JP2000342828A - System for game - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and inexpensively provide a storing service and to prevent the non-profit of a player caused by the use limit of acquired value. SOLUTION: This system is composed of a recording medium on which information capable of specifying a player is recorded, a specified player managing means 47 for registering and managing a specified player, an acquired value managing means 47 for collecting and managing the level of acquired value acquired by a game and the processing history thereof, a recording medium processing means 3 capable of reading the information out of the recording medium and an acquired value switching means 47 for performing addition updating processing as storing value capable of effectively using the level of the acquired value on the condition the owner of this acquired value is the specified player after the lapse of a predetermined gift exchange validity concerning the acquired value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game system installed in a game arcade, and more particularly to a game media such as a pachinko ball or a coin obtained by a game, and a process for adjusting an acquired value of a possessed point or the like. The present invention also relates to a gaming system that can be processed with a simple configuration as a savings value that can be used effectively even if the acquired value has passed the prize exchange expiration date.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a recent amusement arcade, various services using a recording medium such as a membership card,
For example, a savings service has been implemented in which earned values such as earned game media and points owned once by a game can be used not only for exchange with conventional prizes but also for games again.

[0003]

However, when the above-mentioned savings service is implemented in a game arcade, it is necessary to prevent such savings service from being used improperly. Therefore, a special device for managing these savings, For example, it is necessary to provide counters and inter-machines corresponding to savings, as well as a management device for managing the saving data as well as the counters and inter-machines. In order to provide these saving services, There is a problem that a lot of cost and time are required for changing devices or changing software in the management device, and a gaming system that can provide a savings service to a player more easily and at a lower cost is eagerly desired. I was

Furthermore, even if these savings services are provided, since a saving operation is required by the player's will, if the saving operation is not performed and further exchange of the prize is forgotten, the prize of the acquired value is not obtained. In a game arcade where a replacement period has been set, there is also a problem in that the obtained value is invalidated after the replacement period, resulting in disadvantage for the player.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the background and problems described above, and can provide a saving service to a player more simply and inexpensively. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming system that does not cause a problem.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a gaming system according to the present invention is used in a game arcade equipped with a gaming machine and includes a recording medium on which information capable of identifying a player is recorded. Registering a specific player who owns the recording medium,
A specific player management means to manage, and information on the magnitude of the value acquired by the player through the game and the processing history thereof are collected, and the information is managed in association with information capable of specifying the player. Acquired value management means, recording medium processing means capable of reading out information capable of identifying at least the player from the recording medium and outputting the information, and the identification specified by the information recorded on the recording medium On the condition that the earned value of the player has passed a predetermined prize exchange expiration date and the owner of the earned value is a specific player registered in the specific player management means. And an acquisition value switching means for performing an addition / update process using the magnitude of the acquisition value as a saving value that can be used effectively. According to this feature, the earned value specified by the identification information recorded on the recording medium for exchanging for a prize has passed a predetermined expiration date, and the recording medium has passed the specified player. In the case of a member registered in the management means, since the earned value is changed to the savings value by the earned value switching means, the conventional system for exchanging the earned value for a prize is greatly increased. Since there is no need to change, not only can the savings service be provided to the player simply and inexpensively, but also the player who is a member can obtain the earned value even if the earned value expires without performing the saving operation. Is changed to a saving value that can be used effectively, so that the expiration date does not cause a disadvantage to the member player, and thus the added value of the member can be increased.

[0007] The gaming system of the present invention preferably comprises expiration date setting means capable of setting an expiration date for exchanging the acquired value for a prize. In this way, the exchange expiration date can be changed as appropriate according to each situation such as an annual event such as a day of the week or a year-end and New Year holiday, an event, or the like.

In the gaming system according to the present invention, the specific player managing means, the acquired value managing means, the acquired value switching means and the expiration date setting means are connected to the management computer connected to the recording medium processing means by communication means. Preferably they are integrated. According to this configuration, the specific player management unit, the acquired value management unit, the acquired value switching unit, and the expiration date setting unit are arranged in a management computer in which the recording medium processing unit is connected to the recording medium processing unit by a communication unit. By being formed, it is not necessary to provide many of these means, and not only can the system be simplified and reduced in cost, but also it is possible to centrally manage information and settings in each of these means, and to obtain these acquired values and It is also possible to prevent fraud by falsification of the set value of the saving value and the expiration date.

In the gaming system according to the present invention, the magnitude of the acquired value and the processing history thereof are recorded in both the recording medium and the management computer to form the acquired value management means. It is preferable that the means performs the above-mentioned addition / update processing on condition that the magnitude of the acquired value of both of them and the collation of the processing histories match. With this configuration, the magnitude of the acquired value and the processing history thereof recorded on both the recording medium and the management computer are collated, so that falsification of either data can be detected. In addition, even if one of the data is damaged, the data is compensated, so that the security of the system can be improved.

[0010] In the gaming system of the present invention, it is preferable that the addition / update processing by the earned value switching means is performed at a predetermined time. If you do this,
By switching the predetermined time to a store closing process or a store opening process that is outside business hours, the process of switching the acquired value after the expiration date to the saved value in the acquired value switching means,
It can be performed reliably and automatically at a predetermined time.

In the gaming system according to the present invention, the addition / update processing by the earned value switching means is sequentially performed when the recording medium of the player possessing the earned value is used by the recording medium processing means. Is preferred. With this configuration, when the player returns to the store and uses the recording medium, the addition update process is performed by the earned value switching unit, so that not only the processing load is dispersed, When data is recorded on both the recording medium and the management computer and collation is performed as described above, it is possible to prevent inconsistency in the data.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, as an example of a gaming machine, a pachinko gaming machine using a pachinko ball as a game medium is shown, but the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to these pachinko gaming machines. The pachinko machine in which the pachinko ball is sealed so as not to be touched, a pachinko machine that does not use the pachinko ball by an image or the like, or a coin gaming machine or a slot machine that uses a coin as a game medium, and even without using these coins The present invention is also applicable to a slot machine or the like that can execute a game.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the appearance of a gaming island 1 used in a gaming system of the embodiment 1, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the gaming island 1 of the embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a unit type gaming island stand 1 ′, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a unit-type gaming island stand 1 ′ used for the gaming island 1 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the gaming system of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, a predetermined number of pachinko machines 2 (four in the first embodiment) and a plurality of pachinko machines 2 are provided on the front and rear surfaces (the rear surface is not shown) of the game island 1 of the first embodiment. A card unit 3 is provided in the pachinko machine 2 as a recording medium processing means in which a member card or a prepaid card, which is a recording medium, can be inserted. A predetermined number of gaming islands 1 ′ having a single independent unit configuration in which all appropriate devices such as a pachinko ball lifting device, a polishing device, and a control device necessary for operating the pachinko machine 2 are accommodated. They are appropriately connected in the horizontal direction and formed in a horizontally long shape.

The gaming island stand 1 ′ has a one-to-one correspondence with a waistboard 7 covering the lower part of the gaming island stand 1 ′, a pachinko machine 2 as a gaming machine arranged in line on the waistboard 7, and a pachinko machine 2. The card unit 3 provided adjacent to the pachinko machine, a curtain plate 6a for covering the upper part of the pachinko machine 2 of the gaming island stand 1 ', a ramp plate 6b, and one pachinko machine 2 on the ramp plate 6b. Paging lamp 8 with pairing 1 and call button 17
At the lower position of the pachinko machine 2, a counting device 4 is provided for each pachinko machine 2.

In the counting device 4, the ball tray 35, which is a part of the ball counting device 4, is provided with the lower plate 5 of each pachinko machine 2.
The pachinko ball obtained by the game is fixed to cover the discharge port (not shown) provided at the bottom from below, and is appropriately thrown into the ball receiving tray 35 from the lower plate 5, and the player moves the slide lever 34. After being counted by the counting device 4 by the operation, the pachinko balls are returned to the collection gutter 40 provided below the inside of the gaming island 1 '.

On the front surface of the counting device 4, there is provided a payout button 33 for receiving the payout of the obtained balls once entered and counted in the counting device 4. By operating the payout button 33, the counted pachinko balls are paid out from the pachinko machine 2 and can be used again.

In the first embodiment, the curtain plates 6a and 6b are provided so as to be openable to the front. When the curtain plates are opened, as shown in FIG. Supply pipe 2 connected to supply gutter 36 provided at the upper position
The maintenance of the ball jams generated in the insides 9 and 30 and the respective electrical parts can be easily performed from the outside.

Between the curtain plate 6b and the pachinko machine 2, the total number of balls counted by the counting device 4, the processing status at the end of the game or at the time of leaving the seat, and guidance information can be displayed. A display panel 38 is provided. Next to the display panel 38, operation buttons including a total number adjustment button 19, an end ball adjustment button 20, and a leaving button 21 are provided, respectively, and are arranged side by side on the other side of the display panel 38. At an intermediate position between the two pachinko machines 2, a magnetic card reader / writer 39 capable of recording and issuing the number of balls obtained by the game as a value that can be exchanged for prizes on a payment card, which is a rewritable magnetic card, is provided. The card issuance port 37 is provided so as to be exposed, and these components are provided on the same electrical installation panel.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pachinko ball is connected to a collecting gutter portion 40 by a lifting motor 25 at a lower position of the game island stand 1 'of the first embodiment. There is provided a pumping device 26 for pumping to the supply gutter 36 through the passage, and a polishing device 41 for polishing pachinko balls is provided in a path leading to the supply gutter 36.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the gaming island 1 of the first embodiment.
Explaining based on the block diagram shown in FIG. 2, each of the gaming islands 1 ′ is connected to each part of the gaming island 1 ′,
An input / output unit for exchanging signals and data with these units, a memory for storing status data of each unit, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for executing a predetermined control program and performing a control operation, and the like are included. And a control unit 42 for controlling the operation of the game island stand 1 ′ is provided.
The control and operation status of each unit connected to the control unit 42 can be managed, and the control unit 42 of each game island stand 1 ′ constituting the game island 1 connects the communication unit 45 and the communication cable 46. It is connected to the management computer 47 via a computer so that data communication is possible.

The control unit 42 is connected to a game microcomputer (not shown) mounted on each of the pachinko machines 2 installed on the game island stand 1 via an interface, and is connected to the upper plate of each of the pachinko machines 2. An operation signal of the lending button 13 and the return button 15 provided on the front surface and game information (start, special prize, probable change) of the pachinko machine 2 are output, and the lending button 13 and the return button 15 are output. The display section 14 disposed between the
The frequency of the prepaid card inserted into the card unit 3 or the number of balls saved by the member card is output from the control unit 42 to a game microcomputer (not shown) and displayed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a refill ball counting machine for counting the number of refill balls supplied to the pachinko machine 2 and the pachinko machine 2 Out ball counting machine that counts out balls discharged from
These counters are provided at predetermined positions above and below the pachinko machine 2, and each of these counters is connected to the control unit 42 so that the counting information (the number of replenishment balls and the number of balls to be driven) by each counter is controlled by the control unit. The number is sent from the unit 42 to the management computer 47, and is sequentially managed together with the number of difference balls calculated from the number of supplied balls and the number of driven balls.

Each of the operation buttons including the total number adjustment button 19, the end ball adjustment button 20, and the unattended button 21 includes:
These operation buttons are mounted on an operation unit board 44, and are connected to the control unit 42 via the operation unit board 44.

The acquired ball number data counted by the counting device 4 and the ball number data paid out by operating the payout button 33 are stored in the control unit 4.
2, the information is appropriately added or subtracted, and sequentially displayed on the display panel 38 connected to the control unit 42. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 43 denotes a display driver for controlling the display operation of the display panel 38;
Reference numeral 41 denotes a lifting device and a polishing device, the operations of which are controlled by a control unit 42.

The card unit 3 used in the first embodiment has an external appearance as shown in FIG. 2, and an operation for notifying a player that the card unit 3 can be used is provided on a front surface thereof. A lamp 12, a prepaid card insertion slot 9 into which the prepaid card can be inserted, and a member card into which a member card possessed by a specific registered member player can be inserted. Insertion port 10 and member card return button 1 pressed to return inserted member card
1 and a membership card indicator 60 illuminated when the membership card is authenticated. Inside the prepaid card insertion port 9 and the membership card insertion port 10, the prepaid card Magnetic card reader / writer 1 capable of reading and writing each data recorded on the
6. An IC card reader / writer 18 capable of reading and writing each data recorded on the IC card 50 as the member card is provided, and is connected to the control unit 42 via an interface. It is connected.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the IC card 50 is used as a recording medium for the membership card. The configuration of the IC card 50 is a predetermined thickness as shown in FIG. Tape-bonding (TA) is performed at a predetermined position on the outer periphery of the concave portion of the resin-made base member 51.
B) A flexible printed circuit board having a dedicated microcomputer 52 having a built-in memory (not shown) therein and a pattern coil 53 provided along the outer periphery of the base 51 from the dedicated microcomputer 52. 54 are inserted, and the entire surface of the concave portion is covered with a top film 55.
When inserted into the IC card reader / writer 18 shown in FIG. 7, the electromagnetic wave output from the reader / writer causes the pattern coil 53 to generate an induced electromotive force, and the dedicated microcomputer 52 is operably energized. And the IC card reader / writer 1 via the pattern coil 53.
8 is a non-contact IC card capable of performing various data communications without contact by electromagnetic waves, and the IC card 50 can identify the individual IC card 50 as a member card. The identification number (ID) is assigned and recorded when the card is issued.

These ICs used in the first embodiment
The card 50 is a member card issued in advance to a specific member as described above. These member cards store the number of saved balls, and the member card is stored in the member card. By inserting it into the slot 10, the member player can use the number of saved balls for the game again.

The configuration of the IC card reader / writer 18 into which these IC cards 50 can be inserted will be described with reference to FIG. An insertion sensor 97 for detecting the insertion of the card 50, a guide rail 98 extending from the member card insertion slot 10 and slidable with the IC card 50, and provided so as to sandwich the guide rail 98, The IC card 50 includes transport rollers 87 and 88 that are driven by driving and rotating by drive motors 86 and 93, and a transport belt 91 stretched on one side of the transport rollers 87 and 88. A transfer mechanism, an electromagnetic solenoid 89 for projecting and retracting a stop pin for stopping the conveyed IC card 50 at a predetermined position, Communication head 90 and for supplying power and data communications to the IC card 50, the control board 92 implementing the control is configured to provided connected to the units.

The prepaid cards used in the first embodiment use ordinary magnetic cards, and these prepaid cards are issued by an issuing device (not shown) installed at the end of the game island 1. Can be purchased at.

The management computer to which the control unit 42 for controlling each of these gaming island stands 1 'is connected will be described.
Is connected to each of these gaming islands 1 ',
The gaming system according to the first embodiment is also constructed by being connected to a POS register 49 for exchanging prizes.

The configuration of the management computer 47 used in the first embodiment is, as shown in FIG.
A central processing unit (CPU) 113, a RAM 108, a display device 107, a clock device 110 capable of outputting date and time information, a printing device 111 as an external output, a magnetic device, and a data bus 112 for transmitting and receiving data internally. A storage device 109 composed of a disk or a magneto-optical disk, and a communication interface 106 for performing data communication with the card unit 3 and the POS register 49; 8A, a membership card database (DB) in which the number of saved balls is registered in association with the identification number (ID) of the membership card 37, and an identification number (issue number) of the settlement card ) Is stored in association with the payment card database (DB) in which the acquired number of balls and the prize exchange status thereof are registered. Replace the expiration date of the acquisition ball number is has become to be set in the database (DB),
In this way, the specific player management means, the acquired value management means, and the expiration date setting means in the present invention are formed by the management computer 47, and the central processing unit (CPU) 113 controls the acquired ball switching described later. By performing the processing based on the processing routine, the acquired value switching means is formed.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the above-described units are integrally formed with the management computer 47.
This not only makes it possible to simplify and reduce the cost of the system as compared with the case where these units are provided as individual devices, but also allows the information and settings in these units to be centralized in the management computer 47. It is difficult to falsify the management data, such as the number of acquired balls, the number of saved balls, and the set value of the expiration date, and it is also possible to prevent fraud by these tampering. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the respective units may be appropriately arranged as individual units.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the exchange expiration date of the number of acquired balls can be set on the display screen of the settlement card DB of the management computer 47. It is preferable that the system can be easily changed because it becomes possible to operate the system by appropriately changing settings according to each situation such as an annual event such as a day of the week or the year-end and New Year holidays or an event. It is not limited to these.How to set the exchange expiration date and the contents of the setting, for example, the exchange expiration date is individually set for each game island, and these expiration date setting means are provided for each game island. Optional.

Hereinafter, the processing operation of the gaming system according to the first embodiment will be described according to a gaming situation. First, the member player puts his / her membership card in the card unit 3.
When the card is inserted into the member card slot 10, the identification number recorded on the member card is read out by the IC card reader / writer 18 and output to the management computer 47 via the control unit 42. Upon receiving the output, the management computer 47 stores the membership card DB
Is checked to see if it is a registered member player. As a result of this collation, the member card indicator is turned on if the player is a member player, and the inserted member card is returned if the player is not a member player. It should be noted that a player who is not a member need not perform this operation.

Next, when the purchased prepaid card is inserted into the prepaid card slot 9 of the card unit 3, the frequency data corresponding to the purchase amount recorded on the prepaid card is read out by the magnetic card reader / writer. The data is output to the control unit 42.

The frequency data output to the control unit 42 is output to the pachinko machine 2 corresponding to the card unit 3, and the frequency is displayed on the display unit 14. At this stage, when the lending button 13 is pressed by the player, a signal based on the input of the lending button 13 is detected by the gaming microcomputer, and the gaming microcomputer corresponds to a preset frequency. The pachinko ball is lent out, and the frequency is subtracted from the frequency display on the display unit 14 and updated.

When a game is carried out using the pachinko balls rented in this way, and the number of obtained balls increases due to a big hit, the obtained balls are transferred to each of the pachinko machines 2 as described above. The counting is carried out by appropriately charging the counter 4 provided. The number of obtained balls counted by the counter 4 is output to the control unit 42 and displayed on the display panel 38.

When the player has fewer balls and wants to use these counted balls again, the player presses the payout button 33 provided on the entire surface of the counter 4 as described above. The signal is sent to the control unit 4
2, a payout of a predetermined number of pachinko balls is output from the control unit 42 to the gaming microcomputer, and a predetermined number of pachinko balls are discharged from the pachinko machine 2, and the control unit 42
As a result, the predetermined number discharged is subtracted from the number of balls obtained on the display panel 38 and updated and displayed.

When the player interrupts the game and leaves the seat, by operating the release button 21 provided on the side of the display panel 38, a leaving card is issued from the card issuing port 37. The pachinko machine 2, the card unit 3, the total payment button 19, and the end ball payment button 20
Is invalidated, and the display on the display panel 38 is changed to "away." When the player wants to resume the game again, the invalidation of the operation is released by inserting the away card issued at the time of leaving the seat into the card issuing port 37.

When the player finishes the game, the process differs depending on whether a membership card is inserted into the card unit 3 or not.

In the case where the membership card is not inserted and the total number settlement button 19 is operated, the acquired number of balls displayed on the display panel 38 at that time is output to the magnetic card reader / writer 39. Then, it is recorded on the rewrite card and issued from the card issuing port 37 as a settlement card.

When the end ball settlement button 20 is operated in place of the total number settlement button 19, the number of balls excluding the end balls generated in exchange for a preset special prize is recorded on the rewrite card. The card is also issued as a payment card, and the end ball is returned from the pachinko machine 2.

At the time of issuance, an issue number as identification information capable of identifying the adjustment card is recorded in each of these adjustment cards, and the issue number and the number of obtained balls are recorded in the management computer 47.
As shown in FIG. 8A, the POS register 49 has not yet exchanged the prize at this time, so the prize exchange status column shows "Not It has become. The player brings the issued payment card to the prize exchange counter, reads the issue number and the number of obtained balls recorded on the payment card at the POS register 49, and inquires at the management computer 47. If the inquiry is OK, it is possible to exchange for a prize based on the obtained number of balls.

When the prize exchange is completed, the issue number of the payment card and information indicating the end of the prize exchange processing are output from the POS register 49 to the management computer 47. Upon receiving the information, the corresponding issue number of the payment card DB is received. Is updated to "Done".

On the other hand, when the member card is inserted, for example, the identification number (I
D) is “MC99APL1-0003”, and when the number of acquired balls is “3602 balls” and the 100% settlement button 19 is operated, “MC99APL1-0003” which is the identification number (ID) of the member card is used. And the issue number of the payment card and the acquired ball number data "3602 balls" are output to the management computer 47 via the communication unit 45 and the communication cable 46, and are stored in the storage unit 109 of the management computer 47. In the payment card DB,
As shown in FIG. 8 (a), the registration card is registered, and after the registration is completed, the payment card is issued from the card issuing port 37.
The member card is discharged and returned from the member card insertion slot 10. At this time, when the end ball settlement button 20 is operated, the number of balls excluding the end ball is registered as the acquired ball number, and the end ball is returned, as in the case described above.

When the member player wishes to exchange for a prize based on the obtained number of balls, he or she brings the returned payment card to the prize exchange counter as described above. At the prize exchange counter, the POS cash register 49 reads out the issue number recorded on the rewriting card, which is the payment card, and outputs it to the management computer 47. The acquired ball count data registered corresponding to the issue number is returned. Based on the returned ball count data, the member player can exchange for a prize based on the ball count.

When the prize exchange is completed, the POS register 49
Is output to the management computer 47 indicating the end of the prize exchange, and upon receiving the information, the prize exchange status column corresponding to the corresponding issue number of the settlement card DB is changed from "not" to "done".
Will be updated to

As described above, the settlement status of the number of acquired balls exchanged for prizes is sequentially updated to “Done”, but the settlement status of the number of acquired balls that have not been exchanged for prizes is determined by the business. In the first embodiment, the member card DB is updated by the acquired ball switching process routine shown in FIG. 9 in the closing process at the end of business. Will be implemented.

In the obtained ball switching process routine, the current time output from the clock device 110 is set to an appropriate time after the preset closing time (the first embodiment).
At 22:30, the store is closed and 23:00 is set), and it is determined whether 23:00 has elapsed (Sa1). If the determination does not exceed the set time, the exchange with the prize has been completed. Since there is no possibility that such a series of processes may be performed, the series of processes cannot be performed.

Next, a search for each payment status in the payment card DB is performed (Sa2), and unpaid member data is extracted (Sa3). Specifically, first, a member card identification number is extracted, and then a portion where the prize exchange status of the number is “not yet” is extracted. The number and the number are temporarily stored.

The temporarily stored member card identification number is searched for in the member card DB, and the acquired number of balls is registered in the unadded number of saved balls of the member card identification number, and the acquired number of unexchanged item data is exchanged. Is added to the number of saved balls before update, the number of saved balls after addition is registered as the number of saved balls after update (Sa4), and the above processing is performed for all extracted data (Sa4).
5) As shown in FIG. 8B, the membership card DB is updated as the number of saved balls after updating the acquired ball number data of the nonprize exchange (Sa6).

As described above, in the first embodiment, FIG.
In the issue numbers "00003" and "00006", the number of obtained balls is added to the number of saved balls as shown in FIG. Although updated, the issue number “0000” in FIG.
"5" is a non-member, and the number of obtained balls becomes invalid when the exchange expiration date has passed. As described above, in the first embodiment, at the stage after the expiration date of the number of saved balls (“this day only” in the first embodiment) (a predetermined time after the end of business), the unpaid account is deliberately or unpaid due to forgetting the payment. In the case where the number of obtained balls is present, if the obtained number of balls is a member and is registered in the membership card DB, the number of saved balls is added and updated as described above to be effectively used. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a disadvantage to the member player.

The number of the saved balls is displayed on the display section 14 of the pachinko machine 2 when only the membership card is inserted into the card unit 3 without inserting the prepaid card. The number of saved balls registered corresponding to is displayed, and the lending button 1
By operating the number 3, the player can play the game by using the number of saved balls again.

As described above, only the member holding the membership card changes the acquired value whose exchange expiration date has passed to the savings value as in the first embodiment. In addition to the above, it is possible to provide a service of the number of saved balls to a player simply and inexpensively without greatly changing a conventional system for exchanging the number of acquired balls and prizes. Become.

(Example 2)

The equipment configuration of the gaming system of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, mainly the processing timing and processing contents in the management computer 47 are described. Different and
In the first embodiment, the number of balls obtained by the member player is also recorded and issued on the checkout card, but in the second embodiment, the number of balls obtained by the game only for the member player is determined by the processing status. (Whether or not prizes are exchanged) and the membership card I
It is recorded on the C card 50.

The management computer 47 in the second embodiment
10 (a) and FIG. 10 (b). First, in the second embodiment, the number of acquired balls of all the settlement cards issued in the first embodiment is given to members and non-members. Regardless of whether the registration card is registered and managed in the settlement card DB, in the second embodiment, the number of balls obtained when the member card is inserted is determined by the member database as shown in FIG. Is temporarily registered as the number of obtained balls, and when the obtained number of balls is exchanged for a prize at the POS register 49, the processing status of the number of obtained balls of the corresponding member is “not yet” as in the first embodiment. To "Done".

The number of obtained balls temporarily registered is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), when the item of the processing status is “not yet” even at the time of the end processing after the store closing time, the acquired number of balls is registered as an unadded number of saved balls, and the number of obtained balls is registered for the next day. The number of obtained balls and the processing status are updated to "0" and "-". At this time, the number of unadded saved balls has not yet been managed as the number of saved balls.

In the second embodiment, as described above, when the acquired ball count data and the processing status thereof are recorded on both the management computer 47 and the IC card 50 as a member card, the data of both of these data are invalid. In order to avoid the matching, it is preferable that the switching processing of the number of obtained balls of the unprized product exchange to the number of saved balls is performed when the member card is used again. In the card DB, as described above, the number of acquired balls whose expiration date has passed is separately registered as an unadded number of saved balls.

The contents of the processing at the time when the member card of the non-prize exchange is used are executed by the processing routine at the time of inserting the member card shown in FIG. (Sb2), the processing status is displayed in the IC card 50, which is the inserted membership card, with the number of unadded savings balls corresponding to the identification number (ID) of the IC card 50. Is performed as to whether or not the number of acquired balls recorded as it is matches (Sb3), and when the number of acquired balls matches (Sb4), the unadded number of saved balls is added to the number of saved balls. , The processing status is changed to “done” (Sb5). At the same time, the data of the member card and the member card DB are updated, and the number of unadded saved balls can be used as the number of saved balls (Sb6).

That is, “MC99APL” in FIG.
The member of “1-0003” has not yet used the member card at 14:00 on 99/4/2, so the item of the processing status is “not yet” and the number of unadded savings balls of the card is "3602". On the other hand, "MC99AP
The member of “L1-0006” has already used the card at that time, so the number of unadded saved balls of the card has been saved, the processing status is “completed”, and the number of saved balls is “6311”.
(Number of saved balls before update) + 8528 (Number of unadded saved balls) = 1
4839 (the number of saved balls after the update). "

According to the present invention, the medium for recording the number of obtained balls may be a member card as in the second embodiment or a checkout card as in the first embodiment, and the types of these recording media are limited. Not something. Further, as described above, it is preferable to record the acquired ball count data on both the recording medium such as the membership card and the settlement card and the management computer 47, since the security of the system can be improved, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the acquired ball count data may be registered only in the management computer 47 in association with the identification number or the like of the member card, and the settlement card may not be issued.

Each element in the first embodiment corresponds to the present invention as follows.

Claim 1 of the present invention is used in a game arcade equipped with a gaming machine, and is capable of identifying a player (identification number (I
D)) a recording medium (member card; IC card 50) in which is recorded, a specific player management means (management computer; member card DB) for registering and managing a specific player (member) who owns the recording medium; Collecting information on the magnitude of the acquired value (number of acquired balls) and the processing history (prize exchange status) obtained by the player through the game, and managing the information in association with the identification information. Means (management computer; payment card DB), a recording medium processing means (card unit 3) capable of reading out at least the identification information from the recording medium and outputting it to the earned value management means, and a recording medium recorded on the recording medium. The earned value of the specific player specified by the obtained information has passed a predetermined expiration date for exchanging the earned value with a prize, Provided that the owner of the earned value is a specific player registered in the specific player management means, the magnitude of the earned value is added and updated as a savings value (number of savings balls) usable again for the game. Acquired value switching means for performing processing (management computer; acquired ball switching processing routine)
And it consists of

A second aspect of the present invention is provided with an expiration date setting means (management computer) capable of setting an expiration date of the exchange between the acquired value and the prize.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the specific player managing means, the earned value managing means, the earned value switching means and the expiration date setting means are arranged such that the recording medium processing means (card unit 3) and the communication means (communication cable) 46) are integrated in the management computer 47 connected thereto.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the size of the acquired value (acquired number of balls) and the processing history (payment status) are stored in both the recording medium (member card; IC card 50) and the management computer 47. The acquired value management means is recorded and the acquired value switching means is formed, and the acquired value switching means executes the addition and update processing on condition that the magnitude of the acquired value of both of them and the collation of the processing history match.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the addition updating process by the earned value switching means (management computer; acquired ball switching process routine) is performed at a predetermined time.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the addition / update processing by the earned value switching means (management computer; gained ball switching processing routine) is performed by the recording medium of the player possessing the earned value (acquired ball count). Member card; IC card 5
0) is sequentially executed when used in the recording medium processing means (card unit).

The embodiments of the present invention have been described in the above embodiments with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and changes and modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, the addition is included in the present invention.

In the second embodiment, the payment card is issued to a normal player who does not have a membership card. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The IC card 50 may be issued as a visitor card to the player, and the number of balls obtained may be recorded on the visitor card so that the issuance of a settlement card is not accompanied.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the game island stand 1 'having a unit structure in which the counter 4 is provided for each pachinko machine 2 is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, these counters may be shared by each player, and the number of balls obtained by the counters may be recorded on the settlement card or the membership card by the counters.

In each of the above embodiments, the membership card is a non-contact IC card, but the present invention is not limited to this, and these IC cards may be of a contact type. Further, the non-contact communicable distance may be appropriately extended so that the player can be specified only by possessing the IC card without inserting the IC card into the card unit 3. Further, such a recording medium may be a medium on which a predetermined information recording symbol such as a magnetic card or a bar code can be printed, or the like. Such a recording medium includes information such as the identification number (ID). There is no particular limitation as long as it can be recorded in a readable manner.

In each of the above embodiments, the earned value and the saved value are respectively the number of earned balls and the number of saved balls. However, the present invention is not limited to these. For example, points and points may be used, and these valuable forms may be appropriately selected.

In each of the above embodiments, the card unit 3 is arranged between the pachinko machines 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The position is not particularly limited as long as the position is in the vicinity of the pachinko machine 2 corresponding to the pachinko machine 2 on a one-to-one basis.

[0078]

The present invention has the following effects.

(A) According to the first aspect of the present invention, the acquired value specified by the identification information recorded on the recording medium for exchanging for a prize has passed a predetermined expiration date. In addition, when the recording medium is a member registered in the specific player management means, since the earned value is changed to the savings value by the earned value switching means, the conventional earned value and prizes Since there is no need to make a major change to the system for exchanging refunds, not only can the savings service be provided to the player simply and inexpensively, but also the Even after the expiration date, the earned value is changed to a saving value that can be used effectively, so that the expiration date does not cause a disadvantage to the member player, and thus the added value of the member can be reduced. It can also be Mel.

(B) According to the second aspect of the invention, the exchange expiration date can be appropriately changed according to each situation such as an annual event such as a day of the week or a year-end and New Year holiday, an event, or the like.

(C) According to the third aspect of the present invention, the specific player managing means, the acquired value managing means, the acquired value switching means and the expiration date setting means are arranged such that the recording medium processing means is a communication medium and the recording medium processing means is a recording medium. Since it is formed in the management computer connected to the processing means, it is not necessary to provide many of these means, so that the system can be simplified and reduced in cost, and information and settings in each of these means can be centrally managed. This makes it possible to prevent fraudulent operations by falsifying the acquisition value, the savings value, and the set value of the expiration date.

(D) According to the invention of claim 4, the magnitude of the acquired value recorded on both the recording medium and the management computer and the processing history thereof are collated, so that one of the acquired values is collated. Not only can data tampering be detected, but also data can be compensated if either data is corrupted, thereby improving system security.

(D) According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined time is set to the time of closing the store or the time of opening the store outside business hours, so that the acquired value switching means has passed the exchange expiration date. The process of switching the value to the saved value is performed reliably and automatically at a predetermined time.

(D) According to the invention of claim 6, when the player returns to the store and uses the recording medium, the addition update processing is performed by the earned value switching means, so that the processing load is distributed. In addition to the above, when data is recorded on both the recording medium and the management computer and collation is performed as described above, it is possible to prevent inconsistency in the data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a game island used in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a game island stand used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an internal structure of a unit-type game island stand used for the game island 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a gaming system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a management computer used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway front view showing the IC card used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows the I used in the card unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a C card reader / writer.

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a display screen based on a payment card database in the management computer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a display screen based on the membership card database in the management computer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an obtained ball switching processing routine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a display screen based on a membership card database in a management computer according to another embodiment of the present invention. (B) is a diagram showing a display screen based on a membership card database in a management computer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing routine for inserting a membership card according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 gaming island 1 'gaming island stand 2 pachinko machine 3 card unit (recording medium processing means) 4 counting device 5 lower plate 6a curtain plate 6b lamp plate 7 waist plate 8 calling lamp 9 prepaid card insertion slot 10 membership card insertion slot 11 member card -Return button 12 Operation lamp 13 Rental button 14 Display section 15 Return button 16 Magnetic card reader / writer 17 Call button 18 IC card reader / writer 19 Total payment button 20 End ball payment button 21 Leaving button 25 Lifting motor 26 Lifting device 27 Lifting gutter 29 Supply pipe 30 Supply pipe 33 Dispense button 34 Slide lever 35 Ball tray 36 Supply gutter 37 Card issuing port 38 Display panel 39 Magnetic card reader / writer 40 Recovery gutter section 41 Polishing device 42 Control unit 43 Display driver 44 Operating section Substrate 45 Communication unit 46 Communication cable 47 Management computer 49 POS cash register 50 IC card 51 Base 52 Dedicated microcomputer 53 Pattern coil 54 Flexible printed board 55 Top film 60 Member card indicator 86 Drive motor 87 Transport roller 88 Transport roller 89 Electromagnetic solenoid 90 Communication head 91 Transport Belt 92 Control board 93 Drive motor 97 Insertion sensor 98 Guide rail 106 Communication interface 107 Display device 108 RAM 109 Storage device 110 Clock device 111 Printing device 112 Data bus 113 CPU

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium which is used in a game arcade having a gaming machine and in which information capable of identifying a player is recorded, a specific player managing means for registering and managing a specific player who owns the recording medium, and An acquisition value management unit that collects information on the magnitude of the acquisition value acquired by the player through the game and the processing history thereof, and manages the information in association with information that can identify the player; A recording medium processing unit capable of reading out at least the information capable of specifying the player from the medium and outputting the information, and the acquired value of the specific player specified by the information recorded on the recording medium, If the predetermined premium exchange expiration date has passed and the owner of the acquired value is a specific player registered in the specific player management means, the acquired value is increased. A game value switching means for performing an addition / update process as a value of savings that can be used effectively. 2. The gaming system according to claim 1, further comprising: an expiration date setting unit configured to set an expiration date for exchanging the acquired value and a prize. 3. The management computer connected to the recording medium processing means and the recording medium processing means, wherein the specific player managing means, the earned value managing means, the earned value switching means and the expiration date setting means are integrated. Item 3. A gaming system according to Item 2. 4. The acquired value management means is formed by recording the magnitude of the acquired value and the processing history thereof on both the recording medium and the management computer, and the acquired value switching means acquires the both. The gaming system according to claim 3, wherein the addition and update processing is performed on condition that the matching of the magnitude of the value and the processing history match. 5. The addition updating process by the acquired value switching means is performed at a predetermined time.
A gaming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the addition update processing by the earned value switching means is sequentially performed when the recording medium of the player having the earned value is used by the recording medium processing means. The gaming system according to any one of the above.