JP2019088498A - Game medium provision method, game medium provision apparatus, and game medium provision system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game medium provision apparatus capable of preventing a game medium's double use not intended by a game site without requiring setting of the number of game media to be provided for each shop.SOLUTION: A game medium provision apparatus comprises: game medium provision propriety determination means that when game medium provision information and identification information are acquired by information acquisition means, determines the propriety of providing a user identified using the identification information with a game medium corresponding to the game medium provision information; game medium provision means for providing a game medium corresponding to the number of pieces of provision of the game medium provision information, on the basis of a determination result by the game medium provision propriety determination means; and information storage means that when the game medium is provided by the game medium provision means, stores game medium provision history information showing provision of the game medium on the basis of combination of game medium provision information and identification information corresponding to the provision of the game medium and showing an increased or decreased count value in information storage means every time the provision of the game medium is repeated using the combination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a game medium providing method, a game medium providing apparatus and a game medium providing system, and more specifically, a game medium free of charge for a user who plays a game using a game medium in a game arcade where a game machine is installed. The present invention relates to a method of providing a game medium, a game medium providing apparatus, and a game medium providing system.

  In game arcades such as arcade game facilities, game machines using medals as game media are installed. Such a game machine is configured to be playable by the user inserting a medal into the game machine. The user can receive the payout of a predetermined number of medals according to the result of the game played.

  In the game arcade, various services are provided to encourage users to come to the store. For example, a service that prints out a service ticket that can be exchanged for a predetermined number of medals on a paper medium such as a newspaper or a magazine and issues it, and provides the medals free of charge to the user who came with the service ticket Service). The user who brings the service ticket presents the service ticket to the store clerk, and the store clerk at the game arcade provides the user with a medal according to the number printed on the service ticket.

  In addition, there is also a mode in which a medal service is performed using a member service using a portable terminal. That is, an e-mail is transmitted to the user who has been registered as a member in advance, and the user displays the content of the e-mail on the display of the portable terminal and presents it to the store clerk of the game arcade. After confirming the content of the service displayed on the display, the store clerk at the game arcade provides the user with a medal according to the content of the service.

  On the other hand, technologies for providing game media free of charge have been proposed, and there is, for example, a "game media lending system" disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-51464). The "gaming medium lending system" includes an ID card set for each player, a card processor for reading data of the ID card, and an account for setting the number of deposited gaming media for each player. A storage means for storing in a storage area, a gaming media counter for counting the quantity of gaming media inserted for the player to deposit in the account, and a quantity for the player to remain in his account in order to play the game A game medium drawer for drawing game media by designating a quantity in the game machine, setting means for setting the quantity of game medium to be additionally stored in the storage area, and the quantity of game medium set by the setting means And control means for additionally storing in the storage area of and making it possible to lend game media to the player free of charge. In this "gaming medium lending system", the number of gaming media stored in the gaming medium storage area set as an account for each player is additionally stored by the setting means, so that the player can play the game media for free. It is supposed to be able to receive service.

JP-A-7-51464 (claim 1, paragraphs 0008, 0010, paragraphs 0012 to 0067, see FIGS. 1 to 9)

  In the medal service using a service ticket, since the store clerk at the game arcade needs to frequently respond to the user, the burden on the sales clerk's work increases, which in turn increases the labor cost. In other words, there is a problem that the cost at the game place increases. In recent years, a technology has been proposed that uses a two-dimensional code when giving points and discounting products, and it is possible to automate the medal service by applying this technology. However, since the user can receive the medal service redundantly using one service ticket, there is a problem that the game site can not prevent the duplicate use of the medal service which is not intended.

  In the medal service using a mobile terminal, there is a problem that a junior or elderly person who does not possess a mobile terminal can not receive the service. In other words, there is a problem that the convenience of the user is reduced. Furthermore, there is a problem that the introduction cost and the operation cost increase because the system becomes large-scale and complicated.

  In the "game media lending system" of Patent Document 1, there is a problem that it is necessary to set the number of game media to receive the free service for each store.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is not necessary to set the number of game media provided free of charge for each store, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a free service for game media not intended by game arcades. A game medium providing method, a game medium providing apparatus, and a game medium providing system capable of effectively preventing duplicate use.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a game medium providing method, a game medium providing apparatus, and a game medium providing system, in which services can be diversified while preventing duplicate use of free services of game media not intended by a game arcade. It is in.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a game medium providing method, a game medium providing apparatus, and a game medium providing system, in which the convenience of the user is enhanced while suppressing the increase in cost in the game arcade.
Other objects of the present invention not specified here are apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

  In order to achieve this object, the present invention is configured as follows.

  A game medium providing method of the present invention is a game medium providing method for providing the game medium to a plurality of users free of charge based on game medium providing information including the number of provided game medium, and the first information acquisition is performed. Information acquiring means for acquiring the game medium providing information common to the plurality of users, and the first information acquiring means or the second information acquiring means acquiring identification information capable of specifying each of the plurality of users When the gaming medium provision information and the identification information are acquired in the acquiring step and the information acquiring step, provision of the gaming medium corresponding to the gaming medium provision information to the user specified by the identification information The game medium providing means determines whether or not the game medium can be determined based on the determination result in the game medium availability determining step and the game medium availability determining step. The game medium providing step of providing the game medium according to the number of the provided skill medium provision information, and the game medium provided corresponding to the provision of the game medium when the game medium is provided in the game medium providing step Game media providing history information indicating that the game medium has been provided based on the combination of the information and the identification information and indicating a count value to be added or subtracted each time the game medium is provided by the combination Game medium provision history information holding step held in the information storage means, and the game medium provision information further includes a game medium provision permitted number of times indicating the number of times the game medium can be provided; In the determination step, the game corresponding to a combination of the gaming medium provision information and the identification information acquired in the information acquisition step When the body provision history information is held in the information storage means, it indicates that the count value in the game medium provision history information has reached the game medium provision permitted number of times of the acquired game medium provision information. It is a game media providing method in which it is determined that the game media can be provided.

  Note that "providing game media" in the present invention means providing physical gaming media or electronic gaming media to the user. The physical game medium is a game medium as an entity, and the electronic game medium is a game medium associated with information, and is a concept including game medium information of an intangible object.

  In the game medium providing method of the present invention, game medium providing information common to a plurality of users is acquired by the first information acquisition means, and each of the plurality of users is specified by the first information acquisition means or the second information acquisition means. Possible identification information is obtained. When gaming medium provision information and identification information are acquired, a user who provides gaming media is identified based on the identification information, and provision of gaming media corresponding to the gaming medium provision information to the identified user is provided. Whether or not is determined by the game medium availability determination means. Then, the game medium providing means provides the game medium according to the number of provided game media included in the game medium providing information based on the determination result of the game medium availability determining means. Since the game medium providing information includes the number of game media provided, it is not necessary to set the number of game media to be provided for each store.

  In addition, when provision of gaming media is performed, it indicates that gaming media has been provided based on a combination of gaming media provision information and identification information corresponding to the provision of the gaming media, and provision of gaming media is executed by the combination. The game medium provision history information indicating the count value to be added or subtracted each time is stored is held in the information storage means. The game medium provision information further includes a game medium provision permitted number of times indicating the number of times the game medium can be provided, and the game medium provision possibility determination means is a combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information acquired by the information acquisition means. When the corresponding game medium provision history information is held in the information storage means, the count value in the game medium provision history information indicates that the game medium provision permitted number of times of the acquired game medium provision information has been reached. Determines that provision of the game media is possible. In other words, if the number of permitted gaming medium provision times is appropriately set, provision of gaming media is performed within the range of the number of allowed gaming medium provision times. Therefore, overlapping provision of gaming media is possible only within the intended range, and overlapping provision of gaming media beyond the intended range (ie, overlapping provision of unintended gaming media) is effectively prevented. This makes it possible to diversify services while preventing the overlapping provision of unintended game media. In addition, since the service for providing game media is automatically executed without the involvement of the store clerk at the game arcade, the increase in cost can be suppressed, and the convenience of the user is also improved.

  In a preferable example of the game medium providing method according to the present invention, in the game medium provision possibility determination step, the game medium provision history information corresponding to a combination of the game medium provision information acquired in the information acquisition process and the identification information is When it is not held in the information storage means, it is determined that the game medium can be provided.

  The first game medium providing apparatus of the present invention is a game medium providing apparatus for providing the game medium to a plurality of users at no charge based on game medium providing information including the number of game medium provided, Information acquisition means for acquiring the game medium provision information common to a plurality of users and acquiring identification information capable of specifying each of the plurality of users, the game medium provision information and the identification by the information acquisition means When the information is acquired, it is determined whether or not the provision of the game medium corresponding to the game medium provision information is made to the user specified by the identification information. Game medium providing means for providing the game medium according to the number of provision of the game medium providing information based on the determination result by the availability determination means, and the game medium providing means If a game medium is provided, it indicates that the game medium has been provided based on a combination of the game medium providing information and the identification information corresponding to the provision of the game medium, and the game medium is provided by the combination. Storing means for holding gaming medium providing history information indicating counting values to be added or subtracted each time the game is executed in the information storing means, and the gaming medium providing information can execute provision of the gaming medium The game medium provision possibility determination unit further includes a game medium provision permitted number indicating the number, and the game medium provision possibility determination unit is configured to set the game medium provision history information corresponding to a combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information acquired by the information acquisition unit. When held in the information storage unit, the count value in the gaming medium provision history information is the acquired gaming medium Until they show that reached the game medium providing allowable number of information determines possible to provide the game medium is a game medium providing device.

  In the first game medium providing apparatus of the present invention, game medium providing information common to a plurality of users is acquired by the information acquiring means, and identification information capable of specifying each of the plurality of users is acquired. When gaming medium provision information and identification information are acquired, a user who provides gaming media is identified based on the identification information, and provision of gaming media corresponding to the gaming medium provision information to the identified user is provided. Whether or not is determined by the game medium availability determination means. Then, the game medium providing means provides the game medium according to the number of provided game media included in the game medium providing information based on the determination result of the game medium availability determining means. Since the game medium providing information includes the number of game media provided, it is not necessary to set the number of game media to be provided for each store.

  In addition, when provision of gaming media is performed, it indicates that gaming media has been provided based on a combination of gaming media provision information and identification information corresponding to the provision of the gaming media, and provision of gaming media is executed by the combination. The game medium provision history information indicating the count value to be added or subtracted each time is stored is held in the information storage means. The game medium provision information further includes a game medium provision permitted number of times indicating the number of times the game medium can be provided, and the game medium provision possibility determination means is a combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information acquired by the information acquisition means. When the corresponding game medium provision history information is held in the information storage means, the count value in the game medium provision history information indicates that the game medium provision permitted number of times of the acquired game medium provision information has been reached. Determines that provision of the game media is possible. In other words, if the number of permitted gaming medium provision times is appropriately set, provision of gaming media is performed within the range of the number of allowed gaming medium provision times. Therefore, overlapping provision of gaming media is possible only within the intended range, and overlapping provision of gaming media beyond the intended range (ie, overlapping provision of unintended gaming media) is effectively prevented. This makes it possible to diversify services while preventing the overlapping provision of unintended game media. In addition, since the service for providing game media is automatically executed without the involvement of the store clerk at the game arcade, the increase in cost can be suppressed, and the convenience of the user is also improved.

  In a preferable example of the first game medium providing apparatus according to the present invention, the game medium availability determination means provides the game medium corresponding to a combination of the game medium providing information and the identification information acquired by the information acquiring means. When the history information is not held in the information storage means, it is determined that the game medium can be provided.

  A second game medium providing apparatus according to the present invention is a game medium providing apparatus for providing the game medium to a plurality of users at no charge based on game medium providing information including the number of game medium provided. A first information acquisition unit for acquiring the game medium provision information common to a plurality of users; a second information acquisition unit for acquiring identification information capable of specifying each of the plurality of users; [2] When the game medium provision information and the identification information are acquired by the information acquisition means, it is determined whether the game medium provided for the game medium provision information can be provided to the user specified by the identification information Game medium provider providing the game medium according to the number of provision of the game medium providing information based on the judgment result of the game medium provision possibility judging means and the game medium provision possibility judging means And, when the game medium is provided by the game medium providing means, it indicates that the game medium has been provided based on a combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information corresponding to the provision of the game medium. Information storage means for holding gaming medium providing history information indicating counting values to be added or subtracted each time provision of the gaming medium is executed by the combination, and the gaming medium providing information The game medium provision permission number indicating the number of times the game medium can be provided is further included, and the game medium provision possibility determination means determines the game medium provision information acquired by the first and second information acquisition means and the identification. When the game medium provision history information corresponding to the combination of information is held in the information storage means, the game medium provision history information Until it indicates that the counted value has reached the game medium providing allowable number of game media provide information the acquisition in determines possible to provide the game medium is a game medium providing device.

  In the second game medium providing apparatus of the present invention, game medium providing information common to a plurality of users is acquired by the first information acquiring means, and identification capable of identifying each of the plurality of users by the second information acquiring means Information is acquired. When gaming medium provision information and identification information are acquired, a user who provides gaming media is identified based on the identification information, and provision of gaming media corresponding to the gaming medium provision information to the identified user is provided. Whether or not is determined by the game medium availability determination means. Then, the game medium providing means provides the game medium according to the number of provided game media included in the game medium providing information based on the determination result of the game medium availability determining means. Since the game medium providing information includes the number of game media provided, it is not necessary to set the number of game media to be provided for each store.

  In addition, when provision of gaming media is performed, it indicates that gaming media has been provided based on a combination of gaming media provision information and identification information corresponding to the provision of the gaming media, and provision of gaming media is executed by the combination. The game medium provision history information indicating the count value to be added or subtracted each time is stored is held in the information storage means. The game medium provision information further includes a game medium provision permitted number of times indicating the number of times the game medium can be provided, and the game medium provision possibility determination means is a combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information acquired by the information acquisition means. When the corresponding game medium provision history information is held in the information storage means, the count value in the game medium provision history information indicates that the game medium provision permitted number of times of the acquired game medium provision information has been reached. Determines that provision of the game media is possible. In other words, if the number of permitted gaming medium provision times is appropriately set, provision of gaming media is performed within the range of the number of allowed gaming medium provision times. Therefore, overlapping provision of gaming media is possible only within the intended range, and overlapping provision of gaming media beyond the intended range (ie, overlapping provision of unintended gaming media) is effectively prevented. This makes it possible to diversify services while preventing the overlapping provision of unintended game media. In addition, since the service for providing game media is automatically executed without the involvement of the store clerk at the game arcade, the increase in cost can be suppressed, and the convenience of the user is also improved.

  In a preferable example of the second game medium providing apparatus according to the present invention, the game medium availability determination unit corresponds to a combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information acquired by the first and second information acquisition units. It is determined that the provision of the game medium is possible when the game medium provision history information is not held in the information storage means.

The first game medium providing system of the present invention is a game medium providing system for providing the game medium to a plurality of users at no charge based on game medium providing information including the number of game medium provided.
The gaming medium processing device having the function of providing the gaming media, and a management device capable of communicating with the gaming media processing device, the gaming media processing device being a game common to the plurality of users An information acquisition means for acquiring medium provision information and acquiring identification information capable of specifying each of the plurality of users, and managing the combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information acquired by the information acquisition means The first control means for controlling transmission to the device, and game medium providing means for providing the game medium, the management device is a combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information from the game medium processing device. When it is transmitted, it is determined whether the provision of the game medium corresponding to the game medium provision information is possible for the user specified by the identification information Based on the combination of the game medium providing information and the identification information corresponding to the determination when it is determined that the game medium can be provided by the game medium availability determining means and the game medium availability determining means. Information storage means for holding gaming medium provision history information indicating that the gaming medium has been provided and showing a count value to be added or subtracted each time provision of the gaming medium is executed by the combination; And second control means for controlling to transmit the determination result by the provision possibility determination means to the gaming media processing device, wherein the first control means performs the game based on the determination result transmitted from the management device. The game medium providing means is controlled to provide the game medium according to the number of provided medium provision information, and the game medium provision information is the game medium. The game medium provision permission number indicating the number of times the game medium can be provided, and the game medium availability determination unit corresponds to a combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information transmitted from the game medium processing device. When the gaming medium provision history information is held in the information storage means, the count value in the gaming medium provision history information has reached the number of times of permitted gaming medium provision of the transmitted gaming medium provision information. It is a game media providing system that determines that the game media can be provided until it indicates.

  In the first game medium providing system of the present invention, game medium providing information common to a plurality of users and identification information capable of specifying each of a plurality of users are acquired by the information acquiring means of the game medium processing apparatus. . When a combination of gaming media providing information and identification information is transmitted from the gaming media processing device, the management device identifies the user who provides the gaming media based on the identification information, and sends the identified user to the identified user. Whether to provide the game medium corresponding to the game medium provision information is determined by the game medium provision possibility determination means. Then, when the determination result is transmitted from the management device, provision of game media according to the provided number of game media included in the game media provision information based on the determination result in the game media processing device is made by the game media providing means. To be done. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the number of game media to be provided for each store.

  Further, in the management device, when it is determined that provision of the game medium is possible by the game medium availability determination means, game medium is provided based on a combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information corresponding to the determination. Game information providing history information is held in the information storage means, indicating game contents and showing a count value to be added or subtracted each time provision of game media is executed by the combination. The game medium provision information further includes a game medium provision permitted number of times indicating the number of times the game medium can be provided, and the game medium provision availability determination means is a combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information transmitted from the game medium processing device. When the game medium provision history information corresponding to is held in the information storage means, the count value in the game medium provision history information reaches the number of game medium provision permitted times of the game medium provision information transmitted from the game medium processing device. It is determined that the game media can be provided until it indicates that the game is being played. In other words, if the number of permitted gaming medium provision times is appropriately set, provision of gaming media is performed within the range of the number of allowed gaming medium provision times. Therefore, overlapping provision of gaming media is possible only within the intended range, and overlapping provision of gaming media beyond the intended range (ie, overlapping provision of unintended gaming media) is effectively prevented. This makes it possible to diversify services while preventing the overlapping provision of unintended game media. In addition, since the service for providing game media is automatically executed without the involvement of the store clerk at the game arcade, the increase in cost can be suppressed, and the convenience of the user is also improved.

  In a preferable example of the first game medium providing system according to the present invention, the game medium availability determination unit is configured to correspond to a combination of the game medium providing information and the identification information transmitted from the game medium processing device. When the provision history information is not held in the information storage means, it is determined that the provision of the game medium is possible.

  A second game medium providing system according to the present invention of the present invention is a game medium providing system for providing the game medium to a plurality of users free of charge based on game medium providing information including the number of game medium provided. A game media processing device having a function of providing the game media, and a management device capable of communicating with the game media processing device, the game media processing device being common to the plurality of users Acquired by first information acquisition means for acquiring the game medium provision information, second information acquisition means for acquiring identification information capable of specifying each of the plurality of users, and the first and second information acquisition means The first control means for controlling to transmit the game medium provision information and the identification information to the management device; and a game medium providing means for providing the game medium, When the game medium provision information and the identification information are transmitted from the medium processing device, it is determined whether the game medium provided for the game medium provision information can be provided to the user specified by the identification information. When it is determined that provision of the game medium is possible by the game medium provision possibility determination means and the game medium provision possibility determination means, the combination is made based on the combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information corresponding to the determination. Information storage means for holding gaming medium providing history information indicating that a gaming medium has been provided and showing a count value to be added or subtracted each time provision of the gaming medium is executed by the combination; And second control means for controlling to transmit the determination result by the availability determination means to the gaming media processing device, the first control means And controlling the game medium providing means to provide the game medium according to the number of provision of the game medium providing information based on the determination result transmitted from the management device, the game medium providing information being the game The game medium provision permission number indicating the number of times the medium can be provided is further included, and the game medium availability determination unit corresponds to a combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information transmitted from the game medium processing device. When the game medium provision history information to be played is held in the information storage means, the count value in the game medium provision history information has reached the game medium provision permitted number of times of the transmitted game medium provision information It is a game media providing system that determines that the game media can be provided until it indicates that.

  In the second game medium providing system of the present invention, game medium providing information common to a plurality of users is acquired by the first information acquiring means of the game medium processing apparatus, and a plurality of the second information acquiring means of the game medium processing apparatus Identification information that can identify each of the users of is acquired. When a combination of gaming media providing information and identification information is transmitted from the gaming media processing device, the management device identifies the user who provides the gaming media based on the identification information, and sends the identified user to the identified user. Whether to provide the game medium corresponding to the game medium provision information is determined by the game medium provision possibility determination means. Then, when the determination result is transmitted from the management device, provision of game media according to the provided number of game media included in the game media provision information based on the determination result in the game media processing device is made by the game media providing means. To be done. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the number of game media to be provided for each store.

  Further, in the management device, when it is determined that provision of the game medium is possible by the game medium availability determination means, game medium is provided based on a combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information corresponding to the determination. Game information providing history information is held in the information storage means, indicating game contents and showing a count value to be added or subtracted each time provision of game media is executed by the combination. The game medium provision information further includes a game medium provision permitted number of times indicating the number of times the game medium can be provided, and the game medium provision availability determination means is a combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information transmitted from the game medium processing device. When the game medium provision history information corresponding to is held in the information storage means, the count value in the game medium provision history information reaches the number of game medium provision permitted times of the game medium provision information transmitted from the game medium processing device. It is determined that the game media can be provided until it indicates that the game is being played. In other words, if the number of permitted gaming medium provision times is appropriately set, provision of gaming media is performed within the range of the number of allowed gaming medium provision times. Therefore, overlapping provision of gaming media is possible only within the intended range, and overlapping provision of gaming media beyond the intended range (ie, overlapping provision of unintended gaming media) is effectively prevented. This makes it possible to diversify services while preventing the overlapping provision of unintended game media. In addition, since the service for providing game media is automatically executed without the involvement of the store clerk at the game arcade, the increase in cost can be suppressed, and the convenience of the user is also improved.

  In a preferable example of the second game medium providing system according to the present invention, the game medium availability determination unit is configured to correspond to a combination of the game medium providing information and the identification information transmitted from the game medium processing device. When the provision history information is not held in the information storage means, it is determined that the provision of the game medium is possible.

  In the game medium providing method, the game medium providing apparatus, and the game medium providing system of the present invention, (a) it is not necessary to set the number of game media provided free of charge for each store, and free service of game media not intended by the game arcade (B) It is possible to diversify services while (b) preventing double use of free media for game media not intended by the game place, (c) suppressing an increase in cost in the game place The effect of being able to enhance the convenience of the user is obtained.

It is the schematic which shows the game place where the medal provision apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a schematic front view which shows the medal lender installed in the game arcade of FIG. It is a principal part schematic block diagram of the medal lending machine of FIG. It is a schematic front view which shows the medal deposit-payment machine installed in the game place of FIG. 1 and having a function as a medal provision device. It is a principal part schematic block diagram of the medal deposit-payment machine of FIG. It is a principal part schematic block diagram of the control apparatus which comprises the medal lending machine of FIG. It is a principal part schematic block diagram of the management apparatus installed in the game place of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the member user identification number and registration biometric information managed by the management apparatus of FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a medal service database used by the medal providing device of FIG. 4; It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the medal deposit-payment machine of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the medal deposit-payment machine of FIG. 4, and is a continuation of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the medal | token availability determination step of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the game place where the medal provision system of 2nd Embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a schematic front view which shows the medal lending machine which comprises the medal provision system of FIG. It is a principal part schematic block diagram of the medal lending machine of FIG. It is a principal part schematic block diagram of a control device which constitutes a medal deposit and payment machine of FIG. It is a principal part schematic block diagram of the medal deposit and payment machine which comprises the medal provision system of FIG. It is a principal part schematic block diagram of a control device which constitutes a medal deposit and payment machine of FIG. It is a principal part schematic block diagram of the management apparatus which comprises the medal provision system of FIG. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the operation | movement of the medal provision system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the medal service in the medal lending machine of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the medal service in the medal deposit-payment machine of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the medal | token service in the management apparatus of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the medal service database used with the medal provision apparatus of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a part of operation | movement of the medal | token provision apparatus of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part schematic block diagram showing a medal deposit and payment machine having a function as a medal provision device of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a game arcade 1 to which the medal providing device 21 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, in the game arcade 1, a medal lending machine 10, a medal depositing machine 20 incorporating a medal providing device 21, a plurality of game machines 30, and a management device 40 are installed. The medal deposit and payment machine 20 and the management device 40 are communicably connected to each other via a LAN (Local Area Network) 50. As described later, the token depositing and dispensing machine 20 has a function of the medal providing device 21. The user of the game arcade 1 receives the medal M from the medal lending machine 10 and plays the game machine 30 using the medal M. The user can deposit the medal M acquired by the play on the game machine 30 in the medal deposit / deposit machine 20. The user can also receive the payout of the medal M deposited in the medal deposit / deposit machine 20 and play the game machine 30 using the medal M. As described later, the user who brings the medal service ticket PM can receive the medal M from the medal provision device 21 without charge, and can play the game machine 30 using the medal M.

  First, the medal lending machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The medal lending machine 10 has a function of lending out a number of medals M according to the payment amount of cash. The medal lending machine 10 includes a box-shaped housing 100, a display 102, an input device 104, a bill depositing / dispensing device 106, a coin sorting device 108, a coin safe 110, a medal dispensing device 112, a coin dispensing outlet 114, and a medal dispensing outlet 116. And a controller 118. As shown in FIG. 3, the display device 102, the input device 104, the bill depositing / dispensing device 106 and the coin sorting device 108 are electrically connected to the control device 118.

  The display device 102 has a horizontally long rectangular shape and is disposed on the front upper portion of the housing 100. The display device 102 is configured of a dot matrix type display or a liquid crystal display. Various guide information is displayed on the display device 102.

  The input device 104 has a horizontally long rectangular shape and is disposed below the display device 102. The input device 104 is configured of a touch panel combined with a dot matrix display or a liquid crystal display. A plurality of operation buttons (not shown) are displayed on the input device 104, and the user can specify the number of payouts of the medal M by touching a desired operation button.

  The bill depositing / dispensing device 106 is incorporated in the inside of the housing 100, and includes a bill insertion slot 120 and a bill dispensing outlet 122 disposed on the lower right side of the display device 102. The bill depositing / dispensing device 106 discriminates the authenticity and denomination of the bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 120, accepts the bill determined as a genuine coin as a denomination into a bill storage (not shown), The bill discriminated as a coin and the unrecognizable bill are returned to the bill insertion slot 120. Further, when the amount corresponding to the number of medals paid out by the operation of the operation button of the input device 104 is lower than the denomination of the bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 120, the bill depositing / dispensing device 106 The stored banknotes are paid out to the banknote dispenser 122 as a fishing banknote.

  The coin sorting device 108 is incorporated into the inside of the housing 100 and disposed below the bill depositing / dispensing device 106. The coin sorting device 108 includes a coin insertion slot 124 and a coin return lever 126. The coin sorting device 108 determines the authenticity and denomination of the coin inserted into the coin insertion slot 124, stores the coin determined as a genuine coin in the coin safe 110 of the denomination, and determines the coin as a fake coin To the coin payout opening 114. The coin return lever 126 is used when the coin inserted into the coin insertion slot 124 is returned. When the coin return lever 126 is operated, coins held in the coin sorting device 108 are paid out to the coin payout opening 114.

  The medal payout device 112 is incorporated in the inside of the housing 100 and disposed on the lower left side of the input device 104. The medal payout device 112 separates the medals M stored in bulk in a medal storage container (not shown) storing the medals M one by one and pays out to the medal payout port 116.

  The control device 118 is disposed at the top in the housing 100 and controls the overall operation of the medal lending machine 10. When the user inserts a bill into the bill insertion slot 120 of the bill depositing / dispensing device 106, the bill depositing / dispensing device 106 outputs a bill deposit signal corresponding to the bill deposit amount to the control device 118. The control device 118 causes the display device 102 to display the bill deposit amount according to the bill deposit amount corresponding to the bill deposit signal, and causes the input device 104 to display the operation button. When the user operates the operation button, the medal lending amount corresponding to the number of medals paid out is designated, and the input device 104 outputs a medal lending amount signal corresponding to the medal lending amount to the control device 118. The control device 118 compares the medal lending amount with the bill payment amount, and when the bill payment amount exceeds the medal lending amount, the bill change signal corresponding to the difference between the bill payment amount and the medal lending amount is used as the bill depositing / dispensing device While outputting to 106, the medal payout signal of the number of medals according to the token loan amount is output to the medal payout device 112. As a result, the bill depositing and dispensing apparatus 106 dispenses the fishing bill from the bill dispensing outlet 122. Further, the medal payout device 112 pays out the medals M of the number according to the medal lending amount. When the user inserts a coin into the coin insertion slot 124 of the coin sorting device 108, the coin sorting device 108 outputs a coin deposit signal to the control device 118 according to the denomination and number of coins deposited. The control device 118 causes the display device 102 to display the coin deposit amount in accordance with the coin deposit amount corresponding to the coin deposit signal, and causes the input device 104 to display an operation button. When the user operates the operation button, the medal lending amount corresponding to the number of medals paid out is designated, and the input device 104 outputs a medal lending amount signal corresponding to the medal lending amount to the control device 118. The control device 118 outputs a medal payout signal of the number of medal payouts according to the medal lending amount to the medal payout device 112. Thereby, the medal payout device 112 pays out the medals M of the number according to the medal lending amount.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. The medal depositing / dispensing machine 20 has a function of depositing the medal M of a member user of the game arcade 1 (a user who has been registered as a member in the game arcade 1 in advance) and a function of paying out the deposited medal M. It has a function as

  As shown in FIG. 4, the medal depositing / dispensing machine 20 includes a box-shaped case 200, a display device 202 configured of a liquid crystal display panel or the like, a touch panel 206 configuring the input device 204 together with the display device 202, A biometric information acquisition device 210 having a mounting table 208 to be placed, a biometric information authentication device 211, a medal insertion slot 212 for throwing medals, a medal counting device 214, a medal collecting container 216, a medal storage container 218, a medal dispensing device 220, medals It comprises a payout opening 222, a two-dimensional code reader 224, a controller 228 and a communication device 230. As shown in FIG. 5, the display device 202, the input device 204, the biometric information acquisition device 210, the biometric information authentication device 211, the medal counting device 214, the medal payout device 220, the two-dimensional code reader 224 and the communication device 230 are controlled. It is electrically connected to the device 228. In the medal depositing / dispensing machine 20, the display unit 202, the input unit 204, the biometric information acquiring unit 210, the biometric information authenticating unit 211, the medal counting unit 214, the medal payout unit 220, the control unit 228 and the communication unit 230 Processing is performed. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, in the medal depositing / dispensing machine 20, the medal dispensing device 220, the two-dimensional code reader 224, and the control device 228 constitute a medal providing device 21.

  The display device 202 has a horizontally long rectangular shape, and is disposed on the front upper portion of the housing 200. While various information is displayed on the display device 202, operation buttons 207 such as selection buttons and numeric buttons are displayed as appropriate. For example, a selection button for selecting any one of medal payout, medal deposit, and medal service is displayed. In addition, a number button for inputting a member user identification number UN as member user identification information for identifying a member user registered in advance is displayed, and a number button for inputting the number Nds of paid out medals is displayed. Ru. A touch panel 206 is superimposed on the surface of the display device 202, and along with the display of the operation button 207, the display device 202 and the touch panel 206 constitute an input device 204. When the selection button is displayed as the operation button 207, the member user can designate a predetermined operation of the coin depositing machine 20 by operating the selection button. For example, it is possible to select the deposit operation or the payout operation of the medals as the medal deposit-taking device 20. When a numeric button is displayed as the operation button 207, the member user can input the member user identification number UN and the number of medals paid out Nds by operating the numeric button.

  The biological information acquisition device 210 detects a vein pattern of the user's hand (palm or finger) placed on the mounting table 208 and acquires it as biological information BI. The acquired biometric information BI is input to the biometric information authentication device 211 via the control device 228. The biometric information authentication device 211 compares the biometric information BI with the registered biometric information RBI registered for each member user in the management device 40 described later, and determines whether or not the vein patterns match. The determination result is output from the biometric information authentication device 211 to the control device 228.

  The medal insertion slot 212 is used when a member user deposits the medal M. The medal counting device 214 is disposed below the medal insertion slot 212 and counts the medals M inserted into the medal insertion slot 212. The medal count value is output from the medal counting device 214 and input to the control device 228. In other words, the medal deposit number Ndp is input to the control device 228. The medal collecting container 216 is disposed below the medal counting device 214, and stores the medals M counted by the medal counting device 214. The medals M stored in the medal collection container 216 are collected by a game clerk at the end of the business of the game arcade.

  The medal payout device 220 separates the medals M stored in bulk in the medal storage container (not shown) one by one and pays them out to the medal payout opening 222 and counts the number of medals paid out. The medal count value is output from the medal payout device 220 to the control device 228.

  The two-dimensional code reader 224 is disposed on the right side of the housing 200 and is used when providing a medal service. The two-dimensional code reader 224 has a function of optically reading the two-dimensional code MSC for medal service printed on the medal service ticket PM shown in FIG. 1 and the two-dimensional code UC for user identification printed on the card CD. doing. The medal service ticket PM is, for example, printed on a paper medium such as a magazine or a newspaper, and is designed to allow not only member users but also non-member users to use the medal service. The medal service two-dimensional code MSC includes information on the medal service (hereinafter referred to as medal service information MSI). In other words, the token service ticket PM functions as a recording medium in which the token service information MSI is recorded. The medal service information MSI includes, as shown in FIG. 9, medal service identification information MID, the number of provided medals MN, and the medal provision permitted number MSM. The two-dimensional code reader 224 also has a function of optically reading a two-dimensional code UC for user identification printed on a card CD possessed by a member user or a non-member user. As the card CD, cards issued at places other than the game arcade 1 such as point cards possessed by the user can be used. Therefore, users who are not registered as members in the game arcade 1 can also receive the medal service. The two-dimensional code for user identification UC includes user identification information UID that can identify the user who receives the medal service. The user identification information UID is unique identification information different for each card CD. In other words, the card CD functions as a recording medium in which the user identification information UID is recorded. The two-dimensional code reader 224 acquires the medal service information MSI by the user flipping the medal service ticket PM, and acquires the user identification information UID by the user flipping the card CD. In other words, the two-dimensional code reader 224 functions as an information acquisition unit that acquires the token service information MSI and the user identification information UID. The two-dimensional code reader 224 outputs the acquired information to the controller 228.

  The control device 228 includes a main control unit 242, a medal service control unit 244, and a storage unit 246, as shown in FIG. The main control unit 242 causes the display device 202 to display various information and the operation button 207, and controls the operations of the biological information acquisition device 210 and the biological information authentication device 211. That is, the main control unit 242 causes the display device 202 to display the operation button 207 for inputting the member user identification number UN. When the member user identification number UN is input to the input device 204, the main control unit 242 controls the communication device 230 to transmit the member user identification number UN to the management device 40. When the biometric information BI of the member user is acquired by the biometric information acquisition device 210, the main control unit 242 stores the biometric information in the biometric information holding unit 282 of the storage unit 246 described later. When the communication device 230 receives the registered biometric information RBI corresponding to the member user identification number UN, the main control unit 242 authenticates the biometric information BI held in the registered biometric information RBI and the biometric information holding unit 282. Output to the device 211. The determination result in the biometric information authentication device 211 is output to the main control unit 242.

  In addition, the main control unit 242 is based on the selection information for selecting any one of medal payout, medal deposit, and medal service input by the input device 204, the medal payout device 220, the medal counting device 214, and the two-dimensional code reader Control the operation of 224. That is, when authentication is performed by the biometric information authentication device 211 and medal payout is selected, the main control unit 242 causes the display device 202 to display the operation button 207 for inputting the number of medal payouts Nds. The main control unit 242 operates the medal payout device 220 so as to pay out the medal M of the medal payout number Nds input to the input device 204, and transmits the subtraction request of the medal payout number Nds to the management device 40. Control 230; On the other hand, when authentication by the biometric information authentication device 211 and medal deposit is selected, the main control unit 242 operates the medal counting device 214 to count the medal deposit number Ndp, and also adds the medal deposit number Ndp as an addition request. The communication device 230 is controlled to transmit to the management device 40. In addition, when the medal service is selected, the main control unit 242 cooperates with the medal service control unit 244 to execute the medal service process. That is, the main control unit 242 operates the two-dimensional code reader 224 and outputs the information output from the two-dimensional code reader 224 to the medal service control unit 244. The main control unit 242 operates the medal payout device 220 based on the medal service execution information MSEI output from the medal service control unit 244.

  The medal service control unit 244 includes an information identification unit 262, a medal service reception information generation unit 264, a medal service history information search unit 266, a medal service availability determination unit 268, a medal service execution unit 270 and a medal service history information update unit 272. It is. The information identification unit 262 identifies whether the information output from the main control unit 242 is the user identification information UID or the medal service information MSI, and a user identification information holding unit that describes the identified user identification information UID later. At the same time, the token service information MSI is stored in the token service information holding unit 286 described later. The medal service reception information generation unit 264 is a combination of the medal service information MSI stored in the medal service information storage unit 286 and the user identification information UID stored in the user identification information storage unit 284. Generate The medal service history information search unit 266 searches the medal service database MSDB including the individual medal service history information MSHI held in the medal service history information holding unit 288 described later, and the medal service reception information generation unit 264 generates it. The existence of the medal service history information MSI corresponding to the medal service acceptance information MSRI (in other words, the combination of the medal service information MSI acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 224 and the user identification information UID) is confirmed. The medal service availability determination unit 268 determines the availability of the execution of the medal service (in other words, the payout of the medal M) based on the medal service history information MSHI searched by the medal service history information search unit 266. As shown in FIG. 9, the medal service database MSDB includes individual medal service history information MSHI. The medal service history information MSHI indicates that the medal service has already been executed corresponding to the medal service reception information MSRI. The medal service history information MSHI includes medal service acceptance information MSRI and the number of times of medal provision MSN. The medal provision frequency MSN indicates the number of times the medal service has been executed corresponding to the medal service acceptance information MSRI. For example, in the medal service history information MSHI at the top of FIG. 9, the medal identification information MID is “00001”, the medal provision number MN is “50”, and the medal provision permitted number of times MSM is “2” based on the medal service information MSI. The user identification information UID indicates that the medal service has been executed "one time" (the number of times of medal provision MSN) for the user whose user identification information is "00001". Since the medal provision allowable number MSM in this case is “2”, the medal service with the medal provision identification information MID “00001” is further performed “one time” for the user with the user identification information UID “00001”. It turns out that it is feasible. As described above, by referring to the medal service history information MSHI, it is possible to determine whether or not to execute the medal service.

  That is, when the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the medal service acceptance information MSRI does not exist in the medal service database MSDB (in other words, the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID is The medal service availability determination unit 268 determines that the execution of the medal service is possible, and the medal service execution unit 270 permits the medal service execution unit 270 to execute the medal service. Output service permission information MSPI. When medal service history information MSHI corresponding to medal service acceptance information MSRI exists in medal service database MSDB (in other words, medal service history information MSHI corresponding to a combination of medal service information MSI and user identification information UID is a storage unit The medal service availability determination unit 268 compares the medal provision frequency MSN of the medal service history information MSHI with the medal provision permissible number MSM of the medal service information MSI when the medal service history information retention unit 288 (246) holds it. Whether or not to execute the medal service is determined according to. That is, when the medal provision frequency MSN falls below the medal provision permissible frequency MSM (in other words, until the medal provision frequency MSN reaches the medal provision permissible frequency MSM), the medal service availability determination unit 268 determines that the medal service can be performed. It judges and outputs medal service permission information MSPI which permits medal service execution unit 270 to execute the medal service. When the medal provision frequency MSN is equal to or more than the medal provision permissible frequency MSM (in other words, after the medal provision frequency MSN reaches the medal provision permissible frequency MSM), the medal service availability determination unit 268 determines that execution of the medal service is not possible. It judges and outputs medal service prohibition information MSII which forbids the execution of the medal service to the medal service execution part 270. The medal service execution unit 270 executes or does not execute the medal service. That is, when the medal service permission information MSPI is input to the medal service execution unit 270, the medal service execution unit 270 receives the number of medals provided (the medal M is included in the medal service information MSI held by the medal service information holding unit 286). Number) The medal payout information MDI instructing the payout of the MN is output to the main control unit 242. On the other hand, when the medal service prohibition information MSII is input to the medal service execution unit 270, the medal service execution unit 270 outputs, to the main control unit 242, the medal service nonpermission display information MSDI instructing the display of the medal service nonexistence. The medal service history information update unit 272 updates the medal service history information MSHI based on the determination result of the medal service availability determination unit 268. That is, when the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the medal service acceptance information MSRI does not exist in the medal database MSDB (in other words, the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID is stored) The medal service reception information MSRI (in other words, the medal acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 224) generated by the medal service reception information generation unit 264 when the medal service history information storage unit 288 of the unit 246 does not hold The medal service history information MSHI is updated by adding the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the service information MSI and the user identification information UID to the medal service database MSDB. In this case, "1" is set to the medal provision number MSN. The medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the medal service acceptance information MSRI exists in the medal service database MSBD (in other words, the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID is the storage unit 246 Medal service history information holding unit 288), if the medal provision frequency MSN falls below the medal provision permitted frequency MSM, the medal service reception information MSRI (ie combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID) The medal provision number MSN is updated with a value obtained by adding “1” to the medal provision number MSN of the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to. In other words, each time the medal service corresponding to the medal service reception information MSRI (ie, provision of the medal M corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID) is executed, the medal service reception information MSRI ( In other words, by adding the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID, or by updating the medal provision frequency MSN, the medal service history information MSHI (in other words, For example, the medal service database MSDB is updated.

  The storage unit 246 includes a biometric information holding unit 282, a user identification information holding unit 284, a medal service information holding unit 286 and a medal service history information holding unit 288. The biological information holding unit 282 holds the biological information BI output from the main control unit 242. The user identification information holding unit 284 holds the user identification information UID identified by the information identification unit 262. The medal service information holding unit 286 holds the medal service information MSI identified by the information identification unit 262. The medal service history information holding unit 288 is a medal service history corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID (in other words, the medal service reception information MSRI) updated by the medal service history information updating unit 272. Hold information MSHI. As shown in FIG. 9, the medal service history information MSHI includes a combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID and the medal provision frequency MSN. The user identification information holding unit 284, the medal service information holding unit 286 and the medal service history information holding unit 288 constitute a medal service information holding unit 248 that holds information on the medal service.

  The communication device 230 is communicably connected to the management device 40 via the LAN 50, and is controlled by the main control unit 242 of the control device 228. When the biometric information BI of the member user is acquired by the biometric information acquisition device 210, the acquired biometric information BI is transmitted to the management device 40. When the registered biometric information RBI is transmitted from the management device 40, the communication device 230 receives the registered biometric information RBI. The communication device 230 outputs the received registered biometric information RBI to the biometric information authentication device 211.

  Next, the management device 40 will be described with reference to FIG. The management device 40 manages the member user's registered biometric information RBI and the number of registered medals Nrg in association with the member user identification number UN. The management device 40 includes an input unit 401, a display unit 402, a communication interface 403, a control unit 404, a data processing unit 405, and a storage unit 406. The management device 40 can be realized by a general computer device having a CPU, a memory, a hard disk and the like. In that case, for example, the input unit 401 can be configured by a keyboard, the display unit 402 can be configured by a liquid crystal display, and the communication interface 403 can be configured by an Ethernet interface. The control unit 404 and the data processing unit 405 can be configured by a CPU and a memory. The storage unit 406 can be configured by a hard disk drive.

  The control unit 404 controls the input unit 401, the display unit 402, and the communication interface 403, and controls input / output of data in the data processing unit 405 and the storage unit 406. The communication interface 403 is connected to the LAN 50, and the management device 40 is communicably connected to the medal deposit / pay machine 20.

  The data processing unit 405 includes a biometric information search unit 412, a registered medal number calculation unit 414, and a registered medal number update unit 416, and the storage unit 406 includes a registered biometric information holding unit 422 and a registered medal number holding unit 424. As shown in FIG. 8, the registered biometric information holding unit 422 holds registered biometric information RBI in association with a member user identification number UN. The registered biometric information RBI is biometric information that the user has registered in advance for each user using the input device 204 and the biometric information acquisition device 210 in the medal deposit-taking machine 20. The registered medal number holding unit 424 of the storage unit 406 holds the registered medal number Nrg in association with the member user identification number UN. The number of registered medals Nrg is the number of medals increased or decreased by deposit or withdrawal of the medals M in the medal deposit / detachment machine 20, and the user can pay out the medals M with the number of registered medals Nrg as an upper limit.

  The biometric information search unit 412 searches the registered biometric information RBI corresponding thereto based on the member user identification number UN transmitted from the medal depositing / dispensing machine 20. As a result of the search, if there is a registered biometric information RBI associated with the member user identification number UN, the control unit 404 transmits the registered biometric information RBI to the coin depositing machine 20. If the registered biometric information RBI does not exist, the control unit 404 transmits the error information to the medal deposit / withdrawal machine 20.

  The registered medal number calculation unit 414 executes a process of subtracting or adding the number of registered medals Nrg based on the medal number subtraction request or the medal number addition request transmitted from the medal deposit / payment device 20. That is, when the payout of the medal M is performed in the medal deposit / payment machine 20, the medal payout number Nds is subtracted from the registered medal number Nrg. On the other hand, when medals M are to be deposited in the medal depositing machine 20, the number Ndp of medals deposited is added to the number Nrg of registered medals. The registered medal number updating unit 416 causes the registered medal number holding unit 424 to hold the number of medals subtracted or added by the registered medal number calculation unit 414 as a new registered medal number Nrg. Thereby, the number of registered medals Nrg is updated.

  Next, the operation of the medal deposit / payment device 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.

  First, at step S1, the user selects one of the operations of medal deposit, medal payout and medal service. That is, when the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 causes the display device 202 to display the operation button 207 for payment / deposition / service, the input device 204 pays out when the user touches any operation button 207 It outputs to the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 / / deposit / service selection information. When the user is a nonmember user, medal deposit and medal payout can not be used, and only the medal service can be used.

  In the next step S2, it is determined whether or not medals are paid out. That is, based on the payout / deposition / service selection information output from the input device 204, the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 determines whether or not it is a medal payout operation. If it is determined that the medals are paid out, the process proceeds to step S3. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S11. In other words, in step S1, step S3 is executed when the medal payout operation button 207 is operated, and step S12 is executed when the medal deposit or medal service operation button 207 is operated.

  At next step S3, a member user identification number UN is accepted. That is, when the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 causes the display device 202 to display the operation button 207 of "number", when the user touches the displayed operation button 207, the member via the input device 204 The user identification number UN is input. The input device 204 outputs the entered member user identification number UN to the main control unit 242 of the control device 228.

  In the next step S4, biometric information of the member user is acquired as biometric information BI of the user. That is, the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 causes the display device 202 to display information prompting the user to place the hand on the placement table 208, and the biological information acquisition device 210 is placed on the placement table 208. Automatically detects an abnormal state and acquires an image. The biological information acquisition device 210 acquires biological information based on the acquired image, and outputs the biological information to the main control unit 242 of the control device 228. The main control unit 242 stores the input biological information in the biological information holding unit 282 of the storage unit 246.

  In the next step S5, a registered biometric information transfer request is transmitted to the management device 40. That is, the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 controls the communication device 230, and the communication device 230 transmits a registered biometric information transfer request to the management device 40. The registered biometric information transfer request includes the member user identification number UN accepted in step S3.

  In the next step S6, the registered biometric information RBI is received. That is, the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 controls the communication device 230 to receive the registered biometric information RBI. As described above, the management device 40 that has received the registered biometric information transfer request transmits the registered biometric information RBI associated with the member user identification number UN to the medal deposit / withdrawal machine 20. Therefore, in step S6, the registered biometric information RBI corresponding to the member user identification number UN accepted in step S3 is received. The received registered biometric information RBI is output from the communication device 230 to the main control unit 242 of the control device 228.

  In the next step S7, biometric information authentication is performed. That is, the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 outputs the registered biometric information RBI received in step S6 and the biometric information BI held in the biometric information holding unit 282 of the storage unit 246 to the biometric information authentication device 211. The biometric information authentication device 211 executes matching of the registered biometric information RBI and the biometric information BI output from the main control unit 242 of the control device 228, and determines whether or not to authenticate based on the matching result. The determination result is output from the biometric information authentication device 211 to the main control unit 242 of the control device 228.

  In the next step S8, it is determined whether the authentication is successful. That is, based on the determination result by the biometric information authentication apparatus 211, the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 determines whether or not the authentication is successful. If it is determined that the authentication is successful, the process proceeds to step S9. If it is determined that the authentication is unsuccessful, the process returns to step S3, and the processes of steps S3 to S8 are repeatedly executed.

  In the next step S9, the medal payout number Nds is accepted. That is, the number of medals paid out on the input device 204 by the member user touching the displayed operation button 207 in a state where the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 displays the operation button 207 of "number" on the display device 202. Nds is input. The input medal payout number Nds is output from the input device 204 to the main control unit 242 of the control device 228.

  In the next step S10, the medal M is paid out. That is, when the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 controls the medal payout device 220, the medal M of the number Nds of medal payouts received in step S9 is paid out to the medal payout port 222.

  In the next step S11, a registered medal number subtraction request is transmitted to the management device 40. That is, the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 controls the communication device 230, and a registered medal number subtraction request is transmitted in which the communication device 230 subtracts the medal payout number Nds from the registered medal number Nrg. Thereafter, the process returns to step S1.

  In step S12 executed when it is determined in step S2 that medals are not paid out, it is determined whether or not medals are deposited. That is, based on the payout / deposition / service selection information output from the input device 204, the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 determines whether or not the medal deposit operation is performed. If it is determined that medals are deposited, the process proceeds to step S13. If it is determined that medals are not deposited, the process proceeds to step S21 of FIG. In other words, in step S1, step S13 is executed when the medal payout operation button 207 is operated, and step S21 is executed when the medal service operation button 207 is operated.

  In steps S13, S14, S15, S16, S17 and S18, the same processes as steps S3, S4, S5, S6, S7 and S8 are executed. If it is determined in step S18 that the authentication is successful, the process proceeds to step S19. If it is determined that the authentication is unsuccessful, the process returns to step S13, and the processes of steps S13 to S18 are repeatedly executed.

  In step S19, the number of medals is counted. That is, when the member user inserts the medal M into the medal insertion slot 212, the number of inserted medals M is counted by the medal counting device 214. The count value of the medal M is output to the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 as the medal deposit number Ndp.

  In the next step S20, a registered medal number addition request is transmitted to the management device 40. That is, the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 controls the communication device 230, and the communication device 230 transmits a registered medal number addition request for adding the medal deposit number Ndp to the registered medal number Nrg. Thereafter, the process returns to step S1.

  When it is determined in step S12 that medals are not paid out, the medal service is executed. First, in step S21, it is determined whether or not the two-dimensional code has been read by the two-dimensional code reader 224. That is, when the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 controls the two-dimensional code reader 224 and it is determined that the two-dimensional code is read, the process proceeds to the next step S22, and the two-dimensional code is not read. If it is determined, step S21 is repeatedly performed. In other words, the two-dimensional code reader 224 stands by until the two-dimensional code is read. When the two-dimensional code is read, the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 outputs the information output from the two-dimensional code reader 224 to the medal service control unit 244.

  In the next step S22, it is determined whether the information output from the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 is the user identification information UID. That is, the information identification unit 262 of the medal service control unit 244 identifies whether the information acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 224 is the user identification information UID. If the user identification information UID is identified, the process proceeds to step S23. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S28.

  At step S23, user identification information UID is stored. That is, the information identification unit 262 of the medal service control unit 244 stores the user identification information UID in the user identification information holding unit 284 of the storage unit 246. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step S24.

  In the next step S24, as in step S21, it is determined whether or not the two-dimensional code has been read by the two-dimensional code reader 224. If it is determined that the two-dimensional code is read, the process proceeds to the next step S25. If it is determined that the two-dimensional code is not read, step S24 is repeatedly executed. In other words, the two-dimensional code reader 224 stands by until the two-dimensional code is read. When the two-dimensional code is read, the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 outputs the information output from the two-dimensional code reader 224 to the medal service control unit 244.

  In the next step S25, it is determined whether the information output from the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 is the medal service information MSI. That is, the information identification unit 262 of the medal service control unit 244 identifies whether the information acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 224 is the medal service information MSI. If it is identified as the medal service information MSI, the process proceeds to step S26. Otherwise, the process returns to step S24. In other words, steps S24 and S25 are repeatedly executed until the information output from the two-dimensional code reader 224 is identified as the medal service information MSI.

  In the next step S26, the medal service information MSI is stored. That is, the information identification unit 262 of the medal service control unit 244 stores the medal service information MSI in the medal service information holding unit 286 of the storage unit 246. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S32.

  In step S27 executed when it is determined in step S22 that the user identification information is not UID, it is determined whether the information acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 224 in step S21 is the medal service information MSI. . That is, the information identification unit 262 of the medal service control unit 244 identifies whether the information acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 224 is the medal service information MSI. If it is the medal service information MSI, the process proceeds to step S28, and if it is not the medal service information MSI, the process returns to step S21.

  In the next step S28, the medal service information MSI is stored as in step S26.

  In the next step S29, as in step S21, it is determined whether or not the two-dimensional code has been read by the two-dimensional code reader 224. If it is determined that the two-dimensional code is read, the process proceeds to the next step S30. If it is determined that the two-dimensional code is not read, step S29 is repeatedly executed. In other words, the two-dimensional code reader 224 stands by until the two-dimensional code is read.

  In the next step S30, as in step S22, it is determined whether the information output from the main control unit 242 of the control device 228 is the user identification information UID. When it is the user identification information UID, the process proceeds to step S31, and when it is not the user identification information UID, the process returns to step S29.

  In the next step S31, the user identification information UID is stored as in step S23. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step S32.

  In step S32, medal service acceptance information MSRI is generated. That is, medal service information MSI held by medal service reception information generation unit 264 of medal service control unit 244 is held by medal service information holding unit 286 of storage unit 246 and user identification information held by user identification information holding unit 284. By combining the UID, the medal service reception information MSRI is generated.

  In the next step S33, medal service history information MSHI is searched. That is, the medal service history information search unit 266 searches whether or not the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the medal service acceptance information MSRI generated in step S32 exists in the medal service database MSDB. In other words, the medal service history information search unit 266 selects the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the medal service reception information MSRI (that is, the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID) in the medal service history of the storage unit 246. A search is made from among the medal service history information MSHI held in the information holding unit 288.

  In the next step S34, based on the search result in step S33, the medal service availability determination unit 268 determines the availability of the execution of the medal service (in other words, provision of the medal M without charge). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the presence or absence of medal service history information MSHI is determined in step S41. The medal service history information MSHI includes medal service reception information MSRI (combination of medal service information MSI and user identification information UID) for which the medal service has been executed in the past. Therefore, when the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the medal service acceptance information MSRI exists in the medal service database MSDB, the medal service is already based on the medal service acceptance information MSRI (combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID). It can be judged that it is provided. In this case, the process proceeds to step S43, and it is determined whether or not the medal provision frequency MSN is less than the medal provision permitted frequency MSM. When the medal provision frequency MSN is less than the medal provision permissible frequency MSM, the process proceeds to step S42, and in other cases (in other words, when the medal provision frequency MSN reaches the medal provision permissible frequency MSM), step S44. Go to On the other hand, when it is determined in step S41 that the medal service history information MSHI does not exist in the medal service database MSDB, the process proceeds to step S42. In step S42, it is determined that the execution of the medal service is possible, and in step S44, it is determined that the execution of the medal service is not possible.

  When the medal service availability determination unit 268 determines that the execution of the medal service is possible, the medal service availability determination unit 268 outputs the medal service permission information MSPI for permitting the medal service execution unit 270 to execute the medal service. Thereby, step S35 of FIG. 11 is executed. On the other hand, when the medal service availability determination unit 268 determines that the execution of the medal service is not possible, the medal service availability determination unit 268 outputs the medal service prohibition information MSII for prohibiting the execution of the medal service to the medal service execution unit 270. Thus, step S37 is executed.

  In step S35, a medal service is performed. That is, the medal service execution unit 270 of the medal service control unit 244, to which the medal service permission information MSPI is input, receives the number of provided medals (the number of provided medals M) included in the medal service information MSI held by the medal service information holding unit 286. ) The medal payout information MDI instructing the payout of the MN is output to the main control unit 242. When the main control unit 242 to which the medal payout information MDI is input controls the medal payout device 220, the medal payout device 220 pays out the medal M of the medal provision number MN.

  In the next step S36, the medal service history information MSHI is updated. That is, when it is determined in step S41 of FIG. 12 that the medal service history information MSHI is not present, and the medal service is executed in step S35 of FIG. 11, the medal service history information update unit 272 of the medal service control unit 244 The medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the medal service acceptance information MSRI (in other words, the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID) when the service is executed is added to the medal service database MSDB and the number of medals provided. Set "1" to MSN. When it is determined in step S41 in FIG. 12 that the medal service history information MSHI is present in the medal service database MSDB, and the medal service is executed in step S35 in FIG. 11, the medal service history information update unit 272 of the medal service control unit 244 , The number of medal provision times MSN of the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the medal service acceptance information MSRI (in other words, the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID) when the medal service is executed In addition, the medal service history information MSHI is updated. Thus, by referring to the medal service history information MSHI of the medal service database MSDB, it can be determined whether or not the medal service corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID is provided, and the number of medals provided. It is possible to determine whether the MSN has reached the number of allowed medals. After execution of step S36, the process returns to step S1.

  If it is determined in step S34 that execution of the medal service is not possible, the process proceeds to step S37, and information indicating that the medal service is not possible is displayed. That is, the medal service execution unit 270 to which the medal service prohibition information MSII is input outputs, to the main control unit 242, the medal service non-display information MSDI instructing the display of the medal service non-display. When the main control unit 242 to which the medal service disabling display information MSDI is input controls the display device 202, the display device 202 displays that the medal service can not be performed.

  Thus, by executing steps S21 to S37 and S41 to S44, it is recorded in the medal service history information MSHI that the medal service is executed based on the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID. Ru. The medal service availability determination unit 268 determines whether or not the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 224 and the user identification information UID exists, and the number of medals provided. Whether or not to execute the medal service is determined based on whether or not the MSN has reached the medal provision permitted number of times MSM. When it is determined that the execution of the medal service is possible and the medal service is performed (ie, the payout of the medal M is performed), the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID corresponding to the execution of the medal service The medal service history information MSHI corresponding to is added to the medal service database MSDB, or "1" is added to the number of times of medal provision MSN corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID. The medal service history information MSHI is updated.

  As described above, in the medal providing device (game medium providing device) 21 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, medal service information (game media) common to a plurality of users by the two-dimensional code reader (information acquisition means) 224 Provided Information) An MSI and a user identification information (identification information) UID capable of specifying each of a plurality of users are acquired. When the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID are acquired, the user who provides the medal (gaming medium) M is identified based on the user identification information UID, and the medal is displayed for the identified user. Whether to provide the medal M corresponding to the service information MSI is determined by the medal service availability determination unit (gaming medium availability determination unit) 268. Then, based on the determination result of the medal service availability determination unit 268, provision of the medal M according to the provision number MN of the medal M included in the medal service information MSI is performed by the medal payout device (game medium providing means) 220. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the number of medals MN to be provided for each store.

  Also, when the medal M is provided, it indicates that the medal M is provided based on the combination of the medal service information MSI corresponding to the provision of the medal M and the user identification information UID, and the combination of the medal M Medal service history information (gaming medium provision history information) MSHI indicating the number of times of medal provision (count value) MSN to be added each time provision is performed is held in the medal service history information holding unit (information storage means) 288. The medal service information MSI further includes a medal provision permitted number of times (gaming medium provision allowed number of times) MSM that can execute provision of the medal M, and the medal service availability determination unit 268 determines the medal service information acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 224. When the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the MSI and the user identification information UID is held in the medal service history information holding unit 288, the medal provision frequency MSM in the medal service history information MSHI is the two-dimensional code reader It is determined that the provision of the medal M is possible until it indicates that the medal provision permitted number of times MSM of the medal service information MSI acquired by the step S 224 has been reached. In other words, if the medal provision permitted number MSM is set appropriately, provision of the medal M is performed within the range of the medal provision permitted number MSM. Therefore, overlapping provision of the medal M is possible only within the intended range, and overlapping provision of the medal M beyond the intended range (ie, overlapping provision of the unintended medal M) is effectively prevented. This makes it possible to diversify services while preventing unintended provision of medals M that are not intended. In addition, since the medal M provision service is automatically executed without the involvement of a game store clerk, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost and improve the convenience of the user.

  Further, the medal service availability determination unit 268 holds the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 224 and the usage identification information UID in the medal service history information storage unit 288. If not, it is determined that the medal service (provision of game media) is possible. As a result, there is an advantage that it is easy to determine whether the medal service availability determination unit 268 can execute the medal service for the first time.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 13 shows the configuration of a game arcade 1A to which the medal providing system 2 of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 13, in the game arcade 1A, a medal lending machine 10A, a medal depositing machine 20A, a plurality of game machines 30, and a management device 40A are installed. The medal lending machine 10A, the token depositing and dispensing machine 20, and the management device 40 are communicably connected to each other via the LAN 50. The medal lending machine 10A, the medal depositing / dispensing machine 20, and the management device 40 constitute a medal providing system 2. In the medal providing system 2, as in the first embodiment described above, the user who brings the medal service ticket PM receives the provision of the medal M without charge, and plays the game machine 30 using the medal M. be able to.

  First, the medal lending machine 10A will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16. The medal lending machine 10A adds the two-dimensional code reader 134 and the communication device 136 to the medal lending machine 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and, in the control device 118A corresponding to the control device 118, the medal service control unit 144 and storage unit 146 is added. The other configuration is the same as that of the medal lending machine 10 of FIGS. 2 and 3. Therefore, in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the same components as those of the medal lending machine 10 of FIG. 2 and FIG.

  The two-dimensional code reader 134 is disposed on the right side of the housing 100 and has the same function as the two-dimensional code reader 224 of the medal deposit / dispenser 20 of FIGS. 4 and 5. That is, it has a function of optically reading the two-dimensional code MSC for medal service printed on the medal service ticket PM shown in FIG. 13 and the two-dimensional code UC for user identification printed on the card CD.

  The communication device 136 is communicably connected to the management device 40 via the LAN 50. The communication device 136 is controlled by the control device 118A and transmits, to the management device 40, the medal service acceptance information MSRI generated by the medal service control unit 144 of the control device 118A described later. Receive medal service permission information MSPI or medal service prohibition information MSII.

  As shown in FIG. 14, control device 118A is disposed at the top inside housing 100, controls the overall operation of medal lending machine 10A, and is configured to be able to execute a part of the function of medal providing system 2. ing. The control device 118A is electrically connected to the display device 102, the input device 104, the bill depositing / dispensing device 106, the coin sorting device 108, and the medal dispensing device 112 as well as the medal lending device 10 of FIG. The code reader 134 and the communication device 136 are electrically connected. As shown in FIG. 16, the control device 118A includes a main control unit 142, a medal service control unit 144, and a storage unit 146. The main control unit 142 controls the display device 102, the input device 104, the bill depositing / dispensing device 106, the coin sorting device 108 and the medal dispensing device 112, and provides the same function as the above-described medal lending machine 10. Further, the main control unit 142 cooperates with the medal service control unit 144 to provide a medal service function. That is, the main control unit 142 operates the two-dimensional code reader 134 and outputs the information output from the two-dimensional code reader 134 to the medal service control unit 144. The main control unit 142 operates the medal payout device 112 based on the medal service execution information MSEI output from the medal service control unit 144.

  The medal service control unit 144 includes an information identification unit 162, a medal service acceptance information generation unit 164, and a medal service execution unit 166. The information identification unit 162 identifies whether the information output from the main control unit 142 is the user identification information UID or the medal service information MSI, and a user identification information holding unit that describes the identified user identification information UID later. While storing in 182, medal service information MSI is housed in the medal service information retention section 184 which it mentions later. The medal service reception information generation unit 164 is a combination of the medal service information MSI held in the medal service information holding unit 184 and the user identification information UID held in the user identification information holding unit 284. Is generated, and the generated medal service reception information MSRI (in other words, a combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID) is output to the main control unit 142. The medal service execution unit 166 executes or does not execute the medal service based on the medal service permission information MSPI or the medal service prohibition information MSII described later. That is, when the medal service permission information MSPI is input from the main control unit 142 to the medal service execution unit 166, the medal service execution unit 166 receives the number of medals provided in the medal service information MSI held in the medal service information holding unit 184. (The number of provided medals M) The medal payout information MDI instructing the payout of MN is output to the main control unit 142. On the other hand, when the medal service prohibition information MSII is input from the main control unit 142 to the medal service execution unit 166, the medal service execution unit 166 instructs the main control unit 142 to display the medal service disabling display information MSDI. Output.

  The storage unit 146 includes a user identification information holding unit 182 and a medal service information holding unit 184. The user identification information holding unit 182 holds the user identification information UID identified by the information identification unit 162. The medal service information holding unit 184 holds the medal service information MSI identified by the information identification unit 162.

  The communication device 136 is communicably connected to the management device 40 via the LAN 50, and is controlled by the main control unit 142 of the control device 118A. The communication device 142 transmits the medal service acceptance information MSRI input to the main control unit 142 to the management device 40A, and receives the medal service permission information MSPI or the medal service prohibition information MSII transmitted from the management device 40. The communication device 136 outputs the received token service permission information MSPI or the token service prohibition information MSII to the main control unit 142 of the control device 118A. In other words, control device 118A controls communication device 142 to transmit medal service acceptance information MSRI to management device 40A and to receive medal service permission information MSPI or medal service prohibition information MSII transmitted from management device 40. .

  Next, with reference to FIG. 17 and FIG. The medal depositing / dispensing machine 20A is obtained by replacing the control device 228 of FIG. 6 with the control device 228A, and the other configuration is the same as that of the medal depositing / dispensing machine 20 of FIG. 5 and FIG. Therefore, the same components as those of the coin depositing and payment machine 20 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Control device 228A omits medal service history information search portion 266, medal service availability determination portion 268 and medal service history information search portion 266 from medal service control portion 244 in control device 228 of FIG. 6, as shown in FIG. The token service history information storage unit 288 of the storage unit 246 is omitted. The other configuration of the controller 228A is the same as that of the controller 228. Therefore, the same components as those of the control device 228 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  In the medal depositing / dispensing machine 20A of FIGS. 17 and 18, the medal service acceptance information generation unit 264 of the medal service control unit 244 generates the medal service acceptance information MSRI (in other words, the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID). Is output to the main control unit 242. The main control unit 242 controls the communication device 230, and the communication device 230 transmits the medal service acceptance information MSRI input to the main control unit 242 to the management device 40A. On the other hand, the main control unit 242 controls the communication device 230, and the communication device 230 receives the medal service permission information MSPI or the medal service prohibition information MSII transmitted from the management device 40A. The communication device 230 outputs the received medal service permission information MSPI or the medal service prohibition information MSII to the main control unit 242. The main control unit 242 outputs the medal service permission information MSPI or the medal service prohibition information MSII input from the communication device 230 to the medal service execution unit 270.

  The medal service execution unit 270 executes or does not execute the medal service based on the medal service permission information MSPI or the medal service prohibition information MSII. That is, when the medal service permission information MSPI is input from the main control unit 242 to the medal service execution unit 270, the medal service execution unit 270 receives the number of medals provided in the medal service information MSI held in the medal service information holding unit 286. (The number of provided medals M) The medal payout information MDI instructing the payout of the MN is output to the main control unit 242. On the other hand, when the medal service prohibition information MSII is input from the main control unit 242 to the medal service execution unit 270, the medal service execution unit 270 instructs the main control unit 242 the medal service impossibility display information MSDI to display the medal service impossibility. Output.

  Next, the management device 40A will be described with reference to FIG. Similar to the management apparatus 40 of FIG. 7, the management apparatus 40A includes an input unit 401, a display unit 402, and a communication interface 403. Since these components are the same as the management apparatus 40 of FIG. 7, the detailed description thereof is omitted here. The management device 40A further includes a control unit 404A, a medal deposit and withdrawal server 41, and a medal service server 42.

  The control unit 404A controls the input unit 401, the display unit 402, and the communication interface 403, and controls input / output of data in the medal deposit server 41 and the medal service server 42. When communication interface 403 receives medal service acceptance information MSRI transmitted from medal lending machine 10A or medal depositing / dispensing machine 20A, controller 404A selects medal service acceptance information MSRI as the second data processing unit 442 of medal service server 42. Output to Further, when medal service permission information MSPI or medal service prohibition information MSII is output from second data processing unit 442 of medal service server 42, control unit 404A communicates medal service permission information MSPI or medal service prohibition information MSII. Output to the interface 403. The control unit 404A controls the communication interface 403 to transmit the medal service permission information MSPI or the medal service prohibition information MSII to the medal lending machine 10A or the medal deposit / payment machine 20A corresponding to the received medal service acceptance information MSRI.

  The medal deposit / payment server 41 includes a first data processing unit 405A and a first storage unit 406A. The first data processing unit 405A corresponds to the data processing unit 405 of the management device 40 of FIG. 7, and the first storage unit 406A corresponds to the storage unit 406 of the management device 40 of FIG. Therefore, in FIG. 17, the same components as those of the management apparatus 40 of FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The medal service server 42 determines whether or not to execute the medal service based on the medal service acceptance information MSRI output from the control unit 404A, and based on the determination result, controls the medal service permission information MSPI or the medal service prohibition information MSII. While outputting to 404A, the medal service history information MSHI is updated. The medal service server 42 includes a second data processing unit 442 and a second storage unit 446. The second data processing unit 442 includes a medal service history information search unit 462, a medal service availability determination unit 464, and a medal service history information update unit 466. The second storage unit 446 includes a medal service history information holding unit 482.

  The medal service history information search unit 462, the medal service availability determination unit 464, the medal service history information update unit 466 and the medal service history information storage unit 482 are the medal service history information search unit 266 in the control device 228 of FIG. It corresponds to the determination unit 268, the medal service history information updating unit 272, and the medal service history information holding unit 288. That is, the medal service history information search unit 466 searches the medal service database MSDB (see FIG. 9) including the individual medal service history information MSHI stored in the medal service history information storage unit 482, and is output from the control unit 404A. The existence of the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the medal service reception information MSRI (in other words, the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID) is confirmed. The medal service availability determination unit 464 determines the availability of the execution of the medal service (in other words, the payout of the medal M) based on the medal service history information MSHI searched by the medal service history information search unit 462. That is, when the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the medal service acceptance information MSRI does not exist in the medal service database MSDB (in other words, the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID is The medal service availability determination unit 464 determines that the execution of the medal service is possible if the medal service history information holding unit 482 of the second storage unit 446 does not hold the medal service, and the medal for permitting the control unit 404A to execute the medal service Output service permission information MSPI. When medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the medal service acceptance information MSRI exists in the medal service database MSDB (in other words, the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID is the second) The medal service availability determination unit 464 compares the medal provision frequency MSN of the medal service history information MSHI with the medal provision permissible frequency MSM of the medal service information MSI when the medal service history information retention unit 482 of the storage unit 446 holds By doing this, it is determined whether or not the medal service can be executed. That is, when the medal provision frequency MSN falls below the medal provision permissible frequency MSM (in other words, until the medal provision frequency MSN reaches the medal provision permissible frequency MSM), the medal service availability determination unit 268 determines that the medal service can be performed. It judges and outputs the medal service permission information MSPI which permits the execution of the medal service to the control unit 404A. When the medal provision frequency MSN is equal to or more than the medal provision permissible frequency MSM (in other words, after the medal provision frequency MSN reaches the medal provision permissible frequency MSM), the medal service availability determination unit 268 determines that execution of the medal service is not possible. It judges and outputs medal service prohibition information MSII which forbids execution of the medal service to control section 404A.

  The medal service history information update unit 466 updates the medal service history information MSHI based on the determination result of the medal service availability determination unit 268. That is, when the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the medal service acceptance information MSRI does not exist in the medal database MSDB (in other words, the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID is 2) When the medal service history information holding unit 482 in the storage unit 446 does not hold the medal service reception information MSRI output from the control unit 404A (in other words, the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID) The medal service history information MSHI corresponding to is added to the medal service database MSDB, and the medal service history information MSHI is updated. In this case, "1" is set to the medal provision number MSN. The medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the medal service acceptance information MSRI exists in the medal service database MSBD (in other words, the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID is stored in the second The medal service reception information MSRI (ie, the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID) is held when the medal provision frequency MSN is lower than the medal provision permitted frequency MSM. The medal provision number MSN is updated with a value obtained by adding “1” to the medal provision number MSN of the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to “combination”. In other words, each time the medal service corresponding to the medal service reception information MSRI (ie, provision of the medal M corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID) is executed, the medal service reception information MSRI ( In other words, by adding the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID, or by updating the medal provision frequency MSN, the medal service history information MSHI (in other words, For example, the medal service database MSDB is updated.

Next, the operation of the medal providing system 2 will be described. Here, only the operation related to the medal service will be described, and the medal lending operation of the medal lending machine 10A, the medal deposit and withdrawal operation of the medal deposit and withdrawal machine 20A, and the biometric authentication action in the medal deposit and withdrawal machine 20A and the management device 40A. I omit the explanation about.
First, with reference to FIG. 18, the interaction between the medal lending machine 10A, the medal deposit / depositing machine 20A, and the management device 40A will be described.

  In the first step ST1, the two-dimensional code for user identification UC and the two-dimensional code for medal service MSC are obtained in the medal lending machine 10A. That is, the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID are acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 134 of the medal lending machine 10A. The medal service acceptance information MSRI, which is a combination of the acquired medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID, is transmitted from the medal lending machine 10A to the management device 40A in the next step ST2.

  In the management device 40A that has received the medal service acceptance information MSRI (in other words, the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID), whether or not the medal service can be determined in step ST3. In the next step ST4, the determination result in step ST3 is transmitted from the management device 40A to the medal lending machine 10A. That is, the medal service permission information MSPI or the medal service prohibition information MSII is transmitted to the medal lending machine 10A.

  The medal lender machine 10A having received the determination result determines in step ST5 whether or not to execute the medal service based on the determination result. When the medal service permission information MSPI is received, the payout of the medal M is executed in the next step ST6. If the medal service prohibition information MSII is received, the process returns to step ST1.

  On the other hand, in step ST7, the two-dimensional code for user identification UC and the two-dimensional code for medal service MSC are obtained in the medal deposit / detach machine 20A. In other words, the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID are acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 224 of the medal deposit-taking machine 20A. The medal service acceptance information MSRI, which is a combination of the acquired medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID, is transmitted from the depositing machine 20A to the management device 40A in the next step ST8.

  In the management device 40A that has received the medal service acceptance information MSRI, it is determined in step ST9 whether the medal service is acceptable or not. At the next step ST10, the determination result at step ST9 is transmitted from the management device 40A to the medal deposit / withdrawal machine 20A. In other words, the medal service permission information MSPI or the medal service prohibition information MSII is transmitted to the medal deposit / withdrawal machine 20A.

  The medal depositing / dispensing machine 20A having received the determination result determines in step ST11 whether or not the medal service is to be executed based on the determination result. When the medal service permission information MSPI is received, the payout of the medal M is executed in the next step ST12. If the medal service prohibition information MSII is received, the process returns to step ST1.

  Next, the operation of the medal lending machine 10A will be described with reference to FIG. Here, only the operation related to the medal service will be described.

  First, in step S51, it is determined whether or not the two-dimensional code has been read by the two-dimensional code reader 134. That is, the controller 118A controls the two-dimensional code reader 134 to determine whether the two-dimensional code has been read. If it is determined that the two-dimensional code is read, the process proceeds to the next step S52, and if it is determined that the two-dimensional code is not read, step S51 is repeatedly executed. In other words, the two-dimensional code reader 134 stands by until the two-dimensional code is read. When the two-dimensional code is read, the main control unit 142 of the control device 118A outputs the information output from the two-dimensional code reader 134 to the token service control unit 144 to the control device 118A.

  In the next step S52, it is determined whether the information output from the main control unit 142 of the control device 118A is the user identification information UID. That is, the information identification unit 162 of the medal service control unit 144 identifies whether the information acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 134 is the user identification information UID. If the user identification information UID is identified, the process proceeds to step S53. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S57.

  At step S53, user identification information UID is stored. That is, the information identification unit 162 of the medal service control unit 144 stores the user identification information UID in the user identification information holding unit 182 of the storage unit 146. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step S54.

  In the next step S54, as in step S51, it is determined whether or not the two-dimensional code has been read by the two-dimensional code reader 134. If it is determined that the two-dimensional code is read, the process proceeds to the next step S55, and if it is determined that the two-dimensional code is not read, step S54 is repeatedly executed. In other words, the two-dimensional code reader 134 stands by until the two-dimensional code is read. When the two-dimensional code is read, the main control unit 142 of the control device 118A outputs the information output from the two-dimensional code reader 134 to the medal service control unit 144.

  In the next step S55, it is determined whether the information output from the main control unit 142 of the control device 118A is the medal service information MSI. That is, the information identification unit 162 of the medal service control unit 144 identifies whether the information acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 134 is the medal service information MSI. If it is identified as the medal service information MSI, the process proceeds to step S56, and otherwise, the process returns to step S54. In other words, steps S54 and S55 are repeatedly executed until the information output from the two-dimensional code reader 134 is identified as the medal service information MSI.

  In the next step S56, the medal service information MSI is stored. That is, the information identification unit 162 of the medal service control unit 144 stores the medal service information MSI in the medal service information holding unit 184 of the storage unit 146. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S62.

  In step S57 executed when it is determined in step S52 that the user identification information is not UID, in step S51, it is determined whether the information acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 134 is the medal service information MSI. . That is, the information identification unit 162 of the medal service control unit 144 identifies whether the information acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 134 is the medal service information MSI. If it is the medal service information MSI, the process proceeds to step S58, and if it is not the medal service information MSI, the process returns to step S51.

  In the next step S58, the medal service information MSI is stored as in step S56.

  In the next step S59, as in step S51, it is determined whether or not the two-dimensional code has been read by the two-dimensional code reader 134. If it is determined that the two-dimensional code is read, the process proceeds to the next step S60, and if it is determined that the two-dimensional code is not read, step S59 is repeatedly executed. In other words, the two-dimensional code reader 134 stands by until the two-dimensional code is read.

  In the next step S60, as in step S52, it is determined whether the information output from the main control unit 142 of the control device 118A is the user identification information UID. If it is the user identification information UID, the process proceeds to step S61, and if it is not the user identification information UID, the process returns to step S59.

  In the next step S61, the user identification information UID is stored as in step S53. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step S62.

  In step S62, medal service acceptance information MSRI is generated. That is, medal service information MSI held by medal service reception information generation unit 164 of medal service control unit 144 held by medal service information holding unit 184 of storage unit 146 and user identification information held by user identification information holding unit 182 By combining the UID, the medal service reception information MSRI is generated.

  In the next step S63, the medal service acceptance information MSRI generated in step S62 is transmitted to the management device 40A. That is, the communication device is such that the medal service acceptance information generation unit 164 of the medal service control unit 144 outputs the medal service acceptance information MSRI to the main control unit 142, and the main control unit 142 transmits the medal service acceptance information MSRI to the management device 40A. Control 136 The transmission of the medal service acceptance information MSRI is executed using an address unique to the communication device 136 (for example, an IP address (Internet Protocol Address)).

  In the next step S64, it is determined whether or not the medal service permission information MSPI has been received. That is, the main control unit 142 of the control device 118A controls the communication device 136 to confirm reception of the medal service permission information MSPI. If the medal service permission information MSPI is received, the process proceeds to step S66. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S65.

  In step S66, it is determined whether medal service prohibition information MSII has been received. That is, the main control unit 142 of the control device 118A controls the communication device 136 to confirm reception of the medal service prohibition information MSII. If the medal service prohibition information MSII is received, the process proceeds to step S67. Otherwise, the process returns to step S64. In other words, until one of the medal service permission information MSPI and the medal service prohibition information MSII is received, the standby state is established.

  In step S66 executed when it is determined in step S64 that the medal service permission information MSPI has been received, the medal service is executed. That is, the main control unit 142 of the control device 118A outputs the medal service permission information MSPI to the medal service execution unit 166, and the medal service execution unit 166 holds the medal service information MSI held in the medal service information holding unit 184 of the storage unit 146. And the medal payout information MDI instructing the payout of the MN (in other words, the number of medals provided) is output to the main control unit 142. The main control unit 142 controls the medal payout device 112 to pay out the medal M of the medal provision number MN. Thereby, the medal payout device 112 pays out the medal M.

  In step S67, which is executed when it is determined in step S65 that the medal service prohibition information MSII has been received, the medal service is not executed, and display of medal service impossibility is made. That is, the medal service execution unit 166 outputs, to the main control unit 142, the medal service disabling display information MSDI instructing the display of the token service disabling. The main control unit 142 controls the display device 102 to display that the medal service is not possible.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 22, the operation of the coin depositing and payment machine 20A will be described. The operation of the medal depositing / dispensing machine 20A corresponds to that in which steps S33 to S37 of the medal service in FIG. 13 are replaced with steps S71 to S75 in FIG. That is, since steps S1 to S20 in FIG. 10 and steps S21 to S32 in FIG. 11 are the same, the description of those steps is omitted here.

  In step S71 executed after the medal service acceptance information MSRI is generated in step S32 of FIG. 22, the medal service acceptance information MSRI generated in step S32 is transmitted to the management device 40A. That is, the communication device is such that the medal service reception information generation unit 264 of the medal service control unit 244 outputs the medal service reception information MSRI to the main control unit 242 and the main control unit 242 transmits the medal service reception information MSRI to the management device 40A. Control 230; The transmission of the medal service acceptance information MSRI is performed using an IP address unique to the communication device 230.

  In the next step S72, it is determined whether or not the medal service permission information MSPI has been received. That is, the main control unit 242 of the control device 228A controls the communication device 230 to confirm reception of the medal service permission information MSPI. If the medal service permission information MSPI is received, the process proceeds to step S74. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S73.

  In step S73, it is determined whether medal service prohibition information MSII has been received. That is, the main control unit 242 of the control device 228A controls the communication device 230 to confirm the reception of the medal service prohibition information MSII. If the medal service prohibition information MSII is received, the process proceeds to step S75. Otherwise, the process returns to step S72. In other words, until one of the medal service permission information MSPI and the medal service prohibition information MSII is received, the standby state is established.

  In step S74 executed when it is determined in step S72 that the medal service permission information MSPI has been received, the medal service is executed. More specifically, main control unit 242 of control device 228A outputs medal service permission information MSPI to medal service execution unit 270, and medal service execution unit 270 holds medal service information MSI held in medal service information holding unit 286 of storage unit 246. And the medal payout information MDI instructing the payout of the MN (in other words, the number of medals provided) is output to the main control unit 242. The main control unit 242 controls the medal payout device 220 to pay out the medal M of the medal provision number MN. Thereby, the medal payout device 220 pays out the medal M.

  In step S75 executed when it is determined in step S73 that the medal service prohibition information MSII has been received, the medal service is not executed, and display of medal service impossibility is made. That is, the medal service execution unit 270 outputs, to the main control unit 242, the medal service disabling display information MSDI instructing the display of the medal service disabling. The main control unit 242 controls the display device 202 to display that the medal service is not possible.

  Next, the operation of the management device 40A will be described with reference to FIG. Here, only the operation related to the medal service will be described.

  In the first step S81, it is determined whether or not medal service acceptance information MSRI has been received. That is, control unit 404A controls communication interface 403 to confirm reception of medal service acceptance information MSRI. If the medal service acceptance information MSRI is received, the process proceeds to step S82. Otherwise, step S81 is repeatedly executed. In other words, until medal service acceptance information MSRI is received, it is in a standby state.

  In the next step S82, the medal service history information MSHI is searched. That is, the medal service history information search unit 462 of the second data processing unit 442 has medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the medal service acceptance information MSRI received in step S81 in the medal service database MSDB (see FIG. 9). Search whether or not. In other words, the medal service history information search unit 466 selects the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the medal service reception information MSRI (that is, the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID) with the medals of the second storage unit 446. A search is made from among the medal service history information MSHI held in the service history information holding unit 482.

  In the next step S83, based on the search result in step S82, the medal service availability determination unit 464 of the second data processing unit 442 determines availability of execution of the medal service (in other words, provision of the medal M free of charge). . In this step S83, steps S41 to S44 of FIG. 12 are executed as in the case of the first embodiment. Therefore, the detailed description is omitted here.

  If it is determined in step S83 that execution of the medal service is possible, the medal service availability determination unit 464 outputs, to the control unit 404A, medal service permission information MSPI for permitting the execution of the medal service. Thereafter, step S84 is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S83 that execution of the medal service is not possible, the medal service availability determination unit 464 outputs medal service prohibition information MSII for prohibiting the execution of the medal service to the control unit 404A. Thereafter, step S86 is executed.

  In step S84, the medal service permission information MSPI is transmitted. That is, control unit 404A controls communication interface 403 to transmit medal service permission information MSPI output from medal service permission determination unit 464. In this case, one of the communication device 136 and the communication device 230 is identified by the IP address of the transmission source of the medal service acceptance information MSRI received in step S81, and the identified communication device 136 or 230 has the token service permission information Send MSPI.

  In the next step S85, the medal service history information MSHI is updated. That is, when it is determined in step S41 of FIG. 12 that the medal service history information MSHI is not present, and the medal service permission information MSPI is transmitted in step S84 of FIG. 23 (in other words, step S66 of FIG. When the medal service is executed in step S74), the medal service history information update unit 482 of the second data processing unit 442 selects the medal service reception information MSRI when the medal service is executed (in other words, the medal service information MSI) And the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the user identification information UID) to the medal service database MSDB and sets the medal provision frequency MSN to "1". When medal service history information MSHI is determined in step S41 of FIG. 12 to be present in the medal service database MSDB, and medal service permission information MSPI is transmitted in step S84 of FIG. 23 (in other words, step S66 of FIG. 21 or FIG. When the medal service is executed in step S74 of 22), the medal service history information updating unit 466 of the second data processing unit 442 receives the medal service reception information MSRI when the medal service is executed (in other words, the medal service) The medal service history information MSHI is updated by adding “1” to the medal provision frequency MSN of the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the information MSI and the user identification information UID. Thus, by referring to the medal service history information MSHI of the medal service data base MSDB, it can be determined whether or not the medal service corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID is provided, and the medal is provided. It becomes possible to determine whether the number of times MSN has reached the medal providing permitted number of times. After execution of step S85, the process returns to step S81.

  On the other hand, in step S86, medal service prohibition information MSII is transmitted. That is, control unit 404A controls communication interface 403 to transmit medal service prohibition information MSII output from medal service availability determination unit 464. In this case, one of the communication device 136 and the communication device 230 is specified by the IP address of the transmission source of the medal service acceptance information MSRI received in step S81, and the specified communication device 136 or communication device 230 has the token service prohibition information Send MSII.

  As described above, by executing steps S51 to S63 in the medal lending machine 10A, the medal service reception information MSRI including the combination of the medal service information MSI acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 134 and the user identification information UID is obtained. It is transmitted to the management device 40A. The medal service acceptance information MSRI including the combination of the medal service information MSI acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 224 and the user identification information UID is executed by executing the steps S21 to S32 and S71 in the medal deposit / deposit machine 20A. It is sent to 40A. By executing steps S81 to S84 and S86 in the management device 40A, the medal service acceptance information MSRI transmitted from the medal lending machine 10A or the medal deposit / payment machine 20A (that is, a combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID) Whether or not the medal service can be performed is determined based on whether or not the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to is present, and whether or not the medal provision frequency MSN has reached the medal provision permitted frequency MSM. When it is determined that the execution of the medal service is possible, the medal service permission information MSPI is transmitted, and when it is determined that the execution of the medal service is not possible, the medal service prohibition information MSII is transmitted.

  When medal service permission information MSPI is received by executing steps S64 to S67 in medal lending machine 10A, the medal service is executed (that is, payout of medal M is executed) and medal service prohibition information MSII is received. If it does, the medal service is not executed. By executing steps S72 to S75 in the medal deposit / detachment machine 20A, the medal service is executed (that is, the payout of the medal M is executed) when the medal service permission information MSPI is received, and the medal service prohibition information MSII is received. If it does, the medal service is not executed. When step S85 is executed in the management device 40A, it is determined that execution of the medal service is possible, and execution of the medal service (that is, payout of the medal M is executed) in the medal lending machine 10A or the medal deposit / detachment machine 20A. The medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID corresponding to the execution of the medal service is added to the medal service database MSDB or the medal service information MSI and the user identification information The medal service history information MSHI is updated by adding “1” to the medal provision frequency MSN corresponding to the combination of the UID.

  As described above, in the medal providing system (game medium providing system) 2 of the second embodiment of the present invention, the two-dimensional code reader (information acquisition means) 134 of the medal lending machine (game medium processing device) 10A or the medal deposit Usage that medal service information (gaming medium provision information) MSI common to a plurality of users and each of a plurality of users can be specified by the two-dimensional code reader (information acquisition means) 224 of the payment machine (gaming medium processing device) 20A Person identification information (identification information) UID is acquired. When the combination of the medal service information MSI and the identification information is transmitted from the medal lending machine 10A or the medal deposit / depositing machine 20A, the management apparatus 40A identifies the user who provides the medal M based on the user identification information UID, The medal service availability determination unit (gaming medium availability availability determination unit) 464 determines whether provision of the medal M corresponding to the medal service information MSI is possible for the identified user. Then, when the determination result is transmitted from the management device 40A, provision of the medal M according to the provision number MN of the medal M included in the medal service information MSI based on the determination result in the medal lending machine 10A or the medal depositing / dispensing machine 20A. Is performed by the medal payout device (game medium providing means) 112, 220. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the number of medals MN to be provided for each store.

  Further, in the management apparatus 40A, when the medal service availability determination unit 464 determines that the provision of the medal M is possible, the medal M is provided based on the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID corresponding to the determination. Medal service history information (gaming medium provision history information) MSHI showing medal provision frequency (count value) MSN which is added each time provision of medal M is executed by the combination while showing that it has been done holds medal service history information Unit (information storage means) 482 holds it. The medal service information MSI further includes a medal provision permitted number of times (gaming medium provision allowed number of times) MSM capable of executing the provision of the medal M, and the medal service availability determination unit 464 is transmitted from the medal lending machine 10A or the medal depositing machine 20A. When the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID is held in the medal service history information holding unit 482, the medal provision frequency MSM in the medal service history information MSHI is a token It is determined that provision of the medal M is possible until it indicates that the medal provision permitted number of times MSM of the medal service information MSI transmitted from the machine 10A or the token depositing and payment machine 20A has been reached. In other words, if the medal provision permitted number MSM is set appropriately, provision of the medal M is performed within the range of the medal provision permitted number MSM. Therefore, overlapping provision of medals M is possible only within the intended range, and overlapping provision of medals M beyond the intended range (ie, overlapping provision of unintended medals M) is effectively prevented. This makes it possible to diversify services while preventing the provision of unintended medals M. In addition, since the medal M provision service is automatically executed without the involvement of a game store clerk, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost and improve the convenience of the user.

  Furthermore, the medal service availability determination unit 464 is configured such that the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the usage identification information UID transmitted from the medal lending machine 10A or the token depositing machine 20A is the medal service history information holding unit 482 It is determined that the medal service (provision of game media) is possible if the token is not held by the player. As a result, there is an advantage that it is easy to determine whether the medal service availability determination unit 268 can execute the medal service for the first time.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 24 shows a medal service database MSDB used by the medal providing device of the third embodiment. The medal provision device of the third embodiment has the same configuration as the medal provision device 21 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the detailed description is omitted here.

  In the medal providing device of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, the medal service database MSDB is different from the medal providing device 21 of the first embodiment in that the medal provision remaining number MSRN is used instead of the medal provision frequency MSN. Do. In this case, step S43A shown in FIG. 25 is executed instead of step S43 in FIG. That is, in step S43A, it is determined whether or not the medal provision remaining number MSRI is "0". If the medal provision remaining number MSRN is "0", the process proceeds to step S44, and it is determined in step S44 that the execution of the medal service is not possible. On the other hand, if the medal provision remaining number MSRN is not "0", the process proceeds to step S42, and it is determined in step S42 that execution of the medal service is possible.

  In step S36 of FIG. 11, the medal service history information update unit 272 of the medal service control unit 244 updates the medal service history information MSHI. That is, when it is determined in step S41 of FIG. 24 that the medal service history information MSHI does not exist, and the medal service is executed in step S35 of FIG. 11, the medal service history information update unit 272 of the medal service control unit 244 The medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the medal service reception information MSRI (in other words, the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID) when the service is executed is added to the medal service database MSDB and provided. A value obtained by subtracting “1” from the medal provision permitted number MSM is set to the remaining number MSRN. When it is determined in step S41 in FIG. 12 that the medal service history information MSHI is present in the medal service database MSDB, and the medal service is executed in step S35 in FIG. 11, the medal service history information update unit 272 of the medal service control unit 244 , Medal service remaining information provision number of times MSRN of medal service history information MSHI corresponding to medal service reception information MSRI (in other words, a combination of medal service information MSI and user identification information UID) when the medal service is executed. The value obtained by subtracting is set as the new medal provision remaining number MSRN, and the medal service history information MSHI is updated. Thus, by referring to the medal service history information MSHI of the medal service database MSDB, it can be determined whether or not the medal service corresponding to the combination of the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID is provided, and the medal service It is possible to determine whether the number of times of execution has reached the medal provision permitted number of times MSM.

  Also in the medal providing device of the third embodiment, similar to the medal providing device (game medium providing device) 21 of the first embodiment, the two-dimensional code reader (information acquisition means) 224 uses the medal common to a plurality of users. Service information (gaming medium provision information) MSI and user identification information (identification information) UID capable of specifying each of a plurality of users are acquired. When the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID are acquired, the user who provides the medal (gaming medium) M is identified based on the user identification information UID, and the medal is displayed for the identified user. Whether to provide the medal M corresponding to the service information MSI is determined by the medal service availability determination unit (gaming medium availability determination unit) 268. Then, based on the determination result of the medal service availability determination unit 268, provision of the medal M according to the provision number MN of the medal M included in the medal service information MSI is performed by the medal payout device (game medium providing means) 220. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the number of medals MN to be provided for each store.

  Also, when the medal M is provided, it indicates that the medal M is provided based on the combination of the medal service information MSI corresponding to the provision of the medal M and the user identification information UID, and the combination of the medal M The medal service history information (gaming medium provision history information) MSHI indicating the medal provision remaining number (count value) MSRN to be subtracted each time the provision is executed is held in the medal service history information holding unit (information storage means) 288 . The medal service information MSI further includes a medal provision permitted number of times (gaming medium provision allowed number of times) MSM that can execute provision of the medal M, and the medal service availability determination unit 268 determines the medal service information acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 224. When the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the MSI and the user identification information UID is held in the medal service history information holding unit 288, the medal provision remaining number MSRM in the medal service history information MSHI is a two-dimensional code reading It is determined that the medal M can be provided until it indicates that the medal provision permitted number of times MSM of the medal service information MSI acquired by the device 224 has been reached. By setting the medal provision permitted number MSM appropriately, provision of the medal M is performed within the range of the medal provision permitted number MSM. Therefore, overlapping provision of the medal M is possible only within the intended range, and overlapping provision of the medal M beyond the intended range (ie, overlapping provision of the unintended medal M) is effectively prevented. This makes it possible to diversify services while preventing unintended provision of medals M that are not intended. In addition, since the medal M provision service is automatically executed without the involvement of a game store clerk, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost and improve the convenience of the user.

Fourth Embodiment
FIG. 26 shows a medal depositing / dispensing machine 20B constituting the medal providing device 21A of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The medal depositing / dispensing machine 20B is the same as the medal depositing / dispensing machine 20 of the first embodiment except that an IC card reader 225 is added. Therefore, in FIG. 26, the same components as those of the medal depositing / dispensing machine 20 of FIG.

  The token depositing and dispensing machine 20 </ b> B in FIG. 26 further includes an IC card reader 225. In other words, the medal providing device 21A includes a two-dimensional code reader 224, an IC card reader 225, a control device 228, and a medal payout device 220. The IC card reader 225 is a card type in which a card CD carried by the user has a semiconductor integrated circuit (Integrated Circuit, hereinafter referred to as IC) built in, including a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). It is used when it is a noncontact recording medium. The IC card reader 225 acquires user identification information UID that can identify the user by reading the card identification information recorded on the card CD.

  In the medal providing device 21A of the fourth embodiment, the medal service information (gaming medium providing information) MSI common to a plurality of users is obtained by the two-dimensional code reading device (first information obtaining means) 224, and an IC card The reader (second information acquisition unit) 225 acquires user identification information (identification information) UID that can specify each of a plurality of users. When the medal service information MSI and the user identification information UID are acquired, the user who provides the medal (gaming medium) M is identified based on the user identification information UID, and the medal is displayed for the identified user. Whether to provide the medal M corresponding to the service information MSI is determined by the medal service availability determination unit (gaming medium availability determination unit) 268. Then, based on the determination result of the medal service availability determination unit 268, provision of the medal M according to the provision number MN of the medal M included in the medal service information MSI is performed by the medal payout device (game medium providing means) 220. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the number of medals MN to be provided for each store.

  Also, when the medal M is provided, it indicates that the medal M is provided based on the combination of the medal service information MSI corresponding to the provision of the medal M and the user identification information UID, and the combination of the medal M Medal service history information (gaming medium provision history information) MSHI indicating the number of times of medal provision (count value) MSN to be added each time provision is performed is held in the medal service history information holding unit (information storage means) 288. The medal service information MSI further includes a medal provision permitted number of times (gaming medium provision allowed number of times) MSM that can execute provision of the medal M, and the medal service availability determination unit 268 determines the medal service information acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 224. When the medal service history information MSHI corresponding to the combination of the MSI and the user identification information UID is held in the medal service history information holding unit 288, the medal provision frequency MSM in the medal service history information MSHI is the two-dimensional code reader It is determined that the provision of the medal M is possible until it indicates that the medal provision permitted number of times MSM of the medal service information MSI acquired by the step S 224 has been reached. In other words, if the medal provision permitted number MSM is set appropriately, provision of the medal M is performed within the range of the medal provision permitted number MSM. Therefore, overlapping provision of the medal M is possible only within the intended range, and overlapping provision of the medal M beyond the intended range (ie, overlapping provision of the unintended medal M) is effectively prevented. This makes it possible to diversify services while preventing unintended provision of medals M that are not intended. In addition, since the medal M provision service is automatically executed without the involvement of a game store clerk, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost and improve the convenience of the user.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described medal providing devices 21 and 21A of the first, third and fourth embodiments and the medal providing system 2 of the second embodiment, and appropriate modifications are possible. For example, although the medal depositing / dispensing machine 20 has the function of the medal providing device 21 in the first embodiment, it is of course possible to give the medal lending machine 10 the function of the medal providing device 21. That is, the medal providing device can be configured by adding the two-dimensional code reader, the medal service control unit, and the medal service information holding unit to the medal lending machine 10.

  Further, in the medal providing device 21 of the first embodiment, the user identification information UID is acquired by the two-dimensional code reader 224, but at least identification information capable of specifying the user may be acquired. For example, a one-dimensional code can be recorded on a card CD, and a reader capable of reading both the one-dimensional code and the two-dimensional code can be used. Furthermore, in the medal providing device (second information acquisition means) 21A of the fourth embodiment, although the IC card reader 225 is used, a one-dimensional code is recorded on the card CD, and the IC card reader 225 is substituted. It is also possible to make the one-dimensional code reader the second information acquisition means. Alternatively, the biometric information BI acquired by the biometric information acquisition device 210 may be used as the user identification information UID.

  Furthermore, it is needless to say that the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, and the above-described modification can be appropriately applied to the medal providing system 2 of the second embodiment.

  Further, in the medal providing devices 21, 21A of the first, third and fourth embodiments and the medal providing system 2 of the second embodiment, the medal M is paid out (in other words, the physical medal M is paid out). Although the medal service is performed, electronic medals may be deposited on the medal deposit / payment machines 20, 20A, 20B instead of the payout of physical medals. In that case, the user can select payment of physical medals and deposit of electronic medals as a medal service, and more various service modes can be realized. This can also be applied to the medal deposit and payment machine 20A of the medal providing system 2 of the second embodiment.

  The present invention can be suitably used in a game arcade where a game machine is played using medals (game media).

1, 1A game place 2 medal providing system 10, 10A medal lending machine 20, 20A, 20B medal deposit and withdrawal machine 21, 21A medal offering device 30 game machine 40, 40A management device 41 medal deposit and withdrawal server 42 medal service server 50 LAN
Reference Signs List 100 case 102 display device 104 input device 106 bill depositing / dispensing device 108 coin sorting device 110 coin safe 112 medal dispensing device 114 coin dispensing outlet 116 medal dispensing outlet 118, 118A control device 120 bill insertion slot 122 bill dispensing outlet 124 coin insertion slot 126 coin return lever 134 two-dimensional code reader 136 communication device 142 main control unit 142 communication device 144 medal service control unit 146 storage unit 162 information identification unit 164 medal service acceptance information generation unit 166 medal service execution unit 182 user identification information holding Part 184 medal service information holding part 200 case 202 display device 204 input device 206 touch panel 207 operation button 208 mounting table 210 biological information acquisition device 211 biometric information authentication device 212 medal insertion slot 214 medal counting device 2 6 medal collection container 218 medal storage container 220 medal payout device 222 medal payout port 224 two-dimensional code reader 225 IC card reader 228, 228A control device 230 communication device 242 main control unit 246 storage unit 248 medal service information holding unit 262 Information identification unit 264 medal service reception information generation unit 266 medal service history information search unit 268 medal service availability determination unit 270 medal service execution unit 272 medal service history information update unit 282 biometric information holding unit 284 user identification information holding unit 286 medal service Information storage unit 288 medal service history information storage unit 401 input unit 402 display unit 403 communication interface 404, 404A control unit 405 data processing unit 405A first data processing unit 406 storage unit 406A first storage 412 biometric information search unit 414 registration medal number calculation unit 416 registration medal number update unit 422 registration biometric information holding unit 424 registration medal number holding unit 442 second data processing unit 446 second storage unit 462 medal service history information search unit 464 medal service Availability determination unit 466 medal service history information update unit 482 medal service history information holding unit BI biometric information CD card M medal MDI medal payout information MID medal service identification information MN medal provision number (number of medals provided)
Two-dimensional code for MSC medal service MSDB medal service database MSDI medal service non-display information MSEI medal service execution information MSHI medal service history information MSI medal service information MSII medal service prohibition information MSPI medal service permission information MSRI medal service acceptance information MSRN medal provision remaining Ndp Number of medals deposited Nds Number of medals paid out Nrg Number of registered medals PM Medal service ticket RBI Registered biometric information UC Two-dimensional code UID for user identification User identification information UN Member identification number

Claims (10)

A game medium providing method, wherein the game medium is provided free of charge to a plurality of users based on game medium provision information including the number of game medium provided,
Identification information capable of identifying each of the plurality of users while the first information acquisition means acquires the game medium provision information common to the plurality of users, and the first information acquisition means or the second information acquisition means identifies each of the plurality of users Information acquisition process to acquire
When the game medium provision information and the identification information are acquired in the information acquisition step, it is possible to play the game media availability corresponding to the game medium provision information to the user specified by the identification information A game medium provision possibility determination step determined by the medium provision possibility determination unit;
A game medium providing step of providing the game medium according to the number of provision of the game medium providing information based on the determination result in the game medium provision possibility determining step;
When the game medium is provided in the game medium providing step, the combination indicates that the game medium has been provided based on a combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information corresponding to the provision of the game medium, and the combination A game medium provision history information holding step of holding game medium provision history information indicating a count value to be added or subtracted each time provision of the game medium is executed by the information storage unit,
The gaming medium provision information further includes a gaming medium provision permitted number of times indicating the number of times the gaming medium can be provided.
In the game medium provision possibility determination step, when the game medium provision history information corresponding to the combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information acquired in the information acquisition process is held in the information storage unit, It is determined that provision of the game medium is possible until it is indicated that the count value in the game medium provision history information has reached the game medium provision permitted number of times of the acquired game medium provision information. Method.   In the game medium provision possibility determination step, the game medium provision history information corresponding to the combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information acquired in the information acquisition process is not held in the information storage means. The method for providing game media according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that provision of game media is possible. A gaming medium providing apparatus for providing the gaming medium to a plurality of users at no charge based on gaming medium provision information including the number of provision of gaming media.
Information acquisition means for acquiring the game medium provision information common to the plurality of users and acquiring identification information capable of specifying each of the plurality of users;
When the game medium provision information and the identification information are acquired by the information acquisition unit, it is determined whether the game medium provided for the game medium provision information can be provided to the user specified by the identification information. Game medium provision availability determination means to
Game medium providing means for providing the game medium according to the number of provision of the game medium provision information based on the determination result by the game medium provision possibility determination means;
When the game medium is provided by the game medium providing means, it indicates that the game medium has been provided based on a combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information corresponding to the provision of the game medium, and the combination And information storage means for holding gaming medium provision history information indicating the count value to be added or subtracted each time provision of the game medium is executed by the information storage means,
The gaming medium provision information further includes a gaming medium provision permitted number of times indicating the number of times the gaming medium can be provided.
When the game medium provision possibility determination means holds the game medium provision history information corresponding to the combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information acquired by the information acquisition means, the information storage means holds the game medium provision history information. It is determined that the provision of the game medium is possible, until it is indicated that the count value in the game medium provision history information has reached the game medium provision permitted number of times of the acquired game medium provision information. .   The game medium provision possibility determination means determines that the game medium provision history information corresponding to the combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information acquired by the information acquisition means is not held in the information storage means. 4. The game medium providing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein it is determined that the game medium can be provided. A gaming medium providing apparatus for providing the gaming medium to a plurality of users at no charge based on gaming medium provision information including the number of provision of gaming media.
First information acquisition means for acquiring the game medium provision information common to the plurality of users;
Second information acquisition means for acquiring identification information capable of specifying each of the plurality of users;
When the gaming medium provision information and the identification information are acquired by the first and second information acquisition means, the game medium corresponding to the gaming medium provision information for the user specified by the identification information Game medium provision availability determination means for determining availability of provision;
Game medium providing means for providing the game medium according to the number of provision of the game medium provision information based on the determination result by the game medium provision possibility determination means;
When the game medium is provided by the game medium providing means, it indicates that the game medium has been provided based on a combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information corresponding to the provision of the game medium, and the combination And information storage means for holding gaming medium provision history information indicating the count value to be added or subtracted each time provision of the game medium is executed by the information storage means,
The gaming medium provision information further includes a gaming medium provision permitted number of times indicating the number of times the gaming medium can be provided.
The game medium provision possibility determination means holds the game medium provision history information corresponding to a combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information acquired by the first and second information acquisition means. And it is determined that provision of the game medium is possible until it indicates that the count value in the game medium provision history information has reached the permitted number of game medium provision times of the acquired game medium provision information. , Gaming media providing device.   The game medium provision possibility determination means holds the game medium provision history information corresponding to a combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information acquired by the first and second information acquisition means. The game medium providing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein it is determined that the game medium can be provided if the game medium is not set. A gaming medium providing system which provides the gaming media to a plurality of users at no charge based on gaming media provision information including the number of provision of gaming media.
A gaming media processing device having a function of providing the gaming media, and a management device capable of communicating with the gaming media processing device;
The gaming media processing device is
Information acquisition means for acquiring the game medium provision information common to the plurality of users and acquiring identification information capable of specifying each of the plurality of users;
First control means for controlling transmission of the combination of the game medium provision information and the identification information acquired by the information acquisition means to the management device;
Game medium providing means for providing the game medium;
Including
The management device is
When a combination of the gaming medium provision information and the identification information is transmitted from the gaming medium processing device, provision of the game medium corresponding to the gaming medium provision information to the user specified by the identification information Game medium provision availability determination means for determining availability;
If it is determined by the gaming medium provision availability determination means that provision of the gaming medium is possible, the fact that the gaming medium has been provided based on a combination of the gaming medium provision information and the identification information corresponding to the determination is Information storage means for holding gaming medium providing history information indicating and indicating a count value to be added or subtracted each time provision of the game medium is executed by the combination;
Second control means for controlling to transmit the determination result by the gaming medium provision possibility determining means to the gaming medium processing device;
Including
The first control means controls the game medium providing means to provide the game medium according to the number of provision of the game medium providing information based on the determination result transmitted from the management device.
The gaming medium provision information further includes a gaming medium provision permitted number of times indicating the number of times the gaming medium can be provided.
The gaming medium provision possibility determination means, when the gaming medium provision history information corresponding to the combination of the gaming medium provision information and the identification information transmitted from the gaming medium processing device is held in the information storage means. Determining that provision of the game medium is possible until it indicates that the count value in the game medium provision history information has reached the game medium provision permitted number of times of the transmitted game medium provision information system.   The gaming medium provision possibility determination means, when the gaming medium provision history information corresponding to the combination of the gaming medium provision information and the identification information transmitted from the gaming medium processing device is not held in the information storage means. 8. The game medium providing system according to claim 7, wherein it is determined that the game medium can be provided. A gaming medium providing system which provides the gaming media to a plurality of users at no charge based on gaming media provision information including the number of provision of gaming media.
A gaming media processing device having a function of providing the gaming media, and a management device capable of communicating with the gaming media processing device;
The gaming media processing device is
First information acquisition means for acquiring the game medium provision information common to the plurality of users;
Second information acquisition means for acquiring identification information capable of specifying each of the plurality of users;
First control means for controlling transmission of the game medium provision information and the identification information acquired by the first and second information acquisition means to the management device;
Game medium providing means for providing the game medium;
Including
The management device is
When the gaming medium provision information and the identification information are transmitted from the gaming medium processing device, the provision of the game medium corresponding to the gaming medium provision information can be made to the user specified by the identification information. Game medium provision availability determination means for determining;
If it is determined by the gaming medium provision availability determination means that provision of the gaming medium is possible, the fact that the gaming medium has been provided based on a combination of the gaming medium provision information and the identification information corresponding to the determination is Information storage means for holding gaming medium providing history information indicating and indicating a count value to be added or subtracted each time provision of the game medium is executed by the combination;
Second control means for controlling to transmit the determination result by the gaming medium provision possibility determining means to the gaming medium processing device;
Including
The first control means controls the game medium providing means to provide the game medium according to the number of provision of the game medium providing information based on the determination result transmitted from the management device.
The gaming medium provision information further includes a gaming medium provision permitted number of times indicating the number of times the gaming medium can be provided.
The gaming medium provision possibility determination means, when the gaming medium provision history information corresponding to the combination of the gaming medium provision information and the identification information transmitted from the gaming medium processing device is held in the information storage means. Determining that provision of the game medium is possible until it indicates that the count value in the game medium provision history information has reached the game medium provision permitted number of times of the transmitted game medium provision information system. The gaming medium provision possibility determination means, when the gaming medium provision history information corresponding to the combination of the gaming medium provision information and the identification information transmitted from the gaming medium processing device is not held in the information storage means. The game medium providing system according to claim 9, wherein it is determined that the game medium can be provided.

Images