JP2004049266A - Reserved valuable value management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the cost of introducing a reserved valuable value management system of a third person management type by effectively utilizing installations. <P>SOLUTION: A parlor management device transmits sales information for specifying the sales managed by a game valuable value management device 50 and reserved ball information for specifying the number of reserved balls managed by a reserved valuable value management device 60 to an outside centralized control device 70 through a communication circuit 5. The outside centralized control device totalizes and manages the sales based on the transmitted sales information, totalizes the number of reserved balls based on the transmitted reserved ball information, and transmits the reserved ball information for specifying the totalized number of reserved balls to a reserved valuable value management organization. Accordingly, it is not necessary to install an exclusive communication circuit or exclusive communication device for transmitting the reserved ball information from the hall management device to the reserved valuable value management organization, so that the cost of introducing the reserved valuable value management system of the third person management type can be reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention associates the value of a stored value obtained by storing the value of a value owned by the player as a result of the game with the value of the stored value and the player identification information capable of identifying the player, The present invention relates to a third-party-managed savings-value management system that is managed as savings-value information by a savings-value managing organization provided in the company.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 9, the value of a game value that can be used in a game by a game device (eg, a card unit 30 ′) provided corresponding to a game machine (eg, a pachinko machine 20 ′). Using a game recording medium (for example, a prepaid card or a coin) on which game value specifying information capable of specifying (for example, remaining number) is specified, a game value specified from the record information of the game recording medium. There is known a gaming system in which a predetermined value of a gaming value within a range of a value is used for a game. In this gaming system, the value (ie, sales) of the value used in the game is managed as value information for use by a value management device for game 50 ′ provided in the amusement arcade. The managed value-of-use information is transmitted to the off-site centralized management device 70 'provided at the gaming value management organization outside the game hall through the communication line 5', and is identified from the transmitted value-of-use information. The value of the value in use is managed by the off-site central management device 70 '. Therefore, according to this gaming system, it is possible to increase the sales of the game arcade (so-called clearing of in).
[0003]
Recently, a member recording medium (for example, a membership card) which is issued to a player who has registered as a member and stores player identification information capable of identifying the player is used as a result of the game. The value (eg, the number of balls or medals) of the value of savings (eg, the number of balls or medals) obtained by saving the value (eg, the number of balls or medals) acquired by the player and the game. There is known a savings value management system that associates with user identification information and manages it as savings value information. Therefore, according to this savings value management system, it is possible to manage the value of valuables that can be exchanged for prizes only on the current day as the value of savings value that can be exchanged for prizes on and after the next day.
[0004]
More recently, the stored value information managed by the stored value management device 60 ′ provided in the amusement arcade is used to manage the stored value information outside the amusement arcade through a dedicated communication line 95 ′ from a dedicated communication device 90 ′. A third-party managed savings value that is transmitted to an off-site savings value management device 80 ′ provided in the institution and the transmitted savings value information is also managed by the off-site savings value management device 80 ′. Management systems are known. Therefore, according to the third-party management-type savings value management system, illegal alteration of the savings value information, a data abnormality due to a failure of the savings value management device 60 ′, and the like can be quickly found, and the amusement arcade can be used. Even in the case of bankruptcy, the value of the savings value can be guaranteed for the player, so that the game hall can gain the trust of the player.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case where the third-party management-type savings value management system is to be newly introduced into a game arcade in which the gaming system has already been introduced, each game arcade is linked to a savings value management institution. A dedicated communication line 95 ′ for transmitting the saving value specifying information must be provided separately from the communication line 5 ′, and the saving value information is transmitted to the dedicated communication line 95 ′. Since a dedicated communication device 90 'for transmission must be provided in each game hall, there is a problem that the introduction cost is increased.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to reduce the introduction cost of a third-party management type storage value management system by effectively utilizing the facilities. To provide a value management system.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems.
[0008]
First, the invention according to claim 1 provides a game recording medium on which game value specifying information capable of specifying the size of game value usable for a game is recorded, and a player who has registered as a member. A member recording medium that has been issued and has player identification information capable of identifying the player, and a range of the magnitude of the game value provided in the game hall and specified from the game value identification information The value of the used value used in the game is managed as the value of the used value, and the value of the value owned by the player as a result of the game is stored. And a game management device that manages the stored value information in association with the player identification information and transmits the managed value information and the value information to the outside through a communication line. To It is possible to communicate with the on-site management device and to communicate with a savings value management institution that manages the savings value information by a third party, based on the use value information transmitted from the on-site management device. A centralized management device outside the site, which collects and manages the magnitude of the value in use, and transmits the stored value information transmitted from the on-site management device to the savings value management institution. It is a value management system.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 2 is the savings value management system according to claim 1, further comprising a connection restricting means for restricting a connection from the savings value management institution to the off-site centralized management device. It is a savings value management system.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 3 is the savings value management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the on-site management device includes: a gaming value management device that manages the use value information; And a savings value management device that manages the value information. The savings value management device transmits the managed savings value information to the gaming value management device, The value-added management device transmits the value-of-use information being managed and the value-added information sent from the value-added management device to the off-site centralized management device. System.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 4 is the savings value management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the off-site central management device is transmitted from each on-site management device provided at each of the amusement arcades. The collected savings value information is collected, and the collected savings value information is transmitted to the savings value management organization.
[0012]
Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the savings value management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the value is managed by the on-site management device based on predetermined conditions. A savings value management system, wherein the savings value information is compared with the savings value information managed by the savings value management organization.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the savings value management system 1 according to the present invention is configured to store the value of the savings value obtained by saving the value of the value owned by the player as a result of the game and the player. This is a third-party managed value-added management system that associates identifiable player identification information with the value-added management system provided outside the amusement arcade and manages it as value-added information. The game valuable value management device 50 and the savings value management device 60, which are the devices, transmit the savings value specifying information described later together with the valuable value information described later to the centralized management device 70 outside the site. It is characterized in that the savings value specifying information is transmitted from 70 to the savings value management organization.
[0014]
The savings value management system 1 includes a gaming value management device 50 and a savings value management device 60 provided in each of the game arcades A to C, and an off-site centralized management provided in a gaming value management institution outside the game arcade. It consists of a device 70. Here, each game value management device 50 can communicate with the off-site centralized management device 70 through the communication line 5, and the off-site centralized value management device 70 is an off-site stored value management device provided at a stored value management institution outside the game hall. 80. In the savings value management system 1, a prepaid card 2 and a membership card 3 are used as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, a predetermined number of prepaid card issuing machines 10, pachinko machines 20, card units 30, and POS devices 40 are also provided in each game arcade. However, in FIG. 2, for simplicity, only one game hall (that is, any one of the game halls A to C) is displayed.
[0015]
Hereinafter, each component and operation of the savings value management system 1 according to the present invention will be described. In the following, the gaming machine that performs the game is the pachinko machine 20, the value of the game value that can be used for the game is the remaining number, and the usage used for the game within the range of the remaining number is The value of the value is the number of uses, the value of use information that can specify the number of uses is sales information, and the value of the value of the value owned by the player as a result of the game is the number of balls obtained. An example will be described in which the value of the stored value obtained by storing the obtained number of balls is the number of stored balls, and the stored value information capable of specifying the number of stored balls is the stored ball information. In the following, a reader / writer is abbreviated as “R / W” and a database is abbreviated as “DB”.
[0016]
The prepaid card 2 is an example of a game recording medium, in which game value specifying information capable of specifying the remaining number is recorded. Here, the remaining count is a value obtained by converting the amount of money used for issuing the prepaid card 2 or adding value to the prepaid card 2 into a count at a predetermined ratio (for example, 1 count for one hundred yen). And the usage frequency is subtracted from the sum of the payment frequency and the payment frequency. In the prepaid card 2, for example, a card ID, which is a unique number assigned to the prepaid card 2, and a remaining number are recorded as a game value specifying information in a predetermined portion of a plastic thin plate having a rectangular shape. Here, an IC card is mounted with a non-contact type integrated circuit having a nonvolatile EEPROM as the recording area. The prepaid card 2 is issued by a prepaid card issuing machine 10 described later.
[0017]
The member card 3 is an example of a member recording medium, and is issued to a player who has registered as a member, and records player identification information capable of identifying the player. The member card 3 has, for example, a recording area in which a member ID, which is a unique number assigned to the player, is recorded as the player identification information at a predetermined portion of a plastic thin plate having a rectangular shape. Here, an IC card mounted with a non-contact type integrated circuit having a nonvolatile EEPROM as the recording area. This member card 3 is issued, for example, at a prize counter or a member card issuing machine (not shown) of a game arcade when the member registration is performed.
[0018]
The prepaid card issuing machine 10 is provided at a predetermined location (for example, at an end of a game island) in a game arcade, and is communicably connected to a game communication section 51a of the game value management device 50, which will be described later. I have. The prepaid card issuing machine 10 receives the currency 4 (see FIG. 3 (b)), identifies the received currency 4, and calculates a remaining amount (hereinafter referred to as a predetermined amount) within the range of the identified currency amount. A game recording medium issuance process for issuing a prepaid card 2 in which game value identification information (here, a card ID and a remaining number) capable of specifying “issue number” is recorded. When the game recording medium issuance process is performed, the prepaid card issuing machine 10 transmits the issuance information (card ID and the number of issuances) to the game value management device 50, and conversely, the game value management device. The data update completion notification is returned to the prepaid card issuing machine 10 from 50, and the accepted (reserved) money 4 is collected.
[0019]
The pachinko machine 20 is an example of a gaming machine, and is provided in parallel on a plurality of gaming islands in a game arcade, and plays a game by driving a pachinko ball, which is a game medium supplied from the inside, into a gaming area. Inside the pachinko machine 20, a game control board 21 for controlling a game state, a ball payout control board 22 for controlling payout of pachinko balls, and a ball for paying out pachinko balls based on control by the ball payout control board 22. A payout device 23 and the like are provided, and a frequency display 24 for displaying a remaining frequency specified from recording information of the prepaid card 2 read by a prepaid card R / W 34 described later is provided on a front surface of the pachinko machine 20. , A ball lending button 25 for accepting a pachinko ball lending operation, a prepaid card return button 26 for accepting a return operation of the prepaid card 2 accepted by the prepaid card R / W 34, and the like. Are connected as shown in FIG.
[0020]
Next, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the card unit 30, where (a) is a front view and (b) is a side view. The card unit 30 is provided corresponding to the pachinko machine 20 (here, adjacent to the left side of the pachinko machine 20). The card unit 30 receives the prepaid card 2, reads the recording information (here, the card ID and the remaining number) of the received prepaid card 2, and determines a predetermined number within a range of the remaining number specified from the read recording information. A use process (here, a ball lending process for renting a pachinko ball as a game medium) for causing the remaining number (hereinafter, referred to as “use frequency”) to be used in a game is performed. The card unit 30 receives the currency 4, identifies the received currency 4, and indicates a remaining amount (hereinafter, referred to as “deposit frequency”) corresponding to a predetermined amount within the range of the identified amount of money, to the prepaid card. The value addition processing (so-called payment processing) for adding to the remaining number specified from the record information (here, the card ID and the remaining number). Further, the card unit 30 receives the member card 3, reads the record information (member ID in this case) of the received member card 3, and determines a predetermined number of coins within a range of the number of coins specified from the read record information ( This is referred to as a “replay ball number”), which is a reuse process (so-called replay process) for causing a game to use the same.
[0021]
The card unit 30 has a vertically long box shape, and has an operation lamp 38, a currency indicator 33b, a currency insertion slot 33a, a ball lending frequency setting button 36a, a ball lending frequency display 36b, and a touch panel on the front surface thereof. A display 37, a prepaid card indicator 34b, a prepaid card insertion / ejection port 34a, a membership card indicator 35b, a membership card insertion / ejection port 35a, and the like are provided. A unit 32, a prepaid card R / W34, a membership card R / W35, and the like are provided, and these devices are connected as shown in FIG. Here, the control unit 32 is provided with a CR communication unit 32a. In the card unit 30, a unit ID, which is information that can specify the card unit 30, is set by an address setting switch (not shown).
[0022]
The communication unit 31 is communicably connected to a communication unit 51a for a game, which will be described later, of the gaming value management device 50, and a communication unit 61, for a storage value management device 60, which will be described later. It manages communication between the value management device 50 and the stored value management device 60. The communication contents will be described later in the description of the use processing, the value addition processing, and the reuse processing.
[0023]
The control unit 32 has a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and controls the operation of each device provided in the card unit 30 by executing a processing program stored in the ROM using the RAM as a work area. Then, the use processing (ball lending processing), the value addition processing (payment processing), and the reuse processing (replay processing) are performed. The details of each process will be described later. The RAM of the control unit 32 temporarily stores the remaining number specified from the record information of the prepaid card 2 received by the prepaid card R / W34 and the member card received by the member card R / W35. The number of coins specified from the record information of No. 3 is temporarily stored.
[0024]
The CR communication unit 32a is connected to the ball payout control board 22, the frequency display 24, the ball lending button 25, and the prepaid card return button 26 provided in the pachinko machine 20. Thus, when the use process (ball lending process) is performed, signals relating to pachinko ball lending are exchanged with the pachinko machine 20 and pachinko balls are lent. When the reuse process (replay process) is performed, signals relating to the payout of the pachinko balls are exchanged with the pachinko machine 20, and the pachinko balls are paid out.
[0025]
The money discriminating machine 33 is for discriminating the money 4, and is configured so as to be able to discriminate bills of a plurality of denominations (thousand-yen bill, 2,000-yen bill, 5,000-yen bill, and 10,000-yen bill). I have. The currency insertion slot 33a is provided in front of the currency discriminator 33, accepts insertion of the currency 4 to be identified by the currency identifier 33, and when the currency 4 is not identified by the currency identifier 33, the accepted currency. 4 is an opening for returning 4. The currency indicator 33b is provided above the currency insertion slot 33a and is a lamp for indicating the operation status of the currency identification device 33. For example, the currency indicator 33b is turned on when the currency 4 can be accepted, and when the currency 4 is accepted. When the money 4 is returned from the money insertion slot 33a, it blinks to call attention.
[0026]
At the rear side of the currency discriminator 33, a coin outlet (not shown) for discharging the identified coin 4 is provided, and inside the gaming island behind the card unit 30, the coin discriminator 33 is provided. A currency transport device (not shown) for transporting and collecting the currency 4 discharged from the currency outlet of the currency transport device is provided, and a currency storage unit (not shown) is provided at the end of the currency transport device. Has been. Thereby, the money 4 inserted in the card unit 30 is collected for each game island.
[0027]
The prepaid card R / W 34 accepts the prepaid card 2, reads recording information of the prepaid card 2 (here, card ID and residual count), and operates an IC reader / writer that records the residual count on the prepaid card 2. To provide. The prepaid card insertion / ejection port 34a is provided in front of the prepaid card R / W 34 to insert the prepaid card 2 from which the recorded information is read by the prepaid card R / W 34 and to discharge the prepaid card 2. Opening. The prepaid card indicator 34b is provided above the prepaid card insertion / ejection port 34a and is a lamp for indicating the operation status of the prepaid card R / W 34. For example, it lights up when the prepaid card 2 can be accepted, and The light turns off when the card 2 is accepted, and blinks when the prepaid card 2 is ejected from the prepaid card insertion / ejection port 34a to call attention.
[0028]
Here, when the prepaid card 2 is inserted from the prepaid card insertion / ejection port 34a and the prepaid card 2 is accepted by the prepaid card R / W34 (see S23 in FIG. 8), the prepaid card R / W34 prepaid. The record information (here, the card ID and the remaining number) of the card 2 is read, and the read card ID and the remaining number are transmitted from the card unit 30 to the game value management device 50, and the game value management device is read. At 50, the transmitted card ID and remaining number are collated with the card ID and remaining number stored in the gaming value DB 53a described later (see S24), and if the collation is OK. The gaming value management device 50 sends a reply to the card unit 30 that the verification is OK, and the card unit 30 At 0, the remaining frequency read is displayed on the frequency display 24 while being stored in the RAM of the control unit 32 (see the S25).
[0029]
The member card R / W 35 receives the member card 3 and reads the record information (member ID in this case) of the member card 3. The member card insertion / ejection port 35a is provided in front of the member card R / W 35 for inserting the member card 3 from which the record information is read by the member card R / W 35 and discharging the member card 3. Opening. The member card indicator 35b is provided above the member card insertion / ejection port 35a and is a lamp for indicating the operation status of the member card R / W 35. The light turns off when the card 3 is accepted, and blinks when the member card 3 is ejected from the member card insertion / ejection port 35a to call attention. The member card return button 35c is a button for receiving a return operation of the member card 3 received by the member card R / W 35.
[0030]
Here, when the member card 3 is inserted from the member card insertion / ejection port 35a and the member card 3 is accepted by the member card R / W 35, the record information of the member card 3 (here, the member card R / W 35) The member ID) is read, and a password input screen is displayed on a touch panel display 37 described later. When the touch panel display 37 is operated to input a password (see S31 in FIG. 8). Then, the read member ID and the entered password are transmitted from the card unit 30 to the savings value management device 60, and the transmitted member ID and password are transmitted to the savings value management device 60 and described later. The collation with the member ID and the password stored in the savings value DB 63a is performed (see S32), If the result is OK, the number of coins stored in association with the member ID is extracted from the savings value DB 63a, and the number of coins extracted from the savings value management device 60 to the card unit 30 is calculated. The transmitted number of stored coins is stored in the RAM of the control unit 32 and displayed on the display 37 in the card unit 30 (see S33).
[0031]
The ball lending frequency setting button 36a is a button for setting the remaining lending number used in response to one operation of the ball lending button 25 as the ball lending frequency. Here, the ball lending frequency is set to 1 to 5 times. Up to five steps can be set in steps of several times. The ball lending frequency display 36b is a display for displaying the ball lending frequency set by operating the ball lending frequency setting button 36a.
[0032]
The touch panel display 37 is provided so as to protrude from the front surface of the card unit 30 so that the display surface faces the player, and displays various information and receives various operations. . When the member card 3 is accepted by the member card R / W 35, a password input screen for accepting an input of a password is displayed on the display 37. On this password input screen, a numeric keypad and an enter button are displayed, and the input of the password is accepted by operating the enter key and operating the enter button by operating the numeric keypad.
[0033]
When the number of accumulated balls is stored in the RAM of the control unit 32, a replay screen for accepting a replay operation is displayed on the display 37. On this replay screen, the number of balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 32, the number of replays that is the quotient of the number of stored balls / the number of balls used for replay, and a replay button for accepting a replay operation are displayed. Then, when the replay button is operated in a state where the number of replays is one or more, a reuse process (replay process) described later is performed. Here, the number of balls to be used for replay is represented by the number of balls (for example, 125) paid out in response to one operation of the replay button + the number of balls for commission (for example, 25). The number can be set arbitrarily. The display 37 also displays game information generated in connection with the game, television images, and the like.
[0034]
The operation lamp 38 is a lamp for indicating the status of the operation of the card unit 30, and is turned on when, for example, use processing, value addition processing, and reuse processing are possible, and when any of the processing is not possible. Is turned off, and blinks to call attention when some trouble occurs in the card unit 30.
[0035]
The card unit 30 performs a use process (ball lending process) as described below. First, the prepaid card 2 is accepted by the prepaid card R / W 34, and the ball lending button 25 is operated in a state where the remaining number is stored in the RAM of the control unit 32 and displayed on the frequency display 24. When the ball lending operation is accepted, a signal relating to pachinko ball lending is exchanged between the card unit 30 and the pachinko machine 20, and a ball lending frequency set in advance by operating the ball lending frequency setting button 36a is provided. The number of pachinko balls corresponding to the used frequency is paid out from the ball payout device 23 by using the remaining frequency. Then, the used frequency is subtracted and updated from the residual frequency stored in the RAM of the control unit 32, and the residual frequency after the subtraction update is recorded on the prepaid card 2 by the prepaid card R / W 34 and the frequency display 24 Will be displayed. Further, the use information (the card ID and the number of times of use) is transmitted from the card unit 30 to the gaming value management device 50, and conversely, a data update completion notification is sent from the gaming value management device 50 to the card unit 30. Will be replied. When the remaining number stored in the RAM of the control unit 32 becomes zero, or when the return operation is accepted by operating the prepaid card return button 26, the prepaid card R / W 34 accepts the return operation. The prepaid card 2 is ejected from the prepaid card insertion / ejection port 34a.
[0036]
In the card unit 30, value addition processing (payment processing) is performed as described below. First, the prepaid card 2 is received by the prepaid card R / W34, and the remaining number is stored in the RAM of the control unit 32 and displayed on the frequency display 24, and the money 4 is inserted from the money insertion slot 33a. Is inserted and the currency discriminator 33 accepts the currency 4, the accepted currency 4 is identified, and the deposit frequency corresponding to the identified currency amount is stored in the RAM of the control unit 32. The frequency is added and updated to the frequency, and the remaining frequency after the addition and update is recorded on the prepaid card 2 by the prepaid card R / W 34 and displayed on the frequency display 24. Further, the payment information (card ID and the number of payments) is transmitted from the card unit 30 to the gaming value management device 50, and conversely, a data update completion notification is sent from the gaming value management device 50 to the card unit 30. The currency 4 which has been returned and accepted (reserved) by the currency identification device 33 is discharged from the currency outlet, conveyed by the currency transport device, and collected in the currency storage unit. If the value addition process does not end normally, the money 4 accepted (reserved) by the money discriminating machine 33 is discharged from the money insertion slot 33a.
[0037]
Further, the card unit 30 performs a reuse process (replay process) as described below. First, the membership card 3 is accepted by the membership card R / W 35, and the number of accumulated balls is stored in the RAM of the control unit 32 and displayed on the display 37 while the replay screen is displayed on the display 37. When the replay button is operated and the replay operation is received, a signal regarding the payout of the pachinko balls is exchanged between the card unit 30 and the pachinko machine 20, and the single operation of the replay button is performed. The number of pachinko balls to be paid out (for example, 125) is paid out from the ball payout device 23. Then, the number of balls used for replay (for example, 150) is subtracted and updated from the number of stored balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 32, and the number of stored balls after the subtraction update and the number of possible replays calculated based on the number of stored balls are updated. Is displayed on the display 37. Further, the replay information (member ID and the number of balls used for replay) is transmitted from the card unit 30 to the savings value management device 60, and the data update is completed from the savings value management device 60 to the card unit 30. Notification is returned. When the member card return button 35c is operated and the return operation is received, the member card 3 received by the member card R / W 35 is ejected from the member card insertion / ejection port 35a.
[0038]
Returning to FIG. 2, the POS device 40 is provided at a predetermined location (for example, a prize counter or the like) in the game arcade, and is communicably connected to an in-site communication unit 61 of the savings value management device 60 which will be described later. . In the POS device 40, when the member card 3 is accepted, the record information (member ID in this case) of the member card 3 is read, and when the input of the personal identification number is accepted (see S31 in FIG. 8), the POS device 40 is used. The read member ID and the inputted password are transmitted from the storage value management device 60 to the saving value management device 60, and the transmitted member ID and password are transmitted to the saving value management device 60 and the saving value described later. The collation with the member ID and the password stored in the DB 63a is performed (see S32), and if the collation is OK, the number of coins stored in association with the member ID in the savings value DB 63a Is extracted, and the extracted number of stored coins is transmitted from the stored value management device 60 to the POS device 40. Number 貯玉 which is is displayed together with the stored (see the S33).
[0039]
Further, the POS device 40 receives the membership card 3 and stores and displays the number of stored balls. In the state where the number of stored balls is displayed, information indicating the number of obtained balls owned by the player as a result of the game is displayed. A storage for receiving the recorded number-of-acquired-balls recording medium (so-called counting receipt), reading the recorded information of the acquired number-of-balls recording medium, and saving the acquired number of balls identified from the read record information as the number of accumulated balls. Processing is performed. When the saving process is performed, the savings information (member ID and the number of saving balls) is transmitted from the POS device 40 to the savings value management device 60, and conversely, the savings value management device 60 transmits the savings value to the POS device 40. A data update completion notification is returned.
[0040]
Further, the POS device 40 receives the membership card 3 and, in a state where the number of stored coins is stored and displayed, inputs the number of used prize exchange balls used for prize exchange within the range of the number of stored coins. And performs a prize exchange process for using the number of used prize exchange balls for prize exchange. When the prize exchange process is performed, prize exchange information (member ID and the number of prize exchange used balls) is transmitted from the POS device 40 to the savings value management device 60, and conversely, the POS device 40 transmits the prize exchange information to the savings value management device 60. 40, a data update completion notification is returned.
[0041]
The game value management device 50 is a component of the in-game management device provided in the game hall as described above, and has a size (that is, the remaining number) of the game value specified from the game value identification information. The value of use value (ie, the number of uses) used in the game within the range is managed as use value information, and the managed use value information (ie, sales information) and a saving value management device described later. The stored value information (that is, the stored ball information) transmitted from 60 is transmitted to the off-site central management device 70 to be described later through the communication line 5. The gaming value management device 50 is manufactured by a gaming value management organization including the off-site centralized management device 70 and is formed as a black box so that the gaming site cannot access the inside.
[0042]
The gaming value management device 50 includes a communication unit for inside the field 51a, a communication unit for outside the field 51b, a control unit 52, a hard disk 53 and the like connected as shown in FIG. (For example, a management office). Here, on the hard disk 53, a gaming value DB 53a is stored. As shown in FIG. 4, the game value DB 53a stores data of a remaining frequency, an issuing frequency, a depositing frequency, and a use frequency in association with a card ID. Here, remaining frequency = issue frequency + payment frequency−use frequency. The use frequency surrounded by a bold frame is use value information (ie, sales information).
[0043]
The premises communication unit 51a is communicably connected to the prepaid card issuing machine 10 and the communication unit 31 of the card unit 30 as described above. The in-store communication unit 51a is communicably connected to an in-store communication unit 61 of a savings value management device 60 described below, and communicates between the gaming value management device 50 and the savings value management device 60. It governs. Thereby, at the time of the game hall opening process, the stored value information (that is, the ball value information) transmitted from the off-site stored value management device 80 to the game value management device 50 via the off-site centralized management device 70, which will be described later. Is transmitted from the game value management device 50 to the saved value management device 60. At the time of the game hall closing process, the stored value information managed by the stored value management device 60 (that is, ball information) is transmitted from the storage value management device 60 to the game value management device 50. Sent.
[0044]
The off-site communication unit 51b is communicably connected to a game hall communication unit 71a of the off-site centralized management device 70, which will be described later, and controls communication between the game value management device 50 and the off-site centralized management device 70. Things. Thereby, at the time of the game hall closing process, the used value information (that is, sales information) managed and the stored value information (that is, the ball information) transmitted from the saving value management device 60 described later are used as the game value. The value is transmitted from the value management device 50 to the off-site central management device 70.
[0045]
The control unit 52 is a computer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. When the processing program stored in the hard disk 53 is executed by the CPU using the RAM as a work area, the following processing is performed to execute a game. The data in the utility value DB 53a is updated. That is, first, when the issuance information (card ID and issuance frequency) is transmitted from the prepaid card issuing machine 10, the transmitted card ID is registered and the transmitted issuance frequency is determined by the issuance frequency and the remaining frequency. Stored as data. Further, when the use information (card ID and use frequency) is transmitted from the card unit 30, the transmitted use frequency is replaced with the data of the use frequency already stored in the data corresponding to the transmitted card ID. In addition to the addition and update, the transmitted usage count is subtracted and updated from the residual count data already stored. Further, when payment information (card ID and payment frequency) is transmitted from the card unit 30, in the data corresponding to the transmitted card ID, the payment frequency and the remaining frequency in which the transmitted payment frequency is already stored. Is updated. When the data update is completed, a data update completion notification is returned to the transmission source of each information (that is, the prepaid card issuing machine 10 or the card unit 30).
[0046]
The savings value management device 60 is also a component of the in-house management device provided in the game hall as described above, and the value of the value (ie, the number of acquired balls) owned by the player as a result of the game is stored. The value of saved savings value (that is, the number of coins) and the player identification information (that is, member ID) are associated with each other and managed as savings value information, and the managed savings value information (that is, coin information) ) Is transmitted to the gaming value management device 50.
[0047]
The savings value management device 60 includes a communication unit 61 for the hall, a control unit 62, a hard disk 63, and the like, which are connected as shown in FIG. 2, and is provided at a predetermined location in the game hall (for example, a management office). It is installed in. Here, the hard disk 63 stores a stored value DB 63a. As shown in FIG. 5, the savings value DB 63a stores data of a personal identification number, the number of saved balls, the number of saved balls, the number of used prize exchange balls, and the number of used replay balls in association with the member ID. ing. Here, the number of balls to be saved = the number of balls to be saved-the number of balls used for prize exchange-the number of balls used for replay. Further, the member ID and the number of coins stored in a thick frame are the savings value information (that is, the coin storage information). Note that the member ID and the password are stored when the member registration is performed. The on-site communication unit 61 is communicably connected to the on-site communication unit 51a of the gaming value management device 50 as described above.
[0048]
The control unit 62 is a computer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. When the processing program stored in the hard disk 63 is executed by the CPU using the RAM as a work area, the following processing is performed and the storage is performed. The data of the value DB 63a is updated. That is, first, when saving information (member ID and the number of saving balls) is transmitted from the POS device 40, in the data corresponding to the transmitted member ID, the saving number in which the transmitted saving ball number is already stored is stored. The number of balls and the number of accumulated balls are updated. Also, when the prize exchange information (member ID and the number of used prize exchange balls) is transmitted from the POS device 40, the transmitted number of used prize exchange balls is already stored in the data corresponding to the transmitted member ID. The data of the number of used prize exchange balls is added and updated, and the transmitted number of used prize exchange balls is subtracted and updated from the stored data of the number of stored balls. Further, when replay information (member ID and the number of replay balls) is transmitted from the card unit 30, the transmitted number of replay balls is already stored in the data corresponding to the transmitted member ID. The data on the number of balls used for replay is added and updated, and the transmitted number of balls used for replay is subtracted and updated from the stored data on the number of stored balls. When the data update is completed, a data update completion notification is returned to the transmission source of each information (that is, the POS device 40 or the card unit 30).
[0049]
As described above, in the savings value management system 1, the management of the value in use information (sales information) and the value of the savings value information (ball information) are distributed in the game arcade, so that the management load is reduced. System stability can be improved.
[0050]
The off-site centralized management device 70 is provided at a gaming value management institution outside the amusement arcade that manages valuable information on a third party, and is capable of communicating with the gaming value management device 50, which is an on-site management device, and has a stored value. It can communicate with an off-site savings value management device 80 described later provided in the value management institution, and uses the value of use value based on the use value information (that is, sales information) transmitted from the game value management device 50. The value (ie, the number of times of use) is totalized and managed, and the stored value information (ie, ball information) transmitted from the gaming value management device 50 is stored in a stored value management institution. This is transmitted to the device 80. Here, the off-site centralized management device 70 collects the stored value information transmitted from each game value management device 50 provided in each game arcade, and sends the collected stored value information to the storage value management organization. This is to be transmitted to the off-site savings value management device 80 to be provided.
[0051]
The off-site centralized management device 70 includes a communication unit 71a for a game arcade, a communication unit 71b for a stored value management institution, a control unit 72, a hard disk 73, and the like, which are connected as shown in FIG. Here, on the hard disk 73, a game value DB 73a is stored. As shown in FIG. 6, the gaming value DB 73a stores, for each date, sales (that is, the total number of times of use) at the gaming site for each date, as shown in FIG. The communication section for amusement arcade 71a is communicably connected to the communication section for outside the arcade 51b of the gaming value management device 50 as described above.
[0052]
The savings value management institution communication unit 71b is communicably connected to a game value management institution communication unit 81 of the off-site savings value management device 80, which will be described later, provided in the savings value management institution. It manages communication between the management device 70 and the off-site savings value management device 80. Thereby, at the time of the game hall closing process, the stored value information (that is, the ball information) transmitted from the game value management device 50 is transmitted to the off-site storage value management device 80 provided in the storage value management organization. Sent.
[0053]
The savings value management institution communication unit 71b functions as connection restricting means for restricting the connection from the below-mentioned off-site savings value management device 80 provided to the savings value management institution to the off-site centralized management device 70. Specifically, a firewall (either software or hardware may be used) that functions as the connection restricting means is incorporated in the communication unit 71b for the savings value management institution. As will be described later, the connection is permitted only when the coin storage information is transmitted from 80, and the connection is restricted in other cases.
[0054]
The control unit 72 is a computer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. When the processing program stored in the hard disk 73 is executed by the CPU using the RAM as a work area, the following processing is performed. In other words, when the sales information (number of used balls) and the information on the number of balls (member ID and number of balls) are transmitted from the gaming value management device 50 provided in each game hall during the closing process of the game hall, the transmission is performed. Based on the sales information thus transmitted, in the data of the amusement arcade of the transmission source, the sales which is the total number of used balls transmitted is stored, and the data of the game value DB 73a is updated and the transmitted data is updated. Collected ball information is collected. It should be noted that the collected ball information is transmitted to the off-site savings value management device 80 provided in the savings value management organization after the ball information on all the amusement arcades is collected.
[0055]
The off-site savings value management device 80 is provided in a savings value management institution outside the amusement facility that manages the savings value information by a third party, and stores the savings value information transmitted from the game value management device 50 (that is, the savings value). Based on the information, the value of the savings value (ie, the number of stored coins) is associated with the player identification information (ie, the member ID) and managed as savings value information.
[0056]
The off-site savings value management device 80 includes a game value management institution communication unit 81, a control unit 82, a hard disk 83, and the like, which are connected as shown in FIG. Here, the hard disk 83 stores a stored value DB 83a. As shown in FIG. 7, the savings value DB 83a is provided with a data table for each game arcade. In each data table, the number of coins stored is stored for each date in association with each member ID. Have been.
[0057]
The game value management institution communication unit 81 is communicably connected to the saved value management institution communication unit 71b of the off-site centralized management device 70 as described above. Thereby, at the time of the game hall opening process, the managed ball information (that is, the member ID and the number of stored balls) is transmitted to the stored value management device 60 via the off-site centralized management device 70 and the game value management device 50. Sent.
[0058]
The control unit 82 is a computer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. When the processing program stored in the hard disk 83 is executed by the CPU using the RAM as a work area, the following processing is performed. That is, at the time of the game hall closing process, when the ballparking information (member ID and ballparking information) collected for all the gaming halls is transmitted from the off-site central management device 70, based on the transmitted ballparking information, In the data table for each amusement arcade, the number of coins stored is stored in association with each member ID, and the data in the stored value DB 83a is updated.
[0059]
Next, the operation of the savings value management system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the savings value management system 1, based on predetermined conditions (here, at the time of a game arcade opening process), the savings value information managed by the savings value management device 60, which is an on-site management device, The stored coin information managed by the off-site savings value management device 80 provided in the savings value management organization is collated. Specifically, at the time of the game hall opening process, the data with the latest date out of the ballpark information (member ID and the number of ballparks) managed in the stored value DB 83a of the offsite value-added management device 80 is the data. It is transmitted from the off-site savings value management device 80 to the on-site savings value management device 60 via the off-site centralized management device 70 and the gaming value management device 50 provided at each game site ( S11) In the stored value management device 60, the transmitted ball information is collated with the ball information managed in the stored value DB 63a (S12). As described above, since the coin storage information is collated on the basis of the predetermined condition, it is possible to promptly detect illegal tampering of the coin storage information, data abnormality due to a failure of the stored value management device 60, and the like.
[0060]
Next, in the savings value management system 1, the following processing is performed during the operation of the game arcade. Specifically, when the issuance processing is performed in the prepaid card issuance machine 10 (S21), the prepaid card issuance machine 10 sends the issuance information (card ID and issuance frequency) to the gaming value management device 50. ) Is transmitted, and in the gaming value management device 50, the data of the issue frequency and the remaining frequency are updated as described above (S22).
[0061]
When the prepaid card 2 is received by the card unit 30 (S23), the card ID and the remaining number read from the prepaid card 2 are transmitted from the card unit 30 to the gaming value management device 50, and the game is executed. In the valuable value management device 50, the transmitted card ID and remaining number are collated with the card ID and residual number stored in the gaming valuable value DB 53a (S24). The value management device 50 returns a result of the verification to the card unit 30 to the card unit 30. In the card unit 30, the read residual number is stored in the RAM of the control unit 32 and displayed on the frequency display 24. (S25).
[0062]
When the ball lending process is performed in the card unit 30 (S26), the use information (card ID and frequency) is transmitted from the card unit 30 to the gaming value management device 50, and the game is executed. In the utility value management device 50, the data of the use frequency and the remaining frequency are updated as described above (S27).
[0063]
Also, when the deposit processing is performed in the card unit 30 (S28), the deposit information (card ID and deposit frequency) is transmitted from the card unit 30 to the gaming value management device 50, and the game In the valuable value management device 50, the data of the deposit frequency and the remaining frequency are updated as described above (S29).
[0064]
When the card unit 30 or the POS device 40 receives the member card 3 and the personal identification number (S31), the card unit 30 inputs the member ID read from the member card 3 to the savings value management device 60. The transmitted personal identification number is transmitted, and in the gaming value management device 50, the transmitted member ID and personal identification number are collated with the member ID and personal identification number stored in the savings value DB 63a (S32). In the case of OK, the number of coins stored in association with the member ID is extracted from the savings value DB 63a, and is extracted from the savings value management device 60 to the card unit 30 or the POS device 40. The number of stored coins is transmitted, and the transmitted number of stored coins is stored in the card unit 30 or the POS device 40. Are displayed together (S33).
[0065]
When the saving process is performed in the POS device 40 (S34), the saving information (member ID and the number of saving balls) is transmitted from the POS device 40 to the saving value management device 60, and the saving value is transmitted. In the management device 60, the number of saved balls and the data of the number of saved balls are updated as described above (S35).
[0066]
Also, when the prize exchange processing is performed in the POS device 40 (S36), the POS device 40 transmits the prize exchange information (member ID and the number of used prize exchange balls) to the savings value management device 60, In the savings value management device 60, the data of the number of used balls and the number of stored coins are updated as described above (S37).
[0067]
When the replay processing is performed in the card unit 30 (S38), replay information (member ID and the number of replay balls) is transmitted from the card unit 30 to the savings value management device 60, In the savings value management device 60, the data of the number of balls used for replay and the number of stored coins are updated as described above (S39).
[0068]
Further, in the savings value management system 1, the following processing is performed at the time of the game hall closing processing. More specifically, the coin value information managed in the savings value DB 63a of the savings value management device 60 is transmitted from the savings value management device 60, which is an on-site management device, to the gaming value management device, which is also an on-site management device. The sales information managed by the gaming value management device 50 and the transmitted ball information are transmitted to the device 50 (S41), and are transmitted from the gaming value management device 50, which is an on-site management device, to a communication line. 5 to the off-site central management device 70 (S42).
[0069]
Next, in the off-site centralized management device 70, the sales are totaled and registered as described above based on the transmitted sales information (S43), and the transmitted savings information is collected (S44). After the ball information relating to the place is collected, the collected ball information is transmitted from the off-site centralized management device 70 to the off-site saved value management device 80 provided in the stored value management organization (S45). As described above, since the ball saving information collected by the off-site central management device 70 is transmitted to the off-site savings value management device 80 provided in the savings value management institution, each game value provided in each game arcade is provided. It is not necessary to transmit the ball information to the savings value management organization every time the ball information is transmitted from the value management device 50, and the transmission cost of the ball information can be reduced.
[0070]
Next, in the off-site savings value management device 80, the ball storage information is registered as described above based on the transmitted ball storage information (S46). Therefore, according to the savings value management system 1 according to the present invention, the ball value information is transmitted together with the sales information from the gaming value management device 50, which is the on-site management device, to the off-site central management device 70, and the off-site central management is performed. Since the ball information is transmitted from the device 70 to the off-site savings value management device 80 provided in the savings value management institution, the gaming value management device 50, which is the on-site management device, communicates with the off-site central management device 70. To effectively use the communication line 5 to be connected, the savings value management device 60, which is an on-site management device, to transmit the ball storage information to the off-site savings value management device 80 provided in the savings value management organization. It is not necessary to provide a dedicated communication line or a dedicated communication device, thereby reducing the cost of introducing a third-party managed savings value management system.
[0071]
In the savings value management system 1, as described above, the connection from the off-site savings value management device 80 provided in the savings value management organization to the off-site central management device 70 is regulated. Security can be improved by preventing unauthorized tampering of managed sales.
[0072]
The invention according to the claims of the present application will be described below in association with the embodiment described above.
[0073]
First, the invention according to claim 1 is a game recording medium in which game value specifying information (card ID and remaining number) capable of specifying the size (remaining number) of game value usable for a game is recorded. (Prepaid card 2), a member recording medium (member card 3) which is issued to a player who has registered as a member, and in which player identification information (member ID) capable of identifying the player is recorded, The size of the value of use (use frequency) used for the game within the range of the value of the game value specified from the value information of game value provided in the hall is used value information (sales information ) As well as the value of the value of savings (number of balls) obtained by storing the value of the value of the game (number of balls obtained) owned by the player as a result of the game, and the player identification information. Value of savings (Management information), and a field management device (gaming value management device 50 and stored value information) for transmitting the managed value information and value information to the outside through a communication line (5). A management device 60), which is provided outside the game arcade, is communicable with the on-site management device, and is communicable with a storage value management institution that manages the stored value information by a third party, and is transmitted from the on-site management device. Based on the use value information received, the size of the use value is calculated and managed, and the saving value information transmitted from the on-site management device is transmitted to the saving value management organization. And a centralized management device outside the site (70).
[0074]
The invention according to claim 2 is the savings value management system (1) according to claim 1, wherein connection restricting means for restricting connection from the savings value management organization to the off-site centralized management device (70). (Saving value management system) characterized by further comprising (control section 72).
[0075]
The invention according to claim 3 is the savings value management system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the on-site management device is a game value management device that manages the use value information. 40) and a savings value management device (50) that manages the savings value information, wherein the savings value management device stores the managed savings value information in the gaming value management device. The gaming value management device transmits the managed value information and the saved value information transmitted from the saved value management device to the off-site centralized management device (70). And transmitting the stored value.
[0076]
The invention according to claim 4 is the savings value management system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the off-site centralized management device (70) is provided in each game arcade. Savings value information collected from the on-site management device (savings value management device 60), and the collected savings value information is transmitted to the savings value management institution. It is a value management system.
[0077]
The invention according to claim 5 is the savings value management system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the on-site management device (1) is based on a predetermined condition. A savings value management system characterized by comparing savings value information managed by a savings value management device 60) with savings value information managed by the savings value management organization. .
[0078]
Finally, a modified example of the present invention will be described.
[0079]
In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the game recording medium (prepaid card 2) and the member recording medium (member card 3) are card-shaped recording media on which a non-contact type integrated circuit is mounted. The recording medium for games and the recording medium for members may be a recording medium on which a contact integrated circuit is mounted. The recording area of the game recording medium or the member recording medium is not limited to the EEPROM of the integrated circuit, but may be a recording area for recording by magnetism, characters, two-dimensional codes (for example, bar codes), three-dimensional codes, or optical interference. (For example, a hologram) or a recording area for recording. Further, the game recording medium or the member recording medium may be capable of printing the recorded contents of the recording area on the surface of the game recording medium. The material of the game recording medium and the member recording medium is not limited to resin such as plastic, but may be metal or paper, for example. Further, the shape of the game recording medium or member recording medium is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may be, for example, a square shape, a polygonal shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or a coin shape.
[0080]
In the above embodiment, the prepaid card R / W34 and the membership card R / W35 are card-type IC cards on which a non-contact type integrated circuit is mounted, and the game recording medium (prepaid card 2) and the member recording medium ( Although an example in which a non-contact type IC reader / writer is provided corresponding to the member card 3) to read recorded information of the integrated circuit and record information on the integrated circuit has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. What is necessary is just to be able to read / record information corresponding to the recording area of the recording medium and the member recording medium. That is, when the recording area of the game recording medium is a contact-type integrated circuit, the prepaid card R / W34 and the membership card R / W35 only need to have a contact-type IC reader / writer. If the area is to be recorded by magnetism, it is sufficient if the area is provided with a magnetic reader / writer. If the recording area is to be recorded by characters, two-dimensional codes, three-dimensional codes, or optical interference, etc. May be provided as long as it has a scanner capable of reading them.
[0081]
In the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which the game recording medium (prepaid card 2) and the member recording medium (member card 3) are separate recording media. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be the same recording medium. According to this, the use process, the deposit process, the saving process, the prize exchange process, and the replay process can be performed with one recording medium, and the number of recording media used can be reduced, which is convenient for the player. At the same time, the cost of the recording medium can be reduced. In this case, either the prepaid card R / W34 or the membership card R / W35 can be omitted, so that the cost of the card unit 30 can be reduced.
[0082]
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the issuance processing of the game recording medium (the prepaid card 2) is performed by the prepaid card issuing machine 10 is not limited to this, and the issuance of the game recording medium to the card unit 30, for example, is described. A function may be provided so that the processing for issuing a game recording medium is performed by the card unit 30. In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the value addition processing (payment processing) is performed in the card unit 30 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the prepaid card issuing machine 10 is provided with a value addition function, and the value addition processing is performed. The processing may be performed by the prepaid card issuing machine 10.
[0083]
In the above embodiment, the example in which the game recording medium (prepaid card 2) is inserted from the outside of the card unit 30 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the player recognizes the currency 4 with the currency discriminating machine 33, the size (remaining frequency) of the gaming value corresponding to the identified money amount is determined. The enclosed game recording medium may be issued as the game recording medium on which the identifiable game value identification information is recorded.
[0084]
In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the gaming machine was a normal pachinko machine 20 from which pachinko balls were paid out. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the gaming machine may be, for example, an enclosed pachinko machine, a medal or a pachinko machine. A slot machine in which balls are paid out, a slot machine, a credit-type slot machine in which medals can be played without being paid out, or the like, and a game can be played by data without using pachinko balls or medals. Gaming machines, gaming boards and pachinko balls that are displayed as images, and image-type slot machines that display reels as images may be used. Absent.
[0085]
In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the value of the valuables owned by the player as a result of the game is the number of acquired balls. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the magnitude of the valuables is, for example, the number of medals. , Score, or the number of pachinko balls or medals formed by images in the image-type pachinko machine, slot machine, or the like. Further, in the above embodiment, the example in which the value of the savings value is the number of stored coins is described. However, the size of the savings value is not limited to this. Or savings points.
[0086]
In the above embodiment, the card unit 30 is a so-called CR unit, and when the use process (ball lending process) or the reuse process (replay process) is performed, the card unit 30 and the gaming machine (pachinko machine 20) A signal relating to the payout of the pachinko balls is exchanged between the pachinko balls and the pachinko balls are paid out from the ball payout device 23 provided in the gaming machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A payout device may be provided so that the pachinko balls are paid out from a ball payout device provided in the card unit 30.
[0087]
In the above-described embodiment, when the value addition process is performed in the card unit 30, the size of the game value corresponding to all the monetary amounts identified by the currency identifying device 33 (that is, the entire amount) becomes the remaining number. Although the example in which the value is added to the game has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the size of the game value corresponding to the predetermined amount within the range of the identified money amount may be added to the remaining number. good. In this case, the card unit 30 is provided with an operation unit capable of selecting a predetermined amount, and a change dispensing device is provided, so that a change obtained by subtracting the predetermined amount from the identified money amount is paid out. You.
[0088]
In the above embodiment, when the value adding process is performed in the card unit 30, the magnitude of the game value corresponding to the amount of money identified by the currency identifying device 33 is immediately (that is, one). The example in which the money 4 is inserted automatically when the money 4 is inserted has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a case where a plurality of money 4 is inserted and the deposit button provided at a predetermined portion is operated Then, the money amounts of the plurality of moneys 4 may be added to add the value.
[0089]
The timing at which the value can be added to the game recording medium (prepaid card 2) may be such that the value can be added only when there is a remaining number of the game recording medium. May be added only when the remaining number of accounts becomes zero, and the next value may be added only when the added number of accounts is used and becomes zero. The value may be added at any time.
[0090]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the use process (ball lending process) and the reuse process (replay process) are performed by one card unit 30 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be performed by a separately provided card unit.
[0091]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the saving process is performed by the POS device 40 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the saving process is not limited to the value (acquisition) of the value owned by the player as a result of the game. The number of balls may be counted by a counting device.
[0092]
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the prize exchange process is performed by the POS device 40 operated by the clerk of the game arcade has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. An automatic prize exchange device that performs the operation of exchanging (number) with a general prize or a special prize without the intervention of a clerk at a game arcade may be used.
[0093]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the remaining value, the issued frequency, the received frequency, and the used frequency are managed in association with the card ID in the gaming value DB 53a of the gaming value management device 50 has been described. The gaming value DB 53a only needs to manage at least the frequency of use (ie, value information of use). In the above-described embodiment, the savings value DB 63a of the savings value management device 60 manages the personal identification number, the number of savings, the number of savings, the number of prize exchange use, and the number of replay use in association with the member ID. Although the above example has been described, the savings value DB 63a only needs to manage the number of coins stored (that is, savings value information) in association with at least the member ID.
[0094]
In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the in-house management device provided in the game arcade includes the gaming value management device 50 and the savings value management device 60. Alternatively, the game value management device 50 and the savings value management device 60 may be configured as a single device having both functions.
[0095]
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the connection restricting unit is a firewall incorporated in the communication unit 71b for the savings value management institution has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any device that can prevent unauthorized intrusion (so-called hacking) into a network connected to the off-site central management device 70 may be used.
[0096]
In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the predetermined condition is the time when the game hall is opened and the stored value information (ball information) is collated at the time of the open processing. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The predetermined value may be set to, for example, a predetermined time, and the stored value information may be compared at each predetermined time.
[0097]
In the above-described embodiment, at the time of the game hall closing process, the savings value information (ball information) is transmitted from the savings value management device 60 to the gaming value management device 50, and the gaming value management device 50 Although the example in which the value-in-use information (sales information) and the value-in-savings information are transmitted to the off-site central management device 70 has been described, the transmission timing may be, for example, every predetermined time.
[0098]
【The invention's effect】
The savings value management system according to the present invention has the following effects.
[0099]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the stored value management system sends the stored value information together with the valuable value information from the on-site management device to the off-site centralized management device. Value information is transmitted to the in-house management device and the off-site centralized management device by making effective use of the communication line. There is no need to provide a dedicated communication line or a dedicated communication device for transmitting value information, and the cost of introducing a third-party management type stored value management system can be reduced.
[0100]
Further, according to the savings value management system according to the second aspect, since the connection from the savings value management organization to the off-site centralized management device is regulated, the magnitude of the used value managed by the off-site centralized management device is controlled. It is possible to prevent unauthorized tampering and the like, thereby improving security.
[0101]
According to the savings value management system according to the third aspect, since the management of the use value information and the savings value information is distributed in the game arcade, the management load can be reduced and the stability of the system can be improved.
[0102]
According to the savings value management system according to the fourth aspect, since the savings value information collected by the off-site centralized management device is transmitted to the savings value management institution, each savings value provided at each game arcade is provided. It is not necessary to transmit the savings-value information to the savings-value management organization every time the savings-value information is transmitted from the management device, and the transmission cost of the savings-value information can be reduced.
[0103]
Further, according to the savings value management system according to the fifth aspect, since the matching of the savings value information is performed based on a predetermined condition, the tampering of the savings value information and the savings value management are performed. Data abnormalities and the like due to device failure can be found quickly.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a stored value management system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a savings value management system according to the present invention.
3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an example of a card unit, wherein FIG. 3A is a front view and FIG. 3B is a side view.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information managed in a game value DB of the game value management device.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of information managed in a savings value DB of the savings value management device.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of information managed in a game value DB of the off-site central management device.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of information managed in a savings value DB of the off-site savings value management device.
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a savings value management system.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a conventional stored value management system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Savings value management system
2. Prepaid card
3. Member card
4 ... money
5. Communication line
10. Prepaid card issuing machine
20 ... Pachinko machine
21: Game control board
22 ... Ball payout control board
23… Ball payout device
24 ... frequency indicator
25 ... Ball rental button
26… Prepaid card return button
30 ... Card unit
31 Communication unit
32 ... Control unit
32a ... Ball rental communication department
33 ... Money discriminator
33a: Money insertion slot
33b ... Money indicator
34 ... Prepaid card R / W
34a: Prepaid card insertion / ejection slot
34b ... Prepaid card indicator
35… Member card R / W
35a: Member card insertion / ejection port
35b… Member card indicator
35c… Member card return button
36a ... Ball lending frequency setting button
36b ... ball lending frequency display
37 ... (Touch panel type) display
38… Operation lamp
40 POS device
50… Game value management device
51a… Communication section for the hall
51b… Outside communication unit
52 ... Control unit
53 ... Hard disk
53a… Gaming value DB
60 ... Saving value management device
61… Communication section for the hall
62 ... Control unit
63… Hard disk
63a… Saving value DB
70 ... Centralized management device outside the site
71a ... Amusement center communication unit
71b: Communication unit for savings value management organization
72 ... Control unit
73 ... Hard disk
73a… Gaming value DB
80 ... off-site savings value management device
81: Communication unit for gaming value management organization
82 ... Control unit
83 ... Hard disk
83a: Saving value database

Claims (5)

A game recording medium on which game value specifying information capable of specifying the size of the game value usable for the game is recorded;
A member recording medium that is issued to a player who has registered as a member and records player identification information capable of identifying the player,
It is provided in a game arcade, and manages, as value-in-use information, the size of the value-in-use used in the game within the range of the value-in-game value specified from the value-in-game value identification information. As a result, the magnitude of the value of the value owned by the player is stored, and the magnitude of the value of the value stored is associated with the player identification information and managed as the value-saving information, and the value is managed. An on-site management device for transmitting value-in-use information and savings value information to the outside through a communication line;
It is provided outside the game hall, is communicable with the on-site management device, and is communicable with a savings value management institution that manages the savings value information by a third party, and is used value transmitted from the on-site management device. An off-site centralized management device that, based on information, collects and manages the value of the used value, and transmits the saved value information transmitted from the on-site management device to the value-added management institution.
Value management system. A savings value management system according to claim 1,
A savings value management system further comprising a connection restricting means for restricting connection from the savings value management organization to the off-site centralized management device. 3. The savings value management system according to claim 1, wherein the on-site management device includes a gaming value management device that manages the use value information, and a savings value that manages the savings value information. 4. And a management device.
The savings value management device transmits the managed savings value information to the gaming value management device,
The gaming value management device transmits the managed value information and the value information transmitted from the value management device to the off-site central management device. Value management system. It is a savings value management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The off-site centralized management device collects savings value information transmitted from each on-site management device provided in each game arcade, and transmits the collected savings value information to the savings value management organization. A value-added savings management system. A savings value management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Based on predetermined conditions, comparing stored value information managed by the on-site management device with stored value information managed by the stored value management institution. Savings value management system.

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