JP2011182829A - Game token dispenser and method for dispensing game token and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve dispensing of game tokens by securing values even when defects occur in a recording medium having recorded values. <P>SOLUTION: A reading part 172 of reservoir recording media reads ID information of a first recording medium 91 which is moved to an information reading position. A management part 224 of recording medium IDs determines whether or not the ID information has been registered. A collection control part 176 collects the first recording medium 91 when it is determined that the ID information has not been registered or when the ID information can not be read. A reservoir shutter part 80 moves a second recording medium 91 different from the first recording medium 91, which is stored in a reservoir position, to the information reading position when the first recording media 91 is collected. The invention is applicable to a game token dispenser. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game medium lending apparatus and method, and a program, and in particular, guarantees valuable value information even if a problem occurs in a recording medium on which valuable value information is recorded, which is used for lending game media. The present invention relates to a game medium renting apparatus and method, and a program that can rent game media.

  In game stores represented by pachinko stores and pachislot stores, when a player starts a game, a game medium such as a game ball or a medal is rented and the game starts. As a device for lending this game medium, a game medium lending device that accepts cash, records a value corresponding to the received cash as a game frequency on a game recording medium, and lends a game medium based on the recorded value is generally used. It is popular.

  The following method is used as a game medium lending method for recording the valuable value corresponding to the face value of the accepted cash as a game number on the game recording medium and lending the game medium based on the recorded valuable value (game number). It has been known.

  That is, the game value (number of games) corresponding to the cash received by the bill recognition device (Bill Bali) provided in the game medium lending device is written in the game recording medium (IC coin, IC card, etc.). In addition, a technology for reading a valuable value that can be lent based on a gaming medium rental request from a gaming machine and writing a valuable value obtained by subtracting the rented valuable value is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

  Further, a technology is disclosed in which a management device manages the valuable value recorded on a recording medium by comparing past and present card balances and usage histories based on a prepaid card ID (see Patent Document 2). ).

JP 2001-300112 A JP-A-10-097670

  However, the above-mentioned game recording medium has a problem in reading or writing of valuable value due to physical life and failure of the recording medium regardless of whether the reading and writing method of valuable information is a contact method or a non-contact method. It is known to occur.

  When writing a valuable value for gaming equivalent to the cash accepted by the bill recognition device (Bill Bali) to the recording medium, if an error in writing the valuable value to the recording medium occurs, an error is displayed and a new recording medium is created by the staff. Until the value is replenished and the valuable value is recorded on a new recording medium, the gaming medium cannot be lent.

  If the lending process is interrupted in this way, there may be a gaming problem. That is, for example, a holding ball function is known as a function mounted on many ball game machines currently installed in game stores, that is, pachinko machines. The holding ball function is a function for storing a predetermined number of start chucker passing times and storing the number of rights for executing the big hit lottery processing in the game stand that performs the big hit lottery processing based on the game media passing of the start chucker. It is. In the case of a game stand having a holding ball function, even if the player has finished hitting the ball, the big hit lottery process may be continued, resulting in a big win and shifting to a special prize gaming state.

  Here, the special game state is a special game state after the jackpot winning opening is closed after a predetermined time is opened for a predetermined time or when a predetermined number of balls are won, and the closing operation is defined as one round. Is a gaming state in which is terminated.

  In other words, in the special prize gaming state, if the player has valuable value on the recording medium, the player pays the ball by pressing the ball rental button, and wins the ball by winning the ball at the jackpot winning opening. I can do it. However, if the recording medium does not have a valuable value, it is necessary to insert cash into the bill recognition device (Bill Bali) and pay the rental ball. If the lending process is interrupted, the round will be digested even during the interruption time. Thus, during the round, the player could not receive a prize ball that could be won by renting a ball, and the player could not obtain enough prize balls.

  In addition, when a reading error or writing error of information on a game recording medium occurs with valuable value remaining, it is necessary to collect the recording medium causing the error, check it against the record of the management device, and perform a settlement process. was there. Furthermore, in that case, it is necessary not only to insert a new recording medium but also to collect a recording medium that causes a reading error or a writing error, and to perform collation and settlement processing. It was a thing.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in particular, even if a malfunction occurs in a recording medium on which valuable information used for lending gaming media is recorded, the valuable information is guaranteed. Thus, the game media can be rented, and the burden on the game store staff such as collecting the failed recording media and replenishing new recording media is reduced.

  A gaming medium lending device according to one aspect of the present invention waits at an information reading position that is capable of reading information recorded on a recording medium and writing information on the recording medium based on receipt of a bill inserted. A gaming medium lending device that writes valuable value information corresponding to the face value of the bill inserted into the recording medium that is being used and lends a gaming medium based on the valuable value information, and is stored in a storage position. A recording medium detecting means for detecting that one recording medium is moved to the information reading position, and a case where the recording medium detecting means detects that the first recording medium is moved to the information reading position; Reading means for reading ID information of the first recording medium; ID information determining means for determining whether or not the ID information is registered; and determining that the ID information is not registered Or when the ID information cannot be read by the reading means, the storage position for collecting the first recording medium, and the storage position when the first recording medium is collected by the collecting means Moving means for moving a second recording medium different from the first recording medium stored in the information reading position.

  A bill insertion accepting unit that accepts the insertion of the bill, a value information reading unit that reads a value corresponding to the face value of the bill accepted by the bill insertion accepting unit, and the value information as the first recording medium. Writing means for writing to, valuable information storage means for storing the valuable information, and when the valuable information is written to the first recording medium, the ID information and the valuable value of the first recording medium Registration means for registering information in association with each other can be further included.

  Lending instruction means for instructing lending of the game medium, and lending means for lending the game medium in a quantity corresponding to the value information written on the first recording medium based on an instruction of the lending instruction means When the gaming medium is lent out by the renting means, the valuable value information registered in association with the ID information of the first recording medium is updated according to the number of gaming media lent by the renting means. And management means for managing the transaction history, and the valuable information storage means stores the ID information of the first recording medium when the game medium is lent out by the renting means. The valuable value information registered in association with the lending means can be subtracted and stored according to the quantity of game media lent by the lending means. .

  After the first recording medium is detected by the game medium detection means, the first recording medium is recovered by the recovery means, and further, when the second recording medium is arranged at the information reading position, The writing means can write the valuable value information stored in the valuable value information storage means to the second recording medium.

  The gaming medium lending method according to one aspect of the present invention waits at an information reading position where information recorded on a recording medium can be read and information can be written on the recording medium based on receipt of a bill inserted. In the gaming medium lending apparatus that lends gaming media based on the valuable information, the gaming media lending device that lends the gaming media lending value corresponding to the face value of the bills inserted into the recording medium being When the recording medium detecting means for detecting that the recording medium has moved to the information reading position and the recording medium detecting means has detected that the first recording medium has moved to the information reading position, Reading means for reading the ID information of the first recording medium; ID information determining means for determining whether or not the ID information is already registered; and determining that the ID information is not already registered Or when the ID information cannot be read by the reading means, the storage position for collecting the first recording medium, and the storage position when the first recording medium is collected by the collecting means A game medium lending method for a game medium lending device including a moving means for moving a second recording medium different from the first recording medium stored in the information reading position, in the recording medium detecting means, The recording medium detection step for detecting that the first recording medium stored in the storage position has moved to the information reading position, and the first recording medium by the processing of the recording medium detection step in the reading means. When it is detected that the recording medium has moved to the information reading position, the ID information in the reading step for reading the ID information of the first recording medium and the ID information determination means ID information determination step for determining whether or not the ID information has been recorded, and when the ID information is determined not to be registered in the collecting means, or the ID information is determined by the processing of the reading step If the first recording medium is recovered by the recovery step of recovering the first recording medium and the recovery step in the moving unit, the first stored in the storage position is recovered. Moving the second recording medium different from the recording medium to the information reading position.

  The program according to one aspect of the present invention stands by at an information reading position where information recorded on a recording medium can be read and information can be written on the recording medium based on acceptance of a bill inserted. A gaming medium lending device that writes valuable value information corresponding to a face value of the bill inserted into the recording medium and lends a gaming medium based on the valuable value information, the first recording stored in a storage position A recording medium detecting means for detecting that the medium has moved to the information reading position; and when the recording medium detecting means detects that the first recording medium has moved to the information reading position, A reading unit that reads ID information of one recording medium, an ID information determining unit that determines whether or not the ID information is registered, and the ID information is determined not to be registered Or when the ID information cannot be read by the reading means, the collecting means for collecting the first recording medium, and when the first recording medium is collected by the collecting means, the ID information is stored in the storage position. Stored in the storage position in the recording medium detection means in a computer that controls a game medium lending device including a moving means for moving a second recording medium different from the first recording medium to the information reading position. The first recording medium is detected by the recording medium detecting step for detecting that the first recording medium is moved to the information reading position and the processing of the recording medium detecting step in the reading means. When it is detected that it has moved to the reading position, the reading step for reading the ID information of the first recording medium, and the ID information in the ID information determination means are registered. ID information determining step for determining whether or not the ID information, and when the ID information is determined not to be registered in the collecting means, or the ID information cannot be read by the processing of the reading step In this case, when the first recording medium is recovered by the recovery step of recovering the first recording medium and the processing of the recovery step in the moving means, the first recording medium stored at the storage position And a moving step of moving a second recording medium different from the information recording position to the information reading position.

  In one aspect of the present invention, based on reception of inserted bills, the information recorded on the recording medium can be read, and the information reading position where the information can be written on the recording medium is waiting. A gaming medium lending device that writes valuable value information corresponding to the face value of the bill inserted into a recording medium and rents gaming media based on the valuable value information, the first recording medium stored in a storage position Is detected to have moved to the information reading position, and when it is detected that the first recording medium has moved to the information reading position, ID information of the first recording medium is read, It is determined whether or not the ID information is registered, and if it is determined that the ID information is not registered, or if the ID information cannot be read, the first recording medium is recovered. Is When the first recording medium is recovered, the first second recording medium different from the recording medium stored in the reservoir position is moved to the information reading position.

  In the gaming medium lending device according to one aspect of the present invention, the information recording position on the recording medium can be read and the information can be written on the recording medium based on reception of the inserted bill. The game medium lending device that writes valuable value information corresponding to the face value of the bills inserted into the recording medium that is being used and lends a game medium based on the valuable value information is, for example, a pedestrian machine, The medium is, for example, an IC coin, and the recording medium detection means for detecting that the first recording medium stored in the storage position has moved to the information reading position is, for example, a storage sensor, When the recording medium detection unit detects that the first recording medium has moved to the information reading position, the reading unit that reads the ID information of the first recording medium is, for example, a storage recording medium The body information reading unit and the ID information determination means for determining whether or not the ID information is already registered are, for example, a recording medium ID management unit, and the ID information is not already registered. If the ID information cannot be read by the reading unit when it is determined, the recovery unit that recovers the first recording medium is, for example, a recovery control unit, and the first recording medium is recovered by the recovery unit. The moving means for moving the second recording medium different from the first recording medium stored in the storage position to the information reading position when the medium is collected is, for example, a storage control unit.

  That is, when the storage sensor detects that the first IC coin has been moved to an information reading position where information can be read and written, the ID information is read by the storage recording medium reading section. Next, the recording medium ID management unit determines whether or not the read ID information is already registered. If the read IC card is not registered or the ID information cannot be read, the collection control unit collects the first IC coin, and what is the first IC coin stored by the storage control unit? A different second IC coin is moved to the information reading position.

  As a result, IC coins for which the registered ID information cannot be confirmed may not be able to read the correct ID information due to their lifetime, so they are collected and new IC coins are moved to the information reading position. IC coins can be collected efficiently. In addition, after collection, a new IC coin is moved to the information reading position, so a new IC coin can be inserted by storing the valuable value equivalent to the face value of the inserted bill separately from the recording medium. By recording when it is done, it is possible to guarantee the remaining valuable value.

  According to the present invention, it becomes possible to efficiently collect a defective recording medium, and after collecting a defective recording medium, a new recording medium can be prepared. By storing the residual value information of the valuable value to be recorded on the recording medium, it is possible to move the valuable value information to a new recording medium, and the valuable value of the gaming recording medium in which the malfunction occurred. Can be guaranteed.

It is a figure explaining the structural example of the game media management system to which this invention is applied. It is a figure explaining the example of appearance composition of a game stand. It is a figure explaining the example of an external appearance structure of an intermediary machine. It is a figure explaining the example of appearance composition of the back of a game machine. It is side surface sectional drawing of a recording-medium processing part. It is a figure explaining the structural example of a game machine, an inter-table machine, and a medium rental management apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the store opening process by a pedestrian machine. It is a flowchart explaining the store opening process by a medium rental management apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the valuable value registration process by a pedestrian. It is a flowchart explaining the valuable value registration process by a medium rental management apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the supplement recording medium insertion process by a pedestrian. It is a flowchart explaining a game medium rental process. And FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a general-purpose computer.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between the configuration requirements of the present invention and the embodiments described in the detailed description of the present invention are exemplified as follows. This description is to confirm that the embodiments supporting the present invention are described in the detailed description of the invention. Accordingly, although there are embodiments that are described in the detailed description of the invention but are not described here as embodiments corresponding to the constituent elements of the present invention, It does not mean that the embodiment does not correspond to the configuration requirements. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. Not something to do.

  That is, the gaming medium lending device according to one aspect of the present invention can read information recorded on a recording medium (for example, the recording medium 91 in FIG. 5) based on acceptance of inserted bills, and the recording A game medium lending device that writes valuable value information corresponding to the face value of the bill inserted into the recording medium waiting at an information reading position where information can be written on the medium, and rents a game medium based on the valuable value information An apparatus (for example, the intermediary machine 35 in FIG. 6), and a recording medium detecting means (for example, FIG. 6) that detects that the first recording medium stored in the storage position has moved to the information reading position. 5 and a recording means for reading the ID information of the first recording medium when the recording medium detecting means detects that the first recording medium has moved to the information reading position (for example, FIG. Storage recording medium reading unit 172), ID information determination means for determining whether or not the ID information is already registered (for example, the recording medium ID management unit 224 in FIG. 6), and the ID information is registered. If it is determined that the ID information cannot be read by the reading means, or if the ID information cannot be read by the reading means, the collecting means for collecting the first recording medium (for example, the collection control unit 176 in FIG. 6), When the first recording medium is collected by the collecting means, a moving means (for example, FIG. 5) moves a second recording medium different from the first recording medium stored at the storage position to the information reading position. Storage control unit 173).

  A bill insertion accepting unit (for example, the cash accepting unit 152 in FIG. 6) that accepts the insertion of the bills, and a valuable information reading unit that reads the value corresponding to the face value of the bill accepted by the bill insertion acceptance unit (for example, The bill identifying unit 153 in FIG. 6, writing means for writing the valuable information into the first recording medium (for example, the stored recording medium reading unit 172 in FIG. 6), and the valuable value for storing the valuable information. When the value information is written to the information storage means (for example, the value storage unit 191 in FIG. 6) and the first recording medium, the ID information and the value information of the first recording medium are mutually exchanged. Registration means (for example, the transaction start information generation unit 221 in FIG. 6) for registering in association can be further included.

  Corresponding to the value information written on the first recording medium based on the instruction of the lending instruction means (for example, the lending button 111 in FIG. 6) for instructing lending of the game medium and the lending instruction means Lending means for lending a quantity of the game media (for example, the game medium payout unit 103 in FIG. 6), and when the game media is rented by the lending means, the lending means is registered in association with the ID information of the first recording medium. And managing means (for example, the recording medium transaction history management unit 225 in FIG. 6) for updating the value information according to the number of game media lent by the lending means and managing it as a transaction history. In the valuable value information storage means, when a game medium is lent out by the renting means, it is registered in association with the ID information of the first recording medium. The valuable value information can be subtracted and stored according to the quantity of game media lent by the lending means.

  The gaming medium lending method according to one aspect of the present invention waits at an information reading position where information recorded on a recording medium can be read and information can be written on the recording medium based on receipt of a bill inserted. In the gaming medium lending apparatus that lends gaming media based on the valuable information, the gaming media lending device that lends the gaming media lending value corresponding to the face value of the bills inserted into the recording medium being When the recording medium detecting unit detects that the recording medium has moved to the information reading position, and the recording medium detecting unit detects that the first recording medium has moved to the information reading position, A reading means for reading the ID information of one recording medium; an ID information determining means for determining whether or not the ID information is already registered; and determining that the ID information is not already registered. Or when the ID information cannot be read by the reading means, and when the first recording medium is collected by the collecting means, the storage means collects the first recording medium. A game medium lending method for a game medium lending apparatus, comprising: a moving means for moving a second recording medium different from the first recorded recording medium to the information reading position, wherein the storage in the recording medium detecting means A recording medium detecting step (for example, step S11 in FIG. 7) for detecting that the first recording medium stored in the position has moved to the information reading position, and the recording medium detecting step in the reading means When it is detected that the first recording medium has moved to the information reading position by the above process, a reading step for reading the ID information of the first recording medium (for example, the step of FIG. 7). S12), an ID information determination step (for example, step S47 in FIG. 8) for determining whether or not the ID information is already registered in the ID information determination unit, and the recovery unit, When it is determined that the ID information is not registered, or when the ID information cannot be read by the process of the reading step, the collecting step for collecting the first recording medium (for example, step S19 in FIG. 7). , S26, and when the first recording medium is recovered by the recovery step process in the moving means, the second recording medium different from the first recording medium stored in the storage position is selected as the information. Moving step (for example, step S21 in FIG. 7) to move to the reading position.

[Configuration Example of One Embodiment of Game Medium Management System for Game Store According to the Present Invention]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a game store game medium management system according to the present invention.

  The game stores 1-1 to 1-n are so-called pachinko stores, pachislot stores, or casino stores. In addition, these amusement stores 1-1 to 1-n are affiliated stores or member stores of the third-party amusement store management center 2, and are stores that need to manage a plurality of stores in an integrated manner. The game stores 1-1 to 1-n are connected by a third-party game store management bus 4 and are connected to each other through a public communication line network 5 represented by the bus and the Internet. Amusement store management information is exchanged. In the following description, when there is no particular need to distinguish each of the game stores 1-1 to 1-n, the game store 1 is simply referred to, and the other configurations are also referred to in the same manner.

  The third-party amusement store management center 2 is a server used by a business operator that manages and operates the third-party amusement store management center, and the medium lending management managed by the third-party amusement store management database (DB) 3 In addition to updating the information DB based on the information supplied from each game store 1, the updated latest medium lending management information is distributed to the medium lending management device 25 of each game store 1.

  The third party amusement store management bus 4 functions as a transmission path for distributing medium lending management information managed mainly by the medium lending management device 25 of each amusement store 1.

  The game shop management device 21 is a so-called hall computer, and monitors the operations of the game machines 34-1 to 34-m via the game shop management information bus 28. The game store management device 21 determines a predetermined number in accordance with the monitoring status such as the information on the game table 34 and the payout of medals, the call information of the players on the game tables 34-1 to 34-m, or the occurrence of an error. This process is executed, and the execution result is displayed on the display unit 23 composed of an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The gaming store management apparatus 21 identifies identification information (for example, gaming machine number) for identifying information supplied from each of the gaming machines 34-1 to 34-m and the inter-machines 35-1 to 35-m. ) And are managed by the game machine management database 22.

  The medium lending management device 25 manages the medium lending management information of the rented game media using the medium lending management database 27 based on the information from the payment machine 31 and the lending machine 32, and also uses the medium lending management database 27. When the medium lending management information registered in 27 is updated, the updated information is sent to the third party amusement store management center 2 via the third party amusement store management bus 4 and the public communication network 5. Further, the medium lending management device 25 acquires the medium lending management information supplied by the third party amusement store management center 2 via the third party amusement store management bus 4 and the public communication line network 5 to manage the medium lending management. Store in the database 27.

  When a player plays a game on the gaming table 34, the lending machine 32 rents a predetermined amount of game media when accepting a predetermined amount by cash or a prepaid card (including an IC coin or an IC card). At this time, the lending machine 32 supplies information on the number of lent gaming media to the medium lending management device 25 together with information such as the accepted cash and the remaining number of prepaid cards. Thereby, the medium lending management device 25 registers information on the number of lent gaming media in the medium lending management database 27 together with information such as the accepted cash and the remaining number of prepaid cards.

  The checkout vending machine 31 sells prepaid cards with a frequency for borrowing game media. At this time, the checkout vending machine 31 supplies the medium lending management device 25 with the frequency of the prepaid card sold and the amount paid. Further, the settlement vending machine 31 settles and pays out cash based on the remaining number of game media lent out as a frequency such as a prepaid card. At this time, the checkout machine 31 supplies the medium lending management device 25 with information on the remaining number of prepaid cards and the amount of cash paid back.

  The storage payer 33 accepts an IC coin or an IC card, which is a game recording medium in which the number of game balls or medals obtained by the player playing the game table, that is, the number of possessed balls, is recorded. Then, game balls or medals are paid out within the range of the quantity recorded on the recording medium.

  The game stands 34-1 to 34-m execute a game by a predetermined operation by the player, and pay out a game ball or a medal according to a so-called small hit or big hit. In the following, description will be given by taking a ball-type game machine, that is, a pachinko machine as an example of the game machine 34. However, a game medium payout function similar to or similar to the game ball is provided. If it can be provided, it is not limited to a pachinko machine, and can be applied to, for example, a rotating game machine, that is, a pachislot machine.

  The inter-machines 35-1 to 35-m are provided corresponding to the game machines 34-1 to 34-m. That is, the table machines 35 are provided one-to-one with respect to the game table 34, and for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a table machine 35 corresponding to the left side of the game table 34 is provided.

  The inter-machine 35 accepts the insertion of banknotes so that a player who plays the corresponding gaming table 34 receives the rental of the game medium, and lends the game medium corresponding to the face value of the accepted banknote. The inter-machine 35 is, for example, an external side view as shown in FIG. 3, and a recording medium processing unit 41 for processing a recording medium consisting of IC coins and IC cards for recording valuable values is provided at the center lower part. It has been. Further, below the recording medium processing unit 41, a collecting unit 42 that collects the gaming media in which a problem has occurred is provided. In addition, a cash accepting unit 43 that determines whether the accepted bill is true or not and identifies the face value of the accepted bill when the bill is a genuine note is provided at the top.

  More specifically, the inter-table machine 35 instructs the gaming machine 34 to pay out the game medium based on the valuable value information recorded on the recording medium received by the recording medium processing unit 41. Based on this instruction, as shown in FIG. 4, the gaming machine 34 is configured such that the gaming medium dispensing control unit 62 provided on the back controls the gaming medium dispensing unit 61, and the banknotes received by the intermediary machine 35. Lending by paying out game media according to the face value. Note that a main board 63 for controlling the game content in the game table 34 is provided above the game medium payout control unit 62 of the game table 34, and performs an effect process such as an image or sound according to the game content. The production board is also included.

[Configuration example of recording medium processing unit]
Next, the configuration of the recording medium processing unit 41 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the recording medium processing unit 41, and the right side of the drawing is the front of the game machine 34 and the machine 35.

  On the upper right side of the recording medium processing unit 41, a hole (not shown) for inserting the recording medium 91 made of IC coin is provided, and a closing shutter 71 for opening or closing the hole is provided. . An insertion sensor 73 is provided below a hole (not shown), and detects whether or not the recording medium 91 has been inserted. In addition, when the input sensor 73 detects the recording medium 91, an input antenna 72 is provided that records information on the input recording medium 91 or reads out the recorded information. That is, when the recording medium 91 is in an information reading position where information can be read or written by the making antenna 72, the making sensor 73 detects the recording medium 91. Therefore, if the recording medium 91 is detected by the input sensor 73, it is recognized that the recording medium 91 exists at an information reading position where information can be written or read by the input antenna 72.

  From the position where the recording medium 91 can be detected by the input sensor 73, a return passage 77 through which the input recording medium 91 is returned and a storage passage 75 through which the recording medium 91 is stored are provided. The recording medium 91 is configured to be guided to any path. However, a return shutter portion 76 and a storage shutter portion 74 are provided for each passage, and the recording medium 91 is configured to be guided to a passage where one of the shutter portions is open. Therefore, the storage shutter part 74 and the return shutter part 76 are not opened at the same time, and both are closed or controlled so that one of them is opened. Further, when both of them are in a closed state, the recording medium 91 is in a state of being present at the information reading position.

  When the return shutter section 76 is closed and the storage shutter section 74 is opened, the recording medium 91 is subjected to the action of gravity in the storage passage 75 provided in a serpentine shape, and is indicated by an arrow E in the figure. It moves in the direction of the storage shutter 80 while rolling in its direction due to its own weight. The storage shutter unit 80 is closed when storing the recording medium 91. When the storage shutter portion 80 is closed, the movement of the recording medium 91 that has passed through the storage passage 75 is stopped by the storage shutter portion 80. At this time, a passage that joins a return passage 77 provided toward the discharge port 81 and a collection passage 83 that collects the defective recording medium 91 are provided with respect to the stop position of the recording medium 91. A storage shutter unit 80 and a recovery shutter unit 82 are provided for each passage. Since the collection shutter unit 82 is closed except when the recording medium 91 is collected, normal operation is performed by opening and closing the storage shutter unit 80. When the storage shutter unit 80 and the collection shutter unit 82 are closed, the operation of the recording medium 91 is stopped. A storage sensor 79 that detects storage of the recording medium 91 at this stop position is provided. Further, when the storage sensor 79 detects the storage of the recording medium 91, an issue antenna 78 that reads information from the recording medium 91 or writes information is provided. That is, the recording medium 91 is detected by the storage sensor 79 at an information reading position where information on the recording medium 91 can be read or written by the issuing antenna 78. When the recording shutter 91 is opened in a state where the recording medium 91 exists at the information reading position, the recording medium 91 is guided to the discharge port 81 and discharged and returned as shown by the arrow B. . Further, when the recovery shutter unit 82 is opened in a state where the recording medium 91 is present at the information reading position, the recording medium 91 falls in the recovery path 83 indicated by the arrow D in the drawing and is recovered by the recovery unit 42. To be recovered.

  When a plurality of recording media 91 are loaded while the storage shutter 80 is closed, the recording media 91 are sequentially stacked in the storage path 75.

  On the other hand, when the return shutter portion 76 is in the open state and the storage shutter portion 74 is closed, the recording medium 91 falls in the return passage 77 in the direction of arrow C toward the discharge port 81, and the discharge port 81. More discharged and returned.

[Example of configuration of game machine, inter-bank machine, and medium rental management device]
Next, referring to the block diagram of FIG. 6, a configuration example of the game machine 34, the inter-game machine 35, and the medium rental management device 25 will be described.

  First, a configuration example of the game table 34 will be described.

  The game table 34 includes a game medium payout control unit 101, an operation unit 102, and a game medium payout unit 103. In response to an operation signal from the operation unit 102, the game medium payout control unit 101 supplies a signal instructing lending of game balls or returning of the game recording medium 91 (FIG. 5) made of IC coins or the like. In addition, the game medium payout control unit 101 controls the game medium payout unit 103 to pay out the game medium based on a game medium payout instruction from the inter-vehicle machine 35.

  The operation unit 102 includes a lending button 111 and a return button 112. The operation unit 102 generates an operation signal corresponding to each operation content and supplies the operation signal to the game medium payout control unit 101. The game medium payout unit 103 is controlled by the game medium payout control unit 101, and pays out the game medium to the upper plate of the game table 34 when an instruction to pay out the game medium is given.

  Next, a configuration example of the interstage machine 35 will be described.

  The machine 35 includes a recording medium processing unit 41, a machine information storage unit 151, a cash receiving unit 152, a bill identifying unit 153, and an information transmitting / receiving unit 154.

  The recording medium processing unit 41 manages the writing of information to the recording medium 91 (FIG. 5) for recording the valuable value necessary for renting out game media and the reading of the recorded information. The recording medium processing unit 41 includes an input recording medium reading unit 171, a stored recording medium reading unit 172, a storage control unit 173, a recording medium processing control unit 174, a return control unit 175, and a collection control unit 176.

  The input recording medium reading unit 171 controls the input antenna 71 to communicate with the input recording medium 91 by radio waves, and writes information in the input recording medium 91 or reads out the written information. The stored recording medium reading unit 172 controls the issuing antenna 78 to communicate with the stored recording medium 91 by radio waves, and writes information in the stored recording medium 91 or reads recorded information. The storage control unit 173 controls the storage shutters 74 and 80 to control the operation of the recording medium 91 to be stored in the storage passage 75.

  The recording medium processing control unit 174 controls processing for the input recording medium 91 or the stored recording medium 91. More specifically, the recording medium processing control unit 174 includes a valuable value storage unit 191, a defective recording medium determination unit 192, and a valuable value migration processing unit 193. The valuable value storage unit 191 stores valuable value information corresponding to the face value of the banknote recognized by the banknote identification unit 153 among the banknotes received by the cash reception unit 152, and the gaming table 34. The valuable information is updated and stored in accordance with the number of game media to be paid out from the game media payout unit 103. The defect recording medium determination unit 192 determines whether or not the ID information recorded on the recording medium 91 can be read or is not the ID information registered as a result of the inquiry of the medium lending management device 25. It is determined whether or not the recording medium 91 has a problem depending on whether or not it has been performed. The valuable value migration processing unit 193 migrates and records the valuable value information stored in the valuable value storage unit 191 to the recording medium 91 in place of the defective recording medium 91.

  The return control unit 175 controls the operation of the return shutter unit 76 to return the input recording medium 91 or the stored recording medium 91 from the discharge port 81 as necessary. The collection control unit 176 controls the movement of the collection shutter unit 82 and collects the recording medium 91 as necessary.

  The information transmission / reception unit 154 exchanges various types of information with the game machine 34 and the medium lending management device 25. In addition, when the information transmitting / receiving unit 154 transmits information to the medium lending management device 25, the information transmitting / receiving unit 154 reads the ID of the intermediary machine set individually in the intermediary machine 35, which is stored in the intermediary machine information storage unit 151. , Send it with various information.

  The cash accepting unit 152 is the same as the cash accepting unit 43 in FIG. 3, accepts banknotes, which are cash inserted when renting out game media, and supplies them to the bill identifying unit 153. The bill recognition unit 153 performs authenticity determination of the supplied bill, returns the fake bill, and in the case of the genuine bill, recognizes the type of the bill and recognizes the face value of the inserted bill, and the recording medium processing unit 41.

  Next, a configuration example of the medium lending management device 25 will be described. The medium lending management device 25 includes a recording medium management unit 201, an information transmission / reception unit 202, and a cash reception history management unit 203. The recording medium management unit 201 performs management of individual transaction information on the recording medium 91, verification processing, and collection determination. More specifically, the recording medium management unit 201 includes a transaction start information generation unit 221, a recording medium information collation unit 222, a recording medium collection determination unit 223, a recording medium ID management unit 224, and a recording medium transaction history management unit 225. ing. The transaction start information generating unit 221 registers the ID information of the recording medium 91 when the valuable value is registered in the new recording medium 91, and the unit in which the recording medium 91 of the registered ID information is detected. A lending permission signal for permitting the start of the transaction is generated and transmitted to the machine 35. Based on the supplied ID information of the recording medium 91, the recording medium information collating unit 222 collates the recording medium information transmitted together with the ID information, that is, the valuable information and the registered valuable information. To do. The ID information includes a serial code for individually identifying the recording medium 91 and a game store code for identifying the store of the game store 1 where the recording medium 91 is used.

  The recording medium recovery determination unit 223 determines whether or not the recording medium 91 is recovered based on the comparison result of the recording medium information and the ID information of the recording medium 91. The recording medium ID management unit 224 manages individual ID information of the recording medium 91. The recording medium transaction history management unit 225 manages the transaction history of the valuable value when the game medium is lent out by the recording medium 91. The defect registration unit 226 associates the reading error information or the mismatch error information indicating that the recording medium information is not already registered with the machine ID for identifying the machine 35 in which those errors have occurred. And register and manage it as defect registration information.

  The cash reception history management unit 203 manages the history when cash is inserted in association with the machine ID for identifying the machine 35.

[Opening process]
Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8, the store opening process, that is, the initial operation process in the game machine 34, the inter-vehicle machine 35, and the medium lending management device 25 when the game shop 1 is opened will be described. To do.

  In step S11, the storage control unit 173 controls the storage sensor 79 to determine whether or not the recording medium 91 exists, and repeats the same processing until it is determined that the recording medium 91 exists. In step S <b> 11, for example, when the recording medium 91 is loaded before opening the store, is present at the information reading position detected by the storage sensor 79 via the storage passage 75, and is detected by the storage sensor 79, the process is as follows. Proceed to step S12.

  In step S <b> 12, the stored recording medium reading unit 172 controls the issuing antenna 78 to communicate with the recording medium 91 that is confirmed to be present at the information reading position by the storage sensor 79, and identifies the recording medium 91. Read information.

  In step S13, the storage recording medium reading unit 172 controls the issuing antenna 78 to determine whether or not ID information has been acquired from the recording medium 91. For example, if ID information has been acquired, Proceed to S14.

  In step S <b> 14, the recording medium processing unit 41 controls the information transmitting / receiving unit 154 to attach the machine ID stored in the machine information storage unit 151, and obtain the read ID information of the recording medium 91. The information is transmitted to the medium lending management device 25 as recording medium information.

  In step S41 (FIG. 8), the recording medium management unit 201 of the medium lending management device 25 controls the information transmitting / receiving unit 202 to determine whether or not a reading error code has been transmitted together with the intermediary machine ID. If not, the process proceeds to step S44.

  In step S44, the recording medium management unit 201 of the medium lending management device 25 controls the information transmitting / receiving unit 202 to determine whether or not the recording medium information has been transmitted together with the machine ID. In step S44, for example, when the recording medium information is transmitted together with the machine ID by the process of step S14 described above, the process proceeds to step S45.

  In step S45, the recording medium management unit 201 controls the information transmission / reception unit 202 to acquire the transmitted machine ID and recording medium information.

  In step S46, the recording medium information collation unit 222 collates the ID information for identifying the recording medium 91 included in the recording medium information with the ID information registered by inquiring of the recording medium ID management unit 224. That is, the ID information includes a serial code for identifying the recording medium 91 and a game store code for identifying the store of the game store 1 in which the recording medium 91 is used. It is determined whether or not the recording medium 91 is available at the game store 1 and is a registered serial code recording medium 91.

  In step S47, the recording medium recovery determination unit 223 determines whether or not the recording medium information matches the registered information based on the collation result. In step S47, for example, when it is determined that the ID information included in the recording medium information matches the ID information registered in advance, the process proceeds to step S48.

  In step S48, the recording medium transaction history management unit 225 determines whether or not the temporary valuable value ID is included in the recording medium information. The temporary value ID is an ID for managing the value to be managed in the state where the recording medium 91 is not present in the medium lending management device 25, and will be described in detail later. In step S48, when the temporary valuable information ID is not included, the processes in steps S49 and S50 are skipped, and the process proceeds to step S51.

  In step S51, the transaction start information generation unit 221 provides the valuable value to be managed by the recording medium 91 specified based on the ID information together with the ID information and the machine ID to the recording medium transaction history management unit 225. Register the information. In the current store opening process, the valuable value information only secures an area to be registered, and the valuable value information itself is recorded as substantially zero.

  In step S52, the transaction start information generation unit 221 generates a transaction start code indicating a transaction start by the recording medium 91 corresponding to the transmitted recording medium information. Further, the transaction start information generating unit 221 controls the information transmitting / receiving unit 202 to transmit a transaction start code as a lending permission command to the pedestal machine 35 specified based on the information of the pedestal machine ID.

  At this time, in the intermediary machine 35, in step S15 (FIG. 7), the recording medium processing control unit 174 controls the information transmitting / receiving unit 154 to determine whether or not a lending permission command has been transmitted from the medium lending management device 25. Determine whether. In step S15, if a transaction start code is transmitted by the process of step S52 described above, it is considered that a lending permission instruction has been transmitted, and the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S <b> 16, when the recording medium processing control unit 174 controls the information transmitting / receiving unit 154 to receive the transaction start code transmitted from the medium lending management device 25 as a lending permission command, the recording medium processing control unit 174 relies on the valuable value storage unit 191. The value information is initialized to zero and the process is terminated. That is, by this processing, the recording medium processing unit 41, in the subsequent processing, when a gaming medium rental instruction is requested, within the range of valuable information set according to the face value of the inserted bill, Is in a state where an instruction to rent can be supplied to the gaming machine 34, and the process at the time of opening the store is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the ID information which is the recording medium information cannot be read in step S13, the defective recording medium determination unit 192 of the recording medium processing control unit 174 increments the counter R indicating the number of retries by 1 in step S17.

  In step S18, the defective recording medium determination unit 192 determines whether a counter R (not shown) indicating the number of retries is a predetermined number, for example, five times as in the example of the flowchart of FIG. Then, it is determined whether or not the recording medium information cannot be read five times. In step S18, for example, when the counter R is not a predetermined number of times, that is, when the number of times the recording medium information cannot be read is less than 5, the process returns to step S12. That is, the processes in steps S12, S13, S17, and S18 are repeated until the recording medium information cannot be read five times, which is a predetermined number.

  If it is determined in step S18 that the counter R indicating the number of retries is 5 and the recording medium information cannot be read five times, the defective recording medium determination unit 192 determines that the currently stored recording medium 91 is stored. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S <b> 19, the collection control unit 176 opens the collection shutter unit 82 and causes the collection unit 42 to collect the stored recording medium 91 currently being processed through the collection path 83. That is, since the recording medium information cannot be read for a predetermined number of times, it is assumed that a failure due to a lifetime or some kind of failure has occurred and the information recorded on the recording medium 91 cannot be read, and the recording medium in which the failure has occurred. 91 is recovered.

  In step S20, the recording medium processing control unit 174 generates a reading error code based on the determination result of the defective recording medium determination unit 192, and controls the information transmission / reception unit 154 to attach the intermediary machine ID. And sent to the medium lending management device 25.

  With this processing, in the medium lending management device 25, in step S41 (FIG. 8), the reading error code is transmitted together with the inter-vehicle machine ID, and the processing proceeds to step S42.

  In step S42, the defect registration unit 226 associates the reading error signal with the inter-vehicle machine ID and registers them as defect registration information, and the process proceeds to step S43. At this time, for example, the recording medium management unit 201 displays an image indicating that the defective recording medium 91 has been detected on the display unit 26, and any of the intermediary machines 35 based on the intermediary machine ID. In FIG. 5, it is displayed whether or not the recording medium 91 in which the problem has occurred is collected.

  Further, in the inter-vehicle machine 35, in step S21 (FIG. 7), the storage control unit 173 opens the storage shutter unit 80, guides a new recording medium 91 from the storage passage 75, and stores it by the storage sensor 79. Is moved to the information reading position where is detected.

  More specifically, the storage control unit 173 releases a locking member (stopper pin) (not shown) that restricts the movement of the recording medium 91 in which a problem has occurred, opens the recovery shutter unit 82, and causes the recovery unit 42 to Collect. Then, the storage control unit 173 causes the storage sensor 79 to return a locking member (stopper pin) (not shown) to the locked state, and then opens the storage shutter unit 80 to newly store the storage passage 75. The recording medium 91 is rolled by its own weight and moved to an information reading position (a position at which reading and writing can be performed by the stored recording medium reading section 172), and is brought into contact with a locking member (stopper pin) and stopped. By this operation, the storage sensor 79 is in a state where a new recording medium 91 can be detected.

  In step S22, the storage control unit 173 controls the storage sensor 79 to determine whether or not a new stored recording medium 91 exists. When the recording medium 91 exists, the process proceeds to step S12. Return. That is, the same processing as described above is repeated for the new recording medium 91.

  On the other hand, when the recording medium 91 is not detected in step S22, in step S23, the storage control unit 173 considers that there is no storage medium 91 stored, and supplies replenishment instruction information for prompting replenishment of a new recording medium 91. For example, it is displayed on a display unit (not shown) or a lamp is turned on.

  In step S24, the supplementary recording medium loading process is executed when the attendant supplements the recording medium 91 based on the display of the supplementary instruction information in the process of step S23 described above, and the process ends. The supplementary recording medium loading process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  Furthermore, in step S47 (FIG. 8), for example, when it is determined that the ID information included in the recording medium information does not match the previously registered ID information, the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S <b> 53, the defect registration unit 226 of the recording medium management unit 201 associates the mismatch error code with the machine ID that identifies the machine 35 that has transmitted the recording medium information including the ID information of the recording medium 91. And register as defect registration information, and the process proceeds to step S54. At this time, for example, the recording medium management unit 201 displays an image indicating that the defective recording medium 91 has been detected on the display unit 26, and any of the intermediary machines 35 based on the intermediary machine ID. In FIG. 5, it is displayed whether or not the recording medium 91 in which the problem has occurred is collected.

  In step S54, the recording medium recovery determination unit 223 of the recording medium management unit 201 generates a recovery command for instructing recovery of the recording medium 91 in which a problem has occurred, controls the information transmission / reception unit 203, and transmits it along with the mismatch error code. The transmitted information is transmitted to the inter-machine 35 corresponding to the inter-machine ID.

  With this process, since the lending machine 35 does not receive the lending permission command in step S15 (FIG. 7), the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S25, the collection control unit 176 controls the information transmission / reception unit 154 to receive a collection command.

  In step S26, the collection control unit 176 opens the collection shutter unit 82 to collect the recording medium 91 from the collection path 83 to the collection unit 42, and the process proceeds to step S21.

  That is, in the medium lending management device 25, it is determined whether or not the recording medium information matches the registered information, and it is determined that the recording medium information does not match the registered recording medium information, that is, it is not the regular recording medium 91. In this case, the recording medium 91 is collected as an unauthorized recording medium 91, and the same processing is repeated until a new recording medium 91 is supplied from the storage passage 75 and a lending permission command is issued. .

  With the above processing, for the recording medium 91 from which ID information cannot be read, there is a defective recording medium 91 that cannot be read for some reason, such as the lifetime, or illegal recording in which the recording medium information does not match the pre-registered information. The medium 91 is collected and a new recording medium 91 can be prepared.

  As a result, when the amusement store 1 is opened, it is possible to set all the recording media 91 stored in all the interstage machines 35 in the amusement store 1 to a state where a lending permission instruction is issued. It is possible to reduce the burden of collecting a defective recording medium 91 or inserting a new recording medium 91 by a staff member of the game store 1.

  In addition, about the process of step S49, S50 which is a process when it determines with having temporary temporary value ID in step S48 in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the valuable value demonstrated with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9, FIG. This will be described later together with the registration process.

[Value registration process]
Next, the valuable value registration process will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Note that the processing in steps S76 to S79, S81 to S83, and S86 to S91 in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is the same as the processing in steps S13 to S16 and steps S17 to S19, and S21 to S26 in the flowchart of FIG. The description will be omitted as appropriate. Further, this valuable value registration process is premised on that the store opening process has been performed before that.

  In step S71, the cash accepting unit 152 determines whether or not a bill has been inserted, and repeats the same processing until the bill is inserted. In step S71, for example, when a bill is inserted, the process proceeds to step S72.

  In step S <b> 72, the cash accepting unit 152 supplies the accepted bill to the bill identifying unit 153. The bill identifying unit 153 determines whether or not the supplied bill is a genuine note. If the bill is not a genuine note, that is, if it is a fake note, the inserted bill is returned in step S73. The process returns to step S71.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S72 that the bill is a genuine note, in step S74, the bill identifying unit 153 identifies the type of the bill and acquires valuable value information corresponding to the face value. Further, the valuable value storage unit 191 of the recording medium processing control unit 174 stores valuable value information acquired by the banknote identification unit 153. In the following, the valuable value of the inserted banknote is particularly referred to as valuable value A.

  In step S <b> 75, the stored recording medium reading unit 172 controls the issue antenna 78 to write the value A value information on the recording medium 91.

  In step S76, the recording medium information is read from the recording medium 91. In step S77, it is determined that the lending permission command is received in step S78. In step S79, the lending permission command is received. In step S80, the valuable value storage unit 191 sets the stored valuable value information to zero and ends the process.

  On the other hand, if the recording medium information cannot be read from the recording medium 91 in step S76 and the processes in steps S76, S81, and S82 are repeated five times, the process proceeds to step S83, the recovery shutter unit 82 is opened, and the recording is performed. The medium 91 is collected.

  In step S84, the defect recording medium determination unit 192 controls the information transmitting / receiving unit 154 to record the information on the intermediary machine ID, the reading error code, and the valuable value A stored in the valuable value storage unit 191. The information is transmitted to the medium lending management device 25 as medium information.

  With this processing, in the medium lending management device 25, in step S121 (FIG. 10), the recording medium management unit 201 controls the information transmitting / receiving unit 202, and the intermediary machine ID, the read error code, Then, it is determined whether or not the recording medium information including the information of the valuable value A has been transmitted, and the same processing is repeated until the recording medium information is transmitted. In step S121, for example, when the recording medium information including the machine ID, the reading error code, and the valuable value A is transmitted by the process of step S84, the process proceeds to step S122.

  In step S122, the recording medium management unit 201 controls the information transmitting / receiving unit 202 to receive the transmitted recording medium information including the machine ID, the reading error code, and the valuable value A.

  In step S123, the recording medium management unit 201 controls the defect registration unit 226 so that the recording unit information among the transmitted recording unit information including the recording unit ID, the reading error code, and the valuable value A is set to the recording unit ID. Correspondingly, the reading error code is registered as defect registration information.

  In step S124, the recording medium transaction history management unit 225 issues and registers a temporary value ID for managing the value A.

  In step S125, the recording medium transaction history management unit 225 generates a value writing history code based on the value A registered in association with the temporary value ID and controls the information transmitting / receiving unit 202. Then, the temporary value ID is transmitted to the inter-machine 35. This write history code is updated based on the value A managed by the temporary value ID when the rented game media is paid out, and the residual value of the value corresponding to the number of game media paid out is updated. It is a code indicating the number of performed

  In step S126, the recording medium transaction history management unit 225 registers the inter-vehicle machine ID, temporary valuable value ID, valuable value A, and writing history code as recording medium transaction history information.

  On the other hand, in the intermediary machine 35, in step S85 (FIG. 9), the valuable value storage unit 191 controls the information transmitting / receiving unit 154, and is temporarily transmitted from the medium lending management device 25 by the processing in step S125 described above. Register valuable value ID and write history code.

  In this process, in the process of step S77, the temporary valuable value ID and the write history code are sent as recording medium information to the medium lending management device 25 together with the intermediary machine ID. The subsequent processing in the medium lending management device 25 is the same as the store opening processing described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8, and in step S48, the temporary value ID is included in the recording medium information. The process proceeds to step S49.

  In step S49, the recording medium transaction history management unit 225 includes information on the temporary value ID, the writing history code, and the value A that is the recording medium information that has been confirmed to be registered by the ID information verification. Delete the temporary value ID and write history code information. That is, at this point, there is a regular recording medium 91 in which ID information is registered in advance, and the valuable value A information is already written in the recording medium 91 in the process of step S75, so a temporary valuable ID is not required. Will be deleted.

  In step S50, the recording medium transaction history management unit 225 adds the value A information to the value information included in the recording medium information managed in association with the ID information for identifying the current recording medium 91. .

  As a result, the recording medium information registered in step S51 is registered in a state in which the value information A is associated with the ID information that is information for identifying the recording medium 91.

  That is, when a bill is inserted by the above process, it is determined that the recording medium 91 is stored, the ID information is readable, and the read ID information is legitimate. At this time, valuable value information corresponding to the face value of the bill inserted into the recording medium 91 is registered. Also, when a bill is inserted, when the recording medium 91 is not stored, the value information corresponding to the face value of the bill inserted into the recording medium 91 is associated with the temporary value ID, and the medium lending management device 25. Further, when the recording medium 91 is replenished, the replenished recording medium 91 is replenished with the recording medium 91 replenished with information on the value A managed in association with the temporary value ID in the medium lending management device 25. It is managed by adding to the value information recorded in

  As a result, even when a reading error occurs in the recording medium 91 during the game, the medium lending management device 25 manages the valuable value in association with the temporary valuable value ID. It is possible to guarantee without being expired. In addition, since the valuable value is managed in association with the temporary valuable value ID, it is possible to rent game media even if a malfunction occurs in the recording medium 91.

[Supplementary recording medium loading process]
Next, the supplementary recording medium loading process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the processes of steps S154 to S157, S160 to S162, and S164 to S169 in the flowchart of FIG. 11 are the same as the processes of steps S13 to S20 of FIG. It is the same.

  That is, in step S151, the storage control unit 173 detects whether the storage sensor 79 has passed the recording medium 91, determines whether or not the supplementary recording medium 91 (supplementary recording medium) has been input, and determines that it has been input. The same processing is repeated until it is done. In step S151, when the supplementary recording medium 91 is loaded, the process proceeds to step S152.

  In step S152, the recording medium processing control unit 174 determines whether or not a valuable value other than zero is stored in the valuable value storage unit 191.

  In step S152, for example, when the valuable value is recorded in the valuable value storage unit 191, in step S153, the recording medium processing control unit 174 controls the valuable value migration processing unit 193 and stores it in the valuable value storage unit 191. The stored valuable value A information is read out and supplied to the stored recording medium reading unit 172. The stored recording medium reading unit 172 records the supplied valuable value A on a new stored recording medium 91.

  In step S152, when a valuable value other than zero is stored in the valuable value storage unit 191, the process in step S153 is skipped.

  Then, in step S154, the recording medium information is read, and when the intermediary machine ID and the recording medium information are transmitted to the medium lending management device 25 by the process of step S155, the flowchart of FIG. When processing is performed and a lending permission command is transmitted, in step S156, the lending device 35 receives the lending permission command, and the process proceeds to step S158.

  In step S158, it is determined whether or not the valuable value is stored in the valuable value storage unit 191. If the valuable value is stored, in step S159, the stored valuable value is reset to zero. The On the other hand, when the valuable value is not stored, the process of step S159 is skipped.

  Further, if the recording medium information cannot be read in step S154 and the processes in steps S154, S160, and S161 are repeated a predetermined number of times, the collection control unit 176 opens the collection shutter unit 82 in step S162, and is newly inserted. The stored recording medium 91 is collected, and in step S163, it is determined whether or not there is a valuable value. If there is no valuable value, a reading error code is transmitted to the medium lending management device 25 together with the intermediary machine ID in step S164. The If there is a valuable value in step S163, the reading error code and the valuable value A are transmitted to the medium lending management device 25 together with the inter-vehicle machine ID in step S165. At this time, the medium lending management device 25 transmits the temporary valuable value ID and the write history code by a process similar to the valuable value registration process of FIG. In accordance with this processing, in step S166, the temporary valuable value ID and the write history code are registered.

  Then, regardless of the presence or absence of valuable value, a replenishment instruction for the recording medium 91 is displayed in step S167.

  If the lending permission command is not received in step S156, the recording medium recovery command is received in step S168. In step S169, the recovery control unit 176 opens the recovery shutter unit 82 and recovers the recording medium 91. The process proceeds to step S167.

  That is, even if the supplementary recording medium 91 is inserted, the ID information cannot be read, or if the ID information is not regular registered ID information, the recording medium 91 is collected and until a lending permission command is received. The process of displaying the recording medium replenishment instruction is repeated. In addition, when a new recording medium 91 is inserted, valuable value information stored in the valuable value storage unit 191 is written, and valuable value information is transferred to the new recording medium 91. It is possible to exchange for a new recording medium 91 in which valuable value information is recorded.

[Game media rental processing]
Next, the game medium lending process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S201, the operation unit 102 of the gaming table 34 determines whether or not the lending button 111 of the operation unit 102 is operated, and repeats the same processing until the operation is performed. In step S201, for example, when the lending button 111 is operated, in step S202, the operation unit 102 supplies a corresponding operation signal to the game medium payout control unit 101 as the lending button 111 is pressed. The gaming medium payout control unit 101 transmits a gaming medium lending request to the intermediary machine 35 based on an operation signal indicating that the lending button 111 has been operated.

  At this time, in the intermediary machine 35, in step S221, the recording medium processing unit 41 controls the information transmitting / receiving unit 154 to determine whether or not a game medium lending request has been transmitted and transmitted. Until the same process is repeated. In step S221, for example, when a game medium lending request is transmitted by the process of step S202, the process proceeds to step S222.

  In step S222, the recording medium processing unit 41 controls the information transmitting / receiving unit 154 to receive the transmitted gaming medium rental request.

  In step S223, the recording medium processing unit 41 controls the input recording medium reading unit 171 and the storage recording medium reading unit 172 so that the recording medium 91 is located at the information reading position in either the input sensor 73 or the storage sensor 79. It is determined whether or not it has been detected. In step S223, for example, when the recording medium 91 exists at the information reading position, the process proceeds to step S224.

  In step S224, the recording medium processing unit 41 controls the input recording medium reading unit 171 or the stored recording medium reading unit 172 to read the valuable value recorded on the recording medium 91. Then, the recording medium processing unit 41 obtains a residual value obtained by reducing the valuable value corresponding to a predetermined quantity of game media to be paid out by one rental ball paying process, and inputs the input recording medium reading unit 171 or the storage recording medium The reading unit 172 is controlled to record the obtained residual value on the recording medium 91.

  In step S <b> 225, the recording medium processing unit 41 controls the information transmitting / receiving unit 154 to transmit a predetermined number of gaming medium payout commands to the gaming machine 34.

  In response to the transmission of the game medium payout command, in step S203, the game medium payout control unit 101 receives the game medium payout command transmitted by the process of step S225.

  In step S204, the game medium payout control unit 101 controls the game medium payout unit 103 to pay out a predetermined number of game media. Through this series of processing, the player can realize the lending of the game medium within the range of the valuable value only by pressing the lending button 111.

  On the other hand, in the intermediary machine 35, in step S226, the recording medium processing unit 41 determines the ID information of the recording medium 91 and the residual value information obtained by reducing the valuable value corresponding to the number of game media to be paid out as rental balls. Is generated, and the information transmission / reception unit 154 is controlled and transmitted to the medium lending management device 25 as the recording medium information to which the machine ID is attached.

  At this time, in the medium lending management device 25, in step S251, the recording medium management unit 201 controls the information transmitting / receiving unit 202 to determine whether or not the recording medium information has been transmitted from any one of the intermediary machines 35. judge. In step S251, for example, when the recording medium information to which the machine ID is attached is transmitted by the process of step S226, the process proceeds to step S252.

  In step S252, the recording medium management unit 201 controls the information transmitting / receiving unit 202 to receive the recording medium information.

  In step S253, the recording medium management unit 201 controls the recording medium transaction history management unit 225 to register recording medium information including ID information and valuable value information indicating a residual value in association with the inter-vehicle machine ID. .

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S223 that there is no recording medium 91 that can be processed, the process proceeds to step S227.

  In step S227, the recording medium processing unit 41 controls the valuable value storage unit 191 of the recording medium processing control unit 174 to store the residual value information of the valuable value obtained as described above.

  In step S228, a payout command for a predetermined number of game media is transmitted in the same manner as in step S225 described above. Therefore, even in a state where the recording medium 91 is not stored, in the same manner as the above-described processing, the gaming machine 34 pays out a predetermined number of gaming media to be rented by the gaming machine payout command. It becomes possible to do.

  In step S229, the recording medium processing unit 41 determines the ID information of the recording medium 91, the residual value information obtained by reducing the valuable value corresponding to the number of game media to be paid out as rental balls, the temporary valuable value ID, and the writing history. The recording medium information including the code is generated, and the information transmitting / receiving unit 154 is controlled to transmit the recording medium information to which the intermediary machine ID is attached to the medium lending management device 25.

  As a result of the process of step S229, in step S253, it consists of ID information, residual value information in which the valuable value corresponding to the quantity of game media to be paid out as a rental loan is reduced, temporary valuable value ID, and writing history code. Recording medium information is registered in association with the machine ID.

  Through the above processing, when the game medium is paid out as a rental ball, the valuable value paid as the consideration for the rental ball is not only recorded and managed in the game recording medium 91 such as an IC coin, but also the recording medium. Even when there is no recording medium 91 collected due to the trouble of 91, it is possible to rent game media based on the valuable value stored in the valuable value storage unit 191. In other words, because the recording medium 91 cannot be read or the storage recording medium 91 is lost, a prize ball cannot be obtained unless a loan is rented and played within a predetermined time, such as during a big hit. It becomes possible to suppress the occurrence of the situation. Further, if the residual value of the valuable value remains, if the storage recording medium 91 is inserted later, the valuable value that becomes the residual value can be recorded and returned.

  By the way, the series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software may execute various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  FIG. 13 shows a configuration example of a general-purpose personal computer. This personal computer incorporates a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1001. An input / output interface 1005 is connected to the CPU 1001 via the bus 1004. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 1002 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1003 are connected to the bus 1004.

  An input / output interface 1005 includes an input unit 1006 including an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse for a user to input an operation command, an output unit 1007 for outputting a processing operation screen and an image of a processing result to a display device, a program and various data A storage unit 1008 including a hard disk drive for storing data, a LAN (Local Area Network) adapter, and the like, and a communication unit 1009 for performing communication processing via a network represented by the Internet are connected. Also, a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk), an optical disk (including a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), a magneto-optical disk (including an MD (Mini Disc)), or a semiconductor A drive 1010 for reading / writing data from / to a removable medium 1011 such as a memory is connected.

  The CPU 1001 is read from a program stored in the ROM 1002 or a removable medium 1011 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, installed in the storage unit 1008, and loaded from the storage unit 1008 to the RAM 1003. Various processes are executed according to the program. The RAM 1003 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 1001 to execute various processes.

  In this specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in time series in the order described, but of course, it is not necessarily performed in time series. Or the process performed separately is included.

  Further, in this specification, the system represents the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

25 medium lending management device 34 game machine 35 machine between machines 41 recording medium processing part 101 game medium payout control part 102 operation part 103 game medium payout part 111 lending button 112 return button 151 machine information storage part 171 input recording medium reading part 172 Storage recording medium reading unit 173 Storage control unit 174 Recording medium processing control unit 175 Return control unit 176 Collection control unit 191 Value storage unit 192 Fault recording medium determination unit 193 Value transfer processing unit

Claims (6)

The banknote inserted into the recording medium waiting at an information reading position capable of reading information recorded on the recording medium and writing information on the recording medium based on reception of the inserted banknote In the gaming medium lending device that writes valuable value information corresponding to the face value of and rents gaming media based on the valuable value information,
A recording medium detecting means for detecting that the first recording medium stored in the storage position has moved to the information reading position;
A reading means for reading the ID information of the first recording medium when the recording medium detection means detects that the first recording medium has moved to the information reading position;
ID information determination means for determining whether or not the ID information is already registered,
When it is determined that the ID information is not already registered, or when the ID information cannot be read by the reading means, a collecting means for collecting the first recording medium;
A moving means for moving a second recording medium different from the first recording medium stored in the storage position to the information reading position when the first recording medium is recovered by the recovery means; Medium lending device. Banknote insertion acceptance means for accepting insertion of the banknote;
Value information reading means for reading the value corresponding to the face value of the bill accepted by the bill insertion acceptance means;
Writing means for writing the valuable value information to the first recording medium;
Valuable value information storage means for storing the valuable value information;
The registration unit for registering the ID information of the first recording medium and the valuable information in association with each other when the valuable information is written to the first recording medium. Game media lending device. Lending instruction means for instructing lending of the game medium;
Lending means for lending a quantity of the game medium corresponding to the value information written on the first recording medium based on an instruction of the lending instruction means;
When the game medium is lent out by the lending means, the valuable value information registered in association with the ID information of the first recording medium is updated according to the number of game media lent by the renting means. And a management means for managing the transaction history,
The valuable value information storage means, when the game medium is lent out by the renting means, the game rented out by the renting means with the valuable value information registered in association with the ID information of the first recording medium. The game medium renting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the game medium is rented and stored according to the quantity of the medium. After the first recording medium is detected by the game medium detection means, the first recording medium is recovered by the recovery means, and further, when the second recording medium is arranged at the information reading position, The game medium lending apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the writing unit writes the valuable value information stored in the valuable value information storage unit to the second recording medium. The banknote inserted into the recording medium waiting at an information reading position capable of reading information recorded on the recording medium and writing information on the recording medium based on reception of the inserted banknote In the gaming medium lending device that writes valuable value information corresponding to the face value of and rents gaming media based on the valuable value information,
A recording medium detecting means for detecting that the first recording medium stored in the storage position has moved to the information reading position;
A reading means for reading the ID information of the first recording medium when the recording medium detection means detects that the first recording medium has moved to the information reading position;
ID information determination means for determining whether or not the ID information is already registered,
When it is determined that the ID information is not already registered, or when the ID information cannot be read by the reading means, a collecting means for collecting the first recording medium;
A moving means for moving a second recording medium different from the first recording medium stored in the storage position to the information reading position when the first recording medium is recovered by the recovery means; A game medium lending method for a medium lending device,
In the recording medium detection means, a recording medium detection step for detecting that the first recording medium stored in the storage position has moved to the information reading position;
A reading step of reading ID information of the first recording medium when the reading means detects that the first recording medium has moved to the information reading position by the processing of the recording medium detection step;
In the ID information determination means, an ID information determination step for determining whether the ID information is already registered,
In the recovery means, when it is determined that the ID information is not already registered, or when the ID information cannot be read by the process of the reading step, a recovery step of recovering the first recording medium;
When the first recording medium is recovered by the recovery step in the moving means, a second recording medium different from the first recording medium stored in the storage position is moved to the information reading position. A game medium lending method comprising: The banknote inserted into the recording medium waiting at an information reading position capable of reading information recorded on the recording medium and writing information on the recording medium based on reception of the inserted banknote A game medium lending device that writes valuable value information corresponding to the face value of and rents game media based on the valuable value information,
A recording medium detecting means for detecting that the first recording medium stored in the storage position has moved to the information reading position;
A reading means for reading the ID information of the first recording medium when the recording medium detection means detects that the first recording medium has moved to the information reading position;
ID information determination means for determining whether or not the ID information is already registered,
When it is determined that the ID information is not already registered, or when the ID information cannot be read by the reading means, a collecting means for collecting the first recording medium;
A moving means for moving a second recording medium different from the first recording medium stored in the storage position to the information reading position when the first recording medium is recovered by the recovery means; To the computer that controls the media lending device,
In the recording medium detection means, a recording medium detection step for detecting that the first recording medium stored in the storage position has moved to the information reading position;
A reading step of reading ID information of the first recording medium when the reading means detects that the first recording medium has moved to the information reading position by the processing of the recording medium detection step;
In the ID information determination means, an ID information determination step for determining whether the ID information is already registered,
In the recovery means, when it is determined that the ID information is not already registered, or when the ID information cannot be read by the process of the reading step, a recovery step of recovering the first recording medium;
When the first recording medium is recovered by the recovery step in the moving means, a second recording medium different from the first recording medium stored in the storage position is moved to the information reading position. A program that executes a process including a moving step.

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