JP2002119752A - Recording medium processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid the troublesomeness such that a player leaves a game machine for a recording medium issuing device to have a recording medium issued, by enabling play when money is inputted to cause an enclosed recording medium to be issued, and organize play using the issued recording medium and play using the enclosed recording medium against conflict therebetween. SOLUTION: An issued prepaid card 21 can be inserted into an issued prepaid card slot 4 and used for play, and a bill can be put into a bill slot 6 to cause an enclosed prepaid card 23 to be issued out from an enclosed prepaid card issuing opening. The enclosed prepaid card 23 is issuable on condition that no issued prepaid card 21 is accepted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording medium for receiving and processing a recording medium such as a card, for example, to enable a game by a gaming machine represented by a pachinko gaming machine, a coin gaming machine or a slot machine. The present invention relates to a medium processing device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a recording medium processing device which is configured to be communicable with a gaming machine and enables a game by the gaming machine using a gaming value specified by recording information on a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a recording medium processing apparatus of this type, a recording medium processing apparatus, for example, which is provided adjacent to a game machine and records a prepaid card or the like already issued to a player, for example, An insertion slot for inserting a medium is provided, and by inserting a recording medium from the insertion slot, a part of a game value such as a card balance specified by information recorded on the recording medium is withdrawn and adjacent to the card. There has been a configuration in which a game can be played by being used in a game with a gaming machine.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional recording medium processing apparatus, when a player has a recording medium already issued, the recording medium is transferred to the recording medium processing apparatus. The player can insert and play the game, but if the player does not have the recording medium or if the player runs out of the recording medium even if he does, the player leaves the gaming machine and records. It was necessary to go to the medium issuing device and issue a recording medium.

[0004] Therefore, a money receiving unit for receiving money as a purchase price of a player is provided in the recording medium processing device, and information for specifying a game value corresponding to the amount of money received by the money receiving unit is recorded. After the issued encapsulation type recording medium is issued and captured, the game can be performed using the gaming value specified by the recorded information of the encapsulation type recording medium, and the player leaves the gaming machine. It is conceivable that the trouble of going to the recording medium issuing device and issuing the recording medium can be avoided.

In such a configuration, a single recording medium processing apparatus receives and processes an already issued recording medium already issued by a recording medium issuing apparatus or the like, and issues the above-described enclosed recording medium. And a function for making it usable for a game. As a result, it becomes necessary to arrange the game using the already-issued recording medium and the game using the enclosed recording medium so as not to compete with each other.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object the purpose of allowing a player to leave a gaming machine by inserting money and issuing an enclosed recording medium so that the player can play a game. It is possible to avoid the trouble of going to the recording medium issuing device and issuing the recording medium, and perform the conventional game using the already-issued recording medium and using the enclosed recording medium. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium processing device capable of organizing a game so as not to conflict with the execution of the game.

[0007]

Specific Examples of Means for Solving the Problems and Their Effects
(1) It is configured to be able to communicate with a gaming machine (such as a pachinko gaming machine 2), and enables a game using the gaming machine using a gaming value (card balance) specified by recording information on a recording medium. Recording medium processing device (card unit 3) for recording information (card balance) that can specify a gaming value usable for a gaming machine and has already been issued to a player. The already-issued recording medium processing means (the already-issued prepaid card 21) which reads the recorded information of the already-issued recording medium (the already-issued prepaid card 21) and performs processing for enabling the game using the game value specified by the recorded information. Issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35, card unit main control device 33), a money accepting unit (bill insertion slot 6) for accepting money as a purchase price of the player, and accepting by the money accepting unit. This is a recording medium on which information for specifying a gaming value corresponding to the amount of money paid is recorded, is issued to the player once by the recording medium processing device, and is taken in without being passed to the player's hand. Then, an enclosing recording medium issuing section (enclosure type prepaid card 23) for issuing an enclosing recording medium (encapsulation type prepaid card 23) capable of playing using the game value specified from the recording information of the recording medium after being captured. Enclosure type prepaid card issuance slot 22) and a game value specified by the recording information of the enclosing type recording medium issued from the enclosing type recording medium issuance unit, so that the gaming machine can play a game. (Enclosed type prepaid card reader / writer 34, card unit main control device 33) for performing the above-mentioned processing. A notification means (a bill usable lamp 13, a previously issued prepaid card insertion lamp 20) capable of recognizing whether or not the encapsulation type recording medium can be issued on condition that it is not inserted. Further included.

According to such a configuration, when the player has an already-issued recording medium, the player can play the game using the already-issued recording medium. In addition, this already-issued recording medium can be used to play a game on a gaming machine even when the player has stopped playing the game and moved to another gaming machine, and has a versatility. Convenience is improved. On the other hand, even if the player has used up the already-issued recording medium or the player does not have the already-issued recording medium, the player inserts money to have the enclosed recording medium issued and It is possible to play a game with the enclosed recording medium, and the convenience of the player is further improved.

Further, in order to be able to accept money in the money accepting section on condition that the previously issued recording medium is not accepted, the game using the already issued recording medium and the enclosed recording medium are performed. Competition with the playing game can be avoided.

In addition, the function of the notification means allows the player to recognize that the enclosing recording medium cannot be issued, thereby preventing the player from complaining that the enclosing recording medium cannot be issued.

(2) The notifying means is an already-issued recording-medium receiving notifying means capable of notifying that the already-issued recording medium is being received (an already-issued prepaid card insertion lamp 2).
0) (see FIG. 2).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to make the player easily recognize that the already-issued recording medium is being received by the already-issued recording-medium receiving-notifying means.

(3) The notifying means is a money use notifying means (a bill usable lamp 13: see FIG. 2) for notifying whether or not the money receiving section is in a state capable of receiving the money. including.

[0014] According to such a configuration, it is possible to make the player easily recognize whether or not the currency is ready to be accepted.

(4) Enclosure type recording medium value display control means (card unit main control device 33) for performing control for displaying the magnitude of the game value specified by the recording information of the enclosing type recording medium. (See FIGS. 2 and 3).

According to this configuration, the control function for displaying the magnitude of the game value specified by the recording information of the enclosing recording medium allows the player to play the game specified by the enclosing recording medium. The value of the utility value can be recognized, and the convenience of the player is further improved.

(5) Enclosure type recording medium value display means (enclosure type) which is controlled by the enclosing type recording medium value display control means and displays the value of the game value specified by the recording information of the enclosing type recording medium. A prepaid card frequency indicator 17) is provided (see FIG. 2A).

According to such a configuration, the magnitude of the game value specified by the recording information of the enclosing recording medium is determined by the value display section provided in the recording medium processing device for processing the enclosing recording medium. Is displayed on the processing subject side (the recording medium processing device side) as information of the object to be processed (encapsulated recording medium) as the player's consciousness. The display is easy for the player to understand.

(6) The value display control means controls a value display section (card balance display 8) provided in the gaming machine to display a game value specified by the recording information of the enclosing recording medium. According to such a configuration in which the control for displaying the size of the game is performed, the value display unit provided in the gaming machine in which the player is going to play the game specifies the value by the recording information of the enclosing recording medium. Since the magnitude of the gaming value to be displayed is displayed, the convenience is improved for the player who already knows that the magnitude of the gaming value is displayed by the value display unit of the gaming machine.

Further, in the case where the value of the game value specified by the recording information of the enclosing recording medium is displayed by the value display sections on both the gaming machine side and the recording medium processing apparatus side, the enclosing recording medium is used. For the player who already knows that the size of the gaming value specified by the record information of the gaming machine is displayed on the gaming machine side value display section, the convenience is improved, and the gaming machine side value display section The value display section on the recording medium processing device side makes the display easier to understand even for a player who has not yet known that the display is made.

(7) The enclosing recording medium, once issued from the enclosing recording medium issuing section, is taken in and used for a game at every purchase (FIGS. 2, 3).
reference).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to appeal that the enclosing recording medium is issued from the enclosing recording medium issuing section every time the enclosing recording medium is purchased. Further, since the enclosed recording medium is repeatedly reused, the running cost of the enclosed recording medium can be minimized.

(8) The enclosing recording medium is formed of a recording medium having a size smaller than that of the previously issued recording medium.

According to such a configuration, the information reading / writing section for reading / writing information from / to the enclosing recording medium can be downsized accordingly, and the space can be saved.

(9) The enclosed recording medium is issued when a part thereof projects forward from the front surface of the enclosed recording medium issuing section (see FIG. 2B).

According to such a configuration, since the issuance is performed by projecting a part of the enclosing recording medium in front of the front surface of the enclosing recording medium issuing unit, the enclosing recording medium is reliably issued. As a result, the player can surely recognize that it has been issued by visually recognizing the state of protrusion of the enclosing recording medium.

(10) The bill accepting section is a bill accepting section (bill slot 6) for accepting bills, and information for specifying a gaming value corresponding to the amount of bills accepted by the bill accepting section is provided. The recorded enclosing recording medium is issued from the enclosing recording medium issuing section (see FIG. 2).

According to such a configuration, since a relatively large amount of the encapsulating recording medium is issued by one issuance to the player, the operation for issuing the encapsulating recording medium is not performed. There is an advantage that it is not necessary to perform this frequently.

[0029]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment,
A pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the gaming machine may be, for example, a coin gaming machine or a slot machine.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a pachinko gaming machine 2 as an example of a gaming machine installed on a gaming machine installation island and a card unit 3 as an example of a recording medium processing device. A prepaid card issuance device (not shown) is installed at one end of the gaming machine installation island of the amusement arcade, and a player inserts a bill into the prepaid card issuance device to purchase a prepaid card and a predetermined number of bills. If the operation is performed, the issued prepaid card 2 as an example of the issued recording medium such as a magnetic card
1 is discharged and issued to the player.

The issued prepaid card 21 records card balance data as compensation for the player's insertion price, security data for maintaining security, a card number for identifying the issued prepaid card 21, and the like. ing.

The player inserts the issued prepaid card 21 into the card slot 3 of the issued prepaid card insertion slot 4.
, The recorded information of the inserted issued prepaid card 21 is read by an already issued prepaid card reader / writer (not shown) provided in the card unit 3. Then, when the ball lending button 40 is pressed, a part of the card balance included in the read data is withdrawn and the lending corresponding to the card balance is paid out to the upper plate 5 of the pachinko gaming machine 2 and payout. Is done. This card unit 3
And the pachinko gaming machine 2 are connected by wiring and configured to be able to exchange both data. When the already issued prepaid card 21 is inserted and a part of the card balance is withdrawn and used for a game, a ball lending command signal is transmitted from the card unit 3 to the pachinko gaming machine 2, and the pachinko gaming machine 2 Pays out a predetermined number of lending balls to the upper plate 5 accordingly. Then, the player can play the ball by firing the lending ball paid out to the upper plate 5 to the game area. When returning the already issued prepaid card 21, pressing the return button 41 will return the card. Also, when the card balance of the issued prepaid card 21 becomes 0, it is automatically returned.

The upper plate 5 is provided with a card balance display 8 for displaying the card balance recorded on the inserted issued prepaid card 21 and the card balance recorded on the enclosed prepaid card 22 described later. ing.

On the other hand, the player inserts a bill (for example, a 1,000-yen bill) into the bill insertion slot 6 provided in the card unit 3 so that the sealed prepaid card 23 as an example of the sealed recording medium can be inserted into the player. Issued to In the card unit 3, one enclosing type prepaid card 23 composed of a magnetic card or the like is set, and when a bill is inserted from the bill insertion slot 6, a card balance corresponding to the amount of the inserted bill is recorded. The enclosed prepaid card 23 is partially ejected from the enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22 (see FIG. 3). The enclosed prepaid card 22 is carried into the game arcade by the prepaid card issuing company, and the enclosed prepaid card 22 is set one by one in each card unit 3 in the arcade.

Since the issuance of the enclosed prepaid card 22 is performed by inserting bills, a relatively large amount (for example, 1000 yen) is consumed in one issuance, and the sales of the game arcade are reduced. There are benefits to improve.
In addition, the enclosed recording medium (enclosed prepaid card)
When the game is issued twice, the player plays the game at least until the game value specified from the issued recording information of the enclosing recording medium is used up, so that the operation of the gaming machine in the game hall is improved.

Further, even if there is an upper limit on the number of repetitions of the processing that is taken in after the enclosed recording medium is issued and used for a game, a relatively expensive enclosed recording medium is issued in one processing. Therefore, the total value of the gaming value used for the game until the upper limit is reached can be increased.

The card unit 3 is provided with an enclosed prepaid card reader / writer 34 (see FIG. 3). One enclosed prepaid card 23 is set in the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer 34. It is always held. Then, as described above, when the player inserts a bill into the bill insertion slot 6, a card balance corresponding to the inserted amount is written into the enclosing prepaid card 23 by the enclosing prepaid card reader / writer 34, and the enclosing is performed. Type prepaid card issuing port 22
, The enclosed prepaid card 23 is issued.

The enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22 is covered with a cover 24 made of a transparent resin, so that the player cannot pull out the enclosed prepaid card 23.

The enclosed prepaid card 23 is issued to the player side by partially protruding from the enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22, but is immediately taken into the inside without passing over to the player's hand. The loaded prepaid card 23 has its card balance read by the prepaid card reader / writer 34, the entire card balance is deducted, and the number of lending balls corresponding to the debited amount is paid for the pachinko machine. Dispensed from 2 into the upper plate 5.

When paying out a lending ball using the card balance of the enclosed prepaid card, a lending command signal is sent from the card unit 3 to the pachinko gaming machine 2 similarly to the case of the previously issued prepaid card 21 described above. Is transmitted, and the ball payout control means provided in the pachinko gaming machine 2 operates the ball payout device in accordance with the lending command signal to pay out a predetermined number of lending balls to the upper plate 5. In the present embodiment, the card balance of the encapsulation type prepaid card 23 is described as being collectively debited, but the card balance may be partially debited. In the figure, reference numeral 7 denotes an enclosed type prepaid card confirmation window, and reference numeral 30 denotes a display plate, which will be described later in detail.

FIG. 2 (a) is a partially enlarged front view of the card unit 3, and FIG. 2 (b) is a sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 2 (a).

At the top of the card unit 3, a frequency identification sticker 9 is attached. The frequency identification sticker 9 is for displaying a communication frequency when a wireless communication is performed between the card unit 3 and a management computer for a hall, which is a management computer of a game arcade, for example. The card unit 3 can select and set a plurality of types of communication frequencies. The frequency identification label 9 indicates which communication frequency the card unit 3 is set to.
Can be recognized by confirming the color of.

Below the frequency identification sticker 9, a card usable lamp 10 is provided. The card usable lamp 10 is for notifying the operation status of the card unit 30. When the card unit 3 is operating normally, the card usable lamp 10 is turned on to display a display to that effect. Is performed. Also, the card unit 30
When any error occurs in the card, or when a communication error occurs between the card unit 3 and the pachinko gaming machine 2, the card-ready lamp 10 blinks.
In the figure, reference numerals 11 and 12 are handles. A unit holder (not shown) is provided on the gaming machine installation island, and the card unit 3 can be installed on the gaming machine installation island by pressing the back side of the card unit 3 against the unit holder. Further, by pulling out the card unit 3 from the unit holder, the card unit 3 can be removed from the gaming machine installation island. Attachment and removal of the card unit 3 to and from such a unit holder are performed by gripping the handles 11 and 12.

A bill insertion slot 6 is provided below the handle 11. By inserting a 1000-yen bill into this bill insertion slot, for example, the bill validator 32 (see FIG. 3)
Is determined to be a proper bill by taking in the bill. If the banknote is valid,
An issuance operation of the enclosed prepaid card 23 is performed.

Below the bill slot 6, a display plate 30 for performing various displays is provided. Referring to the enlarged view of the display plate 30, the display plate 30
Includes a bill usable lamp 13, an amount selection button 14, an amount display 15, a fraction display button 16, an enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17, a ball display 18, a connecting stand direction display 19, and an already issued prepaid card insertion. A middle lamp 20 is provided.

The bill usable lamp 13 is used to insert a bill into the bill insertion slot 6 so that the enclosed prepaid card 23 can be issued.
This is for lighting and displaying that it is possible to input the data. In this card unit 3, when the already issued prepaid card 21 is inserted, it is not possible to insert a bill and issue the enclosed prepaid card 23. In this case, the bill usable lamp 13 is turned off. On the other hand, if the enclosed prepaid card 23 is issued by inserting a banknote and the card balance of the enclosed prepaid card 23 is not 0, the game cannot be performed by inserting the already issued prepaid card 21. Have been.

The amount selection button 14 is for selecting and operating an amount to be used for one ball lending by the issued prepaid card 21. Each time the amount selection button 14 is pressed, the amount used for lending one ball is switched. For example, one pressing operation causes
The switching is performed such that 200 yen is obtained by pressing the button twice, 300 yen by pressing the button twice, 300 yen by pressing the button three times, and 100 yen again by pressing the button four times. The switched amount is displayed on the amount indicator 15. When the prepaid card 21 is inserted and the amount selection button 14 is operated to select, for example, a one-time ball lending amount of 200 yen and the ball lending button 40 is pressed, the already-issued prepaid card 21 is pressed. 200 yen is deducted from the card balance recorded in the pachinko gaming machine 2, and a lending ball for 200 yen is paid out from the pachinko gaming machine 2. In addition, return button 4
Operation 1 or the balance of the issued prepaid card 21 is 0
After the issued prepaid card 21 has been ejected and the predetermined time (for example, one minute) has elapsed, the card balance used for one ball rental is returned to the default value, and the default value is changed to the amount. The state is displayed on the display 15. This default value is, for example, 50
It is set to 0 yen.

When the fraction display button 16 is pressed, maintenance information including a card unit setting state such as an ID number for identifying the card unit 3 and a display for specifying a previous lending status immediately before the last time are displayed. Is displayed.

Enclosed type prepaid card frequency indicator 17
Displays the current card balance of the enclosed prepaid card 23 that has been issued. The enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17 is also used for displaying an error code. For example, a code is displayed for each cause of abnormality, such as various abnormal states occurring in the card unit 3 and communication abnormalities between the card unit 3 and the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 2.

The ball display 18 is provided for the card unit 3.
Is selectively lit to indicate whether it is for renting a pachinko ball or a medal. Some of the card units 3 are for lending medals, such as slot machines, instead of lending pachinko balls, and are configured so that the distinction therefrom can be recognized by the lighting display of the ball display 18. .

The connecting board direction indicator 19 is for lighting and displaying which pachinko gaming machine 2 the card unit 3 is connected to by wire. The card insertion lamp 20 is for illuminating and displaying that the already issued prepaid card 21 is inserted into the already issued prepaid card insertion slot 4.

Lamp 20 with inserted prepaid card already issued
Is lit while the already issued prepaid card 21 is inserted into the already issued prepaid card insertion slot 4 to notify that the already issued prepaid card 21 is being inserted. As described above, during the insertion of the issued prepaid card 21, the bill cannot be inserted into the bill insertion slot 6 in order to issue the enclosed prepaid card 23. The player can confirm that the bill is not accepted by watching the lighting of the lamp 20 during the insertion of the issued prepaid card.

In the figure, reference numeral 7 denotes an encapsulation type prepaid card confirmation window, and the letters "encapsulation type prepaid card confirmation window" indicating that it is an issuance section of the encapsulation type prepaid card are shown at the lower front of the encapsulation type prepaid card confirmation window 7. It is attached to the part. FIG. 2B shows an AA cross section of the enclosed prepaid card confirmation window 7. A cover 24 made of a transparent resin is provided on the front side of the enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22 provided on the front side of the card unit 3. Then, when the player inserts a regular bill into the bill insertion slot 6, a part of the enclosed prepaid card 23 in which a card balance (frequency) corresponding to the amount of the bill is recorded is transferred from the card issuing slot 22. As a result, the sealed prepaid card 23 is issued to the player. In this issuance state, the player
Although the projected portion of the enclosed prepaid card 23 can be visually recognized through 4, the player cannot pull out the enclosed prepaid card 23 due to the presence of the cover 24. As a result, the operation of once issuing the enclosed prepaid card 23, taking it in again, and lending the ball can be repeated, and the running cost in the game hall can be minimized.

As described above, the enclosed prepaid card 23
Is issued by partially protruding the enclosed prepaid card forward of the front surface of the enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22. A recess may be provided in the front portion of the card unit 3 and the enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22 may be formed in the recess. In this case, the recessed bottom portion is the front surface of the enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22. In order to become, the enclosed prepaid card 2
When a part of 3 protrudes, the enclosed prepaid card 23 is issued. That is, the term “front surface of the enclosing recording medium issuing unit” in the present invention is not limited to the front surface of the card unit 3, but includes a concave bottom surface of the enclosing recording medium issuing unit when the enclosing recording medium issuing unit is depressed. is there.

In the figure, reference numeral 4 denotes an insertion slot of the issued prepaid card 21, which is inserted and used for a game, and when the player presses the return button 41, the issued prepaid card in which the card balance updated and reduced is recorded. The card 21 is ejected from the issued prepaid card insertion slot 4. It should be noted that the issued prepaid card 21 which has exhausted the card balance is used.
Is automatically ejected from the card insertion slot 4 without operating the return button 41.

Although the issued prepaid card 21 has a conventional general size, the enclosed prepaid card 23 has a smaller size than the issued prepaid card 21.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the inside of the card unit 3. An issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35 is provided below the card unit 3. The issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35 includes an issued prepaid card reader / writer and a control microcomputer for controlling the same. And the like are provided.

An enclosed type prepaid card reader / writer 34 is provided above the previously issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35. The information in the recording section of the enclosed prepaid card 23 is erased or newly written by the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer 34.

[0059] Enclosed type prepaid card reader / writer 3
The card unit main control device 33 is provided above the position 4. In the card unit main control device 33, a control board on which a control microcomputer and the like for controlling the whole of the card unit 3 are provided is provided.

A bill validator 32 is provided at a position above the card unit main controller 33.
The bill inserted from is identified by the bill validator 32 and its authenticity is determined.

Above the bill validator 32, a communication relay device 31 is provided. Communication with a terminal box installed in the game hall is performed via the communication relay device 31.

At the lowermost part of the card unit 3, a junction box 36 is provided. The junction box 36 stores ID information of the card unit 3, that is, identification information.

As shown in FIG. 3, the card unit 3
The shape of the front part of the is a sealed prepaid card issuing port 2
The front face of the card unit provided with the cover 24 and the issued prepaid card insertion slot 4 and the face provided with the bill insertion slot 6 are compared with the other front face of the card unit (display plate 30). Protruding forward. This allows the player to enter the enclosed prepaid card issuing section 22 and the issued prepaid card insertion slot 4.
And the portion where the bill insertion slot 6 is provided and the other portion can be easily distinguished.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a control operation of the above-described various devices will be described. Junction box 36
Has a function of supplying DC power to the inside of the card unit 3 and setting the above-described ID information (identification number) indicating the installation position in the game arcade. The identification number, which is the set ID information, is transmitted to the hall management computer of the game hall together with information for specifying the use value (sales) associated with the use of the card. The hall management computer is configured so as to classify and output sales information and the like for each identification number of the card unit and to serve for business management of the amusement arcade.

The already-issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35 takes in the already-issued prepaid card 21 inserted into the already-issued prepaid card insertion slot 4 and reads the information recorded on the already-issued prepaid card 21 to determine the authenticity. And the card balance included in the read information is transmitted to the card unit main controller 33. The card unit main control device 33 performs control for displaying the card balance based on the received card balance information. Specifically, a display control signal for digitally displaying the card balance is output to a balance display provided on the upper plate of the pachinko gaming machine or the like.

Further, the card unit main controller 33
Outputs a lending command signal to the ball payout control microcomputer of the pachinko gaming machine, and outputs a command signal for paying out a number of lending balls corresponding to a predetermined unit amount (for example, 100 yen). By repeating the lending operation for one unit amount a plurality of times, a lending corresponding to a predetermined amount is executed. Then, it outputs a subtraction command signal for subtracting the value of the amount of money lent to the already issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35. The already-issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35 updates the card balance of the already-issued prepaid card 21 inserted in accordance with the output command signal and writes the reduced card balance into the already-issued prepaid card. Put in. Then, when the game is over, a process of discharging the already issued prepaid card 21 from the already issued prepaid card insertion slot 4 is performed.

When a 1,000-yen bill is inserted through the bill insertion slot 6, the bill validator 32 discriminates the authenticity of the bill, and when the bill is identified as a correct bill, a signal to that effect is sent to the card unit main control. The data is transmitted to the device 33. The card unit main controller 33 includes a sealed prepaid card reader / writer 34.
To the control signal. Upon receiving the control signal, the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer 34 records the balance information for one thousand yen in the encapsulation type prepaid card 23 and sends the encapsulation type prepaid card 23 from the encapsulation type prepaid card issuing port 22. Is issued with some protruding. Thereafter, the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer 34 takes in the encapsulation type prepaid card 23, reads the information recorded on the encapsulation type prepaid card 23, and reads the card balance (1000 (Circle) is transmitted to the card unit main controller 33.

The card unit main controller 33 determines the size of the card balance (1000 yen) transmitted to the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the above-mentioned card balance display 8 according to the transmitted information. Display control for displaying is performed. Specifically, a display control signal for digitally displaying the transmitted balance of the enclosed prepaid card (1,000 yen) is output to the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the card balance display 8. The enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the card balance display 8 digitally display the size of the card balance (1000 yen) according to the output display control signal.

Further, the card unit main controller 33
Outputs the aforementioned one unit (for example, 100 yen) ball lending command signal to the ball payout control microcomputer of the pachinko gaming machine, and causes one unit of ball lending operation to be performed.
This one unit ball lending operation is performed a plurality of times (10 in this embodiment).
Times), a ball lending operation for the amount of 1,000 yen is performed.

At the stage where the lending operation for the amount of 1,000 yen is completed, the card unit main control device 33 outputs a reduction update control signal for the amount of 1,000 yen to the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer 34. The enclosed prepaid card reader / writer 34
In response to this, the card balance information of the enclosed prepaid card 23 is rewritten to 0.

On the other hand, the card unit main control device 33 outputs the above-mentioned deduction update control signal, and at the same time, a display control signal for setting the frequency display of the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the card balance display 8 to 0. Is a sealed prepaid card frequency indicator 17 and a card balance indicator 8
And output to Enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17
The card balance display 8 sets the display of the card balance to "0" according to the control signal.

As described above, the card unit main controller 3
The control 3 controls the enclosure type prepaid card frequency indicator 17 to display the balance of the enclosure type prepaid card 23. In addition to this, the upper plate 5 of the pachinko gaming machine 2 described above.
The display control signal is also transmitted to the card balance display 8 provided in the PC to control the display of the balance of the enclosed prepaid card. The card balance display 8 is a dual-purpose display that also displays the card balance of the issued prepaid card 21 under the control of the card unit main controller 33.
A display for exclusive use of the enclosed prepaid card and a display for exclusive use of the issued prepaid card may be provided. In addition, when it is provided, it is not limited to the upper plate 5 and may be provided at another location, for example, a curtain plate or the like, or may be provided at the same location as the trouble lamp. Further, the balance of the enclosed prepaid card 23 may be displayed on only one of the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the card balance display 8.

The card unit main control device 33
Control to display the bill usable lamp 13, the card usable lamp 10, the card insertion lamp 20, and the like as described above is also performed.

The modifications, feature points, and the like of the embodiment described above are listed below. (1) Although the gaming machine described in the present embodiment pays out gaming media such as lending balls or lending coins, the present invention is not limited to this, and is specified by recording information of a recording medium. The gaming value is deducted and the gaming machine adds and stores a score corresponding to the deducted value (deducted value) so that the game can be performed using the score, and the score obtained as a result of the game at the end of the game A completely card-type gaming machine that discharges a recording medium on which information that can specify (game result value) is recorded to the player side may be used.

Further, in order to monitor an abnormal situation in which the player breaks the cover 24 and pulls out the enclosed prepaid card 23, wiring is laid on the inner surface of the cover 24, electricity is supplied to the wiring, and the electricity flows. If an abnormal state is detected by detecting the abnormal state in which the wiring is cut due to the breakage of the cover 24 and the current stops flowing, abnormal state control such as sounding an alarm may be performed.

(2) The cover 24 prevents the enclosed recording medium (enclosed type prepaid card 23) issued from the enclosed type recording medium issuing section (enclosed type recording medium issuing port 22) from reaching the player's hand. A blocking means for blocking is configured. The blocking means is not limited to the cover 24. For example, the locking means locks the enclosing recording medium partially exposed from the enclosing recording medium issuing section, and the player cannot pull out the locking medium. Etc.
It can be anything.

(3) By the frequency identification seal 9,
Frequency display means for displaying a frequency at the time of wireless communication with the recording medium processing device (card unit 3) is configured.

The bill usable lamp 13 constitutes an enclosed prepaid card issuable display means for displaying that an enclosed recording medium (enclosed prepaid card 23) can be issued using funds owned by the player. I have. It should be noted that the enclosed prepaid card may be issued using coins instead of banknotes, and may be issued using, for example, a credit card or a debit card or using electronic money. .

[0079] Enclosed type prepaid card 23 using coins
In order to enable the issuance of a coin, instead of or in addition to the bill insertion slot 6 and the bill identification machine 32, a coin insertion slot as an example of a coin accepting unit and a coin identification machine for determining the authenticity of the inserted coin. Are provided in the card unit. Then, it is determined by the coin discriminator that the coin inserted from the coin receiving unit is an appropriate coin, and a predetermined amount (for example, 500 yen)
On the condition that it has been determined that
A signal to that effect is transmitted to the card unit main controller 33, and thereafter, the enclosed prepaid card 23 is issued under the same control as in the case of the bill described above. When accepting both banknotes and coins to enable the issuance of the enclosed prepaid card 23, if a banknote is inserted, the enclosed prepaid card 23 is issued only with the inserted banknote and if a coin is inserted, the One method of issuing with only the inserted coin is conceivable, but as another method, according to the selection of the player, the enclosed prepaid card 23 can be issued using the total amount of the inserted bill and the inserted coin. You may.

(4) The enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17 constitutes value display means for displaying the value of the game value specified by the recorded information of the enclosed prepaid card. This value display means also has a function of displaying information by which the cause of the abnormality at the time of occurrence of the abnormality can be recognized.

The card insertion lamp 20 constitutes an already-issued recording medium insertion display means for displaying that an already-issued recording medium is being inserted.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, the game value (card balance) is recorded directly on the issued prepaid card 21 or the enclosed prepaid card 23 in addition to the recording medium identification information such as the card number. In addition, in addition to this, the management computer for the hall of the game arcade or the management computer of the prepaid card issuer also stores the current game value of the recording medium together with the recording medium identification information. The recording medium identification information of the medium is transmitted to the management computer, and the gaming value corresponding to the recording medium identification information is searched, and the searched gaming value and the prepaid card 2 are searched.
It may be configured such that a game can be performed using the game value after checking that the sizes of the game values 1 and 23 match. Further, the game value is not recorded on the already issued prepaid card 21 or the enclosed prepaid card 23, but the game value is recorded only on the hall management computer.
The corresponding game value may be searched based on the recording medium identification information recorded in the storage device 23, and the game may be performed using the game value.

Further, both or one of the previously issued prepaid card 21 and the enclosed prepaid card 23 may be constituted by an IC card. This IC card may be either a contact type or a non-contact type (including a contact type).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a pachinko gaming machine and a card unit installed on a gaming machine installation island.

FIG. 2A is a partially enlarged front view of the card unit, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the inside of the card unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 is a card unit as an example of a recording medium processing device, 21 is an already issued prepaid card as an example of an already issued recording medium, 23
Is an enclosed prepaid card, which is an example of an enclosed recording medium;
Is an already-issued prepaid card insertion slot as an example of an already-issued recording medium insertion section, 22 is an enclosed-type prepaid card issuance example of an enclosed-type recording medium issuance section, 7 is an enclosed-type prepaid card confirmation window, 24 is a cover, and 6 is a cover. A bill insertion slot, 17 is a sealed type prepaid card frequency display, 32 is a bill validator constituting a part of the valuable object receiving means, and 20 is a lamp for inserting an already issued prepaid card as an example of an already issued recording medium receiving informing means. Reference numeral 13 denotes a bill usable lamp which is an example of a money usable notice means.

Continuation of the front page (71) Applicant 000128946 Mamiya OP Co., Ltd. 10-13-1, Nishibori, Saitama-shi, Saitama (72) Inventor Shohachi Ugawa 1-164, Aioi-cho, Kiryu-shi, Gunma 5 (72) Invention Person Mitsuo Abe 2-14-21 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Japan Inside Advanced Card System Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Minoru Kumagaya 1-2-5 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Cosmo EC Corporation (72) Inventor Keijiro Arauchi 10-13-1, Nishibori, Urawa-shi, Saitama F-term (reference) 2M088 BB01 BB03 BB13 BB21 BB23 BB30 BB41 BC77 CA35 EA45 3E048 AA02 AA03 BA06 BA07

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium processing device configured to be communicable with a gaming machine and enabling a game by the gaming machine using a gaming value specified by recording information on a recording medium. Reading the recorded information of a previously issued recording medium which is a recording medium on which information capable of specifying a gaming value usable for the gaming machine is recorded and which has already been issued to the player, and specified by the recorded information. An already-issued recording medium processing means for performing processing for enabling a game by the gaming machine using a gaming value, a money receiving unit for receiving money as a purchase price of a player, and receiving by the money receiving unit A recording medium in which information for specifying a gaming value corresponding to the amount of money given is recorded and once issued to the player by the recording medium processing device and taken in without passing to the player's hand, , An enclosing recording medium issuing section for issuing an enclosing recording medium capable of playing using the game value specified from the recording information of the recording medium after being captured; and An enclosed recording medium processing means for performing processing for enabling a game by the gaming machine using a gaming value specified by the issued recording information of the enclosed recording medium, and Is in a state in which money can be accepted on condition that the already-issued recording medium has not been accepted, and further includes a notifying means capable of recognizing whether or not the enclosing-type recording medium can be issued. A recording medium processing device, characterized by 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit includes an already-issued recording medium accepting notifying unit capable of notifying that the already-issued recording medium is being accepted. Media processing device. 3. The notifying means includes a money use notifying means for notifying whether or not the money receiving unit is in a state capable of receiving the money.
The recording medium processing device according to claim 1. 4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: value display control means for performing control for displaying a magnitude of a game value specified by recording information of said enclosing recording medium. 3. The recording medium processing device according to any one of 3. 5. A value display unit which is controlled by said value display control means and displays a value of a game value specified by record information of said enclosable recording medium, and wherein a value display unit is provided. Item 5. The recording medium processing device according to Item 4. 6. The value display control means for displaying, on a value display unit provided in the gaming machine, a value of a game value specified by information recorded on the enclosing recording medium. The recording medium processing device according to claim 4, wherein control is performed. 7. A process in which the enclosing recording medium is once issued from the enclosing recording medium issuing section and is taken in and used for a game is performed each time a purchase is made.
The recording medium processing device according to claim 1. 8. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein said enclosing recording medium is constituted by a recording medium having a size smaller than said already-issued recording medium. Processing equipment. 9. The medium according to claim 1, wherein the enclosing recording medium is issued by projecting a part of the enclosing recording medium issuing portion forward from a front surface. Or a recording medium processing device. 10. The enclosed record in which the money accepting section is a bill accepting section for accepting a bill, and information capable of specifying a game value corresponding to the amount of the bill accepted by the bill accepting section is recorded. 10. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a medium is issued from the enclosed recording medium issuing unit.