JP2003079923A - Card unit, game apparatus, and game managing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a card unit with a simple structure and a game managing system using it which achieves a higher durability of IC cards housed in the card unit. SOLUTION: In the card unit 1 for dispensing game balls based on the IC cards 4 having stored available values, there are provided a housing part 23 for housing the IC cards 4, a card fixing means for fixing the IC cards 4 on the housing part 23 made impossible to feed them and take them in and a card presenting means 16 which is fixed on the housing part 23 and presents the IC cards 4 having the stored available values to eliminate the need for operations of feeding or taking in the IC cards 4 thereby preventing damages to the IC cards 4 as caused by the conveying of the cards. This also enables the supply of coins, paper moneys and the available values that uses a recording medium in which is recorded specified information for suppliers of the available values or information on the available values and can improve the convenience for games by recording the available values into the IC cards.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a function of lending a game medium such as a pachinko ball based on valuable value information recorded in an IC card such as a prepaid card used in a game store such as a pachinko parlor. The present invention relates to a card unit or game device and a game management system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, at amusement stores such as pachinko parlors,
Equipped with a storage area for recording information such as card identifiers, card issuance date and consumption amount in order to borrow game media such as pachinko balls and medals used in pachinko machines and slot machines. A game management system using an IC card has been devised.

When playing a game at a game store equipped with such a game management system, a player first purchases an IC card with a valuable value added by a card issuing device, and purchases the purchased IC card from a pachinko machine. And the like, which is installed adjacent to the gaming machine, and inserts the gaming medium into the rented card unit. The card unit instructs the gaming machine to eject the game medium based on the record information recorded in the inserted IC card. Then, the gaming machine ejects the game medium according to the instruction of the card unit. The player can play a game on the game machine using the discharged game medium.

When the game management system as described above is introduced, the game medium can be borrowed without using cash, and the convenience of being able to reduce the number of times of leaving the game machine for the borrowing is provided. Can enjoy.

Further, for the management company of the game shop, there is a benefit by introducing the game management system, such that high profit can be obtained by increasing the number of IC card players due to the above-mentioned convenience. .

Further, the record information recorded on the IC card is managed by a computer provided in the game management system, and information relating to settlement such as issuance and consumption of the IC card is processed by this computer. Therefore, accurate and fair accounting treatment can be realized.

[0007]

To realize such a game management system, the applicant of the present invention filed a patent application 20.
00-347203 has been filed. This Japanese Patent Application 2000
In the invention described in -347203, a card insertion port is provided in a game medium lending device (card unit), and a card is stored inside the game medium lending device (card unit) so that it cannot be discharged to the outside. When the balance of the card inserted from the card insertion slot is exhausted, money is put into the game media lending device (card unit) to give a valuable value corresponding to the money put into the card stored inside. By this, the game can be played. Therefore, the player can continue the game without leaving the seat and purchasing a new card even when the remaining amount of the card inserted from the outside runs out.

In the above invention, the card housed inside the game medium lending device (card unit) is not ejected to the outside, but after the data is written on the card, the confirmation window covered with the transparent cover. Is issued by sending out a part of the card to a predetermined position of the card processing section. Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time, it is taken into the card processing unit. Therefore, in the above invention, even if the card is stored inside the game medium lending device (card unit), when the above-mentioned issuing process is performed, the sending and taking-in operations are performed in the card processing unit. There is.

In this invention, the card stored in the game medium lending device (card unit) has a high card issuing frequency because one card is reused. In addition, the capturing operation is frequently performed, which may cause damage to the card itself, which causes a problem that a read error occurs due to the damage of the card. Further, in the above invention, a card reading device and a driving device of two systems, a card inserted from the outside of the game medium lending device (card unit) and a card stored inside, are required,
There is also a problem that the structure becomes complicated and expensive.

On the other hand, on the other hand, when a game is played by using money without using an IC card, the computer provided in the game management system cannot manage all information related to payment. There is a problem that it becomes difficult to perform accurate and fair accounting treatment.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and I stored in a card unit or a game machine.
An object of the present invention is to provide a card unit or a game device which can improve the durability of a C card and has a simple structure, and a game management system using the same.

[0012]

A card unit according to claim 1 instructs a gaming machine to lend a game medium used for a game at a gaming machine, based on an IC card in which valuable value and identification information are stored. In the card unit, a storage unit for storing the IC card, a card fixing unit for fixing the IC card to the storage unit such that the IC card cannot be sent out and taken in, a money receiving unit for receiving money, and a storage unit for the storage unit. A card presenting means for presenting an IC card which is fixed and stores a valuable value corresponding to the amount of money accepted by the money accepting means, and a valuable value given to the IC card presented by the card presenting means. And a discharge instruction means for instructing the game machine to discharge the game medium on the basis of the discharge medium.

In the card unit according to a second aspect of the present invention, the storage unit stores in the IC card a valuable value corresponding to the amount of money received when the money receiving means receives the money. It is characterized in that it is provided with a value giving means.

A card unit according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the card unit is provided with reception display means for displaying that the insertion of money has been accepted by the money acceptance means.

According to another aspect of the card unit of the present invention, the money accepting means includes means for accepting the insertion of coins and means for accepting the insertion of banknotes.

The card unit according to claim 5 is a card unit for instructing a game machine to rent out a game medium used for a game at a game machine, based on an IC card in which valuable value and identification information are stored, An accommodating section for accommodating an IC card, a card fixing means for fixing the IC card in the accommodating section such that the IC card cannot be sent out and taken in, a money accepting means for accepting money, and specific information or valuables for specifying a source of valuable value. Recording medium accepting means for accepting a recording medium recording value information, reading means for reading information recorded on the recording medium accepted by the recording medium accepting means, and accepting input of supply amount of valuable value The supply amount receiving means and the supply of the valuable value corresponding to the supply amount received by the supply amount receiving means,
Supply receiving means for receiving from the supply source or from the recording medium via an external device, and fixed to the storage section,
A card presenting means for presenting an IC card storing the valuable value corresponding to the amount of money accepted by the money accepting means or the valuable value accepted by the supply accepting means, and presented by the card presenting means It is characterized by further comprising: a discharge instruction means for instructing the game machine to discharge the game medium based on the valuable value given to the IC card.

In the card unit according to claim 6, the storage unit stores, in an IC card, a valuable value corresponding to the amount of money accepted by the money accepting means and a valuable value accepted by the supply accepting means. It is characterized in that it is provided with means for adding valuable value.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a card unit including means for displaying that money has been accepted by the money accepting means or supply of valuable value has been accepted by the supply accepting means. To do.

According to another aspect of the card unit of the present invention, a coin insertion portion for receiving coins, an insertion portion for receiving bills and the recording medium, and a bill or the recording medium accepted by the insertion portion. Further comprising: a discriminating means for receiving the coins accepted by the coin inserting section, and the banknotes discriminated by the discriminating means, wherein the recording medium receiving means is the discriminating means. It is characterized in that the recording medium discriminated by is accepted.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the card unit according to the ninth aspect, the card presenting means is a card confirmation window provided on a money insertion side so that the IC card fixed to the storage section can be visually observed from the outside. Characterize.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the card unit is characterized in that the card fixing means is adapted to detachably fix the IC card to the storage section.

A card unit according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is provided with a consumption display means for displaying that the valuable value corresponding to the game medium ejected from the gaming machine by the ejection instruction means is consumed.

According to a twelfth aspect of the game management system,
A plurality of card units according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and a plurality of card units communicatively connected to each of the card units,
And a storage unit that stores the amount information collected by each of the card units and the amount information that includes the received amount of money or the supply of valuable value. A management device that manages the money amount information based on the identification information of the IC card.

A game management system according to a thirteenth aspect,
A plurality of card units according to any one of claims 5 to 11 and a communicable connection to each of the card units,
And a storage unit that stores the amount information collected by each of the card units and the amount information that includes the received amount of money or the supply of valuable value. A management device that manages the money amount information based on identification information of the IC card, wherein the card unit manages the specific information read by the reading means and the supply amount received by the supply receiving means. The management device is provided with a means for transmitting to the device, and the management device is configured to be capable of communicating with a payment means, which is provided externally, for performing payment of supply of the valuable value by using the specified information. An amount and a means for transmitting a settlement request for supplying a valuable value corresponding to the supply amount from the supplier to the card unit, and the valuable value. Means for receiving a supply from said source, said negotiable value accepted characterized in that it comprises a means for supplying to the card unit.

A gaming machine according to a fourteenth aspect is a card for instructing the gaming machine to rent out a gaming medium to be used for a game on the gaming machine, based on the gaming machine and an IC card storing valuable value and identification information. In a gaming device provided with a unit, a storage unit for storing the IC card, a card fixing unit for fixing the IC card to the storage unit such that the IC card cannot be sent out and taken in, a money receiving unit for receiving money, and A card presenting means that presents an IC card that is fixed to the storage part and that stores a valuable value corresponding to the amount of money accepted by the money accepting means, and the IC card presented by the card presenting means And a discharge instruction means for instructing the game machine to discharge the game medium based on the valuable value.

In the gaming apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect, the storage section stores in the IC card a valuable value corresponding to the amount of money received when the money receiving means receives the money. It is characterized in that it is provided with a value giving means.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game device including acceptance display means for displaying that the money acceptance means has accepted the insertion of money.

A game apparatus according to a seventeenth aspect is characterized in that the money accepting means includes means for accepting insertion of coins and means for accepting insertion of banknotes.

A gaming machine according to claim 18 is a card for instructing a gaming machine to rent out a gaming medium used for a game on the gaming machine based on the gaming machine and an IC card storing valuable value and identification information. In a gaming device provided with a unit, a storage unit for storing the IC card, a card fixing unit for fixing the IC card to the storage unit such that the IC card cannot be sent out and taken in, a money receiving unit for receiving money, and a valuable value. Recording medium receiving means for receiving a recording medium recording specific information for identifying a supply source or valuable value information, and reading means for reading the information recorded in the recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means, A supply amount receiving means for receiving an input of the supply amount of the valuable value, and a value of the valuable value corresponding to the supply amount received by the supply amount receiving means. Supply acceptance means for accepting salary from the supplier or from the recording medium via an external device, and a valuable value corresponding to the amount of money accepted by the money accepting means, which is fixed in the storage section, or A card presenting means for presenting an IC card in which the valuable value received by the supply accepting means is stored, and discharging of a game medium to a gaming machine based on the valuable value given to the IC card presented by the card presenting means. Ejection instructing means for instructing is provided.

In the gaming apparatus according to the nineteenth aspect, the storage section stores in the IC card the valuable value corresponding to the amount of money accepted by the money accepting means and the valuable value accepted by the supply accepting means. It is characterized in that it is provided with means for adding valuable value.

A game device according to a twentieth aspect of the invention is provided with means for displaying that money has been accepted by the money accepting means or that supply of valuable value has been accepted by the supply accepting means. To do.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine determines a coin inserting section for receiving coins, an inserting section for receiving banknotes and the recording medium, and a banknote or the recording medium received by the inserting section. Further comprising: a discriminating means for receiving the coins accepted by the coin inserting section, and the banknotes discriminated by the discriminating means, wherein the recording medium receiving means is the discriminating means. It is characterized in that the recording medium discriminated by is accepted.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the game device, the card presenting means is a card confirmation window provided on the cash insertion side so that the IC card fixed to the storage section can be visually observed from the outside. Characterize.

The game device according to a twenty-third aspect is characterized in that the card fixing means is adapted to detachably fix the IC card to the storage section.

A game apparatus according to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention is provided with a consumption display means for displaying that the valuable value corresponding to the game medium discharged from the game machine by the discharge instruction means is consumed.

The game management system according to claim 25 is
25. A plurality of gaming devices according to any one of claims 14 to 24, and monetary amount information including a monetary amount or a supply amount of a valuable value, which is communicably connected to each of the gaming devices and is received from each of the gaming devices. And a management device for managing the money amount information based on the identification information of the IC card. Characterize.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the game management system,
25. A plurality of gaming devices according to any one of claims 18 to 24, and money information that is communicably connected to each of the gaming devices and includes the amount of money received from each of the gaming devices or the supply amount of valuable value. And a management device that manages the money amount information based on the identification information of the IC card. The gaming device comprises means for transmitting the specific information read by the reading means and the supply amount received by the supply receiving means to the management device, and the management device stores the specific information provided outside. It is configured to be able to communicate with a settlement means for settlement of supply of a valuable value using the received specific information, the supply amount, and the valuable value corresponding to the supply amount from the supply source. A means for transmitting a settlement request to be supplied to the gaming machine to the settlement means, a means for accepting the supply of the valuable value from the supplier, and a means for supplying the accepted valuable value to the gaming machine. And

In the case of the invention of claim 1 or claim 14, the card unit or the game device receives money from the player, writes the amount information to the IC card housed in the card unit or the game device, and the amount information is The written IC card is presented to the player. This allows the player to play a game. That is, since the player can play the game using the IC card stored in the card unit or the game device in advance, it is not necessary to purchase the IC card in advance, and the game can be played by the game machine. Further, the game can be continued by inserting money without leaving the gaming machine to purchase the IC card again.

Since this IC card is fixed to the card unit or the storage portion of the game device, it is not necessary to carry out the operation of sending out and taking in each time the card is read / written, and the card is damaged by the transportation of the card. Will never occur. In addition, abrasion and the like due to friction during transportation does not occur, and the durability of the card is improved. Further, the card processing unit can be made to have a simple structure without the need for a motor for carrying the card and a control unit for controlling the motor.

Since the IC card is fixed in the card unit or the game machine, the player cannot take out the IC card. Therefore, an illegal act such as unreasonably adding valuable value cannot be applied to the IC card, so that the illegal use of the IC card can be prevented. Moreover, when the player plays a game with the IC card, it is not necessary to authenticate the IC card each time.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 2 or claim 15, since the valuable value imparting means is provided in the storage portion, for example, when the reader / writer is used as the valuable value imparting means, the reader is used. Since the IC card may be stored in the writer, it is not necessary to separately provide a storage section other than this reader / writer, and the structure can be simple.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 3 or claim 16, the player, by the reception display means for displaying that the insertion of the money has been accepted, allows the player to accept the money by the card unit or the game device. You can check that. That is, in the card unit or the game device that does not hand over the IC card to the player, the player can be surely notified of the receipt of money, and the player can deposit money with peace of mind.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 4 or claim 17, the money accepting means is:
Since the means for accepting the insertion of coins and the means for accepting the insertion of banknotes are provided, the player can play the game using both coins and banknotes.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 5 or claim 18, a recording medium recording specific information for identifying a supply source of valuable value outside the game store such as a debit card or a credit card, Or, accepting a recording medium such as a general-purpose prepaid card in which the information of the valuable value is recorded, and supplying the valuable value from the supplier,
Alternatively, by receiving the supply of the valuable value recorded in the recording medium, the player does not use cash and uses a recording medium such as a debit card, a credit card or a prepaid card without using cash. Is possible.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 6 or claim 19, the valuable value corresponding to money or the valuable value supplied by using the recording medium is used as an IC.
Since the valuable value giving means to be given to the card is provided in the storage portion, the structure can be simple.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 7 or 20, the player displays the acceptance display means for displaying that the insertion of money or the supply of the valuable value using the recording medium has been accepted. Can confirm that the card unit or the gaming device has accepted money or valuable value, and can deposit money or supply valuable value with peace of mind.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 8 or claim 21, the banknote and the recording medium are commonly inserted, the banknote or the recording medium inserted into the slot is discriminated, and the discriminated banknote is discriminated. Alternatively, by accepting the recording medium by the money accepting means or the recording medium accepting means, it is possible to make the size smaller than the case where the bill insertion portion and the recording medium insertion portion are provided independently of each other.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 9 or 22, the card presenting means has a window on the front of the card unit or the game device so that the cards stored inside can be visually confirmed. Since it is only necessary to provide, it is possible to make the structure simple.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 10 or claim 23, when a problem occurs in the IC card fixed to the storage part, a new IC
It becomes possible to exchange for a card.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 11 or claim 24, the player displays the consumption value indicating that the valuable value corresponding to the game medium discharged from the game machine is consumed, It is possible to confirm the consumption of money corresponding to the game medium. As a result, the player can be aware of the amount of consumption and the like, and it is possible to prevent problems related to consumption in advance.

In the case of the game management system according to claim 12 or claim 25, the management device collects the amount information including the amount of money from a plurality of card units or the game devices, and the collected amount information is displayed. to manage. Therefore, it is possible to centrally manage the amount of money consumed in a plurality of card units or gaming devices. Further, since the payment is made via the IC card, it is possible to manage all the information related to the payment by the management device, and it is possible to ensure accurate and fair accounting processing.

In the case of the game management system according to claim 13 or claim 26, the management device is connected to a settlement device outside the game shop, and the valuable value is supplied from a valuable value supplier such as a bank account. By transmitting a settlement request to the settlement device from the management device, it is possible to supply the valuable value by using the recording medium to the card unit or the gaming device.

[0053]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments thereof. The game device of the present invention includes, for example, a game machine such as a pachinko machine and a slot machine, and a card unit for lending a game medium such as a pachinko ball or a medal. Further, the IC card housed in this gaming device has information for identifying the IC card (hereinafter,
It has a storage area for storing information relating to valuable information).

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a game management system including a game device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1, 1 ... Show card units, 2 is a game machine (in this embodiment, a pachinko machine)
And 3 indicates a computer which is a management device. The gaming device is composed of a card unit 1 and a gaming machine 2. In the present embodiment, the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 1 are configured as separate bodies, but they may be configured as one body. Each card unit 1, 1 ... is a gaming machine 2,
2 are provided adjacent to each other, and the management device 3 is connected to the communication network 100 via the respective card units 1, 1 ..., the gaming machines 2, 2 ... And the communication interfaces.

The card unit 1 has a non-contact type IC card 4 stored therein in advance. When a player throws in money, the card unit 1 receives the stored IC
The money amount information is written and stored in the card 4. A valuable value is given to the IC card 4 by writing the amount information.
Then, the IC card 4 in which the amount information is stored is presented to the player. Further, the card unit 1 reads the stored information stored in the storage area 41 (FIG. 3) of the presented IC card 4, and transmits the read stored information to the management device 3 via the communication network 100.

The management device 3 having received the stored information from the card unit 1 updates the payment database 34 (FIG. 5) provided in the storage unit 33 (FIG. 5) based on the stored information,
The updated amount information is transmitted to the card unit 1 via the communication network 100.

The gaming machine 2 is provided with a frequency display unit 201 which converts the amount information of the IC card 4 into a certain frequency (for example, 100 yen is one frequency) and displays it, and the updated amount information is , Is transmitted from the card unit 1 to the gaming machine 2, converted into frequency information, and displayed on the frequency display unit 201.

After displaying the frequency on the frequency display unit 201, the card unit 1 instructs the gaming machine 2 to eject the game ball, and the gaming machine 2 receives it and ejects the game ball.
After the game ball is discharged, the card unit 1 transmits the storage information including the consumed amount information to the management device 3, and the management device 3 updates the payment database 34 (FIG. 5) based on this.
The IC card 4 housed in the card unit 1 also updates the stored information.

As described above, the storage area 4 of the IC card 4
The information stored in FIG. 1 (FIG. 3) includes identification information in addition to the amount information such as the deposit amount and the consumption amount described above. The stored information is managed by the management device 3.

2 to 4 are views showing the card unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing the structure of the main part of the card unit 1 of the present invention, and FIG. Is also a side sectional view showing the structure of the main part, and FIG. 4 is a card unit 1.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part with the reader / writer opened.

The card unit 1 accommodates a communication processing unit 20, a coin processing unit 21, a control unit 22, a reader / writer 23, etc. inside a vertically long housing, and various display devices are provided on the front surface of the housing. It is provided adjacent to the gaming machine 2 with a panel on which the like is arranged. Then, they are connected via a communication interface so as to correspond one-to-one with the gaming machines 2 installed on the right side of the card unit 1. As shown in FIG. 2, on the front panel of the card unit 1, a card usable lamp 11 is provided at the uppermost portion, and below the coin receiving opening 1 is provided.
2, a return button 13, a display unit 14, a coin return port 15, and a transparent cover 17 are sequentially provided.

The card available lamp 11 is turned on when the IC card 4 housed in the card unit 1 is available, and is turned off when it is not available. This allows the player to know whether the IC card 4 can be used.

Below the card usable lamp 11, a coin receiving opening 12 is provided. The coin receiving opening 12 receives the insertion of coins from the player. This coin reception 12
In the first embodiment, only 500 yen coins are accepted, but 100 yen coins may be accepted. The coin received at the coin receiving port 12 is discriminated by the coin processing unit 21, and when it is discriminated as an appropriate coin, it is conveyed to the coin ejection port 18 at the rear of the card unit 1 through the coin conveying path. To be done. If it is determined to be improper, etc., go through the coin transport path,
The coins are discharged to the coin return port 15 provided on the front surface of the card unit 1.

A return button 13 is provided below the coin receiving opening 12.
Is provided. The return button 13 is the coin reception opening 12
It is a button for returning the coins to the player when the coins thrown in are jammed. The player uses this return button 1
Request the return of coins inserted by pressing 3. In this case, the returned coin is discharged to the coin return port 15. Even when the coin available lamp 141 is off, that is, when the player mistakenly inserts a coin when the coin is not available, the coin is automatically discharged from the coin return port 15.

A display unit 14 is provided in the center of the front panel of the card unit 1. The display unit 14 displays the operating state of the card unit 1, the balance of the IC card 4, and the like. The display unit 14 has a coin available lamp 14
1, balance display section 142, model setting display lamp 143, connecting stand direction display lamp 144, deposit / consumption confirmation lamp 14
5 is included. The display unit 14 includes a control unit 22 described later.
The display driver (not shown) in the control unit 22 is electrically connected to each display and each display is performed.

The coin available lamp 141 is a coin (500
Illuminates when it can accept (yen coins) and turns off when it cannot. This allows the player to know whether or not coins can be inserted into the card unit 1.

The balance display section 142 is for the amount information and the card unit 1 in the card information stored in the storage area 41 of the IC card 4 when a coin is inserted and a game is played.
The operating status of is displayed. The operation status is displayed by, for example, a predetermined code.

The model setting display lamp 143 is for the gaming machine 2 to which the card unit 1 sends an instruction to eject a game ball.
Is a display lamp indicating the model of the game machine, and indicates whether the game machine 2 is a pachinko machine or a slot machine, for example.

The connecting board direction display lamp 144 is a display lamp for the card unit 1 to indicate the gaming machine 2 which gives an instruction to eject the game ball. This connecting platform direction indicator lamp 1
By 44, the player can know which of the gaming machines 2, 2 installed on both sides of the card unit 1 the gaming machine 2 instructs to eject the gaming ball. .

The deposit / consumption confirmation lamp 145 is used for the storage area 41 of the IC card 4 housed in the card unit 1.
Lights up when the deposit amount information is written in
The player is informed of the situation in which the C card 4 has been deposited.
Also, it lights up when the consumption amount information consumed by renting the game balls is written, and notifies the player of the situation where the amount used for renting the game balls is consumed from the IC card 4. In the present embodiment, the deposit / consumption confirmation lamp 145 is provided in the card unit 1, but it may be provided in the gaming machine 2. In addition, the deposit / consumption confirmation lamp 14
In FIG. 5, the deposit lamp and the consumption lamp are combined into one lamp, but the deposit lamp and the consumption lamp may be provided separately.

Below the display section 14, a card confirmation window 16 and a transparent cover 17 for covering the card confirmation window 16 are arranged. The card confirmation window 16 is formed by forming a vertically long square hole on the front panel of the card unit 1. Moreover, the transparent cover 17 is formed of a material having a light transmitting property. Therefore, the inside of the card unit 1 can be seen through the card confirmation window 16. Then, from the card confirmation window 16, the IC mounted and fixed to the front end of the reader / writer 23 provided in the housing.
The card 4 can be visually observed.

As described above, the IC card 4 stored in the card unit 1 can be presented to the player by visually confirming the IC card 4 through the card confirmation window 16.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 20 denotes a communication processing unit,
It is arranged in the upper part inside the card unit 1. The communication processing unit 20 is a device for transmitting and receiving signals such as information stored in the IC card 4 to and from the management device 3 and the gaming machine 2 via the communication network 100.

Below the communication processing unit 20, the coin processing unit 2 is provided.
1 is arranged. As described above, the coin processing unit 21 determines the coin received from the player via the coin receiving port 12 provided on the front panel of the card unit 1, and notifies the control unit 22 of the result of the determination. To do. Further, when the coin inserted by the player is jammed and the return button 13 is pressed, the jammed coin is ejected from the coin return port 15. On the other hand, when the coin is consumed, the coin is discharged from the coin discharge port 18 communicating with the back surface of the card unit 1. The coin outlet 18
The coins discharged from the device are taken into an external device (not shown).

A control unit 22 is arranged in the center of the inside of the card unit 1. The control unit 22 includes a microprocessor (not shown), is connected to each of the above-mentioned hardware units via a bus 30, controls each of the hardware units, and is stored in a ROM (not shown). Various computer programs (for example, instructions for ejecting game balls to the gaming machine 2) are executed.

Below the control unit 22, the reader / writer 23 is placed at a position facing the card confirmation window 16 provided on the front panel.
Are arranged. That is, the reader / writer 23 is arranged so that the front end portion thereof can be seen through the card confirmation window 16. The non-contact type IC card 4 is detachably accommodated in the reader / writer 23, and a rectangular storage area 41 is arranged in the approximate center of the non-contact type IC card 4.
At the position of the reader / writer 23 corresponding to this storage area 41, a transmission / reception unit (not shown) is provided for reading and writing, and the reader / writer 23 stores the money amount information stored in this storage area 41. Etc. are read and written.

FIG. 4 is a diagram in which the card unit 1 is pulled out forward and the reader / writer 23 is opened to the side. As shown in FIG. 4, the reader / writer 23 removes the IC card 4 mounted therein and replaces it with a new IC card 4
Is attached to the card unit 1 so that it can be opened and closed laterally. Two cylindrical protrusions 231 are horizontally arranged side by side in a substantially central portion of the open surface of the reader / writer 23 so that the IC card 4 can be fixedly housed therein. On the other hand, the IC card 4 has two through holes 42, which are slightly larger in diameter than the protrusion 231, sandwiching the storage area 41. By inserting the protrusion 231 into the through hole, the IC card 4 is inserted. Is fixed to the reader / writer 23. In addition, this card fixing means has a through hole 42.
Since the projection 231 is simply fitted into the IC card, the IC card 4 can be easily detached from the reader / writer 23. The fixing means is not limited to this, and various means such as urging and pressing the pressing body against the card with an elastic body can be considered.

The broken line in FIG. 4 indicates the fixing position of the IC card 4. The IC card 4 is fixed in a state of being "headed out" by protruding about 4 to 8 mm forward from the front end of the reader / writer 23. And the IC card 4 is "cue"
The state of being stored can be visually observed from the outside of the card unit 1 through the card confirmation window 16 and the transparent cover 17.

The storage area 41 of the IC card 4 may be formed of one storage area, or may be formed of a plurality of storage areas such as the first storage area, the second storage area. In this case, for example, in a card system capable of additional purchase, which will be described later, the initially stored amount information is stored in the first storage area, and the additional deposited amount information is stored in the second storage area. It is also possible to set different storage areas depending on the mode difference. Also, a storage area may be provided for each minimum conversion unit (for example, 100 yen). In this case, in the case of the card unit 1 for 500-yen coins, five storage areas for the amount information are formed.

The stored information stored in the storage area 41 also includes the accumulated total amount of deposits showing the accumulated total amount of deposits to the IC card 4 housed in the reader / writer 23 so far. As described above, only one IC card 4 is fixed and stored in the reader / writer 23.
The C card 4 is used repeatedly. Therefore, the upper limit of the total deposit amount is set in consideration of the durability of the IC card 4. Therefore, when the total deposit amount in the card information exceeds the upper limit, it is replaced with a new IC card 4. In this case, by displaying a code value indicating that fact on the balance display unit 142, it is possible to notify the employee of the game shop that the total deposit amount exceeds the upper limit.

The stored information other than the above is the IC card 4
It may include identification information for identifying the card unit 1 in which is stored, the date of issue indicating the date of deposit / consumption, and the like.

The stored information is managed by the management device 3 for each card ID, and in the present embodiment,
The deposit amount and the consumption amount are collected by the management device 3 every time the deposit and the consumption amount are made, as described later.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management device 3 for transmitting / receiving the stored information of the IC card 4 to / from the card unit 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 5, 31 is C
A PU is shown, and the CPU 31 has a communication interface 32 for communicating with the card unit 1.
And a storage unit 33 that stores data generated in the CPU 31 are connected. The storage unit 33 also has a database (payment DB) 34 regarding payment.

The payment database 34 stores information relating to the amount of money to be paid in and the amount of money to be consumed of the IC card 4 received from each of the card units 1, 1 ... In association with the card ID. Further, identification information for identifying the card unit 1 in which the IC card 4 is stored, the issue date indicating the date when the above-mentioned deposit and consumption are made, and the like may be stored.

Next, the operation of the card unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6 shows the I stored in the card unit 1.
It is a flow chart which shows a processing procedure of game machine 2, card unit 1, and management device 3 when playing a game using C card 4. It should be noted that these processes are divided into three regions by two vertical broken lines. The process on the left region is performed by the gaming machine 2, the process on the center region is performed by the card unit 1, The processing in the right area shows the processing performed by the management device 3, respectively.

When the power supply is turned on, the card unit 1 clears various tables held by the control unit 22 and performs initial setting (S101).

Next, the card unit 1 includes the coin processing unit 21.
And the total accumulated deposit and the preset IC card 4
Is compared with the upper limit amount of money that can be used (set amount of money) (S102).

When it is determined in step S102 that the total accumulated deposit amount is larger than the set amount (NO in S102),
The card usable lamp 11 is turned off (S117), and an error is displayed on the balance display unit 142 (S118). on the other hand,
When it is determined that the total accumulated deposit is less than the set amount (S
(YES in 102), the card unit 1 lights the coin available lamp 141 (S103).

Next, the card unit 1 includes the coin processing unit 21.
Accepts coins from a player at (S10
4).

When the insertion of coins is accepted in step S104, the card unit 1 displays the deposit frequency corresponding to the accepted amount of coins (deposit amount) on the balance display section 142 (S105), and the accepted amount information. And card I
D is transmitted to the management device 3, and the payment database 34 of the storage unit 33 provided in the management device 3 is updated (S107).
At the same time, information indicating the deposit amount is written in the storage area 41 of the IC card 4 fixedly stored in the reader / writer 23 of the card unit 1 (S108).

Furthermore, the status (payment status) in which the deposit amount information is written in the IC card 4 is displayed by turning on the deposit / consumption confirmation lamp 145 (S10).
9). As a result, the player is presented with the presented IC card 4
It can be confirmed that the amount information corresponding to the deposited amount is written in. The deposit / consumption confirmation lamp 145 is assumed to be lit once for each unit, for example, with 100 yen as a unit (when 500 yen is deposited, it is lit five times), and the deposit status is detailed in the game. I inform the person.

When the deposit amount information is written in the IC card 4, the gaming machine 2 converts the deposit amount information of the IC card 4 into a certain frequency (for example, 100 yen is one frequency) and displays it on the frequency display unit 201. It is displayed (S110).

Then, after displaying the frequency on the frequency display section 201, the control section 22 of the card unit 1 causes a game ball to a ball rental control section (not shown) of the gaming machine 2 via the communication processing section 20. Is instructed (S111), and the ball rental control unit of the game machine 2 receives this and drives the ball rental control device (not shown) provided in the game machine 2 to discharge the game ball (S11).
2). After discharging the game ball, the card unit 1 transmits the consumption amount information and the card ID to the management device 3 (S11).
3), the management device 3 based on this, the payment database 3
4 is updated (S114).

Then, the card unit 1 writes the consumption amount into the IC card 4 fixedly stored in the card unit 1 (S115). Furthermore, the consumption amount information is I
The situation written in the storage area 41 of the C card 4 is
The player is notified by turning on the deposit / consumption confirmation lamp 145 (S116). Then, the coin available lamp 141 is turned on (S103). Similarly to the payment confirmation, the consumption confirmation is performed with 100 yen as one unit so as to turn on once for each unit.

As described above, the card unit 1 is an IC
Information on the deposit amount and the consumption amount included in the card information written in the card 4 is transmitted to the management device 3 each time, and the management device 3 collects and manages the amount information in real time. However, the collection management of the money amount information of the management device 3 is not limited to this, and may be performed by the following method shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 shows the card unit 1 and the management device 3 when the management device 3 collects the amount information of the IC card 4.
It is a flowchart which shows the other process procedure of. In the card unit 1, the control unit 22 stores information regarding the deposit amount and the consumption amount included in the card information written in the IC card 4. The management device 3 monitors whether or not a preset set time has been reached (S20).
1). When the set time is reached (YES in S201), the management device 3 instructs each of the card units 1, 1 ... to transmit the amount information of the IC card 4 (S20).
2).

When each of the card units 1, 1 ... Receives the instruction from the management device 3, each of the card units 1, 1 transmits the money amount information stored in each control unit 22 to the management device 3 (S20).
3). When the management device 3 receives the money amount information from each of the card units 1, 1 ..., The management device 3 stores the received money amount information in the payment database 34 (S204).

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a card unit 5 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, parts corresponding to the respective parts of the card unit 1 shown in FIG. 2 are assigned the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 and their explanations are omitted.

In FIG. 8, 51 is a bill receiving slot,
It is a reception port that accepts banknotes (for example, 1000-yen banknotes) from a player. That is, while the card unit 1 of the first embodiment is a coin acceptance-only machine,
The card unit 5 of the embodiment is a banknote acceptance dedicated machine. Further, in the present embodiment, as will be described later, additional purchase with a 500-yen coin is made possible.

Reference numeral 52 denotes a bill available lamp, which is provided at the top of the display unit 14. The bill available lamp 52 is turned on when a bill (for example, a 1000-yen bill) can be accepted, and is turned off when the bill cannot be accepted. As a result, the player can know whether or not banknotes can be inserted into the card unit 5.

Reference numeral 53 is an additional purchase lamp. The additional purchase lamp 53 is turned on when the additional purchase described later is possible, and is turned off when the additional purchase is not possible. In the case of the present embodiment, additional purchase is made only by coins (500 yen coins).
Can be done by throwing in.

The difference between the card unit 5 of the second embodiment and the card unit 1 of the first embodiment is mainly in the above-mentioned two points, and each part other than the parts related to these is different. The configuration is almost the same.

9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the gaming machine 2, the card unit 5 and the management device 3 in the second embodiment. Note that these processes are divided into three regions by two vertical broken lines as in FIG. 6, and the process on the left side is the process performed by the gaming machine 2.
The processing in the central area indicates the processing performed by the card unit 5, and the area on the right side indicates the processing performed by the management device 3.

When the power supply is turned on, the card unit 5 clears various tables held by the control unit 22 and performs initial setting (S301).

Next, the card unit 5 has a coin processing unit 21.
And the total accumulated deposit and the preset IC card 4
Is compared with an upper limit amount of money that can be used (set amount of money) (S302).

When it is determined in step S302 that the total accumulated deposit amount is larger than the set amount (NO in S302),
The card usable lamp 11 is turned off (S324), and an error is displayed on the balance display unit 142 (S325). on the other hand,
When it is determined that the total accumulated deposit is less than the set amount (S
(YES in 302), the card unit 5 turns on the bill available lamp 52 (S303).

Next, the card unit 5 is a bill handling unit (not shown) in which bills from the player (only 1000-yen bills)
Is accepted (S304). When accepting the insertion of banknotes in step S304, the card unit 5
After turning off the bill available lamp 52 (S305),
The deposit frequency corresponding to the received amount of banknotes (deposit amount) is displayed on the balance display unit 142 (S306), and the received amount information and the card ID are transmitted to the management device 3 (S3).
07), update the payment database 34 of the storage unit 33 provided in the management device 3 (S308), and at the same time, deposit into the storage area 41 of the IC card 4 fixedly stored in the reader / writer 23 of the card unit 5. Information indicating the amount of money is written (S309).

Further, the status (payment status) in which the deposit amount information is written in the IC card 4 is displayed by turning on the deposit / consumption confirmation lamp 145 (S31).
0). As a result, the player is presented with the presented IC card 4
It can be confirmed that the amount information corresponding to the deposited amount is written in.

When the deposit amount information is written in the IC card 4, the gaming machine 2 converts the deposit amount information of the IC card 4 into a certain frequency (for example, 100 yen is one frequency) and displays it on the frequency display unit 201. It is displayed (S311).

When the player presses a lending button (not shown) for requesting the lending of game balls provided in the gaming machine 2 (S312), the card unit 5 responds to the pressing of the lending button. The consumption amount and the card ID are transmitted to the management device 3 (S313), and the management device 3 updates the payment database 34 based on this (S314).

After updating the payment database 34,
The card unit 5 instructs the game machine 2 to discharge the game ball (S315), and the game machine receives it and discharges the game ball (S316).

After ejecting the game ball, the card unit 5
Writes the amount of consumption into the IC card 4 fixedly stored in the card unit 5 (S317). Furthermore, the situation in which the consumption amount information is written in the storage area 41 of the IC card 4 is notified to the player by turning on the deposit / consumption confirmation lamp 145 (S318).

After turning on the deposit / consumption confirmation lamp 145, the card unit 5 determines whether or not the IC card 4 has a remaining amount (S319). If the IC card 4 does not have a remaining amount, the bill can be used. The lamp 52 is turned on (S32
0). On the other hand, if the IC card 4 has a balance, the additional purchase lamp 53 is turned on (S321), and the coin receiving slot 1
Waiting for 2 to 500 yen coins to be inserted and accepting 500 yen coins (S322), the additional purchase lamp 53 is turned off (S323), and the deposit amount (500 yen) is displayed on the balance display unit 1
42 is displayed (S306).

That is, in the case of the card unit 5 of the present embodiment, the bills that can be inserted from the bill insertion slot 51 are only 1000 yen bills, and if the lending button of the gaming machine 2 is pressed once, a game equivalent to 500 yen is played. If the player issues a command to discharge the balls, the game ball equivalent to 500 yen is discharged by pressing the lending button once, and at the same time, the remaining amount of the IC card 4 becomes 500 yen, the additional purchase lamp 53 is turned on, and the game The person can make additional purchases with 500-yen coins.

On the other hand, if the lending button is pressed twice and the amount of money written in the IC card 4 is completely consumed, additional purchase cannot be made and a new deposit of 1,000 yen bills becomes possible.

As described above, the card unit 1 of the present invention
(5) accepts coins (banknotes) from the player, writes the amount information to the IC card 4 stored in the card unit 1 (5), and presents the IC card 4 with the amount information written to the player. A player can play a game using this IC card 4.

In the above-described embodiment, the card unit 1 (5) is provided with the storage portion 23 and the card fixing means 2.
31, the money accepting means 12, the card presenting means 16, and the discharge instruction means 22 are provided, but any one or more configurations may be provided in the gaming machine 2.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a third embodiment of the game management system of the present invention. In this figure, parts corresponding to the respective parts of the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals and explanations thereof are omitted. In the present embodiment, a recording medium such as a debit card or a credit card in which specific information for specifying a supply source of a financial institution or the like capable of supplying a valuable value by electronic payment through the external communication network N is recorded. Using C,
It is possible to play games. The management device 3 is connected to an external communication network N outside the game shop, and the external communication network N is connected to a payment device B for making payment for the recording medium C. The management device 3 is configured to be able to communicate with the payment device B via the external communication network N.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing the card unit 7 according to the third embodiment. In this figure, parts corresponding to the respective parts of the card unit according to the first or second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The card unit 7 is provided with a recording medium receiving port 71 in addition to the coin receiving port 12 and the bill receiving port 51, and by inserting the recording medium C such as a debit card or a credit card from the player. The reader is provided with a reader that reads the information recorded in the recording medium C that has been received. The recording medium eject button 72 is pressed by the recording medium receiving port 7 by receiving a pressing operation from the player.
The recording medium C accepted in No. 1 is ejected forward and returned to the player. In addition, the display unit 14 includes a depositable lamp 73.
It is lit when coins, banknotes, or recording medium C can be used to play a game, and lights up when the money cannot be deposited. Further, the card unit 7 is provided with a ten-key pad 74 for accepting input of information, inputting authentication information for authenticating the recording medium C by the operation of the player, and valuable value to be supplied using the recording medium C. The input of the supply amount of is accepted. The numeric keypad 74 is provided with a cover for preventing the input of information from being seen.

Next, the operation of the game management system according to this embodiment will be described. 13 to 15 are the game machine 2, the card unit 7, and the management device 3 according to the third embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of step S1. The card unit 7 first determines whether or not it is possible to deposit the valuable value into the IC card 4, such as whether the total value of the valuable value stored in the IC card 4 is less than the upper limit. S40
1) If payment is possible (S401: YE
S), the card unit 7 turns on the depositable lamp 73 (S402). Next, the card unit 7 monitors whether coins are accepted from the player at the coin accepting port 12 (S403), and when the coins are not accepted (S403: NO), then the bills. It is monitored whether or not the insertion of bills from the player is accepted at the reception opening 51 (S40
4) If the insertion of bills is not accepted (S404: N
O), and then, the recording medium receiving port 71 monitors whether or not the player inputs the recording medium C (S40).
5). The processing after step S405 will be described later.

When the insertion of coins is accepted in step S403 (S403: YES), and in step S4.
When the insertion of bills is accepted in 04 (S404:
If YES, the card unit 7 turns off the depositable lamp 73 (S406), and displays the deposit amount corresponding to the received coin or bill on the balance display unit 142 (S40).
7), the deposit amount information indicating the deposit amount and the card ID are transmitted to the management device 3 (S408). The management device 3 collects information on the valuable value corresponding to the deposit amount from the settlement database 3
4 to update the payment database 34 (S4
09). The card unit 7 writes the valuable value in the storage area 41 of the IC card 4 fixedly stored in the reader / writer 23 of the card unit 7 (S41).
0), the situation in which the valuable value is written in the IC card 4 is displayed by turning on the deposit / consumption confirmation lamp 145 (S411).

Next, the gaming machine 2 converts the valuable value stored in the IC card 4 into a certain frequency (for example, 100 yen is one frequency) and displays it on the frequency display unit 201 (S41).
2) It is monitored whether or not a lending instruction of a game medium such as a game ball or a medal is accepted by a player's operation (S4).
13). When the gaming machine 2 does not receive the game medium lending instruction (S413: NO), the card unit 7 returns the process to step S401. When the gaming machine 2 receives the game medium lending instruction (S413: YES), the card unit 7 manages the information on the amount of valuable value consumed and the card ID to be consumed according to the lending of the game medium. 3 (S414), the management device 3 writes the consumption amount information in the payment database 34 and updates the payment database 34 (S415). The card unit 7 then transmits an instruction to eject the game medium to the gaming machine 2 (S41
6) The gaming machine 2 ejects the gaming medium (S417). The card unit 7 then sends the information on the amount of consumption of valuable value to the I
The situation where the C card 4 is written (S418) and the consumption amount information is being written to the IC card 4 is displayed by turning on the deposit / consumption confirmation lamp 145 (S41).
9). Next, the card unit 7 determines whether or not the valuable value stored in the IC card 4 has a balance (S42).
0), if there is a balance (S420: YES), the process returns to step S412, and if there is no balance (S42).
0: NO), the process ends.

In step S401, if the deposit is not possible (S401: NO), the card unit 7
It is determined whether or not an abnormality such as the total amount of valuable value stored in the C card 4 exceeds the upper limit amount (S
422), if an abnormality has occurred (S422: Y
ES), an error is displayed on the balance display unit 142 (S4
23) If the process is terminated and no abnormality has occurred (S422: NO), the process proceeds to step S412.

The card unit 7 monitors the loading of the recording medium C in step S405, and if the loading of the recording medium C is not accepted (S405: NO), the process proceeds to step S420. When the insertion of the recording medium C is accepted (S405: YES), the card unit 7
Specific information that identifies the source of valuable value such as financial institutions,
Read from the received recording medium C (S424), and input the authentication information such as a personal identification number for authenticating the recording medium C and the supply amount of the valuable value from the player using the ten-key 74 (S425), and specify. The information, the authentication information, and the supply amount information are transmitted to the management device 3 (S426).

The management device 3 directs the payment device B outside the game store to
An authentication request for the recording medium C is transmitted together with the specific information and the authentication information (S427). The payment device B authenticates the financial card 3 based on the specific information and the authentication information, and transmits the result of the authentication to the management device 3. Here, it is determined whether there is any fraud regarding the use of the recording medium C, such as the use by a third party other than the owner. The management device 3 receives the authentication result from the payment device B (S428), and when the received authentication result indicates that the use of the recording medium C is not valid (S429: NO), the management device 3 proceeds to the card unit 7. The unauthorized information of the recording medium C is transmitted (S430). Card unit 7
Receives the illegal information, ejects the recording medium C from the recording medium receiving port 71 (S431), and returns the process to step S401. If the authentication result indicates that the use of the recording medium C is valid in step S429 (S42).
9: YES), the management device 3 transmits to the settlement device B a settlement request for supplying the received supply amount to the gaming shop (S43).
2). The payment device B performs a payment process for supplying a valuable value from a supplier identified by the specific information recorded on the recording medium C to the game shop, and transmits the payment result to the management device 3. The management device 3 receives the payment result from the payment device B (S433), advances the process to step S409, writes the supplied valuable value information in the payment database 34, and updates the payment database 34.

As described above in detail, in the present embodiment, it is possible to supply the valuable value by using the recording medium C and play the game by using the supplied valuable value. The player can play the game without using cash, and by using the cash and the recording medium C properly, cash is used for a small amount of game and recording medium C is used for a large amount of game. The convenience of the game depending on the situation can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the settlement process is
Although the real-time online payment is performed by the payment device B that can communicate with the management device 3, it is also possible to perform non-real-time payment, such as transmitting information after business hours of the game store for payment. Further, although the authentication of the recording medium C is performed by the payment device B outside the game shop, the recording medium C is configured by an IC card, and the authentication information received by the ten key 74 is input to the recording medium C, The recording medium C may determine whether the authentication information is correct or incorrect and authenticate the recording medium C offline.

Further, in the present embodiment, the recording medium C is a recording medium such as a debit card or a credit card in which specific information for specifying a supply source such as a financial institution capable of supplying a valuable value is recorded. However, it may be a recording medium such as a general-purpose prepaid card or an electronic money card that records valuable value information. FIG.
[Fig. 6] is a front view showing a card unit 7 having a second recording medium receiving port 75 for receiving a recording medium recording valuable value information. In this case, the card unit 7 receives the recording medium at the second recording medium receiving port 75, receives the input of the supply amount of the valuable value with the ten-key pad 74, subtracts the valuable value of the received supply amount from the recording medium, The information of the deducted valuable value is transmitted to the management device 3, and the valuable value is written in the IC card 4. By the card unit 7 performing this processing, the player can play a game using a recording medium such as a general-purpose prepaid card or an electronic money card that records valuable value information. The card unit 7 may not have the second recording medium receiving port 75, but may be configured to receive all types of recording media at the recording medium receiving port 71.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 17 shows a fourth embodiment.
It is a front view which shows the card unit 8 which concerns. In this figure, parts corresponding to the respective parts of the card unit according to the third embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
The card unit 8 includes an insertion portion 81, and the insertion portion 81 has the functions of a bill reception opening and a recording medium reception opening.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a usage pattern of the charging section 81. The insertion portion 81 includes a cover 82 having a double-door structure that opens inward when pushed from the front. The cover 82 has a gap in the center in a front view in which a bill can be inserted and a recording medium C cannot be inserted. It is provided and configured. When a player inserts a bill into the insertion portion 81, the bill is inserted through the gap of the cover 82 and the cover 82 is not opened, as shown in FIG. When the recording medium C is loaded into the loading section 81 by the player, FIG.
As shown in, the cover 82 is pushed by the recording medium C and opens inward. The insertion portion 81 includes a sensor 83 that determines the open / closed state of the cover 82. When the card unit 8 determines that the cover 82 is closed by the sensor 83 when the insertion unit 81 receives the insertion of the bill or the recording medium C, the card unit 8 determines that the bill is accepted, Do not process the banknotes in the currency processing unit, and cover 8 with the sensor 83.
If it is determined that the recording medium C is open, it is determined that the recording medium C is received, and the recording medium C is determined by a reader (not shown).
Read the information recorded in. Instead of using the opening and closing of the cover 82, the sensor 83 may directly determine the bill or the recording medium C.

In the present embodiment, since the insertion section 81 has the functions of the bill receiving port and the recording medium receiving port, the internal device can be downsized.
Further, the appearance can be simply configured.

[0134]

As described above in detail, in the case of the invention according to claim 1 or claim 14, the card unit or the game device receives money from the player, and the IC card is stored in the card unit or the game device. The amount information is written in and the IC card in which the amount information is written is presented to the player. This allows the player to play a game.
That is, since the player can play the game using the IC card stored in the card unit or the game device in advance, it is not necessary to purchase the IC card in advance, and the game can be played by the game machine. Further, the game can be continued by inserting money without leaving the gaming machine to purchase the IC card again.

Since this IC card is fixed to the card unit or the storage portion of the game device, it is not necessary to drive the card for reading and writing every time the card is read and written, and card damage due to the driving of the card occurs. There is nothing to do. In addition, wear and the like due to friction during driving does not occur, and the durability of the card is improved. Further, the motor for driving the card and the controller for controlling the motor are not required, and the card processing unit can have a simple structure.

Since the IC card is fixed in the card unit or the game machine, the player cannot take out the first IC card. Therefore, an illegal act such as unreasonably adding valuable value cannot be applied to the IC card, so that the illegal use of the IC card can be prevented. Moreover, when the player plays a game with the IC card, it is not necessary to authenticate the IC card each time.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 2 or claim 15, since the valuable value imparting means is provided in the storage portion, for example, when the reader / writer is used as the valuable value imparting means, IC for reader / writer
Since it is sufficient to store the card, it is not necessary to separately provide a storage portion other than this reader / writer, and the structure can be simple.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 3 or claim 16, the player displays the acceptance display means for displaying that the insertion of money has been accepted,
It can be confirmed that the card unit or the gaming device has received money. That is, in a card unit or game device that does not hand over the IC card to the player,
The player can be notified of the receipt of money without fail, and the player can safely deposit money.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 4 or claim 17, the money accepting means is:
Since the means for accepting the insertion of coins and the means for accepting the insertion of banknotes are provided, the player can play the game using both coins and banknotes.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 5 or claim 18, a recording medium recording specific information for specifying a source of valuable value outside the game store such as a debit card or a credit card, Or, using a recording medium that records valuable value information such as a general-purpose prepaid card, it becomes possible to play games without using cash.
The convenience of the game is improved.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 6 or claim 19, the valuable value corresponding to money or the valuable value supplied by using the recording medium is used as an IC.
Since the valuable value giving means to be given to the card is provided in the storage portion, the structure can be simple.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 7 or claim 20, the player is displayed by the reception display means for displaying that the input of money or the supply of the valuable value using the recording medium has been received. Can confirm that the card unit or the gaming device has accepted money or valuable value, and can deposit money or supply valuable value with peace of mind.

In the case of the card unit or the gaming machine according to claim 8 or claim 21, by making the banknote and the recording medium insertion section common, the banknote insertion section and the recording medium insertion section are independent from each other. The device can be made smaller than the case where the device is provided.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 9 or 22, the card presenting means is provided on the front of the card unit or the game device so that the cards stored therein can be visually confirmed. Since only the window is required, the structure can be simple.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 10 or claim 23, a new I is issued when a problem occurs in the IC card fixed to the storage portion.
It becomes possible to exchange with a C card.

In the case of the card unit or the game device according to claim 11 or claim 24, the player can use the consumption display means for displaying that the valuable value corresponding to the game medium discharged from the game machine is consumed. , It is possible to confirm the consumption of money corresponding to the game medium. As a result, the player can be aware of the amount of consumption and the like, and it is possible to prevent problems related to consumption in advance.

In the case of the game management system according to claim 12 or claim 25, the management device collects the amount information including the amount of money from a plurality of card units or the game device, and the collected amount information is displayed. to manage. Therefore, it is possible to centrally manage the amount of money consumed in a plurality of card units or gaming devices. Further, since the payment is made via the IC card, it is possible to manage all the information related to the payment by the management device, and it is possible to ensure accurate and fair accounting processing.

In the case of the game management system according to claim 13 or claim 26, the present invention is excellent in that valuable value can be supplied to the card unit or the game device by electronic payment using the recording medium. Produce an effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game management system including a game device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a configuration of a main part of the card unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of the card unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of the card unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention with a reader / writer open.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a management device that transmits and receives card information to and from the card unit of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a gaming machine, a card unit and a management device when a game is played using an IC card stored in the card unit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a card unit and a management device when a game is played using an IC card stored in the card unit.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a configuration of a main part of a card unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a gaming machine, a card unit and a management device when a game is played using an IC card stored in a card unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a gaming machine, a card unit and a management device when a game is played using an IC card stored in a card unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a third embodiment of the game management system of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a card unit according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a gaming machine, a card unit and a management device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a gaming machine, a card unit and a management device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a gaming machine, a card unit and a management device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a front view showing a card unit provided with a second recording medium receiving port for receiving a recording medium recording valuable value information.

FIG. 17 is a front view showing a card unit according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a usage pattern of a charging unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 card unit 4 IC card 12 coin reception desk (money reception means) 16 Card confirmation window (card presentation means) 21 Coin processing unit (money receiving means) 23 Reader / Writer (storage unit) 22 Control unit (discharging instruction means) 42 Through hole (card fixing means) 231 Protrusion (card fixing means) 51 banknote acceptance slot 71 Recording medium reception port 81 Input section

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. An IC in which a valuable value and identification information are stored
A card unit for instructing a game machine to lend a game medium to be used for a game on a game machine based on a card, in which a storage unit for storing the IC card, and the IC card being unable to be sent out or taken in A card fixing means for fixing, a money receiving means for accepting the insertion of money, and a valuable value corresponding to the amount of money accepted by the money accepting means, which is fixed in the storage portion, is stored.
The present invention is characterized by including a card presenting means for presenting a C card, and an ejection instructing means for instructing the gaming machine to eject the game medium based on the valuable value given to the IC card presented by the card presenting means. Card unit. 2. The storage section includes a valuable value adding means for storing, in an IC card, a valuable value corresponding to the amount of money accepted when the money accepting means accepts the deposit of money. The card unit according to claim 1. 3. The card unit according to claim 1, further comprising reception display means for displaying that the money reception means has accepted the insertion of money. 4. The card unit according to claim 1, wherein the money accepting means includes means for accepting insertion of coins and means for accepting insertion of banknotes. 5. An IC in which a valuable value and identification information are stored
A card unit for instructing a game machine to lend a game medium to be used for a game on a game machine based on a card, in which a storage unit for storing the IC card, and the IC card being unable to be sent out or taken in Card fixing means for fixing, money accepting means for accepting money, recording medium accepting means for accepting a specific information for identifying a supply source of valuable value or a recording medium recording valuable value information, and the recording medium accepting means The reading means for reading the information recorded in the recording medium accepted by the supply means, the supply amount receiving means for receiving the input of the supply amount of the valuable value, and the valuable value corresponding to the supply amount received by the supply amount receiving means. A supply receiving unit that receives a supply from the supply source or from the recording medium via an external device, and a storage unit fixed to the storage unit. And a card presenting means for presenting an IC card in which a valuable value corresponding to the amount of money accepted by the money accepting means or a valuable value accepted by the supply accepting means is stored, and presented by the card presenting means And a discharge instruction means for instructing the game machine to discharge the game medium based on the valuable value given to the generated IC card. 6. The storage section includes a valuable value adding means for storing, in an IC card, a valuable value corresponding to the amount of money accepted by the money accepting means and a valuable value accepted by the supply accepting means. The card unit according to claim 5, wherein: 7. The device according to claim 5, further comprising means for displaying that money has been accepted by the money accepting means or that supply of a valuable value has been accepted by the supply accepting means. Card unit. 8. A coin insertion unit for receiving insertion of coins, an insertion unit for receiving insertion of banknotes and the recording medium, and a discriminating unit for discriminating the banknotes or the recording medium received by the insertion unit, The money accepting means is adapted to accept the coins accepted by the coin inserting section and the banknotes identified by the identifying means, and the recording medium accepting means stores the recording medium identified by the identifying means. The card unit according to any one of claims 5 to 7, which is adapted to be received. 9. The card presenting means is a card confirmation window provided on the money insertion side so that the IC card fixed to the storage portion can be visually observed from the outside. Card unit according to any one of. 10. The card unit according to claim 1, wherein the card fixing means is adapted to detachably fix the IC card to the storage portion. 11. The consumption display means for displaying that the valuable value corresponding to the game medium ejected from the gaming machine by the ejection instruction means is consumed, according to any one of claims 1 to 10. Card unit. 12. A plurality of card units according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and a card unit communicatively connected to each of the card units, and supply of the amount of money or valuable value received from each of the card units. A management device comprising a concentrating means for concentrating money amount information including an amount and a memory means for storing the money amount information collected by the concentrating means, and managing the money amount information based on the identification information of the IC card. A game management system comprising: 13. A plurality of card units according to claim 5 and a communicatively connected to each of the card units, and supply of the amount of money or valuable value received from each of the card units. A management device comprising a concentrating means for concentrating money amount information including an amount and a memory means for storing the money amount information collected by the concentrating means, and managing the money amount information based on the identification information of the IC card. The card unit includes means for transmitting the specific information read by the reading means and the supply amount received by the supply receiving means to the management apparatus, and the management apparatus is provided outside. Further, it is configured to be communicable with a settlement means for settlement of supply of a valuable value by using the specific information, the received specific information, the supply amount, and the supply. Means for transmitting a settlement request to the settlement means for supplying the valuable value corresponding to the above from the supply source to the card unit, means for accepting the supply of the valuable value from the supply source, and the accepted valuable value for the card A game management system comprising means for supplying the game to a unit. 14. A gaming machine comprising: a gaming machine; and a card unit for instructing the gaming machine to lend a game medium to be used for a game on the gaming machine, based on an IC card storing valuable value and identification information. A storage unit for storing the IC card, a card fixing unit for fixing the IC card to the storage unit such that the IC card cannot be sent out and taken in, a money receiving unit for receiving money, and a money receiving unit fixed in the storage unit. The value I corresponding to the amount of money received by the receiving means is stored.
The present invention is characterized by including a card presenting means for presenting a C card, and an ejection instructing means for instructing the gaming machine to eject the game medium based on the valuable value given to the IC card presented by the card presenting means. Gaming equipment. 15. The storage unit includes a valuable value adding means for storing, in an IC card, a valuable value corresponding to the amount of money accepted when the money accepting means accepts the deposit of money. The gaming device according to claim 14. 16. The game device according to claim 14, further comprising reception display means for displaying that the money reception means has accepted the insertion of money. 17. The game device according to claim 14, wherein the money accepting means includes means for accepting insertion of coins and means for accepting insertion of banknotes. 18. A gaming machine comprising: a gaming machine; and a card unit for instructing the gaming machine to lend a game medium to be used for a game on the gaming machine, based on an IC card storing valuable value and identification information, A storage unit for storing the IC card, a card fixing unit for fixing the IC card to the storage unit such that the IC card cannot be sent out and cannot be taken in, a money receiving unit for receiving money, and specific information for identifying a source of valuable value or A recording medium accepting means for accepting a recording medium recording valuable value information, a reading means for reading information recorded on the recording medium accepted by the recording medium accepting means, and an input of a valuable value supply amount. The supply amount receiving means for receiving and the supply of the valuable value corresponding to the supply amount received by the supply amount receiving means are transmitted via an external device. Supply acceptance means for receiving from the supplier or from the recording medium, and a valuable value corresponding to the amount of money received by the money receiving means, fixed to the storage section, or valuable received by the supply receiving means. A card presenting means for presenting an IC card in which a value is stored, and an ejection instructing means for instructing the gaming machine to eject a game medium based on the valuable value given to the IC card presented by the card presenting means are provided. A gaming device characterized in that. 19. The storage unit stores the valuable value corresponding to the amount of money accepted by the money accepting unit and the valuable value accepted by the supply accepting unit as an IC.
19. The game device according to claim 18, further comprising a valuable value adding means stored in the card. 20. A means for displaying that money has been accepted by the money accepting means, or that supply of a valuable value has been accepted by the supply accepting means, according to claim 18 or 19. Gaming device. 21. A coin insertion unit for receiving insertion of coins, an insertion unit for receiving insertion of banknotes and the recording medium, and a discriminating unit for discriminating the banknotes or the recording medium received by the insertion unit, The money accepting means is adapted to accept the coins accepted by the coin inserting section and the banknotes identified by the identifying means, and the recording medium accepting means stores the recording medium identified by the identifying means. 21. The game device according to claim 18, wherein the game device is adapted to be accepted. 22. The card presenting means is a card confirmation window provided on the money insertion side so that the IC card fixed to the storage section can be visually observed from the outside. The gaming device according to any one of 1. 23. The game device according to claim 14, wherein the card fixing means is adapted to detachably fix the IC card to the storage portion. 24. The consumption display means for displaying that the valuable value corresponding to the game medium discharged from the gaming machine by the discharge instruction means is consumed, according to any one of claims 14 to 23. Gaming device. 25. A plurality of gaming devices according to any one of claims 14 to 24, which are communicatively connected to each of the gaming devices, and supply of the amount of money or valuable value received from each of the gaming devices. A management device comprising a concentrating means for concentrating money amount information including an amount and a memory means for storing the money amount information collected by the concentrating means, and managing the money amount information based on the identification information of the IC card. A game management system comprising: 26. A plurality of gaming devices according to any one of claims 18 to 24, which are communicably connected to each of the gaming devices, and are provided with the received amount of money or valuable value from each of the gaming devices. A management device comprising a concentrating means for concentrating money amount information including an amount and a memory means for storing the money amount information collected by the concentrating means, and managing the money amount information based on the identification information of the IC card. The gaming device comprises means for transmitting to the management device the specific information read by the reading means and the supply amount accepted by the supply acceptance means, and the management device is provided externally. In addition, it is configured to be able to communicate with the settlement means that performs settlement of supply of the valuable value using the specific information, and receives the specific information, the supply amount, and the valuable value corresponding to the supply amount. Means for transmitting a settlement request to the gaming device to be supplied from the supplier to the settlement means, means for accepting supply of the valuable value from the supplier, means for supplying the accepted valuable value to the gaming device A game management system comprising: