JP2008067986A - Saved game medium management device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid a trouble when compensating saved game media. <P>SOLUTION: A member management DB part 103 stores member information associating with members' IDs of the members of a game parlor and stores the number of saved balls of each member. A member information registration part 104 registers the member information of a provisionally registered member in the member management DB part 103 to definitively register as the member. A registration state determination part 105 refers the registration state of the member information stored in the member management DB part 103 and determines whether the member is a provisional registrant or not. When the member is the provisional registrant, the registration state determination part 105 determines whether or not the saving of the desired number of balls exceeds the limit number of saving balls, and when determining that it exceeds the limit number of saving balls, allows a communication I/f part 101 to transmit saving ball limit information. When the member is not the provisional registrant or when he/she is the provisional registrant but the number of saving balls does not exceed the limit number, notifies the member ID and the desired number of saving balls to the data updating part 106. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a storage medium management apparatus and a storage medium management method for managing the number of storage mediums of members registered in a game store, and in particular, a storage game capable of avoiding troubles during compensation of storage media. The present invention relates to a medium management device and a game storage medium management method.

  Conventionally, in game stores such as pachinko parlors, a player can deposit game media (that is, balls, medals, etc.) acquired by game at the game store and use the deposited game media at the next game. It is. The game media deposited in the game store in this way are generally called saving balls or saving medals.

  Such a stored ball or medal is a service provided mainly only to members registered at the amusement store, and is retained by storing the number of stored balls or the number of stored medals in association with the member ID of each member. Is done. Therefore, the player cannot deposit the counted balls and medals without inserting the membership card into the counting device or the POS device of the free gift counter and inputting the personal identification number when storing the balls or storing medals. Similarly, when a stored ball or a stored medal is withdrawn, it is necessary to present a membership card and input a personal identification number.

  In other words, when a player saves a game medium acquired by a game (or a medal), for example, a player inserts a membership card into a counting device that counts game media or a POS device installed at a prize counter, and acquires it. Specify the desired number of stored balls (or number of stored medals) within the range of the number of game media played. The designated number of stored balls (or the number of stored medals) is associated with the member ID recorded on the member card and stored, for example, in a terminal controller of an amusement store.

  Then, at the next game, the player inserts a membership card into a lending device that rents game media, for example, and inputs a personal identification number and the number of game media desired to be withdrawn. Can be used for gaming.

  By the way, the number of stored balls and the number of stored medals are stored in the terminal controller of the amusement store, but there is a possibility that the data may be erased if, for example, a fire in the amusement store or a malfunction of the system occurs. Therefore, the amusement store may pay a predetermined management fee to a storage management center or the like, which is a third party organization, and request backup or management of data such as the number of stored balls (or the number of stored medals).

  As a result, the safety of the data on the number of stored balls (or the number of stored medals) is secured, and in the unlikely event that a game store goes bankrupt, a third party organization shall compensate the player for stored balls and stored medals. Is also possible. Further, as described in, for example, Patent Document 1, it becomes possible to share data on the number of stored balls and the number of stored medals at a plurality of game stores, and the player can store the stored balls and stored medals at a store affiliated with the game store. You can make purchases using.

JP 2002-200305 A

  However, when a player becomes a new member of a game store, there is usually a provisional registration period in which only the member ID given to the player is determined. In other words, when a player becomes a new member of an amusement store, for example, personal information such as name and address will be entered in the membership application form, and a membership card will be issued so that savings (or medal) can be made from that day. The new member is only given a new member ID, and the main registration for associating the member ID with personal information in a terminal controller or the like is generally performed at a later date. Also, because gender, age, etc. are easy to input, they may be stored in association with the member ID at the time of temporary registration. However, during the temporary registration period, there is sufficient information to identify the individual member. Not remembered.

  And if compensation for the stored ball (or medal) is required during this temporary registration period, personal information is not registered for the temporarily registered member, so the individual cannot be identified, and the stored ball (or medal) ) Compensation cannot be performed.

  In addition, since the member possesses a membership card, it is possible to compensate for the savings (or medal) on the assumption that the player carrying the membership card is the member himself, but personal information There is a possibility that trouble will occur because identity verification is not performed. Specifically, for example, if a member who is temporarily registered loses a member card, if compensation is executed without confirming the identity of the member, compensation for savings (or a medal) will be offered to others who have picked up the member card. Sometimes done.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game storage medium management device and a game storage medium management method capable of avoiding troubles during compensation of game storage media.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a storage medium management device for managing the number of members' storage media registered in a game store, wherein member information and the number of storage media are included in identification information for each member. Storage means for storing the information in association with each other, determination means for determining a limit number of game media to be imposed on each member in accordance with the amount of member information stored in the storage means, and a game medium determined by the determination means Update means for updating the number of stored game media stored in the storage means in association with the identification information of each member with the limit number as an upper limit.

  Also, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the determining means determines the number of game media limit for a temporarily registered member who is only given identification information.

  Also, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the determining means determines that the number of stored game media for the temporarily registered member is zero.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the determining means determines the number of stored game media for a member who is temporarily registered to a number less than the number of stored game media that can be exchanged for a special prize.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the determining means determines the number of game media limit for each game medium depositing process by a member who is temporarily registered.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the determining means sets the limit of the number of game media for a provisionally registered member to a number less than a compensation lower limit set by a third party other than the member and the two of the game store. It is characterized by determining.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the determining means increases the number of stored game media as the membership information amount stored in the storage means increases.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein in the above invention, an acquisition means for acquiring a desired number of game media desired by a member to deposit at a game store, a desired number of game media acquired by the acquisition means, and the current time of the member And determining means for determining whether or not the sum of the number of stored game media exceeds the stored game medium limit number, and the updating means determines that the determined means does not exceed the stored game medium limit number. Only when it has been made, the number of desired stored game media is updated by adding to the current number of stored game media of the member.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that in the above-mentioned invention, there is further provided an informing means for informing the storage medium limitation information indicating that the number of storage media is limited.

  Further, the present invention is a storage medium device capable of communicating with the above-described storage medium management device, wherein the member inputs the desired number of storage media desired to be deposited in a game store, and the member In accordance with the storage means restriction information acquired by the acquisition means for acquiring storage medium restriction information indicating that the storage medium is restricted in the storage medium management device, the input means And control means for limiting the input of the desired number of game media.

  In addition, the present invention is a notification device capable of communicating with the above-described game storage medium management device, and includes a reception unit that receives member identification information, and a storage that can be associated with the member identification information received by the reception unit. It has an acquisition means for acquiring storage medium restriction information indicating that a game medium is restricted in the storage medium management device, and an informing means for informing the storage medium restriction information acquired by the acquisition means. It is characterized by.

  The present invention also relates to a storage medium management method for managing the number of stored game media of members registered in a game store, which is stored in a database that associates member information and the number of game media with identification information for each member. A determination step of determining the number of game media restrictions imposed on each member in accordance with the amount of member information; and the database associated with the identification information of each member with the number of storage medium restrictions determined in the determination step as an upper limit And an update process for updating the number of stored game media stored in the game.

  According to the present invention, the member information and the number of game media are stored in association with identification information for each member, the number of game media restrictions imposed on each member is determined according to the amount of stored member information, The number of stored game media stored in association with the identification information of each member is updated with the determined number of stored game media as the upper limit. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of game media allowed for members who do not store member information and are difficult to identify individuals, and avoid troubles when compensating for game media. .

  In addition, according to the present invention, a member ID is given, for example, on the day when a membership card is issued, in order to determine the number of game media restrictions for a temporarily registered member who is only given identification information. It is possible to impose restrictions on game media for members whose membership information is not yet registered, and avoid trouble even if a situation that requires compensation of game media occurs when there are temporarily registered members be able to.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the limit number of game media for a member who is temporarily registered is determined to be 0, no game media is allowed for a member who is temporarily registered, and a game for a member who is temporarily registered. There is no media compensation.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the number of stored game media for a member who is temporarily registered is determined to be less than the number of stored game media that can be exchanged for special prizes. Only a small amount of compensation is possible for members who are temporarily registered.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the number of game media to be stored is determined for each temporary deposit of game media by a member who is temporarily registered, so that the number of game media allowed for a member who is temporarily registered can be compensated. It can be maximized within a certain range, and the service to members who are temporarily registered can be improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, the number of game media limit for a member who is temporarily registered is determined to be a number that is less than the lower limit of compensation set by a third party other than the two members of the member and the game store. Only a small number of game media are allowed to members, and there is no compensation for the game media for the temporarily registered members.

  Further, according to the present invention, the number of stored game media is increased as the amount of stored member information increases, so that it is possible to improve services for members who can easily identify individuals.

  Further, according to the present invention, the member acquires the desired number of game media that the member wishes to deposit at the game store, and the total of the acquired desired number of game media and the member's current number of game media is stored. It is determined whether or not the game medium limit number is exceeded. Only when it is determined that the game medium limit number is not exceeded, the desired number of game media is added to the current number of game media of the member and updated. For this reason, it is possible to deposit the desired number of game media from, for example, a counting device or POS device only at a game store for members whose membership information is sufficiently registered, and troubles during compensation when processing actual game media. Measures can be taken.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the game store employee and member confirm that the number of game media is limited in order to notify the game media limit information indicating that the number of game media is limited. In addition, the member can designate the number of stored game media anew, issue a receipt or exchange prizes in place of the stored game media.

  Further, according to the present invention, the game media restriction information indicating that the game media by the member is restricted is acquired, and the member deposits at the game store according to the acquired game media restriction information. The input of the desired number of game media is limited, and the desired number of game media is input under the limitation. For this reason, for example, the number of desired game media by members who are temporarily registered can be surely limited.

  Further, according to the present invention, the member identification information is received, and the storage medium restriction information indicating that the storage medium that can be associated with the received member identification information is restricted is acquired. Informing the game storage medium restriction information. For this reason, it is possible to easily confirm the restrictions on the game media imposed on the member only by inputting the identification information of the member.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, a pachinko that uses balls as a game medium will be described as an example, but the present invention can be similarly applied to a pachislot machine that uses medals as a game medium. In the following description, the case where the ball saving process is executed mainly in the counting device will be described. However, the ball saving process can also be executed in other devices in the game store such as a POS device.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a gaming system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the gaming system shown in FIG. 1, the gaming store is a member management terminal controller (hereinafter abbreviated as “member management T / C”) 10, an island controller 20, a ball lending device 21, a pachinko machine 22, a counting device 30, and a POS device. 40 and provisional registration device 50.

  The member management T / C 10 stores member information including the number of accumulated balls and personal information of the member in association with the member ID of the member registered in the amusement store. That is, for example, when the ball storing process is performed in the counting device 30 or the POS device 40, the member management T / C 10 stores the member ID and the number of balls transmitted from the counting device 30 or the POS device 40 in association with each other. At this time, the member management T / C 10 determines whether member information such as personal information is registered in association with the member ID. If the member information is not registered, the member management T / C 10 sets a limit on the number of stored balls. In other words, when the member ID transmitted from the counting device 30 or the POS device 40 is that of a temporarily registered member, a storage limit is imposed so that a predetermined number or more of the stored balls are not performed.

  Further, for example, when the stored balls are withdrawn in the ball lending device 21, the member management T / C 10 updates the number of stored balls corresponding to the member ID transmitted from the ball lending device 21 via the island controller 20.

  The island controller 20 supervises and manages the ball lending device 21 in the island, and relays information exchange between the ball lending device 21 and the member management T / C 10. Specifically, the island controller 20 relays the member ID of the member card received by the ball lending device 21 to the member management T / C 10 and stores the stored ball stored in the member management T / C 10 corresponding to this member ID. The number is relayed to the ball lending device 21.

  The ball lending device 21 accepts cash or a prepaid card and lends a ball as a game medium according to the balance of the accepted cash or prepaid card. Further, the ball lending device 21 receives the member card, inquires the member management T / C 10 about the number of stored balls corresponding to the member ID of the received member card, and lends balls used for the game from the member's stored balls.

  The pachinko machine 22 is a game machine that is attached to each ball lending device 21 and in which a player plays a game by injecting balls lent by the ball lending device 21 onto a board surface. The pachinko machine 22 pays out balls as prize balls when the injected balls enter a predetermined winning opening.

  The counting device 30 counts the balls acquired by the player in the game on the pachinko machine 22. When the player inserts the membership card into the counting device 30 and specifies the number of stored balls, the counting device 30 notifies the member management T / C 10 of the specified number of stored balls. Moreover, when the storage limit in the member management T / C 10 is imposed, the counting device 30 displays the storage limit information and issues a receipt in which the number of balls not stored is recorded. Note that the counting device 300 may issue a receipt in which a receipt ID associated with the number of balls is recorded instead of a receipt in which the number of balls is directly recorded.

  The POS device 40 is installed at a prize counter in the amusement store, receives a receipt issued by the counting device 30, and performs a prize exchange process according to the number of balls recorded in the receipt. When the receipt ID is recorded on the receipt, the POS device 40 reads the number of balls stored in the external device in association with the receipt ID, and a prize exchange process according to the read number of balls. I do. In the POS device 40, it is also possible to store the number of balls recorded on the receipt or the number of balls that have not been exchanged.

  When the player becomes a new member of the game store, the temporary registration device 50 gives a new member ID to the player and issues a member card in which the member ID is recorded. Then, the temporary registration device 50 transmits temporary registration information including the newly assigned member ID to the member management T / C 10. The temporary registration device 50 may acquire member information such as a mobile phone number or a face image of a new member at the time of temporary registration, and transmit it to the member management T / C 10 together with the member ID in the temporary registration information. good.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the member management T / C 10 according to the present embodiment. The member management T / C 10 shown in FIG. 2 is abbreviated as a communication interface unit (hereinafter abbreviated as “communication I / F unit”) 101, a temporary member registration unit 102, and a member management database unit (hereinafter referred to as “member management DB unit”). ) 103, a member information registration unit 104, a registration status determination unit 105, and a data update unit 106.

  The communication I / F unit 101 communicates with the island controller 20, the counting device 30, the POS device 40, and the temporary registration device 50 in the amusement store to exchange various information. Specifically, the communication I / F unit 101 receives temporary registration information from the temporary registration device 50, receives a member ID and the number of balls from the island controller 20, the counting device 30, and the POS device 40, and the counting device 30. And the storage limit information is transmitted to the POS device 40.

  The temporary member registration unit 102 notifies the member management DB unit 103 that the member ID included in the temporary registration information received by the communication I / F unit 101 has been given to the new member. That is, the member temporary registration unit 102 makes the member management DB unit 103 in a state where the number of stored balls can be stored in association with the member ID included in the temporary registration information. However, since the provisional registration information does not include member information such as personal information of members, the member provisional registration unit 102 does not register the member information in the member management DB unit 103. Further, when the temporary registration information includes, for example, a mobile phone number or a face image, the member temporary registration unit 102 causes the member management DB unit 103 to store the information in association with the member ID.

  The member management DB unit 103 stores member information such as personal information in association with member IDs of members of the amusement store and stores the number of balls stored for each member. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the member management DB unit 103 stores member IDs such as address, name, and age in association with member IDs and the number of stored balls, as shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 3, for the member with the member ID “a0001”, the main registration in which the personal information is registered is completed, whereas for the member with the member ID “a0002”, the personal information is not registered. Temporary registration is in progress. The member management DB unit 103 may store biometric information such as a face image and a fingerprint in association with the member ID as member information in addition to the member's personal information.

  The member information registration unit 104 acquires member information such as personal information and biometric information of the temporarily registered member, registers it in the member management DB unit 103, and performs the main registration of the member. Specifically, the member information registration unit 104 can input, for example, the items described in the membership application form when a new member is temporarily registered, and registers the entered member information in the member management DB unit 103. In addition, the member information registration unit 104 acquires the new member's face image taken by the device in the amusement store or acquires the new member's personal information from the outside, and then manages the acquired member information as a member. It may be registered in the DB unit 103.

  When the registration status determination unit 105 receives the number of stored balls desired by the member together with the member ID from the counting device 30 or the POS device 40 to the communication I / F unit 101, the registration status determination unit 105 stores it in the member management DB unit 103 corresponding to the member ID. With reference to the registered status of the registered member information, it is determined whether or not the member is temporarily registered. Then, when the member is temporarily registered, the registration status determination unit 105 determines whether or not the desired number of stored balls exceeds the storage limit number imposed on the temporarily registered member, and the stored number limit number If it is determined that the limit is exceeded, the storage I / F unit 101 causes the counting device 30 or the POS device 40 to transmit storage limit information indicating the number of storage limits imposed on the temporarily registered member. The registration status determination unit 105 notifies the data update unit 106 of the member ID and the desired number of stored balls when the member is not temporarily registered or when the number of stored balls is not exceeded even during temporary registration.

  The data update unit 106 updates the number of balls stored in the member management DB unit 103 in association with the member ID notified from the registration status determination unit 105. Specifically, the data update unit 106 adds and updates the desired number of stored balls notified from the registration status determining unit 105 together with the member ID to the number of stored balls stored in the member management DB unit 103. The data updating unit 106 subtracts and updates the number of balls lent out from the number of stored balls stored in the member management DB unit 103 when, for example, the ball lending device 21 performs the lending process of the stored balls.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the counting device 30 according to the present embodiment. The counting device 30 shown in FIG. 4 includes a card receiving unit 301, a ball receiving unit 302, a counting unit 303, a control unit 304, a display unit 305, a stored ball number input unit 306, a communication I / F unit 307, and a receipt issuing unit 308. Have.

  The card reception unit 301 receives a member card possessed by a member, reads the member ID recorded on the member card, and notifies the control unit 304 of the member ID.

  The ball accepting unit 302 accepts the insertion of a ball acquired by the player through the game, and transfers the accepted ball to the counting unit 303.

  The counting unit 303 counts the balls transferred from the ball receiving unit 302 and notifies the control unit 304 of the counting result.

  The control unit 304 displays the counting result notified from the counting unit 303 on the display unit 305. When the desired number of stored balls is notified from the stored number input unit 306, the control unit 304 requests the member ID notified from the card receiving unit 301 together with the member ID. Are transmitted from the communication I / F unit 307 to the member management T / C 10. Further, when the storage unit restriction information is received by the communication I / F unit 307, the control unit 304 informs the display unit 305 that the storage unit can only execute up to the number of storage unit restrictions indicated by the storage unit restriction information because temporary registration is in progress. Display. Then, the control unit 304 outputs the number of balls not stored to the receipt issuing unit 308.

  The display unit 305 displays the result of counting the balls acquired by the player according to the control of the control unit 304. When the communication I / F unit 307 receives the storage limit information, the display unit 305 exceeds the storage limit. Display that the minutes will not be saved.

  The number of stored balls input unit 306 is configured to input a desired number of stored balls after the member who has inserted the membership card in the card receiving unit 301 confirms the result of counting the balls displayed on the display unit 305. The stored ball number input unit 306 notifies the control unit 304 of the input desired number of stored balls. In addition, the display part 305 and the number-of-balls input part 306 may be integrally comprised, for example as a touchscreen.

  The communication I / F unit 307 communicates with the member management T / C 10 to exchange various information. Specifically, the communication I / F unit 307 transmits a member ID and a desired number of stored balls to the member management T / C 10 and receives storage limit information from the member management T / C 10.

  The receipt issuing unit 308 issues a receipt in which the number of balls output from the control unit 304 is recorded. The receipt issuing unit 308 may issue a receipt in which a receipt ID associated with the number of balls is recorded instead of a receipt in which the number of balls is directly recorded. In this case, the receipt issuing unit 308 stores the number of balls associated with the receipt ID in, for example, a hall computer, and allows the POS device 40 to refer to the number of balls corresponding to the receipt ID.

  Next, the operation at the time of saving by the member management T / C 10 and the counting device 30 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  A player who wishes to become a member at an amusement store hands over an enrollment application form in which his / her name and address are written to the employee, and receives a membership card at a temporary registration device 50 installed at a prize counter, for example. At this time, temporary registration information including the member ID assigned to the new member is transmitted from the temporary registration device 50 to the member management T / C 10 and received by the communication I / F unit 101 of the member management T / C 10. Then, the member temporary registration unit 102 temporarily registers the member ID of the new member in the member management DB unit 103 (step S201). That is, the member management DB unit 103 can store the number of stored balls in association with the member ID given to the new member. The provisional registration period continues for a while, but when member information such as personal information and biometric information described in the membership application form is further acquired by the member information registration unit 104, the member information is stored in the member management DB unit 103. By registering, this registration is performed.

  On the other hand, when a player who has become a member of the game store upon receiving a membership card acquires a ball by a game in the pachinko machine 22, the acquired ball is counted by the counting device 30 at the end of the game. That is, the acquired ball is received by the ball receiving unit 302 (step S101), and at the same time, the member card possessed by the player is received by the card receiving unit 301 (step S102). The balls received by the ball receiving unit 302 are transferred to the counting unit 303 and counted by the counting unit 303 (step S103). The control unit 304 is notified of the counting result obtained by the counting unit 303. Similarly, the member ID recorded on the member card received by the card receiving unit 301 is notified to the control unit 304.

  Then, under the control of the control unit 304, the count result by the counting unit 303 is displayed on the display unit 305. The player confirms the counting result displayed on the display unit 305, and inputs the desired number of stored balls to the stored ball number input unit 306 (step S104). That is, the player inputs an arbitrary number of balls equal to or smaller than the counting result to the stored ball number input unit 306. The inputted desired number of stored balls is notified from the stored number input unit 306 to the control unit 304. When the desired number of stored balls is notified to the control unit 304, under the control of the control unit 304, the member ID notified from the card receiving unit 301 and the desired number of stored balls are transmitted from the communication I / F unit 307 to the member management T / C10. (Step S105).

  The transmitted member ID and the desired number of stored balls are received by the communication I / F unit 101 of the member management T / C 10 (step S202), and the received member ID is already registered by the registration status determination unit 105. It is determined whether or not there is (step S203). That is, the registration status determination unit 105 refers to the member management DB unit 103 to check whether member information is stored in association with the received member ID. If the member information is stored, the main registration is performed. While it is determined that the registration has been completed, if the member information is not registered, it is determined that provisional registration is being performed.

  As a result of the determination by the registration status determination unit 105, if the main registration has been completed (Yes in step S203), it is possible to identify the member who has stored the ball even if compensation for the stored ball is performed. The data updating unit 106 adds and updates the desired number of stored balls to the number of stored balls stored in the member management DB unit 103 (step S206).

  Moreover, if the registration is not completed as a result of the determination by the registration status determination unit 105 (No in step S203), the registration status determination unit 105 continues to store a desired amount of stored balls to be imposed on the temporarily registered member. It is determined whether or not the limit number is exceeded (step S204). In other words, the registration status determination unit 105 determines whether or not the sum of the number of stored balls currently stored in the member management DB unit 103 and the desired number of stored balls satisfies the storage limit imposed on the temporarily registered member. Is done. If the number of stored balls is not exceeded (No in step S204), the data updating unit 106 adds and updates the desired number of stored balls (step S206), as in the case where the main registration is completed. On the other hand, if the sum of the current number of stored balls and the desired number of stored balls exceeds the number of stored balls limit (Yes in step S204), it means that the member who is temporarily registered has requested a storage ball that is not permitted. Storage limit information including is transmitted from the communication I / F unit 101 to the counting device 30 (step S205).

  Here, as a limit on the number of stored balls imposed on a temporarily registered member, for example, no storage balls are allowed (that is, the number of stored balls is limited to 0), and the number of balls that can be exchanged for special prizes is compensated. The number of balls below the lower limit of compensation set by a third party may be considered. Therefore, even if a temporarily registered member wishes to store balls, only the number of balls that are not compensated by a third party is stored, or even if compensation is performed, only a very small number of balls is stored. As a result, a member who is difficult to identify an individual during temporary registration is allowed only a storage ball having almost no influence, and troubles in the storage compensation can be avoided.

  If the registration status determination unit 105 determines that the number of stored balls exceeds the limit, the data update unit 106 adds and updates the number of stored balls up to the limit of stored balls. The number of balls to be included may be included in the storage limit information. In addition, when a member who is temporarily registered is not allowed to store any balls, the member ID is transmitted to the member management T / C 10 when the member card is received by the card receiving unit 301 of the counting device 30, and the member management T The registration status determination unit 105 of / C10 may determine whether or not the member ID has been fully registered. That is, only the member ID may be transmitted to the member management T / C 10 before the number of stored balls input unit 306 of the counting device 30 receives the number of stored balls. In this case, if the main registration has not been completed, storage limit information indicating that storage is not permitted is transmitted to the counting device 30. If the registration is completed, the storage limit information is not transmitted to the counting device 30, and the input of the desired number of storage balls is waited at the storage number input unit 306 of the counting device 30.

  The storage limit information transmitted from the member management T / C 10 is received by the communication I / F unit 307 of the counting device 30 (step S106). When storage limit information is received, the control of the control unit 304 displays the storage limit number included in the storage limit information on the display unit 305, and displays that all desired storage numbers cannot be stored. Then, the number of balls not stored is output from the control unit 304 to the receipt issuing unit 308, and a receipt in which the number of balls is recorded is issued by the receipt issuing unit 308 (step S107).

  In the case where the storage limit information is received without storing all of the desired number of balls, a receipt of the desired number of balls may be awaited again in the storage number input unit 306 instead of issuing a receipt. . In addition, as described above, when only the member ID is transmitted to the member management T / C 10 and storage limit information indicating that storage is not permitted is received, it is impossible to input the number of stored balls in the storage number input unit 306. You may make it become. Specifically, for example, when the display unit 305 and the stored ball number input unit 306 are integrally configured as a touch panel, the button for storing the number of stored balls may not be displayed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a desired number of stored balls is specified, it is determined whether or not a member who wants to store balls is temporarily registered. , Savings are executed only up to the limit of savings imposed on the temporarily registered member. For this reason, there is a limit on savings for temporary registered members whose membership information has not been registered, and even if compensation for savings is required, the amount of compensation for temporarily registered members who are difficult to identify individuals is It is unnecessary or very small, and it can avoid troubles at the time of compensation for game media.

(Embodiment 2)
A feature of the second embodiment of the present invention is that the more the member information stored in association with the member ID is, the larger the number of stored balls is restricted, regardless of whether the registration is temporary or temporary registration.

  Since the schematic configuration of the gaming system according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 1), description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the member management T / C 10 according to the present embodiment. In this figure, the same parts as those in FIG. The member management T / C 10 shown in FIG. 6 includes a communication I / F unit 101, a member temporary registration unit 102, a member management DB unit 103, a member information registration unit 104, a storage ball limit calculation unit 151, a storage ball determination unit 152, and a data update. Part 106 is provided.

  When the number of stored balls desired by the member is received together with the member ID from the counting device 30 or the POS device 40 to the communication I / F unit 101, the storage ball limit calculating unit 151 stores the stored ball limit calculation unit 151 in the member management DB unit 103 corresponding to the member ID By referring to the registration status of the registered member information, the number of storage limits is calculated according to the registration status. That is, for example, the storage limit calculation unit 151 sets a score for each item that can be registered in the member management DB unit 103 (for example, the name is 20 points, the address is 10 points, the age is 2 points, etc.) and registered. The points corresponding to the selected items are totaled, and the limit on the number of storage balls corresponding to the total points is determined. Therefore, as the number of items registered in the member management DB unit 103 increases, the storage limit limitation calculation unit 151 can increase the storage limit and perform more storage balls. In addition, when the face image is received together with the member ID in the communication I / F unit 101, the storage limit restriction calculating unit 151 collates the face image stored in the member management DB unit 103 in association with the member ID, and confirms the identity. If so, the limit on the number of stored balls is further increased.

  The storage ball determination unit 152 determines whether or not the storage ball limit number calculated by the storage ball limit calculation unit 151 is exceeded when the desired number of storage balls is stored, and if the storage ball limit number is exceeded, the communication I / F unit The storage ball limit information indicating the storage limit number is transmitted from 101 to the counting device 30 or the POS device 40. Moreover, if the storage ball determination unit 152 determines that the number of storage ball limits is not exceeded, the storage ball determination unit 152 notifies the data update unit 106 of the member ID and the desired number of storage balls.

  In the present embodiment, various member information can be registered in the member management DB unit 103, and member information is registered as needed from the time of temporary registration when a new member ID is given to a new member. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the member management DB unit 103 according to the present embodiment has no clear distinction between the main registration member and the temporary registration member. For example, for the member with the member ID “a0002” Only the telephone number and face image are registered, and only the name and address are registered for the member with the member ID “a0003”. Then, depending on the registration status of these registration items, the number of storage limits imposed on each member is calculated.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the counting device 30 according to the present embodiment. In this figure, the same parts as those in FIG. The counting device 30 shown in FIG. 8 includes a card receiving unit 301, a ball receiving unit 302, a counting unit 303, a control unit 304, a display unit 305, a stored ball number input unit 306, a communication I / F unit 307, a receipt issuing unit 308, and A face image acquisition unit 351 is provided.

  When the card reception unit 301 receives a member card, the face image acquisition unit 351 acquires a member's face image and outputs it to the control unit 304. The face image acquired by the face image acquisition unit 351 is used for identity verification in the member management T / C 10, the face image is stored in advance in the member management T / C 10, and further acquired by the face image acquisition unit 351. When the person is identified by collation with the face image, the number of storage limits imposed on the member increases.

  Next, the operation at the time of saving by the member management T / C 10 and the counting device 30 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the same parts as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, when a membership card is issued to a new member of the game store, a member ID is given to the new member, and the member ID of the new member is assigned by the member temporary registration unit 102. Is temporarily registered in the member management DB unit 103 (step S201). In the present embodiment, member information of a member may be registered in the member management DB unit 103 at the time of provisional registration, and member information is registered in the member management DB unit 103 by the member information registration unit 104 as needed. .

  On the other hand, the balls acquired by the player who has received the membership card are received by the ball receiving unit 302 (step S101), and at the same time, the member card possessed by the player is received by the card receiving unit 301 (step S102). . When the member card is received by the card receiving unit 301, a face image of the member is acquired by the face image acquiring unit 351 (step S301) and output to the control unit 304. The balls received by the ball receiving unit 302 are counted by the counting unit 303 (step S103), and the counting result is notified to the control unit 304. Similarly, the member ID recorded on the member card received by the card receiving unit 301 is notified to the control unit 304.

  Then, under the control of the control unit 304, the count result by the counting unit 303 is displayed on the display unit 305. The player confirms the counting result displayed on the display unit 305, and inputs the desired number of stored balls to the stored ball number input unit 306 (step S104). When the input number of stored balls is notified to the control unit 304, under the control of the control unit 304, the member ID notified from the card receiving unit 301, the face image acquired by the face image acquiring unit 351, the desired number of stored balls, Is transmitted from the communication I / F unit 307 to the member management T / C 10 (step S302).

  The transmitted member ID, face image, and desired number of stored balls are received by the communication I / F unit 101 of the member management T / C 10 (step S401) and correspond to the received member ID by the stored ball limit calculating unit 151. The number of stored balls is calculated from the registration status of the member information to be checked and the result of identity verification by collating face images (step S402). Specifically, the stored ball limit calculation unit 151 detects items registered in the member management DB unit 103 in association with the member ID, and the larger the number of registered items, the larger the stored ball limit number is calculated. At this time, points weighted according to the importance from the viewpoint of individual identification may be set for each item, and the number of stored balls limit may be determined from the total score of the registered items. Furthermore, if a face image is registered in the member management DB unit 103, the face image received by the communication I / F unit 101 is collated, and if the identity is confirmed, the storage limit number is increased. You may make it do. The storage limit number calculated in this way is notified to the storage determination unit 152 together with the member ID received by the communication I / F unit 101, the current number of stored balls and the desired number of stored balls corresponding to the member ID.

  Then, the stored ball determination unit 152 determines whether or not the desired number of stored balls is exceeded, the number of stored balls limit notified from the stored ball limit calculating unit 151 is exceeded (step S403). That is, the stored ball determination unit 152 determines whether or not the total of the current number of stored balls and the desired number of stored balls falls within the storage ball limit number. If the number of stored balls is not exceeded (No in step S403), the data updating unit 106 adds and updates the desired number of stored balls (step S206). On the other hand, if the sum of the current number of stored balls and the desired number of stored balls exceeds the number of stored balls limit (Yes in step S403), it means that the user has requested a storage ball that is not permitted from the registration status of the member information in the member management DB unit 103. Then, storage limit information including the storage limit number is transmitted from the communication I / F unit 101 to the counting device 30 (step S205).

  Here, a large amount of member information is registered in the member management DB unit 103, and a member that can easily identify an individual at the time of savings compensation has a larger storage limit. The member information is not registered in 103 so much and it is difficult to identify and identify himself / herself, so that the member has a limited number of savings balls and hardly allows savings. For this reason, a member who is difficult to identify an individual is allowed only a storage ball that has almost no influence, and trouble in the storage ball compensation can be avoided.

  If the storage ball determination unit 152 determines that the number of stored balls exceeds the limit, the data updating unit 106 adds and updates the number of stored balls up to the number of stored balls, and exceeds the number of stored balls within the desired number of stored balls. The number of balls may be included in the storage limit information.

  The storage limit information transmitted from the member management T / C 10 is received by the communication I / F unit 307 of the counting device 30 (step S106). When storage limit information is received, the control of the control unit 304 displays the storage limit number included in the storage limit information on the display unit 305, and displays that all desired storage numbers cannot be stored. Then, the number of balls not stored is output from the control unit 304 to the receipt issuing unit 308, and a receipt in which the number of balls is recorded is issued by the receipt issuing unit 308 (step S107). In the case where the storage limit information is received without storing all of the desired number of balls, a receipt of the desired number of balls may be awaited again in the storage number input unit 306 instead of issuing a receipt. .

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the desired number of stored balls is specified, the number of stored balls limit is calculated from the amount of member information stored in association with the member ID of the member who wants to store, Savings are executed only up to the calculated limit of savings. For this reason, restrictions on savings are imposed on members who do not have much member information registered, and even if compensation for savings is required, compensation for members who are difficult to identify individuals is unnecessary or very small. Yes, it is possible to avoid troubles at the time of compensation for game media. Further, the number of storage limits is flexibly changed according to the registration status of the member information, and the number of storage limits for each member can be determined finely. Furthermore, if more member information is registered, the storage limit is relaxed, so that registration of member information by the member can be promoted.

  In each of the above embodiments, when the ball storage process is performed in the counting device 30, the storage ball restriction information is displayed on the display unit 305 of the counting device 30. It is possible to refer from the member ID only at times other than the time. Therefore, when a member card is inserted into, for example, the POS device 40 or the ball lending device 21 in addition to the counting device 30, the storage limit information corresponding to the member ID is transmitted from the member management T / C 10, and the POS device 40 or the ball You may make it display on the rental apparatus 21 grade | etc.,. Such storage limit information can be displayed by any device that accepts a membership card in a game store.

  The present invention can be applied to avoid troubles when compensating for game media.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the game system which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of member management T / C10 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of member management DB which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a counting device 30 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the storage ball execution which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of member management T / C10 which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of member management DB which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the counting apparatus 30 which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the storage ball execution which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Communication I / F part 102 Member temporary registration part 103 Member management DB part 104 Member information registration part 105 Registration status determination part 106 Data update part 151 Storage ball limit calculation part 152 Storage ball determination part 301 Card reception part 302 Ball reception part 303 Count part 304 Control Unit 305 Display Unit 306 Reservoir Number Input Unit 307 Communication I / F Unit 308 Receipt Issue Unit 351 Face Image Acquisition Unit

Claims (12)

A storage medium management device for managing the number of storage mediums of members registered in a game store,
Storage means for storing member information and the number of game media in association with identification information for each member;
Determining means for determining the number of game media restrictions imposed on each member according to the amount of member information stored in the storage means;
Updating means for updating the number of stored game media stored in the storage means in association with the identification information of each member with the limited number of stored game media determined by the determining means as an upper limit. Media management device. The determining means includes
2. The game media management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the game media limit number is determined for a temporarily registered member who is only given identification information. The determining means includes
3. The stored game media management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the number of stored game media for a temporarily registered member is determined to be zero. The determining means includes
3. The game media management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the number of game media for the temporarily registered member is determined to be less than the number of game media that can be exchanged for special prizes. The determining means includes
5. The game media management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the game media limit number is determined for each game media deposit process performed by a temporarily registered member. The determining means includes
3. The game medium according to claim 2, wherein the limit on the number of game media for the temporarily registered member is determined to be less than a lower limit of compensation set by a third party other than the member and the game store. Management device. The determining means includes
2. The storage medium management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of storage medium limits is increased as the amount of member information stored in the storage means increases. An acquisition means for acquiring a desired number of game media that a member desires to deposit at a game store;
Determination means for determining whether or not the total of the desired number of game media acquired by the acquisition means and the current number of game media stored by the member exceeds a game media limit;
The updating means includes
2. The desired number of game media is added to the current number of game media of the member and updated only when the determination means determines that the limit of game media is not exceeded. Storage media management device.   2. The game storage medium management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for reporting storage medium restriction information indicating that the number of storage mediums is restricted. A storage medium device capable of communicating with the storage medium management device according to claim 1,
An input means for a member to input the desired number of game media desired to be deposited at a game store;
An acquisition means for acquiring stored game medium restriction information indicating that the stored game medium by the member is restricted in the stored game medium management device;
And a control means for restricting the input of the desired number of game media in the input means in accordance with the game media limit information acquired by the acquisition means. A notification device capable of communicating with the game storage medium management device according to claim 1,
A reception means for receiving member identification information;
Obtaining means for acquiring storage medium restriction information indicating that the storage medium that can be associated with the member identification information received by the reception means is restricted in the storage medium management device;
An informing device comprising: informing means for informing the storage medium restriction information acquired by the acquiring means. A game media management method for managing the number of game media of members registered in a game store,
A determination step of determining a number of game media to be imposed on each member in accordance with the amount of member information stored in a database in which member information and the number of game media are associated with identification information for each member;
An update step of updating the number of stored game media stored in the database in association with the identification information of each member with the limited number of stored game media determined in the determining step as an upper limit. Management method.

Images