JP2008036123A - Recording medium management system for game, and recording medium management method for game - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To manage a recording medium for a game, even if communication is impossible between a management terminal for a game medium and a management device. <P>SOLUTION: In a prepaid card management system 3, CR units 30 perform distributed management of remaining values in prepaid cards separately from a prepaid card management T/C10, in preparation for the case where communication with the prepaid card management T/C10 is impossible (impossible communication with T/C). Further, a card settlement machine 60 queries a CR unit 30 corresponding to a unit number written in the prepaid card about the remaining value in a prepaid card instead of querying the prepaid card management T/C10, when the communication with the T/C is impossible. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a management device that manages the value corresponding to identification information recorded on a game recording medium (such as a magnetic card, an IC card, or an IC coin) used in a game hall, and the management device manages the management value. The present invention relates to a game recording medium management system and a game recording medium management method having a pedestal machine that performs lending processing of game media based on the valuable value of game recording media.

  Conventionally, in gaming systems that provide games such as pachinko games and slot games, players can use ball machines and medal rental machines such as pachinko machines and pachislot machines. Borrows game media such as pachinko balls and medals from the game, and drives / throws in the game media to play games.

  In recent years, the interbank machine of such a gaming system is more than the one that lends gaming media based on the value of the inserted money, and in recent years the prepaid card (value data itself indicating the amount of money or the value corresponding to the amount of money itself). And the like which lend gaming media based on the value of the identification data for searching the value data recorded in a place other than the card).

  Specifically, a player uses a prepaid card purchased by inserting money into a machine or a card issuing machine, and a player pays a prepaid card into the machine and puts a predetermined lending button. When pressed, a predetermined amount of value is subtracted from the value of the prepaid card, and a pachinko ball or medal corresponding to the reduced value is paid out.

  By the way, the prepaid card inserted into the interbank machine is not that its own value is valid in every aspect of life like money, but its own value is valid only in the amusement store. If there is a balance in the value, it is desirable to pay the value of the balance to the player with money.

  Therefore, in recent years, a recording medium settlement system having a card settlement machine that settles the value of a prepaid card with cash has appeared, and in such a card settlement machine, when a prepaid card is inserted by a player, It is possible to display the balance of the value of the prepaid card that has been inserted (remaining number of times) and the amount that can be settled for the remaining number of times (the amount that can be reimbursed), and pay out the money corresponding to the reimbursable amount to the player Generally performed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  More specifically, in this recording medium settlement system, the value (frequency) corresponding to the identification information (prepaid card ID) recorded on the prepaid card is stored and managed by the management device, and the prepaid card is inserted and its prepaid When a card settlement request is received by the card settlement machine, this card settlement machine inquires the remaining number corresponding to the prepaid card ID to the management device, and corresponds to the remaining number of prepaid cards obtained by this inquiry response. The payment process is performed to pay out the money to be paid.

  In this way, at game stores, handling of prepaid card settlement and lending of game media using prepaid cards at handling terminals such as card settlement machines and interbank machines that handle the remaining number of prepaid cards managed by the management device. Processing is in progress.

JP 2001-104620 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technique (Patent Document 1), when communication between the handling terminal and the management apparatus becomes impossible due to a failure of the management apparatus or a communication failure, a game is played at the handling terminal. Even if a handling request such as a payment request for a recording medium for a game or a rental request for a gaming medium using a gaming recording medium is received, the remaining number of remaining gaming recording media cannot be inquired to the management device. There is a problem that the remaining number becomes unknown and the handling process for the game recording medium cannot be performed.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems (problems) of the prior art, and it has become impossible to perform communication between a game recording medium handling terminal and a management device. Even in such a case, an object is to provide a game recording medium management system and a game recording medium management method capable of performing a handling process relating to a game recording medium.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the game recording medium management system according to the first aspect of the present invention provides valuable information corresponding to identification information recorded on a game recording medium used in a game arcade. A game recording medium management system comprising: a management device that manages a value; and a plurality of intermediary machines that perform gaming medium lending processing based on the valuable value of the game recording medium managed by the management device, The intermediary machine includes intermediary machine information storage means for storing interrogation machine identification information uniquely identifying the intermediary machine in the game recording medium, and the management information in the identification information recorded by the game recording medium. Value information storage means that associates and stores the valuable value of the game recording medium managed by the device, and includes a handling terminal that handles the valuable value of the gaming recording medium managed by the management device, and the handling terminal includes: The handling Communication acceptability judging means for judging whether or not the terminal can communicate with the management device, and when the game recording medium is accepted, the machine identification information is taken out from the game recording medium Inter-machine identification information extracted by the inter-machine information extracting means when it is determined by the inter-machine information extracting means and the communication availability determining means that communication with the management apparatus is impossible. Value information inquiring means for inquiring about the valuable value of the game recording medium, and handling processing means for handling the valuable value obtained as a response to the inquiry by the value information inquiring means. It is characterized by comprising.

  According to a second aspect of the game recording medium management system of the present invention, in the above invention, the handling terminal accepts the game recording medium, and the management device manages the accepted game recording medium. A recording medium settlement machine that settles money based on a valuable value, wherein the communication availability determination unit determines whether or not the recording medium settlement machine can communicate with the management device, and When the machine recording information receiving unit accepts the game recording medium, it extracts the machine identification information from the game recording medium, and the value information inquiry unit performs the recording medium settlement by the communication availability determination unit. If it is determined that the machine cannot communicate with the management device, the machine corresponding to the machine identification information extracted by the machine information extraction means Inquiring about the valuable value of the technical recording medium, the handling processing means settles the gaming recording medium into money based on the valuable value obtained as a response result of the inquiry by the value information inquiry means. To do.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game recording medium management system according to the first aspect, wherein the handling terminal is the intermediary machine, and the communication availability determining means is configured such that the intermediary machine is the management device. It is determined whether or not it is possible to communicate with the machine, the inter-machine machine information take-out means, when accepting the game recording medium, takes out the inter-machine identification information from the game recording medium, The value information inquiry means, when the communication availability determination means determines that the machine is unable to communicate with the management apparatus, the value information inquiry means Queries the intermediary machine corresponding to the inter-machine identification information about the valuable value of the game recording medium, and the handling processing means is based on the valuable value obtained as a response result of the inquiry by the value information inquiry means. Play And performing rental processing medium.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game recording medium management system according to the first aspect, wherein the handling terminal accumulates a history of results of handling the valuable value of the game recording medium by the handling processing means. And a history notification means for notifying the management apparatus of a history of handling results stored by the history storage means when it is determined that communication with the management apparatus has been restored by the communication availability determination means. It is characterized by that.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game recording medium management method comprising: a management device for managing a valuable value corresponding to identification information recorded on a game recording medium used in a game hall; A game recording medium management method for use in a game recording medium management system having a machine that lends gaming media based on the valuable value of the game recording medium to be managed. The storage device information storage step of storing the identification information of the machine between the machines to be recorded on the game recording medium, and the identification information recorded on the game recording medium include the valuable value of the game recording medium managed by the management device. The value information registration step of registering in the value information storage means in association with each other, and whether or not the handling terminal handling the valuable value of the game recording medium managed by the management device can communicate with the management device. Judgment Communication with the management device through the communication availability determination step, and when the game recording medium is received, the machine information extraction step of extracting the machine identification information from the game recording medium, and the communication availability determination step. If it is determined that it is impossible to perform the game, the valuable value of the game recording medium is given to the machine corresponding to the machine identification information extracted by the machine information extraction process. It includes a value information inquiry step for inquiring and a handling processing step for handling a valuable value obtained as a response result of the inquiry in the value information inquiry step.

  According to the present invention, the intermediary machine stores the intermediary machine identification information that uniquely identifies the intermediary machine in the game recording medium, and the management device manages the identification information recorded by the game recording medium. Whether or not a handling terminal handling the valuable value of the game recording medium managed by the management device can store the valuable value of the game recording medium and communicate with the management device. When the game recording medium is accepted, the machine identification information is taken out of the game recording medium and it is determined that communication with the management device is impossible. The value of the game recording medium is inquired of the intermediary machine corresponding to the machine identification information, and the processing of the value obtained as a result of the inquiry is performed. Value is grasped at the handling terminal A game recording medium management system and a game recording medium management method capable of performing processing related to game recording media such as payment of game recording media and rental of game media using game recording media can be obtained. There is an effect that is. Further, the storage device such as the memory of the intermediary machine stores the value associated with the identification information of the game recording medium, and changes the inquiry destination of the value of the handling terminal when communication with the management device is impossible. Since the function of the present invention can be exhibited only by simple modification, it is possible to perform the handling process on the game recording medium without increasing the capital investment cost of the game store.

  Further, according to the present invention, when it is determined whether or not the recording medium settlement machine can communicate with the management apparatus, and the game recording medium is received, the game recording medium is interrogated from the intermediary machine. When the identification information is taken out and it is determined that the recording medium settlement machine cannot communicate with the management device, the game recording is performed on the machine corresponding to the taken machine identification information. Inquiring about the value of the medium, and based on the value obtained as a result of the inquiry, the game recording medium is settled in money. Can be ascertained by the recording medium settlement machine, and even if it becomes impossible to communicate between the recording medium settlement machine and the management device, it is possible for the gaming recording medium to be settled. Recording media management system is obtained There is an effect that.

  In addition, according to the present invention, when it is determined whether or not the intermediary machine can communicate with the management apparatus, and the game recording medium is received, the intermediary machine identification is made from the game recording medium. When the information is taken out and it is determined that the machine is unable to communicate with the management device, the game recording medium of the game medium is stored in the machine corresponding to the machine information identified. Inquires about the valuable value, and the rental of gaming media is performed based on the valuable value obtained as a result of the inquiry. There is a gaming recording medium management system that can be grasped and a gaming medium can be lent out even if it becomes impossible to communicate between the machine and the management device. The effect is obtained.

  Further, according to the present invention, the history of the handling result of the valuable value of the game recording medium is accumulated, and when it is determined that the communication with the management device is restored, the history of the handling result accumulated is notified to the management device. Even if it becomes impossible to communicate between the handling terminal and the management device, the handling status of the game recording medium can be accurately managed, and the management device uses the game recording medium. There is an effect that a game recording medium management system capable of appropriately managing sales information can be obtained.

  Exemplary embodiments of a game recording medium management system and a game recording medium management method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, a game recording medium management system (game recording medium management method) according to the present invention will be described as a first embodiment, and then another embodiment included in the present invention will be described as a second embodiment.

  In the following first embodiment, the outline and features of the game recording medium management system (hereinafter, prepaid card management system) according to the first embodiment, the configuration of each device constituting the system, and the flow of processing will be described in order. In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to a game system for pachinko games.

[Outline and Features (Example 1)]
First, the outline and characteristics of the prepaid card management system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a system configuration of the gaming system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the features of the prepaid card management system according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a gaming system 1 installed in a gaming store is referred to as a management device for managing the remaining number of times associated with a prepaid card, a terminal controller (hereinafter referred to as prepaid card management T / C). ) With 10 as the apex, the island controller 20, the card issuing machine 50, and the card settlement machine 60 provided for each group called “Island” are connected. Further, the island controller 20 is connected to a card processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CR unit 30 as appropriate) provided in each of the plurality of pachinko machines 40 installed on each island.

  In this gaming system 1, a prepaid card PC (issued to the player by the CR unit 30 and the card issuing machine 50, and the identification information of the issuing store, the card-specific identification code, the issue amount, the card type, etc. is recorded) Can be used as a game recording medium.

  The CR unit 30 has a main function of lending a pachinko ball with the remaining number of times associated with the prepaid card PC (hereinafter referred to as the remaining number) as an upper limit. The pachinko machines 40 are prepared so as to be paired with each other for each pachinko machine 40 to be launched and played by the player, and the pachinko machines 40 are sandwiched between the pachinko machines 40.

  In addition, from the viewpoint of improving the convenience for the player, the CR unit 30 issues a built-in card stored in the internal card storage unit as a prepaid card PC when a bill inserted by the player is received. A function is added, and the card storage unit is configured to store a maximum of “10” internal cards as an internal storage capacity. In the card storage unit, only prepaid cards whose remaining number is not valued are stored.

  The card issuing machine 50 has, as main functions, an issuance process for a prepaid card PC associated with a valuable value (frequency) according to the deposit amount and an addition process for the frequency associated with the prepaid card PC when cash is deposited. There are several units installed at amusement stores. The card settlement machine 60 has a main function of the settlement process of the remaining number associated with the prepaid card PC. Specifically, the card settlement machine 60 pays the cash corresponding to the remaining number in exchange for the collection of the prepaid card PC. It is something to be issued.

  The player inserts the prepaid card PC issued from the card issuing machine 50 into the CR unit 30 to perform the pachinko ball lending operation, and also inserts cash into the CR unit 30 so that the CR unit alone When the prepaid card PC is issued, a pachinko ball can be borrowed and a pachinko game can be performed.

  The CR unit 30, the pachinko machine 40, the card issuing machine 50, and the card settlement machine 60 are connected to a management device called a prepaid card management T / C10, and are placed under the control of the prepaid card management T / C10. ing.

  The prepaid card management T / C 10 is a device that stores and manages prepaid card identification information (prepaid card ID) and the remaining number of prepaid cards. For example, when a large bill is inserted in the CR unit 30, the amount of the inserted bill is received from the CR unit 30 together with the prepaid card ID of the built-in card to be issued, and the amount of the inserted bill is entered in the prepaid card ID. After the value is added, a “value complete notification” is returned to the CR unit 30. In this embodiment, from the viewpoint of preventing fraud such as falsification of magnetic data recorded on the card, a configuration is adopted in which only the prepaid card ID is recorded on the prepaid card without recording “frequency”. And

  In this gaming system 1, a prepaid card management T / C10 for storing and managing the remaining number corresponding to the prepaid card ID recorded on the prepaid card PC used in the game hall, and a prepaid card management T / C10 are stored. Based on the CR unit 30 that performs pachinko ball lending processing based on the remaining number of prepaid card PCs to be managed, and the remaining number received by the prepaid card management T / C 10 that accepts the prepaid card PC and manages the accepted prepaid card PC A prepaid card management system 3 comprising a card settlement machine 60 that settles money is provided.

  Here, in the prepaid card management system 3 according to the first embodiment, the CR unit 30 stores inter-device identification information (hereinafter referred to as a “unit number”) that uniquely identifies the CR unit 30 in the prepaid card. Thus, when the prepaid card ID recorded by the prepaid card is stored in association with the remaining number of prepaid cards managed by the prepaid card management T / C 10, the prepaid card is received when the card settlement machine 60 accepts the prepaid card. It is impossible to communicate with the prepaid card management T / C10 by determining whether the card settlement machine 60 can communicate with the prepaid card management T / C10. If it is determined that there is a prepaid card, The main feature is that the prepaid card is settled to money based on the remaining number obtained as a response result of the remaining number inquiry, and the card settlement machine 60 and the prepaid card management T Even when communication between / C10 becomes impossible, the prepaid card can be settled.

  That is, in the prepaid card management system 3, the card settlement machine 60 needs to inquire the prepaid card management T / C 10 about the remaining number of prepaid cards when the prepaid card is settled. There is no uniform inquiry to the T / C10. That is, when communication with the prepaid card management T / C 10 is impossible due to a failure or a communication failure, the remaining number of prepaid cards is inquired to the CR unit 30 corresponding to the machine number stored in the prepaid card. I have to.

  Further, the CR unit 30 responding to such a remaining number inquiry stores the remaining number of prepaid cards inserted therein, independently of the prepaid card management T / C 10. In order for the card settlement machine 60 to know that the frequency inquiry destination is the CR unit 30, the unit number of the CR unit is stored in the prepaid card being inserted.

  Among the operations of the CR unit 30 and the card settlement machine 60, the operation by the CR unit 30 is possible when the prepaid card management T / C 10 can communicate with the prepaid card management T / C 10 (when T / C communication is possible). In addition to C10, the remaining number of prepaid cards is distributed and managed in preparation for when communication with T / C is disabled, and the card settlement machine 60 cannot communicate with the prepaid card management T / C10. In some cases (when T / C communication is not possible), this is performed as an alternative to the inquiry to the prepaid card management T / C 10, so that the T / C communication is possible and the T / C communication is not possible. The operation of the CR unit 30 when the communication with the T / C can be performed will be described in the order of the operation of the card settlement machine 60 when the communication with the T / C cannot be performed.

  Based on this, the characteristics will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 2, when a prepaid card is inserted, the prepaid card ID “0001” is read from the prepaid card (1). The prepaid card management T / C 10 is inquired of the remaining number corresponding to the card ID “0001” (2), and after obtaining the remaining number “50 degrees” of the prepaid card ID “0001”, the prepaid card ID “ “0001” and the remaining frequency “50” are registered in a predetermined storage unit (3), and the serial number “77” of the CR unit 30 is written in the prepaid card (4), and then the prepaid card is returned by the player. When the operation is performed, the prepaid card storing the machine number “77” is returned to the player.

  After T seconds, when the prepaid card management T / C 10 goes down due to a failure, when the prepaid card insertion and the prepaid card settlement request are accepted by the card settlement machine 60, the card settlement machine 60 is inserted. The prepaid card ID “0001” and the machine number “77” are read from the prepaid card (5), and it is confirmed that communication with the prepaid card management T / C 10 is impossible (6). To the CR unit 30 corresponding to the prepaid card ID “0001” (7), the remaining frequency “50 degrees” of the prepaid card ID “0001” is obtained, and the prepaid card is The amount of money “5000 yen” corresponding to the remaining frequency “50 degrees” is settled (8).

  In this way, the remaining number of prepaid cards is distributed and managed by the CR unit 30 in preparation for when T / C communication is impossible, and when the T / C communication is impossible, prepaid to the CR unit 30 instead of the prepaid card management T / C10. By inquiring about the remaining card number, the remaining number of prepaid cards can be grasped even when communication with T / C is impossible.

  Therefore, in the example of the prior art described above, the remaining number of prepaid cards becomes unclear when the prepaid card management T / C 10 is uniformly inquired to the prepaid card remaining number when the T / C communication is impossible. Instead of falling into a state where payment cannot be made due to the situation, the CR unit 30 distributes and manages the remaining number of prepaid cards in preparation for when T / C communication is impossible, and prepaid card management T when T / C communication is impossible By inquiring about the remaining number of prepaid cards to the CR unit 30 instead of / C10, the remaining number of prepaid cards can be grasped even when communication with T / C is not possible. Even if it becomes impossible to communicate between 60 and the prepaid card management T / C 10, it is possible to settle the prepaid card. That.

  Further, in the prepaid card management system 3 according to the first embodiment, the remaining amount is associated with the prepaid card ID and stored in a storage device such as a memory of the CR unit 30, and the card checkout machine when the T / C communication is impossible is stored. Since the function of the present invention can be exerted only by software modification of changing the remaining number inquiry number of 60, it is possible to settle the prepaid card without increasing the capital investment cost of the game shop. Become.

[Configuration of prepaid card management system]
Then, the structure of each apparatus which comprises the prepaid card management system based on Example 1 is demonstrated. Here, after (1) the configuration of the CR unit 30 is described, (2) the configuration of the card settlement machine 60 is described.

(1) Configuration of CR Unit 30 As described above, the configuration of the CR unit 30 according to the first embodiment will be described here, but the internal configuration will be described after the external configuration of the CR unit 30 is described. FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an external configuration of the CR unit 30 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the CR unit 30 is configured as a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped casing, and in the upper part of the front surface of the main body, the state display lamp 301 and the card state display are sequentially arranged downward. An LED 302, a remote control light receiving unit 310, and a depositable display LED 303 are attached.

  The status display lamp 301 is a lamp that indicates whether or not the CR unit 30 can be operated by switching the lighting color. For example, the status display lamp 301 indicates that the CR unit 30 can be operated by “green lighting” and cannot be operated by “red lighting”. It expresses that.

  The card status display LED 302 is an LED that indicates whether or not the prepaid card built in the CR unit 30 needs to be replenished or collected by lighting / flashing. For example, “lit” indicates that the prepaid card needs to be replenished. “Flashing” indicates that collection of the prepaid card is necessary, and “Lights off” indicates that replenishment and collection of the prepaid card is unnecessary.

  The remote control light receiving unit 310 receives infrared rays emitted from a dedicated remote controller (not shown), and performs various operations on the CR unit 30 (for example, replenishment operation and collection operation of a prepaid card) through infrared rays emitted from the remote control. Accept.

  The depositable display LED 303 is an LED that indicates whether or not banknotes can be deposited in the CR unit 30 by lighting / flashing. For example, it indicates that banknotes can be deposited by “lighting”. "Flashing" indicates that banknotes cannot be deposited.

  In addition, a bill insertion slot 308 for inserting a bill containing a large amount of bills (for example, “10,000 yen”, “5,000 yen”, “2,000 yen”, etc.), etc. And a card insertion slot 309 for inserting various cards such as a membership card.

  Further, a 7SEG display unit 304, a mode display unit 305, various button groups, and a lending button 306 and a return button 307 are provided at the bottom of the front surface of the main unit in order downward.

  The 7SEG display unit 304 is a display unit formed from 7-segment LEDs and performs running display of the CR unit 30. For example, when the amount of inserted bills, the remaining number of prepaid cards, the number of stored balls, the number of replays and points are displayed, or when a prepaid card replenishment operation or collection operation is performed with a dedicated remote control, replenishment The number of sheets to be collected or the number of sheets to be collected is displayed.

  The mode display unit 305 displays which mode information is displayed on the 7SEG display unit 304. For example, it is indicated by turning on the corresponding lamp whether any information among “remaining number”, “number of stored balls”, “number of replays”, or “points” is displayed on the 7SEG display unit 304.

  The lending button 306 is an operation button for accepting a ball lending request by a player. When the lending button 306 is pressed, a “ball lending process” is performed in a ball lending processing unit 39a described later. The return button 307 is an operation button for accepting a return request for a prepaid card by the player. When the return button 307 is pressed, the prepaid card being inserted is returned from the card insertion slot 309.

  Next, the internal configuration of the CR unit 30 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the CR unit 30 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the CR unit 30 includes a display unit 31, an input unit 32, a communication control IF unit 33, a BV unit unit 34, a reader / writer 35, a card storage unit 36, a transport / feed-out. A mechanism unit 37, a storage unit 38, and a control unit 39 are provided.

  The display unit 31 is a generic term for the status display lamp 301, the card status display LED 302, the depositable LED 303, the 7SEG display unit 304, the mode display unit 305, and the like shown in FIG. 3, and the input unit 32 includes various button groups, It is a generic term for a lending button 306 and a return button 307.

  The communication control IF unit 33 controls various communications between the CR unit 30 and other devices (for example, devices such as the prepaid card management T / C 10, the island controller 20, the pachinko machine 40, and the card checkout machine 60). It is a processing unit.

  The BV unit 34 is a bill discriminator that identifies the denomination of the bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 308, and outputs the identified denomination of the inserted bill to the control unit 39. In addition, when an insertion banknote is a forged banknote, the said banknote is returned.

  The reader / writer 35 is a reader / writer that reads and writes various cards such as a prepaid card and a membership card inserted into the card insertion slot 309. For example, the reader / writer 35 reads information such as a prepaid card ID and a member ID from these various cards. In addition, the unit number of the CR unit 30 is written in various cards based on the instruction from the inter-machine unit information storage unit 39b.

  The card storage unit 36 is a storage unit for storing a prepaid card whose remaining number is not valued, and a plurality of prepaid cards can be used in advance so that a player can play with cash without having to bring a prepaid card. Is stored. For example, when a bill is inserted by a player, one of a plurality of prepaid cards is drawn out to the position of the reader / writer 35 and is subject to frequency association with cash.

  The transport / feed-out mechanism unit 37 is a mechanism unit that transports / feeds out various cards. Specifically, a prepaid card inserted from the card insertion slot 309 is conveyed to the reader / writer 35, a prepaid card held in the reader / writer 35 is conveyed to the card storage unit 36, and the card storage unit 36 The built-in prepaid card stored in the card is fed out to the reader / writer 35, or the prepaid card held in the reader / writer 35 is fed out to the card insertion slot 309.

  The storage unit 38 is a storage unit (storage unit) that stores data and programs necessary for various processes performed by the control unit 39, and stores unit number information 38a and remaining frequency information 38b as information related to the present invention. Yes. Of these, the unit number information 38 a is information on a unit number uniquely assigned to the CR unit 30, and the remaining number information 38 b is a prepaid card of a prepaid card that has been inserted into the CR unit 30. This is information in which the remaining frequency is associated with the card ID.

  The control unit 39 is a control unit that controls the overall control of the CR unit 30. In particular, as closely related to the present invention, the ball lending processing unit 39a, the inter-machine information storage unit 39b, and the settlement history notification unit 39c are provided. Prepare.

  Among these, the ball lending processing unit 39a is a processing unit that performs “ball lending processing” for lending pachinko balls. Specifically, when a prepaid card having a remaining number is inserted and the depression of the lending button 306 is accepted, a ball lending instruction is given to the pachinko machine 40 from the ball throwing mechanism inside the pachinko machine 40 A certain number of pachinko balls are thrown out. In the first embodiment, in order to ensure that the sales information managed by the prepaid card management T / C 10 is regularly appropriate, between the CR unit 30 and the prepaid card management T / C 10. When communication cannot be performed, ball lending with a prepaid card is prohibited.

  The inter-machine information storage unit 39b is a processing unit that stores inter-machine identification information that uniquely identifies the CR unit 30 in a prepaid card. Specifically, when a prepaid card built in the card storage unit 36 is issued or when a prepaid card is accepted from the outside through the card insertion slot 309, the prepaid card remaining frequency inquiry destination when T / C communication is impossible Is controlled so that the card number information 38a stored in the storage unit 38 is written to the prepaid card through the reader / writer 35.

  Here, the basic control in which the functions of the present invention (registration / storage and number storage) are incorporated in the CR unit 30 will be described. When the banknote is inserted from the banknote insertion slot 308, the CR unit 30 is inserted. The built-in prepaid card stored in the card storage unit 36 is transferred to the reader / writer 35 through the transport / delivery mechanism unit 37, and the ball lending processing unit 39a determines the amount of the inserted banknote determined by the BV unit unit 34. The value is added to the prepaid card, and the inter-machine information storage unit 39b writes the unit number information 38a stored in the storage unit 38 through the reader / writer 35 to the prepaid card. Note that “value” here refers to the prepaid card ID of the built-in prepaid card and the remaining number corresponding to the amount of the inserted bill to the prepaid card management T / C 10, and the prepaid card management T / C 10 This refers to the process of storing the remaining number in association with the prepaid card ID.

  The ball lending processing unit 39a registers the prepaid card ID of the valued prepaid card and the remaining frequency in the remaining frequency information 38b in the storage unit 38, and displays the remaining frequency on the 7SEG display unit 304.

  On the other hand, when a prepaid card is inserted from the card insertion slot 309, the ball lending processing unit 39a inquires the prepaid card management T / C 10 about the remaining number corresponding to the prepaid card ID of the inserted prepaid card, and If the remaining number is “0”, an instruction to return the prepaid card is given to the transport / payout mechanism 37 and the prepaid card is fed out to the card insertion slot 309.

  If the remaining number of the prepaid card is not “0”, the inter-vehicle machine information storage unit 39b writes the unit number information 38a stored in the storage unit 38 through the reader / writer 35 to the prepaid card, and then lends the ball. The processing unit 39a registers the prepaid card ID of the prepaid card that accepted the insertion and the remaining frequency in the remaining frequency information 38b in the storage unit 38, and causes the 7SEG display unit 304 to display the remaining frequency.

  Thereafter, when the ball lending processing unit 39a receives a ball lending request through pressing of the lending button 306, if the communication with the prepaid card management T / C 10 is possible, the prepaid card of the prepaid card held in the reader / writer 35 is received. The prepaid card management T / C 10 is instructed to subtract the remaining frequency corresponding to the card ID by a predetermined frequency, and after the frequency subtraction is completed, a pachinko ball corresponding to the predetermined frequency is thrown to the pachinko machine 40. The “ball lending process” is instructed. If communication with the prepaid card management T / C 10 is impossible, the status display lamp 301 is “lit red” to notify that the ball lending is prohibited.

  Subsequently, the ball lending processing unit 39a performs an update to subtract the frequency subtracted by the “ball lending process” from the remaining frequency information 38b of the corresponding prepaid card ID stored in the storage unit 38 of the CR unit 30. At this time, if the remaining number of the prepaid card held in the reader / writer 35 becomes “0”, the prepaid card stored in the reader / writer 35 is instructed by instructing the transport / feeding mechanism 37 to store the prepaid card. When the card is conveyed to the card storage unit 36 and the remaining number of prepaid cards being held does not become “0”, the ball lending standby state is returned.

  If the ball lending processing unit 39a receives a request for returning a prepaid card by pressing the return button 307 without receiving a ball lending request by pressing the lending button 306, the prepaid card is sent to the transport / feeding mechanism unit 37. To return the prepaid card to the card insertion slot 309.

  In this way, independent of the prepaid card management T / C 10, the CR unit 30 distributes and manages the remaining number of remaining prepaid cards in preparation for the inability to communicate with the T / C, and the prepaid card remaining frequency inquiry destination The card settlement machine 60 can be made to recognize that this is the CR unit 30.

  When the payment history notifying unit 39c detects that the communication with the prepaid card management T / C 10 has been interrupted, the payment history notification unit 39c notifies the prepaid card management T / C 10 of the result of the payment by the card payment machine 60. Is a processing unit. Specifically, of the remaining frequency information 38b stored in the storage unit 38, the settlement result of the settlement performed in the settlement of the prepaid card by the card settlement machine 60 described later is sent to the prepaid card management T / C 10 afterwards. To be notified.

(2) Configuration of Card Payment Machine Next, the configuration of the card payment machine 60 according to the first embodiment will be described. Here, after describing the external configuration of the card settlement machine 60, the internal configuration will be described. FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating an appearance of the card settlement machine 60 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the card settlement machine 60 has a display 620, a card insertion / return slot 625, a confirmation button 630, and a cancel button 635 in order from the top on a door 611 provided on the front surface of the housing 610. And a bill payout exit 640 and a coin payout exit 645.

  The display unit 620 is a liquid crystal display unit that displays the contents related to the payment of the prepaid card, such as the remaining number of prepaid cards received inside through the card insertion / return slot 625 and the payment amount when the prepaid card is settled to money. LCD). As the display items, a combination of necessary items or all items may be displayed, or only one of the items may be displayed.

  The card insertion / return port 625 accepts various cards such as prepaid cards and membership cards inserted by the player, and works in conjunction with an internal transport / feeding mechanism (not shown) that takes these cards into the reader / writer 64a. This is for inserting and returning cards.

  The coin payout exit 645 is an exit for throwing out coins to the outside in conjunction with a later-described coin processing unit 62a and a hopper 62b. Similarly, the banknote payout outlet 640 is an opening for paying out banknotes in conjunction with a banknote processing unit 63a, a banknote storage unit 63b, and a banknote payout unit 63c, which will be described later.

  The confirmation button 630 and the cancel button 635 are each provided as an external operation input unit, and are buttons for giving a settlement execution instruction or a settlement cancellation instruction to the settlement processing unit 65c described later in response to a pressing operation by the player. . Among these, the confirmation button 630 is for accepting a player's intention to settle the remaining number of prepaid cards, that is, a settlement execution instruction, and the cancel button 635 is a player who does not settle the remaining number of prepaid cards. , That is, a settlement cancellation instruction (card return instruction).

  Next, the internal configuration of the card settlement machine 60 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the card settlement machine 60 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the card settlement machine 60 includes a communication control IF unit 61, a coin processing unit 62a, a hopper 62b, a banknote processing unit 63a, a banknote storage unit 63b, a banknote dispensing unit 63c, and a reader. A writer 64a, a card storage unit 64b, and a control unit 65 are provided.

  Among these, the communication control IF unit 61 controls various communications between the card settlement machine 60 and other devices (for example, devices such as the prepaid card management T / C 10, the island controller 20 and the CR unit 30). Part.

  The coin processing unit 62 a is a processing unit that controls to pay out the 100 yen / 500 yen coin that is compensated in the hopper 62 b from the coin payout exit 645. Specifically, coins corresponding to the designated amount are thrown into the hopper 62b in response to a coin payout instruction by a settlement processing unit 65c described later.

  The banknote processing unit 63 a is a processing unit that controls the banknotes stored in the banknote storage unit 63 b to be paid out from the banknote outlet 640. Specifically, in response to a banknote payout instruction by the settlement processing section 65c described later, the banknote payout section 63c is instructed to pay out the banknote corresponding to the instruction amount, and the banknote is discharged from the banknote storage section 63b.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the payout processing unit 65c determines the payout breakdown so that the coin processing unit 62a is responsible for paying out money less than 1000 yen, and the bill processing part 63a is responsible for paying out money of 1000 yen or more. Although it is configured to receive the determined payout instruction, the settlement processor 65c outputs only the settlement amount to the coin processing unit 62a or the bill processing unit 63a, and the coin processing unit 62a and the bill processing unit 63a cooperate with each other. You may make it pay | pay out money so that each may become the settlement amount finally by arbitrary breakdown.

  The reader / writer 64 a is a reader / writer that reads and writes various cards such as a prepaid card and a membership card inserted from the card insertion / return port 625. Specifically, the recorded information is read from a prepaid card that is made into an IC card, and information is written to the prepaid card. Here, the prepaid card converted to an IC card is used as a game recording medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a magnetic recording medium or other recording medium may be used. .

  The card storage unit 64 b is a storage unit that stores the prepaid card that has been settled by the card settlement machine 60. Specifically, since the settlement by the payment processing unit 65c has already been performed, only prepaid cards whose value is not valued are collected.

  The control unit 65 is a control unit that performs overall control of the card settlement machine 60, and particularly includes a settlement mode setting unit 65a, a remaining frequency inquiry unit 65b, and a settlement processing unit 65c, which are closely related to the present invention.

  Among these, the settlement mode setting unit 65a sets either “normal settlement mode” or “emergency settlement mode” as the settlement mode of the card settlement machine 60 according to the communication status with the prepaid card management T / C 10. It is a processing unit. Specifically, whether or not the card settlement machine 60 can communicate with the prepaid card management T / C 10 is monitored, and communication with the prepaid card management T / C 10 is possible (vs. T / When “C communication is possible”, the “normal payment mode” is set. When communication with the prepaid card management T / C 10 is impossible (when communication with T / C is impossible), the “emergency payment mode” is set. "Is set.

  These “settlement modes” determine whether the prepaid card management T / C 10 or the CR unit 30 is to be inquired about the remaining number of prepaid cards inserted in the card settlement machine 60. This is linked to the operation of the frequency inquiry unit 65b.

  The remaining frequency inquiry unit 65b is a processing unit that queries the remaining frequency by switching the inquiry destination of the remaining frequency of the prepaid card being inserted according to the “settlement mode” set by the payment mode setting unit 65a. The details will be described together with the explanation of the operation of the settlement process performed in cooperation with the settlement processing unit 65c. To summarize, when the “settlement mode” is set to the “normal settlement mode”, The prepaid card management T / C 10 is inquired about the remaining number of prepaid cards being inserted. If the “payment mode” is set to “emergency checkout mode”, the table written in the prepaid card being inserted is entered. The CR unit 30 corresponding to the number is inquired about the remaining number of the prepaid card.

  The settlement processor 65c is a processor that settles the prepaid card inserted into the card settlement machine 60 into money. Specifically, control is performed so that the money of the settlement amount corresponding to the remaining frequency of the prepaid card obtained as a response result of the inquiry by the remaining frequency inquiry unit 65b is paid out through the coin processing unit 62a and the banknote processing unit 63a.

  Here, the operation of the settlement process by the remaining frequency inquiry unit 65b and the settlement processing unit 65c will be described for each settlement mode described above. The settlement process at the time of setting the “normal settlement mode” similar to the existing technology will be described. When the prepaid card is received by the card settlement machine 60 through the card insertion / return slot 625, the remaining frequency inquiry unit 65b displays the prepaid card. The prepaid card ID and the serial number are read from the card through the reader / writer 64a, and the prepaid card management T / C 10 is inquired about the remaining number corresponding to the prepaid card ID.

  On the other hand, in the prepaid card management T / C 10 that has received this remaining number inquiry, the remaining number of the corresponding prepaid card ID is returned to the card settlement machine 60, and the remaining number inquiry unit 65b that has received this inquiry response receives the prepaid card ID. The remaining frequency and the payment amount corresponding to the remaining frequency are displayed on the display unit 620 as a payment item.

  Subsequently, when a payment execution instruction is received through the pressing operation of the confirmation button 630 in the card payment machine 60, the payment processing unit 65c sends a payment completion notice for the prepaid card ID to the prepaid card management T / C 10, and this payment is performed. The prepaid card management T / C 10 that has received the completion notification registers that the payment of the corresponding prepaid card ID has been completed.

  Further, the settlement processing unit 65c in the card settlement machine 60 requests the CR unit 30 corresponding to the machine number read from the inserted prepaid card to erase the remaining frequency relating to the prepaid card ID. The CR unit 30 that has received the request to delete deletes the remaining frequency information of the prepaid card ID from the storage unit 38.

  Thereafter, the checkout processing unit 65c erases the serial number written in the prepaid card being inserted through the reader / writer 64a, stores the prepaid card in the card storage unit 64b, and then corresponds to the remaining number of prepaid cards. The money for the settlement amount is paid out through the coin processing unit 62a and the banknote processing unit 63a.

  Next, the settlement process when the “emergency settlement mode” is set by the remaining frequency inquiry section 65b and the settlement processing section 65c will be described. When the “emergency checkout mode” is set, it is impossible to communicate between the card checkout machine 60 and the prepaid card management T / C 10, so that the sequence is only between the card checkout machine 60 and the CR unit 30.

  More specifically, when a prepaid card is received through the card insertion / return port 625 by the card settlement machine 60, the remaining number inquiry unit 65b reads the prepaid card ID and the serial number from the prepaid card through the reader / writer 64a. The CR unit 30 corresponding to the read machine number is inquired about the remaining number corresponding to the prepaid card ID.

  On the other hand, in the CR unit 30 that has received this remaining number inquiry, the remaining number of the corresponding prepaid card ID in the remaining number information 38b stored in the storage unit 38 is returned to the card settlement machine 60, and the remaining number that has received this inquiry response. The inquiry unit 65b causes the display unit 620 to display the remaining frequency of the prepaid card and the payment amount corresponding to the remaining frequency as a payment item.

  Subsequently, when the card settlement machine 60 accepts the settlement execution instruction through the pressing operation of the confirmation button 650, the settlement processing unit 65c sends a settlement completion notification for the prepaid card ID to the previous CR unit 30 corresponding to the reading table number. The CR unit 30 that has received the payment completion notice registers that the payment of the corresponding prepaid card ID is completed in the remaining frequency information 38b stored in the storage unit 38.

  Thereafter, the settlement processing unit 65c in the card settlement machine 60 erases the serial number written in the inserted prepaid card through the reader / writer 64a, stores the prepaid card in the card storage unit 64b, and then stores the prepaid card. Money corresponding to the settlement amount corresponding to the remaining number is paid out through the coin processing unit 62a and the banknote processing unit 63a.

[Process flow]
Next, procedures of various processes of the prepaid card management system 3 according to the first embodiment will be described. Here, (1) the basic control process performed in the CR unit 30 will be described, and (2) the settlement mode setting process performed in the card settlement machine 60 will be described, and then (3) when the normal settlement mode is set. Next, (4) the settlement process at the time of setting the emergency settlement mode will be described, and finally (5) the settlement history notification process performed between the CR unit 30 and the prepaid card management T / C 10 will be described. .

(1) Basic Control Processing As described above, here, the basic control processing of the CR unit 30 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of basic control processing of the CR unit 30 according to the first embodiment. This basic control process is a process that is recursively performed as long as the power of the CR unit 30 is ON.

  As shown in the figure, when a banknote is inserted from the banknote insertion slot 308 (Yes in step S701), the CR unit 30 reads the built-in prepaid card stored in the card storage section 36 through the transport / feed-out mechanism section 37. The ball lending processing unit 39a pays out the amount of the inserted banknote determined by the BV unit unit 34 to the prepaid card (step S702), and the interpolator information storage unit 39b reads the reader / writer 35. Then, the machine number information 38a stored in the storage unit 38 is written into the prepaid card (step S703).

  Then, the ball lending processing unit 39a registers the prepaid card ID of the valued prepaid card and the remaining frequency in the remaining frequency information 38b in the storage unit 38 (step S704), and displays the remaining frequency on the 7SEG display unit 304. (Step S705).

  On the other hand, when a prepaid card is inserted from the card insertion slot 309 (No in step S701 and affirmative in step S706), the ball lending processing unit 39a sets the remaining number corresponding to the prepaid card ID of the inserted prepaid card to the prepaid card management T. / C10 is inquired (step S707), and if the remaining number of the prepaid card is “0” (Yes in step S708), the prepaid card is instructed to be returned to the transport / payout mechanism 37 and the prepaid card is used as a card. It is extended to the insertion port 309 (step S709).

  If the remaining number of the prepaid card is not “0” (No at Step S708), the inter-machine information storage unit 39b writes the unit number information 38a stored in the storage unit 38 through the reader / writer 35 to the prepaid card. After that (step S703), the ball lending processing unit 39a registers the prepaid card ID of the prepaid card that accepted the insertion and the remaining frequency in the remaining frequency information 38b in the storage unit 38 (step S704), and this remaining frequency is 7SEG. It is displayed on the display unit 304 (step S705).

  Thereafter, when a ball lending request is received through pressing of the lending button 306 (Yes in Step S710), if communication with the prepaid card management T / C 10 is possible (Yes in Step S711), the ball lending processing unit 39a The prepaid card management T / C 10 is instructed to subtract the remaining frequency corresponding to the prepaid card ID of the prepaid card held in the writer 35 for a predetermined frequency, and after the frequency subtraction is completed, the pachinko machine 40 has a predetermined frequency A “ball lending process” is performed to instruct to throw out pachinko balls for a certain number of times (step S712). If communication with the prepaid card management T / C 10 is not possible (No at Step S711), the status display lamp 301 is "lit red" to notify that the ball lending is prohibited (Step S713). The process returns to step S705 described above.

  Subsequently, the ball lending processing unit 39a performs an update to subtract the frequency subtracted by the “ball lending process” from the remaining frequency information 38b of the corresponding prepaid card ID stored in the storage unit 38 of the CR unit 30. (Step S714) At this time, if the remaining number of prepaid cards held in the reader / writer 35 becomes “0” (Yes in Step S715), the transport / feed mechanism 37 is instructed to store the prepaid card. Then, the prepaid card held by the reader / writer 35 is conveyed to the card storage unit 36 (step S716), and the process is terminated.

  In addition, when the remaining number of prepaid cards being held does not become “0” (No at Step S715), the processing from Step S705 to Step S714 is repeated.

(2) Settlement Mode Setting Process Next, the settlement mode setting process according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the adjustment mode setting process according to the first embodiment. This “payment mode setting process” is started when the prepaid card management T / C 10 is connected when the card payment machine 60 is turned on, and the “normal payment mode” is set, and the power is turned off. This process is performed recursively.

  As shown in the figure, the settlement mode setting unit 65a monitors whether or not the card settlement machine 60 can communicate with the prepaid card management T / C 10 (step S801), and the prepaid card management T. If it is impossible to communicate with / C10 (Yes in step S801), the settlement mode of the card settlement machine 60 is shifted from the “normal settlement mode” to the “emergency settlement mode” (step S802).

  Thereafter, when communication with the prepaid card management T / C 10 is restored (Yes in step S803), the settlement mode setting unit 65a changes the settlement mode of the card settlement machine 60 from “emergency settlement mode” to “normal settlement mode”. The process proceeds from step S801 to S804 described above until the power of the card settlement machine 60 is turned off.

(3) Settlement Processing when Setting the Normal Checkout Mode Next, the checkout processing when setting the normal checkout mode according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence among the prepaid card management T / C 10, the CR unit 30, and the card settlement machine 60 regarding the settlement process when the normal settlement mode according to the first embodiment is set. This process is performed only when the card settlement machine 60 is set to the “normal settlement mode”.

  As shown in the figure, when the prepaid card is received through the card insertion / return port 625 by the card settlement machine 60 (step S901), the remaining number inquiry section 65b receives the prepaid card ID and the table from the prepaid card through the reader / writer 64a. The number is read (step S902), and the remaining number corresponding to the prepaid card ID is inquired to the prepaid card management T / C 10 (step S903).

  On the other hand, in the prepaid card management T / C 10 that has received this remaining number inquiry, the remaining number of the corresponding prepaid card ID is returned to the card settlement machine 60 (step S905), and the remaining number inquiry unit 65b that has received this inquiry response The remaining frequency of the prepaid card and the payment amount corresponding to the remaining frequency are displayed on the display unit 620 as a payment item (step S906).

  Subsequently, when the payment processing instruction is received through the pressing operation of the confirmation button 630 in the card payment machine 60 (step S907), the payment processing unit 65c sends a payment completion notification for the prepaid card ID to the prepaid card management T / C10. In step S908, the prepaid card management T / C 10 that has received the payment completion notification registers that the payment of the prepaid card ID has been completed (step S909).

  Further, the settlement processing unit 65c in the card settlement machine 60 requests the CR unit 30 corresponding to the machine number read from the inserted prepaid card to erase the remaining number related to the prepaid card ID (step S910). The CR unit 30 that has received this request for erasure deletes the remaining frequency information of the prepaid card ID from the storage unit 38 (step S911). The request for deletion to the CR unit 30 may be made not from the card settlement machine 60 but from the prepaid card management T / C 10.

  Thereafter, the settlement processing unit 65c erases the machine number written in the prepaid card being inserted through the reader / writer 64a (step S912), and stores the prepaid card in the card storage unit 64b (step S913). Money corresponding to the settlement amount corresponding to the remaining frequency of the prepaid card is paid out through the coin processing unit 62a and the banknote processing unit 63a (step S914), and the processing is terminated.

  As described above, when the “normal payment mode” is set, the prepaid card management T / C 10 is inquired about the remaining number of prepaid cards and the payment completion registration is performed, and the remaining number of the corresponding prepaid card ID stored in the CR unit 30 is Erased.

(4) Settlement Process at the Time of Setting the Emergency Checkout Mode Next, the checkout process at the time of setting the emergency checkout mode according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence between the CR unit 30 and the card settlement machine 60 regarding the settlement process when the emergency settlement mode according to the first embodiment is set. This process is performed only when the card settlement machine 60 is set to the “emergency settlement mode”.

  As shown in the figure, when the prepaid card is received through the card insertion / return port 625 by the card settlement machine 60 (step S1001), the remaining number inquiry unit 65b receives the prepaid card ID and the table from the prepaid card through the reader / writer 64a. The number is read (step S1002), and the remaining number corresponding to the prepaid card ID is inquired to the CR unit 30 corresponding to the read unit number (step S1003).

  On the other hand, in the CR unit 30 that has received the remaining frequency inquiry, the remaining number of the corresponding prepaid card ID in the remaining frequency information 38b stored in the storage unit 38 is returned to the card settlement machine 60 (step S1004). The received remaining frequency inquiry unit 65b displays the remaining frequency of the prepaid card and the payment amount corresponding to the remaining frequency on the display unit 620 as a payment item (step S1005).

  Subsequently, when the card settlement machine 60 receives a settlement execution instruction through the pressing operation of the confirmation button 630 (step S1006), the settlement processing unit 65c sends a settlement completion notification for the prepaid card ID to the reading table number. (Step S1007), and the CR unit 30 that has received this settlement completion notification registers that the settlement of the corresponding prepaid card ID is completed in the remaining frequency information 38b stored in the storage unit 38 (step S1007). S1008).

  Thereafter, the settlement processing unit 65c in the card settlement machine 60 erases the serial number written in the inserted prepaid card through the reader / writer 64a (step S1009), and after the prepaid card is stored in the card storage unit 64b. (Step S1010), the money for the settlement amount corresponding to the remaining frequency of the prepaid card is paid out through the coin processing unit 62a and the banknote processing unit 63a (Step S1011), and the processing is terminated.

  As described above, when the “emergency checkout mode” is set, the prepaid card remaining frequency inquiry and the checkout completion registration are performed with respect to the CR unit corresponding to the serial number written in the prepaid card that has received the checkout request. As will be described later, the payment completion information of the corresponding prepaid card ID stored in the CR unit 30 is stored when the communication between the CR unit 30 and the prepaid card management T / C 10 becomes possible. The management T / C 10 is notified.

(5) Payment history notification processing Next, the payment history notification processing according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence between the prepaid card management T / C 10 and the CR unit 30 regarding the payment history notification processing according to the first embodiment. This settlement history notification process is started when it is detected that the communication has been restored after the communication between the CR unit 30 and the prepaid card management T / C 10 is temporarily interrupted.

  As shown in the figure, when the establishment of connection is confirmed in both the CR unit 30 and the prepaid card management T / C 10 (steps S1101A and S1101B), the settlement history notification unit 39c in the CR unit 30 stores Of the remaining frequency information 38b stored in the section 38, the payment details such as the remaining payment amount of the prepaid card ID or the payment amount thereof, which has been registered by the card settlement machine 60 when the “emergency settlement mode” is set, are stored in the prepaid card. The management T / C 10 is notified (step S1102).

  On the other hand, in the prepaid card management T / C 10 that has received the notification of the payment details, the payment details of the payment card ID are registered in a predetermined database (step S1103), and a request for clearing the payment details of the payment card ID is issued as a CR. The unit 30 is notified (step S1104).

  In addition, the CR unit 30 that has received this request for erasure deletes the settlement contents such as the settlement remaining number of the prepaid card ID or the settlement amount thereof from the remaining number information 38b stored in the storage unit 38 (step S1105). The process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the prepaid card management system 3 according to the first embodiment, the CR unit 30 manages the remaining frequency of the prepaid card in a distributed manner in preparation for the time when communication with the T / C is impossible, and the communication with the T / C communication. When it is not possible, instead of the prepaid card management T / C10, the CR unit 30 is inquired about the remaining number of prepaid cards, so even when communication with T / C is impossible, the remaining number of prepaid cards can be grasped. Even when it becomes impossible to perform communication between the settlement machine 60 and the prepaid card management T / C 10, it is possible to settle the prepaid card.

  In addition, according to the prepaid card management system 3 according to the first embodiment, the remaining number is stored in association with the prepaid card ID in a storage device such as a memory of the CR unit 30, and the card when the communication with the T / C communication is disabled Since the function of the present invention is realized only by software modification of changing the remaining frequency inquiry destination of the settlement machine 60, the payment of the prepaid card can be performed without increasing the capital investment cost of the amusement store. Is possible.

  Furthermore, according to the prepaid card management system 3 according to the first embodiment, the history of the settlement result of the remaining number of prepaid cards is accumulated in the CR unit 30 and the communication between the CR unit 30 and the prepaid card management T / C 10 is restored. In this case, since the payment result history of the prepaid card stored in the CR unit 30 is notified to the prepaid card management T / C 10, communication is performed between the card payment machine 60 and the prepaid card management T / C 10. Even when it becomes impossible to carry out, the payment status of the prepaid card can be managed accurately, and the sales information by the prepaid card can be properly managed by the prepaid card management T / C 10.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms other than the embodiments described above. Therefore, another embodiment included in the present invention will be described below.

(1) Prepaid Card Handling Terminal In the above-described first embodiment, the card settlement machine 60 that performs the prepaid card settlement is illustrated as a handling terminal that handles the remaining number of prepaid cards managed by the prepaid card management T / C 10. The present invention is not limited to this, and may be a CR unit 30 that lends a ball using a prepaid card or other devices (for example, a display for confirming the remaining number of prepaid cards).

  For example, in the case where the CR unit 30 cannot perform communication with the prepaid card management T / C 10 while the CR unit 30 distributes and manages the remaining number of remaining prepaid cards in preparation for the time when communication with the T / C is impossible. The CR unit 30 corresponding to the machine number read from the prepaid card being inserted is inquired about the remaining number of the prepaid card, and the prepaid card obtained by the response of the CR unit 30 corresponding to this card number is read. By configuring the CR unit 30 to perform the pachinko ball lending process based on the remaining number, the remaining number of prepaid cards can be grasped by the CR unit 30 even when communication with T / C is impossible. 30 even if it becomes impossible to communicate between the T / C 10 and the prepaid card management T / C 10 It is possible to perform lending game media with.

  Thus, a handling terminal (for example, the CR unit 30 or the card settlement machine 60 described here) that handles the remaining number of prepaid cards managed by the prepaid card management T / C 10 communicates with the prepaid card management T / C 10. If it is impossible, the CR unit 30 corresponding to the machine number read from the inserted prepaid card is inquired about the remaining number of the prepaid card, and the CR unit 30 corresponding to the read machine number is inquired. By handling the remaining number of prepaid cards obtained as a result of the response, the remaining number of prepaid cards can be grasped at the handling terminal, and prepaid card handling processing such as prepaid card settlement and prepaid card lending Can be done.

  In the first embodiment, the history of the settlement result of the remaining number of prepaid cards is accumulated in the CR unit 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the card settlement machine 60 You may make it accumulate | store the log | history of the settlement result of the remaining frequency of a prepaid card.

  Furthermore, in Example 1 described above, the history of the settlement result of the remaining number of the prepaid card is accumulated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the history of the lending result by the prepaid card is accumulated, When it is determined that the communication with the prepaid card management T / C 10 has been restored, the accumulated loan result history may be notified to the prepaid card management T / C 10.

  In other words, even when communication between the CR unit 30 and the prepaid card management T / C10 management device becomes impossible, the lending status of the game media using the prepaid card can be managed accurately, and the prepaid card can be managed. The card management T / C 10 can appropriately manage sales information by prepaid card.

  In the first embodiment described above, the embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a game system for pachinko games has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pachislot game is further added. The present invention can be similarly applied to any of the above gaming systems and gaming systems only for pachislot games.

  In addition, among the processes described in this embodiment, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or the processes described as being performed manually can be performed. All or a part can be automatically performed by a known method. In addition, the processing procedure, control procedure, specific name, and information including various data and parameters shown in the above-described document and drawings can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified.

  Further, each component of each illustrated apparatus is functionally conceptual, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the specific form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed or arbitrarily distributed in arbitrary units according to various loads or usage conditions. Can be integrated and configured. Further, all or any part of each processing function performed in each device may be realized by a CPU and a program analyzed and executed by the CPU, or may be realized as hardware by wired logic.

  As described above, the game recording medium management system and the game recording medium management method according to the present invention can be used even when communication between the game recording medium handling terminal and the management device becomes impossible. The present invention is suitable for a game recording medium management system and a game recording medium management method capable of performing a handling process relating to a game recording medium.

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a system configuration of a gaming system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the characteristic of the prepaid card management system which concerns on Example 1. FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an external configuration of a CR unit 30 according to a first embodiment. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a CR unit 30 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is the front view which showed the external appearance of the card payment machine 60 which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the internal structure of the card payment machine 60 of Example 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of basic control processing of the CR unit 30 according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the adjustment mode setting process which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the control sequence between the prepaid card management T / C10 regarding the payment process at the time of the normal payment mode setting which concerns on Example 1, CR unit 30, and the card payment machine 60. FIG. It is a figure which shows the control sequence between CR unit 30 and the card settlement machine 60 regarding the settlement process at the time of the emergency settlement mode setting which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the control sequence between the prepaid card management T / C10 and CR unit 30 regarding the adjustment log | history notification process which concerns on Example 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 gaming system 3 prepaid card management system 10 prepaid card management T / C
20 island controller 30 CR unit (card processing unit)
Reference Signs List 31 Display Unit 32 Input Unit 33 Communication Control IF Unit 34 BV Unit Unit 35 Reader / Writer 36 Card Storage Unit 37 Transport / Feeding Mechanism Unit 38 Storage Unit 39 Control Unit 39a Ball Lending Processing Unit 39b Interstage Machine Information Storage Unit 39c Payment History Notification Unit 40 pachinko machine 50 card issuing machine 60 card settlement machine 61 communication control IF unit 62a coin processing unit 62b hopper 63a banknote processing unit 63b banknote storage unit 63c banknote dispensing unit 64a reader / writer 64b card storage unit 65 control unit 65a settlement mode setting unit 65b Remaining frequency inquiry part 65c Settlement processing part

Claims (5)

A management device for managing the value corresponding to the identification information recorded on the game recording medium used in the game hall, and a gaming medium lending process based on the value of the game recording medium managed by the management device A game recording medium management system having a plurality of inter-vehicle machines for performing
The inter-machine is
Inter-machine information storage means for storing inter-machine identification information for uniquely identifying the inter-machine between the game recording media;
Value information storage means for storing identification information recorded by the game recording medium in association with a valuable value of the game recording medium managed by the management device;
A handling terminal for handling the valuable value of the game recording medium managed by the management device;
The handling terminal is
Communication availability determination means for determining whether or not the handling terminal can communicate with the management device;
When the game recording medium is received, the machine information extracting means for extracting the machine identification information from the game recording medium;
When it is determined by the communication availability determination means that it is impossible to communicate with the management device, the inter-machine corresponding to the inter-machine identification information extracted by the inter-machine information extraction means Value information inquiry means for inquiring about the valuable value of the game recording medium,
A game recording medium management system comprising: handling processing means for handling the valuable value obtained as a result of the inquiry by the value information inquiry means. The handling terminal is a recording medium settlement machine that accepts the gaming recording medium and settles the accepted gaming recording medium into money based on a valuable value managed by the management device,
The communication availability determination means determines whether the recording medium settlement machine can communicate with the management device,
When the game machine information take-out means accepts the game recording medium, the machine machine information take-out means takes out machine machine identification information from the game record medium,
The value information inquiry means is taken out by the inter-station machine information take-out means when it is determined by the communication availability determination means that the recording medium settlement machine cannot communicate with the management device. Queries the pedestal machine corresponding to the pedestrian identification information about the valuable value of the game recording medium,
2. The game record according to claim 1, wherein the handling processing means settles the game recording medium into money based on a valuable value obtained as a response result of the inquiry by the value information inquiry means. Media management system. The handling terminal is the inter-station machine,
The communication availability determination unit determines whether or not the inter-vehicle machine can communicate with the management device,
When the game machine information take-out means accepts the game recording medium, the machine machine information take-out means takes out machine machine identification information from the game record medium,
The value information inquiry means, when the communication availability determination means determines that the machine is unable to communicate with the management apparatus, the value information inquiry means Inquire about the valuable value of the game recording medium from the machine corresponding to the machine identification information,
2. The game recording medium management system according to claim 1, wherein the handling processing means performs a gaming medium lending process based on a valuable value obtained as a response result of the inquiry by the value information inquiry means. The handling terminal is
History storage means for storing a history of the handling result of the valuable value of the game recording medium by the handling processing means;
A history notification means for notifying the management apparatus of a history of handling results stored by the history storage means when it is determined by the communication availability determination means that communication with the management apparatus has been restored; The game recording medium management system according to claim 1, 2, or 3. Management device for managing the value corresponding to the identification information recorded on the game recording medium used in the game hall, and the rental processing of the game medium based on the value of the game recording medium managed by the management device A game recording medium management method for use in a game recording medium management system having a pedestrian machine for performing
A machine information storage step for storing machine machine identification information for uniquely identifying the machine between the game machines,
A value information registration step of registering the identification information recorded in the game recording medium in the value information storage means in association with the valuable value of the game recording medium managed by the management device;
A communication availability determination step of determining whether or not a handling terminal that handles the valuable value of the game recording medium managed by the management device can communicate with the management device;
When the game recording medium is received, the machine information extracting step for extracting the machine identification information from the game recording medium;
When it is determined by the communication availability determination step that communication with the management device is impossible, the inter-vehicle machine corresponding to the inter-vehicle machine identification information extracted by the inter-vehicle machine information extraction step A value information inquiry process for inquiring about the valuable value of the game recording medium,
And a handling process step of handling a valuable value obtained as a response to the inquiry in the value information inquiry process.

Images