JP2009045364A - Prize management device and prize management method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a prize exchange service adapted to the operation needs of a game hall. <P>SOLUTION: A prize management device 70a or 70b stores an exchange permission flag indicating whether or not to permit the exchange of Pachinko balls of the lending rate and prizes for each lending rate in correspondence, acquires the lending rate of an exchange object from a recording medium for exchange such as a counting receipt or a member card, determines whether or not to permit the exchange of the acquired ball or stored balls of the acquired lending rate of the exchange object and the prize on the basis of the exchange permission flag stored corresponding to the lending rate, and performs control so as to: permit the exchange of the acquired balls or stored balls of the lending rate of the exchange object and the prize when determining that the exchange is to be permitted; and inhibit the exchange of the acquired balls or stored balls of the lending rate of the exchange object and the prize when determining that the exchange is not to be permitted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a prize management device and a prize management method for managing exchange of a gaming medium and a desired prize through a replacement recording medium (for example, a count receipt, a membership card, etc.) associated with the quantity of gaming media.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in game stores that provide pachinko games and pachislot games, premium exchange services are provided for exchanging game media acquired by a player with prizes desired by the player. As a means for providing such a prize exchange service, there is known a prize management apparatus for managing the exchange of a game medium and a prize through a replacement recording medium such as a count recording medium or a member recording medium associated with the number of game media. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  By the way, recently, a general-purpose loan rate (ball: 4 yen) due to the need to provide a game that can be enjoyed for a relatively long time by the player, the provision of a trial game on the game stand and the popularity analysis, etc. Established a mechanism for coexisting a low-rate corner with a lower lending rate (ball: 1 yen / ball, medal: 10 yen / sheet) with a general-purpose lending rate (high rate) corner. It is being done.

  These low-rate corners are only corners that offer trial games, and are intended to guide players to the high-rate corners. The exchange of special prizes that can be purchased at the purchase site is permitted, but there is a strong operational need to prohibit the exchange of special prizes for balls and medals earned at low-rate corners.

  For this reason, at the amusement store, a premium counter dedicated to a high rate and a premium counter dedicated to a low rate are provided separately. In the premium counter dedicated to a high rate, it is assumed that the prize to be mainly paid out is a special prize. The prize dispenser to be paid out is connected to the prize management device while reducing the assortment of general prizes, and the prize counter dedicated to low rates is not exchanged for special prizes. On the other hand, it is highly probable that operations will be performed to enhance the assortment of general prizes.

JP 2002-331146 A

  However, in the same way as in the case of conventional prize exchange, if the exchange recording medium associated with any rental rate game medium accepts the prize exchange, exchange prizes between prize counters corresponding to each loan rate There is a problem that it is not possible to respond to the operational needs of amusement stores that want to differentiate their business.

  More specifically, a prize dispenser is connected only to a premium management device dedicated to a high rate, allowing the exchange to a special prize and reducing the selection of general prizes. Even if you try to use operations that enrich the lineup of general prizes, for example, you can try to exchange prizes using a low-rate counting recording medium with a premium management apparatus dedicated to high rates, or a prize management apparatus dedicated to low rates Will try to exchange prizes using high-rate counting recording media, so players who bring low-rate counting recording media to a high-rate dedicated prize counter have few prizes that can be exchanged and cannot be exchanged for desired prizes. In addition, there is a situation in which exchange with a special prize is accepted even though the prize management device dedicated to the low rate cannot be exchanged for the special prize. When such a situation occurs, the prize exchange business in the amusement shop will be significantly delayed, and the amusement shop must refrain from such operation, and it is difficult to realize a prize exchange service that meets the operation needs of the amusement shop. Met.

  For this reason, when providing a prize counter for each of a plurality of loan rates, it is an important issue how to function as a gift management apparatus dedicated to a specific loan rate.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems (problems) of the prior art, and as a free gift management device dedicated to a specific loan rate when a free gift counter is provided for each of a plurality of loan rates. It is an object of the present invention to provide a prize management device and a prize management method capable of functioning and realizing a prize exchange service adapted to the operation needs of an amusement store.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a prize management device according to the present invention manages a prize for managing exchange of the game medium and a desired prize through a replacement recording medium associated with the number of game media. A storage unit that is a management device and stores therein exchangeable / unusable settings indicating whether or not exchange of a game medium with the loan rate and the prize is permitted for each loan rate that differs between the same type of game media And an acquisition unit for acquiring a loan rate to be exchanged from the exchange recording medium, and an exchange target acquired by the acquisition unit based on the exchange availability setting stored in association with the loan rate by the storage unit Determining means for determining whether or not the exchange of the game medium of the lending rate and the prize is permitted, and if the determination means determines that the exchange is permitted, If it is determined that the exchange of the game medium with the loan rate to be exchanged and the premium is not permitted, the exchange of the game medium with the loan rate to be exchanged with the premium is prohibited. And a control means for controlling.

  Also, in the prize management device according to the present invention, the replacement recording medium is a count recording medium in which the number of acquired game media acquired by a player and a lending rate are associated, and the acquisition means includes the exchange The lending rate associated with the counting recording medium is acquired as the target lending rate, and the determination unit is configured to determine whether or not the determining unit is configured to store the lending rate associated with the lending rate by the storage unit. It is determined whether or not the exchange of the lending rate acquisition game medium acquired from the counting recording medium and the prize is permitted, and the control means determines that the exchange is permitted by the determination means. If it is determined that the exchange of the acquired game medium and the prize is permitted and the exchange is not permitted, the exchange of the acquired game medium and the prize is prohibited. And controlling the so that.

  The premium management apparatus according to the present invention provides the exchange recording medium for a member in which the number of game media deposited by a pre-registered player is associated as a game media account for each rental rate. In the recording medium, the acquisition unit acquires a loan rate of a stored game medium account to be withdrawn as the loan rate to be exchanged, and the determination unit associates with the loan rate by the storage unit On the basis of the exchangeability setting stored in the step, whether or not the exchange of the storage medium with the loan rate acquired by the acquisition unit and the prize is permitted, and the control unit is configured to determine whether the exchange unit When it is determined that the exchange is permitted, the exchange of the storage medium with the loan rate and the prize is permitted, and when it is determined that the exchange is not permitted, And controlling so that output rates of 貯遊 technique medium and to prohibit the exchange of the prize.

  Further, the prize management device according to the present invention is stored by the storage means when the number of game media stored in the game media account permitted to be exchanged by the control means is less than the number of exchange game media for the prize. Search means for searching for other loan rates that are allowed to be exchanged from among the loan rates, and when there is a search result by the search means, from the stored game media account that is allowed to be exchanged by the control means, Withdrawing a part or all of the number of exchanged game media and, if there is a remaining shortage, deducting by transferring the number of game media for the shortage from the storage media account of the loan rate obtained as a result of the search And a processing means.

  The prize management device according to the present invention includes a setting status storage means for storing a setting status of a rental rate of a gaming machine disposed in a game store, and a rental rate of the gaming machine stored by the setting status storage means. It further comprises an exchangeability setting registration means for registering the exchangeability setting for each rental rate in the storage means of the premium management apparatus and other premium management apparatuses with reference to the setting status.

  The prize management method according to the present invention is a prize exchange method used for a prize management apparatus for managing exchange of a game medium and a desired prize through a replacement recording medium associated with the number of game media. A registration step of registering in the storage means in association with an exchangeability setting indicating whether or not exchange of a game medium of the loan rate and the prize is permitted for each loan rate different between types of game media; and the exchange The acquisition step of acquiring the loan rate to be exchanged from the recording medium, and the exchange rate setting obtained by the acquisition step based on the exchange availability setting stored in association with the loan rate by the storage means A determination step for determining whether or not exchange of game media and the prize is permitted; and when the determination step determines that the replacement is permitted, the exchange target When the exchange of the game medium with the loan rate and the prize is permitted and it is determined that the exchange is not permitted, the exchange is performed so as to prohibit the exchange of the game medium with the loan rate to be exchanged with the prize. And a control process.

  According to the present invention, for each lending rate that differs between the same type of game media, exchangeable / unusable settings indicating whether or not exchange of a game medium and a prize at the lending rate is permitted are stored in association with each other, Whether or not the exchange of the gaming medium with the exchange rate for the acquired exchange rate and the prize is permitted based on the exchange availability setting acquired from the exchange recording medium for the exchange rate and stored in association with the loan rate If it is determined that the exchange is permitted, the exchange of the game medium and the prize at the loan rate to be exchanged is permitted, and if the exchange is not permitted, the exchange rate of the loan rate to be exchanged is determined. Since it is configured to control so that exchange of game media and prizes is prohibited, when providing a prize counter for each of a plurality of loan rates, it functions as a prize management device dedicated to a specific loan rate, Prize management apparatus and prize management method capable of realizing the prize exchange services adapted to the operational needs an effect that can be obtained.

  Further, according to the present invention, the lending rate associated with the counting recording medium is acquired as the lending rate to be exchanged, and the lending acquired from the counting recording medium based on the exchange availability setting stored in association with the lending rate. It is determined whether or not the exchange of the earned game medium and the prize is permitted. If it is determined that the exchange is permitted, the exchange of the acquired game medium and the prize is permitted, and it is determined that the exchange is not permitted. In this case, since the control is performed so as to prohibit the exchange of the acquired game medium and the prize, the prize management apparatus of each prize counter functions as a prize management apparatus dedicated to the counting recording medium of the specific rental rate. A prize management device that can effectively realize the operational needs of amusement stores that want to differentiate exchange prizes between prize counters corresponding to each loan rate An effect that is obtained.

  Further, according to the present invention, the loan rate acquired based on the exchange availability setting obtained by acquiring the loan rate of the storage media account to be withdrawn and stored in association with the loan rate as the loan rate to be exchanged If it is determined whether or not the exchange of the storage medium and the prize is permitted, and the exchange is determined to be permitted, the exchange of the storage medium and the prize at the lending rate is permitted and the exchange is not permitted. In the case of determination, since the control is made so as to prohibit the exchange of the storage medium and the prize at the loan rate, the prize management device of each prize counter is dedicated to the storage medium account for the specific loan rate. A prize that can function as a prize management device and can effectively realize the operational needs of amusement stores that want to differentiate exchange prizes between prize counters corresponding to each loan rate An effect that physical device is obtained.

  In addition, according to the present invention, when the number of game media stored in a storage media account that is permitted to be exchanged is less than the number of exchange game media for prizes, another loan that is permitted to be exchanged from among the stored loan rates. When the rate is searched and the search results exist, a part or all of the number of exchange game media for prizes is withdrawn from the storage media account that is allowed to be exchanged, and if there is a remaining shortage, Since the number of game media is deducted by transferring from the storage media account of the loan rate obtained as a search result, the game media account of all the loan rates permitted to be exchanged by the prize management device is used. There is an effect that it is possible to obtain a prize management device capable of exchanging prizes and improving convenience related to a prize exchange service for a player.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the setting status of the rental rate of the gaming machine disposed in the game store is stored, and the exchange rate for each rental rate is referred to by referring to the stored setting status of the rental rate of the gaming machine. Since it is configured to register the availability setting in the prize management device and other prize management devices, it is possible to automatically register the availability setting of multiple prize management devices, and the exchange is adapted to the actual operation of the amusement store. There is an effect that it is possible to obtain a prize management device capable of efficiently setting the availability.

  Exemplary embodiments of a prize management device and a prize management method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, the case where the present invention is applied to a pachinko game will be described.

  First, the system configuration of the in-store system of the amusement store according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an in-store system according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, a case where a 4-yen corner for lending a pachinko ball for 4 yen per ball and a 1-yen corner for lending a pachinko ball for 1 yen per ball will be described in the amusement store.

  As shown in the figure, the in-store system includes a member management terminal controller (hereinafter referred to as “member management T / C”) 10 for managing member information of a player registered in advance at the game store, Island controller 20, card processing units (hereinafter referred to as “CR units”) 30a and 30b, pachinko machines 40a and 40b, counters 50a and 50b, membership card processing machines 60a and 60b, and a prize management device 70a 70b and a gift dispenser 80 are provided. It should be noted that, here, the letters a and b in the reference numerals attached to the CR unit, pachinko machine, counting machine, membership card processing machine, and prize management device are the lending rates to which the equipment belongs (balls 1 and 2 below). ), But when explaining that there is no difference related to the loan rate, such English letters are omitted, and the CR unit 30, pachinko machine 40, counter 50, membership card processing machine 60 and prize management are simply omitted. The description will be made with the device 70.

  The member management T / C 10 is connected to an island controller 20, member card processing machines 60a and 60b, and prize management devices 70a and 70b. The island controller 20 includes a plurality of pachinko machines installed on each island. The CR units 30a and 30b provided respectively at 40a and 40b are connected, and the membership card processing machines 60a and 60b are connected with counters 50a and 50b for counting the number of pachinko balls, respectively. Further, in the first embodiment, the operation of accepting the exchange with the special prize only at the high rate corner (4 yen corner) is adopted, and the prize payout for paying the special prize only to the prize management device 70a at the 4 yen corner. Machine 80 is connected.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the game store according to the first embodiment has a hierarchical structure of 1F and 2F. From the 2F of the game store, the CR unit 30a and the pachinko machine 40a shown in FIG. 4 yen corner is provided, and the 1F of the game shop is provided with a 1 yen corner comprising the CR unit 30b and the pachinko machine 40b shown in FIG.

  This 4 yen corner is an island that lends balls to players at a lending rate of 4 yen / ball, and the 1 yen corner is an island that lends balls to players at a lending rate of 1 yen / ball. It is. The reason for the 1 yen / ball 1 yen corner, which is lower than the general lending rate of 4 yen / ball, is mainly to enable trial hits by players, and information regarding the evaluation and attachment of players to gaming machines. To get. In the first embodiment, the lending rate of 4 yen / ball is referred to as “ball 1”, and the lending rate of 1 yen / ball is referred to as “ball 2”.

  Furthermore, in this in-store system, a prize management device 70a dedicated to the 4-yen corner and a prize management device 70b dedicated to the 1-yen corner are provided in both corners. The reason for providing these separately is that the 4 yen corner winning ball is exchanged only with the prize management device 70a dedicated to the 4 yen corner, and the 1 yen corner winning ball is only used with the 1 yen corner dedicated prize management device 70b. This is because the operation is realized if the prizes are not exchanged, and the prizes to be exchanged at each corner differ depending on the operation.

  The background to the adoption of this operation is a prize management device dedicated to the 4-yen corner for the purpose of informing the fun of pachinko games through trial games at the 1-yen corner and, in turn, guiding players to the 4-yen corner. Although the exchange to the special prize is permitted in 70a, there is an operation need to prohibit the exchange to the special prize in the prize management device 70b dedicated to the 1-yen corner.

  The CR unit 30a is a unit that lends 4 yen / ball with cash or a prepaid card and replays a stored ball using a membership card. For example, when a 1000 yen bill is inserted into the CR unit 30a, the CR unit 30a An instruction to throw out 250 balls is given from the unit 30a to the pachinko machine 40a. On the other hand, the CR unit 30b is a unit that lends 1 yen / ball with cash and replays a stored ball using a membership card. For example, when a 1000 yen bill is inserted into the CR unit 30b, the CR unit 30b is worth 500 yen. (= 500 balls) is paid out to the pachinko machine 40b and the remaining amount (500 yen) is stored, and when the next lending instruction is received, the remaining amount is thrown out to the pachinko machine 40b. As described above, the pachinko balls are divided and thrown out only when lending 1 yen. The bottom plate and the upper plate of the game stand are based on 250 throws when 4 yen lending is performed. This is because, when lending 1 yen, if 1000 yen (= 1000 balls) are thrown out, pachinko balls will overflow from the lower and upper plates of the game table.

  The pachinko machines 40a and 40b are gaming machines that provide a pachinko game using pachinko balls to a player, and there is no difference between the 4-yen corner and the 1-yen corner. However, the pachinko machine 40b provided in the 1-yen corner is not a gaming machine responsible for sales of amusement stores, but is often provided with a new machine that will be newly introduced into the gaming stores. This is to provide a game where a player can try out a new machine without investing a large amount of money and can enjoy a relatively long time at a low charge.

  The player can replay the stored balls using these CR units 30a and 30b, and the player enters the password from the numeric keypad with the member card inserted into the card insertion slot of the CR unit 30a or 30b. When the predetermined replay button is pressed, the member card ID, the password, the 4 yen corner or 1 yen corner type (hereinafter, the type of ball 1 or 2) and the unit identification information for uniquely identifying the CR unit A replay request signal including is transmitted to the member management T / C 10 so that the stored balls can be withdrawn within the range of the stored ball balance. Here, it is assumed that the number of balls withdrawn from the savings account by one replay operation is fixed.

  The counter 50 is a counter that counts pachinko balls acquired by the player, and outputs the count result to the member card processor 60. Specifically, the pachinko balls acquired by the 4-yen corner pachinko machine 40a are input to the counting machine 50a, and the pachinko balls acquired by the 1-yen corner pachinko machine 40b are input to the counting machine 50b. Therefore, the counting machines 50a and 50b count the inserted pachinko balls and output them to the membership card processing machine 60a or 60b. In the first embodiment, the counters 50a and 50b have only a pachinko ball counting function, and a printing function for issuing a counting receipt on which a bar code is printed as a counting result, and a member management T / C10. Membership card processing machines 60a and 60b, which will be described later, have a counting and storing ball function for adding a part or all of the counting result to the stored and stored balance.

  The member card processor 60a is a member terminal device that is used when a registered member saves money, and includes a card reader that reads a member ID recorded on the member card. For example, the member card processing machine 60a connected to the counter 50a holds the lending rate type (ball 1) to which the member card processing machine 60a belongs (or even if the designation of the lending rate type is received from the attendant). Good), the counting result is input from the counter 50a, and when the member of the game store receives the member card received from the player, the stored ball including the member ID, the count value, and the loan rate (ball 1) A request signal is transmitted to the member management T / C 10. Further, the member card processor 60b is different in that information (ball 2) indicating that it belongs to the 1-yen corner is transmitted as a lending rate transmitted to the member management T / C 10.

  In addition, the member card processing machine 60 can issue a counting receipt in which the number of pachinko balls counted by the counter 50 is barcode-printed, and the clerk specifies a lending rate when counting pachinko balls and presses a receipt issuing button. When the pressing operation is performed, a counting receipt on which the bar code-printed counting information including the number of pachinko balls, the lending rate, the issuing date and the counter number is issued.

  In the first embodiment, the counter dedicated to the four-yen corner and the counter dedicated to the one-yen corner are separately provided. However, the player at the four-yen corner using one counter 50 is used. It is possible to count both pachinko balls acquired by the player and pachinko balls acquired by the player at the 1 yen corner.

  The member management T / C 10 is a management device that performs overall management of members registered in the amusement store using a member management table. This member management table stores member IDs, balances of 4-yen corners and 1-yen corners, and attribute information in association with each other. Then, if a savings ball addition request is received from the member card processing machine 60 or the prize management device 70, the member ID included in the savings ball addition request and the savings balance in the savings account corresponding to the lending rate are added, and the CR unit 30 is added. Alternatively, if a savings ball subtraction request is received from the prize management device 70, the savings balance in the savings account corresponding to the member ID and the loan rate included in the savings ball subtraction request is subtracted.

  The prize management device 70 is a terminal device for exchanging prizes arranged at a prize exchange counter in the amusement store, and includes a card reader 81 and a barcode reader 82 which will be described later with reference to FIG. In the following description, when the difference between the 4-yen corner and the 1-yen corner is explained for both of the prize management devices 70a and 70b, the letter a (representing that it corresponds to the ball 1) is assigned to the symbol 70 of the prize management device. Or, b (representing the fact that it corresponds to the ball 2) is attached to a number for explanation.

  This prize management device 70 manages the exchange of acquired balls and prizes using an exchanged ball number management table 79 described later. This exchanged ball number management table 79 stores the number of exchanged balls in association with each prize, but the 1 yen corner dedicated prize management apparatus 70b is a quarter of the 4 yen corner dedicated prize management apparatus 70a. In order to handle pachinko balls at a unit price of 4 balls, the number of exchange balls is set to 4 times in the same prize. When the staff in the prize exchange counter receives from the player a count receipt on which the count information including the count value (the number of balls to be acquired) and the loan rate is bar code printed by the member card processor 60, it is obtained from the count receipt. The bar code reader 82 reads the number of balls and the lending rate, and whether or not it is permitted to exchange using the acquisition allowance of the loan rate read from the counting receipt read by the prize management device 70, that is, the exchange management determination described later. When the determination is made and the prize exchange is permitted, the exchange button corresponding to the prize designated by the player is pressed, and the exchange process for subtracting the number of exchanged balls of the prize from the number of acquired balls is executed, and thereafter Hand it over to the player by hand.

  Furthermore, the prize management device 70 not only reads the number of pachinko balls and the lending rate from the barcode printed on the counting receipt and uses it for prize exchange, but can also store a so-called receipt storing ball using the counting receipt. . Specifically, when the bar code reader 82 provided in the prize management device 70 reads the count receipt, inserts a member card into the card reader 81 and presses the storage button, the member ID, the number of pachinko balls, the loan rate Is sent to the member management T / C 10. Here, although the receipt storage ball is permitted when the lending rate is different between the counting receipt and the game corner, it is not necessarily permitted.

  In addition, the prize management device 70 can also exchange prizes by using the stored money balance managed by the member management table of the member management T / C 10. Specifically, when the member ID is read from the member card through the card reader 81, the member management T / C 10 is inquired about the balance of the stored balls in both corners using the member ID, and the stored balances of the inquired corners are displayed. At the same time, the lending rate of the savings account to be withdrawn is selected, and when the lending rate of the selected savings account matches the lending rate of this corner, the award exchange is permitted and the award exchange described above is performed.

  In addition, in the prize management device 70b dedicated to the 1-yen corner, the special prize exchange button is pressed in order to perform the above-described operation (that is, the operation of prohibiting the exchange of 1-yen earning balls and 1-yen savings balls and special prizes). Even if you win, you will not be exchanged for the special prize.

  On the other hand, since the prize management device 70a dedicated to the 4-circle corner is allowed to be exchanged for a special prize, the special prize can be paid out through the prize dispenser 80 as in the case of the existing prize management apparatus. Specifically, when the player wishes to exchange for a special prize, the attendant at the amusement store presses a special prize exchange button provided in the prize management device 70a and refers to the exchanged ball number management table 79. Then, the prize dispenser 80 is instructed to dispense special prizes corresponding to the number of acquired balls or the number of designated stored balls.

  Here, the prize management device 70 according to the first embodiment stores the exchangeability setting indicating whether or not the exchange of the pachinko ball of the loan rate and the prize is permitted for each loan rate in association with each other, Acquire the loan rate to be exchanged from a replacement recording medium such as a count receipt or a membership card, and based on the exchange availability setting stored in association with the loan rate, the acquired pachinko ball and prize of the exchange rate to be borrowed If it is determined whether or not to allow the exchange, and if it is determined that the exchange is permitted, the exchange of the pachinko ball of the loan rate to be exchanged with the premium is permitted, and if it is determined that the exchange is not permitted This is characterized in that control is performed so as to prohibit the exchange of pachinko balls of the loan rate to be exchanged with the prize.

  That is, in the prize management device 70 according to the first embodiment, for example, when the count information recorded on the count receipt is read by the barcode reader 82, the prize exchange using the count value (the number of balls acquired) is tried as it is. I don't do that. That is, it is determined whether or not the counting receipt received by the prize management device 70 is a counting receipt of a loan rate that can be handled by the prize management device 70.

  For example, the prize management using the counting receipt (acquired ball) of the ball 1 is permitted, but the exchanging permission / rejection setting of each lending rate is not permitted, the prize exchange using the counting receipt (acquired ball) of the ball 2 is not permitted. If stored in the device 70a, in the prize management device 70a, as shown in FIG. 3, when the counting receipt associated with the acquired ball of the ball 1 is received, it is associated with the rental rate of this counting receipt. When it is determined that the exchange is permitted by the exchange allowance setting (replacement permission) and the prize exchange is permitted, on the other hand, when the count receipt associated with the acquired ball of the ball 2 is received, it is associated with the count receipt. It can be determined that the exchange is not permitted by the exchange permission / inhibition setting (exchange not permitted), and the prize exchange can be prohibited.

  In addition, the prize management using the counting receipt (acquired ball) of the ball 2 is permitted, but the prize management using the counting receipt (acquired ball) of the ball 1 is not permitted. If stored in the device 70b, the prize management device 70b, as shown in FIG. 3, is associated with the rental rate of the count receipt when receiving the count receipt associated with the acquired ball of the ball 2. When it is determined that the exchange is permitted by the exchange allowance setting (replacement permission) and the prize exchange is permitted, on the other hand, when the count receipt associated with the acquired ball of the ball 1 is received, it is associated with the count receipt. It can be determined that the exchange is not permitted by the exchange permission / inhibition setting (exchange not permitted), and the prize exchange can be prohibited.

  Therefore, according to the prize management device 70 according to the first embodiment, when a prize counter is provided for each of a plurality of rental rates, the prize management apparatus 70 of each prize counter is a prize management apparatus 70a dedicated to 4 yen and 1 yen. It can function as a dedicated prize management device 70b and can meet the operational needs of amusement stores as a result of realizing the operational needs of amusement stores that want to differentiate exchange prizes between premium counters corresponding to each loan rate. It is possible to realize a free gift exchange service.

  Next, the configuration of the prize management device 70 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the prize management device 70 shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, since the hardware configurations of the prize management devices 70a and 70b are substantially the same, portions having the same functions and configurations will be described together, and portions having differences will be described separately. And

  As shown in the figure, the prize management device 70 includes an employee touch panel 71, an employee operation key 72, a player touch panel 73, a communication I / F unit 74, a receipt issuing unit 75, A storage unit 76 and a control unit 77 are included. In addition to the card reader 81 that reads recorded information from various cards such as a membership card and the barcode reader 82 that reads barcode information from a count receipt, the prize management device 70a includes a prize dispenser 80 that dispenses special prizes. However, the prize management device 70b is not connected to the prize dispenser 80 because special prizes are prohibited from being dispensed.

  The employee touch panel 71 is a displayable and inputable employee device that can accept an operation input on a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a display. For example, a gift exchange using a counting receipt is performed. In addition, the count value read from the count receipt by the barcode reader 82 is displayed as the number of earned balls, or when the member exchanges prizes using the accumulated balls, the accumulated balls for each loan rate held by the member Display the balance and prompt the selection of the lending rate of the savings account to be withdrawn, and display the savings account corresponding to each lending rate as a selection button to use the savings account of any lending rate Or select input.

  The employee operation key 72 is a general term for an exchange button, a numeric keypad, etc. for various prizes such as general prizes and special prizes operated by the employee. In the first embodiment, the employee designates the exchange prize for the prize management device 70. However, it is not always necessary for the employee to designate, and the player may designate it.

  The player touch panel 73 is a displayable and inputable player device that can accept an operation input on a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a display, and displays the same content as the employee touch panel 71. In the first embodiment, the contents of the screens displayed on the employee touch panel 71 and the player touch panel 73 are the same, but the contents are not necessarily the same.

  The communication I / F unit 74 performs various types of communication between the prize management device 70 and other devices (for example, other devices such as the member management T / C 10, the member card processing device 60, or the gift dispenser 80). It is an interface for.

  The receipt issuing unit 75 is a processing unit that prints various kinds of information on a paper medium, prints the contents exchanged by the prize management device 70, and issues them as a prize receipt. For example, when a prize is exchanged using a counting receipt, a prize receipt is printed on which items such as the total number of awarded balls, the name of the exchanged prize, and the number of exchanged balls are printed. When the exchange is performed, a prize receipt on which items such as the balance of the balls before and after the withdrawal, the number of the withdrawal balls, the name of the exchange prize and the number of the exchange balls is printed is issued.

  The storage unit 76 is a storage device such as a non-volatile memory that stores data and programs necessary for various processes performed by the control unit 77. In addition to information such as a format printed on a premium receipt, etc. As related items, an exchange permission setting table 78 for managing exchangeable / unnecessary settings for each loan rate and an exchanged ball number management table 79 for managing the number of exchanged balls required for exchanging with prizes are stored.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the exchange permission setting table 78 is a table that stores exchange permission flags for each lending rate for each medium type of the exchange recording medium. Here, the reason for storing the exchange permission flag is whether or not to permit the exchange using the count receipt brought into the prize counter and the membership card (more precisely, the savings account of the selected loan rate). This is because the prize management device 70a functions as a gift management device dedicated to 4 yen, and the gift management device 70b functions as a gift management device dedicated to 1 yen. This exchange permission flag is a flag indicating whether or not to permit the exchange. When it is on (“◯” shown in FIGS. 5 and 6), the exchange permission flag indicates that the exchange is permitted, and off (see FIGS. 5 and 6). In the case of “×” shown in FIG.

  The exchange permission setting table 78a shown in FIG. 5 shows an example of the exchange permission setting table stored in the prize management device 70a. According to this exchange permission setting table 78a, in order to function as a prize management device dedicated to 4 yen, a prize exchange using the counting receipt of the ball 1 and a prize using the storage account of the ball 1 associated with the membership card Each loan rate is not allowed to allow exchanges, but not to exchange prizes using the counting receipt of the ball 2 and prize exchanges using the prize exchange using the savings account of the ball 2 associated with the membership card. The exchange permission flag is set.

  On the other hand, the exchange permission setting table 78b shown in FIG. 6 shows an example of the exchange permission setting table stored in the prize management device 70b. According to this exchange permission setting table 78b, in order to function as a prize management device dedicated to 1 yen, prize exchange using the counting receipt of the ball 2 and prize using the storage account of the ball 2 associated with the membership card Each loan rate is not allowed to allow exchanges, but not to exchange prizes using the counting receipt of ball 1, and prize exchanges using prize exchange using the savings account of ball 1 associated with the membership card. The exchange permission flag is set.

  The exchanged ball number management table 79 is a table that stores the number of exchanged balls for each prize name, that is, for each prize name. Here, in the prize management devices 70a and 70b, since the unit price of the handled balls is different, the number of exchanged balls in the exchanged number management table stored in both is also different. That is, since the prize management device 70b dedicated to the 1-yen corner handles pachinko balls at a quarter of the unit price of the prize management device 70a dedicated to the 4-yen corner, the number of exchanged balls is set to four times the same prize. .

  The example shown in FIG. 7 shows the exchanged ball number management table 79a stored in the prize management device 70a dedicated to the 4-yen corner. The confectionery A is exchanged for 25 balls, the juice B is exchanged for 30 balls, and the cigarette It is stipulated that C be exchanged for 75 balls. In addition, the example shown in FIG. 8 shows the exchanged ball number management table 79b stored in the prize management device 70b dedicated to the 1-yen corner. The confectionery A is exchanged with 100 balls, and the juice B is exchanged with 120 balls. The cigarette C is determined to be exchanged for 300 balls.

  The control unit 77 is a control unit that controls the giveaway management device 70 as a whole, and includes an exchange permission determination unit 77a, an exchange permission / prohibition control unit 77b, a storage ball processing unit 77c, and a gift exchange processing unit 77d. Actually, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a ROM or a non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into the CPU for execution, and an exchange permission determination unit 77a, an exchange permission / prohibition control unit. 77b, a storage ball processing unit 77c, and a gift exchange processing unit 77d are caused to execute corresponding processes.

  The exchange permission determination unit 77a determines whether or not to permit the exchange of the pachinko ball of the loan rate to be exchanged with the premium based on the exchange permission / inhibition setting stored in association with the loan rate by the exchange permission setting table 78. It is a processing part to determine.

  When the bar code reader 82 reads the count information from the count receipt, the exchange permission determination unit 77a performs an exchange permission determination regarding the count receipt. Specifically, when the count information is read from the count receipt by the barcode reader 82, it corresponds to the acquired ball lending rate included in the count information among the exchange permission flags stored in the exchange permission setting table 78. As a result, when the exchange permission flag is on, it is determined that the exchange is permitted. On the other hand, when the exchange permission flag is off, it is determined that the exchange is not permitted.

  For example, in the exchange permission determination unit 77a inherent in the prize management device 70a, when the lending rate read from the count receipt is the ball 1, the medium type in the exchange permission setting table 78a is the count receipt, and the lending rate is Refer to the exchange permission flag for ball 1, and in this case, since the exchange permission flag is on, it is determined that the prize exchange using the counting receipt of the ball 1 (exchange of the acquired ball for the ball 1 and the prize) is permitted. If the lending rate read from the count receipt is ball 2, the medium type in the exchange permission setting table 78a is the count receipt, and the exchange permission flag whose lending rate is ball 2 is referred to. In this case, since the exchange permission flag is OFF, it is determined that the prize exchange using the counting receipt of the ball 2 (exchange of the acquired ball and the prize of the ball 2) is not permitted.

  On the other hand, in the exchange permission determination unit 77a inherent in the prize management device 70b, when the rental rate read from the count receipt is the ball 2, the medium type in the exchange permission setting table 78b is the count receipt, and the loan rate is Refer to the exchange permission flag that is the ball 2, and in this case, since the exchange permission flag is on, it is determined that the prize exchange using the counting receipt of the ball 2 (exchange of the winning ball and the prize of the ball 2) is permitted. If the lending rate read from the counting receipt is ball 1, refer to the exchange permission flag whose medium type in the replacement permission setting table 78b is counting receipt and whose lending rate is ball 1, and this In this case, since the exchange permission flag is OFF, it is determined that the prize exchange using the counting receipt of the ball 1 (exchange of the acquired ball of the ball 1 and the prize) is not permitted.

  Further, when the member ID is read from the member card by the card reader 81, the replacement permission determination unit 77a performs replacement permission determination regarding the member card. Specifically, the storage ball processing unit 77c is requested to inquire the member management T / C 10 for the storage balance of the member ID read from the member card via the card reader 81, and the member inquired by the storage ball processing unit 77c. After acquiring the savings balance of each loan rate of ID, the savings balance for each loan rate is displayed on the employee touch panel 71 and the player touch panel 73, and the loan rate of the savings account to be withdrawn is selected. Display a selection button. At this time, the exchange permission flag stored in the exchange permission setting table 78 is referred to the exchange permission flag corresponding to the loan rate of the savings account selected as the withdrawal target, and as a result, the exchange permission flag is on. If the exchange permission flag is off, it is determined that the exchange is not permitted.

  For example, in the exchange permission determination unit 77a inherent in the prize management device 70a, when the lending rate of the savings account selected as the withdrawal target is the ball 1, the medium type in the exchange permission setting table 78a is a membership card. Yes, refer to the exchange permission flag whose lending rate is ball 1, and in this case the exchange permission flag is on, so the prize exchange using the ball account of the ball 1 (exchange of the ball 1 and the prize) If the loan rate of the storage account selected as the withdrawal target is ball 2, the medium type in the exchange permission setting table 78a is a membership card, and the loan rate is ball 2. With reference to a certain exchange permission flag, in this case, since the exchange permission flag is off, it is determined that the prize exchange using the storage account of the ball 2 (exchange of the ball 2 and the prize) is not permitted.

  On the other hand, in the exchange permission determination unit 77a inherent in the prize management device 70b, when the loan rate of the savings account selected as the withdrawal target is the ball 2, the medium type in the exchange permission setting table 78b is a membership card. Yes, refer to the exchange permission flag whose loan rate is ball 2. In this case, since the exchange permission flag is on, the prize exchange using the savings account of the ball 2 (exchange of the ball 2 and the prize) And the lending rate of the savings account selected as the withdrawal target is ball 1, the medium type in the exchange permission setting table 78b is a membership card, and the lending rate is ball 1. With reference to a certain exchange permission flag, in this case, since the exchange permission flag is off, it is determined that a prize exchange using the storage account of the ball 1 (exchange of the ball 1 and the prize) is not permitted.

  When the exchange permission / prohibition control unit 77b determines that the exchange is permitted by the exchange permission determination unit 77a, the exchange permission / prohibition control unit 77b permits the prize exchange processing unit 77d to exchange the pachinko ball having the loan rate to be exchanged with the prize, When it is determined that the exchange is not permitted, the processing unit performs control so as to prohibit the exchange between the pachinko ball having the loan rate to be exchanged and the premium.

  The stored ball processing unit 77c is a processing unit that performs an update process of the stored ball balance managed by the member management table. Specifically, when an inquiry request including a member ID is received from the exchange permission determination unit 77a, the member management T / C 10 is inquired about the stored balance of the member ID, or the member ID and the loan from the gift exchange processing unit 77d. When a request for subtraction of a savings ball including a rate and the number of exchanged balls is received, the member management T / C 10 is requested to subtract the number of exchanged balls from the savings account of the corresponding lending rate of the member ID in the member management table. .

  The prize exchange processing unit 77d is a processing unit that manages the exchange of pachinko balls and prizes using the exchanged ball number management table 79. Specifically, when exchange using the count receipt is permitted by the exchange permission / prohibition control unit 77b, an exchange button corresponding to a prize designated by the player is pressed by an employee of the game shop, The number of exchanged balls matching the prize is subtracted from the number of obtained balls with reference to the number-of-balls management table 79, and a prize exchange with the obtained balls (count value) is lost or the end button is pressed. Repeat until In addition, when the exchange permission / prohibition control unit 77b permits the exchange using the membership card, when the exchange button for specifying the exchange of the prize is pressed through the employee operation key 72, the exchange number management table. 79, the savings processing unit 77c is requested to deduct the number of exchangeable coins that match the prize and subtract it from the savings balance of the target savings account, and the exchange of the prizes with the savings is completed, or Repeat until the end button is accepted. When subtracting the number of exchanged balls, the prize management device 70a refers to the exchanged ball number management table 79a, and the prize management device 70b refers to the exchanged ball number management table 79b.

  Next, the gift exchange process according to the first embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the gift exchange process according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, when the count information is read from the count receipt by the barcode reader 82 (Yes at Step S101), the exchange permission determination unit 77a performs an exchange permission determination process related to the count receipt (Step S102). ).

  Here, the exchange permission determination process related to the count receipt shown in step S102 will be described in detail. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the exchange permission determination process related to the count receipt shown in step S102 of FIG. This process is performed when the bar code reader 82 reads the count information from the count receipt.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the exchange permission determination unit 77 a refers to the exchange permission flag corresponding to the acquired ball lending rate included in the count information among the exchange permission flags stored by the exchange permission setting table 78 (step S <b> 10). S201).

  As a result, when the exchange permission flag is on (Yes at Step S202), the exchange permission determination unit 77a determines that the exchange using the count receipt is permitted (Step S203), while the exchange permission flag is off. (No in step S202), it is determined that the exchange using the count receipt is not permitted (step S204), and the process proceeds to step S105 shown in FIG.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 9, when the member ID is read from the member card by the card reader 81 (Yes at Step S103), the exchange permission determining unit 77a performs an exchange permission determining process related to the member card (Step S104).

  Here, the exchange permission determination process related to the membership card shown in step S104 will be described in detail. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the exchange permission determination process relating to the membership card shown in step S104 of FIG. This process is performed when the card reader 81 reads the member ID from the member card.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the exchange permission determination unit 77a requests the storage unit 77c to inquire the member management T / C 10 about the storage balance of the member ID read from the member card via the card reader 81 (step S301) After acquiring the storage balance of each loan rate of the member ID inquired by the storage processing unit 77c, the storage balance for each loan rate is displayed on the employee touch panel 71 and the player touch panel 73 (step S301). Along with S302), a selection button for selecting the lending rate of the savings account to be withdrawn is displayed and the selection is accepted (Step S303).

  Subsequently, the exchange permission determination unit 77a refers to the exchange permission flag corresponding to the lending rate of the storage account selected as the withdrawal target among the exchange permission flags stored by the exchange permission setting table 78 (step S304). .

  As a result, when the exchange permission flag is on (Yes at Step S305), the exchange permission determination unit 77a determines that the exchange using the storage account is permitted (Step S306), while the exchange permission flag is off. If it is (No at Step S305), it is determined that the exchange using the saving account is not permitted (Step S307), and the process proceeds to Step S105 shown in FIG.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 9, after the exchange permission determination of either the count receipt or the membership card is performed, if the exchange permission determination unit 77a determines that the exchange is not permitted (No at Step S105), the exchange permission / The prohibition control unit 77b prohibits exchange using a count receipt or a membership card (more precisely, a savings account with a specific lending rate) (step S106), and exchanges it to the employee touch panel 71 and the player touch panel 73. Information is given (step S107), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the exchange is permitted by the exchange permission determination unit 77a (Yes in step S105), the exchange permission / prohibition control unit 77b determines whether the counting receipt or the membership card (accurately, a savings account with a specific loan rate). ) Is permitted to the prize exchange processing unit 77d (step S108).

  Here, when there is a remaining number in the storage ball balance of the counting receipt or the savings account selected as the withdrawal target (Yes in step S109), the prize exchange processing unit 77d acquires the exclusive lending rate acquisition ball or storage ball. The prize is exchanged with (step S110). Specifically, when an exchange button for specifying exchange of prizes is pressed through the employee operation key 72, the number of exchanged balls corresponding to the designated prize in the exchanged number management table 79 is obtained from the acquired number of balls or the balance of accumulated balls. Subtract.

  Thereafter, the prize exchange processing unit 77d waits until the end of the exchange end button displayed on the employee touch panel 71 or the player touch panel 73 is accepted, or until there is no acquired ball (No at Step S111). The exchange of prizes with the acquisition balls or storage balls of the dedicated lending rate is repeated (step S110).

  Subsequently, when the exchange end button is pressed, or when there is no remaining amount of available storage (Yes at Step S111 or No at Step S109), the prize exchange processing unit 77d only has an exchanged prize ( Step S112 affirmation), prize receipt (for example, items such as the total number of acquired balls, exchanged prize name and the number of exchanged balls, or the balance of the balls before and after the withdrawal, the number of withdrawals, the number of exchanged prizes, the number of exchanged balls, etc. The receipt issuing unit 75 is requested to issue a receipt on which the item is printed (step S113), and the process ends.

  As described above, according to the giveaway management apparatus 70 according to the first embodiment, the exchange permission flag acquired as a loan rate to be exchanged is acquired as a loan rate associated with the count receipt and stored in association with the loan rate. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not the exchange of the acquired ball of the loan rate obtained from the counting receipt and the prize is permitted, and if the exchange is determined to be permitted, the exchange of the acquired ball and the prize is permitted. When it is determined that the exchange is not permitted, the prize management device 70 of each prize counter is dedicated to the counting receipt of the ball 1 since the control is performed so as to prohibit the exchange of the acquired ball and the prize. The prize management device 70a and the prize management device 70b dedicated to the counting receipt of the ball 2 can be functioned, and the exchange of prizes is differentiated between the prize counters corresponding to the respective loan rates. It is possible to effectively realize the operational needs of the gaming shop and want to work to.

  Further, according to the prize management device 70 according to the first embodiment, the loan rate of the savings account to be withdrawn is acquired as the loan rate to be exchanged, and based on the exchange availability setting stored in association with the loan rate. If it is determined whether or not the exchange of the acquired loan rate storage balls and the prize is permitted, and if it is determined that the exchange is permitted, the exchange between the loan rate storage ball and the prize is permitted and the exchange is permitted. If it is determined not to do so, it is configured so as to prohibit the exchange between the storage rate and the prize of the loan rate, so that the prize management device 70 of each prize counter is a prize management dedicated to the storage account of the ball 1 It is possible to function as the device 70a and the prize management device 70b dedicated to the storage account of the ball 2, and the operation of an amusement shop that wants to differentiate exchange prizes between prize counters corresponding to each loan rate. It becomes possible to realize the needs effectively.

  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) Exchangeability setting For example, in the present invention, the setting status of the rental rate of a gaming machine arranged in a game store is stored in the premium management device of the parent machine, and the gaming machine's premium management device stores the gaming machine's rental rate. The exchange permission flag may be set in the exchange permission setting table 78 of each premium management device by referring to the setting status of the lending rate. Specifically, the premium management device of the parent machine stores the arrangement information of the islands of the 4-yen corner and the islands of the 1-yen corner as floor information, and the average distance between the gaming corner of each rental rate and the prize management device. Are compared for each loan rate, and the average distance between each game corner is calculated and compared for each prize management device, and each prize management is performed so that the average distance between each prize management device and each game corner is the shortest. It is also possible to set a device exchange permission flag (flag setting for allowing only the exchange of a specific loan rate and making a gift management device dedicated to the specific loan rate as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the premium management device of the parent machine (which may be any premium management device) is connected to each island in the 4-yen corner from the premium management device at the left end of the store stored as floor information. Since the distances are X1 and X2, and the distances X3 and X4 from the prize management device at the left end of the store to each island in the 1-yen corner, the average distance to the 4-yen corner (2 × X1 + 2 × X2 / 4 = X1 + X2 / 2) and calculating the average distance to the corner of the circle (2 × X3 + 2 × X4 / 4 = X3 + X4 / 2), and comparing these, the relationship between the sizes of X1, X2, X3 and X4 is Since X1 <X2 <X3 <X4, a comparison result “average distance to 4-circle corner <average distance to 1-circle corner” is obtained.

  On the other hand, in the premium management device of the parent machine, the distance from the premium management device on the right side of the store to each island in the 4 yen corner is Y3 and Y4, and the distance from the premium management device on the right side of the store to each island in the 1 yen corner is Since Y1 and Y2, the average distance to the 4-circle corner (2 × Y3 + 2 × Y4 / 4 = Y3 + Y4 / 2) is calculated and the average distance to the 1-circle corner is (2 × Y1 + 2 × Y2 / 4 = Y1 + Y2 / 2) is calculated, and the two are compared. Since the relationship among the sizes of Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4 is Y1 <Y2 <Y3 <Y4, “the average distance to the 4-circle corner> 1 yen The comparison result “average distance to corner” is obtained.

  In this way, when the result of the comparison that the premium management device on the left side of the store has a short average distance to the four-yen corner and the premium management device on the right side of the store has a short average distance to the one-yen corner, In the same way as the exchange permission setting table 78a shown in FIG. 5, an exchange permission flag is set in the premium management apparatus of FIG. 5 to obtain a 4-yen-only prize management apparatus 70a, and the gift management apparatus on the right side of the store has an exchange permission setting table 78b shown in FIG. In the same manner as described above, an exchange permission flag is set to make a gift management device 70a dedicated to 1 yen.

  As a result, it is possible to automatically set the exchange permission flag of each prize management device so that the player can reach the prize counter with only a minimum movement, and the exchange permission setting adapted to the actual operation of the game shop. Can be performed efficiently. The exchange permission flag need not always be set by the premium management device of the parent machine, but may be set by a host device such as the member management T / C 10 or a hall computer (not shown).

  In the present invention, the number information of the 4 yen corner game machine and the 1 yen corner game machine is stored as floor information in the premium management device of the parent machine, and the 4 yen corner game machine and the 1 yen corner game machine are stored. Based on the ratio of the number of units, the exchange permission / prohibition setting may be registered in the exchange permission setting table 78 of each premium management apparatus.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 13, floor information indicating that the number of game machines in the 4-yen corner is 80 and the number of game machines in the 1-yen corner is 40 is provided to the premium management device of the parent machine. If it is stored, the premium management device of the parent machine calculates the unit ratio “2: 1” between the 4-yen corner game machine and the 1-yen corner game machine, and the unit ratio “2: According to “1”, the prize management device arranged in the amusement store is distributed as a dedicated machine. In this case, since three prize management apparatuses are installed in the amusement store, the prize management apparatus of the parent machine has two exchange permission flags similar to the exchange permission setting table 78a shown in FIG. Is set as a 4-yen-only prize management apparatus 70a, and the remaining one is set as a 1-yen-only prize management apparatus 70a by setting an exchange permission flag similarly to the exchange permission setting table 78b shown in FIG.

  As a result, it is possible to distribute the loan rate that should be dedicated to the prize management device with an allocation that matches the number of game corners of each loan rate, and prevent situations where players are waiting for replacement at the prize counter for each loan rate. As a result, it is possible to automatically set the exchange permission flag of each prize management device, so that it is possible to efficiently perform the exchange permission / inhibition setting adapted to the actual operation of the amusement store.

  Further, in the above-described first embodiment, an example in which two game corners of a 4-yen corner and a 1-yen corner are provided in the game store has been described, but in the case of providing three or more game corners with different lending rates ( For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where a four-circle corner, a two-circle corner, and a one-circle corner are provided.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, a case has been described in which one prize management device is made to function as a dedicated machine for the lending rate per gaming corner, but there are gaming corners for three or more lending rates in the gaming store. In such a case, it may be possible to permit the exchange of a plurality of loan rate acquisition balls or storage balls and prizes unless the exchange of the prizes for all the loan rate acquisition balls and storage balls is permitted.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when a 2-yen corner is further provided in addition to a 4-yen corner and a 1-yen corner, two prizes can be obtained by distinguishing the prize counter depending on whether or not the exchange of special prizes is permitted. A management device may be provided in the game store, and the absolute number of premium management devices to be installed can be reduced as compared with the case where a premium management device dedicated to the rental rate is provided for each gaming corner. In this case, one prize management device is set as an exchange permission flag in the same manner as the exchange permission setting table 78a shown in FIG. 5, and functions as a 4-yen-only prize management device 70a. The exchange permission flag may be set as in the exchange permission setting table 78c shown in FIG. 15 so as to function as the 1 yen / 2 yen exclusive gift management device 70c.

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, when a prize is exchanged using a stored ball, if there is no remaining number corresponding to the number of exchanged balls of the prize to be exchanged in the withdrawal target storage account, the prize is exchanged at that time. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be transferred from a savings account with another lending rate.

  For example, if the prize management device 70c dedicated to 1 yen or 2 yen exchanges a prize using the ball 2 storage account, if the number of exchanged balls of the desired prize does not exist in the ball 2 storage account 15, a loan rate permitted to be exchanged is searched from the exchange permission setting table 78 c shown in FIG. 15, and as a result, the exchange permission flag of the storage account of the ball 3 is turned on, so that the desired gift from the storage account of the ball 2 Withdraw some or all of the exchanged balls and if there is a remaining shortage, transfer the shortage from the savings account of ball 3 and withdraw. In other words, it is possible to exchange prizes using the savings account of all lending rates that are allowed to be exchanged by the prize management device, and it is possible to improve the convenience related to the prize exchange service for the player. Become.

  In this case, when withdrawing the remaining shortage from the savings account for ball 3, the shortage corresponding to the loan rate for ball 3 is converted to the loan rate for ball 2 (shortage Since the ratio of the ball unit price between the ball 3 and the ball 2 is 2: 1 to the number of balls in the minute, it is multiplied by “2” when converting to the number of game media of the ball 2), and the ball account of the ball 3 It is necessary to withdraw from the account, and of course, if there is no shortage of balls in the savings account of the ball 3, it cannot be withdrawn. In addition, it is not preferable for the operation of an amusement store to allow such exceptional transfer withdrawals on a regular basis, so it is allowed only once per prize exchange, and only once per day. It is desirable to provide such restrictions. In addition, it is desirable to withdraw the ball 3 from the ball account after the ball 2 is completely used up.

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, the prize management device 70a dedicated to 4 yen completely prohibits the exchange of prizes using the counting receipt of the ball 2 (1 yen / ball) and the savings account, while the prize dedicated to 1 yen. In the management apparatus 70b, the example of completely prohibiting the exchange of prizes using the counting receipt of the ball 1 (4 yen / ball) and the savings account has been described. Only prize exchange using the count receipt may be prohibited, or only prize exchange using a storage account with one loan rate may be prohibited.

  In the first embodiment described above, an example in which the 4 circle corner and the 1 circle corner have a hierarchical structure has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the 4 circle corner and the 1 circle corner are on the same floor. It does not matter if they coexist.

  In the above-described first embodiment, the case where the count recording medium brought into the prize counter is a paper medium count receipt has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the count recording medium may be a magnetic card or the like. The present invention can be similarly applied to other recording media such as an IC card.

  In the first embodiment described above, an example in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko game has been described. However, the present invention is similarly applied to a case where a pachislot game is further included or only a pachislot game is targeted. be able to. In addition, although the example which applies this invention to a pachinko store and a pachislot store was demonstrated here, this invention is not limited to this, It can apply similarly to game facilities, such as a game center.

  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 prize management device and the prize management method according to the present invention are suitable for realizing a prize exchange service suitable for the operation needs of an amusement store.

It is a figure which shows the system configuration | structure of the store system of the amusement store which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the floor structure of the game store which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the characteristic of the prize management apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the prize management apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information memorize | stored in an exchange permission setting table. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information memorize | stored in an exchange permission setting table. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information memorize | stored in the exchange ball number management table. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information memorize | stored in the exchange ball number management table. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a gift exchange process according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the exchange permission determination process which concerns on the count receipt shown to step S102 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the exchange permission determination process which concerns on the member card | curd shown to FIG.9 S104. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating one form of the example of a setting of an exchange permission setting table. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating one form of the example of a setting of an exchange permission setting table. It is a figure which shows the example of application of the floor structure of an amusement shop. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information memorize | stored in an exchange permission setting table.

Explanation of symbols

10 Member management T / C
20 Island Controller 30a, 30b CR Unit 40a, 40b Pachinko Machine 50a, 50b Counter 60a, 60b Member Card Processor 70a, 70b Premium Management Device 71 Employee Touch Panel 72 Employee Operation Key 73 Player Touch Panel 74 Communication I / F part 75 Receipt issuing part 76 Storage part 78 Exchange permission setting table 79 Replacement ball number management table 77 Control part 77a Exchange permission judgment part 77b Exchange permission / prohibition control part 77c Storage ball processing part 77d Premium exchange process part 80 Premium giver 81 Card reader 82 Bar code reader

Claims (6)

A prize management device for managing exchange of the game medium and a desired prize through an exchange recording medium associated with the quantity of game media,
Storage means for associating and storing exchangeable / non-permissible settings indicating whether or not exchange of a game medium of the loan rate and the prize is permitted for each different loan rate between the same type of game media;
Obtaining means for obtaining a loan rate to be exchanged from the exchange recording medium;
Judgment is made as to whether or not the exchange of the game medium of the loan rate to be exchanged acquired by the acquisition unit and the prize is permitted based on the exchange availability setting stored in association with the lending rate by the storage unit. Determination means to perform,
If it is determined by the determination means that the exchange is permitted, the exchange of the game medium of the loan rate to be exchanged with the prize is permitted, and if it is determined that the exchange is not permitted, the exchange A prize management device comprising: control means for controlling the exchange of a game medium of a target rental rate and the prize. The replacement recording medium is a counting recording medium associated with the amount and rental rate of acquired game media acquired by a player,
The acquisition means acquires a lending rate associated with the counting recording medium as the lending rate to be exchanged,
The determination means exchanges the acquired gaming medium of the rental rate acquired from the counting recording medium by the acquisition means and the prize based on the exchange possibility setting stored in association with the rental rate by the storage means. Whether or not to allow
When it is determined that the exchange is permitted by the determination means, the control means permits the exchange of the acquired game medium and the prize, and when it is determined that the exchange is not permitted, the acquisition 2. The prize management device according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so as to prohibit exchange of a game medium and the prize. The replacement recording medium is a member recording medium in which the number of stored game media deposited by a pre-registered player is associated as a stored game media account for each loan rate,
The acquisition means acquires the loan rate of the storage media account to be withdrawn as the loan rate to be exchanged,
Whether the determination means permits the exchange between the storage medium with the loan rate acquired by the acquisition means and the prize based on the exchange availability setting stored in association with the loan rate by the storage means Determine whether
When it is determined by the determination means that the exchange is permitted, the control means permits the exchange of the storage medium with the loan rate and the prize, and when it is determined that the exchange is not permitted. 2. The prize management device according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so as to prohibit exchange of the storage medium with the loan rate and the prize. When the number of game media stored in the storage media account permitted to be exchanged by the control means is less than the number of exchange game media for the prize, other exchanges are permitted from among the loan rates stored by the storage means. A search means for searching for a lending rate,
If there is a search result by the search means, if a part or all of the number of exchange game media for the prize is withdrawn from the stored game media account permitted to be exchanged by the control means, and there is a remaining shortage 4. The prize management device according to claim 3, further comprising a withdrawal processing means for transferring and deducting the deficient number of game media from a storage media account having a loan rate obtained as the search result. . A setting status storage means for storing a setting status of a rental rate of a game machine disposed in a game store;
An exchange that refers to the setting status of the rental rate of the gaming machine stored by the setting status storage means and registers the exchange availability setting for each rental rate in the storage means possessed by the premium management device and other premium management devices. The premium management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising availability setting registration means. A prize exchange method for use in a prize management device for managing exchange of the game medium and a desired prize through a replacement recording medium associated with a quantity of game media,
A registration step of associating and registering in the storage means an exchangeability setting indicating whether or not exchange of a game medium of the loan rate and the prize is permitted for each different loan rate between the same type of game media;
An obtaining step of obtaining a loan rate to be exchanged from the exchange recording medium;
Judgment is made as to whether or not the exchange of the game medium of the loan rate to be exchanged acquired by the obtaining step and the prize is permitted based on the exchangeability setting stored in association with the lending rate by the storage means. A determination step to
If it is determined in the determination step that the exchange is permitted, the exchange of the game medium of the loan rate to be exchanged with the premium is permitted, and if it is determined that the exchange is not permitted, the exchange is performed. A prize management method comprising: a control step of controlling so as to prohibit exchange of a game medium of a target rental rate and the prize.

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