JP2004313394A - Method and system for lending game medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and system for lending game mediums which can promote to corral fixed customers while suppressing the increase of costs for maintaining and managing a system and the delay of adjusting processing. <P>SOLUTION: The amount of money with which the game mediums are not lent though the money is fed into a game medium renting apparatus such as a token lending apparatus is recorded as a residual value in the data base of a management apparatus by associating it with the identification information of a recording medium such as an adjustment card. Furthermore, the management apparatus sets respective adjustment limit according to the kind (a general card, a membership card, etc.) and the rank (a general member, a VIP member, etc.) of the recording medium. When the recording medium is inserted to the game medium lending apparatus or an adjusting machine, the adjusting limit of the residual value recorded while associated with the recording medium is judged from the kind and rank of the recording medium to perform lending of the game mediums and adjustment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a game medium lending method and a system therefor, and in particular, records an amount (remaining value) of money in which money has been inserted into a game medium lending apparatus but game medium has not been lent out in association with an identification medium. The present invention relates to a game medium lending method and a system thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For gaming machines such as slots (pachinko slots) and pachinko machines, gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls borrowed from gaming media renting machines such as medal renting machines and pachinko ball renting machines are used for slot machines (pachislot machines) and pachinko machines. This is done by using
[0003]
At this time, in a medal lending machine such as a stand-to-roll medal lending machine capable of accepting money including high-value banknotes, if money is accepted but a medal is not loaned and a balance is generated, the amount of the balance (residual value) Is stored in the terminal computer (T / C) in association with identification information (card ID) of a recording medium such as a payment card.
[0004]
Then, when the payment card is inserted into the payment machine, the payment machine pays out money based on the remaining value, and when inserted into another medal lending machine, the medal lending machine into which the payment card is inserted. , Medals are lent out based on the residual value (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-245995 (paragraphs "0022" to "0023" etc.)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the settlement period of the residual value is limited to the day, and trouble may occur between the store and the player who forgot to settle the day.
[0007]
Also, if the settlement period is extended, the amount of stored data becomes enormous, the cost required for system maintenance and management increases, and when performing settlement processes such as paying out money or lending medals based on the residual value, It takes time to read the residual value information indicating the residual value, which may hinder quick processing.
[0008]
In addition, since there is no merit associated with member registration or the number of visits, it is difficult to increase the number of members or return to the game, and it is difficult to enclose fixed customers.
[0009]
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a game medium lending method and a system thereof capable of promoting the enclosure of fixed customers while suppressing an increase in cost for maintaining and managing the system and a delay in the settlement process. .
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The method of lending a game medium according to the present invention is to receive a currency which is valuable, lend a game medium, record a residual value associated with the lending of the game medium in association with the identification medium, and pay the money based on the residual value. In the game medium lending method for performing the settlement of the residual value by issuing, the settlement condition is set based on the information specified by the identification medium, and it is determined whether the residual value recorded in association with the identification medium satisfies the settlement condition. Then, when it is determined that the residual value satisfies the settlement condition, money is paid out based on the residual value.
[0011]
In this configuration, since the settlement condition is determined according to the information specified by the identification medium, different settlement conditions can be determined according to each information.
[0012]
Further, the information specified by the identification medium is the type of the identification medium, and the residual value recorded in association with the specific type of identification medium is smaller than the residual value recorded in association with another type of identification medium. It is determined whether or not the settlement conditions are satisfied by using the settlement conditions that are advantageous to the player. For example, the settlement conditions of the membership card (identification medium) possessed by the member who has registered as a member of the game store can be changed by another player. It is possible to give preferential treatment to players who are expected to return to the store.
[0013]
Further, the identification medium is a member identification medium provided to a player who has registered as a member at a game store that rents the game medium, and the information specified by the identification medium is member information recorded in association with the member identification medium. As a result, it is possible to add an element that can determine the possibility of returning to the store, such as the number of stores, to the member information, to give preferential treatment to members with a high possibility of returning to the store, and to promote the retention of fixed customers.
[0014]
Here, since the settlement condition is a settlement period by which the remaining value can be settled, the settlement period of a player who is likely to return to the store can be set to be longer than other players. Thus, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of trouble due to the elapse of the settlement deadline that occurs at the time of returning to the store, while suppressing an increase in costs for maintaining and managing the system and a delay in the settlement process.
[0015]
Also, since the settlement condition is the upper limit of the residual value that can be settled, it is expected that the player will put money into the game media lending machine in consideration of the amount that can be settled, and It is possible to suppress troubles in which the residual value cannot be settled due to progress.
[0016]
Next, in the game medium lending system according to the present invention, a game medium lending device that accepts valuable money and lends a game medium, and a management that associates and records the residual value generated with the lending of the game medium in association with the identification medium In a game media lending system comprising a device and a payment device that accepts the identification medium and pays out the money based on the residual value recorded in the management device in association with the identification medium, a game medium lending system based on the information specified by the identification medium Means for setting a settlement condition, means for determining whether the residual value recorded in association with the identification medium satisfies the settlement condition, and means for paying out money based on the residual value when it is determined that the settlement condition is satisfied. Is provided.
[0017]
In this configuration, since the settlement condition is determined according to the information specified by the identification medium, different settlement conditions can be determined according to each information.
[0018]
Further, the information specified by the identification medium is the type of the identification medium, and the residual value recorded in association with the specific type of identification medium is smaller than the residual value recorded in association with another type of identification medium. By judging whether or not the settlement conditions are satisfied by using the advantageous settlement conditions, for example, the settlement conditions of the membership card (identification medium) possessed by the member who has registered as a member of the game store are favorably compared with other players. It is possible to give preferential treatment to a player who is expected to return to the store.
[0019]
Further, the identification medium is a member identification medium provided to a player who has registered as a member at a game store where the game medium is lent, and the information specified by the identification medium is member information recorded in association with the member identification medium. , The settlement conditions are set based on the member information specified by the identification medium, and an element that can determine the possibility of returning to the store, such as the number of visits, is added to the member information. Preferential members and promote the retention of fixed customers.
[0020]
Here, the settlement condition is a time limit for settlement, so that the settlement period of a player who has a high possibility of returning to the store can be set to be longer than that of other players. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a trouble due to the elapse of the settlement deadline while suppressing an increase in cost for maintaining and managing the system and a delay in the settlement process.
[0021]
Also, since the settlement condition is the upper limit amount that can be settled, it is expected that the player will put money into the game media lending machine in consideration of the amount that can be settled, and the remaining value will be settled due to the elapse of the settlement period. Trouble that cannot be achieved can be suppressed.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a game medium lending method and a system thereof according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0023]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a game medium lending system according to the present invention, and shows a medal lending machine 10 that lends medals according to the amount of inserted money, and a balance of money generated by the medal lending machine 10. A management device 20 such as a T / C (Terminal controller) or a PC (Personal computer) that records the amount (residual value) in a database in association with the identification information of the recording medium inserted into the medal lending machine 10, and a residual value indicating the residual value. A payment machine 30 that pays out money based on the value information is provided.
[0024]
In the present embodiment, a payment card on which a card ID (identification information) is recorded is used as a recording medium.
[0025]
There are two types of payment cards: general cards distributed to players who leave the medal lending machine with the balance remaining, and member cards distributed to members who have registered as members. Settlement information required for settlement, such as date and settlement deadline, is recorded in the database in association with the card ID, and in addition to such information, the membership card also includes an address, name, number of visits, privilege points added for each visit, Member information such as the total amount of game media lending is recorded in the database in association with the card ID.
[0026]
Here, the medal lending machine 10 is provided for each gaming machine (not shown), and as shown in FIG. 2, a money insertion slot 11 for inserting money, a money identification unit 11-2 for identifying inserted money, Card insertion slot 12-1 for inserting a settlement card as a recording medium, a card reader 12 for reading information on the inserted card, a display unit 13 for displaying the amount of money inserted, the residual value, etc., a settlement for instructing settlement. A button 14, a lending button 15 for instructing the lending of medals, a medal dispensing section 16-2 for dispensing medals while counting stored medals, a medal lending exit 16-1 for discharging dispensed medals, and a settlement inserted in the card reader 12. Communication interface (I / F) 17 for transmitting / receiving card identification information (card ID), residual value information, etc., and memory 1 for temporarily storing card ID, residual value information, etc. , Lending machine control unit 19 for controlling the medal lending machine 10 is provided.
[0027]
Then, in the medal lending machine, the card ID of the payment card inserted into the card reader is transmitted to the management device, and at a fixed amount of time according to the residual value information received from the management device and the amount of money inserted by the player. Lending medals. When a residual value is generated, the residual value is transmitted to the management device as residual value information.
[0028]
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the management device. As shown in FIG. 3, the management device 20 includes a CPU 21 for performing various processes in the management device 20, a program for performing various processes in the CPU 21, and the like. ROM 22 for storing, database 23 for recording the residual value, etc., display unit 24 such as a display, input unit 25 such as a keyboard, communication interface (I / F) for transmitting and receiving the card ID of the settlement card, residual value information indicating the residual value, and the like. ) 26 are provided.
[0029]
Here, the residual value is recorded in the database 23 in association with the card ID together with the payment date and the settlement deadline, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, as the unpaid amount in the settlement master table.
[0030]
The card ID is, for example, an individual identification number recorded in advance for each payment card. As shown in FIG. 4, the head of the card ID of the member card is "A", and the head of the card ID of the general card is " For example, the member card and the general card can be completely distinguished, such as B ', and may be recorded in different databases or management devices according to the type and rank of the settlement card.
[0031]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, information on the member having the member card is, for example, as a member-specific master table, as shown in FIG. Are stored in the database 23 in association with the card ID together with the general members.
[0032]
Here, the conditions relating to the settlement, such as the settlement period at which the remaining value of the settlement card can be settled, are set according to the type of card, such as a member card or a general card, as shown in an example of a settlement period setting screen in FIG. To determine each.
[0033]
The management apparatus according to the present invention records the residual value in the database in association with the card ID when receiving the residual value information, and transmits the card ID when receiving the card ID that satisfies the settlement conditions such as the settlement period. The remaining value information is transmitted to the medal lending machine or the payment machine.
[0034]
FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram showing the structure of the checkout machine. As shown in FIG. 7, the checkout machine 30 has a card insertion slot 31-1 for inserting a checkout card, and a card reader for reading information on the inserted card. 31-2, a display unit 32 for displaying the remaining value of the settlement card inserted into the card reader and the amount to be paid out, a money storage unit 34 in which money is stored in advance, and a money processing unit 33- for taking out money from the money storage unit. 2. A money payout port 33-1 for paying out the taken-out money, a communication interface (I / F) 35 for transmitting and receiving a card ID of a settlement card inserted into the card reader 32, residual value information indicating a residual value, and the like; A memory 36 for temporarily storing IDs, residual value information, and the like, a printer 37 for printing and outputting as necessary, and a payment controller control unit 38 for controlling the payment machine 30 are provided.
[0035]
Then, in the payment machine according to the present invention, when the payment card is inserted, the card ID is transmitted to the management device, and money is paid out based on the received residual value information.
[0036]
In the game media lending system according to the present invention, by using the above-described configuration, the payment condition is determined according to the type of the payment card, and when the payment card satisfying the payment condition is inserted into the medal lending machine, it is associated with the payment card. The medal is lent out according to the stored residual value, and when the payment card is inserted into the payment machine, money is paid out according to the residual value to perform the payment.
[0037]
Next, an example of the operation of the game medium lending method and the system thereof according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0038]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of lending medals by inserting money.
[0039]
First, when money is inserted into the medal lending machine (step 100), medals of 1,000 yen are lent (step 101), and it is determined whether there is a value (remaining value) of money for which medals have not been lent. (Step 102).
[0040]
If it is determined that there is no residual value (NO in step 102), the process is terminated, and if it is determined that there is residual value (YES in step 102), the residual value is displayed on the display unit of the medal lending machine ( Step 103).
[0041]
Here, if the player receives a medal lending instruction such as pressing the medal lending button (YES in step 104), the remaining value is subtracted, and the lending of a thousand yen worth of medals (step 101) is performed. When a payment instruction is received, such as pressing (NO in step 104), it is determined whether a payment card is inserted (step 105).
[0042]
If it is determined that the payment card has been inserted (YES in step 105), the card ID of the inserted payment card is read (step 106) and recorded in the management device in association with the read card ID. The remaining value in the database is updated (step 107), and the settlement card is discharged (step 108).
[0043]
When it is determined that the payment card has not been inserted (NO in step 105), a payment card is requested (step 109), and when the payment card is inserted (step 110), the card of the inserted payment card is inserted. The ID is read (step 106), the database of the management device is updated in association with the read card ID (step 107), and the settlement card is discharged (step 108).
[0044]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game medium lending system when the database is updated according to the settlement instruction and the settlement card is discharged in FIG.
[0045]
First, when the player receives a payment instruction in the medal lending machine 10 such as pressing a payment button (step 200), the card ID of the payment card is read (step 201), and the read card ID and residual value information are stored in the management device 20. (Step 202).
[0046]
Then, the management device 20 updates the remaining value of the database recorded in association with the received card ID (step 203), and transmits an instruction to discharge the settlement card to the medal lending machine 10 (step 204).
[0047]
The medal lending machine 10 that has received the payment card discharging instruction discharges the inserted payment card (step 205).
[0048]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of medal lending using a settlement card.
[0049]
First, when the payment card is inserted into the medal lending machine (step 300), the card ID of the inserted payment card is read (step 301), and the remaining value recorded in association with the read card ID is recorded by the management device. Inquiry (step 302), the received residual value information is displayed on the display unit of the medal lending machine (step 303).
[0050]
Then, it is determined whether or not there is a residual value (whether it is "0 yen") (step 304), and if it is determined that there is a residual value (YES in step 304), the process waits for a medal lending instruction (step 305). When the player receives a medal lending instruction, such as pressing the medal lending button (YES in step 305), the lending of medals of 1,000 yen is performed (step 306), and a new value obtained by subtracting the remaining value of 1,000 yen from the remaining value is obtained. The remaining value is displayed on the display unit (Step 303).
[0051]
On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no residual value (NO in step 304), it is determined whether or not money has been inserted (step 307). If it is determined that money has been inserted (YES in step 307), a medal lending instruction is issued. Waiting (step 305), receiving a medal lending instruction (YES in step 305), lending medals for 1,000 yen (step 306), and displaying the residual value obtained by subtracting the value of 1,000 yen from the inserted money. (Step 303).
[0052]
Here, when a payment instruction is received (NO in step 305), for example, when the player presses a payment button instead of a medal lending instruction (NO in step 305), the payment is recorded in the management device in association with the card ID of the inserted payment card. The remaining value of the stored database is updated (step 308), and the settlement card is discharged (step 309).
[0053]
In addition, when a payment instruction is received (eg, NO in step 307), such as a player pressing a payment button instead of inserting money, the information is recorded in the management device in association with the card ID of the inserted payment card. The remaining value in the database is updated (step 308), and the settlement card is discharged (step 309).
[0054]
FIG. 11 shows the operation of the gaming medium lending system when referring to the residual value stored in the database in association with the card ID of the payment card in FIG. 10 and displaying the residual value on the display unit of the medal lending machine. It is a flowchart.
[0055]
First, when a payment card is inserted into the medal lending machine 10 (step 400), the card ID of the inserted payment card is read (step 401), and the read card ID is transmitted to the management device 20 (step 402).
[0056]
The management device 20 inquires the residual value recorded in the database in association with the card ID (step 403), and determines whether the settlement deadline of the inquired residual value has passed (step 404).
[0057]
When the settlement deadline has not passed, the queried residual value is determined as residual value information, and when the settlement deadline has passed, it is determined that there is no residual value as residual value information (step 405), the remaining value information is transmitted to the medal lending machine 10 (step 406).
[0058]
It should be noted that the information transmitted from the management device 20 to the medal lending machine 10 when the settlement period has elapsed is not only information indicating that there is no residual value, but also information indicating that the settlement period has elapsed. It is also possible to send information indicating that it is not possible.
[0059]
The medal lending machine 10 that has received the residual value information displays the received residual value information on the display unit (Step 407). Note that when information indicating that "payment cannot be performed because the payment deadline has passed" is received, a message having the content may be displayed.
[0060]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the settlement.
[0061]
First, when the payment card is inserted into the payment machine (step 500), the card ID of the inserted payment card is read (step 501), and the remaining value recorded in association with the read card ID is checked by the management device. (Step 502), and it is determined whether the settlement deadline for the residual value has passed (Step 503).
[0062]
When it is determined that the residual value has not passed (NO in step 503), the residual value is displayed on the display unit of the checkout machine (step 504), money is paid out (step 505), and the residual value in the database is determined. Update (step 506).
[0063]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the residual value has passed (YES in step 503), the fact that there is no residual value or the residual value “0” is displayed on the display unit of the checkout machine (step 507), and the residual value of the database is displayed. Update (step 506).
[0064]
Here, it is determined whether or not the payment card is a member card for accumulating privilege points or registering a member (step 508), and when it is determined that the payment card is a member card (step 508 YES), the payment card (member card) is displayed. The card is ejected (step 509), and if it is determined that the card is not a member card (step 508 NO), the settlement card (general card) is collected (step 510).
[0065]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game medium lending system when the settlement is performed based on the residual value in FIG.
[0066]
First, when a payment card is inserted into the payment machine 30 (step 600), the card ID of the inserted payment card is read (step 601), and the read card ID is transmitted to the management device 20 (step 602).
[0067]
The management device 20 inquires the residual value recorded in the database in association with the card ID (step 603), and determines whether the settlement period of the inquired residual value has passed (step 604).
[0068]
When the settlement deadline has not passed, the queried residual value is determined as residual value information, and when the settlement deadline has passed, it is determined that there is no residual value as residual value information (step 605), the residual value information is transmitted to the payment machine 30 (step 606).
[0069]
The payment machine 30 that has received the residual value information displays the received residual value information on the display unit (step 607), pays out the amount of money corresponding to the residual value (step 608), and sets the residual value to “0”. Is transmitted to the management device 20 (step 609).
[0070]
The management device 20 updates the database (step 610), and transmits an instruction to discharge or collect the payment card to the payment machine 30 (step 611). The payment machine performs the payment according to the type of the payment card. The card is discharged or collected (step 612).
[0071]
In the present embodiment, medals for 1,000 yen are lent at once, but the amount of medals to be lent at one time is not limited to this amount, and medals may be lent for every arbitrary amount. Good.
[0072]
Further, the gaming medium lending machine is not limited to the medal lending machine, and a lending machine that lends other gaming media, such as a pachinko ball lending machine that lends a pachinko ball, may be used.
[0073]
In addition, information such as privilege points and member ranks may be recorded on a checkout card (membership card) instead of a database, and where general players can only make payments on the day, members can use member benefits. For example, if the member pays out or rents out the game media using advantageous conditions compared to ordinary gamers, such as when paying out the next day, a certain amount of privilege points may be reduced. .
[0074]
In addition, in the present embodiment, the settlement term is used as the settlement term, but the settlement condition is not limited to the settlement term alone.
[0075]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the payment conditions such as the payment deadline can be changed according to the type and rank of the payment card, so that members can be given preferential treatment compared to ordinary players. The advantage of doing so can be generated.
[0076]
In addition, since troubles due to the expiration of the settlement deadline occur when returning to the store, by setting a longer settlement deadline for members who are expected to return, the cost of maintaining and managing the system will increase and the settlement process will be delayed. And the occurrence of trouble due to the expiration of the settlement deadline can be suppressed.
[0077]
Further, since it is possible to prevent a player from leaving the store due to the occurrence of such a trouble, it is possible to promote the enclosure of fixed customers expected to return to the store.
[0078]
By the way, in the above embodiment, the upper limit of the amount of money that can be deposited is not set, but the upper limit of the amount of money that can be deposited is limited according to the type of payment card (general card, member card, etc.) and rank. Hereinafter, an example of the game medium lending method and the operation of the system when the amount of money that can be deposited is limited will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0079]
FIG. 14 shows an example of the setting of the deposit limit. 10,000 yen for non-member general players (when a checkout card is not inserted or when a general card is inserted), 1 yen for ordinary members (when a member card of rank "general" is inserted) It is set at 5,000 yen for a VIP member (when a membership card with a rank of “VIP” is inserted).
[0080]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow when accepting insertion of money in the medal lending machine.
[0081]
First, when money is inserted into the medal lending machine (Step 700), it is determined whether a payment card is inserted (Step 701), and it is determined that a payment card is inserted (YES in Step 701). The card ID of the inserted payment card is read (step 702), and the amount of money that can be deposited set in accordance with the residual value and the type and rank of the payment card recorded in association with the read card ID. The management apparatus queries the (limit amount) (step 703) and determines the limit amount (step 704).
[0082]
If it is determined that the payment card has not been inserted (NO in step 701), a display requesting insertion of the payment card is displayed (step 705), and it is determined that the payment card has been inserted (YES in step 706). The card ID of the inserted payment card is read (step 702), the remaining value and the limit are checked by the management device (step 703), and the limit is determined (step 704).
[0083]
Here, if the payment card is not inserted, a display requesting insertion of the payment card is performed (step 705), but it is determined that the payment card is not inserted, such as pressing the medal lending button (NO in step 706). A limit is determined as the limit when no settlement card is inserted (step 704).
[0084]
Then, it is determined whether the deposit amount, which is the sum of the residual value and the inserted money amount, exceeds the limit amount (step 707), and it is determined that the deposit amount does not exceed the limit amount (YES in step 707). The deposit amount is displayed on the display unit of the medal lending device (step 708), and if it is determined that the limit has been exceeded (NO in step 707), the inserted money is paid out (step 709).
[0085]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game medium lending system when determining the limit from the card ID of the payment card in FIG.
[0086]
First, when a payment card is inserted into the medal lending machine 10 (step 800), the card ID of the inserted payment card is read (step 801), and the read card ID is transmitted to the management device 20 (step 802).
[0087]
The management device 20 inquires the residual value recorded in the database in association with the card ID (step 803), determines whether the settlement date of the inquired residual value has passed (step 804), and determines the residual value. (Step 805).
[0088]
Further, the limit is determined from the type and rank of the settlement card (step 806), and the remaining value and the limit are transmitted to the medal lending machine 10 (step 807).
[0089]
Then, the medal lending machine 10 determines the amount of money that can be accepted from the residual value and the limit (step 808). Specifically, the difference amount obtained by subtracting the residual value from the limit amount is set as the upper limit amount of money that can be accepted.
[0090]
In the present embodiment, when the settlement card is not inserted, the currency inserted within a predetermined limit amount in the medal lending machine is accepted, but the specific card ID is transmitted to the management device, The limit value may be determined by receiving information of the residual value “0” and the limit amount of n yen (n: any amount) from the management device.
[0091]
In addition, unless there is a payment instruction such as pressing a payment button installed on the medal lending machine, the remaining value received from the management device, the limit amount, the amount of money inserted in the medal management device, the performance of game media lending, etc. Based on the above, it may be possible to determine whether or not the medal lending machine has exceeded the limit and to accept or pay out money without referring to the management device.
[0092]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the amount that can be paid is limited according to the type and rank of the payment card, and the limit for general players is reduced, so that the payment card is associated with the payment card whose payment period is short. It is possible to prevent a large residual value from being recorded, and to suppress a trouble that a large residual value cannot be settled due to the elapse of the settlement deadline.
[0093]
In addition, in the member's settlement card, by extending the settlement period compared to the settlement card for non-members (non-members), and by increasing the upper limit of the deposit amount, to promote the introduction of large amounts of money, It is possible to expect a return visit, and it is possible to promote the retention of fixed customers. Since the settlement period of all settlement cards is not lengthened, the amount of stored data does not become enormous.
[0094]
In the first and second embodiments, the settlement term is used as the settlement condition, and the settlement term is set according to the type of the settlement card. However, other conditions can be used as the settlement condition. An example of a game medium lending method in which the upper limit of the amount of money that can be settled as an adjustment condition according to the type of adjustment card and the operation of the system will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0095]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of the settlement when the upper limit of the remaining value that can be settled is determined according to the type of the settlement card.
[0096]
First, when the payment card is inserted into the payment machine (step 900), the card ID of the inserted payment card is read (step 901), and the remaining value recorded in association with the read card ID is checked by the management device. (Step 902).
[0097]
Then, it is determined whether or not the residual value exceeds the upper limit of the amount that can be settled (step 903). If it is determined that the residual value does not exceed the upper limit (NO in step 903), the residual value is determined. (Step 904), and the residual value in the database is updated (step 905).
[0098]
Here, it is determined whether or not the payment card is a membership card (step 906). If it is determined that the payment card is a membership card (step 906 YES), the payment card is discharged (step 907), and it is determined that the payment card is not a membership card (step 907). (Step 906 NO), the payment card is taken in and collected (Step 908).
[0099]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the residual value exceeds the upper limit (YES in step 903), money corresponding to the upper limit of the amount that can be settled is paid out (step 909), and the residual value obtained by subtracting the paid out amount or The fact that there is a residual value is displayed on the display unit of the payment machine (step 910), the residual value in the database is updated (step 911), and the payment card is discharged (step 907).
[0100]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the gaming medium lending system when determining the upper limit amount that can be settled from the card ID of the adjustment card in FIG.
[0101]
First, when a payment card is inserted into the payment machine 30 (step 1000), the card ID of the inserted payment card is read (step 1001), and the read card ID is transmitted to the management device 20 (step 1002).
[0102]
The management device 20 inquires the residual value recorded in the database in association with the card ID (step 1003), and determines whether the settlement period of the residual value has passed (step 1004).
[0103]
Further, the upper limit of the amount that can be settled is determined from the type and rank of the settlement card (step 1005), and the remaining value and the upper limit are transmitted to the settlement machine 30 (step 1006).
[0104]
Then, the settlement machine 30 determines the amount of money to be paid out from the residual value and the upper limit (step 1007).
[0105]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the amount that can be settled is limited according to the type and rank of the settlement card, so that the player puts money into the game media lending machine in consideration of the amount that can be settled. And the trouble that the residual value cannot be settled due to the elapse of the settlement deadline can be suppressed.
[0106]
In the above-described embodiment, as the payment card, a card of a type that is read into the medal lending machine or the payment machine to read information is adopted.However, an antenna portion is provided on the entire body, and the card is attached to the antenna portion. A non-contact type card in which information can be read by simply holding the card may be employed.
[0107]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to promote the enclosing of fixed customers while suppressing an increase in cost for maintaining and managing the system and a delay in the settlement process.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game media lending system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a medal lending machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a management device according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an adjustment master table.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a member individual master table.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a settlement period setting screen.
FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a checkout machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow in the present embodiment for lending medals by inserting money.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of the game medium lending system according to the present embodiment when a payment instruction is received by the medal lending machine.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow in the present embodiment for lending medals according to residual value;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game medium lending system according to the present embodiment when acquiring the remaining value of a settlement card with a medal lending machine.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of settlement in the present embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game medium lending system according to the present embodiment at the time of settlement based on the residual value.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of setting of a depositable limit amount.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow when a deposit amount is limited.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game medium lending system when determining the limit amount from the card ID.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow when a limit is set on a settlement amount.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game medium lending system when determining the upper limit amount that can be settled from the card ID.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... Medal rental machine
11-1 ... Money slot
11-2 ... Money processing unit
12-1 ... Card slot
12-2 ... Card reader
13 Display unit
14. Settlement button
15 ... Lending button
16-1 ... Medal rental exit
16-2 ... Medal delivery unit
17 Communication interface
18… Memory
19 ... Lending machine control unit
20: Management device
21 ... CPU
22 ... ROM
23 ... Database
24 ... Display unit
25 ... input section
26 ... Communication interface
30 ... Checkout machine
31-1 ... Card slot
31-2 ... Card reader
32 Display unit
33-1 ... Money payout exit
33-2 ... Money exit
34 ... storage section
35 ... Communication interface
36 ... Memory
37 ... Printer
38 ... Adjustment machine controller

Claims (10)

Accepting money that is valuable, lending game media, recording the residual value associated with the lending of the game media in association with an identification medium, and paying out money based on the residual value, thereby adjusting the residual value. In the game media lending method that performs
Set up payment conditions based on the information specified by the identification medium,
Determine whether the residual value recorded in association with the identification medium satisfies the settlement condition,
A game medium lending method, characterized in that when it is determined that the residual value satisfies the settlement condition, money is paid out based on the residual value. The information specified by the identification medium is a type of the identification medium,
Whether the residual value recorded in association with a specific type of the identification medium satisfies the settlement condition using an advantageous settlement condition compared to the residual value recorded in association with another type of the identification medium. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made. The identification medium is a member identification medium provided to a player who has registered as a member at a game store that rents the game medium,
The method according to claim 1, wherein the information specified by the identification medium is member information recorded in association with the member identification medium. The settlement conditions are:
4. The game medium lending method according to claim 1, wherein the settlement period is a settlement period by which the remaining value can be settled. The settlement conditions are:
4. The game medium lending method according to claim 1, wherein the upper limit amount of the remaining value that can be settled. A game media lending device that accepts money that is valuable and lends a game medium, a management device that records a residual value associated with the lending of the game medium in association with an identification medium, and receives the identification medium and receives the identification medium. In a game media lending system comprising a payment device that pays out money based on the residual value recorded in the management device in association with
Means for setting a settlement condition based on information specified by the identification medium,
Means for determining whether the residual value recorded in association with the identification medium satisfies the settlement condition,
Means for paying out money based on the residual value when it is determined that the settlement condition is satisfied. The information specified by the identification medium is a type of the identification medium,
Whether the residual value recorded in association with a specific type of the identification medium satisfies the settlement condition using an advantageous settlement condition compared to the residual value recorded in association with another type of the identification medium. 7. The game medium lending system according to claim 6, wherein a determination is made. The identification medium is a member identification medium provided to a player who has registered as a member at a game store that rents the game medium,
The information specified by the identification medium is member information recorded in association with the member identification medium,
7. The game medium lending system according to claim 6, wherein the setting of the settlement condition is performed based on member information specified by the identification medium. The settlement conditions are:
9. The game media lending system according to claim 6, wherein the expiration date is settled. The settlement conditions are:
9. The game media lending system according to claim 6, wherein the upper limit is a receivable amount.

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