JP2011092437A - Value-medium management system and value-medium management device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a value-medium management device and a value-medium management system by which a burden on a player relating to discriminating use of different game media can be reduced. <P>SOLUTION: The value-medium management device has a prepaid medium recording value information capable of dispensing game balls used in Pachinko game machines 4A, 4B, while including a plurality of game machine groups 2A, 2B discriminated by the prepaid medium. Further, the system includes a transferring balancing unit 8 for transferring the value information recorded in the prepaid medium of one of the game machine groups 2A, 2B to the prepaid medium of the other game machine groups 2B, 2A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for managing a value medium in which value information capable of renting a game medium is recorded in a game hall.

  Conventionally, game media lending machines that rent game media such as game balls and game medals using a value medium such as a prepaid card in which value information indicating a value equivalent to a monetary amount has been recorded have been used in game halls. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). When this type of game medium lending machine lends a game medium, the value information recorded on the value medium is subtracted and rewritten by the value of the loan. In addition, a checkout machine that replaces the remaining value of the value medium with cash is installed at the game hall where the value medium is used.

JP 2008-279091 A

Normally, a gaming machine using the above-described value medium can use only one type of value medium, and therefore, there are cases where a gaming machine having a different type of game medium that can be used is used together in one game place. In such a case, the player needs to prepare a value medium that can be used with the desired gaming machine. For example, the player can change the value medium that he already owns to cash with the checkout machine and newly add another value medium. There is a problem that it is necessary to obtain the information and that the use of the value medium is complicated.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a value medium management device and a value medium management system that can reduce a burden on a player who uses different game media properly.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured to be able to use a value medium in which value information capable of renting a game medium used in a gaming machine is recorded, and includes a plurality of gaming machine groups distinguished by the value medium. And a value medium management device for transferring value information recorded in the value medium of one gaming machine group to the value medium of another gaming machine group.

  The present invention further includes a security management server that manages security for each value medium in the value medium management system, wherein the value medium management device is configured to use the value information based on key information distributed from the security management server. It is characterized by migrating.

  Further, in the value medium management system according to the present invention, the value information indicating a value corresponding to a lent amount of the game medium is recorded in the value medium, and the value medium management apparatus transfers the value information. The value information recorded on the value medium of the transfer source is read and recorded on the value medium of the transfer destination.

  Further, the present invention uses a value medium in which value information capable of renting a game medium to be used in a gaming machine is used, and is installed in a game hall provided with a plurality of gaming machine groups distinguished by the value medium. The value information recorded in the value medium of the gaming machine group is transferred to the value medium of another gaming machine group.

  Further, the present invention provides the above value medium management apparatus, wherein the value medium management apparatus is connected to a security management server that manages security for each value medium, and includes key information corresponding to the value medium that is the migration source that migrates the value information, and a migration destination The key information corresponding to the value medium is individually acquired from the security management server, and the value information recorded on the value medium of one gaming machine group is acquired from the security management server by using the acquired key information. It moves to the said value medium of a group, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Further, the present invention provides the above-described value medium management apparatus, further comprising an antenna for performing contactless communication with the value medium, reading value information from the value medium via the antenna, and value to the value medium. A read / write unit for writing information, and each of the value by the common antenna and the read / write unit for each of the value medium of the transfer source and the value medium of the transfer destination The value information is read and written by a processing method corresponding to a medium.

  The present invention provides the above-described value medium management apparatus, wherein each of the value media has a different input path, and an antenna for performing non-contact communication with the value medium is provided on each of the input paths. The value information is read and written to each of the migration source value medium and the migration destination value medium.

  According to the present invention, the value information can be transferred from the value medium of one gaming machine group to the value medium of another gaming machine group. Can be reduced and the convenience of the player can be improved.

It is a figure which shows typically the example of arrangement | positioning in a game store. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the information memorize | stored in each part of a game system. It is a figure which shows the structure of a pachinko machine and CR unit. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of CR unit. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of CR unit. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a transfer adjustment machine. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a transfer account machine.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a pachinko machine using a game ball as a game medium will be described as an example of a game machine.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an arrangement example in the game store 2 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in this figure, the game shop 2 is provided with a large number of pachinko machines 4A and 4B, CR units (Card Reader) 6A and 6B, and a transfer settlement machine 8, and in one room of the game shop 2 A management room 9 is provided. In the gaming store 2, the configuration in which the prepaid system management computer 10 and the security management servers 16 and 18 are connected to the transfer settlement machine 8 functions as the gaming system 1. The gaming system 1 may include a hall computer 12, a customer management server 13, a ball management server 14, and respective pachinko machines 4A and 4B and CR units 6A and 6B.

The pachinko machines 4A and 4B installed in the game store 2 (hereinafter referred to as pachinko machines 4 when it is not necessary to distinguish between the two) purchase the prepaid medium or charge the prepaid medium with cash, This is a so-called CR machine that borrows a game ball from the remaining value recorded on the prepaid medium for compensation.
CR (Card Reader) units 6 </ b> A and 6 </ b> B (hereinafter referred to as “CR unit 6” when it is not necessary to distinguish between the two) are devices that read a prepaid medium, and are provided side by side in each pachinko machine 4. When a player rents a game ball with the pachinko machine 4, the player inserts cash or a prepaid medium having a prepaid residual value of a necessary amount into the CR unit 6. Each CR unit 6 has a prepaid medium reading function and a function for issuing a prepaid medium with the insertion of cash. The player can prepaid without leaving the pachinko machine 4 during the game. You can purchase media.

Arbitrary shapes such as a coin shape and a card shape can be adopted as the shape of the prepaid medium. In this amusement store 2, various prepaid media such as a card-shaped prepaid medium and a coin-shaped prepaid medium are used. . In the present embodiment, a total of three types of prepaid media including A coin 47 and B coin 48, which are coin-shaped prepaid media, and a card-shaped member card 46 can be used.
Each of the membership card 46, the A coin 47, and the B coin 48 receives a wireless power supply from an external device, and operates with an antenna for performing communication with the external device and the wirelessly supplied power. A non-contact type IC device having an IC chip that communicates with an external device via the antenna. Member card information 46A, medium information 47A, and medium information 48A (see FIG. Various information such as 2A to C) is recorded. The membership card 46 is a card that is issued to a player who becomes a member of the game store 2 as described later, and is used to provide services such as savings. Since the prepaid residual value can be recorded, the prepaid card is used. It can also be used as a medium.

The pachinko machine 4 and the CR unit 6 installed in the amusement store 2 have different specifications depending on the type of the corresponding prepaid medium. Specifically, the CR unit 6A and the pachinko machine corresponding to the issuance and reading of the A coin 47 are used. There is a machine 4A, and a CR unit 6B and a pachinko machine 4B that can issue and read B coins 48. The membership card 46 can be read by both the pachinko machines 4A and 4B and the CR units 6A and 6B.
The membership card 46 is a membership card issued to a player who becomes a member of the gaming store 2, is associated with one player, and is managed by the customer management server 13. In addition to the information on the possession balls and the storage balls, the membership card 46 functions as a prepaid medium like the A coin 47 and the B coin 48, and can record the prepaid residual value converted into cash.

  In the gaming store 2, a gaming machine group 2A composed of a pachinko machine 4A and a CR unit 6A and a gaming machine group 2B composed of a pachinko machine 4B and a CR unit 6B are arranged. In this game store 2, a plurality of lending unit prices are set as the lending unit price of game balls. Specifically, the gaming machine group 2A has a lending unit price of 4 balls / ball, a lending unit price of game balls set to 4 yen / ball, The gaming machine group 2B has a 2 yen / ball corner in which the rental unit price of game balls is set to 2 yen / ball. Each CR unit 6A, 6B has a lending unit price corresponding to the corner 2A, 2B in which it is installed, and each CR unit 6A, 6B is a game ball with the remaining value of the prepaid medium as a price. , The value corresponding to the amount based on the lending unit price and the number of lending is subtracted from the remaining value of the prepaid medium, thereby lending the game media according to the lending unit price set in each corner 2A, 2B.

In the gaming machine groups 2A and 2B, the pachinko machine 4A and the CR unit 6A, and the pachinko machine 4B and the CR unit 6B are arranged in a one-to-one relationship. A single CR unit 6 may be arranged.
The transfer settlement machine 8 as a value medium management device has a function of paying out cash according to the prepaid residual value of the member card 46, the A coin 47 and the B coin 48. With this function, the player can cash the prepaid value that has not been used up. Further, the transfer settlement machine 8 has a function of transferring the prepaid residual value between the member card 46, the A coin 47 and the B coin 48.

In the management room 9, various management computers such as a prepaid system management computer 10, a hall computer 12, a customer management server 13, a possession management server 14, and security management servers 16 and 18 are installed.
The prepaid system management computer 10 manages the prepaid residual values of the membership card 46, A coin 47, and B coin 48 that are issued and recorded by the CR units 6A, 6B. Each of the CR units 6A and 6B is communicably connected to the prepaid system management computer 10 via the network 45 (FIG. 2). To the prepaid system management computer 10, a membership card 46, an A coin 47 and a B coin are connected. 48 prepaid residual values are transmitted. Further, the transfer payment machine 8 is connected to the prepaid system management computer 10, and the transfer payment machine 8 transfers the residual value between the member card 46, the A coin 47 and the B coin 48, or the prepaid medium When cash is paid out according to the prepaid residual value, the prepaid system management computer 10 is notified of the residual value of each prepaid medium related to these processes.

  For each pachinko machine 4, the hall computer 12 manages the rental unit price of the game balls and the incoming, outgoing, and difference balls. Further, the customer management server 13 manages a membership number assigned to a player who is a member of the gaming store 2 of the gaming store 2 and a unique ID for identifying the membership card 46 used by the member. The possession management server 14 manages the players (customers) and the possessions for each player.

  The security management server 16 manages key information and a processing algorithm necessary for reading and writing information recorded on the A coin 47 used as the prepaid medium, and authenticates the A coin 47. The security management server 18 manages key information and processing algorithm for reading and writing information recorded in the B coin 48 and the membership card 46, and processes the prepaid residual value of the B coin 48 and the membership card 46. Authentication. The security management servers 16 and 18 distribute key information and algorithms in response to requests from various devices connected via the network 45 (FIG. 3) or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of information stored in each unit of the gaming system 1. 2A shows the structure of the medium information 47A recorded on the A coin 47, FIG. 2B shows the structure of the medium information 48A recorded on the B coin 48, and FIG. 2C shows the member card information 46A recorded on the member card 46. The structure of is shown. 2D shows the configuration of the prepaid medium management information 10A held by the prepaid system management computer 10, FIG. 2E shows the configuration of the coin management information 14A held by the ball management server 14, and 2f shows the customer management server 13. Shows the configuration of the member management information 13A held by.

Unique IDs (unique IDs) are assigned to all member cards 46, A coins 47, and B coins 48 issued at the game store 2, and the medium information 47A shown in FIG. 2A has a field corresponding to the unique ID. Is provided. The medium information 47A includes the type of prepaid medium (here, a value indicating A coin 47), the store number indicating the store that issued the A coin 47 when the amusement store 2 is a chain store, and the prepaid of the A coin 47. A field corresponding to each of the remaining values is provided.
Further, the medium information 47A is provided with a field for storing the number of possessed balls according to the lending unit price (the retained ball rate). Mochitama is a game where the player can use the acquired ball in another pachinko machine 4 and the game ball itself as a ball may actually be carried in a ball box. In the form, the number of possessed balls can be recorded as medium information 47A.

2B includes fields corresponding to a unique ID, a medium type identification code, a store number, and a prepaid residual value. Although it is possible to provide other fields (for example, a field corresponding to the number of balls) within the range of the storage capacity of the IC chip built in the B coin 48, in this embodiment, the configuration shown in FIG. To do.
As shown in FIG. 2C, the membership card information 46A recorded on the membership card 46 includes the fields corresponding to the unique ID, the medium type identification code and the store number of the membership card 46, the ball rate and the number of balls. A field corresponding to each is provided.

  A recording method is set in each field of the member card information 46A and the medium information 47A and 48A, and “recording method RO” indicates that the information in the corresponding field is not rewritten (Read Only). “RW” indicates that the information in the corresponding field is appropriately updated (ReWriteable). For example, since the unique ID is unique for each prepaid medium, there is no need for rewriting, and the unique ID is recorded by the “recording method RO”. The “recording method RO / RW” indicates that either the “recording method RO” or the “recording method RW” may be used according to the specifications of the member card 46, the A coin 47, and the B coin 48.

  Part or all of the medium information 47A is encrypted based on the key information and algorithm managed by the security management server 16, and the above-described key information and algorithm are security managed for reading and recording of the medium information 47A. It must be obtained from the server 16. Part or all of the medium information 48A and the member card information 46A is encrypted based on key information and an algorithm managed by the security management server 18, and the member card information 46A and the medium information 48A are read and recorded. Needs to obtain the key information and algorithm from the security management server 18.

The prepaid residual value of each prepaid medium of the member card 46, A coin 47 and B coin 48 is stored in the prepaid system management computer 10 as prepaid medium management information 10A as shown in FIG. 2D. The prepaid medium management information 10A is stored for each prepaid medium, and includes fields corresponding to the unique ID of each prepaid medium, the prepaid residual value, the last purchase date of the prepaid value, the last use date of the prepaid calculation value, and the like.
Also, the possession management server 14 stores the number of possessions recorded in the membership card 46 and the A coin 47 as the possession management information 14 </ b> A. The possession management information 14 </ b> A has fields corresponding to the unique ID of the membership card 46 and the A coin 47 and the number of possessions for each possession rate.

  The customer management server 13 that manages the members to which the membership card 46 is issued stores the membership management information 13A for each membership card 46. In the member management information 13A, the unique ID of each member card 46, the member number of the member who issued the member card 46, the account number for managing the number of stored balls for each member, and the stored balls by the rental unit price of game balls A field corresponding to the number is provided. The member management information 13A associates the unique ID of the member card 46 with the member number, and manages the number of balls stored in association with the member number.

Here, the membership card information 46A may be configured to manage the number of balls etc. by the customer management server 13 without including information on the number of game media other than the prepaid residual value, for example, the number of balls for each ball rate. . In this configuration, as will be described later, the member management information 13A of the customer management server 13 includes fields corresponding to the unique ID of the membership card information 46A, the membership number, the account number for managing the possessed ball, and the number of retained balls. May be provided in the member management information 13A. In this case, when a game ball is paid out by the pachinko machine 4 according to the information on the number of balls, the unique ID of the member card information 46A is transmitted from the pachinko machine 4 or the CR unit 6 to the customer management server 13. It is sufficient to identify the corresponding account of the possession balls and to provide information on the number of possession balls of this account.
Furthermore, the member card information 46A may be provided with a field corresponding to a flag indicating whether or not there is a number of balls without including information on the number of game media such as the number of balls in the member card information 46A. In this case, only when the flag of the membership card information 46A indicates “there is a number of possessed balls”, the pachinko machine 4 or the CR unit 6 may inquire the customer management server 13 to obtain information on the number of retained balls. In addition to shortening the processing time in the pachinko machine 4 and the CR unit 6, it is possible to efficiently manage information relating to the number of game media such as the number of possessed balls by reducing traffic between the servers.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the pachinko machines 4A and 4B and the CR units 6A and 6B.
The right side of the figure shows the pachinko machine 4A and the CR unit 6A, and the left side of the figure shows the pachinko machine 4B and the CR unit 6B.

  The pachinko machine 4 </ b> A includes a pachinko machine body 22 provided with a front glass 21 on the front surface of the game board 20 and configured to allow the game area of the game board 20 to be viewed through the front glass 21. The game board 20 is provided with a plurality of start openings (not shown), winning holes (not shown), obstacle nails (not shown), and variable display units (not shown) for variably displaying symbols. Yes. A game ball launching handle 23 is provided at the lower right of the pachinko machine body 22, and the game ball is launched into the game area of the game board 20 by operating the game ball launching handle 23. The pachinko machine 4A performs a winning lottery every time a game ball launched on the game board 20 passes through the starting port, and notifies the player of the winning result by variable display of symbols. Further, the pachinko machine 4A makes a transition to a special gaming state (for example, a state in which a game ball can easily enter a winning opening) that is a gaming state in which a player can advantageously acquire a game ball when the winning lottery is won. . Thereby, the player can increase the number of holding balls.

  Below the front glass 21, a game ball outlet (not shown) and an upper plate 24 are provided. A ball lending button 25, a return button 26, and a frequency display unit 27 are provided on the near side of the upper plate 24. The ball lending button 25 is a button for lending game balls, the return button 26 is a button for discharging the prepaid medium from the CR unit 6, and the frequency display unit 27 is a display for displaying the remaining value of the prepaid medium as a frequency. .

  The pachinko machine 4B is configured in the same manner as the pachinko machine 4A except that it is connected to the CR unit 6B. That is, the pachinko machine 4B has a pachinko machine body 22 having the same configuration as the pachinko machine 4A, and a ball lending request is transmitted to the CR unit 6B according to the operation of the ball lending button 25, and is inserted into the CR unit 6B. As long as there is a residual value in the membership card 46 or B coin 48, a ball lending permission command is transmitted from the CR unit 6B to the pachinko machine body 22, and the lent balls are paid out from the pachinko machine body 22 to the upper plate 24.

  Also, the CR unit 6A has a bill insertion slot 30 for inserting various bills including large bills (for example, bills such as “10,000 yen”, “5,000 yen” and “2,000 yen”), a membership card. 46 or A coin 47, the touch panel 32 which is integrated with a display panel for displaying the remaining value frequency, loan amount, and various other information, the card insertion / ejection slot 33 for inserting and ejecting the member card 46, and the A coin 47 being inserted A coin insertion port 34 for discharging the A coin 47 and a coin discharge port 37 for discharging the A coin 47 are provided. The touch panel 32 is configured, for example, by superposing a liquid crystal display panel that displays the above information and a transparent contact sensor that detects a contact operation on the display surface of the liquid crystal display panel, and buttons are provided on the liquid crystal display panel. When a contact operation is performed at the displayed position, an operation signal corresponding to the button displayed at the contact position is generated and output to the main control board 50. Instead of the touch panel 32, a display device such as a liquid crystal display panel and switches as an operation unit may be provided individually.

  When a banknote is inserted from the banknote insertion slot 30, the CR unit 6A issues an A coin 47 having a residual value corresponding to the face value of the banknote. The A coin 47 is discharged in accordance with the operation of the return button 26 of the pachinko machine 4A. When the A coin 47 is inserted into the coin insertion slot 34, the CR unit 6A reads the medium information 47A from the A coin 47 to acquire the prepaid residual value in order to notify the player of the remaining value of the A coin 47. Then, the frequency corresponding to the remaining value is displayed on the frequency display unit 27 of the pachinko machine 4A. Similarly, when the member card 46 is inserted, the CR unit 6A reads the member card information 46A from the member card 46, acquires the prepaid residual value, and displays it on the frequency display unit 27. Further, the CR unit 6 </ b> A determines that the coin A coin 47 has a prepaid residual value and a coin in accordance with the operation of the return button 26 of the pachinko machine 4 </ b> A when the coins remain in the A coin 47. The A coin 47 is discharged from the discharge port 37.

The CR unit 6A includes a payout nozzle 61 that extends from the housing of the CR unit 6A directly above the upper plate 24 and that pays out game balls to the upper plate 24 of the pachinko machine 4A.
When the ball lending button 25 of the pachinko machine 4A is operated, a ball lending request is transmitted from the pachinko machine body 22 to the CR unit 6A. The CR unit 6A pays out the game ball from the payout nozzle 61 to the upper plate 24 as long as the remaining value exists in the member card 46 or A coin 47 inserted in the CR unit 6A.
Further, the CR unit 6A includes a tray 62 that receives a game ball (hereinafter referred to as “acquired ball”) acquired by the player in the pachinko machine 4A. The saucer 62 communicates with the lower tray 28 in which the acquired balls are stored in the pachinko machine 4A, and sends the acquired balls stored in the lower tray 28 to a holding ball dispensing section 58 (FIG. 4) described later.

Similarly to the CR unit 6A, the CR unit 6B includes a bill insertion slot 30, a card insertion / ejection slot 33, a coin insertion slot 34, and a coin ejection slot 37. Further, the CR unit 6B replaces the touch panel 32 provided in the CR unit 6A. A display unit 41 including a liquid crystal display panel or a 7-segment display for displaying the remaining value of the card 46 or the B coin 48, a loan amount, and other various information, and an operation key 42 operated by a player are provided. ing. The CR unit 6B issues a B coin 48 having a residual value corresponding to the face value of the bill inserted from the bill insertion slot 30, and the B coin 48 is discharged according to the operation of the return button 26 of the pachinko machine 4B. . When the B coin 48 is inserted into the coin insertion slot 34, the CR unit 6B reads the medium information 48A from the B coin 48, acquires the prepaid residual value, and displays it on the frequency display unit 27 of the pachinko machine 4B. Similarly, when the member card 46 is inserted, the CR unit 6B reads the member card information 46A from the member card 46, acquires the prepaid residual value, and displays it on the frequency display unit 27. Further, when the prepaid residual value of the B coin 48 remains, the CR unit 6B discharges the B coin 48 from the coin discharge port 37 according to the operation of the return button 26 of the pachinko machine 4B.
The CR unit 6B is not provided with the dispensing nozzle 61 and the receiving tray 62 unlike the CR unit 6A. When the ball lending button 25 of the pachinko machine 4B is operated, a ball lending request is transmitted from the pachinko machine body 22 to the CR unit 6B, and the member card 46 or the B coin 48 inserted in the CR unit 6B is sent. As long as the remaining value exists, a ball lending permission command is transmitted from the CR unit 6B to the pachinko machine body 22, and the game ball is paid out to the upper plate 24 of the pachinko machine 4B. In addition, the acquired ball acquired by the player in the pachinko machine 4B is stored in the lower plate 28 of the pachinko machine 4B, and is stored in a ball box (not shown) by the player's operation, for example.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the CR unit 6A.
The CR unit 6A recognizes the main control board 50, the bill identifying unit 52 that identifies the face value of the bill inserted from the bill insertion slot 30 and outputs it to the main control board 50, and reads the member card information 46A and the medium information 47A. A common R / W (read / write) unit 56 for writing, a card holding unit 53 for holding the member card 46 inserted from the card insertion / extraction port 33 in the vicinity of the common R / W unit 56, and coin insertion A coin holding unit 54 that holds the B coin 48 inserted from the mouth 34 in the vicinity of the common R / W unit 56, a display / operation unit 55, and a power supply unit 59 are provided.

  The main control board 50 is provided with a control circuit (not shown) for centrally controlling each part. The common R / W unit 56 supplies power to the member card 46 and the A coin 47 configured as a non-contact IC device as described above, and performs wireless communication between each of the member card 46 and the A coin 47. For having an antenna. This antenna is disposed so as to face both the member card 46 held by the card holding unit 53 and the A coin 47 held by the coin holding unit 54. The common R / W unit 56 communicates with the member card 46 or the A coin 47 via the antenna under the control of the main control board 50, and reads and writes (updates) the member card information 46A and the medium information 47A. . The common R / W unit 56 can read and write information by different processing methods in accordance with a prepaid medium to be communicated via the antenna. In this case, when data is transmitted from the prepaid medium in response to power supply to the prepaid medium, the common R / W unit 56 determines whether the prepaid medium is a member card 46 or A based on the pattern of the leading bit string of the data. What is necessary is just to discriminate | determine whether it is a coin 47.

The display / operation unit 55 includes a touch panel 32 that functions as a display device and an operator, displays various information on the touch panel 32 under the control of the main control board 50, and performs operations on the touch panel 32 on the main control board 50. input. The power supply unit 59 is supplied with electric power from an external power supply provided in the game store 2 and supplies electric power of a predetermined voltage to each unit.
The stand-by setting storage unit 66 stores settings unique to the pachinko machine 4. This setting includes a machine number for uniquely identifying the pachinko machine 4 at the game store 2 and a rental unit price.

The external device connection relay board 70 provided in the CR unit 6A is a circuit board connected to the CR connector board of the pachinko machine 4A via a signal cable (both not shown). The main control board 50 transmits and receives various signals to and from the pachinko machine 4 </ b> A via the external device connection relay board 70. Such signals are output according to a connection confirmation signal for confirming that the pachinko machine 4A and the CR unit 6A are communicably connected to each other, and an operation of the ball lending button 25 of the pachinko machine 4A. There are lending signals such as balls. The external device connection relay board 70 is supplied with I / F power, which is the operating power of the CR connector board, to the pachinko machine 4A.
Based on the ball lending request received from the pachinko machine 4A via the external device connection relay board 70, the main control board 50 controls the ball dispensing section 58 to thereby dispense the dispensing nozzle 61 ( Through FIG. 3), an operation of paying out the game ball to the upper plate 24 is executed in accordance with the operation of the ball lending button 25 of the pachinko machine 4A. Here, the main control board 50 rewrites the membership card information 46A or the medium information 47A by subtracting the prepaid residual value of the membership card 46 or the A coin 47 by the amount corresponding to the consideration of the paid out game ball.

The CR unit 6A includes a count value of the acquired balls obtained by the player with the pachinko machine 4A, a number of game balls (the number of balls entered), a number of payout balls (the number of balls played), and a game state (the number of balls played). For example, whether or not the game is in a special game state), a so-called jackpot winning lottery result, an error signal such as a ball jam, etc. are acquired from the pachinko machine 4A.
Further, the CR unit 6A has a function of counting the acquired balls paid out by the pachinko machine 4A to the lower plate 28 (so-called each vehicle counting function). The CR unit 6A includes an acquired ball counting unit 57 that counts game balls that have flowed into the receiving tray 62 (FIG. 3) from the lower plate 28 (FIG. 3) of the pachinko machine 4A, and the number of acquired balls counted by the acquired ball counting unit 57 Is output to the main control board 50. The counted game balls are transported by a ball supply system (not shown) provided in the game store 2.
The main control board 50 of the CR unit 6A acquires the count value input from the acquired ball counting unit 57 and adds it to the number of balls in the membership card information 46A of the membership card 46 or the medium information 47A of the A coin 47. Do.

  The CR unit 6A has a function of paying out game balls to the upper plate 24 according to the number of balls held by the player. When the main control board 50 is instructed to pay out the ball, the main control board 50 acquires the number of balls corresponding to the lending unit price of the CR unit 6A from the member card information 46A or the medium information 47A, and the number corresponding to this number of balls is acquired. The game balls are paid out from the holding ball payout portion 58 to the upper plate 24 through the payout nozzle 61. At this time, the main control board 50 subtracts the number of possessed balls of the member card information 46A or the medium information 47A, and writes the member card information 46A or the medium information 47A after the subtraction by the common R / W unit 56.

  Here, the CR unit 6A is configured to pay out the game ball to the upper plate 24 through the pay-out nozzle 61 by the ball paying-out part 58, but the pachinko machine 4A has an arbitrary number corresponding to the pay-out request of one unit. In the case where a lending interface capable of paying out game balls is provided, the ball payout portion 58 may not be provided. That is, the main control board 50 transmits a ball lending permission command according to the number of game balls to the pachinko machine 4A, and the pachinko machine 4A pays out the game balls to the upper plate 24 according to the ball lending permission command. Good.

Further, when the minimum number of balls (for example, 25 shots for 100 yen) that can be paid out by the pachinko machine 4A in accordance with the ball lending permission command from the CR unit 6A is set, the CR unit 6A does not satisfy the minimum unit. You may make it not pay out the game ball below a fraction. In this case, there is an advantage that the dispensing nozzle 61 becomes unnecessary.
A game ball having a fraction or less generated in this case can be exchanged for a prize at a prize POS installed in the game shop 2, for example. In addition, during the day when a player newly becomes a store member at the game store 2, it is possible to deposit a number of game balls less than the above fraction into the player's account as a member's accumulated balls. Alternatively, a fractional ball payout device for paying out fractional game balls is installed on the island edge of the game store 2, and the player returns the game balls that have fallen below the fractional value by the fractional ball payout device. (Payout) may be received.

  Further, the CR unit 6A has been described as a configuration in which each unit counting function is realized by the acquired ball counting unit 57. However, the CR unit 6A has a counting unit that counts the acquired balls accumulated on the lower plate 28 in the pachinko machine body 22 of the pachinko machine 4A. The number of acquired balls mounted and counted by the counting unit may be transmitted from the pachinko machine 4A to the CR unit 6A. In this case, since it is not necessary to perform counting in the CR unit 6A, a configuration without the acquired ball counting unit 57 can be provided.

  The external device connection relay board 70 is connected to the network 45 via a communication line (not shown), and the prepaid system management computer 10, hall computer 12, customer management server 13, money management server 14, and security management server. 16, 18 and the main control board 50 are connected so that they can communicate with each other. The main control board 50 receives the number of balls in and out of the pachinko machine 4A, the gaming state, the jackpot winning lottery result, the error signal, etc. via the external device connection relay board 70, and receives the received various information. The data is transmitted to each device connected to the external device connection relay board 70.

The main control board 50 transmits the number of balls in and out of the pachinko machine 4A, the game state, the winning lottery result of the jackpot, the error signal, etc. to the hall computer 12 in association with the machine number of the pachinko machine 4A. . The hall computer 12 receives such a signal, thereby managing the difference ball (number of balls-number of balls), jackpot status, and error status for each of the pachinko machines 4A, 4B.
In the prepaid system management computer 10, when the CR unit 6 </ b> A performs processing such as issuance of A coin 47 corresponding to the amount inserted into the bill insertion slot 30 and subtraction of the remaining value of the member card 46 or A coin 47. In addition, information indicating the unique ID of the processed membership card 46 or A coin 47 and the prepaid residual value after processing is transmitted by the main control board 50. The prepaid system management computer 10 creates or updates the prepaid medium management information 10A (FIG. 2D) based on the information from the CR unit 6A.
Further, the main control board 50 transmits / receives information regarding the unique ID of the member card 46 and the number of stored balls to / from the customer management server 13. The main control board 50 transmits the number of balls in the pachinko machine 4A, the number of balls out, the number of increase / decrease in the number of balls, etc., to the ball management server 14 based on the received information. The management information 14A (FIG. 2E) is updated.

  In addition, the main control board 50 accesses the security management server 16 to acquire the key information and the algorithm corresponding to the A coin 47 in order to read and write the medium information 47A of the A coin 47. The key information and algorithm are used when the medium information 47A read from the A coin 47 is decrypted and encrypted before the medium information 47A is written. Similarly, the main control board 50 accesses the security management server 18 to obtain key information and an algorithm corresponding to the B coin 48, and the key information and algorithm are obtained from the member card information 46A read from the member card 46. Is used for decrypting and encrypting the membership card information 46A before it is written.

  Based on the medium information 47A read from the A coin 47 by the common R / W unit 56, the main control board 50 accesses the security management server 16 for authentication, and if the authentication is successful, decrypts the medium information 47A. Acquire prepaid residual value. When the residual value included in the medium information 47A of the A coin 47 matches the residual value of the prepaid medium management information 10A stored in the prepaid system management computer 10, the main control board 50 determines the residual value of the game ball. A value converted into a number is output to the pachinko machine 4A and displayed on the frequency display section 27 of the pachinko machine 4A. Further, the main control board 50 subtracts an amount corresponding to the paid game ball value from the remaining value of the A coin 47 based on the game ball rental signal received from the pachinko machine 4A. Further, when a banknote is inserted into the banknote insertion slot 30, the main control board 50 adds the remaining value of the A coin 47 by the amount corresponding to the amount identified by the banknote identification unit 52. When the remaining value is subtracted or added, the remaining value of the medium information 47A is updated and written to the A coin 47, and the remaining value is associated with the unique ID of the A coin 47 and the prepaid system management computer. 10 to send.

  Similarly, the CR unit 6A accesses the security management server 18 based on the member card information 46A read from the member card 46 by the common R / W unit 56 and receives authentication, and after the authentication, the prepaid residual value is obtained from the member card information 46A. And the remaining value is compared with the remaining value of the prepaid medium management information 10A. When the remaining values match, the main control board 50 lends a game ball based on the prepaid residual value of the member card information 46A, adds a prepaid residual value based on the amount of the banknote inserted into the banknote insertion slot 30, and the like. Do.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the CR unit 6B. The CR unit 6B shown in FIG. 5 has the same components as the CR unit 6A described with reference to FIG. 4, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. .
Similar to the CR unit 6A, the CR unit 6B shown in FIG. 5 includes a main control board 50 that controls each part, and includes a bill insertion slot 30, a status indicator lamp 31, a card insertion / ejection slot 33, a coin insertion slot 34, a coin A discharge port 37, a bill recognition unit 52, a card holding unit 53, a coin holding unit 54, a common R / W unit 56, a power supply unit 59, a stand-by setting storage unit 66, and an external device connection relay board 70 are provided. . The CR unit 6B includes a display / operation unit 51 having a display unit 41 as a display device and an operation key 42 as an operator instead of the display / operation unit 55 of the CR unit 6A. The display / operation unit 51 displays various types of information on the display unit 41 under the control of the main control board 50, and inputs operations on the operation keys 42 to the main control board 50. Of course, it is possible to provide a touch panel in the CR unit 6B.
The main control board 50 of the CR unit 6B is connected to the pachinko machine 4B, the prepaid system management computer 10, the hall computer 12, the customer management server 13, and the security management server 18 via the external device connection relay board 70. .

  The CR unit 6B does not have the function of counting each vehicle, and the game balls stored in the lower plate 28 of the pachinko machine 4B are accommodated in the ball box. For this reason, the main control board 50 of the pachinko machine 4B does not process information related to the number of balls and does not communicate with the ball management server 14. Further, since the prepaid media used in the CR unit 6B are the membership card 46 and the B coin 48, the main control board 50 of the CR unit 6B accesses the security management server 18 and the key information corresponding to the B coin 48. And the algorithm. This key information and algorithm are used for encryption and decryption of the member card information 46A and the medium information 48A.

The main control board 50 of the CR unit 6B accesses the security management server 18 for authentication based on the medium information 48A read from the B coin 48 by the common R / W unit 56, and if the authentication is successful, the medium information 48A. To obtain the prepaid residual value and the like. When the remaining value included in the medium information 48A of the B coin 48 matches the remaining value of the prepaid medium management information 10A stored in the prepaid system management computer 10, the main control board 50 determines the remaining value of the game ball. The value converted into a number is output to the pachinko machine 4B and displayed on the frequency display section 27 of the pachinko machine 4B.
Further, the main control board 50 subtracts an amount corresponding to the paid game ball value from the remaining value of the B coin 48 based on the game ball rental signal received from the pachinko machine 4A. When a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 30, the main control board 50 adds the remaining value of the B coin 48 by the amount corresponding to the amount identified by the bill identifying unit 52. When the remaining value is subtracted or added, the remaining value of the medium information 48A is updated and written to the B coin 48, and the remaining value is associated with the unique ID of the B coin 48 and the prepaid system management computer. 10 to send. Similarly, the main control board 50 of the CR unit 6B accesses the security management server 18 based on the member card information 46A read from the member card 46 by the common R / W unit 56, receives authentication, and member card information after authentication. The prepaid residual value is acquired from 46A, and this residual value is compared with the residual value of the prepaid medium management information 10A. When the remaining values match, the main control board 50 lends a game ball based on the prepaid residual value of the member card information 46A, adds a prepaid residual value based on the amount of the banknote inserted into the banknote insertion slot 30, and the like. Do.

  Thus, since the CR units 6A constituting the gaming machine group 2A can count each vehicle, the number of balls is recorded on the member card 46 and the A coin 47, and the member card 46 and the A coin 47 which are prepaid media are recorded. It can be used as a medium for holding balls. On the other hand, since the CR units 6B constituting the gaming machine group 2B do not have the function of counting each vehicle, only lending gaming balls based on the prepaid residual value. For this reason, the prepaid media that can be used in the CR unit 6B are the B coin 48 and the membership card 46 in which the number of balls is not recorded. As described above, since there are CR units 6A and 6B that handle balls differently, two types of coin-type prepaid media (A coin 47 and B coin 48) are used in the game store 2. Further, in order to provide convenience to members of the amusement store 2, the member card 46 can be used in both the CR units 6A and 6B.

  In this game store 2, when a player who has purchased A coin 47 and played a game on the pachinko machine 4A moves to the gaming machine group 2B and tries to play a game on the pachinko machine 4B, a B coin 48 is prepared. There is a need. As a general method, it is conceivable that the prepaid residual value of the A coin 47 is once settled in cash, and this cash is inserted into the CR unit 6B to purchase the B coin 48. The reverse is also true, and when a player who has purchased B coin 48 and played with the pachinko machine 4B tries to play with the pachinko machine 4A, the A coin 47 needs to be prepared. In the present embodiment, the prepaid residual value can be transferred between the A coin 47 and the B coin 48 by the transfer settlement machine 8, and thus, when moving between pachinko machines having different available prepaid media, It is possible to reduce the burden on the player related to the use of prepaid media.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing in detail the configuration of the transfer settlement machine 8.
The transfer settlement machine 8 displays a main control board 80 that controls each part, an external device connection relay board 81 that is connected to an external device by a communication cable (not shown), the remaining value of the A coin 47 and the B coin 48, and the like. A display / operation unit 82 having a display panel and various switches for instructing operations such as transfer of remaining value and settlement, a bill storage / discharge unit that stores bills for settlement and pays out bills according to the control of the main control board 80 85 and the banknote outlet 86, and a power supply unit 84 that receives power supply from the outside of the transfer settlement machine 8.

  Further, the transfer settlement machine 8 includes an A coin insertion slot 87 into which the A coin 47 is inserted, a B coin insertion slot 88 into which the B coin 48 is inserted, a card insertion outlet 89 into which the member card 46 is inserted and discharged, A A medium R / W unit 92 for reading and writing information on the coin 47, a medium R / W unit 97 for reading and writing information on the B coin 48 and the membership card 46, and an A coin insertion slot 87. An A coin holding unit 91 that holds the A coin 47 in the vicinity of the medium R / W unit 92, and a B coin holding unit 96 that holds the B coin 48 inserted from the B coin insertion slot 88 in the vicinity of the medium R / W unit 97. , And a card holding unit 99 that holds the membership card 46 inserted from the card insertion / extraction port 89 in the vicinity of the medium R / W unit 97.

The medium R / W unit 92 has an antenna for feeding power to the A coin 47 held by the A coin holding unit 91 and performing wireless communication with the A coin 47, and through this antenna, medium information Read and write 47A.
Further, the medium R / W unit 97 includes an antenna that performs power feeding and wireless communication with respect to the member card 46 and the B coin 48. This antenna is arranged so as to face both the B coin 48 held by the B coin holding unit 96 and the member card 46 held by the card holding unit 99. The medium R / W unit 97 can read and write information by different processing methods in accordance with a prepaid medium to be communicated via the antenna. In this case, the medium R / W unit 97 determines whether the prepaid medium is the member card 46 or the B coin 48 based on the pattern of the leading bit string of data transmitted from the prepaid medium in response to the power supply to the prepaid medium. Can be determined.

The transfer settlement machine 8 has a function of newly issuing an A coin 47 and a B coin 48, and includes an A coin storage unit 95 that supplies the A coin 47 to the A coin holding unit 91, and a B coin that is stored in the B coin holding unit 96. A B coin storage unit 98 for supplying 48 is provided. The A coin 47 processed by the A coin storage unit 95 and the B coin 48 processed by the medium R / W unit 97 are collected by the coin collecting unit 93 or discharged from the coin issuing / returning port 94. Is done.
A sensor for detecting insertion of the membership card 46 is provided at the card insertion / extraction port 89, a sensor for detecting insertion of the A coin 47 is provided at the A coin insertion port 87, and a B coin 48 is provided at the B coin insertion port 88. Are provided, and the detection state of each sensor is detected by the main control board 80.

The transfer settlement machine 8 has a settlement function of paying out cash equivalent to the remaining value in exchange for the prepaid remaining value of the member card 46, the A coin 47 and the B coin 48. The transfer settlement machine 8 has a value transfer function for transferring the prepaid residual value between any two types of prepaid media among the member card 46, the A coin 47, and the B coin 48.
The prepaid system management computer 10, hall computer 12, customer management server 13, customer management server 14, and security management servers 16 and 18 are connected to the external device connection relay board 81 via the network 45 (FIG. 3). Each is connected. The main control board 80 communicates with the hall computer 12 such as a deposit / withdrawal signal indicating the remaining amount (amount) of the banknotes to be dispensed stored in the banknote storage / discharge unit 85 and the amount dispensed from the banknote outlet 86, Send and receive error signals etc. at the time of occurrence.

  When the main control board 80 performs processing related to the prepaid residual value based on the membership card information 46A and the medium information 47A and 48A, the prepaid residual value and the processing target are connected via the external device connection relay board 81. Is transmitted to the prepaid system management computer 10, and the prepaid system management computer 10 updates the prepaid medium management information 10A (FIG. 2C).

Further, the transfer settlement machine 8 may have a function of transferring the number of balls between the member card 46 and the A coin 47. In this case, the main control board 80, when performing processing related to the number of balls included in the membership card information 46A of the membership card 46 and the medium information 47A of the A coin 47, via the external device connection relay board 81. The number of balls, the unit price for lending, and the unique ID of the prepaid medium to be processed are transmitted to the ball management server 14, and the ball management server 14 updates the ball management information 14A (FIG. 2E).
Further, the transfer settlement machine 8 may be configured to perform a process of shifting the number of balls of the member card 46 to the stored ball. In this case, the main control board 80 transmits the unique ID of the member card 46 to the customer management server 13 to acquire the number of balls stored for each lending unit price of the member management information 13A, and the number of balls held and the lending of the member card information 46A. Based on the unit price, a process of adding the number of stored balls is performed, and the number of stored balls for each lending unit price and the unique ID of the member card 46 are transmitted to the customer management server 13 to update the member management information 13A. Subsequently, the main control board 80 transmits the number of possessions for each lending unit price after processing and the unique ID of the membership card 46 to the possession management server 14 to update the possession management information 14A.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the transfer settlement machine 8, and mainly shows the operations related to the prepaid value transfer and the settlement function between the A coin 47 and the B coin 48.
When the power of the transfer settlement machine 8 is turned on, the main control board 80 initializes each part of the transfer settlement machine 8 (step S1), communicates with the security management server 16 and the key information corresponding to the A coin 47 and An encryption / decryption algorithm is acquired (step S2), and communication with the security management server 18 is performed to acquire key information and an encryption / decryption algorithm corresponding to the B coin 48 (step S3).

The main control board 80 waits until the A coin 47 or the B coin 48 is inserted (step S4), and when the A coin 47 is inserted, the encryption / decryption algorithm and key information acquired in step S2 are used. The medium information 47A is read and decrypted (step S5), and part or all of the decrypted medium information 47A is transmitted to the security management server 16 to request authentication (step S6), and the process proceeds to step S9.
Further, when the B coin 48 is inserted, the main control board 80 reads and decrypts the medium information 48A recorded on the B coin 48 using the encryption / decryption algorithm and key information acquired in step S3. (Step S7), the decrypted medium information 48A is transmitted to the security management server 18 to request authentication (Step S8), and the process proceeds to Step S9.

  In step S9, the main control board 80 determines whether or not the authentication is successful. If the authentication is unsuccessful (step S9; No), the display / operation unit 82 displays the authentication failure (step S10). Then, the inserted prepaid medium is discharged from the coin issuing / returning port 94 (step S11), and the process returns to the standby state of step S4.

When the authentication by the security management servers 16 and 18 is successful (step S9; Yes), the main control board 80 displays / operates the information such as the prepaid residual value based on the medium information read from the inserted prepaid medium. Is displayed (step S12). Here, the main control board 80 determines whether or not a cancel operation for instructing the process cancellation has been performed on the display / operation unit 82 (step S13). If the cancel operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S11. Eject prepaid media.
When the cancel operation has not been performed (step S13; No), the main control board 80 determines whether or not a settlement operation for instructing settlement is performed on the display / operation unit 82 (step S14). If the settlement operation has not been performed, it is determined whether or not an operation for instructing the transfer of the prepaid residual value has been performed by the operation unit 83 (step S15).

  Here, when an operation for instructing the transfer of the remaining value is performed (step S15; Yes), the main control board 80 reads from the loaded prepaid medium (A coin 47 or B coin 48) as the transfer source. The residual value of the medium information is set to zero, and this medium information is written to the destination prepaid medium, and the unique ID and the residual value (zero) of the source prepaid medium are transmitted to the prepaid system management computer 10 (step) S16).

  Here, when the type of the prepaid medium to which the remaining value is transferred is designated by the operation of the display / operation unit 82 (step S17), the main control board 80 designates the prepaid medium to be transferred as the A coin storage unit 95 or B. The medium information including the prepaid residual value that is discharged from the coin storage unit 98 and transferred is written (step S18). Further, the main control board 80 transmits the unique ID of the transfer destination prepaid medium and the transferred prepaid residual value to the prepaid system management computer 10 (step S19), and proceeds to step S20.

In step S20, the main control board 80 determines whether or not to return the migration source prepaid medium. The case where the return is necessary is a case where the information is used as a medium for information other than the residual value. For example, the transfer source is A coin 47, and the medium information 47A of the A coin 47 includes the prepaid residual value and the possessed value. This is the case where the number of balls is included. In this case, since it is necessary to maintain the number of possessed balls even after the prepaid residual value is made zero, it is necessary to return the A coin 47.
When it is not necessary to return the loaded prepaid medium (step S20; No), the main control board 80 collects the loaded prepaid medium into the coin collecting unit 93 (step S21), and instructs the stoppage of the transfer settlement machine 8 It is determined whether or not the process has been performed (step S22). If the process is to be stopped, the process ends. If not, the process returns to step S4. When the input prepaid medium needs to be returned (step S20; Yes), the main control board 80 returns to step S11, returns the prepaid medium, and returns to step S4.

On the other hand, when a process other than the transfer of remaining value is instructed in step S15, the main control board 80 executes a process according to the instruction (step S23) and returns to step S13.
In step S14, when cash settlement is instructed by the operation of the display / operation unit 82, the main control board 80 stores and discharges the banknote corresponding to the prepaid residual value of the medium information read from the inserted prepaid medium. The information is discharged by the unit 85 (step S24), the prepaid residual value of the medium information of the input prepaid medium is set to zero, the medium information is rewritten, and the prepaid system management computer 10 is assigned a unique ID and residual value (zero). Is transmitted (step S25), and the process proceeds to step S20.

  As described above, according to the gaming system 1 according to the embodiment to which the present invention is applied, it is possible to use a prepaid medium in which a residual value is recorded as value information for renting a game ball used in the pachinko machines 4A and 4B. A plurality of gaming machine groups 2A and 2B which are configured and distinguished by a prepaid medium, and the remaining value recorded in the A coin 47 which is a prepaid medium of one gaming machine group 2A is used as a prepaid medium of another gaming machine group 2B. The transfer settlement machine 8 as a value medium management device that shifts to the B coin 48 is a transfer settlement machine 8, and the transition settlement machine 8 also uses the remaining value recorded in the B coin 48 that is a prepaid medium of the gaming machine group 2B as a game. The process proceeds to the A coin 47 which is a prepaid medium of the machine group 2A. For this reason, in a situation where a plurality of types of prepaid media are used, it is possible to reduce the burden associated with the use of prepaid media and to improve the convenience of the player. Further, for the employees of the game store 2, the work burden of assisting the player so that the prepaid medium can be used properly is reduced.

  In addition, the gaming system 1 includes security management servers 16 and 18 that manage security for each prepaid medium, and the transfer settlement machine 8 shifts the residual value based on the key information distributed from the security management servers 16 and 18. . Specifically, the transfer settlement machine 8 individually receives key information and processing algorithm corresponding to the A coin 47 and key information and processing algorithm corresponding to the B coin 48 and the membership card 46 from the security management servers 16 and 18. To get to. As a result, the security management servers 16 and 18 manage security for each prepaid medium, thereby preventing unauthorized use of the prepaid residual value, etc., and ensuring high security and improving convenience related to proper use of the prepaid medium. Can be compatible.

  In the gaming system 1, member card information 46A and medium information 47A, 48A including a prepaid residual value corresponding to the number of game balls that can be lent are recorded in the member card 46, A coin 47 and B coin 48, and the transfer checkout machine No. 8 records the prepaid residual value recorded on one prepaid medium on another prepaid medium. Since the prepaid residual value is recorded on the prepaid medium itself in this way, for example, in communication between the transfer settlement machine 8 and the CR units 6A and 6B and the servers such as the prepaid system management computer 10 and the customer management server 13 Even when trouble occurs, it is possible to prevent the loss of residual value and the inability to process itself. In the above embodiment, the prepaid residual value of the member card information 46A and the medium information 47A, 48A is also stored in the prepaid system management computer 10 as the prepaid medium management information 10A. Even if it is applied, this can be reliably detected, and unauthorized use of the prepaid residual value can be prevented.

  The embodiment described above shows a specific example to which the present invention is applied, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the above embodiment, the member card information 46A recorded on the member card 46, the medium information 47A recorded on the A coin 47, and the medium information 48A recorded on the B coin 48 are respectively prepaid residual values. The transfer settlement machine 8 has been described as transferring the residual value included in the medium information recorded on the prepaid medium itself, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the various types described above Only the unique ID is recorded on the prepaid medium without recording the residual value, and the prepaid system management computer 10 and the possession management server 14 have the unique ID and residual value (prepaid residual value, number of possessions) of the prepaid medium, May be stored in association with each other. In this case, since the residual value is not recorded on the prepaid medium itself, there is no room for unauthorized use, and thus the reliability in terms of security can be improved. In the above embodiment, the membership card information 46A recorded on the membership card 46 can be encrypted / decrypted using the key information and algorithm managed by the security management server 18 as with the medium information 48A. As described above, it is possible to use key information and an algorithm dedicated to the membership card information 46A, and the number of security management servers is arbitrary.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, when transferring a prepaid residual value, you may restrict | limit the transfer to the same kind of prepaid medium. In this case, the effect of reducing the burden associated with the use of a plurality of types of prepaid media is the same as that of the above embodiment, and it can be expected that the convenience is further improved by reducing the number of selection operations.
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as a method for the transfer settlement machine 8 to detect the insertion of the A coin 47 or the B coin 48, based on the detection states of the sensors provided at the A coin insertion slot 87 and the B coin insertion slot 88. Although an example of detection has been described, the medium R / W units 92 and 97 may detect the prepaid medium, and the medium R / W units 92 and 97 may determine the type of the prepaid medium. Further, the type of the prepaid medium determined by the medium R / W units 92 and 97 may be collated with information indicating the medium type of the member card information 46A or the medium information 47A or 48A read later.

Further, the common R / W unit 56 included in the CR units 6A and 6B and the medium R / W unit 97 included in the transfer settlement machine 8 are configured to perform power feeding and communication with respect to a plurality of prepaid media using one antenna. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, in order to supply power to a plurality of prepaid media and read / write information, the common R / W unit 56 includes a plurality of (for example, two) antennas, and each antenna is connected to the card holding unit 53 and the coin holding unit 54. And may be provided. In this case, for example, the plurality of antennas are respectively connected to an insertion path including a slot where each prepaid medium of the member card 46, A coin 47, and B coin 48 is inserted to a holding unit that holds each prepaid medium. It may be provided. In this case, it is possible to process prepaid media of different shapes and sizes by providing individual antennas in the input paths through which each prepaid medium is input, and the device configuration is simplified by using a common R / W unit. In addition, the apparatus can be reduced in size, weight, and cost.
In the above embodiment, the security management server 16 that manages the key information and algorithm corresponding to the A coin 47 and the security management server 18 that manages the key information and algorithm corresponding to the member card 46 and the B coin 48 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the security management servers 16 and 18 may be realized as a plurality of functions of an integrated server, or physically one server. Of course, a plurality of servers can be configured virtually in the apparatus, and these virtual servers can function as the security management servers 16 and 18. Furthermore, each server of the prepaid system management computer 10, the customer management server 13, and the possession management server 14 may also be configured such that an integrated server has the functions of a plurality of servers, or a physically single server device. You may implement | achieve as several virtual servers comprised by these.
In the embodiment and the modification described above, the pachinko machines 4A and 4B are illustrated as an example of the gaming machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a game medal is used as an arrangement ball gaming machine, a jiyen ball gaming machine, or a gaming medium. A rotating type gaming machine (so-called pachislot machine) may be used.

1 Game system (value medium management system)
2A, 2B game machine group 4A, 4B Pachinko machine (game machine)
6A, 6B CR unit 8 Transfer settlement machine (value medium management device)
10 Prepaid system management computer 16, 18 Security management server 46 Membership card (value medium)
46A Membership card information 47 A coin (value medium)
48 B coin (value medium)
47A, 48A Media information

Claims (7)

It is configured to be able to use a value medium in which value information that can lend a game medium used in a gaming machine is recorded,
A plurality of gaming machine groups distinguished by the value medium,
A value medium management device for transferring the value information recorded in the value medium of one gaming machine group to the value medium of another gaming machine group;
Value media management system characterized by A security management server that manages security for each value medium, and the value medium management device migrates the value information based on key information distributed from the security management server;
The value medium management system according to claim 1. In the value medium, the value information indicating the value corresponding to the lent amount of the game medium is recorded,
The value medium management device reads the value information recorded in the value medium of the migration source to which the value information is migrated, and records it in the value medium of the migration destination;
The value medium management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above. A value medium in which value information capable of renting a game medium to be used in a gaming machine is used is installed in a game hall provided with a plurality of gaming machine groups distinguished by the value medium,
Transferring the value information recorded in the value medium of one gaming machine group to the value medium of another gaming machine group;
A value medium management device characterized by Connected to a security management server for managing security for each value medium;
The key information corresponding to the value medium of the migration source that migrates the value information and the key information corresponding to the value medium of the migration destination are individually acquired from the security management server, and the acquired key information is used. Transferring the value information recorded in the value medium of one gaming machine group to the value medium of another gaming machine group;
The value medium management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: A read / write unit that includes an antenna for performing contactless communication with the value medium, and that reads value information from the value medium and writes value information to the value medium via the antenna; ,
Reading and writing of the value information in a processing method corresponding to each value medium by the common antenna and the reading / writing unit for each of the value medium of the transfer source and the value medium of the transfer destination Including
6. The value medium management apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: Each value medium has a different input path, and each of the input paths is provided with an antenna for performing non-contact communication with the value medium, and the value source of the transfer source and the transfer destination of the value medium via these antennas Reading and writing the value information to and from each value medium;
6. The value medium management apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein:

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