JP2002102510A - Method, system and device for prize exchange - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method, a system and a device for prize exchange, whereby a game value imparted to a storage medium usable in playing a game on a game machine in exchanged for a prize. SOLUTION: To exchange the game value imparted to a card C for a desired prize, a user U transmits identification information for identifying the card C to the prize exchange device 1 by the use of a communications device 2. Based on this identification information received, the prize exchange device 1 specifies the game value imparted to the card C. Prize information about the prize matching the game value specified is acquired from a virtual store server 3 and provided to the user U. When the system is ordered by the user U to purchase the prize related to the prize information, it performs the process of placing an order for the prize.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prize exchange method for exchanging a game value given to a recording medium such as a magnetic card or an IC card which can be used for a game in a game machine for a prize, and a prize exchange method thereof. A prize exchange system and a prize exchange device used to implement the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a game shop where a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine is installed, a pachinko ball or a medal remaining unused after a user plays a game with the gaming machine. Prizes are exchanged for exchanging game media such as prizes for various prizes.

[0003]

As described above, when prizes are exchanged at a game store, the prizes to be exchanged are limited to those prepared in the game store. There is a problem that the user has a narrower range of selection than when purchasing a product.

By the way, in order to make a financial payment using a recording medium such as a magnetic card having a magnetic recording area (hereinafter referred to as a card), recording information recorded on the card (hereinafter referred to as card information). A game management system including a management device for managing the game is realized. In order to record more information than a magnetic card, a game management system that can use a card such as an IC card provided with a semiconductor memory is also being constructed.

[0005] The above card information includes information relating to a game value that can be used in a gaming machine.
The game value is managed for each card by the management device described above.

[0006] With the rapid spread of the Internet in recent years, there have been many virtual so-called virtual shops that sell various commodities via the Internet. Since these virtual stores have a product information database on the products that are being sold, if such products are considered prizes that can be exchanged for game value,
It is possible to use an existing product information database as a prize information database.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and specifies a game value given to a recording medium such as a card based on identification information of the recording medium such as a card received via a communication network, By providing the user with prize information related to the prize according to the specified game value, and by ordering the prize based on the prize purchase instruction received from the user, the prize is not actually prepared in the game store It is an object of the present invention to provide a prize exchange method capable of easily acquiring prize information on a prize and performing order processing of the prize, and a prize exchange system and a prize exchange device for implementing the method.

Another object of the present invention is to obtain prize information from a prize information database of a virtual store or the like provided on a communication network and provide the obtained prize information to a user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a prize exchange system and a prize exchange device which enable a desired prize to be selected from a considerable number of prizes.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a prize exchange method for exchanging a game value given to a recording medium which can be used for a game at a game machine using a communication network. An exchange method, receiving identification information of the recording medium, specifying a game value given to the recording medium based on the received identification information, and providing prize information on a prize according to the specified game value. And receiving a prize purchase instruction according to the provided prize information, and placing an order for a prize according to the received purchase instruction.

[0010] A prize exchange system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a communication device and a prize exchange device used for exchanging a game value given to a recording medium that can be used in a game at a game machine for a prize. And a prize exchange system connected by a communication network, the communication device comprising: first reception means for receiving identification information of a recording medium;
Means for transmitting the identification information received by the receiving means to the prize exchange device, wherein the prize exchange device comprises:
A game value information storage unit for storing game value information relating to a game value given to the recording medium identified by the identification information for each identification information of the recording medium, and the game value information storage unit when the identification information is received; Searching means for searching game value information related to the game value assigned to the recording medium identified by the received identification information from the game value information stored by the game device, and the game value information searched by the search means Means for transmitting prize information relating to a prize according to the game value according to the present invention to the communication device, wherein the communication device further comprises, when receiving the prize information, a purchase instruction regarding an instruction to purchase a prize according to the received prize information. Second accepting means for accepting information, and means for transmitting the purchase instruction information accepted by the second accepting means to the premium exchange device. With the door, the prize exchange apparatus further, when receiving the purchase instruction information, characterized in that it comprises an order means for performing an order of the prize according to the received purchase instruction information.

The prize exchange system according to the third invention is a
In the prize exchange system according to the present invention, the prize exchange device is connected to the prize information database via the communication network, and acquires the prize information from the prize information database.

[0012] A prize exchange device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is used for exchanging a game value given to a recording medium which can be used for a game in a gaming machine, to be communicable with a communication device, for a prize. A game value information storage means for storing, for each piece of identification information of a recording medium, game value information relating to a game value given to the recording medium identified by the identification information; When the identification information of the medium is received, the game value information related to the game value assigned to the recording medium identified by the received identification information is searched from the game value information stored by the game value information storage unit. Searching means, and means for transmitting prize information on a prize corresponding to a game value related to the game value information searched by the searching means to the communication device. When receiving the purchase instruction information regarding an instruction of purchase of the prize according to the prize information from the communication device, characterized in that it comprises a ordering means for placing an order of the prize according to the received purchase instruction information.

A prize exchange device according to a fifth invention is the prize exchange device according to the fourth invention, wherein the prize exchange device is connected to the prize information database via the communication network, and acquires the prize information from the prize information database. There is a feature.

According to the first, second, and fourth inventions, the prize exchange apparatus stores, for each piece of identification information of the recording medium, game value information relating to the game value assigned to the recording medium identified by the identification information. I remember. Further, when receiving the identification information of the recording medium from the communication device via the communication network, the prize exchange device stores the game value information relating to the game value assigned to the recording medium identified by the received identification information. The prize information is searched from among the game value information and the prize information on the prize corresponding to the game value related to the searched game value information is transmitted to the communication device. Then, when receiving an instruction to purchase a prize according to the prize information, the prize exchange device places an order for a prize according to the purchase instruction.

[0015] Thereby, it is possible to easily obtain the prize information relating to the prize which is not actually prepared in the game store via the communication network, and the prize order processing is also easily performed via the communication network. be able to.

Furthermore, since it is not necessary to prepare prizes in the game store, crimes such as theft can be avoided.

According to the third and fifth aspects of the present invention, prize information is acquired from a prize information database connected via a communication network. As a result, the existing prize information database of the virtual store or the like can be used, and the user can select a desired prize from a considerable number of prizes.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the premium exchange system of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a prize exchange device used for exchanging a game value that can be used in a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine for a prize, and 2, 2,... The prize exchange device 1 and the communication devices 2, 2,... Are connected to the Internet 100, respectively.

The prize exchange apparatus 1 is also connected to a communication network 200 which is a dedicated line, and can communicate with a game management system 4 to be described later via the communication network 200.

The user U owns a prepaid card (hereinafter, referred to as a card) C having a recording area M for recording predetermined information, and is managed by the game management system 4 by using the card C. A game is played with a gaming machine installed in a gaming shop (FIG. 1 (a)). Then, information on the game value corresponding to the number of game media obtained by the user U as a result of the game (hereinafter, referred to as game value information) is recorded in the recording area M. The recording information (hereinafter referred to as card information) recorded in the recording area M includes, for example, a card C
(Hereinafter referred to as a card ID) for identifying
The information includes an identifier for identifying the ticket issuing store that issued the card C, which is the gaming store, and information on the ticket issuing date indicating the date on which the card C was issued.

When the game management system 4 adopts the membership system, even if the member and the non-member acquire the same number of game media, the number of members is larger than that of the non-member. May be given.

The above-mentioned card ID is printed on the front surface (or the back surface) of the card C. Then, the user U inputs the printed card ID into the communication devices 2, 2,... And transmits the card ID to the premium exchange device 1. In this case, the game value given to the card C and the prize can be exchanged according to a procedure described later.

Further, in addition to the prize exchange device 1 and the communication devices 2, 2,..., Virtual store servers 3, 3,.

The virtual store servers 3, 3... Store the stores S, S.
It is a server that operates the virtual store established above. In addition, the banking system 5 is an electronic settlement system that makes it possible to pay for various transactions by performing a transfer process from one deposit account to another deposit account using the Internet 100. . Therefore, the user who uses the virtual store operated by the virtual store server 3, 3,... Pays the price at the virtual store using the banking system 5,
Products can be purchased without the transfer of cash.

Each of the virtual store servers 3, 3... Has a product information database for storing product information including information on products sold in the virtual store and information such as images showing the appearance of the products. ing. In the prize exchange system of the present invention, in order to use a commodity sold in the virtual store as a prize, the commodity information database is hereinafter referred to as a prize information database 30, 30,. Is called premium information.

The banking system 5 also has a virtual store deposit account and a game store deposit account managed by the game management system 4, and exchanges game values and premiums in accordance with the procedure described later. Is done,
The price related to the prize (product sold in the virtual store) is settled by performing a transfer process of the price from the deposit account of the game store to the deposit account of the virtual store. After the settlement, the prizes are sent from the stores S, S... To the user U (FIG. 1B).

The communication devices 2, 2,... May be, for example, PDA (Personal)
Digital Assistants), portable communication devices such as mobile phones and PHSs. When using such a portable communication device, the user U can use the prize exchange system of the present invention regardless of the location or the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the game management system 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the game management system 4 includes a central management device 40, and the central management device 40 is connected to the management devices 41, 41,. Have been. Are provided between two adjacent pachinko machines or gaming machines 42, 42, such as slot machines, and are also connected to a machine 43 for reading and writing card information. ing. And the management devices 41, 41 ...
By transmitting and receiving card information to and from each of the central management device 40 and the stand-to-wall machine 43 and managing the card information of the card C, the user U can use the card C at the game stores H, H. It can be performed.

The card information managed by the management devices 41 includes game value information relating to the card C as described above. The premium exchange device 1 can acquire the game value information by communicating with the management devices 41, 41,... Via the communication network 200. The game value information thus obtained is stored in a game value information DB 12a described later.

Also, as shown in FIG.
Each of the above-described communication devices 2, 2,... Is installed,
The communication devices 2, 2,... Can communicate with the premium exchange device 1 via the management devices 41, 41,. As a result, the user U can use the premium exchange system of the present invention from inside the game store without using the Internet 100.

.. Transmits the game value information relating to the card C to the central management device 40,
The prize exchange device 1 stores the game value information in the central management device 4.
The game value information may be obtained by receiving from 0.

In the present embodiment, the prize exchange device 1
Is provided outside the game management system 4, but the premium exchange device 1 may be installed inside the game management system 4. Further, the central management device 40 or the management device 4
.. May also have the function of the premium exchange device 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the premium exchange apparatus 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the prize exchange device 1 has a CPU 10, which is connected to the following hardware units, controls them, and executes various computer programs stored in the hard disk 12. Execute.

The RAM 11 is, for example, an SRAM or a DRA
M and stores temporary data generated when a computer program is executed.

The hard disk 12 stores various computer programs and various data necessary for the operation of the premium exchange device 1. Among the stored computer programs, a computer program of WWW server software is included.
By executing this computer program, the premium exchange device 1 functions as a WWW server.

The first communication interface 13 is an interface for connecting to the communication network 20.
The second communication interface 14 is connected to the Internet 1
This is an interface for connecting to 00. For example, a modem is used for connecting to the communication network 200 or the Internet 100 via an analog line, and a DSU is used for connecting to the communication network 200 or the Internet 100 via a digital line.

The hard disk 12 described above stores a game value information DB 12a and a virtual shop information DB 1 described later.
2b. The game value information DB 12a is a database for storing the game value information received from the game management system 4 as described above. A card ID is assigned to each game value information stored in the game value information DB 12a, and the premium exchange device 1 refers to this card ID to determine which card C the game value information pertains to. You can check.

The virtual store information DB 12b is a database for storing virtual store information on virtual stores managed by the virtual store servers 3, 3,. The virtual store information includes information on the prizes sold at each virtual store and the amount of game value corresponding to the sales amount of the prizes.

As described above, the game management system 4
When the member system is adopted, virtual store information for members and virtual store information for non-members may be distinguished. In this case, the prize can be differentiated by including information on a prize having a higher added value as compared with the non-member virtual store information in the virtual store information for the member.

The prize exchange device 1 is, for example, a game store H, H ...
When the business hours have ended or whenever the card C is used, game value information relating to the card C is received from the game management system 4. Here, when the game value information is received when the business hours of the game store end, the prize exchange process described later can be performed on the next day or later, and the game value information is received each time the card C is used. In this case, the prize exchange process can be performed at any time.

The prize exchange device 1 includes communication devices 2 and 2
.. May request the game management system 4 to transmit the game value information relating to the card C each time a prize exchange instruction is received. In this case, the premium exchange device 1
Since only the game value information related to the designated prize exchange need be stored in the game value information DB 12a, the game value is smaller than the case where the game value information other than the game value information related to the prize exchange is also stored. There is an advantage that the storage capacity of the value information DB 12a is small.

Next, the operation of the recording information inquiry system of the present invention will be described. 4 to 6 are flowcharts showing the flow of the operations of the communication device 2, the prize exchange device 1, and the virtual shop server 3 in the prize exchange process of the prize exchange system of the present invention. The user U instructs the communication device 2 to access the premium exchange device 1. The communication device 2 follows the instruction received from the user U,
The access request information indicating the access permission request is transmitted to the premium exchange device 1 (S101).

When the prize exchange device 1 receives the access request information from the communication device 2 (S201), the prize exchange device 1 transmits to the communication device 2 input screen information relating to an input screen for inputting a card ID prepared in advance (S201). S202).

It is to be noted that a user who can use the premium exchange system of the present invention is registered as a member, and at the time of the registration, authentication information such as a member identifier for identifying the member and a password is provided to the member. In addition, after step S201, the prize exchange device 1 may request the communication device 2 to transmit the authentication information. In this case, if there is an error in the authentication information, access is refused, so that access by an unauthorized person can be avoided.

When the communication device 2 receives the input screen information from the premium exchange device 1 (S102), the communication device 2 displays the input screen on the display screen based on the received input screen information (S1).
03).

The user U inputs the card ID printed on the front side (or the back side) of the owned card C according to the input screen displayed on the display screen of the communication device 2. When the communication device 2 receives the input of the card ID from the user U (S104), the received card I
D is transmitted to the premium exchange device 1 (S105).

When the premium exchange device 1 receives the card ID from the communication device 2 (S203), it receives the received card ID.
Is retrieved from the game value information stored in the game value information DB 12a (S204).
If the search fails (NO in S204), search failure information indicating that the search has failed is transmitted to the communication device 2 (S205).

When the communication device 2 receives the search failure information from the premium exchange device 1 (S106), it displays the received search failure information on the display screen (S107), and ends the processing. If the communication device 2 receives a card ID different from the card ID received in step S104 from the user U, the process may return to step S105 and restart the process.

On the other hand, if the search for the game value information is successful in step S204 (YES in S204), the game provided to the card C owned by the user U is referred to by referring to the searched game value information. After confirming the value amount, by referring to the virtual store information stored in the virtual store information DB 12b, a virtual store handling a prize that can be exchanged with the confirmed game value amount is specified. (S206). Then, a prize information transmission request for transmitting prize information relating to the prize that can be exchanged is transmitted to the virtual store server 3 that operates the specified virtual store (S207).

If a plurality of virtual stores are specified in step S206, the above-mentioned prize information transmission request is transmitted to each of the virtual store servers 3, 3,... Operating the virtual stores.

When receiving the prize information transmission request from the prize exchange device 1 (S301), the virtual store server 3 selects from the prize information stored in the prize information database 30 the prize corresponding to the received prize information transmission request. Information is searched (S302), and the searched prize information is transmitted to the prize exchange device 1 (S303).

When receiving the prize information from the virtual store server 3 (S208), the prize exchange device 1 transmits the received prize information to the communication device 2 (S209). Then, when the prize information is received by the communication device 2 (S108), the received prize information is displayed on the display screen (S109).

The user U refers to the displayed prize information and selects a desired prize from the prizes indicated by the prize information. Then, purchase instruction information indicating an instruction to purchase the selected prize is input to the communication device 2.

When receiving the purchase instruction information from the user U (S110), the communication device 2 transmits the received purchase instruction information to the premium exchange device 1 (S111).

When the prize exchange device 1 receives the purchase instruction information from the communication device 2 (S210), the prize exchange device 1 transmits order information on the order of the prize according to the received purchase instruction information to the virtual store server 3 (S211).

When receiving the order information from the prize exchange device 1 (S304), the virtual store server 3 performs an order receiving process related to the received order information, that is, an order receiving process (S305). The order receiving process includes, for example, processes such as inventory confirmation of a prize and reservation for shipping the prize. Then, the virtual store server 3 transmits the received order information indicating that the order has been received to the premium exchange device 1 (S306).

When the prize exchange device 1 receives the received order information from the virtual store server 3 (S212), it transmits the received order received information to the communication device 2 (S213). When the communication device 2 receives the received order information (S11
2) Display the received order received information on the display screen (S
113). Thus, the user U can confirm that the desired prize has been purchased.

The prize exchange apparatus 1 executes step S21.
After transmitting the received order information at step 3, the amount of game value corresponding to the sales amount of the prize indicated in the received order information, that is, the usage information indicating the amount of the game value used for the purchase of the prize The data is transmitted to the management system 4 (S214). In the game management system 4, an update process of the game value information related to the card C is performed based on the use information.

Further, the virtual shop server 3 determines in step S3
After transmitting the received order information at 06, the sales amount information relating to the sales amount of the ordered prize is transmitted to the banking system 5 (S307). In the banking system 5, a transfer process is performed from the deposit account of the amusement store H to the deposit account of the virtual store based on the sales amount information, and the payment of the premium is completed. Therefore, it is possible to convert between the game value and the prize only by electronic processing without giving and receiving cash.

As a result of the above-mentioned processing, the game value given to the card C owned by the user U is exchanged for a prize sold at the virtual store, and the store S returns to the user at a later date. A gift relating to this exchange is sent to U.
Thereby, the user U can obtain a desired premium.

[0061]

As described above in detail, according to the prize exchange method according to the first aspect, the prize exchange system according to the second aspect, and the prize exchange apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the prize exchange via the communication network. The game value assigned to the recording medium based on the identification information of the recording medium such as a card, etc., and provides the user with prize information relating to the prize corresponding to the specified game value, and accepts from the user. By giving an order for a prize based on an instruction to purchase a prize, it is possible to easily obtain prize information relating to a prize that is not actually prepared in the game store, and it is also possible to perform an order processing for the prize. .

Further, according to the prize exchange system according to the third aspect and the prize exchange apparatus according to the fifth aspect, prize information is obtained from a prize information database provided in a virtual shop or the like provided on the communication network. The present invention has an excellent effect, for example, by obtaining and providing the obtained prize information to the user, a desired prize can be selected from a considerable number of prizes.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a premium exchange system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game management system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a premium exchange device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of a communication device, a prize exchange device, and a virtual store server in a prize exchange process of the prize exchange system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of a communication device, a prize exchange device, and a virtual shop server in a prize exchange process of the prize exchange system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of a communication device, a prize exchange device, and a virtual shop server in a prize exchange process of the prize exchange system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Gift Exchange Device 2 Communication Device 3 Virtual Store Server 4 Game Management System 5 Banking System 100 Internet 200 Communication Network C Card S Store U User

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G07F 7/08 G07F 17/32 17/32 7/08 SF term (Reference) 2C088 BA88 BB01 BB13 BB14 BB21 BB23 BB27 BB30 BB32 BB41 BC80 CA02 CA35 3E044 AA04 AA05 AA06 BA06 CA06 DA08 DA10 DC05 DE01 DE02 3E048 AA02 BA07 5B049 BB62 CC05 DD04 EE21 EE23 GG07 5B055 CB00 EE02 EE03

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A prize exchange method for exchanging a game value given to a recording medium that can be used in a game at a gaming machine for a prize using a communication network, the method comprising receiving identification information of the recording medium. Specifying the game value given to the recording medium based on the received identification information, providing prize information on a prize corresponding to the specified game value, and accepting an instruction to purchase a prize according to the provided prize information. A prize exchange method, wherein a prize is ordered in accordance with the accepted purchase instruction. 2. A communication device, comprising: a communication device connected to a prize exchange device used for exchanging a game value given to a recording medium that can be used in a game at a game machine for a prize; A prize exchange system, wherein the communication device includes: a first reception unit that receives identification information of a recording medium; and a unit that transmits the identification information received by the first reception unit to the prize exchange device, A prize exchange device, for each piece of identification information of the recording medium, game value information storage means for storing game value information relating to the game value given to the recording medium identified by the identification information, and when the identification information is received, The game value assigned to the recording medium identified by the received identification information from the game value information stored by the game value information storage means. Search means for searching for game value information related to the game value information, and means for transmitting prize information related to a prize corresponding to a game value related to the game value information searched by the search means to the communication device, the communication device further comprising: When receiving the prize information, a second receiving unit for receiving purchase instruction information relating to a prize purchase instruction related to the received prize information, and transmitting the purchase instruction information received by the second receiving unit to the prize exchange device. Means, wherein when the purchase instruction information is received, the prize exchange apparatus further comprises an ordering means for ordering a prize according to the received purchase instruction information. 3. The prize exchange device according to claim 2, wherein the prize exchange device is connected to the prize information database via the communication network, and acquires the prize information from the prize information database. Premium exchange system. 4. A prize exchange device which is communicably connected to a communication device and is used for exchanging a game value given to a recording medium which can be used for a game in a gaming machine for a prize, A game value information storage unit for storing game value information relating to a game value given to the recording medium identified by the identification information for each identification information of the recording medium; and when the identification information of the recording medium is received from the communication device. ,
Search means for searching game value information stored in the game value information storage means for game value information relating to the game value assigned to the recording medium identified by the received identification information; and Means for transmitting prize information relating to a prize corresponding to a game value relating to the retrieved game value information to the communication device; and receiving, when receiving purchase instruction information relating to a prize purchase instruction relating to the prize information, from the communication device. And a prize exchange device for ordering a prize according to the purchase instruction information. 5. The prize exchange device according to claim 4, wherein the prize exchange device is connected to the prize information database via the communication network, and acquires the prize information from the prize information database.