JP2009233245A - Game medium dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game medium dispenser capable of quickly responding to a fraudulent use of an information recording medium by theft. <P>SOLUTION: In this game medium dispenser, a CR unit 10 that receives a use stop ID list notifying of negotiable value recording media C whose use is stopped due to theft or the like, from a prepaid system management computer 50, stores the list in a use stop ID list storage means 12a, when the ID of an inserted negotiable value recording medium C is listed in the use stop ID list, stops the handling of the negotiable value recording medium C to prevent the fraudulent use, when a negotiable value recording medium C discharged just before is stolen, and commands, via a use stop operation input part 15, to transmit the last returned medium information recorded in the use medium history information recording means 16 to the prepaid system management computer 50 and update the use stop ID list, so that the stolen negotiable value recording medium C becomes unavailable in a game parlor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a game medium lending system that controls the lending of game media to be used in the corresponding game machine based on the value information stored in the information recording medium, provided corresponding to each game machine installed in the game hall Relates to the device.

  Conventionally, in game medium lending systems introduced in game stores, information recording media (such as magnetic cards and IC cards that store a value corresponding to the purchase amount) and cash-based game media (such as game balls and games). When renting medals, etc., a game medium lending device (so-called CR unit) that accepts information recording media and the like and performs lending control of game media and a game machine (so-called CR game machine) having a game medium lending function are arranged in parallel. Has been established. In this game medium rental system, a game medium payout request is signaled from the CR unit to the CR game machine via a game medium rental device connection terminal plate provided in the game machine, and a game medium payout request is sent from the CR unit. The received CR game machine actually pays out the game media, and the amount and value of the paid-out game media are taken in by the CR unit.

  In the game medium lending device in such a game medium lending system, fraudulent actions such as withdrawing banknotes inserted to charge the information recording medium from the device are performed, and the game store suffers damage. In order to prevent the situation, a gaming medium lending system has been proposed in which withdrawal of banknotes related to the charge of valuable value is monitored, and when the banknotes are withdrawn, the information recording medium is suspended. Reference 1).

JP 2003-260254 A

  However, although the invention described in Patent Document 1 can prevent unauthorized charging due to the withdrawal of banknotes, it cannot cope with a case where an appropriately charged information recording medium is stolen and used illegally.

  For example, there is often a theft damage in which an information recording medium is taken away when a player temporarily leaves the gaming machine while the information recording medium is inserted into the CR unit. Recognize the theft, call the attendant at the amusement hall, explain the situation, and the attendant who understands the situation temporarily stops the settlement by the settlement machine or registers the suspension of use of the stolen information recording medium in the management computer A considerable amount of time elapses before the requested action is executed. For this reason, there are many cases where the information recording medium has already been settled before the use stoppage that makes it impossible to use or settle the information recording medium that has been stolen. Could not be said to have been taken.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a game medium lending device that can quickly cope with illegal use due to theft of an information recording medium.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is provided corresponding to each gaming machine installed in a game arcade and corresponding gaming machine based on value information stored in an information recording medium In the game medium lending device for performing the lending control of the game medium used in the above, there is a use stop flag for rejecting the use of the information recording medium, which is information supplied from the management computer to be referred to at the time of use authentication of the information recording medium. , A use suspension medium information storage means for storing use suspension medium information associated with an identifier that can identify individual information recording media that can be used in the game hall, and lending the game medium within a range of predetermined history holding conditions Used medium history information storage means for storing used medium history information including identifiers of information recording media used in the past in the device, and used in the past in the game medium lending device Utilization suspension operation means for instructing suspension of utilization of the information recording medium by an external operation, and utilization medium history information storage as information including an identifier of the information recording medium to be suspended based on the operation of the utilization suspension operation means. Use stop request transmitting means for transmitting the use medium history information stored in the means to the management computer.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the game medium renting apparatus according to the first aspect, the information recording medium that requests the management computer to stop the use by operating the use stop means is handled as another information recording medium. If the information recording medium is being inserted into the device, the information recording medium handling device in which the information recording medium is being inserted is received from the management computer and notified, and which information recording medium handling device is the information recording medium In the case where the information recording medium is not currently being inserted, the information recording medium handling device including the information recording medium handling device in which the information recording medium was last inserted is received and notified from the management computer. It is characterized by.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the game medium lending device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the use medium history information subject to use suspension is settled via a communication line provided in the game hall. It is characterized in that it is transmitted directly to.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the game medium lending device according to the first or second aspect, the utilization medium history information subject to the suspension of use is transmitted to another medium via a communication line provided in the game hall. It is characterized in that it is directly transmitted to the game medium lending device.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the gaming medium lending device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information recording medium to be suspended is operated by the utilization suspension operation means. It is determined whether the input information recording medium satisfies a predetermined use suspension release condition based on the input, and if it is determined that the use suspension release condition is satisfied, the use of the information recording medium is determined. It is characterized by comprising a use suspension cancellation determination means for transmitting a suspension cancellation request to the management computer.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming medium renting apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the use suspension release determining means is configured such that the information recording medium to be suspended is reinserted within a predetermined time. Both the 1 release condition and the second release condition in which the value information read from the input information recording medium and the value information of the information recording medium stored in the used medium history information storage unit match are satisfied. Based on this, it is characterized in that the establishment of the use suspension cancellation condition is determined.

  According to the gaming medium lending device according to claim 1, the use stop flag for rejecting the use of the information recording medium, which is information supplied from the management computer to be referred to at the time of use authentication of the information recording medium, In the game medium lending device within a range of predetermined history holding conditions, the use suspension medium information storage means for storing the use suspension medium information associated with the identifier that can identify individual information recording media that can be used in Utilization medium history information storage means for storing utilization medium history information including an identifier of an information recording medium used in the past, and an instruction to stop the use of an information recording medium used in the past by the game medium lending device Use stop operation means, and the use stop operation means is operated as the information including the identifier of the information recording medium to be used stop. Use stop request transmission means for transmitting the use medium history information stored in the information storage means to the management computer, so that by operating the use stop means at the game medium lending device that has suffered theft of the information recording medium, The use medium history information including the stolen information recording medium having a high probability of being stolen is transmitted to the management computer, and the use stop medium information is updated by the management computer receiving the information, and the information recording medium is included in the use medium history information Will be stopped at the same time in the amusement hall. This prevents unauthorized use of the information recording medium that has been damaged by theft (withdrawing the game medium from the value information or reimbursing the charge amount), so that the owner of the genuine information recording medium has a great disadvantage. It is possible to deal with it so as not to receive it and to contribute to increasing the credit of the amusement store.

  Further, according to the game medium lending device according to claim 2, when the information recording medium requested to the management computer to stop the use by operating the use stop means is being put into another information recording medium handling device. If the management computer receives specific information that can identify the information recording medium handling device in which the information recording medium is being loaded and notifies the information recording medium, and if the information recording medium is not being loaded into any information recording medium handling device The information recording medium that has been stolen is provided with use stop medium input device information notification means for receiving and notifying the past use history information including the information recording medium handling device in which the information recording medium was last input from the management computer. If it has already been thrown into an information recording medium handling device in the amusement hall, it can be dealt with by immediately visiting the corresponding device, and the use suspending medium can be removed from the information recording medium. If the information recording medium has been used in the past, it is possible to check the information recording medium handling equipment that has been used in the past, so you can quickly obtain clues to track the actions of unauthorized users. be able to.

  Further, according to the game medium lending apparatus according to claim 3, since the use medium history information to be suspended is directly transmitted to the settlement machine via the communication line provided in the game hall, the management computer Without waiting for the update of the use suspension medium information, it is possible to immediately prevent the information recording medium that has been stolen from being settled by the settlement machine in the game hall.

  In addition, according to the game medium renting apparatus according to claim 4, since the use medium history information to be suspended is directly transmitted to other game medium renting apparatus via the communication line provided in the game hall. The stolen information recording medium can be immediately prevented from being used in another game medium lending apparatus in the game hall without waiting for the update of the use suspension medium information by the management computer.

  According to the gaming medium lending device of the fifth aspect, the inserted information recording medium is determined in advance based on the fact that the use stop operation means is operated and the information recording medium to be used is stopped again. If it is determined whether or not the use suspension release condition is satisfied, and it is determined that the use suspension release condition is satisfied, a use suspension release determination unit is provided for transmitting a use suspension release request for the information recording medium to the management computer. The information recording medium is inserted into the gaming medium lending device that has requested use stoppage, and the use stop release condition determining means determines that the information record medium is not stolen and the use stop release condition is high. In some cases, the use suspension for the information recording medium is released without separately performing the use suspension release operation. Therefore, if the genuine owner of the information recording medium for which the suspension of use was performed had the information recording medium due to misunderstanding, etc., it would be troublesome to call the staff again to request the release operation. This saves the convenience of both the user and the game hall.

  According to the gaming medium renting apparatus according to claim 6, the use suspension release determination means includes a first release condition in which the information recording medium that is the use suspension target is reinserted within a predetermined time, Based on the fact that the second release condition in which the value information read from the information recording medium and the value information of the information recording medium stored in the use medium history information storage unit coincide is satisfied, Since establishment is determined, use suspension cancellation can be determined strictly.

  Next, an embodiment of a game medium lending device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a ball lending device that lends a game ball as a game medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a medal lending device that lends a coin-shaped game medal as a game medium. . FIG. 1 is a front side perspective view of a CR unit 10 which is a CR type game medium lending device and a CR type CR gaming machine 20 connected correspondingly.

  The CR gaming machine 20 has various functions for performing a ball game using a game ball, and a rental button 20a operated by the player to request the rental of the game ball is provided at an appropriate position. A lending available lamp 20b that is lit and displayed when the lending button is operable is provided. On the back side of the CR gaming machine 20, there is a main control device that performs the main control of the ball game, a sub-control device that controls the operation of the rendering surface such as display control and sound control, and a launch that controls the launch operation of the game ball. There are provided a control device, a game ball discharge device for discharging game balls as a prize and a game ball for lending, a discharge control device for controlling the discharge of game balls with respect to the game ball discharge device, and the like.

  The CR unit 10 according to the present embodiment is installed on one side of the CR gaming machine 20, and on the front side thereof, a currency slot 11a into which bills and coins are inserted, valuables such as prepaid coins and membership cards. Displays the medium insertion / extraction port 11b into which a value recording medium (information recording medium capable of storing charged amount information as a valuable value) and the state of the CR unit 10 itself (for example, its own usable state or abnormal stop state) are displayed. An available lamp 11c or the like is provided.

  A main control circuit 12 that performs overall lending control of game balls is provided in the casing of the CR unit 10, and this main control circuit 12 responds to the amount of money inserted when a bill is inserted from the money insertion slot 11a. A predetermined amount (CR game) set within the range of the remaining value of the prepaid coin inserted from the medium insertion / extraction slot 11b. A game medium lending signal corresponding to a lending request by operating the lending button 20a of the machine 20 is sent to the CR gaming machine 20, or the value recording medium C inserted from the medium insertion / extraction port 11b is received, and the player lends A game medium rental signal corresponding to the number of balls (or the amount and the frequency) selected by operating the button 20a is transmitted to the CR gaming machine 20. When the CR unit 10 is in a state where it can receive a game medium lending request, the lendable lamp 20b provided in the CR gaming machine 20 is turned on to inform the player of that fact.

  Next, a schematic configuration of the CR unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The CR unit 10 is a valuable value recording medium (for example, a card-shaped prepaid card in which a valuable value is recorded in a magnetic recording unit or a coin-shaped prepaid coin having an IC built therein) by means of money M inserted from the money insertion slot 11a. Is issued or the lending control of game balls is performed based on the valuable value remaining in the valuable value recording medium C inserted from the medium insertion / extraction port 11b.

  Note that the CR unit 10 can be used for renting game balls, not limited to a value recording medium in which a value according to the purchase amount is recorded, and can store game balls acquired by a game. A member card that can use the storage system may be received from the medium insertion / extraction port 11b, and the gaming ball lending control may be performed so that the storage ball corresponding to the customer number specified by the member card is withdrawn.

  The CR unit 10 also includes a currency identification unit 13 for identifying the authenticity and amount of the inserted money M, a display / operation unit 14 including a display panel and operation buttons, and a stop of the use of a valuable value recording medium that appears to have been stolen (later The use stop operation input unit 15 that accepts the operation input described in detail) by using the remote controller M or the unlocking operation key possessed by a game attendant or the like, and the valuable value record used in the past in the CR unit 10 Utilization medium history information storage means 16 for storing utilization medium history information including the identifier of the medium C (for example, an ID unique to a card or coin), and a recording medium for holding the valuable value recording medium C inserted from the medium insertion / extraction port 11b It is connected to a holding unit 17 (having a medium R / W unit 17a for reading / rewriting recorded information recorded on the valuable value recording medium C) and the like, and receives various information. It sends a control signal. The power supply unit 18 receives power supply from the outside and supplies required power to the main control circuit 12 and the like. In addition, since it is not necessary to handle the money M when not issuing a new valuable value recording medium or charging the issued valuable value recording medium, the money insertion slot 11a and the money identification unit 13 are unnecessary. In addition, in the case where the CR unit 10 performs voice notification, an audio signal generation unit and a speaker may be mounted.

  Further, the CR unit 10 is connected to the CR gaming machine 20, the hall computer 30, the customer management system server 40, the prepaid system management computer 50, etc. via the external device connection relay board 19. Moreover, you may make it connect directly with the other CR unit 10 and the payment machine 60 using communication lines, such as LAN provided in the game hall.

  The CR gaming machine 20 is connected to the CR unit 10 on a one-to-one basis. Upon receiving a gaming ball lending signal from the CR unit 10, the CR gaming machine 20 receives a predetermined number from the gaming ball discharge device in response to a lending request. Pay out the game balls.

  The hall computer 30 receives various sales signals such as valuable value information of the valuable value recording medium C consumed for lending game balls by the CR unit 10 and amount information of the newly issued valuable value recording medium C.

  When a valuable value recording medium C (member card) having a prepaid function or a storage ball function is inserted into the CR unit 10, the customer management system server 40 transmits customer data and the like regarding the member card to the CR unit 10. Is.

  The prepaid system management computer 50 receives transaction data such as issuance information of the valuable value recording medium C newly issued in the CR unit 10 and valuable value consumption information associated with the rental of the game medium, and this collected information is prepaid. Managed by a system management company. In addition, the prepaid system management computer 50 provides a list of valuable value recording medium IDs that are set to be suspended at the game arcade (the use halt flag for refusing the use of the information recording medium is the individual information record that can be used within the game arcade. As a management computer that generates and manages a use suspension medium information associated with an identifier that can identify a medium, and distributes a use suspension ID list to information recording medium handling devices (such as the CR unit 10 and the checkout machine 60) in a game arcade Function. In each information recording medium handling device that has received the use stop ID list from the prepaid system management computer 50, at the time of use authentication of the inserted valuable value recording medium C (member card with prepaid function or prepaid coin with built-in IC for visitors). If the ID of the valuable value recording medium C being entered is included in the list with reference to the use suspension ID list, the transaction by the valuable value recording medium C is not accepted and is included in the use suspension ID list. The suspension of use of the valuable value recording medium C is realized. Note that the timing for transmitting the usage suspension ID list to the CR unit 10 or the settlement machine 60 is not particularly limited, and the usage suspension ID list may be distributed to each CR unit 10 or the settlement machine 60 at regular intervals. When the list is updated, it may be sent to each CR unit and the settlement machine 60 all at once, or together with the authentication information to the CR unit 10 and the settlement machine 60 that has received an authentication request for the input valuable value recording medium C. You may make it transmit.

  Accordingly, the main control circuit 12 of the CR unit 10 indicates that “a use stop flag for rejecting the use of the information recording medium, which is information supplied from the management computer to be referred to at the time of use authentication of the information recording medium” The prepaid system management computer 50 includes a use ID list storage unit 12a that functions as a “use stop medium information storage unit that stores use stop medium information associated with an identifier that can identify individual information recording media that can be used in Update and store the supplied use stop ID list.

  Therefore, when the recording information of the valuable value recording medium C inserted from the medium insertion / extraction port 11b is read, the main control circuit 12 compares and determines the use stop ID list and the ID of the input card, and the ID is used as the use stop ID list. If not included, the game medium is not rented, and no transaction such as charging of valuable value is performed. Also, the suspended valuable value information recording medium C is being used without responding to the card return. This is notified to the prepaid system management computer 50 (and also to the hall computer 30 if necessary). As a result, the location of the valuable value recording medium C whose use has been suspended due to theft or the like immediately becomes known to the attendant of the game hall, etc., and a quick response (collection of theft card and binding of the criminal) is possible.

  When the use suspension ID list cannot be updated in time, and the valuable value recording medium C of the input valuable value recording medium C is not included in the use suspension ID list stored in the use suspension ID list storage unit 12a. However, by inquiring the card information to the prepaid system management computer 50 at the time of card authentication, it can be understood from the response from the prepaid system management computer 50 that the use stop flag is set for the card. If it is executed by the system management computer 50, the valuable value recording medium C to be suspended is not used by the CR unit 10.

  Furthermore, the CR unit 10 can not only receive the use stop ID list from the prepaid system management computer 50 but also request the prepaid system management computer 50 to stop using the valuable value recording medium C that has been stolen. . That is, the utilization medium history information storage means 16 provided in the CR unit 10 (utilization medium history information including identifiers of information recording media used in the past by the game medium lending device within a predetermined history holding condition range). The use medium history information storage means) stores, for example, the ID, remaining value, etc. of the last-recorded valuable value recording medium C, which is a history holding condition, as use medium history information, and the use stop operation input unit 15 When there is an operation input in (use stop operation means for instructing stop of use of an information recording medium used in the past in the game medium lending device) by an external operation, use stop request transmission means 12b (use stop) of the main control circuit 12 Based on the operation of the operation means, the use medium history information stored in the use medium history information storage means as information including the identifier of the information recording medium to be suspended. Use stop request transmitting means) to the use computer history information stored in the use stop medium history information storage means 16 (for example, the ID of the last recorded valuable value recording medium C). 50. It is to be noted that if the history holding condition to be held in the use medium history information storage means 16 is set so that several pieces of history information are left from the last-recorded valuable value recording medium C, the genuine card holder The person who takes away the valuable value recording medium C when he leaves his / her seat inserts the dummy valuable value recording medium C into the CR unit 10 to quickly update the information and rewrites the final return medium information. However, if information on the valuable value recording medium C stolen within the range of the history holding condition remains, there is an advantage that the use of the valuable value recording medium C that has been stolen can be stopped.

  Thus, the prepaid system management computer 50 that receives the use stop request generates / updates the use stop ID list and distributes the use stop ID list to each information recording medium handling device in the game hall. It is possible to quickly prevent the information recording medium C (member card or visitor IC coin) of the ID for which the use stop request has been made from the CR unit 10 from being used in the game hall. As a result, unauthorized use of the valuable value recording medium C that has been damaged by theft (withdrawing game media from the value information or reimbursing the charge amount) is prevented, and a large number of owners of the genuine valuable value recording medium C are obtained. It is possible to contribute to increasing the credit of the amusement store by dealing with it so as not to receive any disadvantage. If the information recording medium C is a membership card, it is also managed by the customer management system server 40. Therefore, if there is a high probability that the value recording medium C whose use has been suspended has been illegally used, the card You may make it notify a customer management system server 40 of a number.

  It should be noted that a use stop operation button or the like that can be operated by the user may be provided so that a player who notices the theft can immediately request use stop, but as mentioned above, it is possessed by a staff member of the game hall. If input to the use stop operation input unit 15 is performed by the remote controller R or key operation, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the use stop operation is performed due to mischief or erroneous operation. In addition, since there is a possibility that the use stop request may be inadvertently executed due to an erroneous operation of the remote controller R (or key) by the staff, for example, when the use stop operation input is received by the use stop operation input unit 15, If the configuration is such that a use stop request instruction can be made by operating the operation unit 14 (for example, an operation of a use stop button provided in the display / operation unit 14 is received in advance), the reliability of the use stop operation can be improved. It can be further enhanced. Further, when the valuable recording medium C whose use has been suspended is immediately found, the use suspension can be canceled on the spot through the use suspension operation input unit 15 by the remote controller R or key operation. good.

  Further, the main control circuit 12 of the CR unit 10 uses the use stop medium input device information notification means 12c (the information recording medium requested to the management computer to stop use by operating the use stop means is transferred to another information recording medium handling device. If the information recording medium is being loaded, the management computer receives the specific information that can identify the information recording medium handling apparatus being loaded by the management computer and notifies the information recording medium handling apparatus. When not being put in, since the information recording medium handling device in which the information recording medium was last thrown in from the management computer is provided, the use stop medium throwing device information notifying means for receiving and notifying is provided. In the case where the stolen valuable value recording medium C has already been put into an information recording medium handling device (another CR unit 10 or a checkout machine 60) in the amusement hall If the stolen valuable value recording medium C is not being put into the information recording medium handling equipment, the stolen valuable value recording medium is past (for example, thrown in) Since it is possible to check the devices that handle information recording media that were used in a range that goes back a predetermined number of times such as a device's history or a range that goes back a predetermined time, you can quickly obtain clues to track the behavior of unauthorized users. be able to. In addition, the notification of the use suspension medium input device information may be displayed visually by the display / operation unit 14, or may be notified by voice from a speaker or the like.

  Further, the transmission destination of the utilization medium history information by the utilization suspension request unit 12b is not limited to the prepaid system management computer 50 alone. For example, if a valuable recording medium ID to be suspended is directly transmitted to the settlement machine 60 via a communication line such as a LAN provided in a game arcade, the suspended ID list by the prepaid system management computer 50 is used. Without waiting for the update, it is possible to immediately prevent the stolen valuable value recording medium C from being settled by the settlement machine 60 in the game hall. Alternatively, if the valuable recording medium ID to be suspended is directly transmitted to another CR unit 10 via a communication line such as a LAN provided in the amusement hall, the use of the prepaid system management computer 50 is suspended. Without waiting for the update of the ID list, the stolen valuable value recording medium C can be immediately prevented from being used in other CR units 10 in the game hall. In this way, if the use suspension ID list is directly updated by the CR unit 10 and the checkout machine 60 without using the prepaid system management computer 50, the prepaid system management computer 50 becomes unable to communicate for some reason. However, there is an advantage that the use of the stolen valuable value recording medium C can be quickly stopped.

  In addition, the CR unit 10 according to the present embodiment uses the use suspension release determination unit 12d (the information input based on the fact that the information recording medium targeted for use suspension is operated again by operating the use stop operation unit. Determining whether or not the recording medium satisfies a predetermined use suspension release condition. If it is determined that the use suspension release condition is satisfied, a use suspension release request is sent to the management computer. Determination unit), and the ID of the stolen valuable value recording medium C is transmitted to the prepaid system management computer 50 and the use stop request is made to the CR unit 10 for which the use stop request is made. Is put in again, there is a high probability that the valuable value recording medium C of this ID has not been stolen by the use suspension cancellation condition determination means 12d. When it is determined that the usage suspension cancellation condition is satisfied, a usage suspension cancellation request for the valuable value recording medium C of this ID is transmitted to the prepaid system management computer 50, and in response to this, the prepaid system management computer updates the usage suspension ID list. When a new use stop ID list is received by the CR unit 12 from 50 and the use stop ID list of the use stop ID list storage unit 12a is updated, the value recording medium C being put in is excluded from the use stop target. Therefore, ordinary transactions can be made with this valuable value recording medium C.

  That is, the genuine owner of the valuable value recording medium C for which the suspension of use has been performed has the valuable value recording medium C due to misunderstanding thereof, and the value is recorded within a relatively short time after the suspension of use. If the usage suspension cancellation determination unit 12d determines that the usage suspension cancellation condition is satisfied, such as when the value recording medium C is used to restart the game with the same CR gaming machine 20 and is inserted into the CR unit 10, the usage suspension cancellation is performed. The use suspension for the valuable value recording medium C is released without separately performing the above operation. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of calling a staff member again and requesting the release operation, which is highly convenient for the user and the game hall.

  Note that the usage suspension cancellation condition by the usage suspension cancellation determination unit 12d is not particularly limited. For example, “first cancellation condition in which an information recording medium that is subject to usage suspension is re-introduced within a predetermined time” and Use based on the fact that the “second release condition in which the value information read from the information recording medium being put in and the value information of the information recording medium stored in the use medium history information storage unit coincides” is satisfied. If it is determined that the stop cancellation condition is satisfied, it is possible to strictly determine whether to stop using the service.

  Next, a specific example of the operation process performed by the CR unit 10 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, an initialization process is performed when the power is turned on or reset (step S01), and it is determined whether or not the valuable value recording medium C is being turned on (step S02). At the time of normal startup, since the value recording medium C is not inserted, it is determined whether or not there has been a use stop operation from the use stop operation input unit 15 (step S03), and the use stop operation has been received. If not, it is determined whether or not the valuable value recording medium C has been inserted (step S04). If the valuable value recording medium C has not been inserted, it is determined whether or not another operation has been performed (step S05). If the operation has been received, a process corresponding to the operation is performed (step S06), and the determinations in steps S03 to S05 are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S04 that the valuable value recording medium C has been inserted into the CR unit 10, and if it is determined in step S02 that the valuable value recording medium C has already been input, Recorded information is read from the valuable value recording medium C (step S07), compared with the use suspension ID list stored in the use suspension ID list storage unit 12a (step S08), and the value being put in based on the comparison result. It is determined whether or not the ID of the value recording medium C is in the use stop ID list (step S09).

  If it is determined in step S09 that the ID of the valuable value recording medium C being entered is not in the use stop ID list, a medium authentication request is sent to the prepaid system management computer 50 in preparation for various transactions on the valuable value recording medium C. Is performed (step S10). The prepaid system management computer 50 holds a management table for managing each valuable recording medium C and valuable recording medium ID that can be used in the game shop, and receives a medium authentication request from the CR unit 10. And whether or not the valuable value recording medium C of the corresponding ID is a management target, and if it is a management target, various information (at least the use stop target) along with the remaining value of the valuable value recording medium C (Including a use stop flag indicating that this is the case).

  Then, the CR unit 10 that has received the authentication information from the prepaid system management computer 50 determines whether or not the use stop flag is ON (step S11). If the use stop flag is not set, the CR of the game medium is determined. A normal transaction such as a lending request or a charge of valuable value is performed (step S12). In this normal transaction, transaction information is transmitted to the prepaid system management computer 50. Therefore, every time this transaction information is received, a response of update information is received from the prepaid system management computer 50. It is determined whether or not a stop flag is set in C (step S13).

  If it is determined in step S13 that the stop flag has not been set, it is determined whether or not the discharge button has been pressed (step S14). If the discharge button has not yet been pressed, the process returns to step S12 and continues. Continue trading. On the other hand, if the eject button is pressed in step S14, the valuable value recording medium C being inserted is ejected (step S15), and the final return medium information (last ejected) to be stored in the utilization medium history information storage means 16 The ID of the valuable value recording medium C, residual value information, etc.) are updated (step S16).

  However, when it is determined in step S11 that the use stop flag is set in the authentication information from the prepaid system management computer 50, or in step S13, the stop flag is set in response to the prepaid system management computer 50. If it is determined that it is set, since the valuable value recording medium C being put in is subject to suspension of use, normal transactions cannot be performed using this valuable value recording medium C, and a use suspension error occurs. While displaying, the use stop ID list memorize | stored in the use stop ID list memory | storage means 12a is updated.

  Specific examples of the use stop error will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is an example of a valuable value recording medium usage history management table collected and managed by the prepaid system management computer 50. Only the usage history for the membership card (ID: 10001) and visitor coin (ID: 00001) is shown in time series. It shows.

  When a person who is not an authorized owner of the membership card 10001 used in the 777 has illegally returned it (indicated by a circle 1 in FIG. 4) and removed it, the latest status management of the membership card 10001 As shown in FIG. 5A, the use stop flag is not set in the table, and even if the member card 10001 is inserted into another CR unit (No. 555), no use stop error occurs. Thereafter, when the authorized owner of the membership card 10001 notices and requests a use stop operation (indicated by a circle 2 in FIG. 4), the latest status management table of the membership card 10001 is used as shown in FIG. A stop flag is set.

  At this time, an example of the usage stop request message sent from the CR unit 10 of the No. 777 to the prepaid system management computer 50 is as shown in FIG. 6A, and the usage history record of the member card 10001 taken away by unauthorized return You can also request by specifying the number. An example of a use stop response message from the prepaid system management computer 50 that has received this use stop request message is as shown in FIG. 6B, and includes the device number “555” in which the membership card 10001 is inserted. As a result, you can immediately go to the device and deal with it quickly. Even when the membership card 10001 is not being inserted, since two past records of usage history are added, it may be possible to use this usage history as a clue.

  When the membership card 10001 is to be used after the usage suspension processing is executed as described above, the usage suspension ID list of the No. 555 unit in which the membership card 10001 is inserted is updated, and the normal transaction using the membership card 10001 is performed. Cannot be used, resulting in a use stop error (indicated by a circle 3 in FIG. 4).

  The use stop error display may be performed flashy using the display / operation unit 14 so that the user of the CR unit 10 may notice, or the attendant at the amusement hall may use the value recording medium C whose use has been stopped. An inconspicuous display that does not allow the user of the CR unit 10 to notice it may be performed to the extent that the inserted CR unit 10 can be identified. In addition, an alarm signal indicating that the valuable recording medium C in which the use stop flag is set may be used may be issued to the hall computer 30 having an input function of various abnormal signal notifications.

  Then, after the use of the valuable value recording medium C being suspended is suspended, all operations are suspended until an error canceling operation according to a predetermined procedure is performed by a game attendant or the like. (Step S18). If it is determined that there has been an appropriate error canceling operation, the valuable value recording medium C being loaded is ejected (step S19), and then the normal operation state is repeated in which the determinations in steps S03 to S05 are repeated.

  On the other hand, when the use stop operation is performed in the CR unit 10 and the operation input is determined in step S03, the final return medium information (the last normal transaction is performed in the CR unit 10 from the use medium history information storage unit 16). The ID of the returned valuable value recording medium C is read (step S20), and the use stop request transmission unit 12b transmits a use stop request for the final return medium to the prepaid system management computer 50 (step S21).

  The prepaid system management computer 50 that has received the use stop request from the CR unit 10 updates the use stop ID list and immediately transmits the updated use stop ID list to at least the CR unit 10 that has transmitted the use stop request. In addition, when the valuable value recording medium C of the ID that has received the use stop request is being put into another CR unit 10 or the checkout machine 60 in the amusement hall, a device number or the like that can identify the device that is using the use stop medium Is sent to the CR unit 10.

  The CR unit 10 that has received a response from the prepaid system management computer 50 confirms that the use stop request has been accepted, updates the use stop ID list, and further records the value recording medium C that is the target of use stop. Is a past use history including information such as a device number indicating that the device is being inserted into another CR unit 10 or the checkout machine 60 in the amusement hall, or an information recording medium handling device into which the valuable value recording medium C was last inserted. If the information has been received, the function of the use stop medium input device information notification means 12c promptly notifies the device number during use stop medium input or the device number in which the use stop medium has been input in the past (step S22). ).

  After making the use stop request as described above, the operation returns to the normal operation state in which the determinations in steps S03 to S05 are repeated. When it is determined in step S04 that the valuable recording medium C has been inserted into the CR unit 10 and it is determined that the ID of the valuable recording medium C read in step S09 exists in the use stop ID list, this valuable value is obtained. A medium authentication request for the recording medium C is made to the prepaid system management computer 50 (step S23), and the final return medium in which the ID and residual value information of the valuable value recording medium C being loaded is stored in the utilization medium history information storage means 16 Are compared with the ID and residual value information (step S24), and it is determined whether or not the automatic release condition is satisfied (step S25).

  As described above, the automatic cancellation condition is not particularly limited as long as it is a condition that can determine that the value recording medium C subject to the suspension of use is highly likely not to be stolen. It is desirable to be able to operate flexibly. Therefore, it is assumed that the automatic cancellation condition can be set from the prepaid system management computer 50, and the setting screen is illustrated in FIG. In this setting screen, the setting conditions for automatic cancellation of usage suspension are as follows: 1 “Introduced in the same CR unit 10 as the CR unit 10 that requested the usage suspension”, 2 “Value information changed before and after suspension of usage 3 ”,“ If the valuable information recording medium C is a membership card, enter the password to receive authentication ”, 4“ Time limit for automatic cancellation ”, 5“ Target for automatic cancellation ” Can be set by appropriately combining. The contents of the use suspension automatic release setting are transmitted to each CR unit 10 via the in-store LAN line 70 and used for determination by the use suspension cancellation determination means 12d.

  If it is determined in step S25 that the automatic cancellation condition is not satisfied, no operation is accepted until an error cancellation operation is performed as described above, and the automatic cancellation condition is satisfied. If it is determined, the request for canceling the use suspension flag for the valuable value recording medium C being input is transmitted to the prepaid system management computer 50 (step S26), and the CR received from the prepaid system management computer 50 is received. The unit 10 confirms that the use stop request has been accepted, updates the use stop ID list (step S27), and enables normal transactions.

  A specific example until such automatic release is described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 8. In the valuable value recording medium usage history management table in FIG. 4, after the visitor coin 00001 used in the No. 123 machine is returned, for example, the use stop operation is performed in response to a request from the legitimate owner of the visitor coin 00001. When this is done (indicated by a circle 4 in FIG. 4), a usage stop request message as shown in FIG. 8A is transmitted from the No. 123 machine to the prepaid system management computer 50, and the latest state management table of the visitor coin 00001 is As shown in FIG. 5C, the use stop flag is set.

  After that, if the legitimate owner who found the visitor coin 00001 inserts the visitor coin 00001 into the same device (No. 123) within 5 minutes from the suspension of use, the automatic release condition is satisfied, so FIG. Is sent to the prepaid system management computer 50 from the No. 123 machine (indicated by a circle 5 in FIG. 4), and the prepaid system management computer 50 receiving this cancels the suspension of use of the visitor coin 00001. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5 (d), the use stop flag is canceled in the latest state management table of the visitor coin 00001, and a stop release response message as shown in FIG. 8 (c) is displayed in the prepaid system management computer 50. To No. 123. Thus, the suspension of use of the visitor card 00001 is automatically canceled, and a normal transaction such as renting a ball can be performed without causing a use suspension error (indicated by a circle 6 in FIG. 4).

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of the game media rental apparatus based on this invention was described based on the accompanying drawing, the inclusion range of this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A well-known existing method is diverted suitably. It may be realized. In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the CR type game medium lending device that lends game media using the game medium payout mechanism of the gaming machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this. However, if the game medium is lent based on the residual value of the valuable value recording medium, a single ball lending machine (such as a so-called nozzle or ball pool with a ball pool) having a single game medium payout mechanism or a single unit The present invention can also be applied to a medal lending machine (a so-called nozzle lending machine, a medal pool or a medal lending machine with a saucer).

It is an external appearance perspective view of CR unit and CR gaming machine. It is a CR unit schematic block diagram concerning the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process which CR unit performs. It is explanatory drawing of a valuable value recording medium utilization log | history management table which a prepaid system management computer hold | maintains. It is explanatory drawing of the newest state management table for every valuable value recording medium. It is 1st example explanatory drawing of the message | telegram which a CR unit and a prepaid system management computer mutually transmit. It is explanatory drawing of setting operation to CR unit by a prepaid system management computer. It is 2nd example explanatory drawing of the message | telegram which a CR unit and a prepaid system management computer mutually transmit.

Explanation of symbols

10 CR unit (game media lending device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Main control circuit 12a Use stop ID list storage means 12b Use stop request transmission means 15 Use stop operation input part 16 Use medium history information storage means 20 CR game machine 50 Prepaid system management computer

Claims (6)

In the gaming medium lending device that is provided corresponding to each gaming machine installed in the game hall and performs lending control of the gaming medium used in the corresponding gaming machine based on the value information stored in the information recording medium,
The use stop flag for refusing the use of the information recording medium, which is information supplied from the management computer to be referred to at the time of use authentication of the information recording medium, can identify each information recording medium that can be used in the game hall Use suspension medium information storage means for storing use suspension medium information associated with the identifier;
Utilization medium history information storage means for storing utilization medium history information including identifiers of information recording media used in the past in the game medium lending device within a range of predetermined history retention conditions;
Use stop operation means for instructing stop of use of an information recording medium used in the past by the game medium lending device by an external operation;
A use stop request for transmitting the use medium history information stored in the use medium history information storage means to the management computer as information including the identifier of the information recording medium to be used based on the operation of the use stop operation means. A transmission means;
A game medium lending device comprising:   When the information recording medium requested to stop the use of the management computer by operating the use stop means is being loaded into another information recording medium handling device, the information recording medium in which the information recording medium is being loaded from the management computer Information that identifies the handling device is received and notified, and if the information recording medium is not being loaded into any information recording medium handling device, the information that the information recording medium was last loaded from the management computer 2. The game medium lending device according to claim 1, further comprising a use suspension medium input device information notifying unit that receives and notifies past use history information including a recording medium handling device.   3. The game medium lending device according to claim 1, wherein the use medium history information to be suspended is directly transmitted to the settlement machine via a communication line provided in the game hall.   The game according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the use medium history information to be suspended is directly transmitted to another game medium lending device via a communication line provided in the game hall. Medium lending device.   Based on the fact that the use suspension operation means is operated and the information recording medium to be suspended is re-inserted, it is determined whether or not the inserted information recording medium satisfies a predetermined use suspension release condition. 5. A use stop release determining unit that transmits a use stop release request for the information recording medium to the management computer when it is determined that the stop release condition is satisfied. The game medium lending device according to item.   The use suspension release determination means stores a first release condition in which an information recording medium that is a use suspension target is re-inserted within a predetermined time, and value information read from the input information recording medium and use medium history information storage 6. The establishment of the use suspension release condition is determined based on the fact that both the second release conditions that match the value information of the information recording medium stored in the means are satisfied. The game media rental device according to 1.

Images