JP2004313604A - Game system, method for issuing game medium lending recording medium, automatic merchandise selling method, and method for recording electronic money - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To relieve burden on both of a player and a game hall by improving a manner for managing and adjusting the thrown-in currency balance of the player, which exists in a high amount bill correspondence game medium lending system. <P>SOLUTION: A game system includes: a medal lending machine 12 for receiving currency, and lending medals E to be used for a game machine (a slot machine) 11 in response to a medal lending request; a management computer 31 for registering and managing currency balance information accompanying the lending of the medals E by the medal lending machine 12, in connection with the member card ID of a member card B exclusive for adjustment received by the medal lending machine 12; and a prepaid card issuing machine 104 for receiving the card B exclusive for adjustment, and issuing a prepaid card D, where valus to lend pachinko game balls to be used in the game machine (a pachinko game machine) 101 are recorded, in response to the balance information registered and managed by the management computer 31 in connection with the card ID. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a game system installed in a game store such as a pachinko or pachislot store, and in particular, manages and adjusts the balance of a player's input money generated in a lending system for a high-value banknote compatible game medium (medals, pachinko balls, etc.). The present invention relates to a game system, a game medium lending recording medium issuing method, a merchandise vending method, and an electronic money recording method capable of improving the form and reducing the burden on both a player and a game store.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Generally, as a gaming system, a medal lending system including a medal lending machine that accepts a player's money and lends medals to be used on a slot table in response to a medal lending request of the player is known.
[0003]
However, the medal lending machine of this general medal lending system only accepts a 1,000-yen bill as a currency to be accepted, and a player can use a currency exchange machine or the like to exchange high-value bills such as a 10,000-yen bill or a 5,000-yen bill. It was troublesome to exchange thousands of yen bills and put thousands of yen bills into the medal lending machine many times.
[0004]
Therefore, the applicant has provided a medal lending system for large bills, which is equipped with a medal lending machine capable of dealing with large bills such as 10,000-yen bills and 5,000-yen bills (see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
In this high-value bill-compatible medal lending system, a player selects a desired slot table, inserts a high-value banknote into a medal lending machine associated with the slot table, and sets, for example, 1000 A game can be played by repeatedly lending out medals in yen units as desired. As a result, the player does not need to exchange high-value banknotes with a money changing machine or the like, and does not need to perform operations of repeatedly inserting a 1,000-yen bill.
[0006]
By the way, in this high-value bill-compatible medal lending system, in the case where the game on the slot table is terminated due to reasons such as moving between cars or adjusting the balance while the balance of the high-value bill inserted by the player is present, for example, A card dedicated to settlement is set on the medal lending machine by a player or a clerk, and the settlement button is pressed.
[0007]
Then, the identification information (ID) recorded in advance on the payment card set in the medal lending machine is read. Then, the current remaining amount information is transmitted, for example, to the island controller together with the identification information read from the medal lending machine.
[0008]
Then, the identification information and the remaining amount information received by the island controller are registered as unpaid money information in association with each other. After the registration is completed, a registration completion notification is transmitted from the island controller to the corresponding medal lending machine.
[0009]
Thereafter, upon receiving the registration completion notification, the medal lending machine performs a process of returning the currently set-up payment-only card.
[0010]
As a result, the player can move to another slot table and play a game using the payment-only card for which the unpaid money has been registered, or use the payment machine installed at a predetermined location to pay the unpaid money. (Ie, cashing out).
[0011]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-245995.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-mentioned gaming system, for example, when the player puts all the cash (money) in the wallet into the medal lending machine and the balance is still available, the player wants to purchase drinks and cigarettes during the game. When a player wants to move from the slot machine of the high-value bill-compatible medal lending system to the pachinko machine of the prepaid card system, the player once associates the balance in the medal lending machine with the payment-only card by the above-described processing. It is necessary to carry out the settlement process (cashing) in, and then to put the cash (money) obtained by the settlement process into a vending machine such as juice or cigarette or a prepaid card issuing machine.
[0013]
Therefore, for the player, a very troublesome work of once performing the settlement is required, and the burden is large.
[0014]
In addition, at the time of the above-described settlement, although the money to be settled is used again in the same game store, due to the settlement process being entered in the middle, the game store side has set such a case. Assuming that the checkout machine is fully loaded with checkout reserves (checkout currency).
[0015]
For this reason, the game store must frequently perform the money replenishment operation of the checkout machine, which places a heavy burden on clerks and the like.
[0016]
In view of the above situation, the present invention can improve the balance management and settlement form of a player's inserted money generated in a high-value banknote compatible game media lending system, and can reduce the burden on both the player and the game store. It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple game system, a method of issuing a recording medium for renting a game medium, a method of automatically selling goods, and a method of recording electronic money.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 accepts money, lends a game medium to be used in a gaming machine in response to a game medium lending request, and a game medium lending means for receiving a settlement recording medium, By performing communication with the game medium lending unit, the balance information of the money accompanying the lending of the game medium by the game medium lending unit is associated with the identification information of the settlement recording medium accepted by the game medium lending unit. A management means for registering and managing the game, and accepting the settlement recording medium, and communicating with the management means to associate with the identification information of the accepted settlement recording medium and play the game in accordance with the balance information registered and managed by the management means. Issuance means for issuing a game medium lending recording medium associated with a value for lending the game medium to be used on the machine. To.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the issuing means instructs either the issuance of the game medium lending recording medium or the settlement by paying out money in accordance with the balance information, In the case where the instruction means instructs the settlement by paying out the money, the settlement means is further provided by paying out the money from the stored money in accordance with the balance information.
[0019]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the instruction unit includes a designation unit for designating a value of the game medium lending recording medium, and the issuing unit is identified by the balance information. The game medium lending recording medium associated with the value designated by the designation means within the remaining balance is issued.
[0020]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the designation means designates issuance of a game medium lending recording medium associated with a value corresponding to all balances identified by the balance information. The issuing means includes, when the full amount designation is performed by the full amount designation means, the gaming medium lending recording medium associated with a value corresponding to the entire balance identified by the balance information. Issuing is characterized.
[0021]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the issuing means records the value designated by the designation means in the balance identified by the balance information. Is issued, the counting means pays out the money according to the remaining balance after the issuance of the recording medium for renting a game medium, and the settlement is made.
[0022]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the management means associates the gaming value associated with the value designated by the designation means within the balance identified by the balance information by the issuing means. When the recording medium for renting a medium is issued, the balance remaining after the issuance of the recording medium for renting a game medium by the issuing means is communicated with the issuing means to perform registration management in association with the identification information. And
[0023]
Further, according to the invention of claim 7, in the invention of claim 1, the settlement recording medium is a member recording medium in which member information is managed in association with each other, and the management means is provided to the game medium lending means. Registering and managing the balance information of the money accompanying the lending of the game medium by the game medium lending means by communicating with the game medium lending means in association with the accepted identification information of the member recording medium, Information on the number of game media of a player registered and managed in association with the identification information of the recording medium for use, and the issuing unit is registered and managed by the management unit in association with the identification information of the recording medium for the member member. A selection to select and issue either the issuance of the recording medium for renting the game media according to the balance information or the issuance of the recording medium for renting the game medium according to the number of game media information Communication means for communicating with the management means in accordance with the selection and designation of the selection and designation means, the balance information or the game which is registered and managed by the management means in association with the identification information of the member recording medium. The game medium lending recording medium is issued according to medium number information.
[0024]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the seventh aspect, the issuing means designates a value of a recording medium for renting a game medium issued according to the balance information or rents a game medium issued according to the number information of game media. Has a withdrawal value designating means for designating any of the devaluation values of the value of the storage medium, and issuing a game medium rental recording medium associated with the value designated by the withdrawal value designation means. It is characterized by.
[0025]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the recording medium for renting a game medium cannot be issued in accordance with the balance information, the issuing means supplements the shortage with the game medium number information. When the recording medium for medium lending is issued or when the recording medium for game medium lending cannot be issued according to the number information of game media, any shortage is supplemented with the balance information to issue the recording medium for game medium lending. It is characterized by.
[0026]
The invention according to claim 10 is a game medium lending unit that accepts money, lends a game medium to be used in a gaming machine in response to a game medium lending request, and receives a settlement recording medium, and communicates with the game medium lending unit. Management means for registering and managing the money balance information associated with the lending of the game medium by the game medium lending means in association with the identification information of the settlement recording medium accepted by the game medium lending means by performing A merchandise automatic vending unit for receiving a settlement recording medium and communicating with the management unit to sell the commodity in accordance with the balance information registered and managed by the management unit in association with the received identification information of the settlement recording medium; It is characterized by having.
[0027]
The invention according to claim 11 is a game medium lending unit that accepts money, lends a game medium to be used in a gaming machine in response to a game medium lending request, and receives a settlement recording medium, and communicates with the game medium lending unit. Management means for registering and managing the money balance information associated with the lending of the game medium by the game medium lending means in association with the identification information of the settlement recording medium accepted by the game medium lending means by performing While accepting the settlement recording medium, accepting the electronic money recording medium, and communicating with the management means, the balance information registered and managed by the management means in association with the accepted identification information of the settlement recording medium. Electronic money recording means for recording the corresponding value on the accepted electronic money recording medium.
[0028]
The invention according to claim 12 is a game medium lending unit that accepts money, lends a game medium to be used in a gaming machine in response to a game medium lending request, and receives a settlement recording medium, and communicates with the game medium lending unit. Management means for registering and managing the money balance information associated with the lending of the game medium by the game medium lending means in association with the identification information of the settlement recording medium accepted by the game medium lending means by performing By receiving the settlement recording medium and communicating with the management unit, the value corresponding to the balance information registered and managed by the management unit in association with the received identification information of the settlement recording medium is received. Electronic money recording means for recording on a settlement recording medium.
[0029]
According to a thirteenth aspect, in the twelfth aspect, the settlement recording medium is a member recording medium in which member information is managed in association with each other, and the electronic money recording means further receives Receiving, from the management means, game medium number information of a player registered and managed in association with the identification information of the member recording medium, and associating the value corresponding to the game medium number information with the received member recording medium; It is characterized by.
[0030]
Further, according to the invention of claim 14, the game medium lending means accepts money, lends a game medium to be used in a gaming machine in response to a game medium lending request, receives a settlement recording medium, and the management means Registering and managing the money balance information associated with the lending of the game medium by the game medium lending means in association with the identification information of the settlement medium received by the game medium lending means by communicating with the means, The issuing unit receives the settlement recording medium, and communicates with the management unit to associate the settlement recording medium with the identification information of the accepted settlement recording medium and use the medium in accordance with the balance information registered and managed by the management unit. It is characterized by issuing a game medium lending recording medium in which a value for lending the game medium is associated.
[0031]
Further, according to the invention of claim 15, the game medium lending means accepts money, lends a game medium to be used in the gaming machine in response to the game medium lending request, receives a settlement recording medium, and the management means lends the game medium lending. Registering and managing the money balance information associated with the lending of the game medium by the game medium lending means in association with the identification information of the settlement medium received by the game medium lending means by communicating with the means, The vending means receives the settlement recording medium and communicates with the management means to sell the product according to the balance information registered and managed by the management means in association with the identification information of the accepted settlement recording medium. It is characterized by the following.
[0032]
Further, according to the invention of claim 16, the game medium lending means accepts money, lends a game medium to be used in the gaming machine in response to the game medium lending request, receives a settlement recording medium, and the management means lends the game medium lending. Registering and managing the money balance information associated with the lending of the game medium by the game medium lending means in association with the identification information of the settlement medium received by the game medium lending means by communicating with the means, The electronic money recording means accepts the recording medium for settlement, accepts the electronic money recording medium, and communicates with the management means to register and manage the registration medium in association with the identification information of the accepted settlement recording medium. The present invention is characterized in that a valuable value corresponding to the outstanding balance information is associated with the received electronic money recording medium.
[0033]
Further, according to the invention of claim 17, the game medium lending means accepts money, lends a game medium to be used in a gaming machine in response to a game medium lending request, receives a settlement recording medium, and the management means Registering and managing the money balance information associated with the lending of the game medium by the game medium lending means in association with the identification information of the settlement medium received by the game medium lending means by communicating with the means, The electronic money recording means receives the settlement recording medium, and communicates with the management means to associate the payment medium with the identification information of the accepted settlement recording medium, thereby obtaining a value corresponding to the balance information registered and managed by the management means. It is characterized in that the value is associated with the accepted recording medium for settlement.
[0034]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0035]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a game system to which the present invention is applied.
[0036]
In FIG. 1, the amusement store mainly comprises a game hall, an office, and a prize exchange.
[0037]
A game hall is a place where players play games such as pachinko and slots. Then, a plurality of gaming islands (in this embodiment, gaming island 1 and gaming island 2) are installed in this gaming arcade.
[0038]
The gaming island 1 includes a plurality of gaming units 100, an island controller 103, a prepaid card issuing machine 104, and a counter 105. Note that the game island 1 system is called a prepaid card game system.
[0039]
Here, each gaming unit 100 includes a gaming machine 101 such as a pachinko machine, and a pachinko ball lending processor 102 for renting pachinko balls. The player plays a game by selecting one desired unit from the gaming units 100.
[0040]
In addition, the island controller 103, for example, manages game data and the like of each game unit 100 on its own island via a LAN (local area network) or the like, and manages the computer (terminal controller: T / C) 31 installed in an office to be described later. Transfer control. In addition, it transfers and controls various data from the management computer 31 to each gaming unit 100.
[0041]
In addition, the prepaid card issuing machine 104 has a prepaid card D associated with a valuable value for the player to lend a pachinko ball in the above-mentioned betting ball lending processing machine 102 according to the money inserted by the player. Issue. In the present embodiment, in particular, a card issuing child machine 1040 is adjacent to the prepaid card issuing machine 104, and a member card with a settlement function or a settlement which is accepted by a medal lending machine of a game medium lending system for a large bill on the game island 2 described later. After accepting the balance information of the player's inserted money in the management computer 31 in association with the dedicated card, accepting the member card with the settlement function or the card for the settlement, and communicating with the management computer, the member card or the card for the settlement Issue and settle a prepaid card in accordance with the balance information registered and managed.
[0042]
Further, the counter 105 counts the total number of pachinko balls to be awarded balls acquired by the player at the gaming machine 101, and issues a count receipt in which the total number and the like are printed.
[0043]
In the prepaid card game system of the game island 1 according to this embodiment, the above-mentioned betting and lending machine 102 has a replay function. That is, by reading card information of a membership card (including a membership card (A) with a settlement function described later in this embodiment) possessed by the player, communication with a management computer 31 described below is performed, On the basis of the ball storage information recorded in association with the member card (that is, the ball storage number information in which the number of pachinko balls obtained by the player for the replay or the like by the game is deposited and managed at the game store). The pachinko ball withdrawal process is controlled within the number of stored balls according to the player's instruction.
[0044]
The gaming island 2 includes a plurality of gaming units 10, an island controller 13, a checkout machine 14, and a counter 15. The system of the game island 2 is referred to as a high-value banknote compatible game medium lending system.
[0045]
Each gaming unit 10 includes a gaming machine 11 such as a slot table and a medal lending machine 12 for lending medals corresponding to large bills. The player plays a game by selecting one desired unit from the gaming units 10.
[0046]
In addition, the island controller 13 transmits, for example, game data and the like of each of the game units 10 on the own island via a LAN (local area network) or the like to a management computer (terminal controller: T / C) 31 installed in an office to be described later. Transfer control. In addition, it controls transfer of various data from the management computer 31 to each gaming unit 10. In the present embodiment, the island controller 13 relay-controls the membership card ID and balance information of the player from the medal lending machine 12 of each gaming unit 10 to the management computer 31 and performs backup storage processing.
[0047]
In addition, the payment machine 14 obtains, from the management computer 31, balance information of the player associated with the member card A with a payment function or the payment card B owned by the player from the management computer 31, and pays out predetermined cash to the player. .
[0048]
Further, the counter 15 counts the total number of medals to be awarded medals obtained by the player at the gaming machine 11, and issues a count receipt in which the total number is printed.
[0049]
The office is a place for monitoring and managing the inside of the game store. In this office, a management computer 31 is installed. The management computer 31 receives game data of the game units 100 and 10 installed on each island via the above-described island controller 103 and the island controller 13 and various data related to the settlement processing from the settlement machine 14. , And manages the gaming states of the gaming units 100 and 10. In addition, the management computer 31 communicates member information such as a member card ID and the number of drawn out balls with the between-behind ball lending processor 102 of the gaming unit 100 installed on the gaming island 1 via the above-mentioned island controller 103. The replay information is transmitted and received, and the database Y relating to the settlement money is constructed based on the member card ID received from the medal lending machine 12 installed on the gaming island 2 via the island controller 13.
[0050]
The prize exchange is a place where various prizes are exchanged. In the prize exchange, a prize management terminal 21, a member registration machine 22, a vending machine 23, an electronic money deposit machine 24, and the like are installed. Here, the prize management terminal 21 includes a hand scanner or the like for reading the count value recorded on the count receipt brought in by the player, and according to the count value read by the hand scanner, a prize desired by the player is provided. A terminal that manages information on the exchanged premium when exchanged. The member registration machine 22 is a terminal that performs a member registration procedure when a player issues a membership card (such as a membership card A with a settlement function described later) necessary for receiving a membership service. The vending machine 23 is a device for automatically selling products such as juice and cigarettes. The electronic money depositing machine 24 is a device for depositing electronic money into an electronic money recording medium.
[0051]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the medal lending machine 12 shown in FIG.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 2, the medal lending machine 12 includes a control unit 121, a work memory unit 122, a card processing unit 123, a bill processing unit 124, a communication processing unit 125, an operation input processing unit 126, Display processing section 127, medal lending processing section 128, card insertion / ejection port 120-1, bill insertion slot 120-2, medal lending button 120-3, settlement button 120-4, balance display section 120 -5 and a medal ejection nozzle 120-6.
[0053]
Here, the control unit 121 is a control unit that controls the entire medal lending machine 12 as a whole, and acquires data from other component units to control the medal lending process.
[0054]
The work memory unit 122 is a memory unit that temporarily stores data used for various calculation processes under the control of the control unit 121. Specifically, for example, the current player's balance information such as the amount data of the bill identified by the bill processing unit 124 and the amount data obtained by subtracting the value corresponding to the medal E lent by the medal lending unit 128 is updated and stored. I do.
[0055]
The card processing unit 123 includes a card reader, takes in the member card A with a settlement function set in the card insertion / ejection port 120-1 by the player, and stores the card data (member card ID, etc.) of the member card A. Or read a card B dedicated to payment set in the card insertion / ejection port 120-1 by a player or a clerk, and read the card data (payment card ID) of the card B. At the same time, the card that is fetched is ejected from the card insertion / ejection port 120-1 under a predetermined condition (for example, a card that is not accepted or registration of unpaid money is completed).
[0056]
The bill processing unit 124 takes in the bills (10,000, 5,000, 2,000, and 1,000 yen) C set in the bill insertion slot 120-2 by the player, and classifies the amount of the taken bills. Is identified.
[0057]
The communication processing unit 125 performs a communication process of transmitting and receiving various data to and from the management computer 31 of the host device. Specifically, when the payment button 120-4 is pressed, the member card ID, the payment card ID, and the like read by the card processing unit 123 are stored in, for example, the current player stored in the work memory unit 122. It transmits to the management computer 31 together with the balance information, or receives and processes the uncleared money registration completion notification sent from the management computer 31. The communication processing unit 125 communicates with each other using address information and the like that can be specified by the management computer 31.
[0058]
The operation input processing unit 126 inputs an operation signal when the player presses the medal lending button 120-3 or the settlement button 120-4, and detects the pressing operation.
[0059]
The display processing unit 127 displays the current balance information (for example, character information such as 6000 yen) to the player on the balance display unit 120-5.
[0060]
The medal lending processing unit 128 has a medal storage unit 128a for storing a plurality of (for example, 4,000) medals E supplied by a clerk or the like, and plays the medals E stored in the medal storage unit 128a. A predetermined number of coins are discharged to the medal lending medal discharging nozzle 120-6 in response to the pressing operation of the medal lending button 120-3 by the user. Thereby, for example, the game is thrown out to the medal tray of the gaming machine (slot base) 11 associated with the medal lending machine 12.
[0061]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the management computer 31 shown in FIG.
[0062]
As shown in FIG. 3, the management computer 31 includes a control unit 311, a display processing unit 312, an operation processing unit 313, a storage medium read / write unit 314, a work memory unit 315, and a storage device (HDD). 316, a first communication processing unit 317, a display unit 31-1, a keyboard 31-2, a mouse 31-3, and a printer 31-4.
[0063]
Here, the control unit (CPU) 311 is a control unit that controls the entire management computer as a whole, and acquires data from other component units and performs various management controls. In particular, in the present embodiment, management and control of the database Y for registering information on unpaid money is performed.
[0064]
The display processing unit 312 displays various information on the display unit 31-1. Specifically, a settlement status list or the like is displayed by the operation of the clerk.
[0065]
The operation processing unit 313 performs input processing of an operation signal of an operator such as a keyboard 31-2 and a mouse 31-3. Specifically, when displaying the above-mentioned settlement status list, a salesclerk or the like uses it for operation.
[0066]
The storage medium read / write unit 314 performs a process of reading data from a storage medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD, or a DVD (not shown) or a process of writing data to each of the storage media. For example, it is used when the above-mentioned settlement status list is stored in a storage medium or the like.
[0067]
The working memory unit 315 is a memory unit that temporarily stores data used for various calculation processes under the control of the control unit 121. In the present embodiment, for example, data on unpaid money received from the medal lending machine 12 or the cashier 14 is stored.
[0068]
The storage device (HDD) 317 is a storage unit such as a hard disk that stores and holds various processing programs and holds various registration information. In this embodiment, the settlement status data relating to the unsettled money for each member and non-member is stored and held as a database Y in association with the member card A with a settlement function or the card B for settlement. Specifically, it stores and holds a database Y as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the database Y has a settlement information database Y-1 and a member information database Y-2. Then, the settlement information database Y-1 associates the member card ID of the member card A with the settlement function and the card ID of the settlement card B with the settlement card, and indicates whether the settlement has been completed or not yet. / Management information, settlement amount information indicating the settlement amount, unbalanced balance information indicating the remaining unpaid balance that has not been settled, and settlement date and time information indicating the date and time of settlement. I do. In addition, the member information database Y-2 shows the name information indicating the name of the member registrant, the address information indicating the address of the member registrant, and the number of coins stored in association with the member card ID of the member card A with a settlement function. Registered and managed information on the number of stored balls and last visit date information indicating the last visit date.
[0069]
The first communication processing unit 317 performs data communication processing with the medal lending machine 12, the card issuing slave unit 1040, or the payment machine 14. In particular, in the present embodiment, the member card A with the settlement function or the membership card A with the settlement function is exchanged with the medal lending machine 12, the prepaid card issuing slave unit 1040, or the settlement machine 14 (also, a vending slave unit 2300 or a depositing slave unit 2400 described later). It transmits and receives various data (member card ID, settlement card ID, balance inquiry request, notice of completion of bill dispensing, etc.) relating to unpaid money registered in association with the card B dedicated to settlement. Note that the first communication processing unit 317 uses address information or the like that can specify the medal lending machine 12, the prepaid card issuing machine 104, or the payment machine 14 (also, a vending slave unit 2300 or a depositing slave unit 2400 described later). Communicate with each other.
[0070]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the prepaid card issuing machine 104 and the card issuing machine 1040 shown in FIG.
[0071]
As shown in FIG. 4, the prepaid card issuing machine 104 includes a control unit 104-1, a communication processing unit 104-2, a working memory unit 104-3, a display processing unit 104-4, and an operation input processing unit 104. -5, a bill processing unit 104-6, a prepaid card issuance processing unit 104-7, a display unit 104-8, an operation unit 104-9, a bill insertion slot 104-10, and a bill ejection slot 104-11. And a prepaid card issuing port 104-12.
[0072]
Here, the control unit 104-1 is a control unit that controls the whole of the prepaid card issuing machine 14 as a whole, and acquires data from other components to control the prepaid card issuing process. In particular, in the present embodiment, control for issuing a prepaid card in accordance with balance information registered in the management computer 31 or information on the number of game media such as coins and medals stored in the management computer 31 in association with the member card A with a settlement function and the card B for settlement is performed. At the same time, it controls the settlement process by paying out money in accordance with the balance information.
[0073]
The communication processing unit 104-2 has a communication interface with a card issuer 1040 described later. Specifically, in this embodiment, the card issuing slave unit 1040 receives the instruction information of the player, the card issuing slave unit 1040 receives the balance information and the number of coins received from the management computer 31, and vice versa. Deliver the amount information of the prepaid card or transfer the adjusted amount information.
[0074]
The work memory unit 104-3 is a memory unit that temporarily stores data used for various calculation processes under the control of the control unit 104-1. Specifically, for example, the balance information and the number-of-saved-balls information received from the communication processing unit 104-2 are temporarily stored.
[0075]
The display processing unit 104-4 performs a process of displaying various information on the display unit 104-8. In particular, in the present embodiment, information for prompting the player to issue or pay a prepaid card is displayed.
[0076]
The operation input processing unit 104-5 performs input processing of each button press detection signal of the player on the operation unit 104-9. In particular, in this embodiment, a press detection signal of a prepaid card issuance button (a plurality of buttons are provided for each type of money: for example, 10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, 3,000 yen, 1,000 yen, etc.), and a press detection of a settlement button Input processing of the signal.
[0077]
The bill processing unit 104-6 discriminates the type of the amount of money from the player inserted from the bill insertion slot 104-10, and outputs a plurality of bills (especially 1,000-yen bills) supplied by a clerk or the like. It has a bill storage unit 104-6a to be stored, and is registered in the management computer 31 in association with the membership card A or the payment card B possessed by the player when the above-mentioned payment button is pressed by the player. The money corresponding to the balance information and the information on the number of stored coins is taken out from the bill storage unit 104-6a and discharged from the bill outlet 104-11.
[0078]
The prepaid card issuance processing unit 104-7 has a prepaid card storage unit 104-7a for storing a plurality of prepaid cards supplied by a clerk or the like, and the player has pressed the prepaid card issuance button. In this case, the prepaid card taken out from the prepaid card storage section 104-7a according to the balance information and the number of coins stored in the management computer 31 in association with the member card A with the settlement function possessed by the player has a predetermined value. Ejected from the prepaid card issuing port 104-12 in association with the value, or taken out from the prepaid card storage section 104-7a in accordance with the balance information registered in the management computer 31 in association with the card B dedicated to settlement. Prepaid card by recording a predetermined value on the prepaid card The discharge process from the line opening 104-12.
[0079]
As shown in FIG. 4, the card issuing slave device 1040 includes a control unit 1041, a first communication processing unit 1042, a card processing unit 1043, a display / operation input processing unit 1044, and a second communication processing unit. 1045.
[0080]
Here, the control unit 1041 is a control unit that controls the entire card issuing slave unit 1040 as a whole. The control unit 1041 obtains data from other component units and issues a prepaid card or generates money in the prepaid card issuing unit 104. Control payment by payout.
[0081]
The first communication processing unit 1042 has a communication interface with the management computer 31. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the card ID of the player's membership card A or the payment card B read by the card processing unit 1043 described later is transmitted to the management computer 31 or the management computer 31 is transmitted in response to the transmission. Receives the balance information and the number of stored coins information registered and managed in association with the transmitted card ID. The first communication processing unit 1042 communicates with each other using address information and the like that can be specified by the management computer 31.
[0082]
The card processing unit 1043 includes a card reader, takes in the member card A with the settlement function set in the card insertion / ejection port 1040-1 by the player, and stores the card data of the member card A [member card ID (identification). Information)], or a special card B set in the card insertion / ejection port 1040-1 by a player or a store clerk is taken into the card B, and the card data [payment card ID (identification) Information)], and inserts the member card A taken in under a predetermined condition (for example, when the cash payment is completed and a database update completion notification is received from the management computer). Discharge processing starts from 1. Note that the card processing unit 1043 includes a card storage unit 1043a, and when the card inserted from the card insertion / ejection port 140-1 has settled the entire balance with the card B dedicated to settlement, the cash payout is completed. When a database update completion notification is received from the management computer, the payment-dedicated card B is stored in the card storage unit 1043a. Note that a magnetic card, an IC card, or the like can be applied as the member card A with a settlement function and the card B dedicated to settlement.
[0083]
The display / operation input processing unit 1044 employs an interface with the display / operation unit 1040-2. Specifically, information indicating a debit method to the player on the display / operation unit 1040-2, whether the remaining balance when a prepaid card is issued is settled, or registered and managed in association with the card And information for prompting the player to make a selection is input and the player's selection operation based on the display is input.
[0084]
The second communication processing unit 1045 has a communication interface with the prepaid card issuing machine 104. More specifically, the balance information and the number-of-ball-stored information received by the first communication processing unit 1042 are transmitted to the prepaid card issuing machine 104, and issuance transferred from the communication processing unit 104-2 of the prepaid card issuing machine 104. The received money amount information of the prepaid card and the paid money amount information are received and processed.
[0085]
Next, a description will be given of the balance management processing operation according to the present invention with the above configuration.
[0086]
First, the balance management processing operation (A) performed by the payment-only card B when the prepaid card issuance and payment is performed by the prepaid card issuing machine 104 using the payment-only card B will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0087]
It should be noted that in the balance management processing operation (A) using the payment-only card, a case where a prepaid card for the entire unpaid amount is first issued and settled will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0088]
That is, when a player inserts a large bill into a medal lending machine corresponding to a large bill and performs a game, and thereafter, the player throws all the cash (money) in the wallet into the medal lending machine and the balance is still present. If you want to buy drinks and cigarettes during the game, or if you want to move from the slot machine of the high-value bill compatible medal lending system to the pachinko machine of the prepaid card system, the player will be associated with the payment card B Of the process of registering the balance information of the inserted bill into the management computer [registration flow (I)], and the unpaid money by the prepaid card issuing machine 104 using the card B dedicated to the settlement after the balance information is registered. A flow of processing for issuing a prepaid card for the entire amount [prepaid card issuance flow (II)], and a prepayment using the card B dedicated to settlement after the balance information is registered. Process Flow [checkout flow (III)] is described in the case where the settlement of the unsettled gold full minute in Dokado issuing machine 104.
[0089]
In FIG. 5, the registration flow (I) will be described first.
[0090]
First, a player selects a desired gaming machine (slot base) 11. Then, a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 120-2 of the medal lending machine 12 associated with the selected gaming machine 11 (S101). The bill to be inserted may be a 10,000-yen bill, a 5,000-yen bill, a 2,000-yen bill, or a 1,000-yen bill. In this case, it is assumed that the player has inserted a 10,000-yen bill.
[0091]
After that, the player presses a medal lending button 120-3 provided on the medal lending machine 12 and a plurality of medals (for example, 1000) corresponding to a predetermined amount of money (for example, 1000 yen for one press). (50 yen), and the gaming machine 11 plays the game. Note that the player can repeatedly perform the medal lending operation by pressing the above button as desired until the game is over, and can additionally insert bills.
[0092]
Then, the player wants to end the game in a state where there is a balance (in this case, the balance is 6,000 yen) and perform a settlement, or to play a game with the current gaming machine in a state where there is a balance. If you want to move to another gaming machine after finishing, or the player puts all the cash (money) in the wallet into the medal lending machine and drinks and cigarettes during the game with the balance remaining When the player wants to purchase or wants to move from the slot stand of the large bill accepting medal lending system to the pachinko stand of the prepaid card system, the player can use the card insertion / ejection port 120-1 provided in the medal lending machine 12. Then, the user inserts the card B dedicated to settlement into account (S102), and presses the settlement button 120-4 (S103).
[0093]
Then, when the medal lending machine 12 detects the pressing operation of the settlement button 120-4 by the operation input processing unit 126, the card ID of the settlement-only card B inserted into the card insertion / ejection port 120-1 is changed to the card processing unit 123. Read with. Then, the balance information (for example, “6,000 yen”) of the current player together with the read card ID (for example, “100001”) is transmitted to the management computer 31 using the communication processing unit 125 (S104). .
[0094]
On the other hand, the management computer 31 receives the card ID transmitted from the medal lending machine 12 by the first communication processing unit 319, and stores the card ID in the database Y regarding the settlement information held in a predetermined area of the storage device (HDD) 317. A registration update process is performed (S105). Specifically, based on the received card ID (for example, “100001”), the process of updating the unpaid balance information (for example, the unpaid amount increases by 6000 yen) of the settlement information database Y-1 in the database Y I do. In this case, when the payment processing is performed for the first time, a new payment information item of the card ID (“100001”) is created and registered in the payment information database Y-1. In this case, the item data of the last visit date corresponding to the card ID ("100001") of the member information database Y-2 is updated.
[0095]
Then, when the update process is completed, the management computer 31 transmits a database update completion notification notifying that the database update has been completed to the corresponding medal lending machine 12 (S106).
[0096]
On the other hand, when the medal lending machine 12 receives the database update completion notification, the medal lending machine 12 performs a process of discharging the payment-only card B currently inserted by the card processing unit 123 (S107). That is, the payment-only card B for which the registration of the unpaid money has been completed is returned.
[0097]
Through the above processing, the player can register the balance information in association with the payment card B owned by the player.
[0098]
Next, the prepaid card issuance flow (II) will be described with reference to FIG.
[0099]
First, the player places the payment-only card B, for which the unpaid money (in this case, 6,000 yen) has been registered, in accordance with the above-described registration flow (I) into a card issuer which is installed close to the prepaid card issuance machine 104. The card is inserted into the card insertion / ejection port 1040-1 provided in the machine 1040 (S201).
[0100]
Then, under the control of the control unit 1041, the card issuer 1040 reads the card ID of the card B dedicated to settlement inserted by the card processing unit 1043. Then, a balance inquiry request signal is transmitted to the management computer 31 together with the card ID (for example, “100001”) read using the first communication processing unit 1042 (S202).
[0101]
On the other hand, when the management computer 31 receives the balance inquiry request signal transmitted from the card issuing slave unit 1040 in the first communication processing unit 317, the management computer 31 also determines a predetermined area of the storage device (HDD) 316 based on the received card ID. The database Y stored in the database Y is checked, and unbalanced balance information (eg, “6,000 yen”) registered and managed in association with the card ID (eg, “100001”) is searched. Then, the unpaid balance information (for example, “6,000 yen”) is notified to the corresponding card issuer 1040 using the first communication processing unit 317 (S203).
[0102]
On the other hand, when the card issuing slave unit 1040 receives the unbalanced balance information transmitted from the management computer 31 in the first communication processing unit 1042, the received unbalanced balance information (for example, “6,000 yen”). )) To the second communication processing unit 1045, and the second communication processing unit 1045 transfers the unpaid balance information to the prepaid card issuing machine 104 (S204). At this time, the card issuer 1040 uses the display / operation unit 1040-2 to display the amount information (for example, unpaid money: 6,000 yen) based on the unpaid balance information received.
[0103]
Then, in the prepaid card issuing machine 104, the money amount information (for example, unpaid money: 6,000 yen, etc.) based on the settlement balance information received using the display unit 104-8, and either the prepaid card issue button or the settlement button (For example, "Press either the prepaid card issue button or the settlement button") is displayed. Since the flow is a prepaid card issuance flow here, it is assumed that the operation input processing unit 104-5 detects a pressing operation of the full amount button included in the prepaid card issuance button of the operation unit 104-9 by the player (S205). Then, the prepaid card issuance processing unit 104-7 associates the prepaid card D stored in the prepaid card storage unit 104-7a with the valuable value (6,000 yen) corresponding to the unpaid balance information received and stores the prepaid card issuing port. The prepaid card D is issued from 104-12 (S206). After the prepaid card is issued, the display unit 104-8 displays the unpaid money absence information (for example, “unpaid money: 0 yen”).
[0104]
After that, the prepaid card issuing machine 104 uses the communication processing unit 104-2 to transfer an issuance completion notification signal for notifying that the issuance of the prepaid card has been completed to the card issuing slave unit 1040 (S207).
[0105]
On the other hand, in the card issuing sub-unit 1040, when the issuance completion notification signal is received by the second communication processing unit 1045, it is notified that the issuance of the prepaid card corresponding to the unpaid money has been completed using the first communication processing unit 1042. An issuance completion notification signal to be notified is transmitted to the management computer 31 together with the card ID ("100001" in this example) (S208). At this time, the display / operation unit 1040-2 is used to display unpaid money absence information (for example, “unpaid money: 0 yen”).
[0106]
Then, when the management computer 31 receives the issuance completion notification signal transmitted from the card issuing slave unit 1040 in the first communication processing unit 317, the management computer 31 stores the HDD in the storage device (HDD) 316 based on the corresponding card ID (“100001”). The database Y stored in the predetermined area is checked, and the unbalanced balance information registered and managed in association with the card ID ("100001") is updated (S209). Specifically, the update processing of the unbalanced balance information (for example, 6,000 yen) registered and managed in association with the card ID (for example, “100001”) (in this case, the prepaid amount of 6,000 yen) Since the card D was issued, the unpaid balance is set to "0 yen"), the settlement status (completed / not yet) is updated (in this case, it is settled because the settlement has been completed), and the settlement amount is updated. (In this case, it is assumed to be 6,000 yen), and the settlement date and time is updated (the date and time are updated).
[0107]
Thereafter, when the update process of the unpaid balance information is completed, the management computer 31 transmits a database update completion notification for notifying the update completion of the database Y to the corresponding card issuing slave unit 1040 using the first communication processing unit 317. (S210).
[0108]
Then, upon receiving the database update completion notification transmitted from the management computer 31 using the first communication processing unit 1042, the card issuing slave unit 1040 stores the currently inserted payment card B into the card storage unit 1043a. And collected in the apparatus (S211). That is, the card is collected as a cleared card.
[0109]
According to the above-described processing, the player registers the balance information with his or her own dedicated payment card B in the above registration flow (I) in association with the balance information, and then registers with the prepaid card issuing machine 104 using the payment dedicated card B. A prepaid card can be issued based on the balance information.
[0110]
Next, the settlement flow (III) will be described with reference to FIG.
[0111]
In FIG. 6, the processing from S301 to S304 is the same as the processing from S201 to S204 in the above-described prepaid card issuance flow (II), and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0112]
Therefore, the description will be given from S305.
[0113]
That is, the prepaid card issuing machine 104 receives balance information from the card issuing slave unit 1040, and the amount information based on the balance information received using the display unit 104-8 (for example, unpaid money: 6,000 yen, etc.). Here, when the information prompting the user to press the prepaid card issue button or the settlement button (for example, "Press either the prepaid card issue button or the settlement button") is displayed, Since the settlement is performed, if the operation input processing unit 104-5 detects that the player presses the settlement button of the operation unit 104-9 (S305), the bill processing unit 104-6 causes the bill storage unit 104-6a. The banknotes corresponding to the balance information are counted from the banknotes stored in the banknotes, and the banknotes serving as settlement money are discharged from the banknote outlet 104-11 (S306). After the bill is discharged, the display unit 104-8 uses the display unit 104-8 to display the information on the unpaid money (for example, “unpaid money: 0 yen”) and to notify the payout of the bill (for example, “pay the bill”. Please take it. ").
[0114]
Thereafter, the prepaid card issuing machine 104 uses the communication processing section 104-2 to pay out the bills and transfers a settlement completion notification signal for notifying that the settlement has been completed to the card issuing slave unit 1040 (S307).
[0115]
On the other hand, in the card issuing slave unit 1040, when the settlement completion notification signal is received by the second communication processing unit 1045, the card issuing slave unit 1040 uses the first communication processing unit 1042 to notify that the payment of the bill corresponding to the unpaid money has been completed. The settlement completion notification signal is transmitted to the management computer 31 together with the card ID (in this example, "100001") (S308). At this time, the display / operation unit 1040-2 is used to display unpaid money absence information (for example, “unpaid money: 0 yen”).
[0116]
Then, when the management computer 31 receives the settlement completion notification signal transmitted from the card issuing slave unit 1040 in the first communication processing unit 317, the management computer 31 stores the HDD in the storage device (HDD) 316 based on the corresponding card ID (“100001”). The database Y stored in the predetermined area is checked, and the unbalanced balance information registered and managed in association with the card ID ("100001") is updated (S309). Specifically, the update processing of the unpaid balance information (for example, 6,000 yen) registered and managed in association with the card ID (for example, “100001”) (in this case, the bill for 6,000 yen) Is paid out, the unbalanced balance is set to "0 yen", and the settlement status (completed / not yet) is updated (in this case, it is settled because it has been settled) and the settlement amount is updated ( In this case, 6,000 yen is used), and the settlement date is updated (the date and time are updated).
[0117]
Thereafter, when the update process of the unpaid balance information is completed, the management computer 31 transmits a database update completion notification for notifying the update completion of the database Y to the corresponding card issuing slave unit 1040 using the first communication processing unit 317. (S310).
[0118]
Then, upon receiving the database update completion notification transmitted from the management computer 31 using the first communication processing unit 1042, the card issuing slave unit 1040 stores the currently inserted payment card B into the card storage unit 1043a. And collected in the apparatus (S311). That is, the card is collected as a cleared card.
[0119]
According to the above-described processing, the player registers the balance information with his or her own dedicated payment card B in the above registration flow (I) in association with the balance information, and then registers with the prepaid card issuing machine 104 using the payment dedicated card B. The unpaid balance can be settled based on the balance information.
[0120]
Next, in the balance management processing operation (A) using the payment-only card, a prepaid card is issued using a part of the unpaid money (that is, the prepaid card associated with the value designated by the player within the unpaid money). The case of issuing (issued) and the remaining unpaid money (cash-out) or registration associated with a card dedicated to settlement will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0121]
First, a processing flow when a player issues a prepaid card using a part of the unpaid money and cashes (pays) the remaining unpaid money [Prepaid issuance and settlement flow (IV)] explain.
[0122]
In FIG. 7, in this prepaid issue and settlement flow (IV), the processing from S401 to S404 is the same as the processing from S201 to S204 in the above-described prepaid card issuance flow (II), and therefore the description thereof is omitted here. .
[0123]
Therefore, description will be made from S405.
[0124]
That is, the prepaid card issuing machine 104 receives the balance information from the card issuing slave unit 1040, and the amount information based on the settlement balance information received using the display unit 104-8 (for example, unpaid money: 6,000 yen, etc.). When the player is prompted to press one of the prepaid card issue button or the checkout button (for example, “Press either the prepaid card issue button or the checkout button.”), The player Since a prepaid card is issued by using a part of the unpaid money, for example, the player presses a button for issuing a 3,000 yen prepaid card on the operation unit 104-9 by the operation input processing unit 104-5. (S405), the prepaid card issuance processing unit 104-7 stores the prepaid card stored in the prepaid card storage unit 104-7a. Issuing a prepaid card D from the prepaid card issuing slot 104-12 associate valuable resource specified (3,000) by the player in the card D (S406). After the prepaid card is issued, the display unit 104-8 displays no settlement account information (for example, “unpaid account: 3,000 yen”) or the prepaid card issuance notification information (for example, “ The prepaid card has been issued. Please take it. "). After that, the prepaid card issuing machine 104 issues an issuance completion notification that the issuance of the prepaid card has been completed using the communication processing unit 104-2, and issues value information (3,000 yen in this case) of the issued prepaid card to the card. The data is transferred to the slave 1040 (S407).
[0125]
On the other hand, when the card issuer 1040 receives the value information and the issuance completion notification, the card issuer 1040 prepaids the unpaid account information (6,000 yen) and the value information (3,000 yen) received from the management computer 31. The remaining unpaid amount when the card is issued is calculated, and the updated unpaid amount information (in this example, “unpaid amount: 3,000 yen”) is displayed using the display / operation unit 1040-1. Information that prompts the player to either settle the remaining unsettled money or register the unsettled money in association with the card B (for example, "Do you pay the rest? Do you want to register in association with card B? ") And display the settlement button and the registration button as button display on the touch panel (S408). Here, since the balance is settled, the card issuing slave unit 1040 detects that the player has pressed the adjustment button on the touch panel of the display / operation unit 1040-1 (S409), and the second communication is performed. Using the processing unit 1045, the settlement instruction information for instructing settlement together with the remaining unpaid money information is transferred to the prepaid card issuing machine 104 (S410).
[0126]
On the other hand, in the prepaid card issuing machine 104, the remaining unpaid account information (3,000 yen in this example) is displayed using the display unit 104-8, and the bill processing unit 104-6 is used by the bill processing unit 104-6. The banknotes based on the received unpaid balance information are counted from the banknotes stored in 6a, and the banknote (3,000 yen in this case) serving as the payment is discharged from the banknote outlet 104-11 (S411). . After the bill is discharged, the display unit 104-8 uses the display unit 104-8 to display the information on the unpaid money (for example, “unpaid money: 0 yen”) and to notify the payout of the bill (for example, “pay the bill”. Please take it. ").
[0127]
After that, the prepaid card issuing machine 104 uses the communication processing unit 104-2 to pay out the bill and transfer a settlement completion notification signal notifying that the settlement is completed to the card issuing slave unit 1040 (S412).
[0128]
On the other hand, in the card issuing slave unit 1040, when the settlement completion notification signal is received by the second communication processing unit 1045, the issuance of the prepaid card corresponding to the unpaid money and the settlement are completed using the first communication processing unit 1042. Then, a payment completion notification signal for notifying the user is transmitted to the management computer 31 together with the card ID (in this example, "100001") (S413). At this time, the display / operation unit 1040-2 is used to display unpaid money absence information (for example, “unpaid money: 0 yen”).
[0129]
Then, when the management computer 31 receives the settlement completion notification signal transmitted from the card issuing slave unit 1040 in the first communication processing unit 317, the management computer 31 stores the HDD in the storage device (HDD) 316 based on the corresponding card ID (“100001”). The database Y stored in the predetermined area is checked, and the unbalanced balance information registered and managed in association with the card ID ("100001") is updated (S414). Specifically, the update processing of the unbalanced balance information (for example, 6,000 yen) registered and managed in association with the card ID (for example, “100001”) (in this case, the prepaid amount of 3,000 yen) Since the card was issued and the 3,000 yen bill was paid out, the unbalanced balance is set to "0 yen", and the settlement status (completed / uncompleted) is updated (in this case, since the balance has been cleared, the status is changed to "completed"). The processing for updating the settlement amount (in this case, 6,000 yen) and the processing for updating the settlement date and time (making the date and time updated) are performed.
[0130]
Thereafter, when the update process of the unpaid balance information is completed, the management computer 31 transmits a database update completion notification for notifying the update completion of the database Y to the corresponding card issuing slave unit 1040 using the first communication processing unit 317. (S415).
[0131]
Then, upon receiving the database update completion notification transmitted from the management computer 31 using the first communication processing unit 1042, the card issuing slave unit 1040 stores the currently inserted payment card B into the card storage unit 1043a. And collected in the apparatus (S416). That is, the card is collected as a cleared card.
[0132]
According to the above-described processing, the player registers the balance information with his or her own dedicated payment card B in the above registration flow (I) in association with the balance information, and then registers with the prepaid card issuing machine 104 using the payment dedicated card B. Based on the balance information, a prepaid card can be issued and the remaining unpaid money can be cashed.
[0133]
Next, the flow of processing when the player issues a prepaid card using a part of the unpaid money and registers the remaining unpaid money again in association with the card B dedicated for payment [Prepaid issuance and registration flow (V)] will be described with reference to FIG.
[0134]
In FIG. 8, in the prepaid issuance and registration flow (V), the processing from S501 to S508 is the same as the processing from S401 to S408 in the prepaid card issuance and settlement flow (IV) described above. Omitted. Note that, in this case as well, the case where the balance of the player is 6,000 yen and a prepaid card of 3,000 yen is issued, and the case where the balance of the remaining 3,000 yen in this case is registered will be described.
[0135]
Therefore, the description will be made from S509 onward.
[0136]
That is, when the card issuer 1040 receives the value information and the issuance completion notification from the prepaid card issuer 104, the unpaid account information (6,000 yen) and the value information (3,000 yen) received from the management computer 31. ) And the remaining unpaid amount is calculated when the prepaid card is issued, and the updated unpaid amount information is updated using the display / operation unit 1040-1 (in this example, "unpaid amount: 3,000 yen" )) And information that prompts the player to either settle the remaining unsettled money or register it in association with the adjustment card B (for example, "Do you want to settle the remainder? Do you want to register the card in association with the card B ??) and when the payment button and the registration button are displayed as buttons on the touch panel (S508). Since the rest is registered, the card issuing slave unit 1040 detects that the registration button on the touch panel of the display / operation unit 1040-1 has been pressed by the player (S509), and causes the first communication processing unit 1042 to operate. The data update request signal is transmitted to the management computer 31 together with the value information (3,000 yen) of the prepaid card issued using the card ID (in this example, "100001") (S510). At this time, a message such as "Please wait for a while" is displayed using the display / operation unit 1040-2.
[0137]
Then, when the management computer 31 receives the data update request signal transmitted from the card issuing slave unit 1040 by the first communication processing unit 317, the management computer 31 stores the data in the storage device (HDD) 316 based on the corresponding card ID (“100001”). The database Y stored in the predetermined area is checked, and the unbalanced balance information registered and managed in association with the card ID ("100001") is updated (S511). Specifically, the update processing of the unbalanced balance information (for example, 6,000 yen) registered and managed in association with the card ID (for example, “100001”) (in this case, the prepaid amount of 3,000 yen) Since the card was issued, the unpaid balance was set at "3,000 yen", the settlement amount was updated (in this case, 3,000 yen), and the settlement date and time was updated (updated). Date and time).
[0138]
Thereafter, when the update process of the unpaid balance information is completed, the management computer 31 transmits a database update completion notification for notifying the update completion of the database Y to the corresponding card issuing slave unit 1040 using the first communication processing unit 317. (S512).
[0139]
Then, upon receiving the database update completion notification transmitted from the management computer 31 using the first communication processing unit 1042, the card issuing slave unit 1040 inserts the currently inserted payment card B into the card insertion / ejection port 1040. The discharge process is performed from -1 (S513). That is, the payment card B is returned.
[0140]
According to the above-described processing, the player registers the balance information with his or her own dedicated payment card B in the above registration flow (I) in association with the balance information, and then registers with the prepaid card issuing machine 104 using the payment dedicated card B. Based on the balance information, it is possible to issue a prepaid card and register the remaining unpaid money in association with the card B dedicated to settlement.
[0141]
Next, the balance management processing operation (A) when a prepaid card issuance and settlement is performed by the prepaid card issuing machine 104 using the member card A with a settlement function will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0142]
That is, when a player inserts a large bill into a medal lending machine corresponding to a large bill and performs a game, and thereafter, the player throws all cash (money) in a wallet into the medal lending machine and the balance is still present. If you want to buy juice or cigarettes during the game, or if you want to move from the slot machine of the high-value billable medal lending system to the pachinko machine of the prepaid card system, associate it with the membership card A with settlement function Processing flow [Registration flow (VI)] when registering the balance information of a bill inserted by a player in a management computer, and the registered balance information using a member card A with a settlement function after the balance information is registered In the case where the prepaid card issuance is performed by the prepaid card issuance machine 104 according to the above, the prepaid card issuance flow (VII) and the balance information are registered A flow of processing when the prepaid card issuance is performed by the prepaid card issuing machine 104 in accordance with the information on the number of stored coins (otherwise, the information on the number of stored medals is also possible) using the member card A with a settlement function [Prepaid] Card issuance flow (VIII)].
[0143]
In FIG. 9, first, the registration flow (VI) will be described.
[0144]
First, a player selects a desired gaming machine (slot base) 11. Then, a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 120-2 of the medal lending machine 12 associated with the selected gaming machine 11 (S601). The bill to be inserted may be a 10,000-yen bill, a 5,000-yen bill, a 2,000-yen bill, or a 1,000-yen bill. In this case, it is assumed that the player has inserted a 10,000-yen bill.
[0145]
After that, the player presses a medal lending button 120-3 provided on the medal lending machine 12 and a plurality of medals (for example, 1000) corresponding to a predetermined amount of money (for example, 1000 yen for one press). (50 yen), and the gaming machine 11 plays the game. Note that the player can repeatedly perform the medal lending operation by pressing the above button as desired until the game is over, and can additionally insert bills.
[0146]
Then, the player wants to end the game in a state where there is a balance (in this case, the balance is 6,000 yen) and perform a settlement, or to play a game with the current gaming machine in a state where there is a balance. If you want to move to another gaming machine after finishing, or the player puts all the cash (money) in the wallet into the medal lending machine and drinks and cigarettes during the game with the balance remaining When the player wants to purchase or wants to move from the slot stand of the large bill accepting medal lending system to the pachinko stand of the prepaid card system, the player can use the card insertion / ejection port 120-1 provided in the medal lending machine 12. The user inserts the member card A with a payment function owned by the user (S602), and presses the payment button 120-4 (S603).
[0147]
Then, when the medal lending machine 12 detects the pressing operation of the settlement button 120-4 by the operation input processing unit 126, the card ID of the member card A with the settlement function inserted into the card insertion / ejection port 120-1 is processed. The reading is performed by the unit 123. Then, the current player's balance information (for example, “6,000 yen”) is transmitted to the management computer 31 using the communication processing unit 125 together with the read card ID (for example, “900001”) (S604). .
[0148]
On the other hand, the management computer 31 receives the card ID transmitted from the medal lending machine 12 by the first communication processing unit 317 and stores the card ID in the database Y relating to the settlement information held in a predetermined area of the storage device (HDD) 316. A registration update process is performed (S605). Specifically, based on the received card ID (for example, “900001”), the process of updating the unpaid balance information (for example, the unpaid amount increases by 6000 yen) of the settlement information database Y-1 in the database Y I do. In this case, when the payment processing is performed for the first time, a new payment information item of the card ID (“900001”) is created and registered in the payment information database Y-1. In this case, the item data of the last visit date corresponding to the card ID ("900001") of the member information database Y-2 is updated.
[0149]
Then, when the update process is completed, the management computer 31 transmits a database update completion notification notifying that the database update has been completed to the corresponding medal lending machine 12 (S606).
[0150]
On the other hand, when the medal lending machine 12 receives the database update completion notification, the medal lending machine 12 performs a discharging process of the membership card A with a settlement function currently inserted by the card processing unit 123 (S607). That is, the member card A with the settlement function for which the unpaid money registration has been completed is returned.
[0151]
Through the above processing, the player can register the balance information in association with the member card A with a settlement function owned by the player.
[0152]
The management computer 31 stores the member information (personal information such as the name and address of the registrant, information on the number of coins stored, etc.) in the member information database Y-2 of the database Y in association with the member card ID of the member card A with a settlement function. Etc.) are registered and managed.
[0153]
Next, the prepaid card issuance flow (VII) will be described with reference to FIG.
[0154]
First, the player places the member card A with the settlement function, for which the unpaid money (in this case, 6,000 yen) has been registered, by the above-described registration flow (VI) into a card installed close to the prepaid card issuing machine 104. The card is inserted into the card insertion / ejection port 1040-1 provided in the issuing child device 1040 (S701).
[0155]
Then, under the control of the control unit 1041, the card issuing slave device 1040 reads the card ID of the member card A with a settlement function inserted by the card processing unit 1043. Then, a balance inquiry request signal is transmitted to the management computer 31 together with the card ID (for example, “900001”) read using the first communication processing unit 1042 (S702).
[0156]
On the other hand, when the management computer 31 receives the balance inquiry request signal transmitted from the card issuing slave unit 1040 in the first communication processing unit 317, the management computer 31 also determines a predetermined area of the storage device (HDD) 316 based on the received card ID. The database Y stored in the database is checked, and unbalanced balance information (for example, “6,000 yen”) registered and managed in association with the card ID (for example, “900001”) is searched. (900001)), and retrieves information on the number of coins registered and managed (otherwise, information on the number of coins to be saved). Then, the unpaid balance information (for example, “6,000 yen”) and coins are collected. The number information (for example, “2,500 balls”) is notified to the corresponding card issuing slave unit 1040 using the first communication processing unit 317 (S703). .
[0157]
On the other hand, when the card issuing slave unit 1040 receives the unpaid balance information and the number of bills transmitted from the management computer 31 in the first communication processing unit 1042, the amount conversion process is performed based on the received number of bills. After that, using the display / operation unit 1040-2, the conversion result (in this case, “10,000 yen”), the number of accumulated coins information (in this case, “2,500 coins”), and the unpaid amount information ( In this case, "6,000 yen") is displayed, and information for prompting the player to withdraw (e.g., "Please select a withdrawal method.") (A button for saving money) and a button for "balance" (S704). In this case, since the prepaid card is issued according to the balance information, the card issuing slave unit 1040 receives the pressing operation of the balance button on the touch panel of the display / operation unit 1040-2 by the player (S705). The transferred unpaid balance information is transferred to the second communication processing unit 1045, and the second communication processing unit 1045 transfers the unpaid balance information to the prepaid card issuing machine 104 (S706).
[0158]
Then, in the prepaid card issuing machine 104, the money amount information (for example, unpaid money: 6,000 yen, etc.) based on the unpaid balance information received using the display unit 104-8 and the amount of any of the prepaid card issuance buttons Information that prompts the user to press the designation button (for example, “Please press any one of the prepaid card issue button amount designation buttons”) is displayed. Also, the specifiable amount button is turned on. Here, it is assumed that the operation input processing unit 104-5 detects a pressing operation of a button for issuing a 3,000 yen prepaid card on the operation unit 104-9 by the player (S707). Then, the designated amount button flashes, and the prepaid card issuance processing unit 104-7 causes the prepaid card storage unit 104-7a to store the valuable value (3,000 yen) corresponding to the amount designated for the prepaid card D. And a prepaid card D is issued from the prepaid card issuing port 104-12 (S708). After the prepaid card is issued, information ("3,000 yen") indicating the remaining amount is displayed on the display unit 104-8. When the issuance of the prepaid card is completed, the valuable value information of the issued prepaid card is transferred to the card issuing machine 1040 using the communication processing unit 104-2 (S709).
[0159]
On the other hand, when the card issuing handset 1040 receives the value information of the prepaid card issued by the second communication processing unit 1045, the management computer and the card ID (“900001”) are used as the amount information obtained by adjusting the value information. 31 (S710). At this time, the remaining unpaid money information is displayed using the display / operation unit 1040-2.
[0160]
Then, when the management computer 31 receives the value information transmitted from the card issuing slave unit 1040 by the first communication processing unit 317, the management computer 31 stores the value information in the storage device (HDD) 316 based on the corresponding card ID (“900001”). The database Y stored in the area is checked, and the unbalanced balance information registered and managed in association with the card ID ("900001") is updated (S711). Specifically, the update processing of the unbalanced balance information (for example, 6,000 yen) registered and managed in association with the card ID (for example, “900001”) (in this case, the prepaid amount of 3,000 yen) Since the card D was issued, the unpaid balance is assumed to be "3,000 yen", the settlement amount is updated (in this case, 3,000 yen), and the settlement date and time is updated (the updated date and time). Time).
[0161]
Thereafter, when the update process of the unpaid balance information is completed, the management computer 31 transmits a database update completion notification for notifying the update completion of the database Y to the corresponding card issuing slave unit 1040 using the first communication processing unit 317. (S712).
[0162]
Then, when the card issuing slave unit 1040 receives the database update completion notification transmitted from the management computer 31 using the first communication processing unit 1042, the card processing unit 1043 inserts the membership card A with the settlement function currently inserted. From the card insertion / ejection port 1040-1 (S713). That is, the member card is returned.
[0163]
According to the above processing, the player registers the membership card A with the payment function owned by himself / herself in association with the balance information in the registration flow (VI), and then registers the membership card A with the payment special function with the prepaid card issuing machine 104. , A prepaid card can be issued based on the balance information registered.
[0164]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the player issues a prepaid card in which a desired value is recorded in the uncleared balance registered in association with the member card A with a settlement function, and the remaining after the issuance. Although the case where the uncleared balance is registered in association with the member card A again is shown, the remaining uncleared balance is cashed (paid) in the same manner as in the case of using the above-mentioned card only for settlement. You may do it.
[0165]
Alternatively, a prepaid card may be issued in which the player records a valuable value corresponding to all uncleared balances registered in association with the member card A with a settlement function.
[0166]
Next, the prepaid card issuing flow (VIII) will be described with reference to FIG.
[0167]
In FIG. 10, in this prepaid card issuance flow (VIII), the processing from S801 to S804 is the same as the processing from S701 to S704 in the above-described prepaid card issuance flow (VII), and thus the description thereof will be omitted. Note that, in this case as well, a case will be described where a prepaid card with a player balance of 6,000 yen and 3,000 yen is issued, and in this case, a prepaid card is issued in accordance with the information on the number of accumulated balls.
[0168]
Therefore, description will be made from S805.
[0169]
In other words, the card issuing slave unit 1040 receives the unpaid balance information and the number of accumulated coins transmitted from the management computer 31 in the first communication processing unit 1042, and performs the amount conversion process based on the received information on the number of accumulated coins. After that, the display / operation unit 1040-2 is used to display the conversion result (in this case, “10,000 yen”), the number of stored coins (in this case, “2,500 balls”), and the unpaid amount information (this In this case, "6,000 yen") is displayed, and information for prompting the player to withdraw (for example, character information of "Please select a withdrawal method.") And "ball savings" as a button display on the touch panel are displayed. Button) and the "balance button") (S804), in this case, a prepaid card is issued according to the information on the number of coins to be stored. When the operation of pressing the coin storage button on the touch panel of the display / operation unit 1040-2 is detected (S805), the converted amount information is transferred to the second communication processing unit 1045, and the second communication processing unit 1045 transmits the prepaid card. The unpaid balance information is transferred to the issuing machine 104 (S806).
[0170]
Then, in the prepaid card issuing machine 104, the money amount information (for example, coin savings amount: 10,000 yen or the like) based on the money amount information received by using the display unit 104-8 and one of the money designation buttons of the prepaid card issuance button (For example, "Press any one of the prepaid card issue buttons for specifying the amount of money."). Also, the specifiable amount button is turned on. Here, it is assumed that the operation input processing unit 104-5 detects a pressing operation of a button for issuing a 3,000 yen prepaid card on the operation unit 104-9 by the player (S807). Then, the designated amount button flashes, and the prepaid card issuance processing unit 104-7 causes the prepaid card storage unit 104-7a to store the valuable value (3,000 yen) corresponding to the amount designated for the prepaid card D. And a prepaid card D is issued from the prepaid card issuing port 104-12 (S808). After the prepaid card is issued, information ("7,000 yen") indicating the remaining amount is displayed on the display unit 104-8. Then, when the issuance of the prepaid card is completed, the value information of the issued prepaid card is transferred to the card issuing slave unit 1040 using the communication processing unit 104-2 (S809).
[0171]
On the other hand, when the card issuing handset 1040 receives the value information (3,000 yen) of the prepaid card issued by the second communication processing unit 1045, it converts the value information into information on the number of stored coins (750 balls). Then, the information is transmitted to the management computer 31 together with the card ID ("900001") as information on the number of used coins (750 coins) (S810). At this time, the display / operation unit 1040-2 is used to display information (7,000 yen) obtained by converting the information on the number of remaining coins into information on the amount of money, together with the information on the number of remaining coins (1,750). .
[0172]
Then, when the management computer 31 receives the information on the number of stored coins (750 coins) transmitted from the card issuing slave unit 1040 in the first communication processing unit 317, the storage device (HDD) based on the corresponding card ID (“900001”) ) The database Y stored in the predetermined area 316 is checked, and the information on the number of stored coins registered and managed in association with the card ID (“900001”) is updated (S811). Specifically, the update processing (in this case, a 3,000-yen prepaid card) of updating the number-of-ball-stored information (for example, 2,500) registered and managed in association with the card ID (for example, “900001”) Since 750 balls were used to issue D, the number of stored balls is assumed to be “1,750 balls”.
[0173]
Thereafter, when the management computer 31 completes the update processing of the information on the number of stored coins, the management computer 31 transmits a database update completion notification for notifying the update completion of the database Y to the corresponding card issuing slave unit 1040 using the first communication processing unit 317. (S812).
[0174]
Then, when the card issuing slave unit 1040 receives the database update completion notification transmitted from the management computer 31 using the first communication processing unit 1042, the card processing unit 1043 inserts the membership card A with the settlement function currently inserted. Is discharged from the card insertion / ejection port 1040-1 (S813). That is, the member card is returned.
[0175]
Through the above processing, the player can issue a prepaid card based on the information on the number of stored coins registered using the member card A with a payment special function at the prepaid card issuing machine 104.
[0176]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the case where the prepaid card is issued using either the unpaid balance information or the number of stored coins is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A prepaid card may be issued using both the information on the number of accumulated balls. In other words, if it is not possible to issue a prepaid card using only one of the unpaid balance information and the number of stored coins, the shortfall is supplemented with the value of either the unpaid balance information or the number of stored coins. May be issued.
[0177]
In addition, as a modified example of the above-described embodiment, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a prepaid card is issued by a prepaid card issuing machine using unpaid balance information registered in association with a payment dedicated card and information on the number of accumulated balls. In addition, the vending machine 23 shown in FIG. 1 automatically sells products such as juices and cigarettes using the unpaid balance information and the number of stored coins registered in association with the card dedicated to settlement, and the electronic money depositing machine. At 24, the electronic money may be deposited in the electronic money recording medium.
[0178]
That is, slave units having the same functions as those of the card issuing slave units described above are installed in the vending machine 23 and the electronic money depositing machine 24, and the slave units communicate with the management computer 31 and are inserted into the slave units. In accordance with the balance information and the number of balls stored in the management computer 31 in association with the card ID of the card for payment (member card A with payment function or card B for payment), products such as juice and cigarettes are sold, Electronic money is deposited into the recording medium.
[0179]
Specifically, processing operations as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are performed.
[0180]
First, as shown in FIG. 11, in the vending machine 23, the player owns the card in the card insertion / ejection port 2300-1 of the vending child device 2300 installed close to the vending machine 23. The member card A with a settlement function or the card B dedicated to settlement is inserted (S901).
[0181]
Then, in the vending child device 2300, the card ID (for example, “900001” or the like) of the inserted card is read by a card reader or the like (not shown) and transmitted to the management computer 31 to check the balance of the unpaid money. (S902).
[0182]
As a result, the management computer 31 searches the unpaid balance information (for example, “6,000 yen”) registered in association with the sent card ID (“900001”) and finds the corresponding vending child machine 2300 (S903) At this time, the automatic vending machine 2300 displays information indicating the unpaid balance based on the received unpaid balance information (for example, “Unpaid balance: 6,000 yen Select button is pressed. Please) on the display unit 2300-2. Also, the vending slave unit 2300 transfers the received unbalanced balance information (6,000 yen) to the vending machine 23 (S904).
[0183]
Then, in the vending machine 23, for example, only the selection button of a product that can be purchased is turned on in a selectable state, and waits for the player to press the selection button.
[0184]
Here, when the player selects a desired product (for example, juice of 100 yen) and presses the selection button 23-1 (S905), the vending machine 23 detects the pressing operation of the selection button 23-1. Then, a column (not shown) in which the product identified by the pressed selection button 23-1 is stored is determined, and the corresponding product (100 yen juice) is carried out from the column and discharged to the product outlet 23-2. (S906).
[0185]
Thereafter, the vending machine 23 transfers the price information (100 yen) of the sold product to the vending slave unit 2300 (S907).
[0186]
Then, the vending slave unit 2300 transmits a product sales completion notification to the management computer 31 together with the price information (100 yen) of the product and the card ID (900001) (S908).
[0187]
As a result, the unbalanced balance information (6,000 yen) registered by the management computer 31 in association with the corresponding card ID is updated (subtracted) (S909). Specifically, the unbalanced balance information is updated to 5,900 yen by subtracting 100 yen from 6000 yen. Then, after the update is completed, the management computer 31 transmits an update completion notification to the corresponding vending child device 2300 (S910). Then, the vending child device 2300 discharges the member card with the payment function currently inserted or the payment card only for payment from the card insertion / ejection port 2300-1 and returns it to the player (S911).
[0188]
Also, as shown in FIG. 12, in the electronic money deposit machine 24, the player inserts his or her own card into the card insertion / ejection port 2400-1 of the depositing machine 2400 installed close to the electronic money deposit machine 24. The user inserts the member card A with the settlement function or the card B dedicated to settlement (S1001).
[0189]
Then, the depositing child machine 2400 reads the card ID (for example, “900001” or the like) of the inserted card by a card reader or the like (not shown) and transmits the card ID to the management computer 31 to perform the balance inquiry of the unpaid money ( S1002).
[0190]
As a result, the management computer 31 searches the unpaid balance information (for example, “6,000 yen”) registered in association with the sent card ID (“900001”) and sends it to the corresponding depositing child device 2400. At this time, the depositing machine 2400 sets information indicating the unpaid balance based on the received unpaid balance information (for example, “Unpaid balance: 6,000 yen. , Press the deposit instruction button. ") On the display unit 2400-2. Further, the depositing machine 2400 transfers the received unpaid balance information (6,000 yen) to the electronic money depositing machine 24 (S1004).
[0191]
Then, in the electronic money depositing machine 24, for example, a display similar to that of the above-described depositing machine 2400 is performed, and the insertion of the electronic money recording medium F from the electronic money recording medium insertion / discharge port 24-2 by the player, and It waits for the payment instruction button 24-3 to be pressed.
[0192]
Here, when the player inserts the electronic money recording medium F (S1005) and presses the deposit instruction button (S1006), the electronic money depositing machine 24 sends the electronic money from the electronic money recording medium insertion / ejection port 24-2. The operation of inserting the money recording medium F and pressing the deposit instruction button 24-3 is detected. Then, recording processing of valuable value (electronic money information) corresponding to the unbalanced balance information (6,000 yen) received by a card reader / writer (not shown) or the like on the inserted electronic money recording medium F (S1007). . When the recording process is completed, a transfer completion notification is transferred to the transfer device 2400 (S1008). When the electronic money recording medium F is inserted, the deposit information recorded on the electronic money recording medium F may be read and the current deposit information may be displayed on the display unit 24-1.
[0193]
As a result, the deposit child device 2400 transmits a deposit completion notification together with the card ID to the management computer 31 (S1009).
[0194]
In response, the management computer 31 updates (subtracts) the unbalanced balance information (6,000 yen) registered in association with the corresponding card ID (S1010). Specifically, since the full amount of 6,000 yen has been paid, the unbalanced balance information is updated from 6,000 yen to 0 yen. Then, after the update is completed, the management computer 31 transmits an update completion notification to the corresponding payment slave device 2400 (S1011).
[0195]
Then, the depositing machine 2400 ejects the currently inserted member card with a settlement function or the card dedicated to settlement from the card insertion / ejection port 2400-1 and returns it to the player (S1012). The data update completion notification is transferred (S1013).
[0196]
As a result, the electronic money depositing machine 24 discharges the electronic money recording medium F currently inserted from the electronic money recording medium insertion / ejection port 24-2 and returns the same to the player (S1014).
[0197]
In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the balance specified by the unpaid balance information registered and managed in the management computer 31 is shown to be deposited in the electronic money recording medium F. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Of the balance specified by the unpaid balance information, the amount desired by the player may be deposited in the electronic money recording medium F. In this case, the deposit amount is notified to the management computer 31 via S1008 and S1009. Then, the remaining balance after the payment is registered and managed again in association with the settlement card.
[0198]
Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 12, the balance specified by the unpaid balance information registered and managed in the management computer 31 is shown to be deposited in the electronic money recording medium F. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The information on the number of stored coins of the player registered and managed in association with the card ID of the card may be converted into money and paid into the electronic money recording medium F. Note that, in this case as well, the amount desired by the player among the amounts specified by the amount information obtained by converting the information on the number of accumulated balls into the amount may be deposited in the electronic money recording medium F.
[0199]
Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 12 described above, the payment is made in an electronic money recording medium different from the payment card (a member card with a payment function or a card dedicated to payment). However, the present invention is not limited to this. An electronic money function-added card may be prepared, and the payment card with the electronic money function may be paid.
[0200]
Although not shown in the description of FIGS. 11 and 12, in actuality, in communication between the vending slave unit 2300 and the depositing slave unit 2400 and the management computer 31, address information and the like which can be specified by both are used. To communicate with each other.
[0201]
According to the configuration as described above, the player puts all the cash (money) in the wallet into the medal lending machine and, if there is still a balance, from the slot stand of the large bill compatible medal lending system to the pachinko machine of the prepaid card system. If you want to move to a stand, you can set up a payment card in the medal lending machine and register the balance in the management computer, and use the payment card to issue a prepaid card with a prepaid card issuing machine Therefore, it is not necessary to purchase the prepaid card using the prepaid card issuing machine after the payment is once performed by the payment machine as in the related art, so that the burden on the player can be reduced.
[0202]
Also, when the player puts all the cash (money) in the wallet into the medal lending machine and there is still a balance, and wants to purchase drinks or cigarettes during the game, a payment card is placed on the medal lending machine. If you set the balance and register the balance in the management computer, you can use the payment card to purchase the desired juice, cigarettes, etc. at the vending machine. It is not necessary to purchase juice, cigarettes and the like at the vending machine after the operation, so that the burden on the player can be reduced.
[0203]
Also, when the player puts all the cash (money) in the wallet into the medal lending machine and there is still a balance, when the player wants to deposit the electronic money into the electronic money recording medium as the electronic money during the game. If the payment card is set in the medal lending machine and the balance is registered in the management computer, the payment of the electronic money can be performed by the electronic money depositing machine using the payment card. Since there is no need to perform an operation of once performing settlement by the settlement machine and then inserting cash by the settlement by the electronic money depositing machine to deposit money, the burden on the player can be reduced.
[0204]
In addition, according to such a configuration, it is not necessary for a game store to load a lot of payment reserves (currency for payment) into the checkout machine, and the game store does not frequently perform money replenishment work of the checkout machine. This can reduce the burden on the clerk and the like.
[0205]
In the above embodiment, the member information of the member card is registered and managed by the management computer (terminal controller: T / C) 31. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the member information of the member card is registered by the management computer 31. Instead, a member management terminal that specially registers and manages the member information of the member card may be installed in an office or the like, for example. In this case, the member information database Y-2 of the database Y relating to the unpaid money is provided in the member management terminal, and communication is performed between the management computer and the member management terminal to transmit and receive necessary information. By doing so, the registration and management of the information on the unpaid money described above is performed.
[0206]
Further, in the above embodiment, the medal lending system is shown as the game medium lending system corresponding to the large bill, but in addition to this, the present invention may be applied to a pachinko ball lending system such as lending pachinko balls with a large bill. I do.
[0207]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration is shown in which a pre-paid card issuing machine 104, a vending machine 23, and an electronic money depositing machine 24 are provided with a slave unit that communicates with the management computer 31, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The pre-paid card issuing machine 104, the vending machine 23, and the electronic money depositing machine 24 may be formed integrally with the child device function.
[0208]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the payment card (a membership card with a payment function or a card dedicated to payment) is shown as a payment recording medium for registering the unpaid balance information in association with the management computer 31. The recording medium is not limited to such a card shape, and may be, for example, a coin-shaped recording medium. That is, in the present invention, any shape may be used as long as the identification information (ID) that can specify the settlement recording medium is recorded.
[0209]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, as the payment card, a card of a type that is received inside a medal lending machine or a payment machine and reads information is adopted, but an antenna unit is provided on the front of the fuselage, and the card is simply held over the antenna unit. Alternatively, a non-contact type card from which information is read may be adopted.
[0210]
In addition, as a method of associating a valuable value with a prepaid card, a method of directly recording on a prepaid card, a method of recording an identification code on a prepaid card, storing a valuable value corresponding to each identification code in a management device, and Any of the updating methods may be adopted.
[0211]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a balance of money inserted by a player generated in a high-value banknote compatible game media (medal, pachinko ball, etc.) lending system is settled on a settlement card (a member card with a settlement function or a dedicated payment card). Card), and the prepaid card issuance machine issues the prepaid card in accordance with the balance using the payment card, so that the burden on both the player and the game store can be reduced.
[0212]
According to the present invention, a vending machine that automatically sells products such as juices and cigarettes can use the payment card to purchase products according to the balance, thereby reducing the burden on both the player and the game medium. can do.
[0213]
Further, according to the present invention, an electronic money depositing machine for depositing electronic money into an electronic money recording medium can deposit electronic money into the electronic money recording medium in accordance with the balance by using the card only for settlement. And the burden on both the game store can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a game system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a medal lending machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a management computer shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a prepaid card issuing machine and a card issuing slave machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow of a balance management processing operation using the card only for settlement of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flow of a balance management processing operation using the card only for settlement of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flow of a balance management processing operation using the card only for settlement of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow of a balance management processing operation using the payment-only card of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow of a balance management processing operation using the member card with a settlement function of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of a balance management processing operation using the member card with a settlement function of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of a balance management processing operation using the settlement card of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flow of a balance management processing operation using the settlement card of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100: gaming unit, 101: gaming machine (pachinko machine), 102: car rental machine, 103: island controller, 104: prepaid card issuing machine, 1040: card issuing child machine, 105: counting machine, 10: game Unit, 11: gaming machine (slot table), 12: medal lending machine, 13: island controller, 14: checkout machine, 15: counting machine, 21: premium management terminal, 22: member registration machine, 23: vending machine , 24: Electronic money deposit machine, 31: Management computer (terminal controller: T / C), 121: Control unit, 122: Working memory unit, 123: Card processing unit, 124: Banknote processing unit, 125: Communication processing unit 126: operation input processing unit, 127: display processing unit, 128: medal lending processing unit, 120-1: card insertion / ejection slot, 120-2: bill insertion slot, 120- ... Medal lending button, 120-4 ... Adjustment button, 120-5 ... Balance display unit, 120-6 ... Medal ejection nozzle, 311 ... Control unit, 312 ... Display processing unit, 313 ... Operation processing unit, 314 ... Storage medium Reading / writing unit, 315: working memory unit, 316: storage device (HDD), 317: first communication processing unit, 31-1: display unit, 31-2: keyboard, 31-3: mouse, Y: database, 1041 control section, 1042 first communication processing section, 1043 card processing section, 1044 display / operation input processing section, 1045 second communication processing section, 1040-1 card insertion / ejection port, 1040-2 ... Display / operation unit 104-1 Control unit 104-2 Communication processing unit 104-3 Work memory unit 104-4 Display processing unit 104-5 Operation input processing unit 104-6 Banknote Management unit, 104-7: prepaid card issuance processing unit, 104-8: display unit, 104-9: operation unit, 104-10: bill insertion port, 104-11: bill ejection port, 104-12: prepaid card issuance mouth

Claims (17)

A game medium lending means for accepting money, lending game media to be used in the gaming machine in response to a game medium lending request, and receiving a settlement recording medium,
By performing communication with the game medium lending unit, the balance information of the money accompanying the lending of the game medium by the game medium lending unit is associated with the identification information of the settlement recording medium accepted by the game medium lending unit. Management means for registering and managing;
By accepting the settlement recording medium and communicating with the management means, the game medium used in the gaming machine according to the balance information registered and managed by the management means in association with the accepted identification information of the settlement recording medium. A game system for publishing a game medium lending recording medium associated with a value to be lent. The issuing means,
Instruction means for instructing either the issuance of the game medium lending recording medium or the settlement by paying out money according to the balance information,
2. The payment method according to claim 1, further comprising: a payment unit that pays out money from previously stored money in accordance with the balance information, when payment by payment of money is instructed by the instruction means. Gaming system. The instruction means,
Including a designation means for designating the value of the game medium lending recording medium,
The issuing means,
3. The game system according to claim 2, wherein the game medium lending recording medium associated with the value designated by the designation means in the balance identified by the balance information is issued. The designation means includes:
Including full value designation means for designating issuance of a game medium lending recording medium associated with a value corresponding to the entire balance identified by the balance information,
The issuing means,
4. The game medium lending recording medium associated with a valuable value corresponding to the entire balance identified by the balance information, when the full amount designation is performed by the full amount designation means. Gaming system. The issuing means,
When the game medium lending recording medium that records the value designated by the designating means in the balance identified by the balance information is issued, according to the remaining balance after the issuance of the game medium lending recording medium, The gaming system according to claim 3, wherein the money is paid out by the counting means. The management means,
When the issuance means issues the game medium lending recording medium associated with the value designated by the designation means within the balance identified by the balance information, the issuance means sets the game medium lending recording medium to 4. The gaming system according to claim 3, wherein the balance remaining after the issuance is registered and managed by communicating with the issuing unit by communicating with the issuing unit. The settlement recording medium is a member recording medium in which member information is managed in association with each other,
The management means,
Registering the balance information of the money accompanying the lending of the game medium by the game medium lending means by communicating with the game medium lending means in association with the identification information of the member recording medium accepted by the game medium lending means Managing and acquiring the game medium number information of the player registered and managed in association with the identification information of the member recording medium,
The issuing means,
Issuance of the game medium lending recording medium according to the balance information registered and managed by the management means in association with the identification information of the member member recording medium, or the game medium lending according to the game medium number information It has a selection designating means for selecting and designating any of the issuance of the recording medium, and in accordance with the selection designation of the selection designation means, communicates with the management means, thereby associating with the identification information of the member recording medium. 2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the game medium lending recording medium is issued in accordance with balance information or game medium number information registered and managed by management means. The issuing means,
Designating the value of the game medium lending recording medium issued according to the balance information or designating the value of the game medium lending recording medium issued according to the game medium number information Having means,
8. The game system according to claim 7, wherein a game medium rental recording medium associated with the value designated by the debit value designation unit is issued. The issuing means,
If the game medium lending recording medium cannot be issued according to the balance information, the shortage is supplemented with the game medium number information to issue the game medium lending recording medium or the game medium lending recording medium according to the game medium number information. 8. The game system according to claim 7, wherein when the game cannot be issued, the shortage is supplemented with the balance information to issue the game medium lending recording medium. A game medium lending means for accepting money, lending game media to be used in the gaming machine in response to a game medium lending request, and receiving a settlement recording medium,
By communicating with the game medium lending means, the game medium lending means registers the money balance information associated with the lending of the game medium by the game medium lending means in association with the identification information of the settlement recording medium accepted by the game medium lending means. Management means for managing;
A merchandise automatic vending unit for receiving the settlement recording medium and communicating with the management unit to sell the commodity in accordance with the balance information registered and managed by the management unit in association with the identification information of the accepted settlement recording medium; A game system comprising: A game medium lending means for accepting money, lending game media to be used in the gaming machine in response to a game medium lending request, and receiving a settlement recording medium,
By performing communication with the game medium lending unit, the balance information of the money accompanying the lending of the game medium by the game medium lending unit is associated with the identification information of the settlement recording medium accepted by the game medium lending unit. Management means for registering and managing;
While accepting the settlement recording medium, accepting the electronic money recording medium, and communicating with the management means, the balance information registered and managed by the management means in association with the received identification information of the settlement recording medium. A gaming system comprising: electronic money recording means for recording a corresponding value on the received electronic money recording medium. A game medium lending means for accepting money, lending game media to be used in the gaming machine in response to a game medium lending request, and receiving a settlement recording medium,
By performing communication with the game medium lending unit, the balance information of the money accompanying the lending of the game medium by the game medium lending unit is associated with the identification information of the settlement recording medium accepted by the game medium lending unit. Management means for registering and managing;
By receiving the settlement recording medium and communicating with the management unit, the value corresponding to the balance information registered and managed by the management unit in association with the accepted identification information of the settlement recording medium is received. A game system comprising electronic money recording means for recording on a recording medium for settlement. The settlement recording medium is a member recording medium in which member information is managed in association with each other,
The electronic money recording means,
Further, information on the number of game media of the player registered and managed in association with the identification information of the received member recording medium is received from the management unit, and a value corresponding to the information on the number of game media is recorded on the received member recording medium. 13. The gaming system according to claim 12, wherein the gaming system is associated with a medium. The game medium lending means accepts money, lends the game medium used in the gaming machine in response to the game medium lending request, and accepts the recording medium for settlement,
The management means communicates with the game medium lending means to associate the money associated with the lending of the game medium by the game medium lending means in association with the identification information of the settlement recording medium accepted by the game medium lending means. Register and manage balance information,
The issuing unit receives the settlement recording medium, and communicates with the management unit to associate with the identification information of the accepted settlement recording medium and use it in the gaming machine in accordance with the balance information registered and managed by the management unit. A method of issuing a recording medium for renting a game medium, comprising issuing a recording medium for renting a game medium in which a value for renting the game medium is associated. The game medium lending means accepts money, lends the game medium used in the gaming machine in response to the game medium lending request, and accepts the recording medium for settlement,
The management means communicates with the game medium lending means to associate with the identification information of the settlement recording medium received by the game medium lending means, and the money balance associated with the lending of the game medium by the game medium lending means. Register and manage information,
The merchandise vending means receives the settlement recording medium and communicates with the management means to sell the commodity in accordance with the balance information registered and managed by the management means in association with the received identification information of the settlement recording medium. A method of selling goods automatically. The game medium lending means accepts money, lends the game medium used in the gaming machine in response to the game medium lending request, and accepts the recording medium for settlement,
The management means communicates with the game medium lending means to associate the money associated with the lending of the game medium by the game medium lending means in association with the identification information of the settlement recording medium accepted by the game medium lending means. Register and manage balance information,
The electronic money recording means accepts the recording medium for settlement, accepts the electronic money recording medium, and communicates with the management means to register and manage the registration medium in association with the identification information of the accepted recording medium for settlement. An electronic money depositing method, wherein a value corresponding to the balance information is associated with the accepted electronic money recording medium. The game medium lending means accepts money, lends the game medium used in the gaming machine in response to the game medium lending request, and accepts the recording medium for settlement,
The management means communicates with the game medium lending means to associate the money associated with the lending of the game medium by the game medium lending means in association with the identification information of the settlement recording medium accepted by the game medium lending means. Register and manage balance information,
The electronic money recording means receives the settlement recording medium and communicates with the management means, thereby associating with the identification information of the accepted settlement recording medium, the value corresponding to the balance information registered and managed by the management means. An electronic money deposit method, wherein a value is associated with the accepted recording medium for settlement.

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