JP2002200325A - Playing recording medium processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a playing recording medium processor that can appreciably eliminate labor with replenishment of money as change and can reduce management cost required for the storage and management of cash resulting from increase in the quantity of cash present in a game island. SOLUTION: The playing recording medium processor at least comprises a money identifying means 321 for receiving and identifying money, a playing recording medium issuing means 310 for issuing a recording medium for playing on which a valuable value for laying usable in playing at a game machine 2 is recorded, a balance calculating means 313 for subtracting the issued amount of money of the recording medium for playing from the identified amount of money to calculate the balance, a money- substituting recording medium issuing means 323 for issuing a money-substituting recording medium on which an amount of money is recorded in an adjustable manner, and a playing recording medium processing means 310 for executing processing of receiving the recording medium for playing and permitting the valuable value for playing of the received recording medium for playing to be used in playing. The playing recording medium processor is disposed near the game machine 2 in an associated relation. If the balance calculating means 313 makes a balance, the balance is returned by the issuance of the money-substituting recording medium corresponding to the balance.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine installed in a game arcade at a position near the game machine,
Accepting a prepaid card on which information that can specify the size of the gaming value used when playing a game with the gaming machine is recorded, and the gaming value such as lending of a game medium such as a pachinko ball. The present invention relates to a game recording medium processing device that performs processing for causing a game to be used in a game.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in many game arcades, a game apparatus (system) that can execute a game using a game recording medium such as a prepaid card has been used. The ability to play games using these game recording media means that compared to the conventional method of lending pachinko balls and coins as game media with cash, these inserted cash can be sequentially collected from each lending device. Has the advantage of reducing the labor required to play the game, but it is not possible for the player to continue playing without purchasing a prepaid card, so if the remaining amount of the prepaid card is exhausted It is necessary to go to a card vending machine installed at the end of the game island and purchase (issue) a new prepaid card again, which is troublesome. When purchasing (issuing) a card, a player occupies the gaming machine and leaves his / her seat, thereby reducing the operating rate of the gaming machine. There have been obvious.

[0003] For this reason, in order to reduce the operating rate and improve the convenience of the player, a prepaid card issuing function is provided at a predetermined side portion of the gaming machine and provided to a corresponding gaming machine using the prepaid card. What is provided to a card unit or the like that enables a player to play a game has been proposed.

[0004]

However, when these new prepaid card issuance functions are given to the card unit or the like, it is necessary to return the change when issuing the prepaid card with a large bill or the like. It is necessary to replenish change money one by one so that these changes do not run short in each card unit. Usually, these card units are provided for each of a large number of gaming machines installed in a game arcade. Not only does the work required to replenish the change become enormous,
Because it is necessary to prepare and manage these change coins, it is necessary to store and manage cash, as the amount of cash existing on the game island increases and the cost of countermeasures against theft of such cash is incurred. However, there is a problem that the management cost is increased.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and is capable of greatly reducing the labor involved in replenishing change currency, and is capable of storing and managing cash associated with an increase in cash existing on a gaming island. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game recording medium processing device capable of reducing required management costs.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a game recording medium processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a money discriminating means for receiving money and discriminating the received money and a money discriminating means. A game recording medium on which information corresponding to a predetermined amount within the total range of the identified identification amount and which can specify the size of the game value used when playing a game on the gaming machine is recorded. Game recording medium issuing means to be issued, balance calculating means for calculating the balance by subtracting the issue amount of the game recording medium from the total amount of the identification amount, and information capable of specifying the size of the monetary amount are recorded. A money substitute recording medium issuing means for issuing a money substitute recording medium in which the money amount can be settled; and accepting the game recording medium, and specified by the received recording information of the game recording medium. The size of At least a game recording medium processing means for performing processing for causing a game value to be used for a game, provided at a position in the vicinity of the gaming machine, and the remaining amount is present in the remaining amount calculating means. In this case, the balance is issued and returned by issuing the money substitute recording medium corresponding to the balance. According to this feature, in the case where the remaining amount to be changed in the purchase of the game recording medium is present, the remaining amount is returned by the money substitute recording medium which can be settled instead of money, It is not necessary to replenish these change coins, and not only can the labor involved in replenishing the change coins be significantly reduced, but also by preventing these change coins from being replenished to the game recording medium processing device, the game island Can significantly reduce the amount of cash existing in the cash, and can reduce the management cost required for storing and managing the cash.

[0007] The game recording medium processing device of the present invention comprises a money substitute recording medium accepting means for receiving the money substitute recording medium and reading recorded information on the money substitute recording medium, and wherein the game recording medium issuing means comprises: A game in which information capable of specifying the size of the gaming value corresponding to the money amount of the size specified by the recording information of the money substitute recording medium read by the money substitute recording medium receiving means is recorded. It is preferable to issue a recording medium for use. By doing so, the player can receive a new game recording medium using the returned money substitute recording medium.

The game recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention receives the money substitute recording medium, and reads the money substitute recording medium receiving means for reading the record information of the money substitute recording medium, and reads the information by the money substitute recording medium receiving means. There is a game recording medium that accepts the game value of the size corresponding to the money amount of the size specified by the recording information of the specified money substitution recording medium in the game recording medium processing means. In this case, it is preferable to include a game value adding / updating means for adding / updating a game value of a size specified from the recording information of the received game recording medium. In this way, the player can add the value to the game recording medium used for the game by using the returned money substitute recording medium.

In the game recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the game recording medium is a disc-shaped body on which an integrated circuit capable of recording at least information capable of specifying the value of the game value is mounted. Is preferred. In this way, the structure of the moving path of the game recording medium in issuing and receiving the game recording medium can be simplified,
It is possible to reduce the size of the game recording medium processing device, and to avoid inconvenience associated with the increase in the size of the game recording medium processing device installed between gaming machines.

[0010] In the game recording medium processing device of the present invention, the money substitute recording medium is a disc-shaped body on which an integrated circuit capable of recording information capable of specifying at least the size of the money amount is mounted. Is preferred. This makes it possible to simplify the structure of the moving path of the currency-substitute recording medium in issuing and accepting the currency-substitution recording medium, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the game recording-medium processing apparatus and to install the apparatus between gaming machines. Inconvenience due to the enlargement of the game recording medium processing device can be avoided.

In the game recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the game recording medium and the money substitute recording medium have different external shapes. With this configuration, the game recording medium and the money substitute recording medium can be identified.

[0012] In the game recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the game recording medium processing means may not be able to receive the money substitute recording medium due to the difference in the external shape, and the money substitute recording medium receiving means may have the money substitute recording medium. It is preferable that the game recording medium is not accepted. With this configuration, it is possible to avoid a disadvantage that the wrong recording medium is received by the game recording medium processing unit or the money-substitute recording medium receiving unit.

The game recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention recovers the game recording medium having the game value of 0, and issues the recovered game recording medium from the game recording medium issuing means. It is preferable to reuse it as a game recording medium. In this way, the replenishment frequency of the game recording media to be issued can be greatly reduced, and the labor for replenishing these game recording media can be greatly reduced.

The game recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention includes an issue amount selecting means for allowing a player to select an issue amount of the game recording medium to be issued, and the game recording medium issuing means includes: It is preferable to issue a game recording medium corresponding to the issue amount selected by the issue amount selection means. In this way, the player can receive a game recording medium of a desired amount.

[0015] In the game recording medium processing device of the present invention, the money substitute recording medium issuing means, when the money substitute recording medium is issued, determines the size of the money amount corresponding to the issued money substitute recording medium. It is preferable to perform a process for enabling the identification. In this way, before the issuance, no value is given to the money substitute recording medium, so that even if these unissued money substitute recording media are stolen, the damage amount is significantly reduced. Not only that, but also the management cost of these money substitute recording media can be reduced.

It is preferable that the game recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention includes a receiving means for receiving a money substitute recording medium supplied from a supply device for automatically supplying the money substitute recording medium. This makes it possible to automate the replenishment of the money substitute recording medium.

[0017] In the game recording medium processing device of the present invention, the monetary amount specified by the recording information of the money substitution recording medium is a single amount, and the money substitution recording medium issuing means includes: It is preferable to issue a number of money substitute recording media corresponding to minutes. In this way, since all the money substitute recording media are of only one kind having the same amount, the gaming machine side does not need to sort these money substitute recording media, and can reduce the management labor. At the same time, even a player can easily check the balance of possession by the number of money substitute recording media.

In the game recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the total amount of the identification amount can be returned on the money substitute recording medium. In this case, the identification money can be immediately collected.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, an example is shown in which a normal pachinko machine in which a pachinko ball as a game medium is paid out is used as a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other gaming machines, For example, the present invention can be applied to a game machine such as an enclosed pachinko machine in which a pachinko ball is sealed so as not to be touched, a slot machine using coins and pachinko balls as a game medium, and a completely credit type slot machine.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a gaming island 1 used in this embodiment. The gaming island 1 has a pachinko machine as a gaming machine on its front and rear surfaces (rear surface is not shown). 2 and a plurality of coin units 3 as a game recording medium processing device of the present invention, which are installed in a side position of the pachinko machine 2 on a one-to-one basis. At the end of the island 1, a money substitute coin settlement machine 4 for setting a money substitute coin 38 (see FIG. 7) as a money substitute recording medium to be described later is installed.

At a substantially central portion between the pachinko machine 2 and the coin unit 3 inside the gaming island 1,
As shown in FIG. 1, a bill transport path 5 capable of transporting bills discharged from the respective coin units 3 to a bill collection box 7 (see FIG. 11) provided at an island end in a predetermined direction is provided.

A coin supply path 6 which is inclined downward from one island end to the other island end is provided below the bill conveyance path 5, and a coin lifting gutter 10 shown in FIG. The money-substituted coins 38 that have been pumped up flow down inside the coin supply path 6 in an inclined direction. The coin supply path 6 has a coin supply unit 2 as a supply device corresponding to the coin unit 3.
2 (see FIG. 4B), and the coin supply unit 22 sends the coin to the corresponding coin unit 3 based on the detection of a later-described coin supply signal output from the coin unit 3. A predetermined number of money substitute coins 38 flowing down the supply path 6 are supplied.

A supply gutter (not shown) for supplying pachinko balls to each of the pachinko machines 2 is provided inside the gaming island 1.
Also, an out-ball tank (not shown) which is installed corresponding to each of the pachinko machines 2 and stores the pachinko balls used in the pachinko machine 2, and the pachinko balls discharged from the out-ball tank are collected. And a lifting device (not shown) for lifting to the supply gutter.

Next, a description will be given of the pachinko machine 2 which is a game machine of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the pachinko machine 2 has a game area 207 whose front surface is covered with a glass frame. A hit ball supply tray 203 is provided below the game area 207. In addition, an operation unit 14 is provided at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the hitting ball supply tray 203, and a hitting operation handle 205 for firing a pachinko ball in the hitting ball supply tray 203 is provided below the operation unit 14, By operating the hitting ball operation handle 205, the pachinko balls stored in the hitting ball supply tray 203 are fired to the game area 207, and the pachinko balls win predetermined prize holes provided in the game area 207 so that the predetermined numbers can be obtained. It is a regular pachinko machine that pays out prize balls (pachinko balls).

As shown in FIG. 3, on the upper surface of the operation section 14, a frequency display section 17 for displaying the frequency read from the prepaid coin 37 being accepted by the player in the coin unit 3 is provided. A lending button 1 that is pressed at the start or when the number of balls held in the hitting ball supply tray 203 is reduced or exhausted and a predetermined number of pachinko balls are lent when the frequency is displayed in the frequency display unit 17.
6 and by being pressed when ending the game,
A return button 15 is provided to overwrite the prepaid coin 37 with the remaining number at the time and return the same, and these parts are mounted on an operation board 18 provided inside the operation unit 14. I have.

The configuration of the pachinko machine 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The pachinko machine 2 includes a display control board 280 for controlling display of a variable display unit 209 provided in the game area 207, and a ball (not shown). It is connected to a ball payout device 297 for paying out pachinko balls supplied to the tank, and pays out pachinko balls based on a prize ball signal output from a game control board 231 described later and various signals input / output from the coin unit 3. Prize ball control board 237 for controlling, and lamp control board 235 for controlling a game effect lamp and the like.
And a sound control board 270 that performs sound control output from a speaker, and controls a hit ball launching device that shoots the pachinko balls paid out to the hit ball supply tray 203 to the game area 207 based on the operation of the hit ball operation handle 205. A launch control board 291 for performing the control and a game control board 231 for controlling these components are provided, and these are connected as shown in FIG.

The prize ball control board 237 is connected to a coin unit control board (not shown) of the coin unit 3 via a signal cable, and a later-described lending completion signal (EXS) and a pachinko machine ready signal are provided. (PRDY)
Is output to a microprocessing unit (MPU) 313 described later provided in the coin unit 3 and the MP of the coin unit 3 is output.
A coin unit ready signal (BRDY) and a lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ), which will be described later, output from U313 are input.

The operation board 18 is connected to the coin unit 3 together with the signal cable of the prize ball control board, and is output when the lending button 16 is operated and a ball lending operation is performed by the player. And a return input signal that is output when a return operation is performed by the player by operating the return button 15 and the MPU 313 of the coin unit 3. The frequency display signal of the frequency display unit 17 is output from the frequency display unit 17.

Next, the coin unit 3 as a game recording medium processing device will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B and FIG.
As shown in (a), an operation lamp 301 for notifying the operation of the coin unit 3 by lighting, a bill insertion slot 316 in which bills can be inserted, and a discharge of bills from the bill insertion slot 316 are blinked. Bill indicator 317
A prepaid coin insertion slot 305 into which the prepaid coin 37 can be inserted; a prepaid coin outlet 302 through which the prepaid coin 37 to be issued and the prepaid coin 37 returned by operating the return button 15 are discharged. A holding unit 303 for preventing the prepaid coin 37 discharged from the prepaid coin outlet 302 from dropping, a prepaid coin indicator 306 for notifying a player of the discharge of the prepaid coin 37 from the prepaid coin outlet 302, Money substitute coin 3
A coin substitute slot 304 into which a coin 8 can be inserted;
A money substitute coin 38 paid out as change or the like accompanying the purchase of the prepaid coin 37 or a money substitute coin 3 whose identification error has been made by the IC coin identification unit 311 described later.
And a tray 307 that is connected to the coin substitute 308 from which the coin substitutes 8 and the like are discharged, and temporarily stores the coin substitute 38 that has been paid out.
Money substitute coin 3 from the money substitute coin outlet 308
And the total amount of the bills inserted into the bill insertion slot 316 and the amount specified by the money substitute coin 38 inserted into the money substitute coin insertion slot 304. A total amount display section 318 for sequentially displaying the total;
There are provided a purchase amount selection button 319 as an issue amount selection means for selecting a purchase amount of the new prepaid coin 37 from 0 yen, 3000 yen, and 5000 yen, and a stop button 320 for interrupting the issuance of the prepaid coin 37. ing.

The prepaid coin insertion slot 305 is formed so that its vertical width and horizontal width are slightly wider than the diameter and thickness of the prepaid coin 37, so that the prepaid coin 37 can be inserted, and the money substitute coin 38
Is not allowed.

In addition, the money substitute coin slot 304
The coin is formed so that its length and width are slightly wider than the diameter and thickness of the money substitute coin 38, the money substitute coin 38 can be inserted, and the prepaid coin 37 cannot be inserted.

As described above, in the coin unit 3 of the present embodiment, the insertion of the money substitute coin 38 into the prepaid coin insertion slot 305 is not allowed, and the insertion of the prepaid coin 37 into the money substitution coin insertion slot 304. Is not allowed, and the wrong IC coin is
Inconveniences such as an identification error due to being accepted by the C coin reader / writer 310 or the IC coin identification unit 311 can be avoided.

The structure of the coin unit 3 is shown in FIG.
Also, referring to FIG. 5, the coin unit 3
Are the operation lamp 301 and the bill indicator 317.
, A prepaid coin indicator 306, a money substitute coin indicator 309, a total amount display section 318.
In addition to the purchase amount selection button 319 and the stop button 320, a bill identification unit 321 as a currency identification means connected to the bill insertion slot 316 for identifying inserted bills, and the prepaid coin insertion slot 305 and the prepaid coin discharge slot 302, and the prepaid coin 3 inserted into the prepaid coin insertion slot 305.
7, an IC coin reader / writer 310 as a game recording medium processing means for reading, writing, erasing and the like of recorded information of the issued prepaid coin 37, a game value addition / update means, and a game recording medium collection means;
An IC coin identification unit 311 as a money substitute recording medium receiving means provided with an IC coin reader / writer connected to the money substitute coin insertion slot 304 for reading and erasing recorded information of the inserted money substitute coin 38.
And an IC coin reader / writer (not shown) for reading and writing the record information of the paid-out coin 38, and writes the money amount information capable of specifying 1000 yen to the paid-in coin 38,
7 as a change accompanying the issue of 7
08 as a means for issuing money substitute recording media
C coin payout unit 323 and storage sensor 3 for detecting the storage state of money substitute coin stocker 322 described later
27, an output port 326 that outputs a coin supply signal to the coin supply unit 22 provided in the coin supply path 6 based on the detection state of the storage sensor 327,
A display driver 325 for controlling the display of the total amount display unit 318;
A storage unit 315 that stores information read and written from and data read from the inserted money substitute coin 38, and a control program in which control contents executed by the MPU 313 described later are described.
And an I / O port 31 for inputting and outputting various signals to and from the prize ball control board 237 and the operation board 18 of the pachinko machine 2
4, a communication unit 312 for performing data communication with the management computer 50, and the microprocessing unit (MPU) 313 for controlling these units, the frequency display unit 17 mounted on the operation board 18, and the like. When,
And these components are connected as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the bill discrimination unit 321 is connected at its rear end to the connection unit 20 constituting the bill conveyance path 5 via the bill collection path 21. When the inserted bill is identified as a legitimate bill by the identification unit 321, the inserted bill is sent to the bill transport path 5 via the bill collection path 21.

The IC coin reader / writer 310
Has a prepaid coin stocker (not shown) capable of storing a prepaid coin 37 therein, and uses the prepaid coin 37 stored in the prepaid coin stocker as a newly issued prepaid coin 37. ing. In the IC coin reader / writer 310, the frequency read from the inserted prepaid coin 37 is used by a lending process described later to
Prepaid coin 3
7 are collected in the prepaid coin stocker, and the collected prepaid coins 37 are used as newly issued prepaid coins 37.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the used prepaid coin 37 whose read frequency is used and becomes 0 degrees is collected by the prepaid coin stocker provided in the IC coin reader / writer 310, and The collected prepaid coins 37 are reused as newly issued prepaid coins 37, and the frequency of replenishment of the issued prepaid coins 37 can be greatly reduced. The effort can be greatly reduced.

The IC coin identification unit 311
As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the money substitute coin stocker 322 capable of storing the money substitute coin 38 and the return path 3
28, the money substitute coin outlet 308 is connected to the money substitute coin outlet 308, the money substitute coin 38 inserted through the money substitute coin slot 304 is read out, and the money substitute coin 38 is recorded with the money amount information. When the money information is deleted, the money information is erased and then collected and stored in the money substitute coin stocker 322. When the money substitute coin 38 or the identification error in which the money information is not recorded occurs, The inserted money substitute coin 38 is discharged to a money substitute coin outlet 308.

Further, the above-mentioned coin substitute coin stocker 322
As shown in FIG. 4B, the coin supply unit 324 is provided with a coin substitute passage 324 as a receiving means connected to a coin flow path 23 extending from the coin supply unit 22. The money substitute coin 38 supplied from the unit 22 is used as the money substitute coin stocker 322.
Is to be stored.

Further, the coin substitute stocker 322 for money
As shown in FIG. 4B, the money coins 38 collected by the IC coin identification unit 311 and the money supplied from the coin supply unit 22 are connected to the IC coin payout unit 323. Substitute coin 38
, The payout of the money substitute coin 38 by the IC coin payout unit 323 is performed.

A prepaid coin 37 as a game recording medium used in the coin unit 3 of the present embodiment.
6, a pattern coil (not shown) and an IC chip as an integrated circuit in which a memory is incorporated are provided inside a resin outer shell member 381 formed in a disk shape, as shown in FIG. The IC tag 382 has a sealed structure. These prepaid coins 37 are attached to an electromagnetic wave output from the IC coin reader / writer 310 to generate an induced electromotive force in the pattern coil so that the IC chip can operate. And the IC coin reader / writer 310 is connected to the IC through the pattern coil.
It is a non-contact IC coin capable of reading, writing, and erasing information recorded in a memory in the chip in a non-contact manner.

As described above, the prepaid coin 3 of this embodiment is
7 is an IC tag 3 having an IC chip as an integrated circuit.
82 is a disc-shaped IC coin having a built-in, and the structure of the moving path of the prepaid coin 37 in the coin unit 3 can be simplified. Inconveniences such as a decrease in the number of installations can be avoided.

In the memory of the IC chip of the prepaid coin 37, an ID individually assigned to each prepaid coin 37 is recorded beforehand in a non-rewritable manner. 37, and information such as the remaining frequency at that time is rewritably recorded by data communication with the IC coin reader / writer 310.

Further, the same information as the recorded information of the prepaid coins 37 is registered in the management computer 50 for each ID, and each time the recorded information of each prepaid coin 37 is changed, the information is stored in the management computer 50. The registered information for each ID is also sequentially updated to the same information, and the recorded contents of these prepaid coins 37 are managed by the management computer 50.

The money substitute coin 3, which is a money substitute recording medium used in the coin unit 3 of the present embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the configuration of FIG. 8 includes a resin outer shell member 41 formed in a thick disk shape smaller in diameter than the prepaid coin 37, a pattern coil (not shown) and an inner portion. An IC tag 42 having an IC chip as an integrated circuit with a built-in memory is hermetically sealed, and these money substitute coins 38 are used for the IC coin identification unit 311 and the money substitute coin settlement machine 4 described later. IC
The electromagnetic wave output from the IC coin reader / writer provided in the coin identification unit 417 generates an induced electromotive force in the pattern coil, and the IC chip is operably urged. An IC coin reader / writer reads and writes information recorded in a memory in the IC chip in a non-contact manner;
It is a non-contact IC coin that can be erased.

As described above, the money substitute coin 38 of this embodiment is
Is an IC tag 42 having an IC chip which is an integrated circuit.
Is built in the disk-shaped IC coin, and the structure of the moving path of the money substitute coin 38 in the coin unit 3 can be simplified. Inconveniences such as a decrease in the number of installations can be avoided.

Further, in each of the money substitute coins 38, an identification number for identifying each money substitute coin 38 is recorded beforehand in a non-rewritable manner, and the money amount information for specifying 1,000 yen is stored in the IC coin identification unit 311. Is recorded so as to be rewritable by an IC coin reader / writer provided in the PC.

As shown in FIG. 7B, an amount (1000 yen) based on the recorded contents of the money substitute coin 38 is visibly written on the money substitute coin 38 of this embodiment. The user can clearly grasp the value of the money substitute coin 38 owned by the user, but the present invention is not limited to this.

In this embodiment, the appearance of the prepaid coin 37 used as a game recording medium is formed to be thin and large in diameter, and the appearance of a money substitute coin 38 used as a money substitution recording medium. However, the coins are formed smaller in diameter and thicker than the prepaid coins 37, and these coins can be identified by their appearance.

In the coin unit 3 of this embodiment,
An issuance process of newly issuing a prepaid coin 37 by inserting a banknote and / or money substitute coin 38 is enabled.

The issuance process will be described. First, when a player purchases a new prepaid coin 37, a banknote of a desired amount or more and / or a number of money substitutes corresponding to the desired amount is provided. Insert the coin 38 into the bill insertion slot 316 and / or the coin substitute slot 3
04.

At this time, the inserted bill is identified by the bill identifying unit 321, and the identification information is stored in the MPU 313.
Is output to In addition, the money substitute coin 38 is read by the IC coin identification unit 311 for the amount information, and the read amount information is output to the MPU 313.

The MPU 313 calculates the total amount of the amount of the inserted bill and the amount specified by the inserted money substitute coin 38 based on the information output from the bill identification unit 321 and the IC coin identification unit 311. In addition, the information is displayed on the total amount display section 318 and temporarily stored in the storage section 315. At this time, the identified bill is discharged to the bill transport path 5 and collected. Further, the inserted money substitute coin 38 has a money substitute coin stocker 322 after the money amount information is deleted.
Is to be collected.

In this state, when the purchase amount (2000 yen, 3000 yen, 5000 yen, etc.) on the purchase amount selection button 319 is selected and input, the MPU 313 specifies the purchase amount of the selected and input prepaid coin 37. The specified purchase price is converted into a frequency, the prepaid coin 37 stored in the prepaid coin stocker is set at a predetermined position of the IC coin reader / writer 310, and after the converted frequency is recorded, the prepaid coin outlet is 302
Discharge and issue more.

When the total amount of the inserted bills and / or the total amount specified by the inserted money substitute coins 38 exceeds the purchase amount of the issued prepaid coins 37, the MPU 313 sets the total The change amount is calculated by subtracting the purchase amount from the amount, and 1000 yen is given to the money substitute coin 38 of the number (the number obtained by dividing the change amount by 1000 yen) corresponding to the calculated change amount by the IC coin payout unit 323. After the identifiable amount information is recorded, the money substitute coin 38 on which the amount information is recorded is discharged from the money substitute coin outlet 308 as change accompanying the purchase of the prepaid coin 37. At this time, the recording state of the current amount information on the money substitute coin 38 registered for each identification number of each money substitute coin 38 in the management computer is updated. The recording status of the coin 38 can be grasped.

Further, after the bill is inserted and collected by the player, the stop button 320 is input, and when the issuing process is interrupted, the MPU 313 stores the data in the storage unit 31.
5 (the total amount is 1)
1 for money substitute coin 38)
After the amount information that can specify 000 yen is recorded, the money substitute coin 38 on which the amount information is recorded is discharged from the money substitute coin outlet 308 as a substitute for the returned money.

The situation of issuing these prepaid coins 37 will be described in detail.
If you purchase a prepaid coin 37 of 00 yen, 1
Seven money substitute coins 38 on which amount information that can specify 000 yen are recorded are paid out. In addition, three 2000 yen bills
When the player inserts one coin and purchases the 5000 yen prepaid coin 37, one money substitute coin 38 in which amount information that can specify 1000 yen is recorded is paid out. Also, insert a 5000 yen bill and cancel button 32
When 0 is input, the inserted 5000 yen bill is collected and five coins 38 are paid out.

As described above, in the coin unit 3 of this embodiment, the purchase amount of the prepaid coin 37 is 1,000 yen, 30 yen.
Purchase amount selection button 3 that can be selected from 00 yen and 5000 yen
19 is provided, and the prepaid coin 37 of the purchase amount selected by the purchase amount selection button 319 is issued, and the player can receive the prepaid coin 37 of the desired amount. In this embodiment,
Combination of purchase amount selection button 319 is 1000 yen, 3
Although it is set to 000 yen and 5000 yen, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be other combinations of purchase amounts.

In the coin unit 3 of this embodiment,
When paying out the money substitute coin 38, the money amount information is recorded on the paid money substitute coin 38. In a state before the money is paid out, the value of the money substitute coin 38 is reduced. Since it is not provided, even if these money substitute coins 38 before being paid out as change are stolen, not only can the damage amount be significantly reduced, but also the management cost of these money substitute coins 38 can be reduced. .

Further, the coin unit 3 in this embodiment is
Then, the amount specified by the amount information recorded on the money substitute coin 38 is uniformly 1000 yen, and when a change occurs, the money substitute coin 38 corresponding to the amount of the change is paid out. Since all the money substitute coins 38 have the same value, there is no need to sort the money substitute coins 38 at the game arcade side, and it is possible to reduce the management labor and to provide the player with Even if it is, the amount of money possessed can be easily confirmed by the number of money substitute coins 38.

The present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of kinds of money information (for example, 1000 yen, 2000 yen, 3000 yen,.
(10,000 yen).

In the coin unit 3 of this embodiment,
A new prepaid coin 37 can be issued using the money substitute coin 38 paid out as a change due to the purchase of the prepaid coin 37, so that the money substitute coin 38 does not have to be settled in cash. Since the prepaid coin 37 can be purchased, the convenience for the player can be improved.

In the coin unit 3 of this embodiment,
In the case where the issuing process is interrupted, the payout of the money substitute coins 38 corresponding to the amount of the inserted banknotes is performed, and the banknotes inserted with the issuing process are immediately collected, Since the bills can be sent out to the bill transport path 5, it is possible to avoid inconvenience caused by storing the inserted bills in the coin unit 3.

In the coin unit 3 of the present embodiment, when the issued prepaid coins 37 are inserted, a predetermined communication with the management computer 50 is performed based on the record information read from the prepaid coins 37. When the license is received from the management computer 50 based on the collation processing, the frequency recorded in the inserted prepaid coin 37 is stored in the storage unit 315, and the stored frequency is displayed in the frequency display unit. 17 is displayed, and in this state, if the frequency remains, a lending process of lending a pachinko ball used for the game of the pachinko machine 2 using the stored frequency is performed. It is possible.

The control status of the lending process will be described with reference to FIG.
When the ball is supplied to the ball tank of the pachinko machine 2 and the pachinko ball can be paid out, the standby state is established, the PRDY is turned on, and the MP of the coin unit 3 is turned on.
It outputs to U313 (S1).

When the lending button 16 is operated while PRDY is output, the MPU 313 of the coin unit 3 turns on the BRDY and outputs the BRDY to the prize ball control board 237 (S2). In this state, the BRQ is further turned on and output to the award ball control board 237 (S3).

Next, when the award ball control board 237 detects BRQ while detecting BRDY output from the MPU 313, it turns on the EXS.
Is output to the MPU 313 (S4).

The MPU 313 that has detected the EXS turns off the output of the BRQ (S5), and turns off the BRQ.
The prize ball control board 237 which has detected outputs a ball payout signal to the ball payout device 297, based on which a payout of the number of balls corresponding to one count (in this embodiment, 25 balls) is performed, and the payout is performed. EXS output is turned off based on the end of
(S6).

The MPU 313 which has detected that the EXS has been turned OFF
Subtracts one degree from the frequency stored in the storage unit 315 and subtracts one degree from the frequency displayed on the frequency display unit 17 to update the display.

The MPU 313 performs these operations (S3) to (S3).
6) The signal control and the subtraction / update control of the frequency in the storage unit 315 and the frequency display unit 17 are repeatedly performed by the frequency of lending based on one operation of the lending button 16, and after these controls are completed, BRDY is performed. OFF (S
7), end the lending process.

As described above, the MPU 31 of the coin unit 3
Based on the number of times BRQ is output from No. 3, the prize ball control board 237 is configured to borrow a quantity (25 balls) of pachinko balls corresponding to one time, and thus the ball is lent out. Using the pachinko balls, the player can execute a game in the pachinko machine 2.

In the present embodiment, one degree is subtracted from the frequency of the storage unit 315 and the frequency of the frequency display unit 17 at the stage when S6 is completed.
After the process of S6 is repeatedly performed for the number of times of loan (for example, five times for the loan of five times), that is, after the pachinko balls of the number of times of loan are paid out, the frequency of the loan (for example, 5 (5 times for lending) may be subtracted from the frequency of the storage unit 315 and the frequency of the frequency display unit 17.

In the coin unit 3,
When the lending process is performed and the frequency read from the inserted prepaid coin 37 becomes 0 degrees, the prepaid coin 37 having the frequency of 0 degrees is collected in the prepaid coin stocker of the IC coin reader / writer 310.・ It is being stored.

In the coin unit 3,
In a state where the frequency read from the inserted prepaid coin 37 remains, the money substitute coin 38 is inserted by the player, and the amount corresponds to the amount specified by the inserted money substitute coin 38. An additional payment process for adding and updating the frequency to the frequency read from the inserted prepaid coin 37 can be performed.

The additional deposit processing will be described. In the state where the number read from the inserted prepaid coin 37 remains, the player substitutes the money substitute coin 3 by the player.
8 is inserted into the money substitute coin slot 304,
The amount information of the money substitute coin 38 inserted by the IC coin identification unit 311 is read, and the amount (1000 yen) based on the read amount information is stored in the storage unit 3.
15 temporarily.

Based on this, the MPU 313 converts the stored amount into a number, reads the converted number from the inserted prepaid coin 37, and stores the converted amount in the storage unit 31.
5, and the frequency displayed on the frequency display section 17 is updated to the frequency obtained by the addition and update. By these processes, the player can add and update the frequency. The lending process can be performed based on the updated frequency.

As described above, in the coin unit 3 of the present embodiment, when the frequency read from the inserted prepaid coin 37 remains, the coin substitute 38 is inserted so that the coin substitute 38 can be used. It is possible to perform an additional payment process of adding and updating the frequency based on the amount specified by the amount information to the remaining frequency,
The player can continue the game by adding the frequency read from the inserted prepaid coin 37 without receiving a new prepaid coin 37.

The money substitute coin 3 inserted at this time is
Reference numeral 8 indicates that the money information is deleted by the IC coin identification unit 311 and then collected and stored in the coin substitute stocker 322.

In the coin unit 3, the storage sensor 3 provided in the money substitute coin stocker 322 is provided.
27 detects the shortage of the stored amount of the money substitute coin 38 by the MPU 313,
26, a coin supply signal is output to the coin supply unit 22 via the coin supply unit 22. Based on the coin supply signal, the coin supply unit 22 automatically supplies the money substitute coin 38, and the supplied money substitute coin 38 is used as the money substitute coin 38. It flows in from the coin receiving path 324 and is stored.

As described above, the coin substitute stocker 322 of the coin unit 3 of this embodiment is provided with the storage sensor 327 for detecting the amount stored in the stocker. When the shortage is detected, the money substitute coin 38 is supplied from a money substitute coin receiving path 324 as a receiving means connected to the coin supply unit 22 serving as the supply device. Since the replenishment of coins 38 can be automated, the labor involved in these replenishments can be reduced.

Next, a description will be given of a money substitute coin settlement machine 4 capable of reconciling the money substitute coin 38 into money with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The external shape is as shown in FIG. 9, and the money substitute coin 3
8, an operation display unit 401 for notifying the player that the settlement of 8 is possible, a vertical width and a horizontal width are formed slightly wider than a diameter and a thickness of the money substitute coin 38 described later,
The money substitute coin 38 can be inserted, and is specified by the money substitute coin insertion slot 406 in which the insertion of the prepaid coin 37 described later is disabled, and the money substitute coin 38 inserted into the money substitute coin insertion port 406. Total amount display unit 407 for sequentially displaying the total amount of money to be paid, and a cancel button 409 for interrupting the settlement processing of the money substitute coin 38.
And a settlement button 410 for adjusting the amount specified from the inserted money substitute coin 38 to a bill, and a money substitute coin outlet 411 for discharging the inserted money substitute coin 38 when the settlement process is stopped. A money substitute coin indicator 412 for notifying the discharge of the money substitute coin 38 from the money substitute coin discharge opening 411 by flashing, a bill discharge opening 413 for discharging bills to be paid out by settlement of the money substitute coin 38, The bill indicator 41 which notifies the discharge of the bill from the bill outlet 413 by blinking.
4 are provided.

The structure of the money substitute coin settlement machine 4 will be described. The money substitute coin settlement machine 4 includes the operation display section 401, the total amount display section 407, the stop button 409, the settlement button 410, the bill Indicator 41
As shown in FIG. 10, in addition to the coin substitute 4 and the coin substitute coin indicator 412, an IC coin reader / writer (not shown) for reading and erasing the recorded information of the coin 38 inserted from the coin substitute slot 406. ), A bill payout unit 419 connected to the bill outlet 413, and paying out a bill corresponding to the settlement amount of the money substitute coin 38, and the total amount display. A display driver 420 for controlling the display operation of the unit 407, a storage unit 421 for storing various data read out from the money substitute coin 38, and a control program or the like in which control contents of the MPU 423 described later are stored. Communication unit for performing data communication with the management computer 50 via the communication cable 8 22 and a micro-processing unit (MPU) 423 for controlling these parts and calculating the settlement amount, etc., and these parts are connected as shown in FIG. Settlement is possible.

Next, the settlement processing of the money substitute coin 38 in the money substitute coin settlement machine 4 will be described. First, when the player desires the settlement of the money substitute coin 38, the money substitute coin 38 is replaced with the money substitute coin 38. It is inserted into the substitute coin insertion slot 406.

The inserted money substitute coins 38 are I
The amount information is read by the C coin identification unit 417, and based on the read amount information, the MPU 423 is read.
Calculates the total amount (the amount obtained by multiplying the number of inserted money substitute coins 38 by 1000), displays the total amount on the total amount display unit 407, and temporarily stores the total amount in the storage unit 421.

When the settlement button 410 is pressed in this state, the inserted money substitute coin 38 is erased in the IC coin identification unit 417 and the money amount information is deleted. At the same time as the bill is collected, the bill corresponding to the settlement amount based on the calculated total amount is paid out by the bill payout unit 419, and the inserted money substitute coin 38 is settled into the bill.

As described above, in the money substitute coin settlement machine 4 of the present embodiment, the money substitute coin 3 paid out as change is used.
8 and the amount based on the amount information of the received money substitute coin 38 can be settled, and the money substitute coin 38 paid out as change can be returned to cash again, which is convenient for the player. In addition to being able to improve the property, even if a large bill is inserted and change is paid out with the money substitute coin 38, the large bill can be used with confidence because it can be settled in cash.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the money substitute coins 3 which are settled by the money substitute coin settlement machine 4 and collected by the money substitute coin stocker 418 are used.
8 flows down the coin supply gutter 424 and is lifted in the coin lifting gutter 10 by the drive of the lifting motor 9, and then supplied to the coin supply path 6, again to the coin substitute stocker 322 of each coin unit 3. It is being supplied.

As described above, in the coin unit 3 according to the present embodiment, when a change is generated when the prepaid coin 37 is purchased, the change 38 is not a money but a cash substitute coin 38 that can be settled in cash. It is not necessary to replenish these coins for change to the individual coin units 3, and not only can the labor involved with this be greatly reduced, but also these coins for change By preventing the coins 3 from being replenished, the amount of cash existing in the game island 1 can be significantly reduced, and the management cost required for storing and managing the cash can also be reduced.

Each element in each of the above embodiments corresponds to the present invention as follows.

A first aspect of the present invention is a currency identifying means (a currency identifying unit 3) for accepting a currency and identifying the accepted currency.
21) and the money discriminating means (the bill discriminating unit 321)
It corresponds to a predetermined amount within the total amount of the identification amount identified by, and can specify the size of the game value (frequency) used when playing a game with the gaming machine (pachinko machine 2). A game recording medium issuing means (IC coin reader / writer 310) for issuing a game recording medium (prepaid coin 37) on which information is recorded, and an issuance amount (purchase amount) of the game recording medium (prepaid coin 37). A balance calculating means (MPU 313) for calculating a balance by subtracting from the total amount (total amount) of the identification amount, and information (amount information) capable of specifying the size of the amount of money, and the settlement of the amount of money. Money substitute recording medium issuing means (IC coin payout unit 323) for issuing a money substitute recording medium (money substitute coin 38) which is enabled, and the game recording medium (prepaid coin 37). And a process (lending process) for causing the game value (frequency) of a size specified by the received game recording medium (prepaid coin 37) to be used in the game. At least a recording medium processing means (IC coin reader / writer 310), and is provided corresponding to a position near the gaming machine (pachinko machine 2);
In the case where there is a balance (change amount) in 3), the balance (change amount) is replaced with the balance (change amount).
The money substitute recording medium (money substitute coin 3)
8) Issue and return.

A second aspect of the present invention is a receipt of a money substitute recording medium for receiving the money substitute recording medium (money substitute coin) and reading the recording information (money information) of the money substitute recording medium (money substitute coin). Means (IC coin identification unit 311), and the game recording medium issuing means (I
The C coin reader / writer 310) has a size specified by the recording information (money information) of the money substitute recording medium (money substitute coin 38) read by the money substitute recording medium receiving means (IC coin identification unit 311). A game recording medium (a prepaid coin 37) on which information capable of specifying the size of the game value (frequency) corresponding to the monetary amount of money is issued.

[0091] Claim 3 of the present invention is to accept the money substitute recording medium (money substitute coin 38) and read the record information (money information) of the money substitute recording medium (money substitute coin 38). Means (IC coin identification unit 311) and the recording information (money information) of the money substitution recording medium (money substitution coin 38) read by the money substitution recording medium receiving means (IC coin identification unit 311). A game recording medium (a prepaid coin 37) in which the game value (frequency) corresponding to a monetary amount of a size corresponding to the monetary amount is received by the game recording medium processing means (IC coin reader / writer 310). Is present, the game value of the size specified from the recording information of the accepted game recording medium (prepaid coin 37). Gaming negotiable value added update means for adding an update to the (frequency) (IC coin reader-writer 310)
And.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the game recording medium (prepaid coin 37) is an integrated circuit (IC chip) capable of recording at least information capable of specifying the value of the game value (frequency). Is mounted on the disk-shaped body.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the money substitute recording medium (money substitute coin 38) is an integrated circuit (IC chip) capable of recording at least information (money information) capable of specifying the size of the money amount. Is mounted on the disk-shaped body.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the game recording medium (prepaid coin 37) and the money substitute recording medium (money substitute coin 38) have different external shapes.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the game recording medium processing means (IC coin reader / writer 310) cannot accept the money substitute recording medium (money substitute coin 38) due to the difference in appearance. At the same time, the money substitute recording medium accepting means (IC coin identification unit 311) cannot accept the game recording medium (prepaid coin 37).

An eighth aspect of the present invention is to collect the game recording medium (prepaid coin 37) in which the game value (frequency) has become 0 and to collect the game recording medium (prepaid coin 37). Is reused as a game recording medium (prepaid coin 37) issued by the game recording medium issuing means (IC coin reader / writer 310).

A ninth aspect of the present invention is an issue amount selection means (purchase amount selection button 319) for allowing a player to select an issue amount (purchase amount) of the game recording medium (prepaid coin 37) to be issued. The game recording medium issuing means (IC coin reader / writer 310) includes a game recording medium (prepaid amount) corresponding to the issue amount (purchase amount) selected by the issue amount selection means (purchase amount selection button 319). Issue a coin 37).

A tenth aspect of the present invention is that the money substitute recording medium issuance means (IC coin payout unit 323) is provided when the money substitute recording medium (money substitute coin 38) is issued. Processing (recording of money amount information) is performed so that the size of the money amount corresponding to the medium (money substitute coin 38) can be specified.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention accepts a money substitute recording medium (money substitute coin) 38 supplied from a supply device (coin supply unit 22) that automatically supplies the money substitute recording medium (money substitute coin 38). It is provided with a receiving means (a coin receiving path for money substitution 324).

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is that the size of the monetary amount specified by the recording information (money amount information) of the money substituting recording medium (money substituting coin 38) is a single monetary amount (1000 monetary amounts).
Yen), and the money substitute recording medium issuing means (IC coin payout unit 323) issues a number of money substitute recording media (money substitute coins 38) corresponding to the balance (change amount).

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the total amount (total amount) of the identification amount can be returned on the money substitute recording medium (money substitute coin 38).

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

For example, in the coin unit 3 of the embodiment, the prepaid coin 37 can be purchased using the money substitute coin 38 paid out when the prepaid coin 37 is purchased. The present invention is not limited to this, and it suffices that at least the issuance of the prepaid coin 37 can be received using money. For example, those that can be issued only with bills, those that can be issued only with coins, bills and coins Those that can be issued using both, or those that can be issued in combination with these and the money substitute coin 38 may be used.

Further, in the coin unit 3 of the above embodiment, the prepaid coins 37 whose frequency has been read out are collected at 0 degrees, and the collected prepaid coins 37 are used as newly issued prepaid coins 37. Although the present invention is designed to be reused, the present invention is not limited to this.
The prepaid coin 37 that has become a predetermined value may be discharged to the outside, and the prepaid coin 37 stored inside or the prepaid coin 37 supplied from the outside may be issued as a new prepaid coin 37.

Further, in the coin unit 3 of the above embodiment, the value based on the money amount information of the money substitute coin 38 paid out as a change accompanying the purchase of the prepaid coin 37 is uniformly 1000 yen, and the number of coins corresponding to the change Although the substitute coin 38 is paid out as change, the present invention is not limited to this.
One money substitute coin 38 in which amount information corresponding to the amount of change is recorded may be paid out.

Also, different amounts (for example, 1000 yen, 2
A plurality of types of money substitute coins 38 in which amount information that can specify 000 yen, 5000 yen, etc. may be paid out according to the change amount (for example, if the change amount is 3000 yen) For example, the money substitute coins 38 of 2000 yen and 1000 yen are paid out one by one).

Further, in the coin unit 3 of the embodiment, the money information is recorded on the money substitute coin 38 when it is paid out as change, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the money substitute coin 38 in which the amount information is recorded in advance may be paid out as change. In this case, whether or not the corresponding money substitute coin 38 is currently usable is registered in the management computer 50 or the like corresponding to the identification number of each money substitute coin 38, and the corresponding money substitute coin 38 is used at the time of use. The security may be further enhanced by checking whether or not the money substitute coin 38 can be used with the management computer 50 or the like.

In the coin unit 3 of the above embodiment, a purchase amount selection button 319 is provided for the player to select the purchase amount of the prepaid coin 37, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the purchase amount selection button 319 may not be provided, and the purchase amount of the prepaid coin 37 may be set to a uniform amount.

Further, in the coin unit 3 of the above embodiment, the bills identified by the bill identifying unit 321 are sent out to the bill transporting path 5 which is continuously provided, and are collected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and these identified bills may be stored in a bill stocker or the like provided inside the coin unit 3.

In the coin unit 3 of the above embodiment, during the issuance processing, the identified bill is immediately transferred to the bill transport path 5.
When the cancel button 320 is operated and the issuing process is interrupted, the identified bill is not returned, and the number of coins corresponding to the amount of the identified bill is replaced. 38, but the present invention is not limited to this, temporarily stores the banknotes identified in the issuing process,
The stored banknotes may be sent out to the banknote transport path 5 when the purchase amount selection button 319 is operated, and the stored banknotes may be returned when the stop button is operated.

Further, in the coin unit 3 of the above embodiment, when the frequency read from the inserted prepaid coin 37 remains, the money substitute coin 38 is inserted so that the money amount information of the money substitute coin 38 is obtained. It is possible to perform additional payment processing for performing addition update of the frequency based on the amount specified by the above, but the present invention is not limited to this, without providing these additional payment functions,
When the inserted prepaid coin 37 is collected,
A new prepaid coin 37 may be issued.

Further, in the coin unit 3 of the above-described embodiment, the additional payment based on the amount specified by the inserted money substitute coin 38 is immediately performed.
The present invention is not limited to this. For example, a deposit operation unit is provided, and additional deposit is performed based on the total amount of the currency substitute coins 38 identified by the time the deposit operation unit is operated. May be.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the additional deposit processing can be performed by using only the money substitute coin 38. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The additional payment processing may be performed by being inserted, or the additional payment processing may be performed by using both money and the coin 38.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the frequency read from the inserted prepaid coin 37 becomes 0 degrees, the prepaid coin 37 is collected and the additional payment processing cannot be performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. At the time when the prepaid coin 37 is 0 °, the collection of the prepaid coin 37 is reserved, and when the prepaid coin 37 is newly inserted, the prepaid coin 37 is reserved. In addition to collecting the 37, the additional payment processing may be performed on the prepaid coins 37 whose collection is reserved. Alternatively, the reserved prepaid coins 37 may be collected after a lapse of a predetermined time, and the additional payment processing may be performed before the lapse of the predetermined time.

In the coin unit 3, the insertion of the money substitute coin 38 at the prepaid coin insertion slot 305 is not allowed, and the insertion of the prepaid coin 37 is not allowed at the money substitution coin insertion slot 304. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the prepaid coin 37 and the money substitute coin 38 may be received at a common slot.

In the coin unit 3, the IC coin reader / writer 310 for reading the recorded information of the prepaid coin 37 and the IC coin identification unit 311 for reading the recorded information of the money substitute coin 38 are provided separately. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reading of the recording information of each coin may be performed by the same IC coin reader / writer.

In the coin unit 3 of the embodiment, the money substitute coin 38 supplied from the coin supply unit 22 is supplied to the money substitute coin stocker 322 in which the money substitute coin 38 paid out as change of the prepaid coin 37 is stored. Accepted money substitute coin receiving path 32
4 is provided, and the money substitute coin 38 in the money substitute coin stocker 322 is automatically replenished. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The replenishment may be manually replenished by a staff at the game hall or the like.

In the coin unit 3 of the embodiment, when the prepaid coin 37 is received, the frequency of the prepaid coin 37 is read out, stored in the storage unit 315, and lent based on the frequency stored in the storage unit 315. When the return operation is performed, the frequency of the storage unit 315 updated by the lending process is stored in the prepaid coin 3
7 is updated and recorded for the frequency recorded in 7, but the present invention is not limited to this.
Each time the lending process is performed, the frequency recorded on the prepaid coin 37 may be subtracted and updated by the used frequency.

Although the bill insertion slot 316 in the coin unit 3 of the above embodiment is configured to vertically insert bills, the present invention is not limited to this, and is shown in FIG. As described above, a bill insertion slot 316 'into which bills can be inserted horizontally may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the coin unit 3
Is set as a side position of the pachinko machine 2 which is a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The installation positions of these coin units 3 can be arbitrarily selected as long as they are provided corresponding to the positions near the pachinko machine 2 and can be operated by the player.

In the above embodiment, the frequency as the game value specified by the prepaid coin 37 is recorded or registered in both the prepaid coin 37 and the management computer 50 and managed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the frequency may be recorded only on the prepaid coin 37, or the game value such as the frequency may be managed in association with the ID of the prepaid coin 37. The registered game value may be specified by registering the registered game value by registering the identification code (ID) with the card management server 50 or a third-party organization.

Although the non-contact type IC coin is used as the game recording medium in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least information that can specify the game value is recorded. Any recording medium that can read the recording information may be used, and the recording form of the recording information may be arbitrarily selected. For example, a predetermined information recording symbol such as a barcode may be read. It may be a printed recording medium or the like.

In the above-described embodiment, the money amount information specified by the money substitute coin 38 as the money substitute recording medium is recorded or registered in both the money substitute coin 38 and the management computer 50 and managed. But
The present invention is not limited to this, and the money amount information may be recorded only on the money substitute coin 38,
The money amount may be registered in the management computer 50 or the like in association with the identification number of the money substitute coin 38, and the registered money amount may be specified by reading the identification number.

Although the money substitute coin 38 as the money substitute recording medium used in the above embodiment is a non-contact type IC coin, the present invention is not limited to this. A recording medium on which information capable of specifying a usable monetary amount can be recorded, as long as the recording information can be read, the recording form of the recording information can be arbitrarily selected, for example, a bar code May be a recording medium or the like on which a predetermined information recording symbol or the like is printed so as to be readable.

In the money substitute coin 38 used in the above-described embodiment, the information which can specify the money amount is 1000 yen.
Although it is designed to record money amount information capable of specifying a yen, the present invention is not limited to this, provided that at least the money amount can be specified by the recording information of the money substitute coin 38. Well, these money substitute coins 3
8 is the monetary amount (1000, 2000)
Etc.) and the frequency and points based on the money amount (for example,
As in the case of the game value, the money amount may be divided by 100, etc.), or the value may be given when the money substitute coin 38 is used as a single value as in the above embodiment. It is only necessary to record a flag capable of specifying whether or not the operation is performed.

Further, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the money substitute coin 38, which is a money substitute recording medium, is used in the purchase of the prepaid coin 37 and the additional deposit, but the present invention is not limited to this. But, for example,
It may be used in a vending machine or the like installed in a game arcade, or may be used as compensation for other services provided by the game arcade.

Although the prepaid coin 37 and the money substitute coin 38 used in the above embodiment are formed so as to have different external shapes, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be formed. In such a case, the prepaid coin and the money substitute coin are individually designed so that a player, a clerk, or the like can visually distinguish the prepaid coin from the money substitute coin.

Further, the shape of the prepaid coin 37 and the money substitute coin 38 used in the above embodiment is a disk shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other shapes such as a card shape and a spherical shape may be used. It may be shaped.

In the above-described embodiment, the frequency is used as the form of the game value used in the pachinko machine 2 which is a game machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The value may be matched with the amount so that the player can grasp the value financially, and furthermore, the value for the game may be a predetermined point or a corresponding number of pachinko balls or coins. It can be arbitrarily selected.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the pachinko balls are used as the game media used in the pachinko machine 2 which is a game machine. However, these game media are used as coins, points, and image-type pachinko machines and slots described later. It may be a pachinko ball or a coin formed by an image in a machine or the like, and if these game media are media used in the game,
It is included in the game medium of the present invention, and its form is not limited.

In the above-described embodiment, the normal pachinko machine 2 for paying out pachinko balls, which are game media, to the outside is used as the gaming machine. However, the present invention uses not only these normal pachinko machines but also coins. Slot machine 2 '(see FIG. 12) for playing a game, a slot machine for playing a game using a pachinko ball, an enclosed pachinko machine capable of playing without a pachinko ball or coin being discharged to the outside, or a complete credit type Slot machines, and gaming machines that can be played with data and the like without using these gaming media, image-type pachinko machines in which game boards and pachinko balls are displayed in images, and reels are displayed in images It goes without saying that the gaming machine can be applied to an image type slot machine, and these gaming machines are not limited.

[0132]

The present invention has the following effects.

(A) According to the first aspect of the present invention, when there is the remaining amount to be changed in the purchase of the game recording medium, the remaining amount is not money but the money substitute recording medium which can be settled. It is not necessary to replenish these change coins, and not only can the labor involved in replenishing the change coins be greatly reduced, but also these change coins can be replenished to the game recording medium processing device. By preventing the cash, the amount of cash existing in the game island can be significantly reduced, and the management cost required for storing and managing the cash can also be reduced.

(B) According to the second aspect of the present invention, the player can receive a new game recording medium using the returned money substitute recording medium.

(C) According to the third aspect of the invention, the player can carry out the value addition to the game recording medium used for the game by using the returned money substitute recording medium. .

(D) According to the invention of claim 4, the structure of the moving path of the game recording medium in issuing and receiving the game recording medium can be simplified, so that the game recording medium processing apparatus can be downsized. It is possible to avoid the inconvenience associated with the increase in the size of a game recording medium processing device installed between game machines.

(E) According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the structure of the moving path of the money substitute recording medium in issuing and receiving the money substitute recording medium can be simplified, so that the game recording medium processing device can be downsized. It is possible to avoid the inconvenience associated with the increase in the size of a game recording medium processing device installed between game machines.

(F) According to the invention of claim 6, the game recording medium and the money substitute recording medium can be distinguished.

(G) According to the invention of claim 7, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that an erroneous recording medium is accepted by the game recording medium processing means or the money substitute recording medium receiving means.

(H) According to the invention of claim 8, the frequency of replenishment of the game recording media to be issued can be greatly reduced, and the labor for replenishing these game recording media can be greatly reduced.

(I) According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a player can receive a game recording medium of a desired amount.

(J) According to the tenth aspect of the invention, before the issuance, no value is given to the money substitute recording medium, and therefore, these unissued money substitute recording media are stolen. However, not only can the amount of damage be significantly reduced, but also the management cost of these money substitute recording media can be reduced.

(K) According to the eleventh aspect, replenishment of the money substitute recording medium can be automated.

(L) According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, since all the money substitute recording media are only one kind having the same money amount, the gaming machine side can sort the money substitute recording media and the like. This eliminates the need for the management effort, and allows the player to easily check the remaining balance by the number of money substitute recording media.

(M) According to the thirteenth aspect, the identification money can be immediately collected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a game island used in a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a pachinko machine juxtaposed to a game island in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an operation unit of the pachinko machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a front view of a coin unit arranged side by side on a game island in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a partially cutaway side view of the coin unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a coin unit and a pachinko machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a configuration of a prepaid coin used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a configuration of a money substitute coin used in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the money substitute coin.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an output state of each signal output from the prize ball control board and the coin unit of the pachinko machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a money substitute coin settlement machine used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a money substitute coin settlement machine used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cutaway side view showing a configuration of a game island end and a coin substitute for money according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a modified example of the coin unit in the embodiment of the present invention and a front view of a pachislot machine provided corresponding to the coin unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 gaming island 2 pachinko machine (game machine) 2 'slot machine (game machine) 3 coin unit (game recording medium processing device) 3' coin unit (game recording medium processing device) 4 money substitute coin settlement machine 5 bill transport Road 6 Coin supply path 7 Bill collection box 8 Communication cable 9 Lifting motor 10 Coin lifting gutter 14 Operation unit 15 Return button 16 Lending button 17 Frequency display unit 18 Operation board 20 Connecting unit 21 Bill collection path 22 Coin supply unit (supply 23) coin flow path 37 prepaid coin (game recording medium) 38 money substitute coin (money substitution recording medium) 41 outer shell member 42 IC tag 50 management computer 203 hitting supply tray 205 hitting operation handle 207 game area 209 variable display section 231 Game control board 235 Lamp control board 237 Prize ball control board 270 Voice control board 280 Display control board 291 Launch control board 297 Ball payout device 301 Operation lamp 302 Prepaid coin outlet 303 Holder 304 Money substitute coin slot 305 Prepaid coin slot 306 Prepaid coin indicator 307 Receiving tray 308 Money Substitute coin outlet 309 Currency substitute coin indicator 310 IC coin reader / writer (game recording medium issuing means, game recording medium processing means, game value addition / update means) 311 IC coin identification unit (money substitute recording medium accepting means) 312 Communication unit 313 Micro processing unit (MPU)
(Balance calculation means) 314 I / O port 315 Storage unit 316 Bill insertion slot 316 'Bill insertion slot 317 Bill indicator 318 Total amount display unit 319 Purchase amount selection button (issued amount selection unit) 320 Stop button 321 Bill identification unit (money) Identification means) 322 Money substitute coin stocker 323 IC coin payout unit (money substitute recording medium issuing means) 324 Money substitute coin receiving path (receiving means) 325 Display driver 326 Output port 327 Storage sensor 328 Return path 381 Shell member 382 IC tag 401 Operation display unit 406 Money substitute coin slot 407 Total amount display unit 409 Cancel button 410 Settlement button 411 Money substitute coin outlet 412 Money substitute coin indicator 413 Bill outlet 414 Bill indicator 417 IC In the identification unit 418 monetary substitute Koinsutokka 419 bill payout unit 420 display driver 421 the storage unit 422 communication unit 423 microprocessing unit (MPU)
(Balance calculation means) 424 Coin supply gutter

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06K 17/00 G06K 17/00 R 19/00 G07F 7/02 B G07F 7/02 G06K 19/00 U F Term (reference) 2C005 HB04 HB06 MA03 MA16 MB02 MB09 NA08 NA20 NB03 PA08 TA22 2C088 BA88 BB03 BB13 BB15 BB19 BB20 BB21 BB23 BB30 BB36 BB43 BC78 BC79 CA02 CA08 CA35 EA45 EA46 3E044 AA05 BA03B01EA01 BA01 DE02 YA06

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A game machine for accepting money and identifying the accepted money, and corresponding to a predetermined amount within a total range of the amount of money identified by the money identifying means, and playing a game with a gaming machine. A game recording medium issuing means for issuing a game recording medium on which information capable of specifying the value of the game value to be used is recorded, and the issue amount of the game recording medium is determined by the total of the identification amount. Means for calculating the balance by subtracting from the information, and information capable of specifying the size of the money amount are recorded, and a money substitution recording medium for issuing a money substitution recording medium capable of adjusting the money amount. A game recording medium process for receiving issuance means and the game recording medium and performing a process for using the game value of a size specified by the received recording information of the game recording medium in the game Means and The balance is provided corresponding to the position near the gaming machine, and when there is a balance in the balance calculating means, the balance is issued and returned by issuing the money substitute recording medium corresponding to the balance. A recording medium processing device for a game, comprising: 2. A money substitute recording medium receiving means for receiving the money substitute recording medium and reading recording information of the money substitute recording medium, wherein the game recording medium issuing means is provided by the money substitute recording medium receiving means. 2. A game recording medium on which information capable of specifying the size of the game value corresponding to the monetary amount of money specified by the recorded information of the read money substitute recording medium is recorded. 3. The game recording medium processing device according to claim 1. 3. A money substitute recording medium receiving means for receiving the money substitute recording medium and reading recording information of the money substitute recording medium, and the recording of the money substitute recording medium read by the money substitute recording medium receiving means. In the case where there is a game recording medium receiving the game value of a size corresponding to the money amount of the size specified by the information by the game recording medium processing means, the game being received is The game recording medium processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a game value adding / updating unit that adds / updates a game value of a size specified from recording information of the game recording medium. 4. The game recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the game recording medium is a disc-shaped body on which an integrated circuit capable of recording information capable of specifying at least the value of the game value is mounted.
3. The game recording medium processing apparatus according to any one of 3. 5. The money substitute recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the money substitute recording medium is a disc-shaped body on which an integrated circuit capable of recording information capable of specifying at least the size of the money amount is mounted. A recording medium processing device for games according to the above. 6. The game recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the game recording medium and the money substitute recording medium have different external shapes. 7. The game recording medium processing means cannot accept the money substitute recording medium due to the difference in appearance and the money substitute recording medium accepting means cannot accept the game recording medium. 7. The game recording medium processing device according to claim 6, wherein: 8. A game recording medium whose gaming value has become 0 is collected, and the collected game recording medium is reused as a game recording medium issued by the game recording medium issuing means. The game recording medium processing device according to claim 1. 9. An issue amount selecting means for a player to select an issue amount of the game recording medium to be issued, wherein the game recording medium issuing means is selected by the issue amount selecting means. 9. The game recording medium processing device according to claim 1, wherein the game recording medium corresponding to the amount is issued. 10. The currency-substitute recording medium issuing means performs processing for enabling specification of the amount of money corresponding to the issued currency-substitute recording medium when the currency-substitute recording medium is issued. A game recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1. 11. The game recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a receiving unit that receives a money substitution recording medium supplied from a supply device that automatically supplies the money substitution recording medium. 12. The money substitution recording medium issuing means, wherein the magnitude of the money amount specified by the recording information of the money substitution recording medium is a single money amount, and the money substitution recording medium issuing means is configured to record the money substitution amount corresponding to the balance. The game recording medium processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which issues a medium. 13. The game recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the total amount of the identification amount can be returned on the money substitute recording medium.