JP2003088674A - Electronic value conversion system, electronic value converter, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic value conversion system, an electronic value converter and a program which are ideal for the exchange of values in game services. SOLUTION: When a prize ball counter 400 counts the number of prize balls, prize ball management information is recorded in IC cards while being transmitted to a management center 100. The management center 100 records the prize ball management information transmitted from the prize ball counter 400 into a data base. Players insert their IC cards into an electronic value issuing device 500 to demand for the conversion of electronic values. The electronic value issuing device 500 transmits the prize ball management information of the IC cards to the management center 100. The management center 100 confirms matching between the prize ball management information received and the prize ball management information of the data base and then, generates electronic value information corresponding to the number of prize balls to be transmitted to the electronic value issuing device 500. The electronic value issuing device 500 records the electronic value information received into recording media and issues them to the players.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic value conversion system, an electronic value conversion device, and a program,
In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic value conversion system, an electronic value conversion device, and a program suitable for value exchange in a game service.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At a gaming facility such as a pachinko parlor that provides a gaming service by renting out gaming media, the number of gaming media (hereinafter referred to as "prize balls") left at the end of the game According to the above, it is exchanged for a gift or the like.

Normally, the number of prize balls is counted by a player by throwing prize balls into a device (hereinafter referred to as "prize ball counting device") for counting game media installed in a game facility. The prize ball counting device prints out the counted prize balls on a receipt or the like. The player submits this receipt to the game facility to exchange it with a prize or the like according to the number of prize balls.

There are also cases where a so-called special prize is exchanged as a prize and the money is cashed at a prize exchange place.

In such prize exchange in the game service, there is a possibility that proper prize exchange may not be performed due to an illegal operation by the game facility side. That is, the prize ball counting device prints a number less than the counted number on the receipt, or when exchanging for a special prize, exchanging at a lower exchange rate than an appropriate value, etc. And so on. Also, at the prize exchange,
It is also possible that the exchange rate of special prizes and cash is unclear, and a legitimate value is not provided to the player. That is,
The value for prize balls is unclear to the player.

Also, the prizes exchanged according to the prize balls are usually limited to those provided in the game facility,
There were few variations as prizes.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an electronic value conversion system, an electronic value conversion device, and a program which realize transparency of value conversion and diversity of exchange gifts. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the electronic value conversion system according to the first aspect of the present invention is a recording medium to which unique identification information is assigned, and a game medium acquired by a game. An electronic value conversion system comprising: a game medium counting device for counting the number of game media and a management device connected to the game medium counting device by a communication network, wherein the game medium counting device stores in the recording medium. The recorded identification information is acquired, the acquired identification information and the medium number information indicating the counted number of game media are transmitted to the management device via the communication network, and the medium number information is stored as described above. A game information recording unit that records on a recording medium, and the management device records the identification information transmitted by the game medium counting device and the medium number information in association with each other; A game information collating unit that obtains identification information and medium number information recorded on the body, and collates the obtained identification information and medium number information with the identification information and medium number information recorded in the game information recording unit. And, when the match by the game information matching unit is established, the medium number information recorded in the game information recording unit is converted into predetermined electronic value information indicating a monetary value, and the converted electronic value information is concerned. And an electronic value converter provided to a user of the recording medium.

In the electronic value converting system, it is preferable that the electronic value converting section further comprises an electronic value information transmitting section for transmitting the converted electronic value information to the outside via the communication network.

In the electronic value conversion system, the electronic value information connected to the communication network is received by the electronic value information transmitting unit, and the received electronic value information is recorded on a recording medium to the user. It is desirable to further include an electronic value information issuing device for issuing.

In the electronic value conversion system, the game medium counting device may include the electronic value information issuing device.

According to the above-mentioned configuration, when the gaming media are provided by lending the gaming media, for example, when the gaming media are counted at a gaming facility such as a pachinko parlor, information indicating the count value is, for example, It is managed by the management device of the three parties, and this management device converts the number-of-medium information into, for example, an electronic value having a monetary value and provides it to the player, so that fraud when exchanging the game medium for a prize etc. It can be prevented and the flow of value can be made transparent.

Further, since the electronic value information converted by the management device is recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic card or an IC card and is issued to the player, the electronic value can be used outside the gaming facility. Therefore, it is possible to give a variation to the prize when exchanging the prize.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an electronic value converting apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention controls a connection unit to be connected to a communication network, the connection unit, and a recording medium via the communication network. A unique identification information, and a game information receiving unit that externally receives medium number information indicating the number of game media acquired by the user of the recording medium, and the identification information and the medium number received by the game information receiving unit. The game information storage unit that stores information in association with each other, the validity determination unit that determines the validity of the identification information and the medium number information stored in the game information storage unit, and the validity determination unit Regarding the number-of-medium information that is determined to be present, the electronic value conversion unit that converts the number-of-medium information to predetermined electronic value information indicating monetary value, and the electronic value information converted by the electronic value conversion unit are described above. Characterized in that it comprises an electronic value providing unit that provides the user of the medium.

In the electronic value converting apparatus, it is preferable that the electronic value providing unit controls the connecting unit and transmits the converted electronic value information to the outside via the communication network.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to a third aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as the electronic value converting apparatus.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic value conversion system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the electronic value conversion system 1 includes a management center 100,
Gaming machine 3 installed in a plurality of stores 200 ₁ to 200 _m
00 _{1 to} 300 _m , prize ball counting device 400 _{1 to} 400 _m ,
And an electronic value issuing device 500 _{1 to} 500 _m, and a store 2
Electronic value issuing devices other than 00 500 _{m + 1 to} 500 _{m + n}
It consists of and.

Management center 100 and prize ball counting device 400
And the electronic value issuing device 500 is a communication line 10 ₁ to 1
It is connected by 0 _{m + n} . The communication line 10 is composed of, for example, a leased line or a public line network.

The management center 100 is composed of, for example, an information processing device such as a mainframe or a workstation, and is operated and managed by a business entity other than a person involved in the store 200 (that is, a third party). The configuration of the management center 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in the figure, the management center 100 comprises a control unit 110, a communication unit 120, a medium information database 130, an input unit 140, and an output unit 150.

The control unit 110 is, for example, a CPU (Centra).
l Processing Unit: central processing unit) and the like, each unit of the management center 100 is controlled, and a predetermined program loaded in a storage device such as a memory is executed to realize each process described later.

The communication unit 120 is, for example, a modem or TA.
It is composed of a communication device such as (Terminal Adapter) and a router, and connects the management center 100 to the prize ball counting device 400 and the electronic value issuing device 500 via the communication line 10.

The medium information database 130 is, for example,
It is composed of a rewritable storage device such as a hard disk device, and as shown in FIG. 3, identification information (hereinafter referred to as “card ID”) unique to an IC card 600 (described later) used at the time of providing a game service at the store 200. Yes), the transaction number given when the prize ball is counted, and the IC card 600 concerned.
A gaming service provided by using (in the present embodiment,
It is recorded in association with the number of prize balls in pachinko).

The input unit 140 is composed of, for example, an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and is used for the operation of the management center 100 and the initial input and deletion of information recorded in the medium information database 130. Also, the output unit 150
Is composed of an output device such as a display device or a printer, and outputs the processing result in the control unit 110.

In the management center 100, the number of prize balls recorded in the medium information database 130 is converted into a predetermined electronic value by the processing of the control unit 110 and transmitted to the electronic value issuing device 500 described later.

The gaming machine 300 is a pachinko machine in this embodiment. Each gaming machine 300 has an IC card 6 described later.
IC card 60 equipped with a reading device for reading 00
The game service is provided by lending the game medium based on the information indicating the monetary value recorded in 0. Each gaming machine 3
The game medium at the end of the game at 00 is a prize ball, and the store 200 exchanges the prize ball with a prize or the like according to the number of prize balls.
It is assumed that a plurality of gaming machines 300 are installed in each store 200.

The prize ball counting device 400 is installed in each store 200, and the player throws prize balls after the game is finished.
Count the number of prize balls. The configuration of the prize ball counting device 400 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown, the prize ball counting device 400 is
Control unit 410, prize ball receiving unit 420, and communication unit 430
And an IC card reading section 440 and a display section 450.

The control unit 410 is, for example, a CPU (Centra).
l Processing Unit: central processing unit) and controls each unit of the prize ball counting device 400.

The prize ball receiving section 420 is provided with a game medium input slot 421 for a prize ball, and a counting section 422 for counting the number of game media loaded in the slot 421. The counting unit 422 notifies the control unit 410 of information indicating the counted numerical value.

The communication unit 430 connects the prize ball counting device 400 to the management center 100 through the communication line 10, and the IC card reading unit 440 reads the information indicating the count value by the counting unit 422 from the IC card 600. Information is transmitted to the management center 100.

The IC card reading section 440 uses the IC card 6
00, the identification information recorded in the IC card 600 is read, information indicating the number of prize balls counted by the counting unit 422 (hereinafter, referred to as “prize ball number information”), and a transaction given for each count Information indicating the number (hereinafter referred to as “transaction number information”) is written in the IC card 600.

Here, the IC card 600 will be described. The IC card 600 includes an IC (Integrated Circuit) having a predetermined storage area and a program execution area. In the present embodiment, the monetary value information for paying the consideration for the gaming service provided by the gaming machine 300 is provided. It is assumed to be stored in the storage area. That is, each game machine 300 is connected with a game medium lending device (not shown) capable of accepting the IC card 600, and by inserting the IC card 600 into this game medium lending device, the IC
The game medium is lent out based on the monetary value information recorded on the card 600. Further, in the storage area of the IC card 600, an identification number (the above-mentioned “card ID”) unique to each IC card 600 is recorded. The award ball number information and the transaction number information described above are recorded in this storage area.

The display unit 450 is, for example, an LED (Light
Emitting Diode: A light emitting diode) display, a liquid crystal display device, or the like, and displays the count value by the counting unit 422.

The electronic value issuing device 500 is installed in the store 200 and / or outside the store 200, and is installed in the management center 100.
The electronic value information received from is recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic card. The configuration of the electronic value issuing device 500 is shown in FIG.

As shown, the electronic value issuing device 500
Is a control unit 510, a communication unit 520, an IC card reading unit 530, a magnetic card issuing unit 540, and a display unit 550.
It consists of and.

The control unit 510 is, for example, a CPU (Centra).
l Processing Unit: central processing unit), etc., and controls each part of the electronic value issuing device 500.

The communication unit 520 connects the electronic value issuing device 500 to the management center 100 via the communication line 10, receives the information sent from the management center 100, and receives the control unit 510.
Hand over to.

The IC card reading section 530 is for the IC card 6
00, the information recorded in the IC card 600 is read out and handed over to the control unit 510, and under the control of the control unit 510, predetermined information is sent to the IC as necessary.
Write on the card 600.

The magnetic card issuing unit 540 holds a predetermined number of magnetic cards (raw cards) on which nothing is recorded, records the electronic value information received from the management center 100 on the raw card, and the electronic value information is stored. Recorded magnetic card 7
Issue 00.

Here, the electronic value information is the management center 1
00 is information having a predetermined monetary value converted based on the number of prize balls, and this electronic value information is the magnetic card 700.
Recorded in. Here, it is assumed that services and the like are provided outside the store 200 according to the monetary value indicated by the electronic value information. That is, a predetermined service or the like is provided by causing the magnetic card reader (not shown) installed in a facility or the like that provides the service or the like to read the electronic value information recorded in the magnetic card 700.

The display unit 550 is, for example, an LED (Light
Emitting Diode: A magnetic card 700 including a display and a liquid crystal display device.
The electronic value information recorded in is displayed.

The operation of the electronic value conversion system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the prize ball number management processing by the prize ball counting device 400 and the management center 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the player inserts the IC card 600 into the IC card reading section 440 of the prize ball counting device 400 (step S101: Yes), the IC card reading section 440 is recorded in the storage area of the inserted IC card 600. The existing card ID is read (step S102: Yes).
At this time, if the card ID cannot be read normally, or if the read card ID is not valid (step S102: No), an error message is displayed on the display unit 450 and the IC card reading unit 440 reads the I
The C card 600 is ejected (step S109), and the process ends.

The IC card reading section 440 delivers the read card ID to the control section 410 (step S10).
3). The control unit 410 holds the delivered card ID in an internal memory or the like.

Upon acquisition of the card ID, the control unit 410 permits the prize ball insertion, for example, by displaying a message prompting the player to insert the prize ball on the display unit 450 (step S104). The player throws a prize ball into the slot 421. The thrown prize balls are counted by the counting unit 422 (step S105).

Upon the counting by the counting unit 422, the control unit 410 gives a predetermined transaction number to the count (step S106).

When the counting is completed, the control unit 410 controls the communication unit 430 and the card I obtained in step S103.
D, the transaction number assigned in step S106, and the count value information (hereinafter referred to as "prize ball management information") are transmitted to the management center 100 (step S107).

The control unit 410 also controls the IC card reading unit 4
40, and the transaction number and count value information given in step S106 are recorded in a predetermined storage area of the IC card 600 (step S108).

Upon the completion of information recording on the IC card, the control unit 410 controls the IC card reading unit 440 to make the IC
The card 600 is ejected (step S109), and the processing on the prize ball number counting device 400 side is ended.

On the other hand, in the management center 100, step S
The communication unit 120 receives the prize ball management information transmitted from the prize ball counting device 400 in 107 (step S110).

The control unit 110 of the management center 100 accesses the medium information database 130 and updates the transaction number information and the count value information of the record corresponding to the card ID in the prize ball management information received by the communication unit 120. (Step S111), the process ends.

Next, the electronic value conversion processing by the electronic value issuing device 500 and the management center 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The player inserts the IC card 600 in which the prize ball management information is recorded by the above-described prize ball number management processing into the IC card reading section 530 of any electronic value issuing device 500 (step S201).

The IC card reading section 530 shows the inserted I
Read the card ID of the C card 600 (step S2
02: Yes). At this time, if the IC card 600 is an illegal card and the card ID cannot be read or the read card ID is illegal (step S202: No), the IC card 600 is ejected (step S203). , The process ends.

The IC card reading section 530 further acquires the recorded prize ball number management information from the storage area of the IC card 600 and transfers it to the control section 510 (step S2).
04).

The control unit 510 controls the communication unit 520,
The acquired prize ball management information is transmitted to the management center 100 (step S204).

In the management center 100, the communication section 120 receives the prize ball management information from the electronic value issuing device 500 (step S205). The received prize ball management information is the control unit 1.
Handed over to 10.

The control unit 110 holds the delivered prize ball management information in an internal memory or the like, accesses the medium information database 130, and acquires a record using the card ID of the received prize ball management information as a key. It collates with the held prize ball management information (step S206).

Here, the transaction number information and the number of prize balls information of the received prize ball management information and the medium information database 13 are received.
The transaction number information and the prize ball number information recorded in 0 are compared, and if they are the same, the collation is established. When the collation is established (step S207: Yes), the control unit 110
Converts the prize ball number information into a predetermined electronic value based on the prize ball number indicated in the prize ball number information recorded in the medium information database 130 (step S208).
Here, for example, the electronic value information is generated by substituting the number of prize balls into a predetermined calculation formula.

Next, an electronic value issuance process (step S300) of providing the electronic value information converted in step S208 to the player is executed. This electronic value issuance process is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

The control unit 110 of the management center 100 controls the communication unit 120 to transmit the electronic value information converted in step S208 to the electronic value issuing device 500 that has transmitted the award ball number management information in step S204 (step S204). S30
1).

Communication unit 520 of electronic value issuing device 500
Receives the electronic value information from the management center 100 (step S302), the electronic value information is delivered to the control unit 510.

The control unit 510 has a magnetic card issuing unit 540.
The electronic value information received in step S302 is written in the magnetic card 700 (step S303).

The control section 510 further controls the IC card reading section 530 to erase the transaction number information recorded in the IC card 600 (step S304).
The prize ball number information is reset to 0 (step S305).

The control unit 510 controls the IC card reading unit 530.
And the magnetic card issuing unit 540 to control the IC card 6
00 and the magnetic card 700 are ejected (step S3
06), the processing ends.

The magnetic card 700 on which the electronic value information is recorded in this way is inserted into a card reader installed in a service-providing facility or the like where the electronic value can be used, and the electronic value information is read to record the electronic value information. Services and the like according to the monetary value indicated in the stored electronic value information are provided.

In the above embodiment, the management center 100 records the card ID, the transaction number, and the information indicating the number of winning prize balls, and executes the electronic value conversion process.
The configuration to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to this. For example,
The management device having a part of the functions of the management center 100 in the above-described embodiment may be provided in the store 200. The configuration of the electronic value conversion system 2 in this case is shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, a management device 800 is installed in each store 200. The management device 800 is composed of, for example, an information processing device such as a workstation or a personal computer, and includes a database similar to the medium information database 130 of the management center 100. In addition, the management apparatus 800 may be installed in each store 20 by a business entity operating the management center 100 (that is, a third party).
0, the employees of each store 200 are managed by the management device 80.
0 cannot be operated.

The management device 800 is connected to each prize ball counting device 400 and the electronic value issuing device 500 in the store 200 by the in-store network. Management device 800
Is further connected to the management center 100 by a communication line 10.

In the case of such a configuration, in the prize ball number management processing in the above embodiment, the prize ball counting device 400
Transmits the prize ball management information to the management device 800 via the in-store network. The management device 800 records the received prize ball management information in the database and transmits the card ID information and the transaction number information in the prize ball management information to the center 100 via the communication line 10.

Further, in the electronic value conversion processing in the above embodiment, the electronic value issuing device 500 uses the award ball management information read from the IC card 600 to the management device 80.
By sending the value to 0, the management device 800 is requested to issue an electronic value. The management device 800 compares the received prize ball management information with the prize ball management information recorded in the database, and
If it is K, the count value of the database is converted into an electronic value, and the information indicating the converted electronic value is sent to the electronic value issuing device 5
To 00.

According to this structure, the process of issuing the electronic value can be processed in the store.
The time required for issuing can be shortened.

In the above embodiment, the prize ball counting device 400
Although the configuration in which the electronic value issuing device 500 and the electronic value issuing device 500 are separately provided is shown, the prize ball counting device 400 may be configured to have the function of the electronic value issuing device 500.

In the above embodiment, the electronic value information is recorded on the magnetic card 700 and issued.
The electronic value information may be recorded in the IC card 600.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the pachinko game is explained as an example of the game service. However, the game service is provided by lending the game medium, and the game medium is exchanged for a predetermined prize according to the number of the game medium at the end of the game. The game service to which the present invention can be applied is arbitrary as long as it is a form of game.

The management center 100 (management device 800) according to the embodiment of the present invention can be realized by using a normal computer system instead of a dedicated system. For example, by installing the program in a general-purpose computer from a medium (flexible disk, CD-ROM, etc.) storing a program for executing any of the above, the management center 100 (management device 800) can be configured.

The means for supplying the program to the computer is arbitrary. For example, it may be supplied via a communication line, a communication network, a communication system, or the like.
As an example, the program is posted on a bulletin board (BBS) of a communication network, superposed on a carrier wave via the network and distributed, and the program is activated to
Under the control of S, the above-mentioned processing can be executed by executing it in the same manner as other application programs.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to realize transparency of value conversion and variety of exchange prizes.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic value conversion system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a management center shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded in a medium information database shown in FIG.

4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the prize ball counting device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the electronic value issuing device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a prize ball number management process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an electronic value conversion process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a flowchart for explaining an electronic value issuance process in the electronic value conversion process shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic value conversion system in a modified example of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,2 Electronic value conversion system 10 communication lines 100 management center 400 prize ball counting device 500 Electronic value issuing device 800 management device

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hideo Yoshino             4-1-2, Nihombashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo             Motohashi Muromachi 4-chome Building Japan Leisure Card             System Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C088 BA88 BB03 BB06 BB07 BB11                       BB15 BB21 BB23 BB29 BB30                       BB31 CA02 CA35

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium to which unique identification information is assigned, a game medium counting device for counting the number of game media acquired by a game, and a management device connected to the game medium counting device by a communication network. And an electronic value conversion system configured to acquire the identification information recorded on the recording medium, and the acquired identification information and the number of media showing the number of counted game media. Information and the medium number information is transmitted to the management device via the communication network, and the medium number information is recorded on the recording medium, and the management device transmits the identification information and the medium number information transmitted by the game medium counting device. A game information recording unit that records the information in association with each other, obtains the identification information and the medium number information recorded in the recording medium, and obtains the identification information and the medium number information, When the matching by the game information collating unit that collates the identification information and the medium number information recorded in the game information recording unit and the game information collating unit is established, the medium number information recorded in the game information recording unit Is converted into predetermined electronic value information indicating a monetary value, and the converted electronic value information is provided to the user of the recording medium. An electronic value conversion system, comprising: 2. The electronic value converting unit further comprises an electronic value information transmitting unit for transmitting the converted electronic value information to the outside via the communication network. Electronic value conversion system. 3. Electronic value information that is connected to the communication network, receives electronic value information transmitted by the electronic value information transmitting unit, records the received electronic value information in a recording medium, and issues it to the user. The electronic value conversion system according to claim 2, further comprising an issuing device. 4. The electronic value conversion system according to claim 3, wherein the game medium counting device comprises the electronic value information issuing device. 5. A connection unit for connecting to a communication network, controlling the connection unit, and via the communication network,
A game information receiving unit for externally receiving identification information unique to the recording medium and medium number information indicating the number of game media acquired by the user of the recording medium, and identification information received by the game information receiving unit. A game information storage unit that stores the number-of-medium information in association with each other; a validity determination unit that determines the validity of the identification information and the medium-number information stored in the game information storage unit; and the validity determination unit. Regarding the number-of-medium information determined to be legitimate, the electronic-value conversion unit that converts the medium-number information into predetermined electronic-value information indicating a monetary value; and the electronic-value information converted by the electronic-value conversion unit, An electronic value conversion device, comprising: an electronic value providing unit provided to a user of a medium. 6. The electronic value according to claim 5, wherein the electronic value providing unit controls the connection unit and transmits the converted electronic value information to the outside via the communication network. Converter. 7. A program for causing a computer to function as the electronic value conversion device according to claim 5.