JP2003047757A - Game medium lending machine and information collecting and computing system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game medium lending machine of a new type not using game cards sold at game parlors, and a system using the same. SOLUTION: A machine 2 interposed between game machines is game medium lending equipment equipped with an electronic money terminal unit 3. The machine outputs a lending instruction signal to a game machine 1 associated with it when an IC card on which electronic money is recorded is brought near and an operation to request lending of game mediums is made. When receiving the lending instruction signal, the game machine 1 puts out a prescribed number of game mediums. The machine 2 is connected to a host computer 5 installed in a card issuing company issuing IC cards for ensuring data communication through management unit 4 installed in a game parlor. The host computer 5 has the function of issuing IC cards and managing electronic money and the function of collecting and computing a variety of items concerning the status of use of the system.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game medium lending device for lending a game medium used in a game machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine, and an information totaling system using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A large number of gaming machines such as pachinko machines and pachislot machines are arranged in gaming machines such as pachinko halls and pachislot machines. A gaming medium lending machine is provided in association with each gaming machine, and a person who intends to play a game with the gaming machine throws cash into the gaming medium lending machine to borrow the gaming medium, or A game card in which a valuable value is recorded is inserted into a game medium lending machine, and the valuable value recorded in the inserted game card is consumed to rent a game medium.

[0003]

In the system in which cash is inserted to lend a game medium, a coin storage unit is provided at the end of a game island formed by arranging a game machine and a stand machine, and the game is played. Inside the island, a coin transfer mechanism for transferring coins from each inter-machine to the coin storage must be installed. Therefore, the structure of the game island becomes complicated. Further, it is conceivable to provide a currency storage unit for each machine between machines, but it is not possible to provide a currency storage unit capable of storing a large amount of money in a machine between machines arranged in a narrow gap between gaming machines. Can not.

In the method of lending a game medium using a game card, it is convenient to purchase a game card in advance so that the player can play the game even if he does not have cash. However, if the valuable value of the game card remains at the end of the game, you must carry the game card when you go to the game shop to play the next game, and put your cash card or credit card in your wallet. For those who carry it, there is a problem that there are too many cards that must be carried.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game media lending device of a novel system which does not use a game card sold at a game store, and an information totaling system using the same.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention The invention according to claim 1 for achieving the above object is a lending process execution for executing a lending process of a game medium used for a game in a gaming machine (1). Means (12, 21, T10) and electronic money balance acquisition means (32, S1, T1) for acquiring the balance of the electronic money deposited in the electronic money card.
And a lending process execution permission unit (21, T3) for permitting the lending process execution unit to execute the lending process on condition that the balance of the electronic money acquired by the electronic money balance acquisition unit is equal to or more than a predetermined amount. , T4) are included in the game medium lending device (2).

The alphanumeric characters in parentheses represent corresponding constituent elements in the embodiments described later. The same applies in this section below. According to the present invention, it is possible to rent a game medium used for a game in a gaming machine by using an electronic money card into which electronic money has been deposited. Therefore,
Even if you don't have cash, you can play games if you carry an electronic money card. Moreover, the electronic money card to which the electronic money is deposited is different from the prepaid card (gaming card) exclusively for lending game media,
Since it is a card that can be used for purposes other than renting out game media, there is no increase in the number of cards that a player must possess in order to only play a game at a game store.

Further, even if a game shop introduces this game medium lending device, it is not necessary to dispose a money storing section or a money carrying mechanism on the game island, so that the structure of the game island does not become complicated. . The invention according to claim 2 provides a gaming machine (101).
Lending process executing means (112, 121, Q11) for executing the lending process of the game medium used in the game, and card identification information reading means (132, P2, Q1) for reading the card identification information recorded in the debit card. And an account balance acquisition unit (121, Q2) for communicating with the host computer of the debit card issuing bank to acquire the account balance corresponding to the card identification information read by the card identification information reading unit, and this account. A lending process execution permission unit (12) that permits the lending process execution unit to execute the lending process on condition that the account balance acquired by the balance acquisition unit is equal to or more than a predetermined amount.
1, Q4, Q5), and a game medium lending device (102).

According to the present invention, a debit card can be used to rent out a game medium used for a game on a gaming machine. Therefore, even if you do not have cash, you can play the game if you carry the debit card. Moreover, unlike a prepaid card (game card) dedicated to renting out game media, a debit card is a card that can be used for purposes other than renting out game media, so the player possesses it only for playing games at the game store. There is no increase in the number of cards you have to do.

Further, even if a game shop introduces this game medium lending device, it is not necessary to dispose a money storing section or a money carrying mechanism on the game island, so that the structure of the game island does not become complicated. . The invention according to claim 3 provides a gaming machine (1; 10
1) A game medium lending device (2; 102) for executing a process for lending a game medium used for a game, and an external device (5; 105) communicatively connected to the game medium lending device. A system, wherein the game medium lending device is the game medium lending device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information transmitting means (21; 121) transmits information regarding the lending of the game medium to the external device. )
The external device further includes information for creating information useful for business management of a game store in which the game medium lending device is installed, by summing up information regarding lending of the game medium received from the game medium lending device. An information totaling system characterized by comprising a totaling means.

According to the present invention, the external device is provided with the information totalizing means, and the information totalizing means creates the information useful for the business management of the game shop. Therefore, the amusement store is
Based on the information created by the information aggregating means, for example, the method of advertising and the time zone of service time can be determined.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a system including a game medium lending device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system allows rental of gaming media (pachinko balls, pachislot medals, etc.) to be used for a game in the gaming machine 1, using IC cards with electronic money deposited, at gaming stores such as pachinko halls and pachislot halls. It is a system that enables to.

In the game store, there are as many stand machines 2 as the game machines 1.
, One-to-one correspondence with the gaming machine 1, respectively, and are arranged adjacent to the corresponding gaming machine 1.
The stand-by machine 2 is a game medium lending device equipped with an electronic money terminal device 3, and an IC card is brought close to the electronic money terminal device 3 by a player to perform an operation for requesting the lending of a game medium. Then, a lending instruction signal for instructing the lending of a predetermined number of game media is output to the associated gaming machine 1. When the gaming machine 1 receives the lending instruction signal, a predetermined number of gaming media is dispensed from a gaming media dispensing device (not shown) provided in the gaming machine 1 or is deposited in the gaming machine 1. The number of game media present is increased by a predetermined number. As a result, the rental of the game medium to the player is achieved.

All the stand-by machines 2 installed in the game store
Is connected to the management device 4 provided in the game store so that data communication is possible. The management device 4 has a function of collecting data relating to renting out game media from all the inter-machines 2 in the game store, totalizing the collected data, and managing it as system usage status data. Further, the management device 4 is connected to the host computer 5 provided in the card company that issues the IC card so as to be able to perform data communication. As a result, all of the inter-machines 2 arranged in the game shop can perform data communication with the host computer 5 of the card company via the management device 4 of the game shop.

The host computer 5 of the card company is I
It has a function of issuing a C card and managing electronic money (electronic money management function) and a function of totalizing the usage status of this system into various items (usage status totaling function). The electronic money management function and the utilization status totaling function are realized by executing the operation program recorded in the memory built in the host computer 5. To the host computer 5, a deposit terminal device 6 for depositing electronic money into an IC card issued by a card company is connected. Host computer 5
Further, a host computer (not shown) of a bank in which a player who has received an IC card issuance at a card company has an account is connected for data communication.

A person (game customer) who wants to play a game at a game shop in which this system is installed first receives an IC card from a card company. When receiving the issuance of an IC card, the player may, for example, name, sex, age,
Declare personal information such as date of birth, occupation, address and telephone number to the card company. The employee of the card company who receives the report of the personal information from the player inputs the personal information related to the report to the host computer 5 in association with the card number of the IC card issued to the player. As a result, the card number of the IC card issued to the player and the personal information of the player are registered in the memory of the host computer 5 in association with each other.

Next, the player who has received the IC card goes to the place where the depositing terminal device 6 is installed and deposits electronic money into the IC card at the depositing terminal device 6. At the time of depositing electronic money, the player inserts an IC card into a card insertion slot provided in the deposit terminal device 6, and subsequently inserts a desired amount of cash into the cash deposit port of the deposit terminal device 6. When the IC card is inserted into the card insertion slot of the deposit terminal device 6, the card number (IC card identification number) is read from the memory of the IC card. Then, when cash is inserted following the insertion of the IC card,
The deposited cash is counted to calculate the deposit amount, and the data of the calculated deposit amount is stored in the memory of the deposit terminal device 6 in association with the card number.

When the deposit amount is calculated, the calculated deposit amount is displayed on the information display unit of the deposit terminal device 6. The player who sees the information displayed on the information display unit confirms whether the amount displayed on the information display unit is equal to the total amount of cash inserted into the cash slot (desired deposit amount), and if they are equal, A predetermined deposit confirmation operation (for example, an operation of pressing a confirmation key provided on the deposit terminal device 6) is performed. When a predetermined deposit confirmation operation is performed, the deposit amount data is read from the memory of the deposit terminal device 6, and the read deposit amount data is written in the memory of the IC card. As a result, the payment of electronic money to the IC card is achieved, and the IC card with the electronic money deposited is returned from the card insertion slot. Further, the card number and deposit amount data of the IC card held in the memory of the deposit terminal device 6 are
Deposit terminal device 6 to host computer 5 of the card company
Sent to. When the host computer 5 receives the card number and the deposit amount data, the deposit amount data and the deposit date of the electronic money are added to the host computer 5 in addition to the personal information previously registered in association with the received card number. Written in memory.

On the other hand, if the amount of money displayed in the information display unit is not equal to the total amount of cash inserted into the cash slot or if the payment of electronic money is to be canceled (cancelled), the player cancels a predetermined amount. An operation (for example, a pressing operation of a cancel key provided in the depositing terminal device 6) is performed. When this predetermined cancel operation is performed, the deposit amount data is not written in the memory of the IC card, and the IC
Cards and cash are returned from the card slot and cash slot, respectively. Moreover, the card number and the deposit amount data are not transmitted from the deposit terminal device 6 to the host computer 5 of the card company.

Although the case of depositing electronic money into a new IC card has been described here, it is also possible to additionally deposit electronic money into an IC card in which electronic money has already been deposited. In this case, when the IC card is inserted into the card insertion slot of the deposit terminal device 6, the IC
The card number and the amount data stored in the memory of the card are read out. Subsequently, when cash is deposited into the deposit terminal device 6, the deposited cash is counted to calculate the additional deposit amount, and the calculated additional deposit amount and the IC
The amount of money (electronic money balance) represented by the amount of money data read from the memory of the card is added to obtain the electronic money balance after the additional deposit. Then, the electronic money balance and the additional deposit amount after the additional deposit are displayed on the information display unit of the deposit terminal device 6, and when the player who sees the information display unit performs a predetermined deposit confirmation operation, the additional deposit is added. Amount data representing the later electronic money balance is written in the memory of the IC card. Further, the data of the card number of the IC card and the additional deposit amount are transmitted from the deposit terminal device 6 to the host computer 5 of the card company. When the host computer 5 receives the card number and the additional deposit data, in addition to the past deposit data stored in the memory in association with the received card number, the additional deposit data and the additional deposit of electronic money. The date is written.

Although the method of depositing electronic money using cash has been described, the depositing of electronic money to the IC card in the depositing terminal device 6 is performed by using a cash card or a credit card of a player who desires to deposit the electronic money. May be done. When using a cash card or a credit card, for example, a cash card or a credit card is inserted into the card insertion port of the deposit terminal device 6 instead of the operation of depositing cash into the cash slot of the deposit terminal device 6, and the deposit terminal device is inserted. It suffices to allow the player to perform an operation such as inputting a desired deposit amount from the ten keys provided in 6.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of the gaming machine 1 and the inter-machine 2 associated therewith for renting out the game medium. The game machine 1 is provided with a main control unit 1 that performs overall control of the game machine 1, and a payout control unit 12 that controls a game medium payout device (not shown) that pays out the game medium from inside the machine. The gaming machine 1 also has, for example, on the front surface of the gaming machine 1, a lending switch 13 that is pressed when requesting the lending of a game medium, and a lendable indicator lamp 14 that indicates whether or not the lending of the game medium is possible. And a frequency indicator 15 for indicating the balance of the electronic money deposited in the IC card brought close to the electronic money terminal device 3 as, for example, 100 yen. These lending switch 1
3. The lendable indicator lamp 14 and the frequency indicator 15 are connected to a relay board 16 for relaying communication with the stand-mounted machine 2.

On the other hand, the inter-machine 2 is a control unit 2 for controlling processing relating to renting out game media and communication with the outside.
1 is provided. The control unit 21 is connected to the payout control unit 12 of the gaming machine 1 via a communication line 22, and can send and receive signals to and from the payout control unit 12. The controller 21 is connected to the relay board 16 via a signal line 23, and the gaming machine 1 is connected via the relay board 16.
The signal from the lending switch 13 provided in
The control signal is supplied from the control unit 21 to the lendable display lamp 14 and the frequency display unit 15 provided in the gaming machine 1. Further, the control unit 21 is connected to the management device 4 shown in FIG. 1 so as to be capable of data communication, and can send and receive data to and from the host computer 5 of the card company via the management device 4. It is like this.

The electronic money terminal device 3 provided in the stand-alone machine 2 is connected between the control unit 31 including, for example, a microcomputer and the IC card when the IC card is brought within a predetermined distance range. It has a non-contact communication section 32 capable of non-contact communication (wireless communication), and an electronic money balance indicator 33 for displaying the balance of electronic money deposited in an IC card. The electronic money balance indicator 33 is arranged in a place where a person who rents out a game medium using an IC card can easily see, for example, near the center of the front surface of the stand machine 2. In addition, the control unit 31
It is communicably connected to the control unit 21 of the inter-station machine 2.

FIG. 3 shows the control unit 3 of the electronic money terminal device 3.
3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing relating to reading of an IC card executed by the first embodiment. The contactless communication unit 32 of the electronic money terminal device 3 while the inter-machine 2 is powered on.
From, the card information transmission request signal is output toward the space within the predetermined distance range. When the IC card is brought close to the non-contact communication section 32 by a player who wants to rent out a game medium, the IC card receives the card information transmission request signal output from the non-contact communication section 32, and In response, the card number and the amount data recorded in the memory of the IC card (data representing the balance of the electronic money deposited in the IC card) are automatically transmitted to the non-contact communication section 32.

When the contactless communication unit 32 receives the card number and the amount data (YES in step S1), the control unit 31 causes the electronic money balance display 33 to display the balance of the electronic money represented by the received amount data. (Step S2). In addition, the control unit 31 uses the card number and the amount data received by the non-contact communication unit 32 to the control unit 2 of the stand-alone machine 2.
It transmits to 1 (step S3). FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of the game medium lending process executed by the control unit 21 of the inter-machine machine 2. Upon receiving the card number and the amount data from the control unit 31 of the electronic money terminal device 3 (YES in step T1), the control unit 21 of the stand-alone machine 2 associates the received card number and the amount data with each other and stores them in a memory (Fig. (Not shown) to store (step T
2). Further, based on the received money amount data, it is determined whether or not the balance of the electronic money deposited in the IC card brought close to the machine-to-machine 2 (the contactless communication unit 32) is 1000 yen or more ( Step T3).

If the balance of the electronic money deposited in the IC card is less than 1000 yen, the control unit 21 determines that the gaming medium that has consumed the electronic money cannot be lent.
This process ends immediately. The balance of electronic money is 100
If it is 0 yen or more, the control unit 21 permits the lending of the game medium that has consumed the electronic money, and activates the lending switch 13 arranged in the gaming machine 1 (step T
4), the lendable display lamp 14 provided in the gaming machine 1 is turned on (step T5). In addition, the balance of the electronic money is set to 1 on the frequency indicator 15 provided in the gaming machine 1.
Convert to frequency and display it (step T
6). For example, if the balance of electronic money is 3000 yen, the frequency display unit 15 displays "30".

When the player operates the lending switch 13 within a predetermined time after activation of the lending switch 13 (YES in step T7), the control unit 21 indicates the amount data stored in the memory. The date and time when the game medium was rented, by reducing the amount of money (lending amount) predetermined for one pressing operation of the lending switch 13 from the balance of electronic money, and expressing the amount of money after the reduction. (The date and time when the lending switch 13 was pressed) and the number of the bench machine 2,
Also, data such as the card number of the IC card stored in the memory of the control unit 21 is transmitted to the management device 4 (step T8).

Further, the control unit 21 transmits the data of the loan price to the control unit 31 of the electronic money terminal device 3 (step T9). In response to the transmission of the loan price data, the processing for rewriting the amount data of the IC card, which will be described later, is performed, and the amount data recorded in the IC card is rewritten to the data after the reduction of the loan amount. ,
A lending instruction signal is output to the payout control unit 12 of the gaming machine 1 (step T10). When the payout control unit 12 receives the lending instruction signal, the payout control unit 12 controls the game medium payout device to pay out a predetermined number of game media from the game medium payout device. Simultaneously with the start (lending) of the game medium, the lending switch 113 is disabled (step T11), and the lending possible display lamp 114 is turned off (step T12). Then, when the rental of the game medium is completed, this process is completed.

On the other hand, if the lending switch 13 has not been pressed within a predetermined time after the lending switch 13 was activated (YES in step T13),
The control unit 21 invalidates the lending switch 13 (step T11), turns off the lending possible display lamp 14 (step T12), and ends this processing. Therefore, after a lapse of a predetermined time from the activation of the lending switch 13, it is not possible to lend the game medium that has consumed the electronic money.

In the management device 4, the received data from the control unit 21 of the inter-machine 2 is totaled, and the totaled result is associated with the card number of the IC card and managed as system utilization status data. . That is, the system usage status data is data including the electronic money balance and the lending log of the gaming medium (the lending machine number and the date and time at which the gaming medium was lent). This system usage status data is automatically transmitted from the management device 4 to the host computer 5 of the card company every predetermined period (for example, one day).

FIG. 5 shows the control unit 3 of the electronic money terminal device 3.
3 is a flowchart showing a flow of a rewriting process of the amount data of the IC card executed by No. 1; This rewriting process of the amount data of the IC card is started in response to the fact that the control unit 31 of the electronic money terminal device 3 receives the data of the loan price from the control unit 21 of the stand-alone machine 2 (YE in step E1).
S). When receiving the loan price data from the control unit 21 of the stand machine 2, the control unit 31 deducts the loan price represented by the loan price data from the amount of electronic money represented by the amount data stored in the memory. Display the balance of the electronic money after the reduction on the electronic money balance display 33 (step E
2). Further, the control unit 31 issues a command from the contactless communication unit 32 to rewrite the amount data of the electronic money recorded in the IC card to the amount data after the reduction together with the data of the balance of the electronic money after the reduction. Send to the card (step E3). In response to this, IC
The amount data recorded in the memory of the card is rewritten to the reduced amount data received from the control unit 31 of the electronic money terminal device 3.

It should be noted that while the above-described processing of FIGS. 3 to 5 is being performed, the IC card is within a distance range in which data communication can be performed between the IC card 2 and the non-contact communication unit 32 (the above-mentioned). (Within a predetermined distance range)
When the C card deviates from the above-mentioned predetermined distance range based on the non-contact communication section 32, for example, the process being executed at that time is forcibly terminated and the game medium is not rented out. ing.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the memory of the host computer 5 of the card company. As mentioned above, the host computer 5 of the card company
, Personal information is input when the IC card is issued, and data is sent from the management device 4 and the deposit terminal device 6. The input (received) data is stored in the memory of the host computer 5. That is, in the memory of the host computer 5, the I number is associated with the card number of the IC card issued by the card company.
Personal information such as name, sex, age, date of birth, occupation, address and telephone number of the player who received the C card, balance of electronic money deposited in the IC card, and the IC card The data of the history (rental log) relating to the renting out of the game medium that has been performed is stored.
The data of the electronic money balance and the lending log is managed by the management device 4
It is rewritten each time data is received from the deposit terminal device 6.

FIG. 7 to FIG. 11 are views showing examples of totaling the system utilization status by the host computer 5 of the card company. The host computer 5, as described above,
It has a function to aggregate the system usage status into various items (usage status aggregation function). For example, data stored in the memory of the host computer 5 (see FIG.
Based on the above), the number of players who have rented out game media in the past and the usage amount are totaled, and the totaled usage amount and the number of users are sorted by address and expressed as a percentage. It is possible to obtain the result of totaling the usage status by address as shown in 7. For example, the result of this aggregation is used as a reference when deciding a place (such as a distribution area of a folded leaflet of a newspaper) where an advertisement for a game shop is to be placed.

In addition, by totaling the number of users and the amount of use of the gamer who has rented out the game medium in the past, the totaled amount of use and the number of users are sorted by age and expressed as a percentage. It is possible to obtain the result of aggregation of usage status by age as shown in. The result of this counting is useful, for example, when selecting a BGM to be played in a game shop or a magazine to be placed in a rest area. Further, by totaling the number of players and the usage amount of the game media that have been rented out in the past, and dividing the totaled usage amount and the number of users by sex and expressing them as a percentage, as shown in FIG. It is possible to obtain the aggregated results of various gender usage situations. This aggregated result will be helpful when determining the prizes to be kept at the game store, for example, if a large number of female customers are used, branded items are kept as prizes (items that can be exchanged with the game medium). .

Furthermore, the total number or the amount of money used by the gamers who have rented out the game media in the past is totaled,
By dividing the total amount of usage or the number of users by the usage time zone and occupation of the player and expressing it as a percentage,
As shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to obtain the aggregated result of the usage status by time zone and occupation. The result of this aggregation serves as a reference, for example, when the amusement store decides the time and contents of hall service. When the result of totaling shown in FIG. 10 is obtained, for example, when "I will give a service to a company employee today", a lucky time (a time zone in which advantageous service is given to a player) is set after 17:00. do it.

Further, the number or the amount of money used by the gamers who have rented out the game medium in the past is totaled, and the totaled amount of use or the number of users is used as the machine for lending the game medium. By sorting by the type of the associated gaming machine and expressing it as a percentage, it is possible to obtain the aggregation result of the usage status by type as shown in FIG. The result of this aggregation is used as a reference, for example, when the game store decides a game machine to be newly introduced.

Note that these counting results may be transmitted as data from the host computer 5 of the card company to the management device 4 of each amusement store, or a card company employee may print a sheet recording the counting results. The information may be transmitted by mailing to each game shop. As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to rent out the game medium used for the game in the gaming machine 1, using the IC card into which the electronic money has been deposited. Therefore, even if you do not have cash, you can play the game if you carry the IC card.

Moreover, unlike the prepaid card (game card) dedicated to renting out game media, the IC card into which electronic money has been deposited is a card that can be used in addition to renting out game media. There is no increase in the number of cards that the player has to carry out in order to perform. Moreover, even if a game shop introduces this game medium lending system, it is not necessary to dispose a money storage unit or a money transport mechanism on the game island, so that the structure of the game island does not become complicated.

Further, in this embodiment, the host computer 5 of the card company has a utilization status totalizing function, and the host computer 5 totalizes the system utilization status into various items. This tabulation result will be useful information for business management of amusement stores, and based on this,
It is possible to determine a method of advertising and a service time period. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a system including a game medium lending device according to another embodiment of the present invention. This system is a system that allows rental of game media (pachinko balls, pachislot medals, etc.) used for games in the gaming machine 1 by using a debit card at a gaming store such as a pachinko hall or a pachislot hall. Is.

In the gaming shop, the same number of inter-machines 102 as the gaming machines 101 are respectively associated with the gaming machines 101 in a one-to-one correspondence and are arranged adjacent to the associated gaming machines 101. . The console machine 102 is a game medium lending device including a debit card terminal device 103. For example, a debit card is inserted into a card insertion slot (not shown) provided on the front surface of the console machine 102 to play a game. When the operation for requesting the lending of the medium is performed, a lending instruction signal for instructing the lending of a predetermined number of game media is output to the associated gaming machine 101. When the gaming machine 101 receives the lending instruction signal, a predetermined number of gaming media is dispensed from a gaming media dispensing device (not shown) provided in the gaming machine 101, or is deposited in the gaming machine 101. The number of game media present is increased by a predetermined number. As a result, the rental of the game medium to the player is achieved.

All the stand-by machines 10 installed in the game store
2 is connected to the management device 104 provided in the game store so that data communication is possible. The management device 104 has a function of collecting data relating to the renting out of the game media from all of the inter-machines 102 in the game store, totaling the collected data, and managing it as system usage status data.
The management device 104 is a host computer 105 provided in a system management company that manages this system.
And is connected for data communication. As a result, all the machine-mounted machines 102 arranged in the game shop can perform data communication with the host computer 105 of the system management company via the management device 104 of the game shop.

Host computer 1 of system management company
Reference numeral 05 has a function of summarizing the system usage status data sent from the management device 104 into various items (usage status aggregation function). In order to realize this function, the host computer 105 has, in the host computer 105, personal information that the player has previously declared to the game shop or the system management company, such as his / her name, sex, age, date of birth, occupation, and address. And phone numbers are registered.

Since the utilization status totalizing function of the host computer 105 is almost the same as the utilization status totalizing function of the host computer 5 of the card company according to the above-described embodiment, the utilization status in this embodiment is used. Detailed description of the aggregation function is omitted. The host computer 105 of the system management company is connected to the host computer 106 of the bank (card issuing bank) that issued the debit card. In addition, the host computer 106 of the card issuing bank is a bank (transaction bank) that is operated by an amusement store that has introduced this system.
Host computer 107 is connected online.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of the gaming machine 101 and its associated stand-alone machine 102 for lending a game medium. The gaming machine 101 is
A main control unit 111 that performs overall control of the gaming machine 101,
It is provided with a payout control unit 112 for controlling a game medium payout device (not shown) for paying out the game media from the machine. The gaming machine 101 also has, for example, a lending switch 1 that is pressed on the front surface of the gaming machine 101 when requesting lending of a game medium.
13, a lendable display lamp 114 indicating whether or not the gaming medium can be rented out, and a frequency display 115 for setting the balance of the debit card account to 100 yen, for example. The lending switch 113, the lending possible display lamp 114 and the frequency indicator 115
2 is connected to a relay board 116 for relaying communication with

On the other hand, the stand machine 102 is provided with a control unit 121 for controlling the processing relating to the lending of the game medium and the communication with the outside. This control unit 121 uses the communication line 1
It is connected to the payout control unit 112 of the gaming machine 101 via 22 and can send and receive signals to and from the payout control unit 112. The control unit 121 is connected to the relay board 116 via a signal line 123, and a signal from the lending switch 113 provided in the gaming machine 101 is given to the control unit 121 via the relay board 116. A control signal is supplied from the control unit 121 to the lendable display lamp 114 and the frequency display unit 115 provided in the gaming machine 101. Further, the control unit 121 is connected to the management device 104 shown in FIG. 12 so as to be able to perform data communication, and can send and receive data to and from the host computer 105 of the system management company via the management device 104. You can do it.

The debit card terminal device 103 provided in the stand machine 102 includes a control unit 131 including, for example, a microcomputer, and a debit card reading device 132 for reading a card identification number from a debit card inserted in a card insertion slot. , A personal identification number input key 133 for inputting a personal identification number, and a bank account balance indicator 134 for displaying the balance of the debit card account. The bank account balance indicator 134 is arranged in a place where a person who borrows a game medium using a debit card can easily see it, for example, in the vicinity of the center of the front of the stand machine 102. The control unit 131 also controls the control unit 12 of the machine-mounted machine 102.
1 is communicatively connected.

FIG. 14 shows the debit card terminal device 103.
4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing regarding reading of an IC card executed by the control unit 131 of FIG. When the debit card is inserted into the card insertion slot by the player who wants to borrow the game medium using the debit card (YES in step P1), the control unit 131 causes the card identification number of the inserted debit card. Is read by the debit card reader 132 (step P2).

When the card identification number is read by the debit card reading device 132, the control unit 131 displays a message requesting the input of the personal identification number on an information display (not shown), and the personal identification number input key 13 is displayed.
Wait for the password input from 3. Then, when the player inputs the personal identification number (YES in Step P3),
The control unit 131 transmits the input personal identification number and the card identification number read by the debit card reading device 132 to the control unit 121 of the stand machine 102 (step P4).

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the flow of the game medium lending process executed by the control unit 121 of the machine-mounted machine 102. Upon receiving the card identification number and the personal identification number of the debit card inserted in the card insertion slot from the control unit 131 of the debit card terminal device 103 (YES in step Q1), the control unit 121 of the stand-alone machine 102 receives the received card. Memory for identification number and PIN (not shown)
To memorize. Further, the card identification number and the personal identification number are transmitted to the host computer 106 of the card issuing bank via the management device 104 and the host computer 105 of the system management company (step Q2).

Host computer 10 of the card issuing bank
6, a card identification number, a personal identification number, and an account number of a debit card issued by the card issuing bank are stored in association with each other.
When 6 receives the card identification number and the personal identification number, the correspondence between the received card identification number and the personal identification number is verified. If the password is correct, the verification result (verification OK)
At the same time, data representing the balance of the account corresponding to the card identification number (account balance data) is transmitted to the inter-mountain machine 102 that is the transmission source of the card identification number and the personal identification number. On the other hand, if the personal identification number is incorrect, the collation result (verification NG) is transmitted to the inter-mounting machine 102 that is the transmission source of the card identification number and personal identification number.

When the verification result is received from the host computer 106 of the card issuing bank, the control unit 121 of the machine 102 checks whether the verification result indicates "verification OK" or "verification NG" ( Step Q
3). Then, if the verification result is "verification OK", it is determined whether or not the account of the debit card has a balance of 1000 yen or more based on the account balance data sent together with the verification result (step). Q4).

If the account balance is 1000 yen or more, the control unit 121 permits the lending of the game medium using the debit card, and the lending switch 11 provided in the gaming machine 101.
While validating 3 (step Q5), the gaming machine 10
The lendable display lamp 114 arranged in No. 1 is turned on (step Q6). Also, the account balance represented by the account balance data received from the host computer 106 of the card issuing bank is converted into a frequency with 100 yen as one frequency, and is displayed on the frequency display 115 provided in the gaming machine 101. (Step Q7). The control unit 121 further uses the account balance data received from the host computer 106 of the card issuing bank to the control unit 13 of the debit card terminal device 103.
Send to 1. In response to this, the bank account balance indicator 134 of the debit card terminal device 103 displays the account balance of the debit card inserted into the card insertion slot.

When the lending switch 113 is pressed by the player within a predetermined time after the lending switch 113 is activated (YES in step Q8), the control unit 121 instructs the host computer 106 of the card issuing bank. , Request a reduction of the loan amount from the debit card account balance (step Q9). In response to this request, the host computer 106 of the card issuing bank deducts the loan amount from the account balance subject to the deduction request, and the debit amount (lending amount) is debited by the account number and the intervening machine 102 of the deduction requester. It is stored in association with the store number of the installed game store. Then, for example, once a month, the loan amount stored in the memory is totaled, distributed to each game shop, and transferred to the account of each game shop.

Further, the control unit 121 controls the date and time when the game medium is rented out (the date and time when the lending switch 113 is pressed), the number of the inter-mounting machine 102, and the gaming shop in which the inter-mounting machine 102 is installed. Store number and control unit 121
The data such as the card identification number of the debit card stored in the memory is transmitted to the management device 104 (step Q10). Further, the control unit 121 outputs a lending instruction signal to the payout control unit 112 of the gaming machine 101 (step Q11). When the payout control unit 112 receives the lending instruction signal, the payout control unit 112 controls the game medium payout device to pay out a predetermined number of game media from the game medium payout device. Simultaneously with the start of renting (paying) the game medium, the lending switch 113 is disabled (step Q12), and the lending possible display lamp 114 is turned off (step Q13). When the rental of the game medium is completed, the debit card is returned from the card insertion slot (step Q14), and this process is completed.

On the other hand, the account balance of the debit card is 100
If it is less than 0 yen, the control unit 121 determines that the consumed game medium using the debit card cannot be rented,
After returning the debit card from the card insertion slot (step Q14), this process ends. Moreover, after the lending switch 113 is activated and before a predetermined time elapses,
When the lending switch 113 is not pressed (YES in step Q15), the lending switch 113 is disabled (step Q12), and the lending possible indicator lamp 1
After turning off the light 14 (step Q13), the debit card is returned from the card insertion slot, and this processing ends. Therefore, after the lapse of a predetermined time after the lending switch 113 is activated, it is not possible to rent out the game medium that has consumed the electronic money.

In the management device 104, the machine-mounted machine 102
The received data from the control unit 121 is totalized, and the totalized result is managed as system usage status data.
That is, the system usage status data is data including a lending log of gaming media (a lending machine number and the date and time at which the gaming media was lent). This system usage status data is automatically transmitted from the management device 104 to the host computer 105 of the system management company every predetermined period (for example, one day). The host computer 105 of the system management company, for example, collects the system usage status for each gaming shop once a month, and deducts the system usage fee according to the usage status (usage frequency) of the system from the account of each gaming shop. , The system usage fee is transferred to the account of the system management company.

As described above, in this embodiment, the debit card can be used to rent out the game medium used for the game in the game machine 101. Therefore, even if you do not have cash, you can play the game if you carry the debit card. Moreover, unlike a prepaid card (game card) dedicated to renting out game media, a debit card is a card that can be used for purposes other than renting out game media, so the player possesses it only for playing games at the game store. There is no increase in the number of cards you have to do. In addition to this, the same effects as those of the above-described first embodiment can be obtained.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention can be implemented in other forms. For example, in the above-described first embodiment, the electronic money terminal device 3 is provided with the control unit 31, and the control unit 31 controls the operations of the contactless communication unit 32 and the electronic money balance display 33. The control unit 31 may be omitted, and the function of the control unit 31 may be realized by the control unit 21 of the intermachine unit 2. Further, in the above-described second embodiment, the debit card terminal device 103 is provided with the control unit 131, and the control unit 131 has the debit card reading device 132 and the bank account balance indicator 134.
Although the control unit 131 is omitted, the function of the control unit 131 is the same as the control unit 121 of the machine-mounted machine 102.
May be realized by.

Besides, various design changes can be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a system including a game medium lending device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration relating to the renting of a game medium of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment and a machine-to-machine machine (game medium renting device) associated therewith.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing relating to reading of an IC card, which is executed by a control unit of the electronic money terminal device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of a game medium lending process executed by a controller of the inter-mountain machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of rewriting processing of money data of an IC card executed by a control unit of the electronic money terminal device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a memory of a host computer of a card company.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a result of totaling the usage status by address.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a result of summarizing usage situations by age.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a result of tabulation of gender usage status.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a result of aggregation of usage status by time zone and occupation.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a result of aggregation of usage status by model.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a system including a game medium lending device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration relating to a rental of a game medium of a gaming machine according to a second embodiment and a table machine associated therewith.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing relating to reading of an IC card, which is executed by the control unit of the debit card terminal device.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of a game medium lending process executed by a controller of the inter-mountain machine according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 game machine Two-machine 3 Electronic money terminal device 4 management device 5 Host computer 12 Disbursement control section 21 Control unit 32 Non-contact communication section 101 game machine 102 units 103 Debit card terminal device 104 management device 105 host computer 112 payout control unit 121 control unit 132 debit card reader

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A lending process executing means for executing a lending process of a game medium used for a game in a gaming machine, an electronic money balance obtaining means for obtaining a balance of electronic money deposited in an electronic money card, And a lending process execution permission unit for permitting the lending process to be performed by the lending process execution unit, provided that the balance of the electronic money acquired by the money balance acquisition unit is equal to or more than a predetermined amount. Game media lending device. 2. A lending process execution means for executing a lending process of a game medium used for a game in a gaming machine, a card identification information reading device for reading card identification information recorded on a debit card, and a debit card issuing bank. An account balance acquisition unit that communicates with the host computer to acquire the account balance corresponding to the card identification information read by the card identification information reading unit, and the account balance acquired by the account balance acquisition unit is predetermined. A game medium lending device comprising: a lending process execution permission unit that permits execution of the lending process by the lending process execution unit on condition that the amount is equal to or more. 3. A system including a game medium lending device for executing a process for lending a game medium used for a game in a game machine, and an external device communicably connected to the game medium lending device, The above-mentioned game medium lending device is the game medium lending device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: information transmitting means for transmitting information regarding the lending of a game medium to the external device, wherein the external device is It is provided with an information totaling means for totaling information about the rental of the game media received from the above-mentioned game media lending device, and creating information useful for business management of the game shop in which the above-mentioned game media lending device is installed. Information collection system to be.