JP2007202949A - System and method for dispensing game medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently inhibit a fraudulent act related to card data to be sent to a third-party management center. <P>SOLUTION: T/C 100 detects not-executed transmission of the card data to the third-party management center, which is conducted after a game parlor closes. When the number of accumulated non-transmission of the card data exceeds a predetermined number, the T/C 100 transmits a usage restriction command signal to a card processor 400. Receiving the usage restriction command signal transmitted from the T/C 100, the processor 400 restricts usage through a reduced-operation mode in which the usage of a large bill is not allowed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention manages a valuable value associated with each recording medium used for a gaming medium lending process of a lending processing machine provided in a gaming machine with a management device, and manages each recording medium managed by the management device A game medium lending system and a game medium lending method for transmitting information to a predetermined third party management center to perform third party management of management information, and in particular, periodically managing information from a game store to a third party management center. A game medium capable of efficiently and efficiently suppressing fraudulent acts while sanctioning a fraudulent act relating to management information to be sent to the third party management center when clearing in by sending. The present invention relates to a lending system and a game medium lending method.

  Conventionally, various devices related to prepaid cards called card issuing machines, card processing machines, and card checkout machines are installed in game stores, and a player inserts a prepaid card into a card processing machine that is attached to a pachinko to perform predetermined operations. A system that lends a game medium such as a pachinko ball to a player by performing the game is known.

  In this type of prepaid card system, a management device (hereinafter referred to as “T / C”) called a hall computer or a terminal controller manages the remaining number of each prepaid card, and a fair third party from such T / C. By regularly sending card data as sales information to a third party management center managed by the company, so-called “clearing in” is realized, thereby preventing illegal acts such as tax evasion by amusement stores.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cash-type lending processor in order to achieve clearing of an invoice at low cost without remodeling a conventional device even in an environment where a cash-type lending processor and a card-type lending processor are mixed. A game medium lending system configured to convert a pulse from the system into sales information and transmit it to a third party management center together with card data is disclosed.

  In such a prepaid card system, for example, if the card data cannot be exchanged between the T / C and the third party management center due to a line malfunction (communication failure) or the like, the card company operating the third party management center will play an amusement store. Is instructed to check the equipment, and depending on the situation, maintenance personnel to repair the equipment are dispatched to the amusement store. While the communication is interrupted, the amusement store operates the prepaid card related device offline, and transmits the card data to the third party management center after the communication failure is recovered.

JP 2001-120818 A

  However, when the above-mentioned conventional prepaid card system is used, an employee of the game shop intentionally disconnects the communication line between the T / C and the third party management center due to disconnection or the like, and this communication line is restored. In the meantime, there is a possibility of fraud in which the card data is falsified and a card usage amount smaller than the actual card usage amount is transmitted to the third party management center. In particular, if the communication line between the T / C and the third party management center is interrupted for a long time, the capacity of the card data during the interruption exceeds the storage capacity of the T / C. There is also a possibility that an amusement shop may perform fraud related to card data by using.

  If such intentional communication interruptions occur frequently, the card company that operates the third-party management center will have to devote a lot of human effort to responding offline. There is also the possibility of causing trouble.

  For these reasons, it has become an extremely important issue how to prevent unauthorized acts related to management information such as card data by intentionally interrupting communication with a third party management center by an amusement store.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems (problems) of the prior art, and when the management information is periodically transmitted from the amusement shop to the third party management center to clear the in-line. Provided are a game medium lending system and a game medium lending method capable of efficiently and efficiently suppressing fraudulent acts while sanctioning a game shop that intends to carry out fraud related to management information to be sent to a third party management center. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention manages a valuable value associated with each recording medium used in a gaming medium lending process of a lending processor provided in the gaming machine by a management device. , A gaming medium lending system that transmits management information related to each recording medium managed by the management device to a predetermined third party management center to perform third party management of the management information, the management device comprising: Detection means for detecting whether or not management information can be transmitted to the third-party management center, and usage restrictions on gaming medium lending when the detection means detects that the management information has not been transmitted to the third-party management center. And a use restriction means for performing the above.

  In the present invention, the usage control unit may issue a usage restriction instruction to each lending processor when the detection unit detects that the management information is not transmitted to the third party management center. And when the lending processor receives a use restriction instruction from the management device, a use restriction control unit that controls to restrict the use of the gaming medium lending, and a use restriction instruction received from the management device And a use restriction notifying means for notifying that the use is restricted.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the use restriction unit detects that the management unit has not yet transmitted management information to the third-party management center, and the management information is retransmitted for a predetermined period or more. When it has elapsed, it is characterized by restricting the use of game media lending.

  Also, in the present invention, in the above invention, the use restricting unit detects that the management unit has not yet transmitted the management information to the third-party management center, and the past cumulative untransmitted number of times is a predetermined number or more. In some cases, usage restrictions on gaming media lending are performed.

  Further, in the present invention according to the above-mentioned invention, the use restricting unit uses a prohibition of issuance of a recording medium using a large amount of bills from a predetermined recording medium issuing device and uses a large amount of bills to a recording medium in the lending processor. It is characterized by restricting usage, including prohibiting the valuation of valuable value.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the use restriction means includes prohibition of issuance of a recording medium from a predetermined recording medium issuing device and prohibition of valuation of a valuable value to the recording medium in the lending processor. It is characterized by restricting usage.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, when the usage restriction canceling instruction from the third party management center is received, the usage restriction means releases the usage restriction and controls to shift to normal operation. To do.

  In addition, the present invention manages the valuable value associated with each recording medium used for the gaming medium lending process of the lending processing machine provided in the gaming machine by the management device, and stores each recording medium managed by the management device. A gaming medium lending method for transmitting the management information to a predetermined third-party management center to perform third-party management of the management information, wherein the management device transmits the management information to the third-party management center. A detection step for detecting availability, and a use restriction step for restricting the use of gaming media when the transmission of management information to the third-party management center is detected by the detection step. And

  According to the present invention, when the management device detects whether or not the management information can be transmitted to the third party management center, and the detection means detects that the management information has not been transmitted to the third party management center, The use restriction means for restricting the use of gaming medium lending is provided, so that it is possible to efficiently prevent fraud related to the card data to be sent to the third party management center. It is possible to reduce the labor and work related to the recommendation and the arrangement of maintenance personnel.

  According to the present invention, the usage control means issues a usage restriction instruction to each rental processing machine when the detection means detects that the management information has not been transmitted to the third party management center. When a usage restriction instruction is received from the management device, a usage restriction control means for controlling the usage restriction related to gaming media lending, and when the usage restriction instruction is received from the management device, a notification is made that the usage restriction state is present. Use restriction notification means, so that it is possible to efficiently suppress fraud related to the card data to be sent to the third party management center, and use restriction status against fraud related to the card data Can be reported accurately.

  Further, according to the present invention, the use restricting means detects that the detection means detects that the management information has not been transmitted to the third party management center, and a predetermined period of time elapses before the management information is retransmitted. Since it is configured to restrict the use related to the game media lending, it is possible to perform the appropriate use restriction on the game store to be sanctioned based on the non-transmission period of the card data.

  Further, according to the present invention, the use restricting means detects when the detecting means detects that the management information has not been transmitted to the third party management center, and the past cumulative untransmitted number of times is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. Since the use restriction relating to the game medium lending is configured, it is possible to perform the appropriate use restriction for the game store to be sanctioned based on the cumulative untransmitted number of card data.

  Further, according to the present invention, the use restricting means prohibits the issuance of the recording medium using the high-priced banknote from the predetermined recording medium issuing device and uses the high-price banknote to the recording medium in the lending processor. Since it is configured to restrict usage including prohibition of value-setting, it is efficient to apply fraudulent acts while imposing sanctions on amusement stores that attempt to conduct illegal activities related to management information to be sent to a third-party management center due to usage restrictions on high-value banknotes. It can be well suppressed.

  Further, according to the present invention, the use restricting means performs use restriction including prohibition of issuance of a recording medium from a predetermined recording medium issuing device and prohibition of valuation of valuable value to the recording medium in a lending processor. Since it comprised in this way, it can restrict | limit use more correctly with respect to the game store used as the sanction object, and can suppress fraud more efficiently in advance.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the usage restriction means receives the usage restriction release instruction from the third party management center, the usage restriction means is configured to release the usage restriction and control the transition to normal operation. When the card data is transmitted by the return of the card, the degeneration operation mode due to the use restriction is canceled, so that the normal lending operation can be performed.

  Exemplary embodiments of a game medium rental system and a game medium rental method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiment, a case where the game medium lending system according to the present invention is applied to a card system that performs a pachinko ball lending process using a prepaid card will be described. Further, in the card system used in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the player can value the frequency to the prepaid card by additional payment using a large amount of bills on the card processing machine during normal operation.

(Concept of card system)
First, the concept of the card system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of use restriction by the T / C 100 and the card processor 400 in the card system according to the present embodiment.

  Here, the timing of transmitting card data from the T / C 100 of the game store to the third party management center 150 includes a case of sequentially transmitting in real time, a case of transmitting at regular intervals (for example, every hour), a game In some cases, the card data of the day is sent together after the store is closed. In this embodiment, the card data is sent when the game store is closed (for example, at 23:00).

  As shown in the figure, a plurality of pachinko machines 300 in the amusement store are each provided with a card processor 400, and each card processor 400 is connected to the T / C 100 via the island controller 200.

  The T / C 100 of each amusement store is connected to a third-party management center 150 managed by a card company that is a third-party organization. The third-party management center 150 includes the T / C 100 of each amusement store. Card data is transmitted from / C100. The third party management center 150 collects card data received from the T / C 100 of each gaming store as sales information, thereby managing the sales information of each gaming store in an integrated manner.

  The T / C 100 is a management device that manages a card ID of a prepaid card and a remaining frequency in association with each other. When the player inserts cash into the card processor 400, the frequency of the cash is managed on the card data management table 131 in association with the card ID of the prepaid card in the card processor 400.

  When the T / C 100 detects that card data has not been transmitted to the third party management center 150 and determines that the past cumulative number of unsents is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, The card processor 400 of a gaming store where a communication failure has occurred is configured to be subjected to a degeneration operation due to usage restrictions.

  Specifically, the amusement store transmits card data from the T / C 100 to the third party management center 150 when the store is closed, and determines whether or not this card data can be transmitted (whether or not the communication line is interrupted). It is detected by the communication status detection unit 121 (FIG. 2), and the usage restriction determination unit 122 (FIG. 2) determines whether the past cumulative untransmitted number is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. Then, as a result of this determination, when it is determined that the cumulative untransmitted number is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, a usage restriction instruction signal for instructing the card processor 400 to perform a degenerate operation due to usage restrictions is transmitted. .

  When a prepaid card having a remaining number is inserted from the card insertion / return port 404 of the card processing machine 400, the card processing machine 400 acquires the remaining number corresponding to the card ID of the prepaid card from the T / C 100. , A process of sending a ball lending permission signal within the range of the remaining number, a process of value-adding the frequency of cash inserted from the bill insertion slot 402 by the player to the prepaid card stored in the apparatus, and a ball from the pachinko machine 300 This is a device that performs processing for sending a ball lending permission signal to the pachinko machine 300 within the range of the remaining number of prepaid cards when a lending request is received.

  The card processor 400 is configured to perform a degenerate operation based on usage restrictions based on a usage restriction instruction signal transmitted from the T / C 100. Specifically, the card processor 400 that has received the use restriction instruction signal from the T / C 100 is configured to be in a degenerate operation mode due to use restriction.

  The degenerate operation mode based on this use restriction is a card processing machine when card data unsent to the third party management center 150 is detected and it is determined that the cumulative number of unsent card data is greater than or equal to a predetermined number. Reference numeral 400 indicates a usage restriction that permits the use of only 1000 yen bills (low bills) and prohibits the use of high bills such as 10000 yen bills and 5000 yen bills. In this case, a usage restriction lamp 403a for notifying that usage is restricted is lit on the card processor 400, and guidance indicating that usage is restricted is displayed on the usage restriction display unit 403b.

  Here, when the card data can be transmitted to the third party management center 150, the T / C 100 transmits a usage restriction release signal indicating that the usage restriction is to be released to the card processor 400. When the card processor 400 receives the use restriction release signal transmitted from the T / C 100, the card processor 400 releases the degenerate operation mode due to use restriction and can use a high-priced bill such as a 10000 yen bill in addition to the 1000 yen bill. It is comprised so that. In this case, the guidance displayed on the use restriction lamp 403a and the use restriction display unit 403b of the card processor 400 is turned off.

  Therefore, the card system according to the present embodiment detects that the card data has not been transmitted to the third party management center 150, and determines that the accumulated number of untransmitted card data is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. The card processor 400 transmits a usage restriction instruction signal for instructing the degeneration operation due to the use restriction to the machine 400, and the card processing machine 400 uses the degeneration operation mode that disables the use of a large amount of banknotes when receiving the use restriction instruction signal. Since it was configured to perform lending processing, if the operation of the card system is reduced in this way, the amusement shop will hinder the business, so this will result in fraudulent acts related to card data to be sent to the third party management center Can be efficiently suppressed in advance. As a result, it is possible to reduce time and labor related to recommendations to amusement stores and arrangement of maintenance personnel.

(Configuration of T / C100)
Next, the internal configuration of the terminal controller (T / C) 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an internal configuration of the T / C 100 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the T / C 100 includes a display unit 110, a display control unit 111, a control unit 120, a storage unit 130, an input unit 141, an output unit 142, and a communication I / F unit 143. And have.

  The display unit 110 is a display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display. The display unit 110 can display a menu screen, various management data, and the like as a list. The display unit 110 may also realize a function of an input unit 141 described later as a touch panel. The display control unit 111 is a processing unit that controls display by the display unit 110.

  The control unit 120 is a control unit that performs overall control of the T / C 100, and includes a communication status detection unit 121, a usage restriction determination unit 122, and a usage restriction processing unit 123. In practice, programs corresponding to the use restriction determination unit 122 and the use restriction processing unit 123 are loaded on the CPU and executed.

  The communication status detection unit 121 is a part that detects a communication failure due to the interruption of the communication circuit between the T / C 100 and the third party management center 150. Specifically, when the card data is to be transmitted from the T / C 100 to the third party management center 150 when the amusement store is closed, the card data cannot be transmitted due to the disconnection of the communication line (not transmitted). It detects that it became.

  When the communication status detection unit 121 detects that the card data has not been transmitted to the third party management center 150, the usage restriction determination unit 122 determines whether the past cumulative untransmitted number of card data is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. It is a processing part which determines.

  More specifically, as described above, in this embodiment, the time for transmitting card data from the T / C 100 of the game store to the third party management center 150 is after the game store is closed (for example, 23:00). Therefore, as a determination condition by the use restriction determination unit 122, the number of times card data could not be transmitted from the T / C 100 to the third party management center 150 (cumulative untransmitted number) is set. After the store is closed, it is determined that the card data has not been transmitted a predetermined number of times or more (for example, three times or more).

  When the use restriction determination unit 122 determines that the cumulative number of unsent card data to the third-party management center 150 is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, the use restriction processing unit 123 instructs the card processor 400 to use the use restriction. A processing unit that transmits a signal.

  The storage unit 130 is a secondary storage medium such as a hard disk, and includes at least a card data management table 131. This card data management table 131 is a table for storing card data (the remaining number for each card ID) transmitted from a plurality of card processors 400 installed in the game store.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the card data management table 131. As shown in the figure, the card data management table 131 stores various data such as issue date / time, issue amount, remaining frequency, additional deposit amount, expiration date, etc. for each card ID. In the remaining number column, the remaining number data at the present time including the additional deposit at the card processor 400 is stored. Further, in the additional deposit amount column, an accumulated amount of additional deposit in the card processing machine 400 is stored.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the input unit 141 is an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a trackball for inputting various types of information. The input unit 141 is mainly used by an administrator of a game shop. It is possible to change the set value of the timely.

  The output unit 142 is a printing unit such as a printer. The output unit 142 can print a menu screen displayed on the display unit 110 and various management data as a list.

  The communication I / F unit 143 is an interface unit for data communication with the card processor 400 via the island controller 200. Further, the interface unit is used for data communication of card data and the like to the third party management center 150.

(Configuration of pachinko machine 300 and card processor 400)
Next, the configuration of the pachinko machine 300 and the card processing machine 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. 4 is an external front view of the pachinko machine 300 and the card processor 400 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the card processor 400. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the card processing machine 400 is formed to be vertically long in appearance, and the front panel of the main body 401 of the card processing machine 400 has a bill insertion slot 402, a use restriction lamp 403 a, A restriction display unit 403b and a card insertion / return slot 404 are provided.

  The bill insertion slot 402 is an opening for accepting large bills such as 1000 yen bills and 10000 yen bills inserted by a player and taking the bills into the bill processing unit 450 shown in FIG. This banknote insertion slot 402 is identified as a bad banknote (a banknote that cannot be identified) when a high-priced banknote is inserted when the card processing machine 400 is in a degeneration operation mode due to usage restrictions or a banknote inserted by the banknote recognition unit 440. If it is, it becomes a return port for returning the inserted large bill or defective bill.

  The use restriction lamp 403a is a lamp that is turned on when the card processing machine 400 is in use restriction. The use restriction lamp 403a can transmit card data from the T / C 100 to the third party management center 150, and turns off when the use restriction by the T / C 100 is released.

  Similar to the usage restriction lamp 403a, the usage restriction display unit 403b displays a predetermined guidance (for example, “a high-priced banknote cannot be used because usage is restricted”) when the card processing machine 400 is being used. It is a display part to do. In this embodiment, the use restriction lamp 403a and the use restriction display unit 403b are provided. However, any one of the lamps or the display unit may be provided.

  The card insertion / return slot 404 is an opening for accepting a prepaid card and taking it into the card reader 410 and returning the prepaid card when the card return button 360 is operated.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, a game area 310 where a player plays a pachinko game is provided in the upper front portion of the pachinko machine 300, and an upper plate 320 and ball lending are provided below the game area 310. Various operation switches (frequency display unit 340, ball lending button 350, card return button 360) are provided.

  Further, a ball throwing mechanism 330 is provided inside the pachinko machine 300. This ball throwing mechanism unit 330 throws pachinko balls corresponding to the number of loans to the upper plate 320 when a ball lending permission signal is received from the card processing machine 400 in response to a pressing operation of the ball lending button 350. It is. The ball throwing mechanism 330 is also used when a pachinko ball wins and throws a prize ball.

  The frequency display unit 340 is a display unit composed of LEDs that display the remaining frequency value of the prepaid card. For example, when a player newly inserts 10,000 yen, “100 degrees” is valued for the 0-degree prepaid card, and thus “100” is displayed on the frequency display section 340.

  The ball lending button 350 is a button that is pressed when the player receives a pachinko ball lending within the range of the remaining number of prepaid cards, and the card return button 360 is a prepaid card for moving the table. This button is pressed when returning. For example, if a prepaid card with a remaining number of “10” is inserted into the card processor 400 and a card return button 360 is pressed after playing a game for five times, the number of five times is valued from the card insertion / return slot 404. The prepaid card will be returned.

(Configuration of card processor 400)
Next, the internal configuration of the card processor 400 will be described. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the internal configuration of the card processor 400. As shown in the figure, the card processing machine 400 includes a card reading unit 410, a card storage unit 420, a control unit 430, a bill recognition unit 440, a bill processing unit 450, a bill transport path 460, and a communication I. / F part 470.

  The card reading unit 410 holds the prepaid card to be processed that has been drawn out from the card storage unit 420 or the prepaid card inserted from the card insertion / return slot 404, and the card ID recorded on the held prepaid card. A card reader for reading. That is, when a plurality of prepaid cards are stored in the card storage unit 420 in the initial state, one of them is drawn out to the position of the card reading unit 410 to process the prepaid card, and the card insertion / return port 404 When the prepaid card is inserted, the prepaid card located in the card reading unit 410 is transported to the card storage unit 420, and the prepaid card inserted from the card insertion / return slot 404 is transported to the position of the card reading unit 410 to be processed. It becomes.

  The card storage unit 420 is a storage unit that stores a plurality of prepaid cards whose frequency is not valued (0 frequency). The player stores a plurality of prepaid cards in advance so that the player can play with cash without having to bring a prepaid card. When an employee of a game store stores a plurality of prepaid cards in the card storage unit 420, one of the cards is paid out to the position of the card reading unit 410 and is subject to frequency value by cash.

  The control unit 430 is a control unit that controls the entire card processing machine 400, and includes a ball lending processing unit 431, a card return processing unit 432, a lending processing unit 433, a memory 434, and a display control unit 436.

  When a ball lending button 350 of the pachinko machine 300 is pressed, the ball lending processing unit 431 inquires the T / C 100 about the remaining number of prepaid cards. It is a processing unit that issues a pachinko ball throwing instruction. The pachinko machine 300 that has received this throwing instruction throws out pachinko balls corresponding to the number of loans on the upper or lower plate of the pachinko machine 300.

  The card return processing unit 432 is a processing unit that discharges the prepaid card held at the position of the card reading unit 410 from the card insertion / return port 404 when the card return button 360 of the pachinko machine 300 is pressed.

  Based on the use restriction instruction signal transmitted from the T / C 100, the lending processing unit 433 has a processing function for controlling the lending process by the card processor 400 to be a degenerate operation with a predetermined use restriction, and a normal lending process. It is a processing part provided with the processing function controlled to become. When the use restriction instruction signal transmitted from the T / C 100 is received, the degeneration operation mode due to use restriction is set. Further, when the card processor 400 is in the reduced operation mode due to usage restrictions and a usage restriction release signal is transmitted from the T / C 100, the card processor 400 returns from the reduced operation mode to the normal operation mode and performs the same lending processing as normal.

  More specifically, the lending processing unit 433, when the denomination of the banknote inserted from the banknote insertion slot 402 is identified as a high-value banknote by the banknote recognition unit 440 in the degeneration operation mode due to usage restrictions, A return instruction signal is transmitted to 450, and the inserted large bill is returned. On the other hand, when the inserted banknote is identified by the banknote identification unit 440 as not being a high-value banknote, the value corresponding to the denomination identified by the banknote identification unit 440 with respect to the prepaid card in the card storage unit 420. Perform the attachment process.

  The memory 434 is a storage unit that temporarily stores the value of the mode flag 435 (“0” or “1”). Specifically, in this embodiment, when the usage restriction instruction signal transmitted from the T / C 100 is received, 1 is stored in the mode flag 435, and when the usage restriction release signal is received, 0 is stored in the mode flag 435. Is memorized. Depending on the mode stored in the mode flag 435, whether the operation is a degeneration operation due to use restriction or normal operation is set.

  The display control unit 436 is a processing unit that controls lighting of the usage restriction lamp 403a and guidance display of the usage restriction display unit 403b provided in the main body 401 of the card processing machine 400. Specifically, when the usage restriction instruction signal is received from the T / C 100, the usage restriction lamp 403a is turned on, and the usage restriction display unit 403b is controlled to display a guidance indicating that the usage is restricted. Further, when the communication interruption between the T / C 100 and the third party management center 150 is recovered and the use restriction release signal transmitted from the T / C 100 is received, the lamp of the use restriction lamp 403a and the use restriction display unit are displayed. Control to turn off the guidance by 403b is performed.

  The bill identifying unit 440 is a processing unit that identifies the authenticity and denomination of the bill taken from the bill insertion slot 402 and notifies the lending processing unit 433 and the bill processing unit 450 of the control unit 430 of the identification result. In addition, when the banknote identification part 440 determines that the banknote inserted from the banknote insertion slot 402 cannot be identified or is a counterfeit banknote, the banknote is returned from the banknote insertion slot 402.

  The banknote processing unit 450 stores banknotes inserted by the player from the banknote insertion slot 402, and returns a banknote inserted from the banknote insertion slot 402 when the lending processing unit 433 receives a banknote return instruction signal. Is a processing unit. Note that the banknotes stored in the banknote processing unit 450 are led out to the banknote transport path 460 and carried out to the island edge collection box. The communication I / F unit 470 is an interface unit for data communication with the T / C 100 via the island controller 200.

(Notification control procedure for card processor 400 by T / C)
Next, a notification control procedure by the T / C 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a notification control procedure from the T / C to the card processor 400 performed when the amusement store shown in FIG. 1 is closed (for example, 23:00).

  As shown in the figure, the T / C 100 first determines whether or not card data can be transmitted from the T / C 100 to the third party management center 150 (step S101), and the card data cannot be transmitted. In this case (No at step S101), the count value (C) indicating the number of times card data cannot be transmitted is incremented (step S102), and then the number of times card data cannot be transmitted is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (count value) set in advance. (C ≧ predetermined number of times) is determined (step S103).

  When the card data transmission impossibility exceeds the predetermined number (Yes at Step S103), a usage restriction instruction signal for instructing usage restriction is transmitted to the card processor 400 (Step S104).

  Specifically, for example, a count value (C) indicating the number of times card data cannot be transmitted is set to 3 times, and after closing the amusement store, the third party management center 150 is contacted by the T / C 100. When the card data is transmitted and the cumulative number of untransmitted card data reaches three times, the use restriction instruction signal is transmitted to the card processor 400.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S101 that the card data can be transmitted (Yes in step S101), the count value set as the card data transmission impossible count is initialized (step S105). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the card processing machine 400 is restricted in use (step S106). If the use is restricted (Yes in step S106), a use restriction release signal is transmitted to the card processor 400. (Step S107).

  That is, in steps S105 to S107, when the card data can be transmitted from the T / C 100 to the third party management center 150 even once, the use restriction is released to the card processor 400 that is currently restricted. The control procedure until a signal is transmitted is shown. That is, the degenerate operation mode due to the use restriction can be released by transmitting this use restriction release signal.

  Here, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the number of times card data could not be transmitted from the T / C 100 to the third party management center 150 as a determination condition for transmitting the use restriction instruction signal to the card processor 400 ( However, the transmission restriction time signal may be used as the transmission condition of the use restriction instruction signal instead of the transmission impossible number. For example, when the transmission unavailable time is set as 3 hours and the transmission unavailable time of the card data from the T / C 100 to the third party management center 150 is 3 hours or more (when the card data is transmitted, 3 hours) If the card data cannot be transmitted from the T / C 100 to the third party management center 150 even after the elapse of time), a usage restriction instruction signal may be transmitted to the card processor 400.

  Similarly, even if the card data transmission unavailable time is less than 3 hours, if the cumulative number of untransmitted times is equal to or greater than a predetermined number set in advance (for example, 3 times or more), a usage restriction instruction signal is sent to the card processor 400. It is good also as a structure which transmits.

(Procedure for setting a mode flag by the card processor 400)
Next, the setting of the mode flag by the card processor 400 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 7 shows a mode flag setting control procedure by the card processor 400. Specifically, a mode flag setting control procedure performed in response to a use restriction instruction signal or a use restriction release signal transmitted from the T / C 100 when the game store is closed is shown.

  As shown in the figure, the card processor 400 determines whether or not the usage restriction instruction signal has been received (step S201). If the usage restriction instruction signal is received (Yes in step S201), the card processor 400 The mode flag 435 of the memory 434 (FIG. 5) is set to 1 in order to set the reduced operation mode due to usage restrictions (step S202).

  By setting the mode flag 435 to 1, the card processing machine 400 is in a degenerate operation mode due to usage restrictions. Specifically, as described above, it is impossible to use high-price bills such as 10,000 yen, and only 1000 yen. Will be used. Therefore, in this case, the usage restriction lamp 403a (FIG. 4) provided in the card processing machine 400 is turned on, and the guidance display on the usage restriction display unit 403b informs that the card processing machine 400 is being used. .

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the usage restriction instruction signal has not been received (No at Step S201), it is determined whether the usage restriction release signal has been received (Step S203), and the usage restriction release signal is received. If so (Yes at Step S203), the mode flag 435 is set to 0 (Step S204). That is, by setting the setting value of the mode flag 435 to 0, the card processor 400 enters the normal operation mode in which the use restriction is released from the degeneration operation mode due to the use restriction.

  Thereby, the card processing machine 400 can use a 1000 yen bill and a high-value bill such as a 10000 yen bill. Accordingly, in this case, the guidance display on the usage restriction lamp 403a and the usage restriction display unit 403b provided in the card processor 400 is turned off.

(Use restriction processing procedure by the card processor 400)
Next, the use restriction control procedure by the card processor 400 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 8 shows a usage restriction processing procedure by the card processor 400. Specifically, a use restriction processing procedure performed according to the denomination of the bill inserted from the bill insertion slot 402 (FIG. 4) when the amusement store is opened (when the card processor 400 is turned on) is shown. .

  As shown in the figure, first, the mode stored in the mode flag 435 of the memory 434 (FIG. 5) is read (step S301). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the read mode flag is 1 (step S302). If the mode flag is 1 as a result of determination in step S302, the use restriction lamp 403a (FIG. 4) is controlled to be turned on. The usage restriction display section 403b displays the usage restriction guidance (step S303).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a bill has been inserted by the player through the bill insertion slot 402 (FIG. 4) (step S304). If a bill has been inserted (step S304 affirmative), the denomination of the inserted bill is determined. Processing is performed (step S305). This denomination is determined by the banknote recognition unit 440 (FIG. 5). Then, it is determined whether the inserted banknote denomination is higher than 1000 yen (step S306). If it is determined that the banknote denomination is higher than 1000 yen ( Then, it is determined whether or not the mode flag is 1 (step S307). If the mode flag is 1 (Yes in step S307), the inserted banknote is returned through the banknote insertion slot 402 (step S307). Step S308).

  Specifically, when the denomination of the banknote inserted from the banknote insertion slot 402 is a banknote that is more expensive than 1000 yen, the card processing machine 400 enters the degenerate operation mode due to usage restrictions based on the mode flag 435 mode. If the card processing machine 400 is being restricted in use and the inserted banknote is a high-priced banknote, the high-priced banknote will be returned. In other words, this can degenerate the card system of the game store, and as a result, cheating by the game store can be suppressed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S306 that the denomination of the banknote is not a denomination higher than 1000 yen (No in step S306), the inserted banknote is accepted as it is (step S309), and the value is deprecated. An attaching process is performed (step S310).

  Similarly, it is determined by the determination in step S306 that the denomination of the bill is higher than 1000 yen (Yes in step S306), and the mode flag 435 is set to 1 by the determination in step S307. If it is determined that it is not (No at Step S307), the inserted banknote is accepted as it is (Step S309), and the value processing is performed (Step S310).

  Specifically, when the denomination of the banknote inserted from the banknote insertion slot 402 is 1000 yen, the card ID of the prepaid card stored in the card storage unit 420 (FIG. 5) is valued 10 degrees, The data is stored in the card data management table 131 (FIG. 3). Thereby, the player can play a game using the frequency (10 degrees) valued by this prepaid card.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the T / C 100 detects that the card data has not been transmitted to the third party management center 150 after the game store is closed (for example, 23:00), and the card data When it is determined that the cumulative number of untransmitted times is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, a use restriction instruction signal for instructing use restriction is transmitted to the card processor 400, and the card processor 400 transmits from the T / C 100. When the received usage restriction instruction signal is received, the usage restriction that prohibits the use of high-priced banknotes is made in the degenerate operation mode. The fraudulent act can be efficiently suppressed in advance while sanctions are imposed on the amusement store to be planned.

(Other examples)
Here, in the above-described embodiment, when the non-transmission of card data to the third party management center 150 is detected and it is determined that the cumulative number of untransmitted card data is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, However, this is not a degenerate operation in which only high-value banknotes are unusable, but low-value banknotes (1000 yen) cannot be used, and coins (500 yen, 100 It can also be configured as a degenerate operation that allows only lending in yen).

  Furthermore, the overall operation of the card system itself may be stopped immediately when usage is restricted. In this case, the card processor 400 itself cannot be used forcibly, and the use of the 1000 yen bill is also stopped. The card processing machine 400 can be lent out using a member card owned by a member, but the card processor 400 may be configured to forcibly stop the use of the member card during a degeneration operation due to usage restrictions. Further, in addition to stopping the operation of the card processor 400, a card issuing machine that issues a prepaid card and a card payment machine that settles the remaining frequency may be forcibly stopped.

  The present invention is useful for efficiently suppressing fraudulent actions related to card data to be sent to a third party management center.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the concept regarding the use restriction | limiting of the card system which concerns on a present Example. It is a functional block diagram which shows the internal structure of the terminal controller (T / C) shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the card data management table shown in FIG. It is a front view which shows the external appearance structure of the pachinko machine and card processing machine which were shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the internal structure of the card processing machine shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the notification control procedure with respect to the card processor 400 by the terminal controller (T / C) shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the mode flag setting control procedure by the card processor shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the use restriction control procedure by the card processor shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

100 Terminal controller (T / C)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Display part 111,436 Display control part 120,430 Control part 121 Communication condition detection part 122 Usage restriction determination part 123 Usage restriction processing part 130 Storage part 131 Card data management table 141 Input part 142 Output part 143,470 Communication I / F Part 150 Third Party Management Center 200 Island Controller 300 Pachinko Machine 310 Game Area 320 Upper Plate 330 Ball Throwing Mechanism Part 340 Frequency Display Part 350 Ball Lending Button 360 Card Return Button 400 Card Processor 401 Main Body 402 Banknote Insertion Port 403a Use Restriction lamp 403b Usage restriction display unit 404 Card insertion / return slot 410 Card reading unit 420 Card storage unit 431 Ball lending processing unit 432 Card return processing unit 433 Lending processing unit 434 Memory 435 Mode flag 440 Bill recognition unit 45 Bill processing unit 460 bill transport path

Claims (8)

The management device manages the value associated with each recording medium used for the gaming medium lending process of the lending processing machine provided in the gaming machine, and management information related to each recording medium managed by the management apparatus A gaming medium lending system that transmits to a third party management center to perform third party management of the management information,
The management device
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the management information can be transmitted to the third party management center;
A game medium lending system comprising: use restriction means for restricting use related to game medium lending when the detection means detects that the management information has not been transmitted to the third party management center. The usage control means, when the detection means detects that the management information has not been transmitted to the third party management center, issues a usage restriction instruction to each lending processor,
When the lending processor receives a use restriction instruction from the management device, a use restriction control unit that controls to perform use restriction related to gaming media lending, and when a use restriction instruction is received from the management device, The game medium lending system according to claim 1, further comprising usage restriction notifying means for notifying that the usage is restricted.   The use restricting means is rented out as a game medium when the detection means detects that the management information has not been transmitted to the third party management center, and a predetermined period of time has passed before the management information is retransmitted. The game medium lending system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the use restriction is performed.   The usage restricting means relates to gaming medium lending when the detection means detects that the management information has not been transmitted to the third-party management center and the past cumulative untransmitted count is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. The game medium lending system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein use restriction is performed.   The use restriction means includes prohibition of issuance of a recording medium using a large amount of bills from a predetermined recording medium issuing device and prohibition of valuation of valuable value using a large amount of bills to the recording medium in the lending processor. The game medium lending system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein use restriction is performed.   The use restriction means performs use restriction including prohibition of issuance of a recording medium from a predetermined recording medium issuance apparatus and prohibition of valuation of a valuable value to the recording medium in the lending processor. Item 5. The game medium rental system according to any one of Items 1 to 4.   The usage restriction means cancels the usage restriction and controls to shift to normal operation when a usage restriction release instruction from the third-party management center is received. The game media rental system described in 1. The management device manages the value associated with each recording medium used for the gaming medium lending process of the lending processing machine provided in the gaming machine, and management information related to each recording medium managed by the management apparatus A game medium lending method for transmitting to a third party management center and performing third party management of the management information,
A detecting step in which the management device detects whether or not the management information can be transmitted to the third party management center;
A game medium lending method comprising: a use restriction step of restricting use related to game medium lending when the transmission of management information to the third party management center is detected by the detection step.

Images