JP2007061170A - Dispensing processor and game medium dispensing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dispensing processor and a game medium dispensing system which can carry out the efficient management of cards depending on whether or not available values are added to the cards left inserted. <P>SOLUTION: When a card left inserted is found at a dispensing processor in the processing for closing a game parlor or the sales data, whether available values added to the card exist or not is judged and in the case of the kind with the values added, whether the available values exist or not is judged depending on the return of the card actually done or the error display given. In the case of the kind without the available values, the card is recovered into a prescribed recovery box or stacking area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lending processing machine and a gaming medium lending system for lending gaming media to a valuable value valued for a card, and in particular, by performing predetermined processing on a card that has been forgotten to be used. The present invention relates to a lending processing machine and a game medium lending system that can manage a valuable value that has been valued by the company.

  Generally, when playing a game using a pachinko machine or a gaming machine such as a slot machine provided at a gaming facility such as a pachinko shop, a pachinko ball or medal as a game medium is lent out. Lending of game media at this time is done by putting predetermined cash into a lending processing machine (also called a “between-table processing machine” installed between pachinko machines) provided for each pachinko machine. In addition to being able to receive the card, it is possible to rent a game medium by inserting or placing a card issued by a card issuing machine and having a valuable value into a lending processor.

  In any of the above cases, if the amount of game media borrowed is small relative to the amount of money that has been thrown in, it is necessary to refund the difference to the user. At this time, refunding for each game with the lending processing machine not only impairs business efficiency but also impairs the convenience of the user.

  Therefore, we issue a membership card held by a player registered as a member of a gaming facility or a non-member card held by a general player who is not registered as a member (hereinafter referred to as a “general card”), The use of gaming machines is made possible by adding value to the card's input value to the card. That is, the balance is managed by the card by subtracting the valuable value of the rented game medium from the valuable value assigned to the card.

  The valuable value at this time indicates a value obtained by converting inserted cash into a “frequency” which is a lending unit at a predetermined rate, and a gaming medium is lent based on the lending unit. For example, when “1 frequency” is assigned to 100 yen, “30 frequency” is valued as the valuable value of the card when an amount of 3,000 yen is inserted.

  However, there are cases where the player forgets the card inserted when the player ends the use of the gaming machine or closes the gaming facility, and in particular, the amount of sales per day and the situation of attracting customers when the store is closed During the closing process of counting up, etc., there were cases where it was difficult to handle cards that were forgotten by the lending processor. This means that if a card does not have a valuable value, it can be removed and discarded or reused, but in the case of a valuable card, it cannot be inadvertently destroyed and is usually This is because it is necessary to keep it.

  In general, in a gaming system that uses a card to provide a game by a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, if there is a card that is forgotten to be taken during the closing process, the transaction of the forgotten card is automatically canceled. Return the card. It is necessary to confirm the presence or absence of a balance for each returned card, which requires time and much labor.

  In addition, there are some cards whose balance cannot be confirmed just by looking at the card from the standpoint of preventing unauthorized use of the card. In such a case, there is a balance in the card processor one by one. Processing to read whether or not.

  For this reason, there is a problem that work for discriminating whether or not there is a valuable value and handling of a card having a valuable value are required, and business efficiency at the time of closing processing is deteriorated.

  As a prior art that enables efficient collection of used cards, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2.

  First, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, a collection path is provided by which a used card is led out to the outside of the lending machine, and a card that is led out from a plurality of lending machines is conveyed in common. In this way, the used card can be collected.

Next, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 2, when the card is used in a state where it is accommodated in a lending machine, a large-scale renovation work is performed by sequentially stacking on a stack portion provided inside. This prevents the installation cost from being increased and allows the used cards to be collected in a space-saving manner.
JP-A-7-313722 JP 2000-135371 A

  However, in any of the conventional techniques disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, used cards are collected by the lending machine. For example, even if the above-mentioned general card is within the business hours of the game facility, it is not possible to use the value that has been used again for the efficient use of the card with a valuable value. .

  Also, if a card is inserted with valuable value remaining, it will not be collected and will not be discharged, so it will stay in the lending machine, resulting in poor work efficiency during the closing process. There is a problem. That is, since it is unclear whether or not a valuable value is valued for a forgotten card, it is necessary to check the balance of all forgotten cards.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a lending processor and a game medium lending system that enable efficient card management based on the presence or absence of a valuable value added to a forgotten card.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to a lending processor that controls lending of game media based on the value of a storage medium valued for valuable value. A storage medium remaining determining means for determining whether or not there is a storage medium, and if the storage medium remaining determining means determines that the storage medium is in a remaining state, whether or not the storage medium has a value remaining A remaining value presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not the storage medium has the remaining value by the remaining value presence / absence determining means, and a storage medium automatic return control means for automatically returning the storage medium. It is characterized by doing.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, in the lending processor that controls lending of game media based on the valuable value of the storage medium valued for valuable value, the memory remaining at the time of sales aggregation processing A storage medium remaining determining means for determining whether or not there is a medium; and if the storage medium remaining determining means determines that the storage medium is in a remaining state, there is a residual value valued in the storage medium A residual value presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not the storage medium has the residual value by the residual value presence / absence determining means, and holding the storage medium and based on a predetermined operation by an attendant And storage medium return control means for returning the storage medium.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, when the residual value presence / absence determining means determines that the storage medium does not have the residual value, the card is stacked for reuse. And stacking means.

  The invention according to claim 4 further comprises a collecting means for collecting the card in the invention according to claim 1 or 2, when the remaining value presence / absence determining means determines that the storage medium does not have the remaining value. It is characterized by doing.

  Further, in the invention of claim 5, in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 4, when the residual value presence / absence determining means determines that the storage medium has the residual value, a notification to that effect is provided. Means are provided.

  Further, the invention of claim 6 includes a plurality of lending processing machines for controlling lending of game media based on the value of the storage medium valued for value, and the value of the storage medium and the lending processor. A game medium lending system having a management device that manages lending of game media based on the valuable value of the storage medium, wherein the management device determines whether there are any remaining storage media in the plurality of lending processors; Storage medium remaining determination means, and the storage medium remaining determination means determines that the storage medium remaining in the lending processor has a valuable residual value when it is determined that the storage medium is in a residual state. And determining whether there is residual value in the storage medium by the residual value presence determining means and the residual value presence determining means. A storage medium return instructing unit for instructing automatic return of the storage medium, and the lending processor automatically removes the remaining storage medium based on the storage medium return instruction by the storage medium return instructing unit. It is characterized by being returned.

  The invention of claim 7 includes a plurality of lending processors that control lending of game media based on the value of a storage medium valued for value, a value of the recording medium, and a value of the lending processor. A game medium lending system having a management device that manages lending of game media based on the valuable value of the recording medium, wherein the management device determines whether there are any remaining storage media in the plurality of lending processors; Storage medium remaining determination means, and the storage medium remaining determination means determines that the storage medium remaining in the lending processor has a valuable residual value when it is determined that the storage medium is in a residual state. The remaining value presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not the storage medium has the remaining value by the remaining value presence / absence determining means. Recording medium holding instruction means for instructing holding of the recording medium for holding the body, and the lending processor holds the remaining storage medium based on the recording medium holding instruction by the recording medium holding instruction means, And returning the recording medium based on a predetermined operation according to the above.

  In the invention of claim 8, in the invention of claim 7 or 8, when the residual value presence / absence determining means determines that the storage medium does not have the residual value, the card is used for reuse. A stack instructing unit for instructing a stack to make a card into a stack unit of the lending processor is provided.

  The invention of claim 9 is the invention of claim 7 or 8, wherein if the residual value presence / absence determining means determines that the storage medium does not have the residual value, a recovery instruction for recovering the card is issued. A recovery instruction unit is provided.

  Further, in the invention of claim 10, in the invention of any one of claims 6 to 9, when the residual value presence / absence judging means judges that the storage medium has the residual value, the lending process An informing means for informing with a machine is provided.

  According to the present invention, when a card that is forgotten to be collected at the time of counting occurs, it is determined whether or not there is a valuable value that has been valued for the card, and if the valuable value remains, the card is processed according to the setting. Since it comprised as mentioned above, there exists an effect that efficiency improvement of the management task of a game facility can be aimed at.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a lending processor and a game medium lending system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the present embodiment, a card is shown as an example of the recording medium, and the card that is forgotten to be removed (the remaining card) is controlled based on the valuable value stored in the card. A card that has been forgotten may be controlled by storing the card ID and storing the value of the card ID in another device.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a game medium lending system configured by applying a lending processor and a game medium lending system according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, this gaming medium lending system is configured in a gaming facility 10 (hereinafter referred to as “pachinko shop 10”), and is a card issuing machine (101-A,..., 101-N) (hereinafter collectively referred to as “generic name”). The card settlement machine 102, the island controller 103, the lending processor 104, the pachinko machine 105, the router 106, and the terminal controller 107, such as a pachinko gaming machine or a slot gaming machine. Provide games with gaming machines.

In the pachinko parlor 10, the sales value is calculated corresponding to the number of game media such as pachinko balls or medals lent out by the respective lending machines 104, and the sales totaling process is performed to total the sales data. This sales aggregation process is often performed in accordance with the closing process that is performed when the pachinko store is closed. (Hereafter, sales closing process is included in the closing process)
This closing process is performed by the terminal controller 107 that manages the entire pachinko parlor 10, and is performed based on the sales data acquired from each lending processor 104.

  At least one card issuing machine 101 is installed in the pachinko parlor 10, and issues a card valued with a valuable value equivalent to the amount of cash inserted. Moreover, you may make it the structure which issues a card | curd, after performing a debit payment by communicating with a debit payment system (not shown) using a debit card. In any of these cases, the terminal controller 107 can centrally manage information related to card issuance by notifying the terminal controller 107 of the amount corresponding to the valuable value added to the card together with the identification information added to the card.

  There are two types of cards: membership cards held by players registered as members of the pachinko parlor 10 and non-member cards (hereinafter referred to as “general cards”) held by general players who are not registered as members. A card newly issued after cash is inserted or a card newly issued after debit payment is a general card.

  In the case of a membership card, it is issued at the time of membership registration, and a valuable value corresponding to the amount inserted by inserting the membership card into the card issuing machine 101 or the amount debited is valued.

  In addition, a general card that has already been issued can be reused, and the general card can also be valued with respect to the amount of cash inserted or the value of debit payment as with a membership card. Usually, a general card can be reused only on the same day, and is not permitted to be used across dates for the purpose of counting sales data.

  The valuable value at this time indicates a value obtained by converting inserted cash into a “frequency” which is a lending unit at a predetermined rate, and a gaming medium is lent based on the lending unit. For example, when “1 frequency” is assigned to 100 yen, “30 frequency” is valued as the valuable value of the card when an amount of 3,000 yen is inserted.

  The card settlement machine 102 settles (cash) the amount of money associated with the card as cash. After checkout, in the case of a membership card, it is returned to the player.

  The island controller 103 is a relay device installed in a group called “island” composed of a plurality of lending processors 104 and a plurality of pachinko machines 105.

  Data is relayed from the lending processor 104 to the card issuing machine 101, the card settlement machine 102, and the terminal controller 107 connected via a communication line. Further, when the pachinko ball or medal is lent out by the lending processor 104, the cash inserted by the player is transported by a transport mechanism (not shown) and stored in a collection box on the island edge which is a dedicated storage. This collection box includes not only a storage for storing cash but also a storage for storing cards that are forgotten to be removed by each lending processor 104, and the storage for storing cards is called a card recovery box. The lending processor 104 is installed for each pachinko machine 105, and performs a process of lending a pachinko ball for using the pachinko gaming machine or a medal for using the slot gaming machine to the cash inserted by the player. Further, a general card with no valuable value stored in advance is stored, and when there are few pachinko balls or medals lent out with respect to the inserted cash, a general card valued with the differential valuable value is issued.

  Further, a pachinko ball or medal can be lent by a general card or a member card, and a processing corresponding to a value corresponding to the valuable value valued to the inserted general card or member card is performed. At this time, the terminal controller 107 is notified by notifying the terminal controller 107 of the valuable value of the rented game medium together with the identification information for uniquely identifying the lending processor 104 and the card identification information for identifying the card valued valuable value. However, it is possible to manage the sales information for each lending processor 104 and the valuable value for each card.

  A transport mechanism that transports the cash inserted when renting game media such as pachinko balls and medals is installed on the back of the lending processor 104, and transports the cash to a collection box on the island edge using the transport mechanism. To do.

  When an instruction for closing processing is issued from the terminal controller 107 to each lending processor 104 via the island controller 103, it is determined whether or not the card remains, and the card processing unit (detailed in FIG. 2) remains. If there is a card being played, it is determined whether the card has residual value. That is, when the store closing process is performed at the game facility, the card remaining in the lending processor 104 is a card that the user forgets to remove.

  When the card does not remain (when the card is not forgotten), the closing process for the lending processing machine is terminated.

  If there is a residual value with the card remaining, processing is performed based on the setting shown in FIG. A detailed processing flow at this time is shown in FIG.

  As an example, if a card with a residual value is forgotten to be removed from the lending processor 104 that has received an instruction to close the store, the card is automatically returned.

  Thereby, the manager of the amusement facility can recognize that a card having a residual value has been forgotten during the closing process.

  In addition, the lending processor 104 has a card stack mechanism for holding general cards that are not valued, and the closing processing is performed when the value of the inserted general card is “0 (zero)”. If so, the card is stacked on the card stack mechanism.

  Furthermore, it also has a card transport mechanism (card transport mechanism 221 shown in FIG. 3) that transports a card that has been forgotten during the closing process, together with a transport mechanism that transports the inserted cash. The card is collected by carrying it to a card collection box (not shown) on the island edge.

  And in the case of the process performed by the setting shown in FIG. 5, when there is residual value, you may make it the structure which alert | reports that the residual value is left on the card | curd. As a notification method, for example, a buzzer is sounded or a message to that effect is displayed on a status display lamp 201 or an information display LED 206 described later.

  The pachinko machine 105 is a gaming machine in the pachinko shop 10. The gaming machine is not limited to a pachinko machine but includes a gaming machine such as a slot gaming machine.

  The router 106 is an interface when the payment system of the pachinko parlor 10 communicates with an external system, and is connected to a debit payment system (not shown) or the like via a line network such as a telephone line.

  The terminal controller 107 manages and controls the processing of the entire pachinko parlor 10, acquires information from the card issuing machine 101, the card settlement machine 102, the island controller 103 of each “island”, and the lending processing machine 104, as well as various instructions and Distribute the settings.

  By managing the acquired information, the information of the entire pachinko parlor 10 can be centrally managed. Further, sales data is collected when a ball lending process is performed by the lending processor 104, and a store closing process including a sales totaling process is executed.

  Furthermore, a setting table that defines the handling of the cards left in each lending processor 104 during the closing process is held. An example of this setting table is shown in FIG. Based on one of the settings shown here, the card that has been forgotten is processed.

  With such a configuration, even if there is a card that has been forgotten in the lending processor 104 during the closing process, the presence or absence of the valuable value that is valued for the card by the designated processing operation or display can be determined. It can be confirmed and the store closing process can be performed efficiently.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a device configuration of a lending processor and a pachinko machine.

  2A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the lending processor 104, and FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the pachinko machine 105. In FIG.

  2A includes a status display lamp 201, a card stack unit status display LED (Light Emitting Diode) 202, a remote control light emitting / receiving unit 203, a bill insertion slot 204, a card insertion slot 205, and information. A display LED 206, a mode display lamp 207, an operation button 208, and a power supply unit 209 are included.

  The status display lamp 201 is a lamp that indicates to the staff the status of the lending processor 104 or the pachinko machine 105 provided therewith. For example, it is used when an error that occurs during bill insertion or card insertion is communicated to a staff member. In addition, when a hit such as a probability change occurs on the pachinko machine 105, a visual instruction is given to the attendant, such as instructing the attendant to replace the pachinko ball tray.

  If there is a card that has been forgotten when the terminal controller 107 instructs to close the store and there is a residual value in the card, the lamp is turned on to notify that.

  The card stack unit state display LED 202 is an LED that indicates a storage state of a general card stored in advance. For example, when the number of general cards stacked by a card stacking mechanism (not shown) becomes several, it is possible to prompt the replenishment of the clerk or to collect the card when it is almost full. Similarly to the status display lamp 201, if there is a card that has been forgotten when the store closing instruction is given and the card has residual value, a message to that effect is displayed.

  The remote controller light emitting / receiving unit 203 is a communication interface with a remote controller when operating the lending processor 104 using a remote controller carried by an attendant.

  The banknote insertion slot 204 is an insertion slot into which banknotes are inserted when the rental of pachinko balls is received in cash. A bill inserted from the bill insertion slot 204 is identified, and is transported to and stored in a collection box on the island edge using the transport mechanism described above.

  The card insertion slot 205 is an insertion slot for inserting a general card or a membership card issued by the card issuing machine 101 or the like. Further, the card inserted from the card insertion slot 205 is processed by the card processing unit, and a general card is stored in the card processing unit. When the number of pachinko balls lent out to the pachinko machine 105 with respect to the banknotes inserted from the banknote slot 204 is small and the return button is pressed by the player, the value of the difference is valued. Eject general card.

  When a membership card is inserted from the card insertion slot 205 and the number of pachinko balls actually lent out is smaller than the number of pachinko balls for the valuable value valued for the membership card, the value of the difference is valued. Return the member card from the card slot 205. In addition, only the membership card is returned when the valuable value is used up.

  When a sales data acquisition request is made from the terminal controller 107 by the closing process, the card inserted through the card insertion slot 205 and forgotten to be removed can be stored in a state where the valuable value can be read. Also, forgotten cards can be stacked on the card stack mechanism.

  Furthermore, a card that has been forgotten to be removed using the card transport mechanism can be transported to a card collection box at the island end.

  The information display LED 206 is a display device composed of 7 segment display × 6 digits, and displays information (mainly numerical information) selectively displayed by the mode display lamp 207 to the player. In addition, an error code that can identify an error that has occurred in the lending processor 104 or the pachinko machine can be displayed to an attendant.

  The mode display lamp 207 displays lamps of “remaining number of times”, “total number of balls”, “number of replayable times”, and “number of points”.

  An operation button 208 indicates a button group that can be operated by a player or a staff member.

  The power supply unit 209 supplies power when the lending processor 104 performs a pachinko ball lending process or the like.

  The pachinko machine 105 shown in FIG. 2B shows a display unit 210, a lending / return button 211, and a ball throwing mechanism 212. The display unit 210 is inserted into a player or inserted into a player. The number of balls that can be lent out with a card is displayed, and a lending / return button 211 is a button for instructing lending of pachinko balls and discharging / returning of cards, and a ball throwing mechanism 212 is an instruction from the lending processor 104 It is a throwing mechanism for lending pachinko balls to a pachinko machine and throwing prize balls according to the game result.

  When there is a card that has been forgotten to be removed from the lending processor 104 when the store closing process is performed, an error is displayed on the information display LED 206 of the lending processor 104 and the display unit 210 of the pachinko machine 105. Display. In addition, the status display lamp 201 of the lending processor 104 displays that an error has occurred.

  With such a configuration, a card that has been forgotten during the closing process can be processed according to the setting in the setting table held by the terminal controller 107.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the lending processor.

  The lending processor 104 shown in FIG. 3 includes a remote control light emitting / receiving unit 203, an information display LED 206, an operation unit 208, a power supply unit 209, a lending processor control unit 213, a banknote processing unit 214, a card processing unit 215, and an I / F unit 216. The storage unit 217 is provided. Further, a bill transport mechanism 220 is connected to the bill processing unit 214, and a card transport mechanism 221 is connected to the card processing unit 215.

  The remote control light emitting / receiving unit 203, the information display LED 206, the operation unit 208, and the power supply unit 209 have the same configuration as shown in FIG.

  The lending processor control unit 213 controls processing such as lending of pachinko balls, issuance and acceptance of cards in the lending processor 104.

  The banknote processing unit 214 processes banknotes inserted from the banknote insertion slot 204 shown in FIG.

  For example, it is identified whether the inserted banknote is a thousand yen bill, a 2000 yen bill, a 5,000 yen bill, or a 10,000 yen bill, and the amount of the identified inserted bill is sent to the lending processor control unit 213. Notice. Of course, when it is not any banknote, it returns from the banknote slot 204. When the inserted banknote amount is sent to the lending processor control unit 213, the banknote is transported using the connected banknote transport mechanism 220.

  The card processing unit 215 determines the type of the inserted card, further reads the identification information stored in the card, and sends the read identification information to the lending processor control unit 213.

  It includes a card stack mechanism (not shown) for storing general cards in advance as well as transporting the inserted cards using the card transport mechanism 221.

  The I / F unit 216 indicates an interface related to data communication, and realizes data communication with the connected pachinko machine 105, the island controller 103, and the like.

  The storage unit 217 stores execution programs and parameters for realizing various functions in the lending processor 104, and is executed by being called by the lending processor controller 213. Further, it has a temporary storage area for temporarily storing data, and provides a work area for the execution program.

  With the configuration as described above, it is possible to perform an efficient closing process depending on the presence or absence of a valuable value added to a forgotten card.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the present invention.

  In FIG. 4, when a game facility is closed, when the terminal controller instructs the closing process including the sales totaling process, the process is started, and the deposit prohibiting the additional deposit with the lending processor attached to each pachinko machine Prohibition processing is executed (S401), and the insertion of cash (banknotes) is disabled.

  Subsequently, when the deposit prohibition process (S401) is performed, it is determined whether a card during or after the transaction is left in the card processing unit of the lending processing machine (S402), and no card is left ( In NO in S402, a process for confirming the aggregation of sales data and the like in the lending processor is performed (S409). In this case, since there is no card that has been forgotten to be removed, the sales counting process in the lending processor is finalized.

  On the other hand, when a card during or after the transaction is left in the card processing unit of the lending processor (YES in S402), the process is performed based on the setting shown in FIG.

  First, it is determined whether the setting shown in FIG. 5 is a setting that does not perform processing other than card return (Pattern 1, Pattern 2) (S403). Subsequently, in S403, it is determined whether or not there is a valuable value valued on the remaining card (S404). If the card has no value (NO in S404), after the card is returned (S407), a card insertion prohibition process for prohibiting card insertion is executed (S408). If the card has a valuable value (YES in S404), an error display indicating that there is a card that has been forgotten is displayed (S405).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether it is a setting for returning a valuable card (pattern 1 setting) (S406). If it is a setting for returning a card (pattern 1) (YES in S406), the lending processor The card is returned from the card insertion slot (S407), and a card insertion prohibition process for prohibiting card insertion is executed (S408). In Pattern 2, if the card (with residual value) is retained, the clerk confirms the error display and then performs a predetermined operation (button operation or remote control operation) to return the card ( Discharged).

If the setting is not to return the card (pattern 2) (NO in S406), the card is prohibited from being inserted without returning the card (with the card remaining in the card processing machine). Insertion prohibition processing is executed (S408).

  Next, when it is determined that the setting is not to perform processing other than the card return (pattern 1, pattern 2) (S403), the setting is not to perform processing other than card return (pattern 1 or pattern 2) (in step S403). (NO), then, it is determined whether or not the card has a valuable value (S410). If the card has a valuable value (YES in S410), the card is returned (S411), and the insertion of the card is prohibited. A card insertion prohibition process is executed (S408).

  If the card has no valuable value (NO in S410), it is then determined whether it is a setting to stack a card with no remaining amount (pattern 4) (S412), and a setting to stack (pattern) 4) (YES in S412), after the cards are stacked (S413), a card insertion prohibiting process for prohibiting card insertion is executed (S408).

  The setting for stacking the cards inside at this time (pattern 4) indicates that the cards are to be inserted into the card stack mechanism provided in the lending processor.

  Furthermore, if the card is not set to stack a card whose value is not valued (pattern 4) (NO in S412), a card whose value is not valued is subsequently passed through the card transport mechanism. It is determined whether the setting is to collect to the island edge (pattern 5) (S414). If the setting is to collect to the island edge (pattern 5) (YES in S414), the card is collected (S415). A card insertion prohibition process for prohibiting card insertion is executed (S408).

  In the setting (Pattern 5) to collect the card to the island edge at this time, it is installed on the back side of the lending processor, and the card collection mechanism on the island edge, which is a dedicated storage, is installed by the card conveyance mechanism that functions to convey the card Indicates storage.

  Furthermore, if the card is not set to be collected to the island edge (pattern 5) (NO in S414), the card is collected (stored) in a card collection box disposed inside or behind the card processor (S416). ), Card insertion prohibition processing for prohibiting card insertion is executed (S408).

  When the card insertion prohibition process for prohibiting the insertion of the card is executed (S408), the sales aggregation confirmation process for aggregating and determining the sales data for each lending processor is performed (S409).

  In the flowchart shown above, the processing according to the setting shown in FIG. 5 can be performed during the closing process or the sales data aggregation process, and in particular, the valuable value that is given to the card depending on whether or not the forgotten card is returned. The presence or absence of value can be determined.

  FIG. 5 is a setting table that defines how cards are handled.

  FIG. 5 is a setting that defines the handling of a card that has been forgotten when the store closing process or the sales data totaling process is executed. The card number corresponding to [Pattern Number] 501 and [Pattern Number] 501 indicating the setting name [Processing setting contents] 502 that defines handling.

  The processing contents set for each [pattern number] 501 are shown below.

  First, [Processing setting content] 502 whose [Pattern number] 501 is “Pattern 1” is “Distinction by returning card and displaying error”. This indicates that the presence / absence of the valuable value is determined by whether or not there is a valuable value assigned to the card, and in any case, whether or not the card is returned and an error is displayed. A staff member who collects the returned card can collect a card with no residual value by removing the card returned from the lending processor without any error display. On the other hand, a card with a residual value can be collected by extracting a card returned from a lending processing machine with an error display, and a custody is performed.

  Next, [Processing setting content] 502 whose [Pattern number] 501 is “Pattern 2” is “Card return“ Yes / No ”, distinguished by its error display”. This means that a card with no residual value is returned as it is, and for a card with residual value, it is judged whether there is a valuable value of the remaining card by holding it after displaying an error. Indicates.

  And a card | curd without a residual value can be collect | recovered because an attendant collect | recovers the returned card | curd. On the other hand, for a lending machine with an error display, a card with a residual value can be returned and collected by performing a predetermined process (button operation or remote control operation), and the storage is handled. .

  Next, it is shown that [Processing setting content] 502 whose [Pattern number] 501 is “Pattern 3” is “Distinguish by card store / return”. This means that cards with residual value will be returned as they are, and cards with no residual value will be collected in the collection box provided at the back of the lending processor or stay in the machine as it is. Indicates that the presence or absence of the valuable value of the remaining card is judged. Then, when the clerk collects the returned card, the card having the residual value can be collected, and the storage is performed. On the other hand, if the clerk collects the card with no residual value that is collected in the collection box provided behind the lending processor or stayed in the machine, it can be reused for transactions on and after the next day. .

  Next, it is shown that [Processing setting content] 502 whose [Pattern number] 501 is “Pattern 4” is “Distinguish by stacking / returning cards”. This means that a card with a residual value is returned as it is, and a card with no residual value is the value of the valuable value of the card left by being stacked by the card stacking mechanism connected to the card processing unit. Indicates that the presence or absence is determined.

  And a card with a residual value can be collect | recovered because an attendant collect | recovers the returned card | curd. On the other hand, if cards with no residual value stacked by the card stack mechanism are collected, they can be reused for transactions on the following day.

  Finally, it is shown that [Processing setting content] 502 whose [Pattern number] 501 is “Pattern 5” is “Distinguish by card collection / return”. This means that cards with residual value will be returned as they are, and cards with no residual value will be stored in the card collection box on the island edge by the card recovery mechanism. Indicates that the presence or absence is determined.

  And a card with a residual value can be collect | recovered because an attendant collect | recovers the returned card | curd. On the other hand, cards with no residual value collected in the card collection box on the island edge can be collected together and can be reused for transactions on the following day.

  According to this setting, the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is executed.

  The setting table may be managed by the terminal controller 107 or may be managed by the island controller 103. Furthermore, the configuration may be such that each lending processor 104 manages.

  With the above configuration, in the game medium lending system of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not a card is returned or whether or not an error is displayed depending on the presence or absence of a valuable value that has been valued for a forgotten card.

  As a result, it is possible to easily determine whether or not there is a valuable value added to the forgotten card.

  Therefore, by applying the present invention, it can be expected that the sales data can be managed efficiently, such as during the closing process or when the sales data is aggregated.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within a range not changing the gist thereof.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the lending processor determines whether or not the card has been forgotten to be removed and whether or not there is residual value when the card is forgotten to be removed. You may make it the structure performed by.

  Processing in this case will be described with reference to FIG.

  A card ID that can uniquely identify the card is recorded in the membership card and the general card used by the user.

  When the terminal controller 107 manages the valuable value for the card ID and receives a valuable value acquisition request (including the card ID) from the lending processor 104 during the ball lending process, the terminal controller 107 associates it with the card ID included in the acquisition request. The obtained valuable information is transmitted to the lending processor 104 which is a request source. If the ball lending is performed, the valuable value of the ball lending is subtracted from the valuable value managed by the terminal controller 107 and updated. That is, the valuable value is valued for the card (card ID).

  When the game facility manager instructs the sales totaling process or the store closing process, the terminal controller 107 determines whether or not there is a remaining card for each lending processor 104, and the card remains. If there is a lending processor 104 that is in charge, it is subsequently determined whether or not the card of the lending processor 104 has a residual value.

  The presence / absence of the residual value is determined based on the valuable value for the card ID managed by the terminal controller 107 by acquiring the card ID stored in the card. The processing performed based on these determinations is performed based on the setting table setting as shown in FIG.

  In addition, based on the setting of FIG.

  For example, if a forgotten card has no residual value, an instruction to stack the card so that it can be reused is given, and an instruction to collect the card using a card collection mechanism is given.

  Further, when notification that there is a residual value is set, a notification instruction is issued to the lending processor 104.

  As described above, on the basis of the valuable value for the card ID managed by the terminal controller 107, the presence / absence of a forgotten card return and an error display can be determined in the same manner as the valuable value stored in the card.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied to a lending processing machine and a gaming medium lending system that lend gaming media to a valuable value valued on a card, and in particular, an efficient card for a forgotten card. It is useful to enable handling.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a game medium lending system configured by applying a lending processor and a game medium lending system according to the present invention. The figure which shows the apparatus structure of a rental processing machine and a pachinko machine. The block diagram which shows the detailed structure of a rental processing machine. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process of this invention. A setting table that defines how cards are handled.

Explanation of symbols

10 Amusement facilities (Pachinko parlor)
101-1 ... 101-N Card issuing machine 102 Card settlement machine 103 Island controller 104 Lending processor 105 Pachinko machine 106 Router 107 Terminal controller (card information management device)
201 Status indicator lamp 202 Card stack status indicator LED
203 Remote control light emitting / receiving unit 204 Bill insertion slot 205 Card insertion slot 206 Information display LED
207 Mode display lamp 208 Operation button 209 Power supply unit 210 Display unit 211 Lending / return button 212 Ball throwing mechanism 213 Lending processing machine control unit 214 Banknote processing unit 215 Card processing unit 216 I / F unit 217 Storage unit 220 Banknote transport mechanism 221 Card transport mechanism

Claims (10)

In a lending processing machine that controls lending of game media based on the value of a storage medium valued for value,
Storage medium remaining judgment means for judging whether or not there is a storage medium remaining during the sales counting process;
When the storage medium remaining determination means determines that the storage medium is in a residual state, a residual value presence / absence determination means for determining whether or not there is a residual value valued in the storage medium;
A lending processing machine comprising: a storage medium automatic return control means for automatically returning the storage medium when the residual value is determined by the residual value presence / absence determination means. In a lending processing machine that controls lending of game media based on the value of a storage medium valued for value,
Storage medium remaining judgment means for judging whether or not there is a storage medium remaining during the sales counting process;
When the storage medium remaining determination means determines that the storage medium is in a residual state, a residual value presence / absence determination means for determining whether or not there is a residual value valued in the storage medium;
A storage medium return control means for holding the storage medium and returning it based on a predetermined operation by an attendant when the storage medium determines that the storage medium has the residual value. Lending processing machine characterized by. The stacking means for stacking the cards for reuse when the remaining value determination means determines that the storage medium does not have the remaining value. Lending processing machine. The lending processor according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a collecting unit that collects the card when the remaining value presence / absence determining unit determines that the storage medium does not have the remaining value. The lending according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a notifying means for notifying the storage medium when the remaining value is determined by the remaining value presence determining means. Processing machine. A plurality of lending processing machines that control lending of game media based on the value of the storage medium valued by the value of the game, and a game based on the value of the storage medium and the value of the storage medium in the lending processor In a game medium lending system having a management device for managing medium lending,
The management device
Storage medium remaining determination means for determining whether there is a storage medium remaining in the plurality of lending processors;
When the storage medium remaining determination means determines that the storage medium is in a residual state, it determines whether there is residual value valued in the storage medium remaining in the lending processor. Means,
Storage medium return instruction means for instructing the lending processor to automatically return the storage medium when the residual value is determined by the residual value presence / absence determination means And
The gaming machine lending system, wherein the lending processor automatically returns the remaining storage medium based on a storage medium return instruction from the storage medium return instruction means. A plurality of lending processing machines for controlling lending of game media based on the value of the storage medium valued for the value of the game, and a game based on the value of the recording medium and the value of the recording medium in the lending processor In a game medium lending system having a management device for managing medium lending,
The management device
Storage medium remaining determination means for determining whether there is a storage medium remaining in the plurality of lending processors;
When the storage medium remaining determination means determines that the storage medium is in a residual state, it determines whether there is residual value valued in the storage medium remaining in the lending processor. Means,
A recording medium holding instruction means for instructing the lending processing machine to hold a recording medium when the remaining value is determined by the remaining value presence determining means;
Comprising
The lending processor comprises: holding a remaining storage medium based on a recording medium holding instruction by the recording medium holding instruction means; and returning the recording medium based on a predetermined operation by an attendant. Game media rental system. When the remaining value presence / absence determining means determines that the remaining value does not exist in the storage medium, a stack instruction means for giving a stack instruction to use the card as a stack unit of the lending processor for reuse The game medium rental system according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising: 9. The collection instructing unit for issuing a collection instruction for collecting the card when the remaining value determination unit determines that the storage medium does not have the remaining value. Game media rental system. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising notification means for notifying the lending processor of the fact that the storage medium has the residual value by the residual value presence / absence determination means. The game media rental system according to the above.

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