of remaining balls is written on the AD card 300 itself.

  Next, the user inserts the AD card 300 into the medium exchange 400 to exchange money. At this time, the exchange rate is determined with reference to the above-described medium counter 410 or a number for identifying a group of play crises. In this example, the medium counter 410 and the medium exchanger 400 are considered as separate devices, but they may be integrated. In this case, cash is performed simultaneously with counting pachinko balls. Furthermore, if the user desires, it may be possible to exchange some or all of the remaining balls for prizes. In addition, gold can be selected as a free gift. In this case, the amount is converted into the weight of gold based on the price of gold at that time.

  The amount converted by the media exchange 400 is recorded on the server computer in the data center together with the AD card owner identification information, and can be used for the next game. If the user wishes, it can be used as cash at an ATM or other convenience store. It can also be withdrawn as cash through. If the user wants to redeem what is recorded as gold, or wants to play the next game based on the saved gold, he or she will redeem money or play media based on the price of the gold at that time Is exchanged.

  FIG. 3 illustrates a configuration example of a card utilization system based on the present invention. A card issuing machine 150, a card charging machine 200, a pachinko machine 700, a media counter 410, and a media exchange 400 are connected via a LAN, and these are connected to a server computer in a data center via the Internet. The server computer in the data center may be connected via a dedicated line, or a server may be provided for each pachinko parlor, and these may be connected to the data center via the Internet or a dedicated line.

  In the configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the LAN is provided with a prize exchange 800 that can purchase a predetermined prize with either a pachinko ball or cash. The gift exchange machine 800 requires that an AD card be inserted for gifts sold only to those over the age of 20 such as cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, and only when there is no problem after verifying the identity and age verification. Is to sell. Further, the LAN may be provided with a POS 850, and may always manage the sales or the number of balls. On the Internet, a terminal 860 can be provided separately from the server through a secure line, and data from the POS can be always managed.

In addition, the card used in the present invention includes a recording unit that records biometric information such as a cardholder's fingerprint, a biometric information reading sensor, a biometric information encryption / decryption unit, a verification unit, and an output. The structure which has a part may be sufficient. In this case, the card reads the biometric information such as the user's fingerprint by the biometric information reading sensor, encrypts it with a predetermined method, and sends it to the collation unit. The verification unit decrypts the encrypted biometric information received and compares it with the cardholder biometric information recorded in the recording unit. As a result, whether the card user is the same as the owner or not. Is output from the output unit. The card may further have a function of encrypting and outputting the card owner ID and / or the ID of the card itself.
By using such a card, it is possible to confirm whether or not the card user is the same person as the owner without referring to the card owner information stored outside the card.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, it is possible to play based on the amount stored in the account of the financial institution without paying out and depositing cash, and it is possible to exchange the remaining medium after the game. . The above is an example of the present invention, and it is obvious that those skilled in the art can implement many modifications based on the claims and the description of the embodiments.

The conceptual diagram which showed the embodiment of this invention The conceptual diagram which shows an example at the time of applying this invention to a pachinko parlor An example of the configuration of a card utilization system according to the present invention

Explanation of symbols

100 cash card 150 card issuing machine 200 card charging machine 250 financial institution computer 300 card (AD card)
400 Media exchange 410 Media counter 500 Data center server computer 600 ATM
700 Play equipment (pachinko machine)
800 free gift exchange

Claims (25)

Based on the cardholder's biometric information, authenticate whether or not the card user is a legitimate cardholder, and if the card user is a legitimate cardholder, the user's operation A card charging machine that transfers the specified amount from the account held by the cardholder to the server computer installed in the data center from the account held by the financial institution,
Based on the cardholder's biometric information, it authenticates whether the card user is an authorized cardholder, and is stored in the server computer on the condition that the card user is an authorized cardholder. A game media lending machine that lends a predetermined amount of game media in exchange for
Based on the cardholder's biometric information, authenticates whether the card user is a legitimate cardholder, and the card user exchanges it on condition that the card user is a legitimate cardholder. A media counter for counting the number of game media desired and transmitting the number of game media and the unit price to the server computer;
Based on the cardholder's biometric information, it is authenticated whether the card user is a legitimate cardholder, and the above-mentioned counted game is performed on condition that the card user is a legitimate cardholder. Convert the refund amount at a predetermined exchange rate based on the medium, and if there is a replacement product, send the return amount, which is the amount equivalent to the replacement product amount, from the refund amount to the server computer in the data center, If there is not, a medium exchange that transmits the refund amount to the server computer of the data center;
Establish data transmission / reception among the card charging machine, the media exchange and the computer of the financial institution, and withdraw the specified amount from the account held by the card holder to the financial institution based on the instructions from the card charging machine A data center server computer that stores the amount of money together with information about the cardholder, and adds a refund amount to the remaining amount based on an instruction from the media exchange,
A cashless game system that allows games to be played based on the amount of money stored in a financial institution's account without cash being paid out and deposited, and that enables the exchange of surplus media after the game. The medium exchange can select gold as a replacement product, and if the user designates exchange with gold, the amount of gold exchanged by exchanging the refund amount and gold at a predetermined exchange rate To the data center server computer,
2. The cashless gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the server computer of the data center stores the mass of gold transmitted from the media exchange.   The cashless game system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the server computer of the data center can transfer the remaining amount to an account held by the cardholder in a financial institution.   4. The server computer of the data center can convert the amount of remaining gold into an amount at a predetermined exchange rate and add to the remaining amount based on the operation of the cardholder. The cashless game system described.   The cashless machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the game media lending machine can lend a predetermined amount of game media in exchange for a remaining amount stored in a server computer of a data center or a mass of remaining gold. A game system.   The card charger uses the second biometric information of the user as a key, decrypts the cardholder's biometric information encrypted and stored in the card, and compares it with the biometric information of the user The cashless game system according to claim 1, wherein the card user authenticates whether or not the card user is an authorized cardholder.   7. At least one of the card charging machine, medium lending machine, medium counting machine, and medium switching machine refuses to use a card when the card user is not an authorized card holder. Cashless game system described in 1.   At least one of the card charging machine, the medium lending machine, and the medium switching machine notifies the data center server computer when the card user is not a legitimate card holder, and other card charging machines, The cashless game system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a medium lending machine and a medium exchange are instructed to refuse handling of the card.   The server computer of the data center holds the age information necessary to calculate the age of the cardholder, and the media exchange calculates the age of the user based on the age information and can be exchanged as necessary The cashless game system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a limited exchange product is restricted.   The media exchange reads the age information necessary for calculating the age of the cardholder from the card, calculates the age of the user based on the age information, and if the user is a minor, tobacco and alcoholic beverages The cashless gaming system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the exchange is rejected.   A card used in the cashless gaming system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a card that records a specific identification code and biometric information of the cardholder.   The card according to claim 11, wherein only a specific identification code and biometric information of the cardholder are recorded in a computer-readable format.   The card according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the biometric information of the cardholder is encrypted and recorded in a form that can be decrypted only by using the second biometric information of the cardholder as a key.   The card according to claim 13, wherein if the second biometric information of the card user does not match the second biometric information of the card holder, subsequent data transmission / reception is rejected.   The card according to any one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising at least one of a cash card function, a prepaid card function, a debit card function, a service point accumulation function, and a game point accumulation function. Based on the cardholder's biometric information, authenticate whether or not the card user is a legitimate cardholder, and if the card user is a legitimate cardholder, the user's operation To transfer the specified amount from the account held by the cardholder to the data center,
Based on the cardholder's biometric information, it is verified whether the card user is a legitimate cardholder and is stored in the data center on the condition that the card user is a legitimate cardholder. A certain amount of game media in exchange for
Based on the cardholder's biometric information, authenticate whether the card user is a legitimate cardholder, and count the game media on condition that the card user is the legitimate cardholder. ,
Based on the cardholder's biometric information, authenticate whether or not the card user is a legitimate cardholder, and at a predetermined exchange rate, provided that the card user is a legitimate cardholder. Convert the refund amount, and if there is a replacement product, send the refund amount, which is the amount equivalent to the amount of the replacement product from the return amount, to the data center, and if there is no replacement product, send the return amount to the data center To
A game management method that allows a game to be played based on the amount stored in an account of a financial institution without paying out and depositing cash, and allowing the exchange of surplus media after the game.   Gold can be selected as the exchange product, and when the user designates exchange with gold, the amount of gold exchanged by exchanging the refund amount and gold at a predetermined exchange rate is calculated in the data center. The game management method according to claim 16, wherein the game management method is sent to and stored in the game.   The game management method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the data center can transfer the remaining amount to an account held by the cardholder in a financial institution.   The game according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the data center can convert the amount of remaining gold into an amount at a predetermined exchange rate and add to the remaining amount based on an operation of the cardholder. Management method.   20. The game management method according to claim 16, wherein a predetermined amount of game media can be rented in exchange for a remaining amount stored in the data center or a mass of remaining gold.   Authentication of whether or not the card user is an authorized card holder uses the second biometric information of the user as a key and decrypts the cardholder's biometric information encrypted and stored in the card The game management method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the game management method is performed by converting the information into biometric information of the user.   The game management method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein, as a result of the authentication, if the card user is not a legitimate card holder, the card use is rejected.   The game management method according to any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein, as a result of the authentication, when the card user is not an authorized card holder, the card center is instructed to refuse handling of the card through the data center.   The game management method according to any one of claims 16 to 23, wherein the data center holds age information necessary for calculating the age of the cardholder, and restricts exchangeable commodities as necessary. .   Read the age information necessary to calculate the cardholder's age from the card, calculate the user's age based on the age information, and if the user is a minor, replace it with tobacco and alcohol The game management method according to claim 16, wherein the game management method is rejected.

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