JP2009160137A - Count recording medium issuing machine, counter, prize management device, prize exchange system, issuing method of count recording medium and prize management method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the congestion of a prize counter. <P>SOLUTION: A counter 10 authenticates whether a game player, or a holder of Pachinko balls to be inserted in the counter 10, is an adult or not using a recording medium (a cigarette card) for purchasing cigarettes, having adult authentication information recorded therein and, when authenticating that the game player is the adult, associates exchange permission information for permitting to exchange it for adult prizes exchangeable only for adults, with a counting receipt so as to allow the side of a prize management device 20 disposed at a prize counter to control the exchange of the adult prizes based on the exchange permission information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a counting recording medium issuing machine that issues a counting result output from a counting machine in association with a counting recording medium, a counting machine, a prize management device, a prize exchange system, a counting recording medium issuing method, and a prize management method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in game stores that provide pachinko games, pachislot games, and the like, prize counters provide prizes in exchange for rewards obtained by the players at the prize counter. In this way, the “prize” provided by the amusement store is premised on the purchase of “general prizes” such as food, beverages, tobacco, daily necessities and ornaments, and the award purchase store independent of the amusement store. "Special prize" exists.

  In order to realize such a prize exchange service, the number of balls required for exchange with a designated prize based on the number of game media associated with a replacement recording medium such as a count recording medium or a member recording medium (hereinafter referred to as “number of exchanged balls”). At this time, if the type of the designated prize is “general prize”, an employee notification for prompting the payout of the designated prize is performed on the predetermined display unit and the employee is handed the prize. In addition, when the type of the designated prize is “special prize”, a prize management apparatus that pays out a special prize through a prize dispenser is well known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In addition, as these recording media, arbitrary recording media, such as a paper receipt (paper medium), an IC card, and a magnetic card, can be used.

JP 2002-331146 A

  By the way, in the future, from the viewpoint of further strengthening the prevention of smoking by minors, when purchasing cigarettes from a vending machine, adult authentication using a cigarette card issued only to adult smokers is required. It becomes. Along with this, there is a trend in game shops that require sales that strongly require players to present cigarette cards when exchanging cigarettes at the prize counter.

  However, if the cigarette card was presented when exchanging cigarettes at the gift counter, it would be necessary for the player to present the cigarette card and for the employee to confirm the cigarette card, so the cigarette exchange was necessary. It takes a lot of time to perform the process, and there is a problem that the prize counter becomes crowded.

  In particular, during the busy season such as in the evening or just before closing the store, there are many players who are lined up at the prize counter, and in such a situation, it took a lot of time to exchange cigarettes. There is also a possibility that the amusement store cannot operate normally due to delay.

  For this reason, when a cigarette card is used to exchange cigarettes, how to reduce the time required for checking the cigarette card is an important issue.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems (problems) of the prior art, and can reduce the time required for checking the cigarette card, thereby preventing the prize counter from becoming crowded. It is an object of the present invention to provide a counting recording medium issuing machine, a counting machine, a prize management device, a prize exchange system, a counting recording medium issuing method, and a prize management method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a counting recording medium issuing machine according to the present invention is a counting recording medium issuing machine that issues a counting result output from a counting apparatus in association with a counting recording medium. An adult authentication means for authenticating whether or not a player who is a holder of a game medium put into the counter is an adult, using a cigarette purchase recording medium in which adult authentication information is recorded; and the adult An association means for associating exchange permission information for permitting exchange of adult prizes for adults only with the counting recording medium when the player is authenticated by the authentication means as an adult. Features.

  Moreover, the counting recording medium issuing machine according to the present invention is characterized in that the association means associates the exchange permission information by displaying the exchange permission information on the counting recording medium.

  The counting recording medium issuing machine according to the present invention opens a shutter that shields a game medium slot provided in the counting machine when the adult authentication means authenticates the player as an adult. Further, shutter control means for performing control is further provided.

  The counter according to the present invention is a counter that counts game media acquired by a player and issues the counted result in association with a count recording medium, and includes a cigarette on which adult authentication information is recorded. An adult authentication means for authenticating whether or not a player who is a holder of a game medium to be accepted by the counter is an adult using a purchase recording medium, and that the player is an adult by the adult authentication means An association means for associating exchange permission information for permitting exchange of an adult-only prize for only adults with the counting recording medium when authenticated is provided.

  The prize management device according to the present invention is a prize management device that performs exchange control between the game medium and a desired prize through a count recording medium associated with a count result of the game medium, and is associated with the count recording medium. A determination unit that acquires the acquired information, and a determination that determines whether or not the information acquired by the acquisition unit includes exchange permission information that permits replacement of an adult free gift for adults only And control means for enabling exchange for the adult prize when it is determined by the determination means that the exchange permission information is included.

  Further, in the prize management device according to the present invention, even if the control means determines that the exchange permission information is not included by the determination means, the player who brought the count recording medium is an adult. If the input of the information indicating that is received, it is possible to exchange for the adult prize.

  The prize exchange system according to the present invention also includes a counting recording medium issuing machine that issues a counting result output from the counter in association with the counting recording medium, and a game through the counting recording medium issued by the counting recording medium issuing machine. A prize exchange system having a prize management apparatus for performing exchange control between a medium and a desired prize, wherein the counting recording medium issuing machine uses the cigarette purchase recording medium in which adult authentication information is recorded, An adult authentication means for authenticating whether or not the player who is a holder of the game media put into the machine is an adult, and if the player is authenticated by the adult authentication means as an adult only And association means for associating exchange permission information for permitting exchange of adult prizes for exchange with the counting recording medium, wherein the prize management device is associated with the counting recording medium. Acquisition means for acquiring the acquired information, determination means for determining whether or not the exchange permission information is included in the information acquired by the acquisition means, and the replacement permission information included by the determination means And a control means for enabling the exchange to the adult prize when it is determined that it has been determined.

  Further, the counting recording medium issuing method according to the present invention is a counting recording medium issuing method for issuing a count result output from a counter in association with a counting recording medium. An authentication process for authenticating whether or not the player who is the owner of the game medium to be inserted into the counter is an adult, and the player is an adult through the adult authentication process And an associating step of associating the exchange permission information for permitting the exchange of the adult free gift for the adult only with the counting recording medium.

  The prize management method according to the present invention is a prize management method for performing exchange control between the game medium and a desired prize through a count recording medium associated with a count result of the game medium, and is associated with the count recording medium. An acquisition step of acquiring the acquired information, and a determination to determine whether or not the information acquired by the acquisition step includes exchange permission information that permits an adult-only exchange for adults to be exchanged And a control step for enabling the exchange for the adult prize when it is determined by the determination step that the exchange permission information is included.

  According to the present invention, a cigarette purchase recording medium in which adult authentication information is recorded is used to authenticate whether or not the player who is the owner of the game medium put into the counter is an adult, Is configured to associate exchange permission information for permitting exchange of adult-only prizes for adults only with a counting recording medium when authenticated as an adult, so a prize management device disposed in a prize counter As a result, it is no longer necessary for players to present cigarette cards at the giveaway counter, and employees can check the cigarette cards visually. There is no need to perform the operation, and it is possible to prevent the prize counter from becoming crowded.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the exchange permission information is displayed by displaying the exchange permission information on the counting recording medium, the employee who performs the prize exchange work including the player can also perform the counting recording medium. It is possible to grasp at a glance the fact that an adult giveaway can be exchanged using this, and it is possible to exchange an adult giveaway in a known environment.

  In addition, according to the present invention, when the player is authenticated as an adult, the player is controlled to open the shutter that shields the slot for the game medium provided in the counter. Is able to detect the willingness to exchange adult prizes at the pre-counting stage, for example, the player wishes to count the number of acquired game media by the number of adult game exchange game media. In this case, there is an effect that it is possible to perform the counting work carefully so as to eliminate excess and deficiency with the number of exchange game media.

  Further, according to the present invention, using a cigarette purchase recording medium in which adult authentication information is recorded, it is authenticated whether or not the player who is the owner of the game medium accepted by the counter is an adult, When the customer is authenticated as an adult, it is configured to associate the exchange permission information that permits the exchange of adult prizes for adults only with the counting recording medium, so the prize management arranged in the prize counter As a result of controlling the exchange of prizes for adults based on the exchange permission information on the device side, it is no longer necessary for the player to present the cigarette card at the prize counter, and the employee can visually check the cigarette card. There is no need to perform the confirmation operation, and it is possible to prevent the prize counter from becoming crowded.

  Further, according to the present invention, whether or not the exchange permission information for acquiring the information associated with the counting recording medium and permitting the exchange of the adult free gift for the adult only is included in the acquired information. When it is determined that the exchange permission information is included, it is possible to exchange for a free gift for adults. In both cases, only adult game players can exchange premiums for adults, and it is possible to prevent the prize counter from becoming crowded.

  In addition, according to the present invention, even if it is determined that the exchange permission information is not included, if an input of information indicating that the player who brought the count recording medium is an adult is accepted, If the player who exchanges the prize is guaranteed to be an adult, for example, by reading the cigarette card at the prize counter or by manual input by the clerk's visual discrimination In this case, even a player who has not presented a cigarette card at the time of counting may be allowed to exchange adult prizes, and all adult players may exchange adult prizes. The effect that it becomes possible is obtained.

  According to the present invention, the player who is the owner of the game medium to be put into the counter is an adult using the cigarette purchase recording medium in which the adult authentication information is recorded. If the player is authenticated as an adult, the exchange management information that permits the exchange of adult prizes for adults only is associated with the counting recording medium, and the prize management device counts Acquire information associated with the recording medium, determine whether or not the exchange permission information is included in the acquired information, and if it is determined that the exchange permission information is included, Since it is configured to be exchangeable, it is possible to allow only adult players to exchange premiums for adults without having to present a cigarette card to the players at the prize counter, thus preventing crowding of the prize counter To do The effect is obtained that it is possible.

  Exemplary embodiments of a counting recording medium issuing machine, a counter, a prize management device, a prize exchange system, a counting recording medium issuing method, 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.

  In the following first embodiment, the outline and features of the counter according to the first embodiment, the configuration and processing flow of the counter, and the configuration and processing flow of the prize management device according to the first embodiment will be described in this order. To do.

[Overview and Features]
First, the outline and features of the counter according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the outline and features of the counter according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the counter 10 counts pachinko balls acquired by a player, and the counted result (the number of balls acquired) is recorded on a counting recording medium (for example, a counting receipt made of a paper medium). The number of acquired balls associated with the counting receipt in this way is exchange-controlled to a prize designated by the player by the prize management device 20 arranged in the prize counter.

  Here, in the counter 10 according to the first embodiment, a pachinko ball to be put into the counter 10 using a cigarette purchase recording medium in which adult authentication information is recorded (hereinafter referred to as “cigarette card”). Authenticates whether or not the player who is the owner of the game is an adult, and counts exchange permission information that permits the exchange of adult prizes for adults only when the player is authenticated as an adult The feature is that it is related to the receipt.

  That is, in this counter 10, instead of presenting a cigarette card to the employee at the prize counter, it is possible to eliminate the need to present the cigarette card at the prize counter by causing the counter 10 to use the cigarette card. I have to.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the counter 10 accepts a player's earned ball from a slot (not shown) and counts the received earned ball, while passing through a reader / writer 16 described later. Adult authentication information (for example, date of birth) is acquired from the cigarette card to authenticate whether or not the player who is the holder of the acquired ball is an adult. And if you get the counting information (including the date of issue and the counting machine number, etc.) including at least the counting value (number of balls acquired), and the authentication result that the player is an adult, Associate the giveaway exchange permission information with the counting receipt. In the first embodiment, an identifier (hereinafter referred to as “count ID”) that can uniquely identify the counting work is assigned, and the number ID thus assigned is recorded in the count receipt. Assume that the count value and the exchange permission information are associated with the count ID and the external device (in this example, the prize management device 20) stores and manages the association.

  In this way, if the exchange permission information is associated with the count receipt when the authentication result that the player is an adult is obtained, the prize receipt ball associated with the exchange permission information on the prize management device 20 side is obtained. It is possible to perform an exchange control that permits an exchange for an adult-only prize. The “adults for adults” mentioned here refers not only to cigarettes, but also to general prizes (for example, liquor and magazines) that only adults or persons over a predetermined age should be allowed to own.

  Therefore, according to the counter 10 according to the first embodiment, the cigarette card is used to perform adult authentication of the player who is the owner of the acquired ball, and when the player is authenticated as an adult, Since the prize exchange permission information is associated with the counting receipt, the prize management apparatus provided in the prize counter can control the exchange of prizes for adults based on the exchange permission information. It is not necessary for the customer to perform a cigarette card presentation operation, and it is not necessary for the employee to perform a visual confirmation operation of the cigarette card, thereby preventing the gift counter from becoming crowded.

  Furthermore, according to the counter 10 according to the first embodiment, since it is configured to perform adult authentication using a cigarette card for a player who is the holder of the acquired ball, the cigarette for a predetermined IC card reader / writer is used. It is only necessary to allow the player to perform the card proximity operation, and the operation for visually confirming the cigarette card by the employee can be eliminated, and the time required for checking the cigarette card at the time of counting can be shortened.

[Counter configuration]
Next, the configuration of the counter 10 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of the counter 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the counter 10 includes a touch panel 11, a communication I / F unit 12, a timing unit 13, a shutter mechanism 14, a counting sensor 15, a reader / writer 16, a printing unit 17, A storage unit 18 and a control unit 19 are included.

  The touch panel 11 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, while waiting for counting, a screen that prompts you to hold the employee card to perform employee authentication is displayed, while during counting, the number of balls that have been counted at the present time is displayed, After the counting, the counting receipt issuing button is displayed together with the counting result to accept the counting receipt issuing operation.

  The communication I / F unit 12 is an interface for performing various communications between the counter 10 and other devices (for example, other devices such as the prize management device 20). The time counting unit 13 is a processing unit for measuring time, and specifically, responds to a time inquiry from an issue control unit 19c described later, and returns the date and time at the time of the inquiry.

  The shutter mechanism 14 includes a shutter drive motor 14a that opens and closes a shutter that is provided at an opening of the acquired ball so as to be opened and closed, and an open / close detector 14b that detects the open / close state of the shutter. For example, in the case of opening the shutter, the shutter mechanism 14 causes the shutter drive motor 14a to open the shutter until the open / close detection unit 14b detects that the shutter is open, and closes the shutter after the counting is completed. In other words, the shutter drive motor 14a is driven to close the shutter until the open / close detection unit 14b detects that the shutter is closed.

  The counting sensor 15 is a sensor that counts the balls acquired by a player or employee. Specifically, it is provided in the passing path of the acquired ball, and it detects the passing of the acquired ball by performing both light emission of infrared rays and the received light of the reflected light, and the number of these passes is counted in the count control unit 19b. Count up.

  The reader / writer 16 is a device that performs data communication with an IC chip incorporated in various IC cards such as a cigarette card and an employee card. For example, the reader / writer 16 is weak against an antenna coil incorporated in the IC chip in the IC card. When the radio wave is transmitted, the IC chip generates power by the antenna coil to enable data communication, thereby acquiring record information (for example, adult authentication information and employee ID).

  The printing unit 17 is a printing device that prints print data on a receipt, and prints and issues a count receipt based on issue control by the issue control unit 19c. These counting receipts are issued if the owner of the amusement store is authenticated by adult authentication using the name of the amusement store, the date and time of issue, the counter number, the count value (the number of balls acquired), and the cigarette card. Based on an instruction from the control unit 19c, the exchange permission information is printed as character information, and the count information including the count value, the issue date and the counter number, and the count ID associated with the exchange permission flag are printed as a barcode. . In the first embodiment, the count ID associated with the count information and the exchange permission information is printed as a barcode. However, the data representing the count information and the exchange permission information is printed as a barcode. It doesn't matter.

  The storage unit 18 is a storage device such as a non-volatile memory that stores data and programs necessary for various processes performed by the control unit 19. For example, the storage unit 18 is used as a comparison target of an employee ID read from an employee card at the time of employee authentication. An employee ID 18a of a registered employee (an employee permitted to perform counting work) registered in advance and a print format 18b to be printed on the counting receipt are stored.

  The control unit 19 is a control unit that controls the counter 10 as a whole, and includes a display control unit 19a, a count control unit 19b, an adult authentication processing unit 19c, and an issue control unit 19d. Actually, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a ROM or non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into the CPU for execution, and the display control unit 19a, counting control unit 19b, adult authentication The processing unit 19c and the issue control unit 19d execute corresponding processes.

  The display control unit 19 a is a processing unit that performs display control of the touch panel 11. For example, while waiting for counting, a screen for prompting an employee card operation to perform employee authentication is displayed, and during counting, a passing signal from the counting sensor 15 is counted up by the counting control unit 19b. When the display of the number of acquired balls displayed on the touch panel 11 is updated every time and the passing signal from the counting sensor 15 is not detected for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) and the counting is finished, the counting receipt issuance button Is displayed on the touch panel 11. On the other hand, if the player who is the owner of the acquired ball is authenticated by the adult authentication processing unit 19c described later before receiving the pressing operation of the issuing button of the counting receipt from before counting, The fact that the exchange of premiums for adults is permitted is displayed on the touch panel 11 together with other displays.

  The counting control unit 19b is a processing unit that performs counting control of pachinko balls acquired by the player. Specifically, employee authentication is performed to check whether or not the employee ID read from the employee card by the reader / writer 16 matches the employee ID 18a registered in the storage unit 18, and as a result, registration is performed in advance. If it matches the employee ID 18a, the shutter mechanism 14 is requested to open a shutter that can be opened and closed at the input port of the acquired ball, and then the shutter is opened. Is input, the passing signal of the acquired ball is output from the counting sensor 15. Therefore, the counting of the acquired ball is performed by continuing the count-up until the passing signal is not detected for a certain time (for example, 3 seconds). Do.

  The adult authentication processing unit 19c is a processing unit that performs adult authentication using a cigarette card. Specifically, adult authentication information, for example, a unique ID of the cigarette card is read from the cigarette card through the reader / writer 16 to authenticate it, and the player who is the owner of the acquired ball is an adult. Authenticate that there is.

  The issuance control unit 19d is a processing unit that controls issuance of counting receipts. Specifically, barcode information is generated from the count ID, and the generated barcode information, date / time information acquired from the timing unit 13 and count information are output to the printing unit 17, and the game is performed by the adult authentication processing unit 19c. When the customer (the holder of the acquired ball) is authenticated as an adult, the print unit 17 is instructed to add to the print content that it can be exchanged for a premium for adults, and is stored in the storage unit 18. According to the print format 18b, the count receipt is printed on the printing unit 17.

  The issuance control unit 19d includes an association processing unit 19e that associates exchange permission information or exchange non-permission information with the count receipt. The association processing unit 19e has been authenticated by the adult authentication processing unit 19c that the player (the owner of the acquired ball) is an adult at the time when the pressing operation of the issue button of the counting receipt displayed on the touch panel 11 is received. In such a case, the adult ID exchange permission information (exchange permission flag ON setting) and the count information are associated with the count ID and transmitted to the prize management device 20, while adult authentication processing unit 19c performs adult authentication. If not, the non-advanced exchange information for adults (off setting of the exchange permission flag) and the count information are associated with the count ID and transmitted to the free gift management apparatus 20.

  In the first embodiment, the exchange permission flag on / off or “×” of the exchange permission flag indicating whether or not the exchange of the adult prize can be permitted is linked to the counting ID to associate the exchange permission information or exchange for the adult prize. An example in which either piece of non-permission information is associated exclusively in both cases will be described, but if at least one case is associated with either exchange permission information or exchange non-permission information, the prize management device 20 side will play an adult game It is possible to control the exchange of premiums for adults only for customers.

[Process flow]
Next, the count receipt issuing process by the counter 10 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the count receipt issuing process according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the counter 10 is in a counting standby state (No at Step S301), and when the employee card held by the employee is held near the reader / writer 16 (Yes at Step S301), the counting control unit 19b collates whether or not the employee ID read from the employee card through the reader / writer 16 matches the employee ID 18a registered in the storage unit 18 (step S302).

  At this time, if the employee ID read from the employee card does not match the employee ID 18a registered in advance (No at step S302), the display control unit 19a displays a predetermined card (employee card or cigarette card). A message is displayed on the touch panel 11 indicating that it is impossible to count due to an illegal card other than that being held over or due to a card reading error (step S303), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the employee ID read from the employee card matches the employee ID 18a registered in advance (Yes at Step S302), the count control unit 19b causes the shutter mechanism 55 to open the shutter (Step S304). When the acquired ball is inserted from the insertion port, a passing signal of the acquired ball is output from the counting sensor 15. Therefore, the count-up is continued until the passing signal is not detected for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds). The obtained balls are counted (step S305). During the counting, the display of the number of acquired balls displayed on the touch panel 11 is updated every time the passing signal from the counting sensor 15 is counted up by the counting control unit 19b.

  After the counting of the acquired balls is completed, the display control unit 19a displays a count receipt issue button on the touch panel 11 together with the count result (step S306), and shifts to a count receipt issue operation reception standby state (step S307).

  Here, the adult authentication using the cigarette card by the adult authentication processing unit 19c is performed in a processing system independent of the counting receipt issuing process, and as shown in FIG. 4, the pressing operation of the issuing button of the counting receipt is performed. Until acceptance, adult authentication can be done by holding the cigarette card over the reader / writer 16 at any timing before accepting the employee card holding operation, during the counting of earned balls, and before accepting the counting receipt issuing operation. It can be carried out.

  When the player who is the owner of the acquired ball is authenticated as an adult by the adult authentication processing unit 19c by the time the pressing operation of the issue button of the counting receipt is received (Yes in Step S307 and Yes in Step S308) The associating processor 19e associates the count ID with the exchange permission information for adult premiums (the exchange permission flag is set to ON) and the count information, and transmits them to the prize management device 20 (step S309). The prize management device 20 registers the received count ID, count information, and exchange permission information in a count receipt management table 26a described later.

  Subsequently, the issuance control unit 19d generates barcode information from the count ID (step S310), and outputs the generated barcode information, the date / time information acquired from the timing unit 13 and the count information to the printing unit 17. The print unit 17 is instructed to add to the print content that it can be exchanged for a premium for adults (step S311), and a count receipt is issued to the print unit 17 in accordance with the print format 18b stored in the storage unit 18. (Step S312), and the process ends. For example, in this case, since the counting receipt shown on the left side of FIG. 5 is issued, it is a fact that a player and other employees who perform prize exchange work can also exchange prizes for adults using the counting receipt. Can be understood at a glance.

  On the other hand, if adult authentication by the adult authentication processing unit 19c has not been performed until the pressing operation of the issue button of the count receipt is received (Yes at Step S307 and No at Step S308), the association processing unit 19e displays the count ID. Are sent to the prize management device 20 in association with the adult non-placement exchange non-permission information (exchange permission flag OFF setting) and count information (step S313). The prize management device 20 registers the received count ID, count information, and exchange non-permission information in a count receipt management table 26a described later.

  Then, the issuance control unit 19d generates barcode information from the count ID (step S314), and outputs the generated barcode information, date information and count information acquired from the timing unit 13 to the printing unit 17, In accordance with the print format 18b stored in the storage unit 18, the count receipt is printed and issued to the print unit 17 (step S312), and the process is terminated. For example, in this case, since the counting receipt (ordinary receipt) shown on the right side of FIG. 5 is issued, if the player wishes to exchange for a prize for adults, it is necessary to present a cigarette card at the prize counter There is.

[Configuration of the prize management device]
Next, in order to explain the post-processing (exchange control based on the exchange permission flag) using the count receipt issued by the counter 10 according to the first embodiment, the configuration of the prize management device 20 shown in FIG. The flow of processing will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of the giveaway management apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the prize management device 20 includes an employee touch panel 21, an employee operation key 22, a player touch panel 23, a communication I / F unit 24, a receipt issuing unit 25, A storage unit 26 and a control unit 27 are included. The communication I / F unit 24 in the prize management apparatus 20 includes a card reader 31 that reads recorded information from various cards such as a membership card, and a barcode reader 32 that reads barcode information from a count receipt, and a special reader. A prize dispenser 30 for dispensing prizes is connected.

  The employee touch panel 21 is a displayable and inputable device that can accept an operation input on a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a display, and is an employee device installed inside a prize counter. For example, when a count receipt is received, the number of balls received in the count receipt is displayed, and when exchange permission information is associated with the count receipt (when the exchange permission flag corresponding to the read count ID is on). In addition, it is further displayed that it can be exchanged for a premium for adults.

  The employee operation key 22 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 20, but it is not always necessary for the employee to designate it, and the player may designate it.

  The player touch panel 23 is a device similar to the employee touch panel 21, but is a player device installed outside the prize counter. In the first embodiment, the same content as the employee touch panel 21 is displayed, but the display content is not necessarily the same.

  The communication I / F unit 24 is an interface for performing various communications between the prize management device 20 and other devices (for example, other devices such as the counter 50 or the prize dispenser 30).

  The receipt issuing unit 25 is a processing unit that prints various types of information on a paper medium. For example, the contents exchanged by the prize management device 20 (for example, exchange date and time, employee name, total number of balls acquired, exchange prizes) And items such as the number of exchanged balls) and issued as exchange receipts, and after the amusement store is closed, information related to the management of prizes (for example, gross profit management by giving out prizes) is tightened. Or issue it as a vote.

  The storage unit 26 is a storage device such as a non-volatile memory that stores data and programs necessary for various processes performed by the control unit 27. In addition to information such as a format printed on an exchange receipt and the content of the print, the present invention includes As related items, a count receipt management table 26a for managing information associated with count receipts, and an exchanged ball number management table 26b for managing the number of exchanged balls required for exchanging each prize for each prize are stored.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the count receipt management table 26 a is a table that stores the issue date and time, the machine number, the number of balls to be acquired, and the exchange permission information for adult prizes for each count ID. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the count receipt with the count ID “010001” is obtained by counting 1700 acquired balls to the issue date “200X / 08 / X 10:58” with the counter having the machine number “01”. The count receipt with the count ID “020001” indicates that 6400 acquired balls are counted on the issue date “200X / 08 / X 11:21” with the counter having the machine number “02”. In addition, the count receipt of the count ID “010048” indicates that 8000 acquired balls were counted on the issue date “200X / 08 / X 16:47” with the counter having the machine number “01”. Among these counting receipts, the counting receipts with the counting IDs “010001” and “010048” should be replaced with adult remains (for example, tobacco C or beer D). Can be, for counting receipt of the counting ID "020001" indicates that that can not be exchanged for adult prizes.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the exchange number management table 26b is a prize master, that is, a table that stores the number of exchange balls of the prize for each prize name. In the example shown in FIG. 8, it is prescribed that confectionery A is exchanged for 25 balls, juice B is exchanged for 30 balls, tobacco C is exchanged for 75 balls, and beer D is exchanged for 55 balls. Show.

  The control unit 17 is a control unit that controls the giveaway management apparatus 20 as a whole, and includes a table data update unit 27a, a display control unit 27b, and a giveaway exchange processing unit 27c. 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 and executed, and the table data updating unit 27a, the display control unit 27b, and the prize The exchange processing unit 27c is caused to execute a corresponding process.

  The table data updating unit 27a is a processing unit that updates the count receipt management table 26a. Specifically, information related to the count receipt received from the association processing unit 19e, that is, count information and exchange permission flag setting information (exchange permission information or exchange non-permission information) is registered in the count receipt management table 26a.

  The display control unit 27 b is a processing unit that performs display control of the employee touch panel 21 and the player touch panel 23. For example, when a count receipt is received, the number of balls acquired in the count receipt is displayed, and when exchange permission information is associated with the count receipt (when the exchange permission flag corresponding to the read count ID is on). Indicates that it can be exchanged for adult prizes, and when this count receipt is exchanged, items such as the total number of balls earned, the number of remaining balls, and the number of prizes exchanged or exchanged balls Are displayed on the employee touch panel 21 and the player touch panel 23.

  The giveaway exchange processing unit 27c is a processing unit that manages the exchange of acquired balls and giveaways using the exchanged ball number management table 26a. Specifically, when the count ID is read from the count receipt through the reading operation of the bar code reader 32 by the employee, the count information (the number of balls acquired) corresponding to the count ID and the adult-oriented prizes are counted from the count receipt management table 26a. When the exchange permission flag is read and the exchange button corresponding to the prize designated by the player is pressed by an employee of the game shop, the number of exchanged balls corresponding to the designated prize is subtracted from the remaining number of obtained balls.

[Process flow]
Next, the prize exchange process by the prize management device 20 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of a gift exchange process according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, when the employee performs a reading operation of the counting receipt brought in by the player (Yes in step S901), the prize exchange processing unit 27c refers to the counting receipt management table 26a and reads the barcode reader. The count information (acquired number of balls) corresponding to the count ID read from the count receipt by 32 and the exchange permission flag for the adult prize are read (steps S902 and S903).

  When the employee presses the exchange button corresponding to the prize designated by the player through the employee operation key 22 (Yes in step S904), the prize exchange processing unit 27c determines whether the designated prize is an adult prize. It is determined whether or not (step S905).

  At this time, if it is determined that the designated prize is not an adult prize (No at Step S905), the prize exchange processing unit 27c refers to the exchanged ball number management table 26b and determines the total number of acquired balls or the remaining number of acquired balls. The number of exchange balls of the designated prize is subtracted from the number (step S906).

  When it is determined that the designated prize is an adult prize (Yes in step S905), the prize exchange processing unit 26c determines whether or not the exchange permission flag for the adult prize previously read is on. (Step S907).

  Here, when the exchange permission flag is in the on state (Yes in step S907), the prize exchange processing unit 27c refers to the exchanged ball number management table 26b, and determines the relevant number from the total number of acquired balls or the remaining number of acquired balls. The number of exchanged balls for the adult free gift is subtracted (step S906).

  On the other hand, when the exchange permission flag is in the off state (No at Step S907), the display control unit 19b displays on the employee touch panel 21 and the player touch panel 23 that the cigarette card needs to be presented (Step S908). ).

  At this time, when the operation for changing the setting of the exchange permission flag to the ON state is accepted through the employee touch panel 21 or the employee operation key 22 (Yes in Step S909), the prize exchange processing unit 27c determines the number of exchanged balls. With reference to the management table 26b, the number of exchanged balls for the adult prize is subtracted from the total number of acquired balls or the remaining number of acquired balls (step S906). There is another method for authenticating adults. For example, a reader / writer (not shown) for a cigarette card or an IC license is connected to the prize management device 20, and the player has his / her own cigarette card or IC license. If the reader / writer authenticates by holding and if the authentication result is OK, the exchange of premiums for adults may be permitted.

  Thereafter, until there is no remaining number of acquired balls (Yes at Step S910), the gift exchange processing unit 27c repeats the processes of Steps S904 to S909 described above, and when there is no remaining number of acquired balls (No at Step S910). The receipt issuing unit 15 is requested to issue a prize receipt on which items such as the exchange date and time, the employee name, the total number of earned balls, the exchange prize and the number of exchange balls are printed (step S911), and the process is terminated. Note that the exchange permission flag for adult prizes may be read at step S907 (without executing step S903).

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the cigarette card is used to authenticate whether the player who is the holder of the acquired ball is an adult, and when the player is authenticated as an adult, Since the counter 10 is configured to associate the exchange permission information for permitting the exchange of the adult-only prize for the adult only with the counting receipt, the prize management apparatus provided in the prize counter is based on the exchange permission information. As a result of the ability to control the exchange of prizes for adults, it is no longer necessary for players to present cigarette cards at the prize counter, and it is no longer necessary for employees to check the cigarette cards visually. It is possible to prevent the prize counter from becoming crowded.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, since the counter 10 is configured to associate the exchange permission information by displaying the exchange permission information on the counting receipt, the player and other employees who perform the prize exchange work are also concerned. It is possible to grasp at a glance the fact that adult prizes can be exchanged using the counting receipt, and exchange of adult prizes can be performed in a known environment.

  In the first embodiment, the information associated with the counting receipt is acquired, and whether or not the acquired information includes exchange permission information that permits the exchange of adult prizes for adults only. When the prize management device 20 is configured to enable the exchange to the prize for adults when it is determined that the exchange permission information is included, the operation of presenting the cigarette card to the player at the prize counter Even if it is not performed, only adult players can exchange prizes for adults, and it is possible to prevent congestion of the prize counter.

  Further, in the first embodiment, even if it is determined that the exchange permission information is not included, if the player who has received the count receipt receives an input of information indicating that it is an adult, Since the prize management device 20 is configured so as to be exchangeable for prizes, there is a fact that a player who exchanges prizes is an adult, for example, by reading a cigarette card at a prize counter or by manual input by a staff member. If secured, even players who have not presented their cigarette card at the time of counting can be allowed to exchange for adults, and all adult players can exchange adults for gifts. It can be done.

  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.

  For example, in the present invention, when the adult authentication processing unit 19c authenticates that the player is an adult, the shutter that blocks the slot for the acquired ball may be opened. In other words, it is possible to detect that the player is willing to exchange adult prizes at the stage before counting, for example, the player counts the number of earned balls for the number of adult prize exchange balls. If you wish, you can perform counting work carefully so that there is no excess or deficiency with the number of exchanged balls. In addition, it is possible to accept designation of prizes for adults or the number of exchanged balls, automatically count the number of exchanged balls regardless of the number of acquired balls, and return the extra balls. .

  Further, in the above-described first embodiment, if adult count exchange permission information is not associated with the counting receipt, a notification that prompts adult authentication using a cigarette card is performed even if designation of an adult gift is accepted by the prize counter. However, the exchange button corresponding to the prize for adults may be invalidated from the viewpoint of proceeding the prize exchange business more quickly.

  In the above-described first embodiment, an example has been described in which the exchange permission information for adult prizes is associated with the counting receipt. However, it is not always necessary to associate the information with the counting recording medium, and a member storage medium (for example, a member card or a player's If the counter 10 is configured to associate the exchange permission information with a portable terminal or the like, the counting recording medium can be made unnecessary. Further, when the minor reaches the adult age, the exchange permission information is added to the member information. You may make it register.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the cigarette card is used as the adult authentication recording medium has been described. However, the cigarette card is not necessarily used, and another adult authentication recording medium such as a license is used. In this case, the present invention can be similarly applied.

  In the first embodiment, an example in which a count receipt (paper medium) is issued as a count recording medium has been described. However, the present invention is similarly applied to an arbitrary recording medium such as an IC card or a magnetic card. be able to.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the example in which the counter has both the counting function for counting pachinko balls and the receipt issuing function for issuing a counting receipt has been described, but the present invention is limited to this. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a counting receipt issuing system configured as a counting machine having a counting function and a counting receipt issuing machine having a counting receipt issuing function. it can.

  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.

  As described above, the counting recording medium issuing machine, counting machine, prize management device, prize exchange system, counting recording medium issuing method and prize management method according to the present invention are suitable for preventing the prize counter from being crowded. ing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an overview and characteristics of a counter according to a first embodiment. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a counter 10 according to a first embodiment. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a count receipt issuing process according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the timing which receives holding operation of a cigarette card. It is a figure which shows an example of a count receipt. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a giveaway management apparatus 20 according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information memorize | stored in the count receipt management table 26a. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information memorize | stored in the exchange ball number management table 26b. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a gift exchange process according to the first embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Counter 11 Touch panel 12 Communication I / F part 13 Timekeeping part 14 Shutter mechanism 14a Shutter drive motor 14b Open / close detection part 15 Count sensor 16 Reader / writer 17 Printing part 18 Storage part 19 Control part 19a Display control part 19b Count control part 19c Adult Authentication processing unit 19d Issuance control unit 19e Association processing unit 20 Premium management device 21 Employee touch panel 22 Employee operation key 23 Player touch panel 24 Communication I / F unit 25 Receipt light emitting unit 26 Storage unit 26a Count receipt management table 26b Exchange number management table 27 Control unit 27a Table data update unit 27b Display control unit 27c Premium exchange processing unit 30 Premium dispenser 31 Card reader 32 Bar code reader

Claims (9)

A counting recording medium issuing machine that issues a counting result output from a counting machine in association with a counting recording medium,
An adult authentication means for authenticating whether or not the player who is the owner of the game medium put into the counter is an adult, using a cigarette purchase recording medium in which adult authentication information is recorded;
An association means for associating with the counting recording medium exchange permission information for permitting the exchange of an adult free gift for only an adult when the adult authentication means authenticates the player as an adult. A counting recording medium issuing machine.   2. The counting recording medium issuing machine according to claim 1, wherein the associating unit associates the replacement permission information by displaying the replacement permission information on the counting recording medium.   When the adult authentication means authenticates the player as an adult, the apparatus further comprises shutter control means for controlling to open a shutter that shields a game medium slot provided in the counter. The counting recording medium issuing machine according to claim 1 or 2. A counting machine that counts game media acquired by a player and issues the counted count result in association with a count recording medium,
An adult authentication means for authenticating whether or not a player who is a holder of a game medium accepted by the counter is an adult using a cigarette purchase recording medium in which adult authentication information is recorded;
An association means for associating with the counting recording medium exchange permission information for permitting the exchange of an adult free gift for only an adult when the adult authentication means authenticates the player as an adult. A counting machine characterized by that. A prize management device for performing exchange control between the game medium and a desired prize through a count recording medium associated with a count result of the game medium,
Obtaining means for obtaining information associated with the counting recording medium;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the information acquired by the acquisition unit includes exchange permission information that permits the exchange of an adult free gift for adults only;
A prize management device comprising: control means for enabling exchange for the adult prize when the judgment means judges that the exchange permission information is included.   The control means accepts input of information indicating that the player who brought the count recording medium is an adult even when the determination means determines that the exchange permission information is not included Then, the prize management device according to claim 5, wherein exchange for the prize for adults is possible. A counting recording medium issuing machine that issues a counting result output from the counting machine in association with the counting recording medium, and exchange control between a game medium and a desired prize through the counting recording medium issued by the counting recording medium issuing machine A prize exchange system having a prize management device,
The counting recording medium issuing machine is
An adult authentication means for authenticating whether or not the player who is the owner of the game medium put into the counter is an adult, using a cigarette purchase recording medium in which adult authentication information is recorded;
An association means for associating, with the counting recording medium, exchange permission information that permits the exchange of an adult free gift for adults only when the adult authentication means authenticates the player as an adult;
The giveaway management device includes:
Obtaining means for obtaining information associated with the counting recording medium;
Determining means for determining whether or not the exchange permission information is included in the information acquired by the acquiring means;
A prize exchange system comprising: control means for enabling exchange to the adult prize when the judgment means judges that the exchange permission information is included. A counting recording medium issuing method for issuing a count result output from a counter in association with a counting recording medium,
An adult authentication step for authenticating whether or not the player who is the owner of the game medium put into the counter is an adult, using a cigarette purchase recording medium in which adult authentication information is recorded;
An association step of associating, with the counting recording medium, exchange permission information for permitting the exchange of an adult free gift for an adult only when the player is authenticated by the adult authentication step. A counting recording medium issuing method characterized by the above. A prize management method for performing exchange control between the game medium and a desired prize through a count recording medium associated with a count result of the game medium,
An acquisition step of acquiring information associated with the counting recording medium;
A determination step of determining whether or not the information acquired by the acquisition step includes exchange permission information that permits the exchange of adult-only prizes for adults only; and
A prize management method comprising: a control step that enables exchange to the adult prize when it is judged by the judgment step that the exchange permission information is included.

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