JP2017144111A - Adjustment device and adjustment method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly and efficiently perform adjustment processing of a prepaid value and prize exchange processing of the number of possessed game media when the prepaid value and the number of possessed game media are related to recording media.SOLUTION: A prize management device 60 receives an instruction of the presence or absence of adjustment of a prepaid value and instruction operation of a prize to be exchanged, and puts out coins corresponding to the remainder of the prepaid value from a counter adjustment machine 73 when adjustment of the remainder of the prepaid value is instructed. The prize management device 60 monitors the takeout of the putout coins and puts out a prize designated by a prize dispenser 74 when detecting takeout of coins.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a payment apparatus and a payment method for paying out money by paying out a balance of a prepaid value in a game shop such as a pachinko shop.

  Conventionally, a gaming machine has been provided with an inter-bed device for each gaming machine. When money is inserted into the inter-device, a prepaid value corresponding to the amount of the inserted money is associated with a recording medium such as a general card or a membership card in the inter-device. Further, when a gaming medium lending operation is performed in a situation where a predetermined number or more of prepaid value balances associated with the recording medium exist, the predetermined number is subtracted from the prepaid value balance, and the prepaid value corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value is subtracted. The number of game media is paid out.

  The inter-device has a counting unit that counts the number of game media acquired by the player, and the number of game media counted by the counting unit is stored in a storage unit in the inter-device. It is added to the number of game media. When the player performs a predetermined replay operation, a predetermined number is subtracted from the number of held game media, and the number of game media corresponding to the subtracted number of held game media is paid out.

  In this way, while the player is playing a game machine, the prepaid value is associated with the recording medium of the inter-device, and the number of game media held is stored in the storage unit of the inter-device. Further, when the inter-device device receives a predetermined recording medium return operation in a state where the prepaid value and the game media are present, the recording medium associated with the prepaid value and the number of game media is returned.

  When the prepaid value is associated with the recording medium, the player inserts the recording medium into the checkout machine and receives a money refund according to the balance of the prepaid value. If the number of game media is associated with the recording medium, the number of game media is exchanged for prizes at the prize exchange counter. Specifically, the prize management device disposed in the prize exchange counter reads the recording medium delivered from the customer, specifies the number of gaming media associated with the recording medium, and determines the number of gaming media. In this range, a prize exchange operation is received upon receiving a prize designation operation desired by the player (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-172009 A

  However, when the prepaid value and the number of game media are associated with the recording medium, the player needs to perform the settlement process with the settlement machine and the prize exchange with the prize exchange counter. There is a problem that it takes time until the store. This is because the checkout machine and the prize exchange counter are not necessarily arranged adjacent to each other but are troublesome twice. In particular, in the time zone just before the closing of the amusement store, a queue is formed in both the checkout machine and the prize exchange counter, and this problem becomes apparent.

  Therefore, when the prepaid value and the number of game media are associated with the recording medium, it is an important issue how to enable the prepaid value settlement process and the prize exchange process for the number of game media to be efficiently performed. It has become.

  The present invention is to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and when the prepaid value and the number of game media are associated with the recording medium, the prepaid value settlement process and the possession are quickly and efficiently performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a settlement apparatus and a settlement method capable of performing prize exchange processing for the number of game media.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is communicably connected to management means for storing valuable value information including prepaid value and the number of acquired game media in association with identification information of a predetermined recording medium. A payment apparatus for performing a payment process for a prepaid value corresponding to the identification information of the recording medium, the reading means reading the identification information stored in the predetermined storage medium, and the identification information read by the reading means Value information acquisition means for acquiring value information corresponding to the management value from the management means, and money payout control for controlling the payout of money according to the prepaid value included in the value information acquired by the value information acquisition means Means for specifying a replacement prize corresponding to the number of acquired game media included in the value information acquired by the means and the value information acquisition means And the step, characterized by comprising a process interlock means for interlocking the process regarding payout and the exchange prize money by the money dispensing control means.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein in the above invention, the money withdrawal detection means for detecting the withdrawal of the money paid out by the money withdrawal control means, and if the removal of money is detected by the money withdrawal detection means, the exchange The apparatus further comprises prize payout control means for controlling the prize specified by the prize specifying means to be paid out.

  The present invention is the above invention, wherein in the above invention, a prize payout control means for controlling the payout of the prize specified by the exchange prize specifying means, and a prize takeout detection for detecting the removal of the prize paid out by the prize payout control means. And a money withdrawal detecting means for detecting the withdrawal of the money paid out by the money withdrawal control means, wherein the money withdrawal control means is configured to detect the removal of the prize by the prize withdrawal detection means. The payout of money according to the prepaid value is controlled.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein in the above invention, a prize payout control means for controlling the payout of the prize specified by the exchange prize specifying means, a money payout time by the money payout control means, and a prize by the prize payout control means. And a time setting means for setting a payout time.

  Further, the present invention, in the above invention, further comprises a withdrawal restriction means for controlling to restrict the withdrawal of the money when the withdrawal of the money is not detected within a predetermined time from the withdrawal of the money by the money withdrawal control means. It is characterized by that.

  Further, in the present invention, in the above invention, when there is a balance of prepaid value included in the valuable value information acquired by the valuable value information acquisition means, whether or not to pay out money according to the prepaid value And determining means for determining whether or not the money payout control means controls the payout of money according to the prepaid value when it is determined by the determining means to pay out money according to the prepaid value. It is characterized by doing.

  Further, the present invention is communicably connected to management means for storing valuable value information including a prepaid value and the number of acquired game media in association with identification information of a predetermined recording medium, and corresponds to the identification information of the recording medium. A settlement method in a settlement apparatus that performs a settlement process for a prepaid value, the reading step for reading identification information stored in the predetermined storage medium, and the value information corresponding to the identification information read in the reading step Value information acquisition step acquired from the management means, money dispensing control step for controlling the dispensing of money according to the prepaid value included in the value information acquired by the value information acquisition step, and the value information acquisition Exchange prizes that identify exchange prizes according to the number of acquired game media included in the valuable value information acquired in the step A constant step, characterized in that it includes a process interlock step of interlocking the process regarding payout and the exchange prize money by the money dispensing control step.

  According to the present invention, the identification information stored in the predetermined storage medium is read, and the valuable information including the prepaid value and the number of game media corresponding to the read identification information is associated with the identification information of the predetermined recording medium. To control the payout of money according to the prepaid value included in the acquired valuable information, and according to the number of acquired game media included in the acquired valuable information The exchanged prizes are identified, and the payment of money and the processing related to the exchange prizes are linked. Therefore, when the prepaid value and the number of game media are associated with the recording medium, the prepaid value is quickly and efficiently associated. Payment processing and prize exchange processing for the number of game media can be performed.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the payment process in the prize management apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of the gaming system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view showing an appearance of the inter-card card processing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-card card processing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of data stored in the storage unit of the inter-card card processing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of the card management apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of data stored in the storage unit of the card management apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the member management apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of data stored in the storage unit of the member management apparatus illustrated in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the prize management apparatus and the equipment connected to the prize management apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the detailed appearance of the prize management device and the customer side operation unit and the counter settlement machine connected to the prize management device shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the prize management apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of data stored in the storage unit of the prize management apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the settlement machine shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a specific example of a screen relating to prize exchange and settlement in the prize management apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of prize exchange processing and settlement processing in the prize management apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a detailed processing procedure of the prize payout and settlement process shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a detailed processing procedure of the card read processing shown in FIG. FIG. 19 is a diagram (No. 1) illustrating a specific example of a screen related to a processing result inquiry related to prize exchange and settlement in the member management apparatus illustrated in FIG. FIG. 20 is a diagram (No. 2) illustrating a specific example of a screen related to a processing result inquiry relating to prize exchange and settlement in the member management apparatus illustrated in FIG. FIG. 21 is a diagram (No. 3) illustrating a specific example of a screen related to a processing performance inquiry relating to prize exchange and settlement in the member management apparatus illustrated in FIG.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a settlement apparatus and a settlement method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, the case where the prepaid value is settled by the prize management device installed in the prize exchange counter of the amusement store will be described.

  First, the outline of the payment process in the prize management device 60 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the payment process in the prize management device 60 according to the present embodiment.

  The prize management device 60 reads the card ID from the card associated with the possession ball and the prepaid value, and acquires the number of possessions associated with the card ID and the balance of the prepaid value from the card management device 40 (S1). The prize management device 60 accepts an operation for designating a replacement prize for the number of possessed balls (S2) and accepts an operation for designating whether or not the balance of the prepaid value is to be settled (S3).

  If an operation to execute the prize exchange process and the settlement process is received (S4; Yes), and if it is specified to settle the balance of the prepaid value (S5; Yes), the prize management apparatus 60 pays out money corresponding to the balance of the prepaid value from the counter settlement machine 73 (S6). If an operation to execute the prize exchange process and the payment process is not received (S4; No), the process returns to S2. Also, the prize management device 60 monitors that the paid out money is taken out (S7), and if it is not detected that the money is taken out (S7; No), the prize management device 60 returns to S7 to return the money. Wait for the removal. When the designation operation not to settle the prepaid value balance is performed (S5; No), the process proceeds to S8.

  When it is detected that money has been taken out (S7; Yes), and a prize payout designation that can be paid out from the prize dispenser 74 is specified (S8; Yes), the prize management device 60 issues a prize delivery. The designated prize is paid out from the machine 74 (S9). The prize management device 60 monitors that the paid out prize is taken out (S10), and if it is not detected that the prize has been taken out (S10; No), the prize is taken out by returning to S10. Wait for. If it is detected that the prize has been taken out (S10; Yes), the process is terminated. If the prize payout that can be paid out from the prize payer 74 is not designated (S8; No), the processes of S9 and S10 are skipped and the process is terminated.

  In this way, the prize management device 60 receives an instruction on whether or not to settle the prepaid value and an instruction operation for the prize to be exchanged, and when there is an instruction to settle the balance of the prepaid value, the counter settlement machine 73 sends the prepaid value. The money corresponding to the balance of value was paid out. Also, the prize management device 60 monitors that the paid out money is taken out, and if it is detected that the money has been taken out, the designated prize is paid out from the prize dispenser 74. With this configuration, a player who has a card associated with the prepaid value and the balance of the portable game medium can efficiently perform a settlement process for the balance of the prepaid value and a prize exchange process according to the balance of the portable medium. .

  Next, the system configuration of the gaming system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of the gaming system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of gaming machines 20 and an inter-card card processing machine 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20 are installed in the gaming store. The inter-card processing machine 10 is connected to a communication line, which is an in-store network, via the island controller 30. The island controller 30, the card management device 40, the member management device 50, the prize management device 60, and the checkout machine 80 are connected to the communication line.

  The gaming machine 20 is a device that plays a game by driving game balls into the game board surface. The gaming board surface of the gaming machine 20 is provided with a plurality of winning areas (winning openings), and a predetermined number of gaming balls are given as prize balls based on the passing of the gaming balls through the winning area. It has become. In addition, a predetermined number of start areas (start ports) are provided in the game area, and a predetermined lottery is performed based on a game ball passing through the start area. If the lottery is a big win, an operation that is advantageous in terms of game is performed, for example, by increasing the probability of passing the game ball to the winning area or other starting area by operating a predetermined movable member or the like. There may be an area that doubles as a starting area and a winning area.

  The winning area is provided with a winning sensor for detecting the passing of a game ball to the winning area, and the winning sensor detects the passing (winning) of the game ball that has been driven into the winning area. ing. The control device of the gaming machine 20 has a prize ball memory that stores how many game balls are awarded as prize balls for each winning area.

  Therefore, when the winning game ball is detected to pass through a specific winning area, the winning sensor determines the number of winning balls to be awarded from the stored contents of the winning ball memory and the number of gaming balls that have passed the winning area. The game balls of the determined number of prizes are paid out.

  The inter-card processing machine 10 accepts payment, rents out game balls, and communicates with the card management device 40. When the inter-card processing machine 10 receives a bill inserted by the player, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits a deposit notification including the deposit amount to the card management device 40 to add it to the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. If a predetermined ball lending operation is performed, a ball lending request is transmitted to the card management device 40, the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40 is subtracted, and the number of games corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value Pay out the balls.

  Further, when the card is inserted, the inter-card card processor 10 transmits a card insertion notification including the card ID read from the card to the card management device 40. Further, when the inter-card card processing machine 10 receives information on the prepaid value and the balance of the possession ball or the stored ball from the card management device 40, the balance card processor 10 stores the balance. When the information on the balance of the possession ball is received and stored, the balance of the possession ball managed by the card management device 40 (hereinafter, “ Clear the balance of “mochitama account” to zero.

  Further, when the inter-card processing machine 10 accepts the possession ball replay operation, the predetermined number of possession balls managed by the own device is subtracted, and the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted number of possession balls is paid out. In addition, when the inter-card processing machine 10 accepts the stored ball replay operation, it transmits a stored ball replay request to the card management device 40, whereby the balance of the stored balls managed by the member management device 50 (hereinafter referred to as "stored ball"). A predetermined number of “account balance” is subtracted, and the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted balance of the stored account is paid out.

  When the inter-card processing machine 10 accepts the card return operation, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits a possession ball addition request including the number of possessed balls managed by the own device to the card management device 40 and causes the card management device 40 to add the possession balls. After that, a card discharge notification is transmitted to the card management device 40, and the card is controlled to be discharged.

  The island controller 30 is a relay device that bundles a group of gaming machines 20 and inter-card card processing machines 10 provided on the gaming island.

  The card management device 40 is a management device that manages the prepaid value of a card, the number of balls, etc. as card data. When the card management device 40 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-card card processor 10, the card management device 40 manages the card ID of the inserted card in association with the inter-card card processor 10, and is associated with the card ID. The prepaid value and the remaining balance are transmitted to the inter-card card processing machine 10. Further, when the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification is the card ID of the member card, the card insertion notification is transmitted to the member management device 50, and the replay data received from the member management device 50 is used as the interbank card. It transmits to the processor 10.

  In addition, when the card management device 40 receives a possession ball subtraction request from the inter-card card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 clears the balance of the possession account to zero and receives an inter-card addition request from the inter-card card processing machine 10. If so, the number of balls indicated in the request for adding balls is added to the ball account.

  Further, when the card management device 40 receives a ball lending request from the inter-card card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 subtracts a corresponding prepaid value by a predetermined value, and transmits the ball lending permission to the inter-card card processing machine 10. Then, when the storage ball replay request is received, the storage ball replay request is transmitted to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 outputs the storage ball replay data, Transmit to the card processor 10.

  Further, when the card management apparatus 40 receives the card ID from the prize management apparatus 60, the card management apparatus 40 notifies the prize management apparatus 60 of the number of possessed balls and the balance of the prepaid value associated with the card ID. Further, when the card ID is received from the settlement machine 80, the balance of the prepaid value associated with the card ID is notified to the settlement machine 80.

  The member management device 50 is a management device that manages member management data 55a of members registered as members in the amusement store. Specifically, the number of stored balls, points, password, name, etc. are managed in association with the member card ID issued to the member.

  When the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification from the inter-card processing machine 10, the member management device 50 stores the stored ball replay data including the balance of the stored account corresponding to the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification and the personal identification number. To the inter-card processing machine 10. In addition, when the member management device 50 receives the savings ball replay request, the member management device 50 subtracts a predetermined number of balances of the savings account associated with the card ID indicated in the savings ball replay request, and calculates the balance of the savings account after the subtraction. The stored ball replay data is transmitted to the inter-card card processing machine 10. Note that communication between the inter-card card processor 10 and the member management device 50 is performed via the card management device 40.

  Further, when the member management device 50 receives an inquiry about the number of stored balls from the prize management device 60, the member management device 50 notifies the prize management device 60 of the balance of the stored ball account corresponding to the designated card ID.

  The prize management device 60 is a prize exchange terminal device provided in the prize exchange counter in the amusement store, and performs prize exchange processing for winning balls, saving balls and holding balls. The prize management device 60 is connected to a card reader 64 that reads a card ID of a card and a prize dispenser 74 that dispenses prizes. When the card reader 64 accepts the card, the prize management device 60 transmits the card ID of the card read by the card reader 64 to the card management device 40, and determines the number of balls held and the balance of the prepaid value. Request. Further, when exchanging prizes for the stored balls, the member management device 50 is requested for the number of stored balls. In addition, the prize management device 60 can perform a settlement process for a prepaid value balance, and is connected to a counter settlement machine 73 for paying out money corresponding to the prepaid value balance.

  When the card is inserted, the checkout machine 80 transmits a card insertion notification including the card ID of the card to the card management device 40, acquires the balance of the prepaid value associated with the card, and acquires the prepaid value of the acquired prepaid value. Money can be paid out according to the balance.

  The ball lending process when performing the ball lending with the system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When the player performs a ball lending operation on the inter-card card processing machine 10, the inter-card card processing machine 10 transmits a message specifying the local address of the card management device 40 as the destination. This electronic message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-card card processing machine 10, an address or arbitrary identification information for identifying the inter-card card processing machine 10 that is the transmission source, and a ball rental request.

  When the card management device 40 receives a message containing a ball lending request, the card management device 40 updates the prepaid value associated with the card ID in the message by subtracting a predetermined value (for example, 100 yen = 5 times in the case of 1 time). . Then, the card management device 40 transmits the ball lending permission to the inter-card card processing machine 10 that is the transmission source. Upon receiving the ball lending permission, the inter-card card processing machine 10 pays out the number of game balls (for example, 125 balls) corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value.

  Next, a description will be given of a replay process for holding balls or storing balls in the system shown in FIG. The replay includes a replay of a holding ball and a replay of a stored ball. In this embodiment, an instruction for replay can be received from the player by the inter-card processing machine 10. Based on the received replay operation, whether to perform the replay process of the holding ball or the replay process of the stored ball is automatically selected according to the priority of using the holding ball or the stored ball.

  In addition, with regard to the re-playing and re-playing of the ball, it is also possible to perform re-playing that replays using a ball or a storage ball that is different from the ball lending rate of the gaming machine 20. If there is a holding account or a savings account for multiple lending rates, if a replay instruction is accepted, which loan rate to use will be determined by the replay set for each game type. It is automatically selected according to the priority of the holding account or savings account to be used.

  The replay instruction is accepted by pressing a “replay” button displayed on the display operation unit 13 of the inter-card card processing machine 10. If you cannot replay the holding ball or storage ball, or enter or replay the holding ball or storage ball, you can accept the replay instruction itself by making the button that accepts the replay instruction inoperable. Control to not.

  Next, a description will be given of the ball replay process in the case where the ball replay is performed in the system shown in FIG. When the inter-card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of the general card or the membership card, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits a message specifying the local address of the card management device 40 as the destination. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-card card processing machine 10, the address or arbitrary identification information for identifying the inter-card card processing machine 10 that is the transmission source, and the rate of the inter-card card processing machine 10 Information for identifying the card and a card insertion notification.

  When the card management device 40 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-card card processing machine 10, the card management apparatus 40 notifies the inter-card card processing machine 10 of the balance of the money account at each rate associated with the card ID in the message. To do.

  The inter-card processing machine 10 stores the balance of the coins received from the card management device 40. And the message containing the information which specifies card ID and a rate, and a possession subtraction request | requirement is transmitted to the card management apparatus 40. FIG. When the card management device 40 receives the money subtraction request, the card management device 40 clears the balance of the money account at each rate specified by the card ID to zero. When the inter-card processing machine 10 accepts a replay operation and performs a replay operation, a predetermined number of balances of the stored revolving balls are subtracted, and a corresponding number of game balls are paid out.

  When the inter-card card processing machine 10 accepts the card return operation, the inter-card card processing machine 10 transmits a telegram including a request for adding coins to the card management device 40. This message includes the card ID of the card to be ejected, the address or arbitrary identification information for identifying the inter-card card processor 10 that is the transmission source, the information for identifying the rate of the inter-card card processor 10, It includes the balance of the ball of the rate and the request for adding the ball.

  When the card management device 40 accepts a request to add money, it updates the balance of the money account at each rate associated with the card ID in the message to the value of the received balance. Thereafter, the inter-card card processor 10 transmits a card discharge notification to the card management device 40 and controls the card discharge.

  Next, a stored ball replay process when the replay of the stored ball is performed with the system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The inter-card processing machine 10 designates the local address of the card management device 40 as a destination when a membership card is inserted or when identification information corresponding to a card ID is read from a portable terminal that can be used as a membership card. Send a message. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-card card processing machine 10 (or identification information corresponding to the card ID read from the mobile terminal; hereinafter referred to as the card ID), and the inter-card process that is the transmission source. An address for identifying the machine 10 or arbitrary identification information, information for identifying the rate of the inter-card card processing machine 10, and a card insertion notification.

  The card management device 40 transmits a card insertion notification message to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification message, the member management device 50 stores the personal identification number associated with the card ID in the message and the balance of the savings account at the rate specified by the message out of the savings account. Is transmitted to the inter-card card processing machine 10.

  The inter-card processing machine 10 stores the received pool replay data, and the balance of the pool account indicated in the pool replay data is the number of game balls paid out in the pool replay (the number of pool replay units. For example, 125 If it is more than ball), you can replay the stored ball. In addition, here, it has been explained that when the balance of the savings account is equal to or more than the number of payout units, it is determined that savings replay is possible. When the stored ball replay count is 1 or more, it may be determined that the stored ball replay is possible.

  When the storage card replay data is stored for the first time after the storage ball replay data is stored, the inter-card processing machine 10 asks the player to input a password, and the input password is stored in the stored ball replay data. Check if it matches the PIN number shown.

  The inter-card card processor 10 transmits a message specifying the local address of the card management device 40 as the destination when the passwords match. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-card card processing machine 10, the address or arbitrary identification information for identifying the inter-card card processing machine 10 that is the transmission source, and the rate of the inter-card card processing machine 10 And information for identifying the storage ball replay request.

  The card management device 40 transmits a telegram of a storage ball replay request to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives the message of the savings replay request, the member management device 50 subtracts a predetermined value from the balance of the savings account at the rate specified by the message among the savings accounts associated with the card ID in the message. Then, the stored ball replay data including the balance after the subtraction is transmitted to the inter-card card processing machine 10.

  The inter-card processing machine 10 receives the stored ball replay data, updates the balance of the stored ball account, and pays out game balls by the number of stored ball replay units. In addition, it is determined whether the balance of the renewed savings account has become less than the value corresponding to the number of replaying units of the stored ball. . If the balance of the renewed savings account is equal to or greater than the value corresponding to the number of replaying units, it is possible to accept replaying operations again. Send. In the second and subsequent replays, it is not necessary to confirm the password. In addition, you may set so that confirmation of a PIN code may be performed every time.

  Next, the transition from the holding ball to the storage ball in the closing process will be described. The card management device 40 checks the balance of the possession account during the closing process, and if there is a possession account whose balance is greater than “0”, the balance of the possession account is converted to the card ID and the rate. In addition, the member management apparatus 50 is notified. The member management device 50 adds and updates the notified holding account balance to the balance of the savings account specified by the card ID and the rate. Thereafter, the card management device 40 clears the balance of the possession account to zero.

  Next, the external appearance of the inter-card card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the inter-card card processing machine 10. In FIG. 3, an external configuration of the inter-card card processing machine 10 connected to the gaming machine 20 is shown. Moreover, the gaming machine 20 provided side by side is illustrated with a broken line. Moreover, in FIG. 3, although the inter-card processing machine 10 which receives only a banknote was illustrated, the unit for coin reception can also be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-card card processing machine 10 includes a status display unit 11 that displays the status of the apparatus of the inter-card card processing machine 10 by lighting or blinking a predetermined color lamp, and various types of gaming balls. And a bill insertion slot 12a for receiving bills. The inter-card card processing machine 10 includes a display operation unit 13 such as a touch panel display, a card insertion slot 14a for receiving a card, and a holding unit 14b for holding a portable terminal or the like. In addition, the inter-card card processing machine 10 includes a nozzle unit 18a for throwing out game balls to the gaming machine 20 and a counting unit 18b for counting game balls dropped from the lower plate of the gaming machine 20.

  Next, the configuration of the inter-card card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of the inter-card card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the inter-card card processing machine 10 includes a banknote transport unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a holding unit 14 b, a communication unit 15, a storage unit 16, and a control unit 17. And a nozzle unit 18a and a counting unit 18b.

  The banknote conveyance part 12 is a conveyance part conveyed to the banknote storage part which is not shown in figure, discriminating the money type and authenticity of the banknote inserted from the banknote insertion port 12a. The display operation unit 13 is an input / output device such as a touch panel display that displays various kinds of information such as valuable value and accepts various operations such as a ball lending operation.

  The reader / writer 14 is a reading unit that reads a card ID from a card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a. The card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a passes through the reader / writer 14 and is stored in a card storage section (not shown) located on the opposite side of the card insertion slot 14a with respect to the reader / writer 14. A plurality of general cards can be stored in the card storage unit. Then, the inter-card card processing machine 10 has a balance of the valuable value data 16b (prepaid value or possession) in the storage unit 16 and when the player returns the card, After performing the process of associating the valuable value data 16b with the stored card, a card issuing operation for discharging the card is performed. When the card to be processed (target of association with the valuable value data 16b) is a general card, the card ID is read at the reading position of the reader / writer 14 to obtain the card information, and then the general card is stored in the card storage unit. Store and wait until the card is ejected. When the card to be processed is a member card, the card ID is read at the reading position of the reader / writer 14 to obtain card information, and then the member card is kept waiting at the reading position while being held at the reading position. The reader / writer 14 can process both the general card and the membership card by configuring the card transport path so that the membership card can be held at the reading position in a state where the general card is stored in the storage unit. Yes. The holding unit 14b is an interface unit that reads various kinds of information such as a unique ID (for example, IDm) of the portable terminal by short-range wireless communication when the portable terminal is held over.

  The communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication between the gaming machine 20 and the island controller 30. The nozzle unit 18a is used for part or all of the payout when the game balls are paid out by lending or replaying balls. The counting unit 18b is a unit that counts game balls.

  The storage unit 16 is a storage device including a hard disk device, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The storage unit 16 stores a card ID 16a, valuable value data 16b, a device ID 16c, and game setting data 16d.

  The card ID 16 a is a card ID read by the reader / writer 14. When a card is transported from the card insertion slot 14a to a card storage unit (not shown), the card ID 16a is updated with the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during the transport. Further, if the deposit is performed in a state where no card is inserted, the card is conveyed from a card storage unit (not shown) to the reader / writer 14 and the card ID 16a is updated with the card ID read by the reader / writer 14. In the present embodiment, when the card is not inserted, the card is conveyed from a card storage unit (not shown) to the reader / writer 14 and the card ID 16a is updated with the card ID read by the reader / writer 14. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the card is finally ejected, the card at the top of a card storage unit (not shown) is conveyed to the reader / writer 14 to read and store the card ID. When the payment is made in a state where the card is not inserted by the player, the card ID 16a may be updated with the card ID stored in this way.

  The valuable value data 16b is data indicating a valuable value that can be used to receive a payout of game balls. This valuable value includes the balance of the prepaid value that can be used for lending the ball, the balance of the holding account, the password for replaying the stored ball, and the balance of the stored ball account. Further, the valuable value data 16b is stored with a response to the card insertion notification transmitted to the card management device 40 at the time of card insertion, and is updated and managed according to the ball lending operation and the replay operation thereafter.

  The device ID 16c is identification information for uniquely identifying the inter-card card processing machine 10 within the game store. The game setting data 16d is data indicating a game type or the like set in the inter-card card processing machine 10. When handling game balls at multiple rates in a game store, “ball 4 yen” for games with a lending rate of 4 yen per ball, “ball 2 yen” for games with a lending rate of 2 yen, 1 ball 1 A game type name is set and managed for each lending rate, such as “Yen 1 Yen” for a game with a yen lending rate. Therefore, the inter-card card processing machine 10 installed in the 4-yen section stores “ball 4 yen” as the game setting data 16d, and the inter-card card processing machine 10 installed in the 2-yen section stores the game setting data 16d. The inter-card card processing machine 10 installed in the 1-yen section stores “1 ball” as the game setting data 16d.

  The control unit 17 is a control unit that controls the entire inter-card card processing machine 10, and includes a data management unit 17a and a count processing unit 17b. Actually, a program corresponding to the data management unit 17a and the counting processing unit 17b is stored in a non-illustrated non-volatile memory or the like, and this program is loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed. The process will be executed.

  When the card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits a card insertion notification including the card ID 16a and the device ID 16c to the card management device 40. In addition, when the data management unit 17a receives data including a valuable value (at least one of prepaid value, holding ball, and storage ball) from the card management device 40, the data management unit 17a updates the valuable value data 16b with the received valuable value. The data management unit 17a appropriately controls the display operation unit 13 to display the prepaid value, the retained ball value, and the stored ball value indicated in the valuable value data 16b.

  Further, the data management unit 17a transmits a ball lending request including the card ID 16a and the device ID 16c to the card management device 40 when a ball lending operation is performed by the player. If a ball lending permission is received as a response to this ball lending request, the data management unit 17a pays out a predetermined number of game balls.

  The data management unit 17a subtracts a predetermined number of the balance of the possession account indicated in the valuable value data 16b when the player performs a possession replay operation, and pays the corresponding number of game balls. put out.

  Moreover, the data management part 17a makes it possible to accept a savings replay operation when the balance of the savings account shown in the valuable value data 16b is equal to or greater than the number of savings replay units. The data management unit 17a transmits a stored ball replay request including the card ID 16a and the device ID 16c to the member management device 50 via the card management device 40 when the player performs a stored ball replay operation. When the stored ball replay data is received as a response to the stored ball replay request, the balance of the stored account of the valuable value data 16b is updated, and the game balls of the number of stored ball replay units are paid out. In addition, at the time of the first storage replay operation, a password is requested to be input, and the same as the password stored in the valuable value data 16b is a condition for transmitting a storage ball replay request.

  In addition, when a card return operation is performed by the player, the data management unit 17a transmits a ball addition request including the card ID 16a, the device ID 16c, and the number of balls to the card management device 40, so that the own device After clearing the balance of the account to zero, a card discharge notification is transmitted to the card management device 40, and the card is discharged.

  Moreover, if a banknote is inserted in the banknote insertion slot 12a, the data management part 17a will transmit the payment notification containing the money amount of the inserted banknote, card ID16a, and apparatus ID16c to the card management apparatus 40. FIG.

  The counting processing unit 17b performs processing for causing the counting unit 18b to count the gaming balls when the gaming balls are inserted into the counting unit 18b, and adding the counting result to the number of possessed balls in the valuable value data 16b.

  Next, a specific example of data stored in the storage unit 16 of the inter-card card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of data stored in the storage unit 16 of the inter-card card processing machine 10.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the valuable value data 16b includes a prepaid value managed in association with the card ID 16a, the number of remaining balls for each game type indicating the ball lending rate, It has a PIN number and the number of balls remaining for each game type. In the valuable value data 16b shown in FIG. 5A, the prepaid value is “7000” yen, the remaining number of balls having a ball of 4 yen is “2000”, and the remaining number of balls having a ball of 2 yen is “ The number of remaining balls of “0” balls and 1 yen balls is “0” balls, the password for replaying the stored balls is “1234”, and the remaining number of balls of 4 yen balls is “0” balls and balls. This indicates that the remaining number of 2 yen storage balls is “1000” balls, and the remaining number of 1 yen storage balls is “300” balls.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the game setting data 16d includes a game type name, a game medium type corresponding to the game type name, a game medium unit price, and a game medium lending unit. The game medium unit price includes the number of game media and the price including tax corresponding to the number of game media. In addition, the game medium lending unit has a number of game media that is a normal game medium lending unit and a tax-inclusive price corresponding to the number of game media. In the game setting data 16d shown in FIG. 5B, the game type name is “ball 4 yen”, the type of game media to be used is “game ball”, and the number of game media “25 balls” is tax included. The price “100 yen” indicates that the game medium lending unit is “125 balls” and the tax-included price is “500 yen”.

  Next, the configuration of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the card management device 40. As shown in FIG. 6, the card management device 40 is connected to a display unit 41 and an input unit 42, and includes a store network communication unit 44, a storage unit 45, and a control unit 46.

  The display unit 41 is a liquid crystal panel, a display device, or the like. The input unit 42 is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. The store network communication unit 44 is an interface unit for data communication with the inter-card card processing machine 10, the member management apparatus 50, the prize management apparatus 60, and the checkout machine 80 via a communication line.

  The storage unit 45 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a nonvolatile memory, and stores card management data 45a. The card management data 45a corresponds to the card ID with the balance of prepaid value, the balance of the account of each rate, and the usage ID indicating the ID of the inter-card processing machine 10 in which the card is inserted. It is the attached data.

  The control unit 46 is a control unit that controls the entire card management device 40, and includes a card management unit 46a. Actually, a program corresponding to the card management unit 46a is stored in a non-illustrated non-volatile memory or the like, and this program is loaded into the CPU and executed, thereby executing a corresponding process.

  The card management unit 46a is a processing unit that manages the card management data 45a. Specifically, when the card management unit 46a receives a card insertion notification from the inter-card processing machine 10, the card ID used in the card insertion notification is also indicated in the card insertion notification. Device ID. In addition, the prepaid value associated with the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification and the balance of the coin account at each rate are notified to the inter-card card processing machine 10 as valuable values. If the inserted card is a member card, a card insertion notice is transferred to the member management apparatus 50. When the card management unit 46a receives a possession ball subtraction request from the inter-card card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46a clears the balance of the possession account indicated in the possession ball subtraction request to zero and updates the card management data 45a.

  Moreover, when the card management part 46a receives the ball lending request | requirement containing card ID from the inter-card card processing machine 10, it determines whether the prepaid value linked | related with this card ID is more than predetermined value. If the prepaid value is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the card management unit 46a updates the card management data 45a by subtracting the prepaid value by a predetermined value, and the inter-card processing machine 10 receives the ball loan including the updated prepaid value. Send permission. On the other hand, when the prepaid value is less than the predetermined value, the card management unit 46a notifies the inter-card card processing machine 10 that ball lending is not possible.

  Further, when the card management unit 46a receives a payment notification including the amount, the card ID 16a and the device ID 16c from the inter-card processing machine 10, the prepaid value associated with the card ID is set to the amount indicated in the payment notification. The card management data 45a is updated by adding the corresponding frequency.

  Further, when the card management unit 46 a receives a stored ball replay request from the inter-card card processor 10, the card management unit 46 a transfers the stored ball replay request to the member management device 50. The card management unit 46a also performs transfer control for the response from the member management device 50 to the storage ball replay request.

  Further, when the card management unit 46a receives the possession ball addition request, the card management unit 46a updates the card management data 45a by adding the received number of possession balls to the balance of the possession account indicated in the possession ball addition request. . Further, when the card management unit 46a receives a card ejection notification, the card management unit 46a deletes the value of the usage ID of the card ID and updates the card management data 45a.

  Further, when the card management unit 46a receives the card ID from the prize management device 60, the card management unit 46a notifies the prize management device 60 of the balance of the money account of each rate associated with the card ID.

  Next, a specific example of data stored in the storage unit 45 of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of data stored in the storage unit 45 of the card management device 40.

  The card management data 45a is data having a usage ID of an apparatus using a card with the card ID, an update date, a prepaid value, and a number of game media associated with the card ID. The number of game media is the balance of game media for each game type, and the game media has a balance of game media of 4 yen for balls, 2 yen for balls, 1 yen for balls, 20 yen for medals and 5 yen for medals. doing.

  In the card management data 45a shown in FIG. 7, the card with the card ID “00001” is being used by the device with the use destination ID “5006”, and the update date when the data was last updated is “2015/5/5”. ”, Prepaid value is“ 7,000 ”yen, 4 yen balls have“ 2,000 ”balls, 2 yen balls have“ 0 ”balls, and 1 yen ball This indicates that the number is “0” balls, the medal number of 20 medals is “0”, and the medal number of 5 medals is “0”.

  Next, the configuration of the member management apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the member management apparatus 50. As shown in FIG. 8, the member management device 50 is connected to a display unit 51 and an input unit 52. The display unit 51 is a liquid crystal panel, a display device, or the like, and the input unit 52 is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like.

  The member management apparatus 50 includes an external network communication unit 53, a store network communication unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 56. The external network communication unit 53 is an interface unit for data communication with a device outside the game store via a communication network such as the Internet. The store network communication unit 54 is an interface unit for data communication with the prize management device 60, the card management device 40, and the like via a communication line in the amusement store.

  The storage unit 55 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a nonvolatile memory, and stores member management data 55a, game type setting data 55b, a prize master 55c, and processing history data 55d. The member management data 55a is data in which a name, a storage ball, a portable ID m, an address, a telephone number, and the like are associated with the card ID of the member card issued to the member. Details will be described later.

  The game type setting data 55b is data in which the type of game medium, the rental rate, the exchange rate, the display name, and the like are associated with the game type name. The prize master 55c is data used when exchanging game balls for prizes. The process history data 55d is data in which a history of prize exchange and prepaid value settlement performed by the prize management device 60 is recorded. The processing history data 55d also records the payment history of the prepaid value performed by the payment machine 80.

  The control unit 56 is a control unit that controls the entire member management apparatus 50, and includes a member management unit 56a, a prize master management unit 56b, and a processing history data management unit 56c. Actually, programs corresponding to the member management unit 56a, the prize master management unit 56b, and the processing history data management unit 56c are stored in a non-illustrated nonvolatile memory or the like, and these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed. As a result, the corresponding processes are executed.

  The member management unit 56a is a processing unit that manages information included in the member management data 55a excluding information related to the game storage medium. When the member management unit 56a receives a member registration request, the member management unit 56a performs an update for adding a member to the member management data 55a. When the member management unit 56a receives a card insertion notification including the card ID of the member card from the inter-card card processor 10 via the card management device 40, the member management unit 56a uses the card ID that has received the member management data 55a. Search is made, game storage medium replay data is generated based on the number of game storage media corresponding to the card ID, and is returned to the inter-card processing machine 10 via the card management device 40. In addition, when the member management unit 56a receives a replay request for a stored game medium including the card ID of the member card from the inter-card card processor 10 via the card management device 40, the member management unit 56a corresponds to the received card ID. A predetermined number is subtracted from the member's number of game media, and game media replay data corresponding to the number of game media after the subtraction is generated and returned to the inter-card card processor 10 via the card management device 40. .

  The prize master management unit 56b receives data related to the update of the prize master 55c from the host device and reflects the updated contents of the prize master 55c. Further, the prize master management unit 56b distributes the updated contents to the prize management device 60 when the prize master 55c is updated.

  The process history data management unit 56c additionally registers the process history data of the prize exchange process and the settlement process received from the prize management device 60 and the settlement machine 80 in the process history data 55d. Further, the processing history data management unit 56c receives various inquiry request operations related to the processing history data 55d, and outputs a result of summing up the processing history data 55d according to the received request operations.

  Next, a specific example of data stored in the storage unit 55 of the member management apparatus 50 illustrated in FIG. 8 will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of data stored in the storage unit 55 of the member management apparatus 50.

  As shown in FIG. 9 (a), the member management data 55a includes the member classification, mobile IDm, personal identification number, number of points given by visiting the store, member personal information, and number of game media associated with the card ID. This is the data that is held by the record Member personal information includes information such as name, address, and telephone number. The number of stored game media has the number of game media deposited for each game type.

  In the member management data 55a shown in FIG. 9A, the member with the card ID “00001”, the member classification is “regular member”, the personal identification number is “1234”, the number of points is “200”, and the game A 4-yen ball is a “0” ball, a 2-yen ball is a “1,000” ball, a 1-yen ball is a “300” ball, and the game type is a medal. This indicates that the number of stored medals for 20 yen is “0” and the number of stored medals for the game type is 5 yen is “0”.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, the game type setting data 55b is data in which the game type name, the game medium type, the lending rate, the display name, and the like are stored items of the record. In the game type setting data 55b shown in FIG. 9B, the game type with the game type name “ball 4 yen” is the game medium type “game ball” and the lending rate is “4 yen”. A game type with a display name of “4 pachis” and a game type name of “ball 2 yen” is a game medium type of “game ball”, a lending rate of “2 yen” and a display name of “game ball”. This indicates that a record indicating “2 pachis” is included.

  As shown in FIG. 9C, the prize master 55c records the prize name, group code, prize price, number of exchange points, and number of exchanged game media for each game type associated with the prize code for uniquely identifying the prize. It is data to be the possessed item. The group code is identification information for classifying and managing prizes. The group code “01” indicates a special prize that can be transferred at a predetermined value through a certain procedure. The group code “02” and later are general prizes including daily necessities other than special prizes.

  The prize master 55c shown in FIG. 9C indicates that the prize with the prize code "0001" is a special prize with the prize name "big prize", the group code "01", and the prize price is "5000". ”Yen, the number of exchange points is“ 5000 ”points, the exchange number of balls of 4 yen is“ 1,250 ”balls, the exchange number of balls of 2 yen is“ 2,500 ”balls, and 1 yen of balls This indicates that the number of exchange balls is “5,000”, the exchange medal number of 20 medals is “250”, and the exchange medal number of 5 medals is “1,000”.

  Also, the prize master 55c shown in FIG. 9C indicates that the prize with the prize code "0002" is a special prize with the prize name "Middle prize", the group code "01", and the prize price is “1000” yen, exchange points are “1000” points, 4 yen balls are “250” balls, 2 yen balls are “500” balls, 1 yen ball This indicates that the number is “1,000” balls, the exchange medal number of 20 medals is “50”, and the exchange medal number of 5 medals is “200”.

  As shown in FIG. 9 (d), the processing history data 55d includes the date and time when the prize exchange process or the settlement process was performed, the identification information of the apparatus where the process was performed, the game type name, the card ID, and the member classification. , Data relating processing classification, presence / absence of possession, presence / absence of prepaid value, prize exchange details and checkout details. The device identification information includes device classification and device number information. The device classification is coded data, and “1” indicates a prize management device 60 and “2” indicates a settlement machine 80. The member classification is coded data and indicates that “0” is a non-member and “1” is a member. The processing classification is coded data, and “1” indicates prize exchange, “2” indicates settlement, and “3” indicates prize exchange and settlement. The prize exchange details include a prize code and a number for each prize exchanged. The checkout details include information on the amount for which the checkout process has been performed and the number of money types that have been paid out.

  In the processing history data 55d shown in FIG. 9D, the device number of the prize management device 60 whose date is “2015/5/5”, time is “10:00”, and device classification is “1” is “ 2 ”indicates a history of processing performed by the apparatus“ 2 ”. Further, the processing history data 55d indicates that the game type of the possessed ball that is the object of prize exchange with this device is “ball 4 yen”, the card ID of the inserted card is “01050”, and the member classification is “0”. This indicates that the user is a non-member, the processing classification is “3”, prize exchange and payment, the possession is “present”, and the prepaid value is “present”. The processing history data 55d indicates that in the prize exchange process, “2” prizes with the prize code “0001” and “3” prizes with the prize code “0002” have been exchanged. . Further, the processing history data 55d indicates that the amount of “6,000” was settled in the settlement process, and “1” for 5,000 yen coupons and “1” for 1000 yen coupons were paid out. Show.

  Next, the appearance of the prize management device 60 and the equipment connected to the prize management device 60 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the prize management device 60 and the equipment connected to the prize management device 60. As shown in FIG. 10, the prize management device 60 is installed in a prize exchange counter, and is connected to a customer side operation unit 72, a counter settlement machine 73, and a prize dispenser 74 that can be controlled.

  The lower left of FIG. 10 is in the prize exchange counter at the store side, and the upper right of FIG. 10 is the customer side. As shown in FIG. 10, the main body of the prize management device 60 is installed so that it can be operated from the store side. On the other hand, the customer side operation unit 72 is installed so that it can be operated from the customer side, and the counter settlement machine 73 is also installed so that the money paid out from the player side can be taken out. The detailed appearance of the prize management device 60, the customer side operation unit 72, and the counter settlement machine 73 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the prize dispenser 74 is provided with a store side display operation unit 74a so that a store clerk can operate. The store-side display operation unit 74a is a touch-type display device, and can accept display of the remaining amount of prizes in the prize dispenser 74 and various operations. The customer side display unit 74b is a display device arranged so as to be visible from the customer side, and displays a message for the player. The payout opening 74c is a mouth for paying out prizes, and is structured such that the payout prizes can be taken out from the customer side. Further, the prize dispenser 74 has eight prize storage units corresponding to the eight payout openings 74c inside, and can handle a maximum of eight kinds of prizes. In addition, the prize dispenser 74 pays out a prize designated by an instruction from the prize management device 60 and monitors the removal of the dispensed prize.

  Next, detailed external appearances of the prize management device 60 and the customer side operation unit 72 and the counter settlement machine 73 connected to the prize management device 60 shown in FIG. 10 will be described. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the detailed external appearance of the prize management device 60 and the customer side operation unit 72 and the counter settlement machine 73 connected to the prize management device 60.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the prize management device 60 is provided with a store side display unit 61, an operation unit 62, a card reader 64, a store clerk tag reader 65, and a receipt issuing unit 66, and a bar code reader 71, a customer side operation. The unit 72 and the counter settlement machine 73 are connected.

  The store side display unit 61 is a display device, and displays prize exchange contents, operation guidance, and the like. The operation unit 62 includes a plurality of keys such as a numeric keypad, a dedicated key, and a mode key, and is used when a prize exchange operation input is performed. The card reader 64 is a device for reading information stored in a card presented by a player. When the store clerk holds the card presented by the player over the card reader 64, the prize management device 60 reads the card ID from the card and transmits a card insertion notification including the card ID to the card management device 40. In addition, the prize management device 60 receives the response of the card insertion notification, and acquires the balance of the ball and the prepaid value associated with the card ID.

  The clerk tag reader 65 is a device that reads a clerk tag possessed by a clerk. When the clerk tag is held over the clerk tag reader 65, the clerk authentication process is performed. The receipt issuing unit 66 is a printer that prints on heat-sensitive roll paper, and is an output unit that issues various receipts related to prize exchange. The barcode reader 71 is a device for reading a barcode of a prize to be exchanged, and is used to input a prize to be exchanged.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, the customer side operation unit 72 includes a customer side display unit 72a and a portable terminal reader 72b. The customer-side display unit 72a is a touch-type display device, and the player confirms the balance of the holding ball or prepaid value associated with the card by confirming the display content of the customer-side display unit 72a. be able to. When a portable terminal that can be used as a membership card is held over, the portable terminal reader 72b reads identification information corresponding to the card ID from the portable terminal. Then, the prize management device 60 transmits a notification including such identification information to the card management device 40 and the member management device 50, thereby acquiring the holding ball, the prepaid value, and the balance of the stored ball associated with the mobile terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, the counter settlement machine 73 includes an operation display unit 73a, a coin receiving port 73b, a coin receiving port 73c, a banknote insertion port 73d, and a banknote discharging port 73e. The operation display unit 73a includes buttons for operating the liquid crystal display. The coin receiving port 73b is a mouth for inserting coins. The coin take-out port 73c is a take-out port for coins to be paid out when the prepaid value balance is settled. It is monitored that the coins paid out to the coin outlet 73 c are taken out, and if the coins are not taken out even after a predetermined time has passed, the paid out coins are taken into the counter settlement machine 73.

  The bill insertion port 73d is a port for inserting bills. The banknote outlet 73e is a banknote outlet that is paid out when the balance of the prepaid value is settled. The banknotes paid out to the banknote outlet 73e are monitored to be taken out, and when the banknotes are not taken out even after a predetermined time has passed, the paid out banknotes are taken into the counter settlement machine 73.

  In this embodiment, a small counter settlement machine 73 as shown in FIG. 11 (b) is connected to the prize management device 60 so as to pay out money accompanying the settlement process. It is not limited to. For example, a bill processing device and a coin processing device having a large storage capacity such as those installed in a financial institution or the like may be connected, and the bill processing device and the coin processing device may be controlled to pay out money.

  Next, the configuration of the prize management device 60 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the prize management device 60. As shown in FIG. 12, the bar code reader 71, the customer side operation unit 72, the counter settlement machine 73, and the prize payer 74 already described are connected to the prize management device 60. The prize management device 60 includes a store side display unit 61, an operation unit 62, a communication unit 63, a card reader 64, a store clerk tag reader 65, a receipt issuing unit 66, a storage unit 67, and a control unit 68. The communication unit 63 is an interface unit for data communication with the card management device 40 and the member management device 50.

  The storage unit 67 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a nonvolatile memory, and stores a prize master 67a, processing history data 67b, valuable value data 67c, prize exchange candidate data 67d, and setting parameters 67e. The prize master 67a is data used when the game medium is exchanged for prizes, and is data storing data distributed from the member management apparatus 50.

  The processing history data 67b is data having the same structure as the processing history data 55d of the member management device 50 shown in FIG. 9, and is history data of prize exchange processing and settlement processing performed by the prize management device 60. The valuable value data 67c is information such as a game medium, a stored game medium, and a balance of prepaid value possessed by a player who is a target of prize exchange and settlement. The valuable value data 67c includes the balance of the game media, the game media, and the prepaid value associated with the card of the player acquired from the card management device 40 and the member management device 50.

  The prize exchange candidate data 67d is information on the selected exchange prize. When the exchange prize is determined, the contents of the prize exchange candidate data 67d are added to the processing history data 67b, and the prize exchange candidate data 67d is cleared. The setting parameter 67e is setting information related to processing performed in the prize management device 60, and includes information such as whether or not to perform a prepaid value balance settlement process during the prize exchange process.

  The control unit 68 is a control unit that controls the entire prize management device 60, and includes a prize management unit 68a, a prize replacement processing unit 68b, a settlement processing unit 68c, a relief card processing unit 68d, and a processing history data management unit 68e. Actually, programs corresponding to the prize management unit 68a, the prize exchange processing unit 68b, the settlement processing unit 68c, the relief card processing unit 68d, and the processing history data management unit 68e are stored in a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM (not shown). These programs are realized by loading them into the CPU and executing them.

  The prize management unit 68a is a management unit that manages the number of exchangeable game media for each special prize, general prize, and the like to be handled by the prize management device 60 by the prize master 67a stored in the storage unit 67. The prize management unit 68a stores the prize master 55c distributed from the member management apparatus 50 in the storage unit 67 as the prize master 67a.

  The prize exchange processing unit 68b transmits the card ID read by the card reader 64 to the card management apparatus 40, acquires the balance of the game media and the prepaid value associated with the card ID, and uses the acquired contents as valuable data. Add to 67c. In addition, when the read card is a member card, the prize exchange processing unit 68b transmits the read card ID to the member management device 50, acquires the balance of the storage medium associated with the card ID, It is added to the game media balance of the valuable value data 67c.

  The prize exchange processing unit 68b performs a prize exchange process using the balance of the portable game medium and a prize exchange process using the balance of the saved game medium when there are balances of the portable game medium and the stored game medium. , Respectively. Further, the prize exchange processing unit 68b performs prize exchange processing for each game type when there is a balance of game media or stored game media of a plurality of game types. The prize exchange processing unit 68b receives designation of a prize to be exchanged, and registers information related to the designated prize in the prize exchange candidate data 67d. Also, the prize exchange processing unit 68b calculates the number of game media corresponding to the designated prize, and the number of game media managed by the card management device 40 or the stored game media managed by the member management device 50. Control to subtract from number.

  Specifically, the prize exchange processing unit 68b calculates the number of game media corresponding to the exchange prize in the prize exchange process using the balance of the game media, and includes the calculated number of game media, game type, and card ID. A game media number subtraction request is transmitted to the card management device 40. The card management device 40 that has received the request for subtracting the number of held game media subtracts and updates the specified number of game media from the number of held game media of the specified game type associated with the card ID. Further, the prize exchange processing unit 68b calculates the number of game media corresponding to the exchangeable prize in the prize exchange process using the balance of the game media, and requests for subtraction of the number of game media including the calculated number of game media and card ID. Is transmitted to the member management device 50. The member management apparatus 50 that has received the subtraction request for the number of stored game media subtracts and updates the specified number of game media from the number of stored game media of the specified game type associated with the card ID.

  In addition, when the prize to be exchanged includes designation of a prize that can be paid out from the prize dispenser 74, the prize exchange processing unit 68b controls the prize dispenser 74 by instructing the prize dispenser 74. . The prize exchange processing unit 68b registers the contents of the prize exchange process in the processing history data 67b.

  The settlement processing unit 68c is set to perform the settlement process in the setting parameter 67e, and when an instruction operation for performing the settlement process is received, the settlement process unit 68c performs the settlement process for the balance of the prepaid value of the valuable value data 67c. Specifically, control is performed so that money corresponding to the balance of the prepaid value is paid out from the counter settlement machine 73, and control is performed so as to clear the prepaid value associated with the card of the player managed by the card management device 40. . Further, the settlement processing unit 68c can sum up the prepaid values associated with a plurality of cards and perform settlement together. Further, when the settlement process is performed, the settlement processing unit 68c registers the contents of the settlement process in the processing history data 67b.

  The relief card processing unit 68d performs relief processing on a card associated with a prepaid value whose expiration date has passed. Specifically, if a prepaid value that has passed the expiration date is associated with the card received from the customer, the prepaid value that has passed the expiration date is settled once, and the settled amount is deposited and deposited. Issue a card with the amount of money associated with the prepaid value. Actually, in this relief process, the payment of money for settlement and the storage of money for deposits are the same amount of deposits and withdrawals, so the monetary claims against the player's store and the monetary claims against the store's player are offset by the corresponding amount. As a result, the operation of the counter settlement machine 73 does not occur.

  The processing history data management unit 68e transmits the processing history data 67b to the member management device 50 at a predetermined timing. As a result, the processing history of prize exchange processing and settlement processing performed in all prize management devices 60 in the store is collected in the member management device 50.

  Next, a specific example of data stored in the storage unit 67 of the prize management device 60 shown in FIG. 12 will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of data stored in the storage unit 67 of the prize management device 60.

  As shown in FIG. 13 (a), the valuable value data 67c includes a prepaid value managed in association with the card ID read from the card, a balance of the game media for each game type, and a password for replaying the game media. It has a balance of stored game media for each number and game type. In the valuable value data 67c shown in FIG. 13A, the prepaid value is “1000” yen, the balance of the game type of 4 balls of the game media is “3000” balls, and the balance of the game type of 2 balls is “ The game balance of “0” balls, 1 yen of balls is “0” balls, the balance of game types of 20 yen medals is “0”, the balance of game types of 5 medals is “0”, and the replay of the stored ball The balance of the game type is “1234”, the balance of the game type of 4 yen ball of the storage medium is “0” ball, the balance of the game type of 2 yen of the ball is “0” ball, the balance of the game type of 1 yen of the ball Indicates that the balance of the game type of “0” balls, the medal 20 yen is “0”, and the balance of the game type of the medal 5 yen is “0”.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, the prize exchange candidate data 67d is data whose record items are the prize code to be exchanged, the number to be exchanged, the card ID, and the number of exchange game media necessary for exchange with the prize. is there. The number of exchange game media has information on the number of exchange game media for the game type.

  In the example of the prize exchange candidate data 67d shown in FIG. 13B, a game medium “2” with a prize code “0002” and a game medium “4 balls” associated with a card ID “01011”. 500 ”balls are candidates for prize exchange.

  As shown in FIG. 13C, the setting parameter 67e includes information on whether or not the payment can be performed by the prize management device 60, indicating whether or not the payment can be performed. The setting parameter 67e shown in FIG. 13C is set to “possible” in the possibility of settlement, and indicates that the settlement process can be performed by the prize management device 60.

  Next, the configuration of the settlement machine 80 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the checkout machine 80. As shown in FIG. 14, the checkout machine 80 includes a display operation unit 81, a communication unit 82, a card reader 83, a money unit 84, a storage unit 85, and a control unit 86.

  The display operation unit 81 is a touch-type liquid crystal display. The display operation unit 81 displays buttons and the like for operations related to the settlement process, and accepts input operations related to the settlement process using the displayed buttons. The communication unit 82 is an interface unit for performing data communication with the card management device 40. The card reader 83 is a reading unit for reading information stored in a customer's card. The money unit 84 pays out money in the prepaid value balance settlement process.

  The storage unit 85 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a nonvolatile memory, and stores valuable value data 85a and processing history data 85b. The valuable value data 85a is prepaid value balance information associated with the card ID read by the card reader 83. The processing history data 85b has the same data structure as the processing history data 55d stored in the storage unit 55 of the member management apparatus 50 shown in FIG. Information.

  The control unit 86 is a control unit that controls the entire settlement machine 80, and includes a settlement processing unit 86a, a relief card processing unit 86b, and a processing history data management unit 86c. In practice, programs corresponding to the settlement processor 86a, the relief card processor 86b, and the processing history data manager 86c are stored in a non-illustrated nonvolatile memory or the like, and this program is loaded into the CPU and executed. The corresponding process will be executed.

  The settlement processing unit 86a transmits the card ID read by the card reader 83 to the card management device 40, acquires the balance of the prepaid value associated with the card ID, and stores the acquired content in the valuable value data 85a. When the settlement processing unit 86a receives an instruction operation for performing settlement processing, the settlement processing unit 86a performs settlement processing for the balance of the prepaid value of the valuable value data 85a. Specifically, the money corresponding to the balance of the prepaid value is paid out from the money unit 84 and the prepaid value associated with the card of the player managed by the card management device 40 is controlled to be cleared.

  The relief card processing unit 86b performs relief processing on a card associated with a prepaid value that has expired. Specifically, when the card associated with the prepaid value that has passed the expiration date is read by the card reader 83, the relief card processing unit 86b can perform the settlement process because the expiration date of the prepaid value has passed. Display that there is no. Then, the relief card processing unit 86b pays out money corresponding to the prepaid value from the money unit 84 when a predetermined operation by the attendant is accepted.

  The processing history data management unit 86c transmits the processing history data 85b to the member management device 50 at a predetermined timing. As a result, the processing histories of the payment processing performed in all the payment machines 80 in the store are collected in the member management device 50. The member management device 50 accumulates and manages the processing history data 67b received from the prize management device 60 and the processing history data 85b received from the settlement machine 80 in the processing history data 55d. Thereby, the member management apparatus 50 can manage all the process histories of the prize exchange process and the settlement process performed in the store as the process history data 55d.

  Next, a specific example of a screen related to prize exchange and settlement in the prize management apparatus 60 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a specific example of a screen related to prize exchange and settlement in the prize management device 60.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, a list of exchange prizes designated by the operation unit 62 or the barcode reader 71 is displayed on the prize exchange screen. In this list, for each prize to be exchanged, the prize name, the number of game balls per prize to be exchanged, the number of prizes to be exchanged, and the required number of balls corresponding to the number of prizes are displayed. In addition, the total required number of balls corresponding to all designated prizes is displayed on the bottom line of the list.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 15A, a column for the number of possessed balls is provided, and the number of retained balls associated with the read card is displayed. In the remaining number of balls column, the number of balls obtained by subtracting the total number of required balls corresponding to all exchange prizes from the number of held balls is displayed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15A, a prepaid value balance column is provided to display the prepaid value balance associated with the read card. Further, a radio button for giving an instruction regarding the settlement of the balance of the prepaid value is arranged below the column of the prepaid value balance. With this radio button, it is possible to select one of “settlement”, “settlement” or “carryover”. “Settlement” indicates that the balance of the prepaid value is settled together with the prize exchange process, and “Do not settle” indicates that the balance of the prepaid value is not settled together with the prize exchange process.

  Also, “carryover” means that when a player owns multiple cards, the balance of the prepaid value of multiple cards is not calculated when the prize is exchanged for the last card. This is for specifying when summing up the total. For example, if you have two cards and each has prepaid value, you can specify “carry over” during the prize exchange process for the first card and “check out” during the prize exchange process for the second card. "Is specified. By doing so, the sum of the balance of the prepaid value of the first card and the balance of the prepaid value of the second card is settled during the settlement process of the second card.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15A, a “cancel” button, an “read other card” button, and an “execute” button are arranged on the prize exchange screen. The “Cancel” button is a button for instructing to cancel the prize exchange process and the settlement process for which the processing content is being input. The “execute” button is a button for instructing to execute the prize exchange process and the settlement process with the processing content displayed on the screen.

  The “other card read” button is a button for instructing to read another card associated with a ball having the same game type. When such a “other card read” button is operated and a prepaid value balance is already displayed, a window for instructing the handling of the prepaid value balance as shown in FIG. 15B is displayed. The In such a window, buttons for designating one of “settlement”, “settlement” or “carryover” are arranged. When “settlement” is operated, money for the balance of the prepaid value displayed in FIG. 15A is paid out. When “Checkout” is operated, the checkout process is not performed. When “carry over” is operated, the prepaid value balance displayed in FIG. 15A is added to the prepaid value balance associated with the next card to be read, and the processing is carried over. Become.

  Next, the processing procedure of the prize exchange process and the settlement process in the prize management apparatus 60 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the process procedure of the prize exchange process and the settlement process in the prize management device 60.

  The prize exchange processing unit 68b reads the contents of the card delivered from the customer by the card reader 64 (step S101). Details of the card read process (step S101) will be described later. If the read card is a card to be relieved associated with a prepaid value that has expired, a card relieving process is performed. If the card is not a remedy target card, the balance of the possession ball, the stored ball and the prepaid value is acquired from the card management device 40 and the member management device 50, and the valuable value data 67c is updated.

  If the card read in step S101 is a card to be rescued (step S102; Yes), the process returns to step S101. If the card read in step S101 is not the card targeted for the relief process (step S102; No), the prize exchange processing unit 68b displays a prize exchange screen as shown in FIG. (Step S103).

  When the operation of the “cancel” button is accepted on the prize exchange screen (step S104; Yes), the prize exchange processing unit 68b displays a message to interrupt the process and return the accepted card to the customer (step S105). ), The process is terminated. Further, neither the “Cancel” button nor the “Other Card Read” button is accepted on the prize exchange screen (Step S104; No, Step S106; No), and the setting parameter 67e is set to “Yes”. When there is a balance of prepaid value (step S107; Yes), the settlement processing unit 68c receives an input operation related to the necessity of settlement indicating whether or not to perform the settlement process (step S108). If the setting parameter 67e is set to “impossible” or there is no prepaid value balance (step S107; No), the process of step S108 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S109. Further, when the setting parameter 67e is set to “impossible” and the prepaid value is associated with the read card, the prepaid value cannot be handled. Display that it remains.

  The prize exchange processing unit 68b accepts an exchange prize designation operation by the store-side display unit 61 or the barcode reader 71 (step S109). If the operation of the “execute” button is received on the prize exchange screen (step S110; Yes), the prize exchange processing unit 68b and the settlement processing unit 68c perform the prize exchange process and settlement according to the contents displayed on the prize exchange screen. Processing is performed (step S111). Then, the prize exchange processing unit 68b and the settlement processing unit 68c output the processing history of the prize exchange process and the settlement process to the processing history data 67b (step S112).

  If the balance of the prepaid value remains after the prize payout process and the settlement process in step S111 (step S113; Yes), the process proceeds to step S101. If no prepaid value balance remains after the prize payout process and the settlement process in step S111 (step S113; No), the process ends. When the operation of the “execute” button is not accepted on the prize exchange screen (step S110; No), the process returns to step S104.

  Also, when the operation of the “other card read” button is accepted on the prize exchange screen (step S106; Yes), if there is a balance of prepaid value (step S114; Yes), the prize exchange processing unit 68b is shown in FIG. A window for designating the handling of the balance of the prepaid value as shown in b) is displayed, and a designation operation is accepted (step S115). When the operation of the “settlement” button is accepted in step S115 (step S116; Yes), the settlement processing unit 68c counters the money withdrawal process according to the prepaid value balance displayed on the prize exchange screen. Control is performed from the settlement machine 73 (step S117).

  Then, the settlement processing unit 68c transmits a prepaid value clear request including the card ID of the previously read card to the card management device 40 (step S118). When receiving the prepaid value clear request, the card management device 40 clears the prepaid value managed in association with the designated card ID to zero. As a result, the balance of the prepaid value remains in the valuable value data 67c, but the prepaid value associated with the card ID of the card previously read managed by the card management device 40 is cleared.

  Also, a ball count clear request including the card ID of the card that has been previously read is transmitted to the card management device 40 (step S119), and the process returns to step S101. When receiving the number-of-balls clear request, the card management device 40 clears the number of balls managed in association with the designated card ID to zero. As a result, the number of possessed balls remains in the valuable value data 67c, but the number of retained balls associated with the card ID of the card that was previously managed by the card management device 40 is cleared.

  When the operation of the “do not pay” button is accepted in the window displayed in step S115 (step S116; No, step S120; Yes), the prize exchange processing unit 68b selects the card that has been read first. After displaying a message to return (step S121) and indicating that the prepaid card has a remaining amount (step S122), the process proceeds to step S119. When the operation of the “carry over” button is received in the window displayed in step S115 (step S120; No), the process proceeds to step S118.

  Further, when the operation of the “read other card” button is accepted on the prize exchange screen (step S106; Yes), if the prepaid value balance is not displayed on the prize exchange screen (step S114; No), the process proceeds to step S119. Transition.

  Next, a detailed processing procedure of the prize payout / settlement process (step S111) shown in FIG. 16 will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a detailed processing procedure of the prize payout / settlement process (step 111).

  If “settlement” is specified as the necessity of settlement on the prize exchange screen (step S201; Yes), the settlement processing unit 68c pays out the money corresponding to the balance of the prepaid value from the counter settlement machine 73 and pays it out. The removal of the taken out money is monitored (step S202).

  If it is not detected that the dispensed money has been removed (step S203; No), and a predetermined time has elapsed since the money dispensing process (step S202) (step S204; Yes), settlement is performed. The processing unit 68c takes in the dispensed money into the apparatus (step S205). Further, the settlement processing unit 68c transmits a prepaid value clear request including the card ID to the card management device 40, and clears the balance of the prepaid value in the valuable value data 67c (step S206). When receiving the prepaid value clear request, the card management device 40 clears the prepaid value managed in association with the designated card ID to zero.

  If it is not detected that the paid-out money has been taken out (step S203; No), and a predetermined time has not elapsed since the money was paid out (step S204; No), step S203 Return to. As a result, the dispensed money is taken out or a predetermined time is awaited. If it is detected that the paid-out money has been removed (step S203; Yes), the processing of step S204 and step S205 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S206.

  When there is a special prize that can be paid out from the prize dispenser 74 in the exchange prize designated on the prize exchange screen, the prize exchange processing unit 68b pays out the special prize by the prize dispenser 74 and takes out the prize that has been paid out. Is monitored (step S209). If it is not detected that the paid out prize is taken out (step S210; No), the process returns to step S210 to wait for the paid out prize to be taken out. If it is detected that the paid out special prize has been removed (step S210; Yes), a request for clearing the number of possessed balls including the card ID and the game type is transmitted to the card management device 40, and the valuable value is also obtained. The number of possessed balls of the corresponding game type in the data 67c is cleared (step S211), and the process ends. When receiving the number-of-balls clear request, the card management device 40 clears the number of balls managed in association with the designated card ID and game type to zero.

  When “no payment” is specified as the necessity for payment on the prize exchange screen (step S201; No, step S207; Yes), the payment processing unit 68c displays a message to the effect that the card will be returned to the player. (Step S208), the process proceeds to Step S209. If “carry-over” is designated as the necessity of payment on the prize exchange screen (step S207; No), the process proceeds to step S206.

  Next, a detailed processing procedure of the card read processing shown in FIG. 16 will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a detailed processing procedure of the card read process (step S101) shown in FIG.

  The prize exchange processing unit 68b reads the card ID from the player's card by the card reader 64 (step S301). The prize exchange processing unit 68b transmits a card insertion notification including the read card ID to the card management device 40 and the member management device 50, and determines the balance of the game media, the game media, and the prepaid value associated with the card ID. Obtain (step S302).

  When the card read in the card read process (step S301) is a card to be relieved that has been associated with a prepaid value that has expired (step S303; Yes), the relief card processing unit 68d includes a card ID. A prepaid value clear request is transmitted to the card management device 40 (step S304). Upon receiving the prepaid value clear request, the card management device 40 initializes the card to a reusable state by clearing the prepaid value managed in association with the specified card ID to zero.

  The relief card processing unit 68d re-pays money of the same amount as the balance of the prepaid value that has expired (step S305), and ends the processing. Specifically, the relief card processing unit 68d transmits a payment notification including the card ID read in step S301 and the payment amount to the card management device 40. When the card management device 40 receives the payment notification, the card amount is registered in the prepaid value managed in association with the designated card ID, and the expiration date is set to the prepaid value on the day of the card delivered from the customer. Will be associated.

  If the card read in the card read process (step S301) is not a card to be relieved (step S303; No), the balance of the game media, the game media, and the prepaid value acquired in step S302 is valuable. The value is added to the value data 67c (step S306). In addition, the prize exchange processing unit 68b transmits a value update request including the card ID and the value data 67c to the card management device 40 (step S307), and ends the process. When the card management device 40 receives the value update request, the card management device 40 updates the possessed ball and the prepaid value managed in association with the designated card ID with the received value data 67c.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the case where the payout process of the money relating to the settlement process is performed first, and the payout process of the prize is performed when the removal of the money is detected is described. In some cases, processing is performed first. Specifically, in the setting, it is possible to set whether to perform the money payout process first, the prize payout process first, or both in parallel, and the setting to perform the prize payout process first. In the case where the prize is paid out, the prize payout process related to the prize exchange is performed first, and if the picked up prize is detected, the money payout process related to the settlement process is performed. These settings can also be set by input in the prize management device 60, and can also be set by input in the member management device 50. These setting functions function as time setting means for setting the payout time of money and the payout time of prizes, and can be adapted to the needs according to the operation form of the amusement store. In addition, although an example is described here in which the time for paying out money and the time for paying out prizes are simply set, the present invention is not limited to this example. It may be possible to set to.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, a designation operation for determining whether or not to settle is accepted, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after a predetermined time (for example, 15 minutes before the closing time), payment may be automatically selected as a default.

  In the present embodiment, the process of holding balls is described as an example of the acquired game medium. However, the acquired game medium used for prize exchange is not limited to the held ball, and the same process can be performed for stored balls. Is natural. Further, the processing target card is not limited to a general card, and a membership card or a portable terminal associated with a valuable value can be a processing target.

  In the present embodiment, the holding balls and the stored balls are managed by separate management devices, but the present invention can be similarly applied to the case where these are managed by an integrated management device. Also, the prize management device 60 and the counter settlement machine 73 can be configured as an integrated device.

  In addition, the prize management apparatus in the present embodiment can process the prepaid value and the acquired game medium associated with the card, but if the card still has a value that is not subject to processing, that fact It is good also as a structure which alert | reports. For example, when a value less than the minimum payment denomination remains as a prepaid value, or when a ball or a stored ball other than a unit price (rate) designated as an exchange target remains after exchange processing, a notification is performed. The configuration can be exemplified. In particular, in the inter-card processing machine 10, the possession balls and storage balls corresponding to other lending rates other than the lending rate corresponding to the own machine are converted into the number of balls of the lending rate corresponding to the own machine according to the unit price ratio. The number of balls that will be a fractional number after conversion is not converted and remains on the card. More cases. In this case, if the number of balls remaining below the conversion rate or payout unit for the specified rate remains at a rate other than the rate designated for prize exchange, by notifying that after the exchange process, It is possible to prevent a process from being forgotten by the player.

  Next, a specific example of a screen related to a processing result inquiry relating to prize exchange and settlement in the member management apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. 19, 20, and 21 are diagrams illustrating specific examples of screens related to processing performance inquiries relating to prize exchange and settlement in the member management apparatus 50. This processing result inquiry outputs the result of totaling the processing history data 55d collected in the member management apparatus 50 according to the designated content.

  The screen shown in FIG. 19A shows a specific example of a screen for designating the inquiry contents of the processing results of the prize exchange process and the settlement process performed by the prize management device 60. As shown in FIG. 19A, in this process performance inquiry, an inquiry target date, an inquiry type, a POS designation, and an inquiry classification can be designated. The inquiry target date is a date specification of the processing history data 55d to be aggregated, and a range can be specified. The POS here refers to the prize management device 60 and is used as a simplified name.

  As the inquiry type, “POS simple substance”, “designated POS total”, or “designated POS comparison” can be designated. “POS only” designates that the processing results performed by any one prize management device 60 are targeted. The “designated POS total” designates that the total of the processing results performed by the plurality of prize management devices 60 is output. The “designated POS comparison” designates that the processing results performed by each of the prize management devices 60 are output in a comparable manner for the processing results performed by the plurality of prize management devices 60.

  The inquiry classification can be designated as “member / general ratio inquiry”, “time zone processing distribution inquiry”, “settlement type ratio inquiry” or “settlement ratio inquiry”. “Member / general ratio inquiry” is for both members and non-members who performed only the exchange and payment of prizes and the number and ratio of payments only for the prepaid value balance. It is specified that the number of cases and the ratio are output. “Processing distribution distribution by time of day”, both the number and ratio of exchanged prizes, the number and percentage of payments only for prepaid value balance, and the exchange and payment of prizes. This specifies that the number and ratio are output. “Settlement type ratio inquiry” designates outputting the number and ratio of money types paid out in the settlement process. “Checkout rate inquiry” specifies that the number of received cards with a prepaid value balance, the number of cases where the prepaid value balance has been settled, and the ratio thereof are output.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19A, a “cancel” button and an “execute” button are arranged. The “cancel” button is a button for instructing to cancel the processing result inquiry, and the “execution” button is a button for instructing execution of the inquiry process according to the instruction on the screen.

  The screen shown in FIG. 19B shows a specific example of the inquiry result output screen when “member / general ratio inquiry” is designated as the inquiry classification in the screen shown in FIG. The screen shown in FIG. 19B is a specific example in the case where “2015/4/1” is designated as the inquiry target date, “designated POS comparison” is designated as the inquiry type, and the first and second machines are designated as the POS designation. As shown in Fig. 19 (b), for each of POS Unit 1 and Unit 2, the number and ratio of only prize exchanges for each member and non-member, and the number of cases where only the prepaid value balance was settled. And the ratio and the number and ratio of both prize exchange and settlement are output. Moreover, it can output also about each number of people. Furthermore, the member card ID can be designated and the number and ratio of only prize exchanges can be output for each individual.

  In addition, the number and ratio of only prize exchanges are the number and percentage of cases where there was no prepaid value balance and only exchanged prizes, and the number and percentage of cases where there was a prepaid value balance but only exchanged prizes. Is output. In addition, the number and ratio of only the settlement of the prepaid value balance are the number and ratio of the settlement with only the prepaid value balance without any possession, and only the settlement of the prepaid value balance with the possession. The number of cases and the ratio are output. Further, as shown in FIG. 19B, an “end” button for instructing the end of the inquiry process is arranged.

  The screen shown in FIG. 20A shows a specific example of the inquiry result output screen when “process distribution inquiry by time zone” is designated as the inquiry classification in the screen shown in FIG. The screen shown in FIG. 20A is a specific example in the case where “2015/4/1” is designated as the inquiry target date, “POS simple substance” is designated as the inquiry type, and Unit 1 is designated as the POS designation. As shown in FIG. 20 (a), for the first POS unit, for each time period, the number and ratio of the prize exchange only, the number and percentage of the prepaid value balance only, the prize exchange and The number and ratio of both settlements are output.

  Similarly to the member / general ratio inquiry in FIG. 19 (b), the number and ratio of exchanged prizes are the same as the number and ratio of exchanged prizes without a prepaid value balance, and the balance of prepaid value. The number of cases where only prizes were exchanged and the ratio were output. In addition, the number and ratio of only the settlement of the prepaid value balance are the number and ratio of the settlement with only the prepaid value balance without any possession, and only the settlement of the prepaid value balance with the possession. The number of cases and the ratio are output.

  As shown in FIG. 20A, when the inquiry content does not fit on one screen, a scroll bar for scrolling the display content is also displayed. In addition, as shown in FIG. 20A, an “end” button for instructing the end of the inquiry process is arranged.

  The screen shown in FIG. 20B shows a specific example of the inquiry result output screen when “settlement money type ratio inquiry” is designated as the inquiry classification in the screen shown in FIG. The screen shown in FIG. 20B is a specific example in the case where “2015/4/1” is designated as the inquiry target date, “designated POS comparison” is designated as the inquiry type, and the first and second machines are designated as the POS designation. As shown in FIG. 20 (b), the number and ratio of money denominated in the settlement process are output for each of the first and second POS units. Also, as shown in FIG. 20B, an “end” button for instructing the end of the inquiry process is arranged.

  The screen shown in FIG. 21 shows a specific example of a query result output screen when “settlement ratio query” is designated as the query category in the screen shown in FIG. The screen shown in FIG. 21 is a specific example when “2015/4/1” is designated as the inquiry target date, “designated POS comparison” is designated as the inquiry type, and the first and second machines are designated as the POS designation. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the number of received cards associated with the prepaid value, the number of cases in which the internal payment processing has been performed, and the ratio thereof are output for each POS of the designated unit. As shown in FIG. 21, an “end” button for instructing the end of the inquiry process is arranged.

  As described above, the prize management device 60 receives an instruction on whether or not to settle the prepaid value and an instruction operation for the prize to be exchanged, and if there is an instruction to settle the balance of the prepaid value, the counter settlement machine 73 To pay money according to the balance of prepaid value. Also, the prize management device 60 monitors that the paid out money is taken out, and if it is detected that the money has been taken out, the designated prize is paid out from the prize dispenser 74. With this configuration, when the prepaid value and the number of game media are associated with the recording medium, the payment process for the prepaid value and the prize exchange process for the number of game media can be performed quickly and efficiently.

  In this embodiment, the money corresponding to the balance of the prepaid value is paid out in the settlement process, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of paying out money according to the prepaid value balance, the value according to the prepaid value balance may be transferred to electronic money.

  Further, in the present embodiment, it has been described that the balance of the prepaid value is also settled when exchanging the prizes for prizes, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a prize is exchanged for a stored ball, the balance of the prepaid value may be adjusted together.

  Moreover, although the present Example demonstrated the example of the game media management system which uses a game ball as a game media, this invention is not limited to this. For example, in the prize exchange process in the prize management device 60 related to a slot having a game medium as a medal, the balance of the prepaid value may be adjusted together when prizes are exchanged in the same manner.

  Each configuration illustrated in the above-described embodiment is functionally schematic and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. That is, the form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed / integrated in arbitrary units according to various loads or usage conditions. Can be configured.

  As described above, when the prepaid value and the number of game media are associated with the recording medium, the settlement apparatus and the settlement method according to the present invention can quickly and efficiently adjust the prepaid value settlement processing and the number of game media. Suitable for performing prize exchange processing.

10 card processing machine 11 status display unit 12 banknote transport unit 12a, 73d banknote insertion slot 13, 81 display operation unit 14 reader / writer 14a card insertion slot 14b holding unit 15, 63, 82 communication unit 16, 45, 55, 67 , 85 Storage unit 16a Card ID
16b, 67c, 85a Valuable value data 16c Device ID
16d Game setting data 17, 46, 56, 68, 86 Control unit 17a Data management unit 17b Count processing unit 18a Nozzle unit 18b Counting unit 20 Game machine 30 Island controller 40 Card management device 41, 51 Display unit 42, 52 Input unit 44 , 54 Store network communication unit 45a Card management data 46a Card management unit 50 Member management device 53 External network communication unit 55a Member management data 55b Game type setting data 55c, 67a Prize masters 55d, 67b, 85b Processing history data 56a Member management unit 56b Prize master management unit 56c, 68e, 86c Processing history data management unit 60 Prize management device 61 Store side display unit 62 Operation unit 64, 83 Card reader 65 Clerk tag reader 66 Receipt issuing unit 67d Prize exchange candidate data 67 Setting parameter 68a Prize management unit 68b Prize exchange processing unit 68c, 86a Settlement processing unit 68d, 86b Relief card processing unit 71 Bar code reader 72 Customer side operation unit 72a, 74b Customer side display unit 72b Mobile terminal reader 73 Counter settlement machine 73a operation Display unit 73b Coin receiving port 73c Coin taking out port 73e Bill taking out port 74 Prize dispenser 74a Store side display operation unit 74c Paying out port 80 Settlement machine 84 Money unit

Claims (7)

Prepaid value settlement processing corresponding to the identification information of the recording medium is connected to a management means that stores the valuable information including the prepaid value and the number of acquired game media in association with the identification information of the predetermined recording medium. A settlement device to perform,
Reading means for reading the identification information stored in the predetermined storage medium;
Valuable value information acquisition means for acquiring valuable value information corresponding to the identification information read by the reading means from the management means;
Money dispensing control means for controlling the dispensing of money according to the prepaid value included in the valuable information acquired by the valuable information acquiring means;
An exchange prize specifying means for specifying an exchange prize according to the number of acquired game media included in the value information acquired by the value information acquisition means;
A settlement apparatus comprising: process interlocking means for interlocking the money payout by the money payout control means with the process related to the exchange prize. Money withdrawal detection means for detecting the removal of money paid out by the money withdrawal control means;
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a prize payout control means for controlling to pay out the prize specified by the exchange prize specifying means when the picking up of money is detected by the money pickup detection means. The settlement apparatus described. A prize payout control means for controlling the payout of the prize specified by the exchange prize specifying means;
A prize take-out detection means for detecting take-out of prizes paid out by the prize payout control means;
A money withdrawal detection means for detecting the removal of money paid out by the money withdrawal control means, and
The money dispensing control means includes:
The payment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the prize removal detection unit detects the removal of the prize, the payment of money corresponding to the prepaid value is controlled. A prize payout control means for controlling the payout of the prize specified by the exchange prize specifying means;
Time setting means for setting the money payout time by the money payout control means and the prize payout time by the prize payout control means;
The settlement apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. A withdrawal restricting means for controlling to restrict the withdrawal of the money when the withdrawal of the money is not detected within a predetermined time from the dispensing of the money by the money dispensing control means. 3. The settlement apparatus according to 3. A determination means for determining whether or not to pay out money according to the prepaid value when there is a balance of the prepaid value included in the valuable value information acquired by the valuable value information acquisition means;
The money dispensing control means includes:
The payment of money according to the prepaid value is controlled when it is determined by the determining means that the money according to the prepaid value is to be paid out. The settlement apparatus described. Prepaid value settlement processing corresponding to the identification information of the recording medium is connected to a management means that stores the valuable information including the prepaid value and the number of acquired game media in association with the identification information of the predetermined recording medium. A settlement method in a settlement apparatus to perform,
A reading step of reading the identification information stored in the predetermined storage medium;
Valuable value information acquisition step for acquiring valuable value information corresponding to the identification information read in the reading step from the management means;
A money dispensing control step for controlling the dispensing of money according to the prepaid value included in the valuable information acquired by the valuable information acquisition step;
A replacement award specifying step for specifying a replacement award according to the number of acquired game media included in the valuable value information acquired by the valuable value information acquisition step;
A settlement method comprising: a process interlocking step for interlocking the money payout in the money payout control step and the process related to the exchange prize.

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