JP2012071053A - Game medium dispenser, and service providing system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game medium dispenser and a service providing system using the same, capable of performing a plurality of target modes, such as a wagon service mode and a maintenance mode, and establishing a simple system.SOLUTION: A ball dispenser 1 includes: an IC tag communication unit 34 for communicating between itself and IC tags 61 and 62 which employees in a game parlor have to obtain identification codes stored in the IC tags; an identification unit 53 for identifying the identification code of the IC tag; and a mode control unit 54 for performing a plurality of modes and selecting and controlling a predetermined mode corresponding to the identification modes of the IC tags 61 and 62 identified by the identification unit 53.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game medium lending machine and a service providing system using the same.

  In game halls where conventional pachinko machines and pachislot machines are installed, pachinko balls, medals, and other game media such as coffee and cigarettes are provided to players who are playing around the game hall. There is a place that provides a so-called wagon service to exchange for prizes.

  In order to perform such a wagon service, for example, a wagon service providing system described in Patent Document 1 includes a management device (host computer) connected to a ball lending machine, an order input device held by an employee who performs the wagon service, It has. When providing the wagon service, the order input device communicates directly with the management device, so that the ball corresponding to the prize provided by the wagon service is determined from the information on the number of balls in the ball lending machine used by the player. The management device performs processing to withdraw the number information.

Japanese Patent No. 4018171

  The conventional wagon service providing system only transmits and receives information according to the input order, and cannot be used for other purposes. For this reason, in order to execute a plurality of target modes other than the wagon service, it is necessary to construct a system of a different system from the communication terminal for communicating with the management apparatus. It is difficult to easily switch to a mode other than the service mode. Therefore, in a conventional wagon service providing system, in order to perform a mode other than the wagon service mode, for example, a so-called maintenance mode for operating a ball lending machine that requires employee authentication, an IC tag In addition, a communication means provided in the ball lending machine for communicating with the IC tag is required separately from the communication terminal.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and provides a game medium lending machine and a service providing system capable of executing a plurality of target modes and capable of constructing a simple system. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the game medium lending machine of the present invention communicates with an IC tag possessed by an employee in a game hall to obtain an identification code stored in the IC tag. A plurality of modes, and a predetermined mode corresponding to the identification code of the IC tag identified by the identification unit is selected and executed. Control means for performing control is provided.

  According to this configuration, when an employee in the game hall wants to select and execute a mode from a plurality of modes for the game medium lending machine, the IC tag corresponding to the predetermined mode possessed by the employee is communicated. It is sufficient that the communication distance is as close as possible. At this time, the communication means obtains the identification code stored in the IC tag, so that the control means selects a mode corresponding to the identification code identified by the identification means from a plurality of modes, and the game medium lending machine selects the mode. Can be controlled to run. This makes it possible to construct a simple system that can execute a plurality of modes. In addition, the mode can be easily switched by communicating the IC tag corresponding to the predetermined mode with the communication means.

  The “employee in the game hall” in the present invention is a broad concept including a staff who performs a wagon service in the game hall, a hall staff in the game hall, or a manager who manages the game hall.

  Moreover, it is preferable that one of the plurality of modes is a wagon service mode that accepts an operation necessary for the wagon service when an employee in the game hall provides the player with the wagon service. In this case, when the employee wants to select and execute the wagon service mode with respect to the game medium lending machine, the employee may bring the IC tag for the wagon service mode close to a communicable distance. At this time, when the communication means obtains the identification code stored in the IC tag for the wagon service mode, the control means selects the wagon service mode corresponding to the identification code identified by the identification means from a plurality of modes. The game media lending machine can be controlled to execute in the wagon service mode. Similarly, when an IC tag for another mode is brought close to the communication means, the control means can select the mode and control the execution. This makes it possible to construct a simple system capable of executing a plurality of modes including a wagon service mode, and to switch modes by causing an IC tag corresponding to a predetermined mode to communicate with a communication means. It becomes possible to carry out easily.

  Also, a game medium number information management unit for managing information relating to the number of game media, an input means capable of inputting the number of game media to be withdrawn, and the number of game media to be withdrawn input to the input means A number of game medium deducting means for performing a process of decrementing from the number of game media corresponding to the information related to the number of game media managed by the number information management unit, wherein the mode selected by the control means is the wagon When in the service mode, the communication means communicates with the IC tag for the wagon service mode after completing the input of the number of game media corresponding to the predetermined wagon service from the input means, and deducts the number of game media. When the identification means identifies the identification code of the IC tag, the means is a game input from the information relating to the number of game media. Preferably performed drawdown process by reducing the number of media.

  According to this configuration, when the control means has selected the wagon service mode, the player can input the number of game media corresponding to the predetermined wagon service desired to be purchased from the input means. For example, the number of game media corresponding to coffee or cigarettes provided by the wagon service may be input from the input means. Then, after the input of the number of game media is completed, when the identification tag identifies the identification code of the IC tag when the IC tag for the wagon service mode is communicated close to the communication means and the identification means identifies the identification code of the IC tag, Performs the withdrawal process by reducing the number of game media input by the input means from the information on the number of game media. Thus, the process of deducting the number of game media used in the wagon service from the number of game media corresponding to the information related to the number of game media managed by the game media number information management unit is merely made to communicate the IC tag for wagon service with the communication means. Therefore, the withdrawal process can be performed easily and reliably.

  Further, the information processing apparatus further includes a transmission unit that transmits information on the wagon service in the wagon service mode to a management device that is communicably connected to the game medium lending machine, and the transmission unit includes, after the withdrawal process, Information on the wagon service is preferably transmitted to the management device.

  According to this configuration, the information related to the wagon service in the wagon service mode is transmitted from the game medium lending machine to the management device by the transmission means after the withdrawal process. Thereby, since the operation | movement which transmits the information regarding a wagon service in a wagon service to a management apparatus can be performed collectively, the transmission of the information regarding a wagon service can be performed reliably in a short time.

  Furthermore, when the mode selected by the control means is a maintenance mode including an operation that requires authentication of an employee in the game hall, the communication means, after finishing the operation in the maintenance mode, Preferably, the control unit communicates with the IC tag, and the control unit cancels the maintenance mode when the identification unit identifies the identification code of the IC tag.

  According to this configuration, when the control means selects a maintenance mode including an operation that requires authentication of employees in the game hall as a mode other than the wagon service mode, the mode is switched using the IC tag for the maintenance mode. Can be easily performed. For example, when the IC tag for maintenance mode is brought close to a communicable distance to the communication means, the control means obtains the identification code stored in the IC tag for maintenance mode, so that the control means has a plurality of modes. The maintenance mode corresponding to the identification code identified by the identification means can be selected to control the execution. When the communication unit communicates with the maintenance mode IC tag after the maintenance mode operation is completed and the identification unit identifies the identification code, the maintenance mode is canceled by the control unit and the normal operation is resumed. Can do.

  The service providing system of the present invention includes the game medium lending machine and a plurality of IC tags that store identification codes respectively corresponding to predetermined modes to be executed by the game medium lending machine. .

  According to this configuration, there are a plurality of IC tags each storing an identification code corresponding to a predetermined mode to be executed by the game medium lending machine, and an employee of the game hall can select an IC tag for a predetermined mode according to the purpose. You can have at least one. When an employee wants to select and execute a certain mode from a plurality of modes for the game medium lending machine, the IC tag corresponding to the predetermined mode possessed by the employee can be brought close to a communicable distance to the communication means. Good. At this time, the communication means obtains the identification code stored in the IC tag, so that the control means selects a mode corresponding to the identification code identified by the identification means from a plurality of modes, and the game medium lending machine selects the mode. Can be controlled to run. This makes it possible to construct a simple system that can execute a plurality of modes. In addition, the mode can be easily switched by communicating the IC tag corresponding to the predetermined mode with the communication means.

  The service providing system of the present invention includes a plurality of the game medium lending machines, a plurality of IC tags for storing codes corresponding to predetermined modes to be executed by the game medium lending machines, and the game media. And a management device that receives information on the wagon service from the transmission unit of the lending machine and manages the information on the wagon service.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to construct a simple system capable of executing a plurality of modes including a wagon service mode in a system including a game medium lending machine capable of executing a wagon service mode, and further, a predetermined mode. It is possible to easily switch the mode by causing the IC tag corresponding to 1 to communicate with the communication means. In addition, information on the wagon service in the wagon service mode executed in each game medium lending machine is transmitted from the game medium lending machine to the management device by the transmission means after the withdrawal process, and information on the wagon service is transmitted to the management device. Since the operations can be performed in a lump, transmission of information on the wagon service can be performed reliably in a short time. Furthermore, in the management device connected to be able to communicate with the game medium lending machine, it is possible to collectively manage information regarding the wagon services of the plurality of game medium lending machines.

  Since the IC tag for the wagon service is used by being distributed to a plurality of employees, each IC tag is preferably given a unique serial number.

  As described above, according to the game medium lending machine and service providing system of the present invention, a simple system capable of executing a plurality of modes can be constructed. In addition, the mode can be easily switched by causing the IC tag corresponding to the predetermined mode to communicate with the communication means.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a service providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the ball lending machine of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the ball lending machine of FIG. It is a flowchart of the mode selection program of the ball lending machine of FIG. It is a flowchart of the program for performing the wagon service mode of the ball lending machine of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the lower half of the ball lending machine in FIG. 2, showing a state in which an IC tag for a wagon service is brought close to an IC tag touch part. It is an enlarged front view of the input key and display panel vicinity of the ball lending machine of FIG. It is an enlarged front view which shows the example of a display of the display panel in the wagon service mode of the ball lending machine of FIG. (A)-(d) is an enlarged front view which shows the mode of a display change of the display panel in the wagon service mode of the ball lending machine of FIG. It is a flowchart of the program for performing the maintenance mode of the ball lending machine of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which put the IC tag for maintenance in the IC tag touch part in the ball lending machine of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the visitor card accommodation mechanism built in the ball lending machine of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the card storage operation | movement in the visitor card storage mechanism of FIG. (A)-(b) is sectional drawing which shows the card | curd delivery operation | movement in the visitor card storage mechanism of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the card | curd feeding operation | movement in the visitor card storage mechanism of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a service providing system 100 including a ball lending machine 1 according to an embodiment of a game medium lending machine and a service providing system using the same of the present invention is configured as follows.

  A service providing system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of ball lending machines 1, a management device 2, a plurality of island edge boxes 3, a plurality of management personal computers (hereinafter referred to as management PCs) 4, and a card reader / writer. (Hereinafter referred to as a card RW) 5. Furthermore, this system includes at least one settlement machine 6, a plurality of medal lending machines 7, and a plurality of IC tags 61 and 62 as other components.

  The plurality of ball lending machines 1 are respectively arranged between a plurality of pachinko gaming machines arranged side by side in an island shape in the game hall. Each ball lending machine 1 is connected to the management device 2 via an island edge box 3 provided at the end of the island of the pachinko gaming machine. Information such as sales information and ball number information of the ball lending machine 1 is transmitted to the management device 2.

  Sales information of all ball lending machines 1 and medal lending machines 7 in the amusement hall is transmitted to the hall computer system 12 outside the amusement hall via a relay machine (not shown), and the place outside the management of the amusement hall Managed by. The management device 2 is installed at a place inside the game hall. Further, the management device 2 has a deposit storage unit 2a for storing information on the amount deposited on the member card of the player who has registered as a member, and a possession storage unit 2b for storing the possession information stored in the member card. Have

  The management PC 4 is a computer that can display and authorize menus and various information processed by the management device 2 in the store of the game hall.

  The IC tag 61 for the wagon service stores an identification code corresponding to the wagon service mode of the ball lending machine 1. Further, the maintenance mode IC tag 62 stores an identification code corresponding to the maintenance mode of the ball lending machine 1.

  Further, the management device 2 includes a LAN of a system different from the communication line connected to the island box 3, a sand gateway 8, a store server (hereinafter referred to as a store SV) 9, and an office personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a store computer). , Called office PC). The shop SV9 has a storage ball storage unit 9a and a receipt storage unit 9b.

  Furthermore, a POS adapter 11 and a hall computer system (hereinafter referred to as a hall computer system) 12 are connected to the management apparatus 2 through another LAN system. The POS adapter 11 is used for collecting balls and collecting cards.

  As for the medal lending machine 7, as in the above-described ball lending machine 1, information such as sales information and medal number information in the service providing system is managed by the management device 2.

  Next, the configuration of the ball lending machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  A ball lending machine 1 shown in FIG. 2 is a machine that lends balls, which are game media for pachinko gaming, installed in a narrow space between adjacent pachinko gaming machines, and is called a so-called sand. On the front surface of the ball lending machine 1, a bill insertion slot 21, a payout button 22, a display panel 37, an input key 33, a ball payout nozzle 23, a card insertion slot 24, and an IC tag touch portion 25 are mainly provided. Further, a counting tray 26 is detachably connected near the lower end of the front surface of the ball lending machine 1. Further, on the front surface of the ball lending machine 1, a status display lamp 39, a deposit enable lamp 40, and a card status display lamp 41 are provided as a group of lamps.

  The counting tray 26 is a tray that receives pachinko balls discharged from the pachinko gaming machine. When the pachinko balls received on the measuring tray 26 are returned to a ball collecting device (not shown), the number of balls is measured by a counting unit 35 described later.

  The circuit configuration of the ball lending machine 1 is as shown in FIG. First, the ball lending machine 1 includes a card reader / writer (hereinafter referred to as a card RW) 31, a bill reading unit 32, an input key 33, an IC tag communication unit 34, and a counting unit 35 as input units. These are connected to a control computer 50 that controls the operation of the ball lending machine 1 as a whole.

  Further, the ball lending machine 1 includes a ball payout unit 36, a display panel 37, a transmission unit 38, a status display lamp 39, a deposit enable lamp 40, and a card status display lamp 41 as output units. .

  The card RW31 reads the possession information which is one aspect of the game value and the game frequency of the game medium stored in the member card 63 or the visitor card 64 (see FIG. 11) inserted from the card insertion slot 24, Write the ball information on the card. The card RW 31 reads a member identification code and deposit information from the member card 63. The information read by the card RW31 is transmitted to the control computer 50. Further, the card RW 31 can write the updated possession information generated by the control computer 50 into the member card 63 or the visitor card 64.

  The bill reading unit 32 reads a bill inserted from the bill insertion slot 21 and transmits money amount information related to the amount corresponding to the read bill to the control computer 50.

  The input key 33 is used for inputting the number of balls to be paid out or inputting a password for a membership number. Furthermore, the input key 33 of the present embodiment is used as an operation key when executing a wagon service mode and a maintenance mode described later. For example, when receiving a service provided by a wagon service, the input key 33 is pressed to input the number of balls, which is the number of game media corresponding to the prize. The input key 33 is also operated when the employee performs a predetermined operation for the maintenance operation in the maintenance mode.

  The input key 33 shown in FIG. 7 starts a numeric keypad 37 for inputting numbers from 0 to 9, a confirmation key 33b for confirming key input, a cancel key 33c for canceling key input, and a ball dispensing operation. And a payout key 33d.

  The IC tag communication unit 34 includes an IC tag touch portion 25 provided on the front surface of the ball lending machine 1, and the wagon service IC tag 61 (see FIG. 6) or maintenance mode that is in contact with or close to the IC tag touch portion 25. It communicates with the IC tag 62 for use (see FIG. 11) to obtain the identification code stored in the IC tags 61 and 62. Information about the obtained identification code is transmitted to the control computer 50.

  The counting unit 35 measures the number of pachinko balls when the pachinko balls inside the counting tray 26 return to the ball collecting device. The measured ball number information is sent to the control computer 50. The counting unit 35 includes a number-of-hands display unit 35a. The number of possessed balls display part 35a displays the current number of possessed balls.

  The ball dispensing unit 36 dispenses pachinko balls via the ball dispensing nozzle 23 within the current number of balls in accordance with the number of balls desired to be dispensed input by the input key 33.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the display panel 37 has a two-stage display unit capable of displaying a number of digits that can display numbers or English characters, that is, an upper display unit 37 a and a lower display unit 37 b. In the normal operation, the upper display unit 37a displays the balance amount corresponding to the deposit information remaining on the ball lending machine 1 or the membership card. Further, the lower display unit 37b displays the number of stored balls corresponding to the ball information remaining on the ball lending machine 1 or the member card in a normal operation. Further, during a wagon service mode and a maintenance mode, which will be described later, the display panel 37 performs various displays according to those modes.

  The transmission unit 38 transmits the sales information of the ball lending machine 1 to the management device 2. Further, when a member card is inserted into the card insertion slot 24 of the ball lending machine 1, the transmitting unit 38 transmits the member card identification code to the management device 2. The management device 2 manages information such as possession balls and deposits of individual members for each identification code.

  The state display lamp 39 performs various displays to indicate the operation state of the ball lending machine 1. For example, when the ball lending machine 1 shifts to the maintenance mode, the status display lamp 39 repeatedly displays three colors of red, green, and blue. In accordance with this, the input key 33 may also blink.

  The deposit enabling lamp 40 is a lamp for informing the banknote insertion slot 21 of the ball lending machine 1 whether or not depositing is possible.

  The card status display lamp 41 is a lamp for notifying that a member card 63 or a visitor card 64 is inserted from the card insertion slot 24 of the ball lending machine 1.

  The control computer 50 is a computer that controls the overall operation of the ball lending machine 1. Specifically, the control computer 50 includes a ball management unit 51, a ball withdrawal unit 52, an identification unit 53, a service mode control unit 54, and a maintenance mode control unit 55.

  The possession management unit 51 manages possession information in the ball lending machine 1. The possession management unit 51 changes the possession information so as to increase the possession according to the money amount information transmitted from the bill reading unit 32.

  The ball withdrawal unit 52 performs a process of withdrawing the number of possessions from the possession information of the possession management unit 51 when the ball dispensing unit 36 pays out a ball or purchases a prize in the wagon service mode.

  The identification unit 53 identifies the identification codes of the IC tags 61 and 62 obtained by the IC tag communication unit 34.

  The mode control unit 54 can execute a plurality of modes, and performs control to select and execute a predetermined mode corresponding to the identification code of the IC tag identified by the identification unit 53. The mode control unit 54 includes a mode selection unit 55a and a mode execution unit 55b. The mode selection unit 55a selects a mode corresponding to the identification code of the IC tag identified by the identification unit 53 from a plurality of modes. The mode selection unit 55a according to the present embodiment selects one of a wagon service mode and a maintenance mode, which will be described later. The mode execution unit 55b controls the ball lending machine 1 to execute the wagon service mode or the maintenance mode selected by the mode selection unit 55a.

  Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 4, a mode selection procedure for selecting a mode from the wagon service mode and the maintenance mode in the ball lending machine 1 of this embodiment will be described.

  First, in step S1, the IC tags 61 and 62 held by the game hall employees are brought into contact with or brought close to the IC tag touch portion 25 on the front surface of the ball lending machine 1, and the IC tag communication unit 34 stores the identification code stored in the IC tag. Read.

  Next, in the control computer 50, the identification unit 53 identifies the identification code read by the IC tag communication unit 34, and the mode selection unit 55a of the mode control unit 54 sets the mode corresponding to the identification code to the wagon service mode or Select from any one of the maintenance modes.

  Specifically, first, in step S2, the identification unit 53 determines whether the identification code is a code corresponding to the wagon service mode. If the code corresponds to the wagon service mode, in step S4, in the mode control unit 54, the ball lending machine 1 so that the mode selection unit 55a selects the wagon service mode and the mode execution unit 55b executes the wagon service mode. To control.

  If the identification code is not a code corresponding to the wagon service mode, in step S3, the identification unit 53 determines whether the identification code is a code corresponding to the maintenance mode. If it is a code corresponding to the maintenance mode, in step S5, the mode control unit 54 controls the ball lending machine 1 so as to select the maintenance mode and execute the maintenance mode.

  Further, if the identification code is not a code corresponding to the maintenance mode, the process returns to step S1 and the above steps S1 to S3 are repeated.

  By performing such mode switching control, it is possible to construct a simple system capable of executing a plurality of modes including the wagon service mode, and the IC tags 61 and 62 corresponding to a predetermined mode can be installed. By communicating with the communication means, it becomes possible to easily set a predetermined mode.

(Description of wagon service mode)
Next, the procedure of the wagon service mode in the ball lending machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, the wagon service mode of the present invention means an operation mode of the ball lending machine 1 that accepts an operation necessary for the wagon service when an employee in the game hall provides the player with the wagon service.

  First of all, employees who provide the wagon service go around the amusement hall together with the wagon carrying the products to be serviced. When a player wants to receive a wagon service (for example, when he wants hot coffee, etc.), the player stops the employee and declares that he wants to receive the wagon service.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the employee who performs the wagon service uses the wagon service IC tag 61 held by the employee to the front of the ball lending machine 1 in which the player's possession information is managed. If the IC tag touch location 25 is touched, the ball lending machine 1 is shifted to the wagon service mode according to the flowchart of FIG. 4 described above.

  In the wagon service mode, as shown in FIG. 5, first, in step S <b> 11, the player inputs the number of balls corresponding to the service desired to be provided by the wagon service from the numeric keypad 33 a of the input key 33. For example, when ordering hot coffee, the player inputs the number of balls corresponding to the hot coffee (for example, 100) as “100” using the numeric keypad 33a. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, “100” is displayed on the upper display portion 37 a of the display panel 37.

  After the input of the numeric keypad 33a, the player inputs a confirmation signal with the confirmation key 33b of the input key 33 in step S12. At this time, from the state where “100” is displayed on the upper display portion 37a of the display panel 37 shown in FIG. 9A by the input by the enter key 33b, the lower display portion 37b shown in FIG. The state shifts to a state in which “100” is displayed.

  Next, in step S13, the control computer 50 continues to wait for an additional input of the numeric keypad 33a until the wagon service IC tag 61 is touched. At this time, if further purchase of a free gift is desired, additional input is further made using the numeric keypad 33a and input is made using the confirmation key 33b.

  For example, when further ordering of homemade cookies is desired, the number of balls corresponding to the homemade cookies (for example, 200) is additionally input as “200” using the numeric keypad 33a. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9C, the lower display portion 37b of the display panel 37 still retains the previously input “100” display, and the upper display portion 37a has “200”. Is displayed. Then, by inputting a confirmation signal with the confirmation key 33b, as shown in FIG. 9 (d), the lower display section 37b displays “300” to indicate that the total number of balls has reached 300. Transition to the state.

  If the total number of balls exceeds the current number of balls in the ball lending machine 1, the input is canceled even if the number of balls is input from the numeric keypad 33a and the enter key 33b is pressed.

  Next, in step S14, after confirming that the player has ordered all prizes to be purchased from the player, the employee touches the IC tag touch location 25 with the IC tag 61 for wagon service.

  Then, in step S15, the holding ball withdrawal unit 52 of the control computer 50 counts the total number of balls (for example, the figure) input from the number of balls corresponding to the ball information managed by the ball management unit 51 using the numeric keypad 33a. 9 (d) is 300).

  Thereafter, in step S <b> 16, the control computer 50 controls the transmission unit 38 to transmit information related to the wagon service (for example, sales information after withdrawal) to the management device 2. The number of possessed balls after the withdrawal process is displayed on the possessed ball number display part 35a.

  If the IC tag 61 for wagon service 61 is not touched to the IC tag touch location 25 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the last input by the confirmation key 33b, the control computer 50 causes the wagon service mode to be forcibly terminated. Control.

  Also, information (wagon information) related to the wagon service regarding the history of the wagon service mode is managed by the management device 2 in the game hall. The wagon information includes, for example, the use time of the wagon service, the machine number of the ball lending machine 1, the floor number of the floor where the ball lending machine 1 is installed, and the island number of the amusement island where the ball lending machine 1 is installed. The serial number of the IC tag 61 for the wagon service is included. Since the wagon service IC tag 61 is distributed to a plurality of employees and used, each IC tag 61 is given a unique serial number.

  The management PC 4 can display and print daily wagon information and monthly wagon information. For example, the management PC 4 uses the wagon information stored in the management device 2 to calculate the total wagon service data in the game hall on the day of the game hall (from the opening to the current time) or on the specified date, and the wagon for each ball lending machine 1. The service data is displayed on the monitor screen of the management PC 4 or printed by an attached printer.

(Description of maintenance mode)
Next, the procedure of the maintenance mode in the ball lending machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Here, the maintenance mode of the present invention means an operation mode of the game medium lending machine including an operation that requires employee authentication. For example, the maintenance mode in the present embodiment includes various operation modes of the ball lending machine 1, and starts a break mode, ends a break mode, displays a payment history, forcibly returns a card, refills a visitor card, etc. Operation modes are included.

  First, among the employees in the amusement hall, at least one employee in charge of the hall staff puts the ball lending machine 1 into a maintenance mode including an operation that requires authentication of the employee among the operations of the ball lending machine 1. In order to shift, the maintenance mode IC tag 62 is possessed. As shown in FIG. 11, when the employee touches the IC tag touch location 25 on the front surface of the predetermined ball lending machine 1 in response to an in-store call from a player or the like, The lending machine 1 is shifted to the maintenance mode in accordance with the flowchart of FIG.

  In the maintenance mode of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, first, in step S21, the control computer 50 puts the ball lending machine 1 into a state where a visitor card can be replenished. Thereby, replenishment of a visitor card can be received at any time. Further, the display panel 37 displays the number of visitor cards 64 accommodated in the ball lending machine 1.

  In step S22, the employee performs input using the input key 33 in order to select an operation mode to be executed among the maintenance modes. For example, the number corresponding to the operation mode to be executed is input from the numeric keypad 33a.

  Next, in step S23, an operation mode corresponding to the input by the input key 33 is selected. For example, when a number corresponding to an operation mode to be executed from the numeric keypad 33a, for example, a number corresponding to a break mode start or a deposit history display, is entered, a break mode start or a deposit history display is selected. When the cancel key 33b is pressed during the break mode, the end of the break mode is selected. When the payout key 33d is pressed, forced card return is selected. When there is no input by the input key 33, visitor card supplementation is selected.

  After that, one of the operation modes of steps S24 to S28 is executed.

  After the operation mode of any one of the above steps S24 to S28 is executed, in step S30, when the employee contacts or approaches the IC tag touch portion 25 on the front surface of the ball lending machine 1 with the maintenance mode IC tag 62, the IC tag The communication unit 34 reads the identification code stored in the IC tag.

  Next, when the identification unit 53 of the control computer 50 determines that the identification code read by the IC tag communication unit 34 is a code corresponding to the maintenance mode, the control computer 50 ends the maintenance mode of the ball lending machine 1. The ball lending machine 1 is returned to the normal operation. On the other hand, when the code does not correspond to the maintenance mode, the process returns to step S22 and waits for input by the input key 33.

Next, specific examples of each operation mode in the maintenance mode will be described.
<Start break mode>
The break mode start operation mode is an operation mode that locks the ball lending machine 1 so that a third party cannot operate the ball lending machine 1 when the player leaves the seat for a long time due to a break or the like. At this time, the contents to be locked are operations such as banknote depositing, card insertion, and operation of the input key 33.

  First, as shown in FIG. 11, the employee who starts the break mode uses the maintenance mode IC tag 62 held by the employee in front of the ball lending machine 1 in which the player's possession information is managed. If the IC tag touch location 25 is touched, the ball lending machine 1 is shifted to the maintenance mode in accordance with the flowchart of FIG. 4 described above.

Next, the employee inputs, for example, “04” as the number corresponding to the operation mode of the break mode start using the numeric keypad 33a, and presses the enter key 33b. At this time, a predetermined break time (for example, 60 minutes) preset by the game hall management PC 4 is displayed on the display panel 37, and is displayed by being counted down every minute. When the predetermined break time is exceeded, the countdown is continued with a minus display.
<End break mode>
When ending the break mode, the employee first touches the IC tag touch location 25 with the IC tag 62 for maintenance mode to shift the ball lending machine 1 to the maintenance mode.

  After that, when the cancel key 33c of the input key 33 is pressed, the break mode end operation is executed. Thereby, break mode is complete | finished and the lock | rock of the ball lending machine 1 at the time of break mode is cancelled | released.

Finally, once the maintenance mode IC tag 62 is touched to the IC tag touch location 25, the maintenance mode can be terminated.
<Deposit history display>
The operation mode of the deposit history display is a mode for displaying the amount of money deposited last in the ball lending machine 1. This is to reduce trouble that occurs when the player deposits money into the ball lending machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the employee who performs the payment history display first places the IC tag 62 for maintenance mode held by the employee on the IC tag touch location on the front surface of the ball lending machine 1 into which the player has inserted banknotes. If 25 is touched, the ball lending machine 1 is shifted to the maintenance mode in accordance with the flowchart of FIG. 4 described above.

  Next, the employee inputs, for example, “05” as the number corresponding to the operation mode using the numeric keypad 33a, and presses the enter key 33b. At this time, the display panel 37 displays the amount of money (for example, 10,000 yen) that has been deposited last in the ball lending machine 1.

Finally, once the maintenance mode IC tag 62 is touched to the IC tag touch location 25, the maintenance mode can be terminated.
<Forced return of card>
As shown in FIG. 11, a member card 63 and a visitor card 64 can be inserted into the card insertion slot 24 of the ball lending machine 1 to lend balls. Here, communication is established between the ball lending machine 1 and the management device 2 when the player makes a mistake in entering the personal identification number of the member card 63b, when an error occurs in the ball lending machine 1 or the like. When the offline mode is not set, the membership card 63 and the visitor card 64 may not be returned by a normal operation. In such a case, the employee performs a card forced return operation.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the employee who forcibly returns the card firstly has a maintenance mode IC tag 62 possessed by the employee, and the ball lending machine 1 in which the player has inserted the membership card 63 or the visitor card 64. If the IC tag touch location 25 on the front side of the ball is touched, the ball lending machine 1 is shifted to the maintenance mode according to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, when the employee presses the payout key 33d, the operation mode of forced card return is executed. That is, the membership card 63 or the visitor card 64 is discharged from the card insertion slot 24 to the outside of the ball lending machine 1 and is forcibly returned.

Finally, once the maintenance mode IC tag 62 is touched to the IC tag touch location 25, the maintenance mode can be terminated.
<Refilling visitor card>
When a player uses a pachinko gaming machine and a ball lending machine 1 without using a membership card, the ball lending machine 1 uses the information on the number of balls to be paid when paying out the possession and exchanging prizes or moving the game machine. Is written on the visitor card 64 and discharged outside the ball lending machine 1. The player can use the visitor card 64 to exchange prizes or move the game table. When a so-called visitor player who does not use such a membership card frequently exchanges prizes or moves the game table using the visitor card 64, the visitor card 64 accommodated in the ball lending machine 1 decreases, It is necessary to replenish the visitor card 64 to the ball lending machine 1.

  Therefore, an employee of the game hall replenishes the visitor card 64 when the visitor card 64 accommodated in the ball lending machine 1 becomes small or disappears.

  In the ball lending machine 1 of the present embodiment, when there is no visitor card, the status display lamp 39 is lit in yellow and the card status lamp 41 is lit to indicate that the visitor card 64 is not stored. Inform employees who are traveling around the hall. Employees replenish visitor cards as follows:

  As shown in FIG. 11, the employee who is replenishing the visitor card first turns on the maintenance mode IC tag 62 held by the employee with the status display lamp 39 and the card status lamp 41 turned on as described above. If the IC tag touch location 25 on the front of the ball lending machine 1 is touched, the ball lending machine 1 is shifted to the maintenance mode according to the flowchart of FIG. 4 described above.

  Next, the employee inserts the visitor cards 64 in an initialized state in which the balance of the deposit information and the number of possessions of the possession information are not stored one by one from the card insertion slot 24, and thereby the ball lending machine 1. Replenish the visitor card 64. At this time, since the number of visitor cards 64 accommodated in the ball lending machine 1 is displayed on the display panel 37, if the visitor card 64 is replenished until the predetermined number is reached while checking the display. Good.

  Finally, once the maintenance mode IC tag 62 is touched to the IC tag touch location 25, the maintenance mode can be terminated.

  The card storage mechanism 70 in which the visitor card 64 is stored has the following structure as shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the card storage mechanism 70 includes a card reading / writing position stop unit (hereinafter referred to as a card RW stop unit) 71 and a card storage unit 72 that stores the visitor card 64. The card storage mechanism 70 is arranged in a vertically long position behind the card insertion slot 24 of the ball lending machine 1 so that the vertical direction in FIG.

  The card RW stop unit 71 stops the membership card 63 or the visitor card 64 inserted from the card insertion slot 24 at predetermined reading and writing positions. The membership card 63 or the visitor card 64 stopped in the card RW stop unit 71 is read by the card RW 31 for the possession information and the deposit information, or the information is written to the cards 63 and 64. The card RW stop unit 71 includes a guide unit 73 that extends from the card insertion slot 24 to the back of the ball lending machine 1 and a plurality of sets of rollers 74 that are disposed opposite to the left and right of the guide unit 73. The rollers 74 are driven to rotate in both forward and reverse directions by a motor (not shown). The member card 63 or the visitor card 64 guided by the guide unit 73 is stopped at a predetermined reading and writing position by a plurality of sets of rollers 74. Since the guide portion 73 is partially cut out at the portion sandwiched between the left and right rollers 74, both sides of the cards 63 and 64 can be sandwiched between the rollers 74.

  The card storage unit 72 includes a kick roller 75, a push lever 76, a push plate 77, a pair of springs 78, and a casing 81.

  The casing 81 partially includes a portion 73a in which the guide portion 73 is extended. The casing 81 is formed with a slit 80 through which the visitor card 64 enters and exits the space 79 inside thereof.

  The kicking roller 75 is arranged in a state where it is partially inserted into an opening 73b that is partially cut out of a portion 73a in which the guide portion 73 is extended.

  The push lever 76 is provided so as to be swingable along a portion 73a where the guide portion 73 is extended. The push lever 76 is driven to swing by a solenoid (not shown). The front end 76a of the push lever 76 can be moved in and out of the casing 81 through the opening 73b of the portion 73a where the guide portion 73 is extended.

  The push plate 77 is movably accommodated in a space 79 inside the casing 81 so that the distance from the guide 73 can be changed. The visitor card 64 inserted into the space 79 of the casing 81 through the slit 80 is stored side by side between the push plate 77 and the portion 73a where the guide 73 is extended.

  The springs 78 are disposed at two locations near and far from the slit 80 of the push plate 77, and urge the push plate 77 toward the portion 73a where the guide portion 73 is extended.

  In the card storage mechanism 70 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 12, the visitor card 64 stored inside the casing 81 is always pressed against the kicking roller 75 by the pressing plate 77. .

  When the visitor card 64 is stored in the casing 81, first, as shown in FIG. 13, the push lever 76 is driven to swing toward the push plate 77, and the guide card 73 moves the stored visitor card 64. Pushing away from the extended portion 73a. Thereby, the stored visitor card 64 can be separated from the vicinity of the slit 80.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13, the roller 64 is driven, and the visitor card 64 stopped at the card RW stop portion 71 is inserted into the casing 81 through the slit 80.

  When the tip of the visitor card 64 is inserted into the casing 81 and comes to the front of the push lever 76, the pushing operation by the push lever 76 is released, and the visitor housed in the casing 81 by the elastic force of the spring 78 is released. The card 64 and the push plate 77 are pushed back toward the portion 73a where the guide portion 73 is extended.

  Finally, if the visitor card 64 is conveyed to the back of the casing 81 by the roller 74 and the kicking roller 75, the storage operation of the visitor card 64 is completed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, when one visitor card 64 is fed out from the casing 81, first, one visitor card 64 is formed from the slit 80 using a kick roller 75 and a roller 74 close to the slit 80. To the outside of the casing 81.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 15, immediately before the rear end of the visitor card 64 going out from the slit 80 passes through the kicking roller 75, the push lever 76 is driven so that the second and subsequent visitor cards 64. Is pushed away from the portion 73 a where the guide portion 73 is extended to be separated from the kicking roller 75. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the second visitor card 64 from being repeatedly fed out by the kicking roller 75.

(Features of this embodiment)
The ball lending machine 1 of the present embodiment communicates with IC tags 61 and 62 possessed by employees in the game hall, and obtains an identification code stored in the IC tags 61 and 62. 34, an identification unit 53 for identifying the identification code of the IC tags 61 and 62, a plurality of modes, and a predetermined code corresponding to the identification code of the IC tag 61 and 62 identified by the identification unit 53 The mode control unit 54 performs control to select and execute the mode. With this configuration, when an employee in the amusement hall wants the ball lending machine 1 to select and execute a certain mode from a plurality of modes, the IC tags 61 and 62 corresponding to the predetermined mode possessed by the employee are set to the IC. The tag communication unit 34 is brought close to a communicable distance. At this time, the IC tag communication unit 34 obtains the identification code stored in the IC tags 61 and 62, and the mode control unit 54 selects a mode corresponding to the identification code identified by the identification unit 53 from a plurality of modes. The ball lending machine 1 can be controlled to execute in that mode. This makes it possible to construct a simple system that can execute a plurality of modes. In addition, the mode switching can be easily performed by causing the IC tags 61 and 62 corresponding to the predetermined mode to communicate with the IC tag communication unit 34.

  For example, in this embodiment, when an employee in charge of the wagon service wants the ball lending machine 1 to select and execute the wagon service mode, the employee sets the IC tag 61 for the wagon service mode to the IC tag communication unit. 34 may be brought close to a communicable distance. At this time, the IC tag communication unit 34 obtains the identification code stored in the IC tag 61 for the wagon service mode, so that the mode control unit 54 corresponds to the identification code identified by the identification unit 53 from a plurality of modes. It is possible to control the ball lending machine 1 to execute in the wagon service mode by selecting the wagon service mode to be performed. Similarly, when an employee such as a hall staff in charge of maintenance brings the IC tag 62 for maintenance mode close to the IC tag communication unit 34, the mode control unit 54 selects the maintenance mode and controls execution. Can do. This makes it possible to construct a simple system capable of executing a plurality of modes including the wagon service mode, and to make the IC tags 61 and 62 corresponding to the predetermined mode communicate with the IC tag communication unit 34. Thus, the mode can be easily switched.

  In the ball lending machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the mode control unit 54 selects the wagon service mode, the player can select the number of balls corresponding to a predetermined wagon service desired to be purchased from the input key 33. Can be entered. For example, the number of balls corresponding to coffee or cigarette provided by the wagon service may be input from the input key 33. After completing the input of the number of balls, when the identification tag 53 identifies the identification code of the IC tag 61 by communicating the IC tag 61 for the wagon service mode close to the IC tag communication section 34 and communicating. The ball withdrawal unit 52 performs a withdrawal process by reducing the number of balls input by the input key 33 from the number of balls corresponding to the possessed ball information. As a result, the process of withdrawing the number of balls used in the wagon service from the possession information managed by the possession management unit 51 can be performed in a lump by simply communicating the wagon service IC tag 61 with the IC tag communication unit 34. Therefore, the withdrawal process can be performed easily and reliably.

  Further, in the ball lending machine 1 according to the present embodiment, information on the wagon service in the wagon service mode is transmitted from the ball lending machine 1 to the management device 2 by the transmitting unit 38 after the withdrawal process. Thereby, since the operation | movement which transmits the information regarding a wagon service to the management apparatus 2 can be performed collectively, the transmission of the information regarding a wagon service can be performed reliably in a short time.

  Furthermore, in the ball lending machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the mode control unit 54 selects a maintenance mode including an operation that requires authentication of employees in the game hall as a mode other than the wagon service mode, the maintenance mode The mode can be easily switched using the IC tag 62 for use. For example, when the maintenance mode IC tag 62 is brought close to a communicable distance to the IC tag communication unit 34, the IC tag communication unit 34 obtains the identification code stored in the maintenance mode IC tag 62. Thus, the mode control unit 54 can control the execution by selecting a maintenance mode corresponding to the identification code identified by the identification unit 53 from a plurality of modes. After the maintenance mode operation is completed, when the IC tag communication unit 34 communicates with the maintenance mode IC tag 62 and the identification unit 53 identifies the identification code, the mode control unit 54 releases the maintenance mode. Can return to normal operation.

  In addition, the service providing system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a ball lending machine 1 according to the present embodiment and a plurality of IC tags 61 and 62 that store identification codes respectively corresponding to predetermined modes to be executed by the ball lending machine 1. And. According to this configuration, there are a plurality of IC tags 61 and 62 for storing identification codes respectively corresponding to the predetermined modes to be executed by the ball lending machine 1, and the employees of the game hall can use the predetermined modes according to the purpose. At least one IC tag 61, 62 can be possessed. When the employee wants the ball lending machine 1 to select and execute a mode from a plurality of modes, the IC tag communication unit 34 can communicate with the IC tags 61 and 62 corresponding to the predetermined mode possessed by the employee. It is only necessary to bring it close to a certain distance. At this time, the IC tag communication unit 34 obtains the identification code stored in the IC tags 61 and 62, and the mode control unit 54 selects a mode corresponding to the identification code identified by the identification unit 53 from a plurality of modes. The ball lending machine 1 can be controlled to execute in that mode. This makes it possible to construct a simple system that can execute a plurality of modes. In addition, the mode switching can be easily performed by causing the IC tags 61 and 62 corresponding to the predetermined mode to communicate with the IC tag communication unit 34.

  Moreover, each IC tag 61 and 62 is only a trigger for causing the ball lending machine 1 to execute only a predetermined mode, and cannot execute other modes. Therefore, if the employee possesses the IC tags 61 and 62 corresponding to the mode corresponding to each business person in charge, the management of the IC tags 61 and 62 on the game hall side can be facilitated and unauthorized use can be prevented. . For example, an employee in charge of a wagon service has an IC tag 61 for a wagon service mode, and an employee such as a hall staff who performs maintenance of the ball lending machine 1 has an IC tag 62 for a maintenance mode. If the individual staff possesses the tags 61 and 62 according to the application, the unauthorized use of the IC tags 61 and 62 can be prevented.

  Furthermore, in the system including the ball lending machine 1 capable of executing the wagon service mode, the service providing system 100 according to the present embodiment can construct a simple system capable of executing a plurality of modes including the wagon service mode. In addition, the mode switching can be easily performed by causing the IC tags 61 and 62 corresponding to the predetermined mode to communicate with the IC tag communication unit 34. Further, the information regarding the wagon service in the wagon service mode executed in each ball lending machine 1 is transmitted from the ball lending machine 1 to the management device 2 by the transmitting unit 38 after the withdrawal process, and the information regarding the wagon service is managed by the management device 2. As a result, the information regarding the wagon service can be reliably transmitted in a short time. Furthermore, in the management device 2 that is communicably connected to the ball lending machine 1, it is possible to collectively manage information related to the wagon services of the plurality of ball lending machines 1.

(Modification of this embodiment)
In the above embodiment, the ball lending machine 1 has been described as an example of the game medium lending machine of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a medal as an example of the game medium is used. The present invention can also be applied to the rented medal lending machine 7. Also in this case, the medal lending machine 7 communicates with the IC tag to obtain the identification code stored in the IC tag and the identification of the IC tag as in the above embodiment. An identification unit 53 for identifying a code, and a mode control unit capable of executing a plurality of modes and performing control for selecting and executing a predetermined mode corresponding to the identification code of the IC tag identified by the identification unit 53 If 54 is provided, a simple system capable of executing a plurality of modes can be constructed. In addition, the mode can be easily switched by causing the IC tag corresponding to the predetermined mode to communicate with the communication means.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation mode (such as the break mode start) in which the employee in the game hall such as the hall staff operates the ball lending machine 1 is described as an example of the maintenance mode. The present invention is not limited, and can be applied to various maintenance modes including operations requiring authentication of employees in the game hall. For example, as another maintenance mode, an IC tag for opening / closing a safe possessed by the administrator is used in order for a manager who manages the game hall to take out banknotes stored in a banknote storage safe of the ball lending machine 1. The operation mode for unlocking the safe is also included in the maintenance mode of the present invention. In this case, the safe of the ball lending machine 1 cannot be unlocked by the IC tag possessed by the hall staff or the staff of the wagon service, but the safe can be unlocked only by the IC tag for opening and closing the safe possessed by the administrator. Thereby, security can be improved with a simple system.

1 ball lending machine (game media lending machine)
2 management device 33 input key 34 IC tag communication unit 37 display panel 38 transmission unit 50 control computer 51 holding ball management unit 52 holding ball withdrawal unit 53 identification unit 54 mode control unit (control means)
55a Mode selection unit 55b Mode execution unit 61 IC tag for wagon service 62 IC tag for maintenance mode

Claims (7)

Communication means for communicating with an IC tag possessed by an employee in the amusement hall and obtaining an identification code stored in the IC tag;
Identification means for identifying an identification code of the IC tag;
A control unit capable of executing a plurality of modes, and performing control to select and execute a predetermined mode corresponding to the identification code of the IC tag identified by the identification unit;
A game media rental machine characterized by that. One of the plurality of modes is a wagon service mode that accepts an operation necessary for the wagon service when an employee in the game hall provides the player with a wagon service.
The game medium lending machine according to claim 1. A game medium number information management unit for managing information on the number of game media;
An input means capable of inputting the number of game media to be withdrawn;
Game medium number withdrawal means for performing a process of reducing the number of game media to be withdrawn input to the input means from the number of game media corresponding to the information related to the number of game media managed by the game medium number information management unit; Further comprising
When the mode selected by the control means is the wagon service mode,
The communication means communicates with the IC tag for the wagon service mode after the input of the number of game media corresponding to the predetermined wagon service from the input means is completed,
The number-of-game-media deducting means reduces the number of gaming media input by the input means from the number of gaming media corresponding to the information relating to the number of gaming media when the identifying means identifies the identification code of the IC tag. Withdraw processing
The game medium lending machine according to claim 2. It further comprises transmission means for transmitting information relating to the wagon service in the wagon service mode to a management device communicably connected to the gaming medium rental machine
The transmission means transmits information on the wagon service to the management device after the withdrawal process.
The game medium lending machine according to claim 3. When the mode selected by the control means is a maintenance mode including an operation that requires authentication of an employee in the game hall,
The communication means communicates with the IC tag for maintenance mode after finishing the operation in the maintenance mode,
The control means cancels the maintenance mode when the identification means identifies the identification code of the IC tag.
The game medium rental machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A gaming medium lending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A plurality of IC tags for storing identification codes respectively corresponding to predetermined modes to be executed by the game medium lending machine;
Service providing system equipped with. A plurality of game media lending machines according to claim 4 are provided,
A plurality of IC tags for storing identification codes respectively corresponding to predetermined modes to be executed by the respective game medium lending machines;
A service providing system comprising: a management device that receives information related to a wagon service from a transmission unit of each of the game medium lending machines and manages information related to the wagon service.

Images