JP2021146058A - Prize put-out device and prize management system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a prize put-out device capable of improving convenience regarding prize replenishment, and a prize management system including the same.SOLUTION: A prize put-out device 1 includes: a prize storage part for storing prizes; a put-out part 42 for putting out the prize from the prize storage part; a counting part 43 for counting the prizes replenished in the prize storage part; a control part 41; and a disbursement part 48. The control part 41 calculates a price to be paid for the prize 4 replenished in the prize storage part, on the basis of the result of counting by the counting part 43. The disbursement part 48 outputs the price calculated by the control part 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a prize payout device and a prize management system including the same.

The following Patent Document 1 discloses an article payout device that pays out a card-shaped prize to a player in a game facility such as a pachinko shop.

JP-A-2017-209181

The prizes to be replenished in the goods payout device are generally brought to the amusement facility for delivery by the staff of the wholesaler (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "wholesale"). In this case, the wholesaler, after transporting the prize to the designated delivery place in the game facility, goes to the staff member in another place away from the delivery place in the game facility and pays the cash for the prize. You may receive it by hand from. If the place where the prize is delivered and the place where the consideration is received are different in this way, it takes time and effort for the wholesaler to move. In addition, if there is an error in the number of prizes delivered or the consideration, there is a risk of trouble between the wholesaler and the amusement facility. Therefore, it is necessary for both the wholesaler and the staff of the amusement facility to carefully check so that such a mistake does not occur, which is also troublesome.

The present invention has been made in such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a prize payout device capable of improving convenience in replenishing prizes, and a prize management system including the same.

According to the present invention, a prize storage unit for storing prizes, a payout unit for paying out prizes from the prize storage unit, a counting unit for counting prizes to be replenished in the prize storage unit, and the prize storage unit are replenished. It is a prize payout device including a calculation unit that calculates the consideration to be paid for a prize based on the counting result by the counting unit, and an output unit that outputs the consideration calculated by the calculation unit.

Further, in the present invention, the prize payout device further includes a price storage unit for storing cash as a price for the prize, and the output unit withdraws cash corresponding to the consideration from the price storage unit. It is characterized by including a part.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the prize payout device further includes a reception unit that receives a storage medium and a payment unit that setstles the value associated with the storage medium received by the reception unit.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the prize payout device is provided separately from the payment storage unit, and further includes a payment storage unit for storing cash for payment by the payment unit.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the prize payout device further includes a POS terminal that receives an instruction regarding payout of the prize.

Further, the present invention is a prize management system including the prize payout device and a management device capable of communicating with the prize payout device and managing information about the prize and the consideration.

Further, in the present invention, the counting unit counts the prize according to the replenishment of the prize to the prize storage unit, and the calculating unit pays the prize according to the counting by the counting unit. The output unit calculates the consideration, the output unit outputs the consideration, and the prize payout device further includes a notification unit that notifies the management device of the counting result by the counting unit and the output content by the output unit. It is characterized by.

Further, in the present invention, the management device notifies the prize management device of information about the unpaid consideration of the prize replenished in the prize storage unit, and the counting is performed according to the replenishment of the prize in the prize storage unit. The unit counts the prize, and at the time of the replenishment, the output unit outputs the unpaid consideration, and the prize payout device outputs the counting result by the counting unit and the output content by the output unit to the management device. It is characterized by further including a notification unit for notifying the user.

Further, in the present invention, the prize payout device includes a prize payout device serving as a master unit and a prize payout device serving as a slave unit, and each of the prize payout devices replenishes the prize to the prize storage unit. Correspondingly, the counting unit counts the prize, the slave unit further includes a first notification unit that notifies the management device of the counting result by the counting unit of the slave unit, and the master unit is the child. Further including an acquisition unit that acquires the counting result by the counting unit of the machine from the management device, in the master unit, the calculation unit is based on the counting result by the counting unit of each of the master unit and the slave unit. , The output unit outputs the consideration by calculating the consideration to be paid for all the prizes to be replenished in the prize storage units of the master unit and the slave unit, and the master unit at least said the above. It is characterized by further including a second notification unit that notifies the management device of the counting result by the counting unit of the master unit and the output content by the output unit of the master unit.

Further, in the present invention, the prize payout device includes a prize payout device serving as a master unit and a prize payout device serving as a slave unit, and the management device comprises an unpaid consideration for the prize replenished in the prize storage unit. The information of the above is notified to the master unit, and in each of the prize payout devices, the counting unit counts the prize in response to the replenishment of the prize to the prize storage unit, and at the time of the replenishment, the master unit The output unit outputs the unpaid consideration, the slave unit further includes a first notification unit that notifies the management device of the counting result by the counting unit of the slave unit, and the master unit is the master unit. It is characterized by further including a second notification unit that notifies the management device of the counting result by the counting unit and the output content by the output unit of the master unit.

According to the present invention, in the prize payout device, the counting unit counts the prizes to be replenished in the prize storage unit, and the calculation unit calculates the consideration to be paid for the replenished prizes based on the counting result by the counting unit. And the output unit outputs the consideration calculated by the calculation unit. Therefore, the wholesaler who replenishes the prize can complete both the replenishment of the prize and the receipt of the consideration with the prize payout device. Further, since the number of replenishment of prizes and the consideration are accurately obtained by the prize payout device, it is possible to omit the check by the wholesaler or the like regarding the number of replenishments and the consideration. As a result, it is possible to improve the convenience of replenishing prizes.

Further, according to the present invention, in the prize payout device, the withdrawal unit withdraws cash corresponding to the consideration for the prize to be replenished to the prize storage unit from the price storage unit, so that the wholesaler pays for the prize to be replenished. Can be received from the prize payout device.

Further, according to the present invention, for example, if the player accepts the storage medium at the reception unit of the prize payout device, the prize payout device can settle the value associated with the storage medium. That is, the prize payout device can not only replenish the prize and receive the consideration by the wholesaler, but also settle the value associated with the storage medium of the player, so that the convenience can be further improved.

Further, according to the present invention, a price storage unit for storing the price of the prize to be replenished and a payment storage unit for storing the payment of the value associated with the storage medium are separately provided. In this case, it is sufficient to prepare only the required amount of cash for the prize price in the price storage unit, and it is not necessary to prepare cash for the settlement money. Similarly, in the settlement money storage unit, it is sufficient to prepare only the required amount of cash for the settlement money, and it is not necessary to prepare cash for the prize price. Further, since the payment storage unit and the settlement money storage unit are provided separately, it is possible to manage the cash for the prize price and the cash for the settlement money separately for each purpose.

Further, according to the present invention, the prize payout device can receive an instruction regarding the payout of the prize by the POS terminal included in the prize payout device. That is, the prize payout device can have not only a function of paying out the prize but also a function of receiving an instruction regarding the payout of the prize.

Further, according to the present invention, in the prize management system, the management device acquires information about the prize to be replenished to the prize payout device and information about the consideration for the prize by communicating with the prize payout device. Can be managed.

Further, according to the present invention, in the prize payout device, the counting unit counts the prize in response to the replenishment of the prize to the prize storage unit, and the calculation unit determines the consideration to be paid for the prize by the counting unit. The output unit outputs the consideration by calculating according to the counting result. Therefore, the wholesaler can receive the consideration for the prize to be replenished this time on the spot (that is, on the day). Further, since the notification unit of the prize payout device notifies the management device of the counting result by the counting unit and the output content by the output unit, the management device acquires and manages the information notified by the notification unit. be able to.

Further, according to the present invention, the prize payout device is notified from the management device of information about the unpaid consideration of the replenished prize. In the prize payout device to which this information is notified, the output unit outputs the unpaid consideration when the counting unit counts the prize in response to the replenishment of the prize to the prize storage unit. You can receive the unpaid consideration for the prizes you have made. In the prize payout device that outputs the unpaid consideration in this way, the notification unit notifies the management device of the current counting result by the counting unit and the output content by the output unit. The result of this counting by the counting unit constitutes information on the unpaid consideration to be paid at the time of the next replenishment or the like. The management device can acquire and manage the information notified by the notification unit.

Further, according to the present invention, in each prize payout device, the counting unit counts the prize according to the replenishment of the prize to the prize storage unit. Then, the calculation unit of the master unit calculates the consideration to be paid for all the prizes replenished to the plurality of prize payout devices including the master unit according to the counting result by the counting unit of each prize payout device. The output unit outputs the consideration. Therefore, the wholesaler can receive the consideration for all the prizes to be replenished to each prize payout device on the same day at the master unit. In the slave unit, the first notification unit notifies the management device of the counting result by the counting unit of the slave unit. In the master unit, the second notification unit notifies the management device of at least the counting result by the counting unit of the master unit and the output content by the output unit of the master unit. Therefore, the management device can acquire and manage the information notified by the notification unit.

Further, according to the present invention, the management device notifies the master unit of information about the unpaid consideration of the prizes that have been replenished to each prize payout device. In the master unit to which this information is notified, when the counting unit counts the prize in response to the replenishment of the prize to the prize storage unit, the output unit outputs the unpaid consideration. The unpaid consideration of all the prizes replenished in the payout device can be received collectively by the master unit. In the slave unit to which the prize is replenished, the first notification unit notifies the management device of the counting result by the counting unit of the slave unit. In the master unit, the second notification unit notifies the management device of the counting result by the counting unit of the master unit and the output content by the output unit of the master unit. Therefore, the management device can acquire and manage the information notified by the notification unit. The current counting result notified from each prize payout device constitutes information on the unpaid consideration to be paid at the time of the next replenishment or the like.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the inside of the game facility to which the prize management system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of a prize management system. It is a figure which shows the contents of the table stored in the management device of a prize management system. It is a sequence diagram which shows the replenishment process of the 1st pattern about the prize executed by the prize management system. It is a sequence diagram which shows the replenishment process of the 2nd pattern executed by the prize management system. It is a sequence diagram which shows the replenishment process of the 3rd pattern executed by the prize management system. It is a sequence diagram which shows the replenishment process of the 4th pattern executed by the prize management system.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the inside of a game facility such as a pachinko shop to which the prize management system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied. Inside the game facility, prizes are a game hall (not shown) in which multiple game machines such as pachinko machines are installed, and game media such as pachinko balls acquired by players by playing on the game machines (not shown). It is divided into a prize exchange counter for exchanging pachinko machines and an office for staff of amusement facilities. In the following, the staff of the amusement facility may be simply referred to as "staff". The prize management system 100 includes a single or a plurality of prize payout devices 1 installed at the prize exchange counter, a POS terminal 2 installed near the prize payout device 1 at the prize exchange counter, and a management device installed in the office. 3 and is included. In this embodiment, a plurality of prize payout devices 1 are provided, and each prize payout device 1 is assigned a device ID for identifying the prize payout device 1.

The prize payout device 1 is a device for paying out a card-shaped prize 4 called a special prize. The prize payout device 1 also functions as a prize storage machine for storing the prize 4. With reference to the prize payout device 1 on the left side of the two prize payout devices 1 in FIG. 1, a box for storing a large number of prizes 4 in a stacked state, for example, inside the device main body 11 which is a housing of the prize payout device 1. A prize storage unit 12 in the shape of a shape is provided. The surface of the apparatus main body 11 is composed of a payout port 13 for paying out the prize 4 taken out from the prize storage part 12, an opening / closing part 14 such as a shutter for opening / closing the payout port 13, and, for example, a liquid crystal monitor. A display unit 15 is provided. An operation unit 16 composed of a plurality of buttons and the like is also provided on the surface of the device main body 11. The display unit 15 and the operation unit 16 may be integrated as, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel.

There is a wholesaler that delivers the prize 4 to the amusement facility, and the wholesaler (strictly speaking, the staff of the wholesaler) brings the prize 4 into the amusement facility in a state of being packed in the return box 17. When the wholesaler operates the operation unit 16, the lock of the prize storage unit 12 arranged at the storage position in the device main body 11 is released, so that the wholesaler opens the door 18 and sets the prize storage unit 12 at the storage position. The prize 4 can be replenished in the prize storage unit 12 by pulling it out of the main body 11. At this time, the wholesaler may transfer the prize 4 from the through box 17 to the prize storage unit 12, or may set the prize 4 together with the through box 17 in the prize storage unit 12. When the wholesaler who has finished replenishing the prize 4 returns the prize storage unit 12 into the apparatus main body 11 and closes the door 18, the prize storage unit 12 is locked at the storage position.

The prize payout device 1 has a function of paying the consideration of the prize 4 to be replenished mainly by cash. As an example for that purpose, the prize payout device 1 includes a price storage unit 19 for storing cash as a price for the prize 4. The price storage unit 19 is a box for storing at least one of banknotes and coins by denomination, and is provided in a single number or a plurality thereof depending on the denomination. On the surface of the device main body 11, there are a deposit / withdrawal port 20 for paying out cash in the price storage unit 19 and inserting cash for replenishment, and an opening / closing part 21 such as a shutter for opening and closing the deposit / withdrawal port 20. It is provided. Inside the device main body 11, a first cash transport path (not shown) connecting the price storage unit 19 and the deposit / withdrawal port 20 is provided. The deposit / withdrawal port 20 may be divided into a withdrawal port and a deposit / withdrawal port.

By the way, in order for a player to start a game, it is necessary to have the game medium lent out from the game facility, and in order to rent out the game medium, a value such as a prepaid value exchanged for the game medium is associated with it. A storage medium 22 may be required. An example of the storage medium 22 is an IC card that stores at least a medium ID for identifying the storage medium 22, and is issued by the game facility to the player. The medium ID can identify the player who owns the storage medium 22. The storage medium 22 may be a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a smartphone carried by the player. The fact that the prepaid value is associated with the storage medium 22 means that the prepaid value is stored in the storage medium 22 itself (IC chip of an IC card, etc.), or the prepaid value is associated with the medium ID and is managed by the management device. It means that it is stored in 3. Further, the acquired number, which is the number of game media acquired by the player through the game, is also associated with the storage medium 22. An entrance / exit 23 into which the storage medium 22 is taken in and out is provided on the surface of the apparatus main body 11. On the surface of the device main body 11, there is also provided an issuing port 24 for issuing a printed matter such as a receipt on which the processing result of the prize paying device 1 is printed.

The prize payout device 1 has a function of settling the prepaid value associated with the storage medium 22 inserted in the doorway 23. As an example for that purpose, the prize payout device 1 includes a box-shaped settlement money storage unit 25 for storing cash for settlement of the prepaid value. The settlement money storage unit 25 is a box for storing at least one of banknotes and coins by denomination, and is provided in a single number or a plurality of coins depending on the denomination. Inside the device main body 11, a second cash transfer path (not shown) connecting the settlement money storage unit 25 and the deposit / withdrawal port 20 is provided. The first cash transport path and the second cash transport path described above may be merged in the middle and then connected to the deposit / withdrawal port 20. The cash in the settlement money storage unit 25 is paid out as the settlement money from the deposit / withdrawal port 20.

The settlement money storage unit 25 is provided separately from the payment storage unit 19. In this case, it is sufficient to prepare only the required amount of cash for payment of the consideration for the prize 4 to be replenished (that is, cash for the price of the prize 4) in the price storage unit 19, and for the settlement money. You don't even have to prepare cash. Similarly, in the settlement money storage unit 25, it is sufficient to prepare only the necessary amount of cash for the settlement money, and it is not necessary to prepare cash for the price of the prize 4. Further, since the payment storage unit 19 and the payment storage unit 25 are separately provided, the prize payout device 1 manages the cash for the price of the prize 4 and the cash for the payment separately for each purpose. can do.

Even if the payment storage unit 19 and the payment storage unit 25 are separately provided in this way, the staff member can replenish the payment storage unit 19 and the payment storage unit 25 with cash when the payment storage unit 19 and the payment storage unit 25 are replenished with cash. Cash can be replenished to the other side of the settlement money storage unit 25. Of course, depending on the operation, the cash for the prize 4 and the cash for the settlement money may be stored together in either the payment storage unit 19 or the settlement money storage unit 25, in which case. Either the price storage unit 19 or the settlement money storage unit 25 can be omitted.

The POS terminal 2 is a device that manages the inventory of prizes handled in the amusement facility. The prizes managed by the POS terminal 2 include general prizes such as tobacco and juice in addition to special prizes such as prize 4. The POS terminal 2 includes an operation unit 31 composed of a keyboard or the like and a display operation unit 32 composed of a liquid crystal touch panel or the like. The management device 3 is a higher-level device in the prize management system 100, and is composed of a personal computer or the like provided with an input unit 3A such as a keyboard.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the prize management system 100. The prize payout device 1 includes a control unit 41 as an example of a calculation unit, a notification unit, a first notification unit, a second notification unit, and an acquisition unit, and a payout unit 42 that pays out the prize 4 from the prize storage unit 12 to the payout port 13. Further includes a counting unit 43 for counting the prize 4 in the prize storage unit 12, and a receiving unit 44 for receiving the storage medium 22 inserted in the doorway 23.

Further, the prize payout device 1 prints a communication I / F unit 45 as an example of an output unit, a notification unit, a first notification unit, a second notification unit, and an acquisition unit, a receipt, and the like, and conveys the receipt to the issuing port 24. It further includes a printing unit 46 and a locking unit 47 that locks and unlocks the prize storage unit 12 at the storage position. Further, the prize payout device 1 setstles the prepaid value associated with the withdrawal unit 48 that withdraws the cash in the payment storage unit 19 to the deposit / withdrawal port 20 and the storage medium 22 received by the reception unit 44. A unit 49 and a storage unit 50 for storing various information are further included.

The control unit 41 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a clock, and the like. The same applies to other control units described later. The display unit 15, the operation unit 16, the payout unit 42, the counting unit 43, the reception unit 44, the communication I / F unit 45, the printing unit 46, the lock unit 47, the withdrawal unit 48, the settlement unit 49, and the storage unit 50, respectively. , Is electrically connected to the control unit 41.

The payout unit 42 opens and closes a payout mechanism for paying out a required number of prizes 4 in the prize storage part 12, a transport mechanism for transporting the prizes 4 paid out by the payout mechanism to the payout port 13, and an opening / closing part 14 of the payout port 13. The operation of the payout unit 42 is controlled by the control unit 41, including an actuator such as a motor (not shown).

The counting unit 43 can not only count the prizes 4 in the prize storage unit 12, but also identify the types of the individual prizes 4. There are three types of prizes 4 in this embodiment, large, medium, and small, depending on their value. The prizes 4 of each type have the same size but different surface colors. Therefore, the counting unit 43 is configured by combining a known counting sensor such as a light-shielding sensor and a color sensor that identifies the surface color of the prize 4.

The counting unit 43 can count the prizes 4 to be replenished to the prize storage unit 12 by counting and identifying the prizes 4 in the prize storage unit 12 at the timing before the replenishment of the prizes 4 and the timing after the replenishment. can. This counting result includes the number of replenishment of the prize 4 and the breakdown of each type of the prize 4 in the replenishment number, and is input to the control unit 41. The counting unit 43 may be arranged at a replenishment port or the like of the prize 4 in the prize storage unit 12, and in this case, the counting unit 43 counts the prize 4 itself to be replenished to the prize storage unit 12 from the replenishment port. be able to. Further, when the counting unit 43 counts the prize 4 in the prize storage unit 12 at each timing before and after replenishment, the control unit 41 calculates based on the counting result of the counting unit 43 before and after replenishment. The prize 4 replenished in the prize storage unit 12 may be counted instead of the counting unit 43. Specifically, the difference between the number of prizes 4 in stock counted before replenishment and the number of prizes 4 in stock counted after replenishment corresponds to the number of replenishments.

The reception unit 44 includes a transport mechanism composed of a belt, a roller, or the like for taking in the storage medium 22 from the doorway 23 into the device main body 11 and discharging the storage medium 22 from the doorway 23, and a storage mechanism taken into the device main body 11 by the transport mechanism. It includes a reading unit that reads information stored in the medium 22 and a writing unit that writes information in the storage medium 22 (not shown). The operation of the reception unit 44 is controlled by the control unit 41. The entrance / exit 23 may be omitted. In that case, the reception unit 44 may include a reading unit and a writing unit, and when the player brings the storage medium 22 closer to the reception unit 44, the reception unit 44 may be moved. Information stored in the storage medium 22 can be read, and information can be written in the storage medium 22.

The communication I / F unit 45 is an interface for the prize payout device 1 to perform external communication. The communication I / F unit 45 is connected to a LAN 51 configured by a wired or wireless communication line in the amusement facility. The same applies to other communication I / F units described later. A known printer can be used as the printing unit 46. As the lock portion 47, a known electromagnetic lock or the like can be adopted. The lock unit 47 may lock the door 18 when the prize storage unit 12 is in the storage position, instead of locking the prize storage unit 12 at the storage position.

The withdrawal unit 48 has a first transfer mechanism (not shown) for transporting cash in the apparatus main body 11. The first transfer mechanism includes a transfer member such as a belt or a roller and an actuator for driving the transfer member (not shown), and the operation of the withdrawal unit 48 is controlled by the control unit 41. The withdrawal unit 48 takes out the price of the prize 4 from the payment storage unit 19 by the first transfer mechanism and conveys the price to the deposit / withdrawal port 20 via the first cash transfer path described above. The withdrawal unit 48 may further include another actuator that opens and closes the opening / closing unit 21 of the deposit / withdrawal port 20 under the control of the control unit 41. Further, the withdrawal unit 48 can also transfer the replenishment cash inserted into the deposit / withdrawal port 20 to the payment storage unit 19 by the first transfer mechanism. The price storage unit 19 may be detachable from the device main body 11 for replenishing cash.

The settlement unit 49 has a second transport mechanism (not shown) for transporting cash within the apparatus main body 11. The second transfer mechanism includes a transfer member such as a belt or a roller and an actuator for driving the transfer member (not shown), and the operation of the settlement unit 49 is controlled by the control unit 41. The settlement unit 49 may further include another actuator that opens and closes the opening / closing unit 21 of the deposit / withdrawal port 20 under the control of the control unit 41, and this actuator may be shared by the settlement unit 49 and the withdrawal unit 48.

When the storage medium 22 inserted into the doorway 23 by the player is accepted by the reception unit 44, the settlement unit 49 receives cash corresponding to the prepaid value associated with the storage medium 22 by the second transport mechanism. It is taken out from the settlement money storage unit 25, transported to the deposit / withdrawal port 20 via the second cash transfer path described above, and the opening / closing unit 21 is opened. When the player receives cash from the deposit / withdrawal port 20, the settlement unit 49 completes the settlement of the prepaid value. The storage medium 22 whose prepaid value has been settled is discharged to the doorway 23 by the transport mechanism of the reception unit 44 and returned to the player. As described above, in the prize payout device 1, the prepaid value associated with the player's storage medium 22 can be settled, so that the convenience can be improved. In addition, the settlement unit 49 can also transfer the replenishment cash inserted into the deposit / withdrawal port 20 to the settlement money storage unit 25 by the second transfer mechanism. The settlement money storage unit 25 may be detachable from the device main body 11 for replenishing cash.

The storage unit 50 stores the number of stocks of the prize 4 in the prize storage unit 12 and the cash amount in each of the price storage unit 19 and the settlement money storage unit 25. Further, the storage unit 50 stores the payout history and the replenishment history of the prize 4, and also stores the cash withdrawal history and the deposit history in each of the payment storage unit 19 and the settlement money storage unit 25. Further, the storage unit 50 also stores the unit price of the prize 4 for each type. Therefore, the control unit 41 multiplies the number of replenishments for each type in the counting result by the counting unit 43 for the prize 4 to be replenished in the prize storage unit 12 by the unit price of the corresponding type of prize 4 to obtain the consideration for each type. In addition to calculating, the total amount of consideration for each type is calculated as the payment amount. That is, the control unit 41 can calculate the consideration to be paid for the prize 4 replenished to the prize storage unit 12 based on the counting result of the counting unit 43.

The POS terminal 2 further includes a control unit 61, a communication I / F unit 62 connected to the LAN 51, a storage unit 63 for storing the number of stocks of the prize 4 in each prize payout device 1, and a reading unit 64. .. Each of the operation unit 31, the display operation unit 32, the communication I / F unit 62, the storage unit 63, and the reading unit 64 is electrically connected to the control unit 61. The reading unit 64 is a card reader or the like operated by a staff member in charge of the prize exchange counter. The POS terminal 2 can communicate with each of the prize payout device 1 and the management device 3.

When a clerk or a player who visits the prize exchange counter for prize exchange holds the storage medium 22 of the player over the reading unit 64, the reading unit 64 acquires the medium ID and the game medium from the storage medium 22. Get the number. When the player specifies the type and number of prizes 4 to be exchanged within the number of acquisitions, the clerk operates the operation unit 31 and the display operation unit 32 to give an instruction regarding the payout of the prize 4 to the POS terminal 2 Enter in. As a result, the POS terminal 2 accepts this instruction and orders the prize payout device 1 to pay out the corresponding prize 4. As a result, in the prize payout device 1, the payout unit 42 pays out the required number of prizes 4 in the prize storage unit 12 and conveys them to the payout outlet 13 to open the opening / closing unit 14, so that the staff or the player pays. You can receive the prize 4 from the exit 13.

The POS terminal 2 is not a device independent of the prize payout device 1, but may be incorporated in the device main body 11 as a part of the prize payout device 1. As a result, the prize payout device 1 can be provided with not only a function of paying out the prize 4 but also a function of receiving an instruction regarding the payout of the prize 4. In this case, the player himself / herself can receive the prize 4 from the prize payout device 1 by operating the POS terminal 2. The prize payout device 1 having the function of the POS terminal 2 and the settlement function by the settlement unit 49 may be installed in a stand-alone state at any position other than the prize exchange counter. Such an all-in-one type prize payout device 1 can be called a storage machine integrated self-POS, and the player can complete the payout and settlement of the prize 4 with the prize payout device 1, which is convenient. Can be improved.

The management device 3 includes a control unit 71, a communication I / F unit 72 connected to the LAN 51, and a storage unit 73 that stores various information. Each of the communication I / F unit 72 and the storage unit 73 is electrically connected to the control unit 71. The management device 3 can communicate with each of the prize payout device 1 and the POS terminal 2.

The storage unit 73 stores the table 74 shown in FIG. In the table 74, the replenishment detailed information showing the details of the replenishment process regarding the replenishment of the prize 4 to the prize payout device 1 by the wholesaler is stored in chronological order based on, for example, the replenishment date which is the date when the replenishment was performed. Has been done. The detailed replenishment information for each replenishment process includes the replenishment date, the wholesaler ID for identifying the wholesaler who replenished, and the replenishment destination ID corresponding to the device ID of the prize payout device 1 which is the replenishment destination of the prize 4. , The number and breakdown of the replenished prize 4, the payment amount indicating the consideration to be paid for the replenished prize 4, the payment date of the consideration, and the payment presence / absence flag indicating whether or not the consideration has been paid. And include. Each of the replenishment date and the payment date may include not only the date but also the time. The breakdown of the number of replenishments includes the number of replenishments for each type of prize 4. In this way, the management device 3 manages the information about the prize 4 to be replenished to each prize payout device 1 and the consideration for the prize 4 in the table 74 of the storage unit 73.

Like each of the replenishment detailed information A and B, the replenishment detailed information may be created for each of the prize payout devices 1 to which the prize 4 has been replenished, that is, each of the replenishment destinations, and stored in the table 74. On the other hand, when the same wholesaler collectively replenishes the prize 4 to a plurality of replenishment destinations on the same replenishment date, one replenishment detailed information such as replenishment detailed information E can be used for the replenishment destination ID and the number of replenishments. Although it is included separately for each replenishment destination, the payment amount may be included as the total amount of payments of the plurality of replenishment destinations, and the payment date and the payment presence / absence flag may be included as common information among the plurality of replenishment destinations. Next, the following first to fourth patterns assumed for the replenishment process will be described in order. At that time, the supplementary detailed information will be described in more detail.

<First pattern>
In the replenishment process of the first pattern, on the day when the prize 4 is replenished to the prize payout device 1, the consideration for the prize 4 is individually paid to the wholesaler from the prize payout device 1 (that is, in each prize payout device 1). Same-day payment) is assumed. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the replenishment process of the first pattern. Since the clerk plans to pay the price on the day when the wholesaler comes to the amusement facility to deliver the prize 4, he sets this day as the scheduled payment date and operates the input unit 3A of the management device 3 to the storage unit 73. Pre-register (step S1). In FIG. 4, the symbol in which "S" and a number are combined corresponds to a step number as in step S1. That is, S1 in FIG. 4 and step S1 have the same meaning. This also applies to FIGS. 5 to 7 described later. The scheduled payment date may be set on the day when the prize 4 is replenished to the prize payout device 1.

The control unit 71 of the management device 3 notifies each prize payout device 1 of the information on the scheduled payment date registered in advance in the storage unit 73 (step S2). The control unit 41 of each prize payout device 1 temporarily stores the notified scheduled payment date information in the storage unit 50. The clerk replenishes the cash storage unit 19 of each prize payout device 1 as necessary so that the cash amount in the payment storage unit 19 is equal to or greater than the expected amount of consideration to be paid on the scheduled payment date. .. The timing for replenishing the cash storage unit 19 may be any time as long as it is before the timing when the wholesaler arrives at the amusement facility on the scheduled payment date.

A wholesaler comes to the amusement store on the scheduled payment date, operates the operation unit 16 in the first prize payout device 1, inputs the wholesaler ID, and then replenishes the prize 4 to the prize storage unit 12 (step S3). .. Then, in the prize payout device 1, the counting unit 43 counts the prize 4 in response to the replenishment of the prize 4 to the prize storage unit 12, and the control unit 41 pays the consideration to be paid to the prize 4. It is calculated based on the counting result (the number of replenishment of prize 4 for each type) by the counting unit 43 (step S4). The amount of such consideration is called the payment amount.

In the prize payout device 1 to which the prize 4 is replenished, the withdrawal unit 48 receives cash (that is, cash for the payment amount) corresponding to the consideration calculated in step S4, that is, the purchase money of the replenished prize 4. As the price, the money is taken out from the price storage unit 19 and withdrawn to the deposit / withdrawal port 20 to be paid out to the wholesaler (step S5). That is, the withdrawal unit 48 outputs the consideration as cash as an example of the output unit.

Therefore, the wholesaler who replenishes the prize 4 can finish both the replenishment of the prize 4 and the receipt of the consideration with the prize payout device 1, and can receive the consideration as cash from the prize payout device 1 on the spot. Further, since the number of replenishment of the prize 4 and the consideration are accurately obtained by the prize payout device 1, it is possible to prevent such an error in the number of replenishment and the consideration (miscalculation of the replenishment of the prize 4 and the consideration by the wholesaler or the staff). Then, it is possible to omit the check (so-called inspection) by the wholesaler or the staff regarding the number of replenishment and the consideration. Further, if the clerk loads the cash storage unit 19 with a larger amount of cash than the amount corresponding to the consideration in advance, the clerk does not have to attend the subsequent replenishment of the prize 4 and the receipt of the consideration by the wholesaler. As a result, it is possible to improve the convenience of replenishing the prize 4.

The control unit 41 of the prize payout device 1 to which the prize 4 has been replenished in this way generates replenishment information regarding the replenishment of the prize 4 this time and payment information regarding the payment of the purchase money this time, and applies these information to the relevant information. The communication I / F unit 45 notifies the management device 3 by associating it with the device ID of the prize payout device 1 (step S6). The replenishment information includes the date when the prize 4 was replenished (that is, the replenishment date), the wholesaler ID of the wholesaler who replenished the prize 4, and the number of replenishments this time. The payment information is an example of the output content by the withdrawal unit 48, and includes the payment amount, the payment date of the payment amount, and the fact that the payment amount has been paid. Further, in the first pattern, the above-mentioned scheduled payment date, replenishment date, and payment date are the same.

The control unit 71 of the management device 3 generates the above-mentioned detailed replenishment information based on the notified device ID, replenishment information, and payment information, and registers the replenishment detailed information in the table 74 (see FIG. 3). The payment presence / absence flag of this supplementary detailed information is "paid" (see supplementary detailed information A in FIG. 3). Further, the device ID is a replenishment destination ID in the replenishment detailed information. In this way, the management device 3 can acquire the replenishment information and the payment information notified by the communication I / F unit 45 from the prize payout device 1 and manage them as the replenishment detailed information in the table 74.

When the wholesaler finishes replenishing the prize 4 and receiving the purchase money in the first prize payout device 1, the operation unit of each of the second prize payout devices 1 is the same as the first prize payout device 1. After operating the 16 and inputting the wholesaler ID, the prize 4 is replenished to the prize storage unit 12 (step S7). Then, in each of the second prize payout devices 1, the counting unit 43 counts the replenished prizes 4 and the control unit 41 with respect to the prize 4 as in the first prize payout device 1. The consideration to be paid is calculated based on the counting result by the counting unit 43 (step S8).

Then, in the second prize payout device 1, the withdrawal unit 48 pays out the replenished purchase money of the prize 4 to the wholesaler (step S9) as in the case of the first prize payout device 1, and this time the prize is paid out. The replenishment information regarding the replenishment of 4 and the payment information regarding the payment of the purchase money this time are generated, linked to the own device ID, and notified to the management device 3 (step S10). The control unit 71 of the management device 3 generates replenishment detailed information based on the notified device ID, replenishment information, and payment information, and registers the replenishment detailed information in the table 74 (see FIG. 3). The payment presence / absence flag of this supplementary detailed information is "paid" (see supplementary detailed information B in FIG. 3).

When the wholesaler replenishes the prize 4 to the third and subsequent prize payout devices 1, the processes of steps S7 to S10 are executed in each of the third and subsequent prize payout devices 1, and the management device responds accordingly. New replenishment detailed information is registered in the table 74 of 3. When the registration of the replenishment detailed information is completed for all the prize payout devices 1 to which the prize 4 has been replenished, the replenishment process of the first pattern is completed.

<Second pattern>
As a modification of the first pattern, it is assumed that in each prize payout device 1, the consideration for the prize 4 replenished on the day is not paid on the day of the replenishment. In that case, on the day of the replenishment day, the purchase of the prize 4 for the replenishment on the day is not paid (steps S5 and S9), so that the control unit 41 of the prize payout device 1 to which the prize 4 is replenished is stepped. In S6 and step S10, the management device 3 is notified of the unpaid information instead of the payment information. The unpaid information includes the payment amount and the fact that the payment amount has not been paid, but does not include the payment date. The payment amount is the amount of unpaid consideration. The control unit 71 of the management device 3 generates replenishment detailed information based on the replenishment information and unpaid information notified in steps S6 and S10, and registers the replenishment details in the table 74 (see FIG. 3). In the information, the payment date is blank and the payment presence / absence flag is "unpaid" (see supplementary details C and D in FIG. 3).

Therefore, in the replenishment process of the second pattern, on the day when the prize 4 is replenished to the prize payout device 1, the unpaid consideration of the prize 4 replenished before the day is paid from the prize payout device 1 to the wholesaler (so-called). It is assumed that payment will be made at a later date). FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the replenishment process of the second pattern. For example, the clerk plans to pay the unpaid consideration on the day when the wholesaler comes to the amusement facility to deliver the prize 4, so set this day as the scheduled payment date and pre-register it in the storage unit 73 of the management device 3. (Step S11).

The control unit 71 of the management device 3 notifies each prize payout device 1 of the information on the scheduled payment date registered in advance in the storage unit 73 (step S12). The control unit 41 of each prize payout device 1 temporarily stores the notified scheduled payment date information in the storage unit 50.

Further, if there is replenishment detailed information in which the payment presence / absence flag is "unpaid" in the table 74, the control unit 71 of the management device 3 corresponds to the prize payout device 1 of the replenishment destination ID in the replenishment detailed information. Notify the information of the payment amount (the amount of unpaid consideration) in the supplementary detailed information (step S12). That is, in step S12, the management device 3 notifies the prize payout device 1 of information about the unpaid consideration of the prize 4 that was replenished in the prize storage unit 12 before the previous time. In the case of FIG. 3, the control unit 71 notifies the prize payout device 1 having the replenishment destination ID (that is, the device ID) of 0003 that there is an unpaid consideration of 730000 yen, and the replenishment destination ID is 0004. Notify the prize payout device 1 that there is an unpaid consideration of 460000 yen. The clerk replenishes the price storage unit 19 of each prize payout device 1 with cash as needed at an arbitrary timing before the wholesaler arrives at the amusement facility.

A wholesaler comes to the amusement store on the scheduled payment date, operates the operation unit 16 in the first prize payout device 1, inputs the wholesaler ID, and then replenishes the prize 4 to the prize storage unit 12 (step S13). .. If the prize payout device 1 has received information on the amount paid for the unpaid consideration in step S12, that is, if the prize payout device 1 has an unpaid consideration for the previously replenished prize 4, the prize payout device 1 is used. The withdrawal unit 48 of the device 1 takes out the cash corresponding to the unpaid consideration from the payment storage unit 19 and pays it out to the wholesaler (step S14). Payment of the unpaid consideration may be made at the same time as the replenishment of the prize 4 this time (step S13) or before or after the replenishment. That is, the withdrawal unit 48 may output the unpaid consideration as cash at the time of the replenishment. Therefore, the wholesaler can receive the unpaid consideration of the prize 4 replenished to the first prize paying device 1 in the previous time or the like from the prize paying device 1.

Next, in the first prize payout device 1, the counting unit 43 counts the prize 4 in response to the replenishment of the new prize 4 to the prize storage unit 12, and the control unit 41 counts the prize 4. The consideration to be paid to is calculated based on the counting result by the counting unit 43 (step S15). Then, the control unit 41 links the replenishment information and the unpaid information regarding the replenishment of the prize 4 this time and the payment completion information about the unpaid consideration paid this time to the device ID, and manages it by the communication I / F unit 45. Notify device 3 (step S16). The payment completion information is an example of the output content by the withdrawal unit 48, and includes the payment amount of the unpaid consideration and the payment date. The replenishment date in the replenishment information and the payment date in the payment completion information are the same as the above-mentioned scheduled payment date.

The control unit 71 of the management device 3 adds the payment date to the replenishment detailed information registered in the table 74 (see the replenishment detailed information C in FIG. 3) based on the notified device ID and payment completion information. Change the payment presence / absence flag from "Unpaid" to "Paid". Further, the control unit 71 generates new replenishment detailed information based on the notified device ID, replenishment information, and unpaid information, and registers the new replenishment detailed information in the table 74 (see FIG. 3). In this supplementary detail information, the payment date is blank and the payment presence / absence flag is "unpaid" (see supplementary detail information C and D). As described above, the replenishment information or the like based on the current counting result by the counting unit 43 of the prize payout device 1 constitutes the replenishment detailed information about the unpaid consideration to be paid at the time of the next replenishment or the like. The management device 3 can acquire the replenishment information or the like notified by the communication I / F unit 45 of the first prize payout device 1 and manage it in the table 74 as the replenishment detailed information about the unpaid consideration.

When the wholesaler finishes replenishing the prize 4 and receiving the purchase money in the first prize payout device 1, the operation unit in each of the second prize payout devices 1 is the same as the first prize payout device 1. After operating the 16 and inputting the wholesaler ID, the prize 4 is replenished to the prize storage unit 12 (step S17). If the second prize payout device 1 receives the information on the payment amount for the unpaid consideration in step S12, the withdrawal unit 48 of the prize payout device 1 pays for the cash corresponding to the unpaid consideration. It is taken out from the storage unit 19 and paid out to the wholesaler (step S18). Payment of the unpaid consideration may be made at the same time as the replenishment of the prize 4 this time (step S17) or before or after the replenishment. Therefore, the wholesaler can receive the unpaid consideration of the prize 4 replenished to the second prize payout device 1 in the previous time or the like from the prize payout device 1.

Next, in the second prize payout device 1, similarly to the first prize payout device 1, the counting unit 43 responds to the replenishment of the new prize 4 to the prize storage unit 12 this time. Is counted, and the control unit 41 calculates the consideration to be paid for the prize 4 based on the counting result by the counting unit 43 (step S19). Then, the control unit 41 associates the replenishment information and the unpaid information regarding the replenishment of the prize 4 this time with the payment completion information about the unpaid consideration paid this time to the device ID of the prize payout device 1 and manages the management device 3. (Step S20).

The control unit 71 of the management device 3 has been registered in the table 74 based on the device ID and the payment completion information notified from the second prize payout device 1 as in the case of the first prize payout device 1. In the replenishment detailed information (see replenishment detailed information D in FIG. 3), the payment date is added and the payment presence / absence flag is changed from "unpaid" to "paid". Further, the control unit 71 generates new replenishment detailed information in which the payment date is blank and the payment presence / absence flag is "unpaid" based on the notified device ID, replenishment information, and unpaid information. Register in table 74.

When the wholesaler replenishes the prize 4 in the third and subsequent prize payout devices 1, the processes of steps S17 to S20 are executed in each of the third and subsequent prize payout devices 1, and the management device responds accordingly. New replenishment detailed information is registered in the table 74 of 3. Since the prize payout device 1 that has not received the information on the amount of the unpaid consideration paid in step S12 does not need to pay the unpaid consideration when replenishing the prize 4, the processing of steps S14 and S18 regarding the payment of the unpaid consideration is performed. Omitted. When the registration of the replenishment detailed information is completed for all the prize payout devices 1 to which the prize 4 has been replenished, the replenishment process of the second pattern is completed.

<Third pattern>
In the third pattern, one of the plurality of prize payout devices 1 is the master unit 1A, and the rest is the slave unit 1B. Each prize payout device 1 and management device 3 knows which prize payout device 1 is the master unit 1A. The third pattern is a modification of the first pattern, and it is assumed that the master unit 1A collectively pays the consideration for the prize 4 replenished to each prize payout device 1 on the day to the wholesaler on the day.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a replenishment process of the third pattern. The clerk sets the day when the wholesaler comes to the amusement facility for delivery of the prize 4 as the scheduled payment date and pre-registers it in the storage unit 73 of the management device 3 (step S21). The scheduled payment date may be set on the day when the prize 4 is replenished to the prize payout device 1.

The control unit 71 of the management device 3 notifies at least the master unit 1A of the information on the scheduled payment date registered in advance in the storage unit 73 (step S22). The control unit 41 of the master unit 1A temporarily stores the notified scheduled payment date information in the storage unit 50. The clerk, if necessary, at any time before the wholesaler arrives at the amusement facility so that the cash amount in the payment storage unit 19 of the master unit 1A is equal to or greater than the expected amount of consideration to be paid on the scheduled payment date. The cash is replenished in the price storage unit 19.

A wholesaler arrives at the amusement store on the scheduled payment date, and first, in one of the slave units 1B, the operation unit 16 is operated to input the wholesaler ID, and then the prize storage unit 12 is replenished with the prize 4 (step S23). Then, in the slave unit 1B, the counting unit 43 counts the prize 4 according to the replenishment of the prize 4 to the prize storage unit 12 (step S24). Then, the control unit 41 of the slave unit 1B generates replenishment information including the counting result (the number of replenishment of the prize 4 for each type) by the counting unit 43 of the slave unit 1B, and associates it with the device ID of the slave unit 1B. Then, the communication I / F unit 45 notifies the management device 3 (step S25).

The control unit 71 of the management device 3 generates replenishment detailed information based on the notified device ID and replenishment information, and registers the replenishment details in the table 74. The replenishment detailed information at this point refers to the storage area in which the replenishment destination ID is 0001 in the replenishment detailed information E of FIG. The amount and payment date are blank, and the payment presence / absence flag is "unpaid" (not shown). The replenishment date is the same as the scheduled payment date described above. Also in the other slave unit 1B, the processes of steps S23 to S25 are executed according to the replenishment of the prize 4.

The wholesaler who has completed the replenishment of the prize 4 in the slave unit 1B operates the operation unit 16 in the master unit 1A to input the wholesaler ID, and then replenishes the prize 4 in the prize storage unit 12 (step S26). Then, the counting unit 43 of the master unit 1A counts the prize 4 according to the replenishment of the prize 4 to the prize storage unit 12 (step S27).

Then, the control unit 41 of the master unit 1A inquires to the management device 3 whether or not the number of replenishments for the slave unit 1B in this replenishment is registered in the table 74 (step S28). At that time, the control unit 41 of the master unit 1A notifies the management device 3 of the wholesaler ID of the wholesaler who has replenished the prize 4 of the master unit 1A. The control unit 71 of the management device 3 finds from the table 74 the number of replenishment of the slave unit 1B in the replenishment detailed information including the wholesaler ID notified from the master unit 1A that the replenishment date is today in the table 74, and finds the replenishment number of the slave unit 1B from the table 74. (Step S29).

The control unit 41 of the master unit 1A acquires the replenishment number of the slave units 1B notified from the management device 3 by the communication I / F unit 45. Then, the control unit 41 of the master unit 1A adds all the prizes 4 replenished to the prize storage units 12 of the master unit 1A and the slave unit 1B based on the respective replenishment numbers of the master unit 1A and the slave unit 1B. The consideration to be paid is calculated (step S30). Specifically, the control unit 41 of the master unit 1A adds up the replenishment number of the master unit 1A and the replenishment number of the slave unit 1B for each type of prize 4, and corresponds to the replenishment number after the summation. Multiply the unit price of prize 4 to calculate the consideration for each type, and calculate the total amount of consideration for each type as the total payment amount.

In the master unit 1A, the withdrawal unit 48 replenishes the cash corresponding to the consideration calculated in step S30 (that is, the cash for the total payment amount) to the plurality of prize payout devices 1 this time. As the purchase money, the money is taken out from the price storage unit 19 and withdrawn to the deposit / withdrawal port 20 to be paid out to the wholesaler (step S31). That is, the withdrawal unit 48 outputs the consideration as cash. Therefore, the wholesaler can collectively receive the consideration for all the prizes 4 to be replenished to each prize payout device 1 on the day of the master unit 1A.

Then, the control unit 41 of the master unit 1A generates replenishment information regarding the prize 4 replenished to the master unit 1A this time and payment information regarding the purchase money paid out in step S31, and converts these information into the master unit 1A. The management device 3 is notified by the communication I / F unit 45 in association with the device ID of (step S32). At this time, the control unit 41 of the master unit 1A may also notify the management device 3 of the number of replenishment of the slave unit 1B notified in step S29. The control unit 71 of the management device 3 updates the replenishment detailed information generated based on the replenishment information from the slave unit 1B based on the device ID, the replenishment information, and the payment information notified from the master unit 1A. The replenishment detailed information including the replenishment date and the wholesaler ID included in the replenishment information from the master unit 1A is the update target in the table 74.

In the replenishment detailed information after the update, as shown in the replenishment detailed information E of FIG. 3, the device ID 0002 of the master unit 1A, the number of replenishments for the master unit 1A, and the payment amount for the consideration paid by the master unit 1A (described above). Total payment amount) and payment date have been added, and the payment presence / absence flag has been changed from "unpaid" to "paid". Therefore, the management device 3 acquires the replenishment information and the like notified by the communication I / F unit 45 of each of the master unit 1A and the slave unit 1B, that is, the communication I / F unit 45 of each prize payout device 1, and manages them in the table 74 as the replenishment detailed information. can do. The replenishment process of the third pattern ends according to the update of the replenishment detailed information.

<4th pattern>
The replenishment process of the fourth pattern assumes that on the day when the prize 4 is replenished to each prize payout device 1, the unpaid consideration of the prize 4 replenished before the day is collectively paid to the wholesaler from the master unit 1A. ing. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the replenishment process of the fourth pattern. For example, the clerk plans to pay the unpaid consideration on the day when the wholesaler comes to the amusement facility to deliver the prize 4, so set this day as the scheduled payment date and pre-register it in the storage unit 73 of the management device 3. (Step S41).

The control unit 71 of the management device 3 at least provides information on the scheduled payment date registered in the storage unit 73 and information on the payment amount in the supplementary detailed information in which the payment presence / absence flag is “unpaid” in the table 74. Notify the master unit 1A (step S42). In the case of the replenishment detailed information F of FIG. 3, the control unit 71 pays a total of 980000 yen for the master unit 1A having the replenishment destination ID 0005 and the slave unit 1B having the replenishment destination ID 0006. Notify that there is. That is, the control unit 71 of the management device 3 notifies the master unit 1A of information about the unpaid consideration of the prize 4 replenished before the previous time to the prize storage unit 12 of each prize payout device 1. The control unit 41 of the master unit 1A temporarily stores the information notified from the management device 3 in the storage unit 50. The clerk pays cash as needed at any time before the wholesaler arrives at the amusement facility so that the cash amount in the payment storage unit 19 of the master unit 1A is equal to or greater than the consideration to be paid on the scheduled payment date. The price storage unit 19 is replenished.

A wholesaler arrives at the amusement store on the scheduled payment date, and first, in one of the slave units 1B, the operation unit 16 is operated to input the wholesaler ID, and then the prize storage unit 12 is replenished with the prize 4 (step S43). Then, in this slave unit 1B, the counting unit 43 counts the prize 4 in response to the replenishment of the new prize 4 to the prize storage unit 12 this time, and the control unit 41 should pay for the prize 4. The consideration is calculated based on the counting result by the counting unit 43 (step S44). Then, the control unit 41 links the replenishment information and the unpaid information regarding the replenishment of the prize 4 this time to the device ID of the slave unit 1B, and notifies the management device 3 by the communication I / F unit 45 (step S45). ). In the other slave unit 1B, the processes of steps S44 to S45 are executed according to the replenishment of the prize 4.

The control unit 71 of the management device 3 generates new replenishment detailed information based on the device ID, the replenishment information, and the unpaid information notified from the slave unit 1B, and registers the new replenishment detailed information in the table 74 (see FIG. 3). In this replenishment detailed information, the payment date is blank and the payment presence / absence flag is “unpaid” (see the replenishment detailed information F in FIG. 3).

The wholesaler who has completed the replenishment of the prize 4 in the slave unit 1B operates the operation unit 16 in the master unit 1A to input the wholesaler ID, and then replenishes the prize 4 in the prize storage unit 12 (step S46). Then, the withdrawal unit 48 of the master unit 1A takes out the cash corresponding to the unpaid consideration notified from the management device 3 from the management device 3 in step S42 from the payment storage unit 19 and pays it out to the wholesaler (step S47). ). Payment of the unpaid consideration may be made at the same time as the replenishment of the prize 4 this time (step S46) or before or after the replenishment. That is, the withdrawal unit 48 of the master unit 1A may output the unpaid consideration in cash at the time of the replenishment. The wholesaler can collectively receive the unpaid consideration of all the prizes 4 replenished to each prize payout device 1 in the previous time or the like by the master unit 1A.

Then, in the master unit 1A, the counting unit 43 counts the prize 4 in response to the replenishment of the new prize 4 to the prize storage unit 12 this time, and the control unit 41 pays the consideration for the prize 4. Is calculated based on the counting result by the counting unit 43 (step S48). Then, the control unit 41 links the replenishment information and the unpaid information regarding the replenishment of the prize 4 to the master unit 1A this time and the payment completion information about the unpaid consideration paid this time to the device ID of the master unit 1A. The communication I / F unit 45 notifies the management device 3 (step S49). The replenishment information includes the counting result by the counting unit 43 of the master unit 1A, and the payment completion information is an example of the output content of the unpaid consideration by the withdrawal unit 48 of the master unit 1A.

The control unit 71 of the management device 3 adds the payment date to the replenishment detailed information registered in the table 74 (see the replenishment detailed information F in FIG. 3) based on the notified device ID and payment completion information. Change the payment presence / absence flag from "Unpaid" to "Paid". Further, the control unit 71 replenishes the device ID, the replenishment information, and the replenishment detailed information already generated based on the replenishment information and the unpaid information notified from the slave unit 1B in step S45, with the device ID and replenishment notified from the master unit 1A in step S49. Update based on information and unpaid information. The replenishment detailed information including the replenishment date and the wholesaler ID included in the replenishment information from the master unit 1A is the update target in the table 74.

The replenishment detailed information after the update corresponds to a plurality of replenishment destination IDs, the number of replenishments for each replenishment destination ID, and the consideration of the prize 4 for the total of these replenishment numbers, as shown in the replenishment detailed information F of FIG. Includes the amount to be paid, but the payment date is blank and the payment presence / absence flag is "Unpaid". In this way, the management device 3 can acquire the replenishment information or the like notified by the communication I / F unit 45 of each prize payout device 1 and manage it in the table 74 as the replenishment detailed information regarding the unpaid amount. The current counting result in the replenishment information notified from each prize payout device 1 constitutes information on the unpaid consideration to be paid at the time of the next replenishment or the like. When the update of the replenishment detailed information is completed, the replenishment process of the fourth pattern is completed.

The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of an output unit that outputs the consideration to be paid for the replenished prize 4 in the prize payout device 1, the withdrawal unit 48 receives cash corresponding to the consideration as a payment storage unit. Withdraw from 19. When the cash in the price storage unit 19 is insufficient, the printing unit 46 of the prize payout device 1 functions as an example of the output unit to print an invoice or an invoice that can be exchanged for consideration. It may be issued to the wholesaler from the issuing port 24. Issuance of vouchers and invoices can also be regarded as output of consideration. Further, in the prize payout device 1 in which the cash in the price storage unit 19 is insufficient, the communication I / F unit 45 functions as an example of the output unit to issue a signal for instructing payment of the shortage of cash to other prizes. It may be transmitted to the device 1. The transmission of the signal can also be regarded as the output of consideration. The prize payout device 1 may pay the consideration for the prize 4 by electronic money instead of cash, or may transfer the consideration to the bank account of the wholesaler by, for example, externally communicating with a financial institution.

Further, the prize management system 100 may include a withdrawal terminal that pays the consideration for the prize 4 to the wholesaler in cash separately from the prize payout device 1. In the prize payout device 1 in this case, the control unit 41 outputs the information of the consideration to the withdrawal terminal to instruct the withdrawal terminal to pay cash corresponding to the consideration, and the withdrawal terminal gives an order. Pay cash to the wholesaler accordingly.

In addition, the various processes related to the replenishment of the prize 4 described above can be combined as appropriate. As an example, by combining the above-mentioned first pattern and the second pattern, when the wholesaler replenishes the prize 4 to the prize payout device 1, the same-day payment for the consideration of the prize 4 and the previously replenished prize 4 It may be possible to carry out both with a later payment for. In each of the first to fourth patterns, the registration of the scheduled payment date (steps S1, S11, S21 and S41 described above) and the notification of the scheduled payment date (steps S2, S12, S22 and S42 described above) are omitted. You may.

Further, when the master unit 1A pays the wholesaler the consideration for the prize 4 replenished to all the prize payout devices 1 as in the third pattern and the fourth pattern described above, the type is different from the prize payout device 1. The consideration for the prize 4 replenished in the prize payout device (not shown) may also be paid. Further, at the timing when the master unit 1A pays the unpaid consideration of the prize 4 replenished to the plurality of prize payout devices 1 in the fourth pattern at once, the wholesaler comes to the amusement facility and replenishes the prize 4 to the first slave unit 1B. It may be ahead of the timing.

As described above, in the operation in which the wholesaler replenishes the prize 4 to the prize payout device 1, it is possible to reduce the work of the staff suffering from labor shortage. Here, if the wholesaler is in charge of not only the work of replenishing the prize 4 but also the work of managing the inventory of the prize 4 after replenishment, the work of the staff can be further reduced. In this case, the inventory of the prize 4 in the prize payout device 1 is still the inventory of the wholesaler (owned by the wholesaler), and the prize 4 paid out to the player from the prize payout device 1 is delivered to the amusement facility. As a prize 4, the amusement facility pays the wholesaler a consideration. On the other hand, the payout of the prize 4 from the prize payout device 1 remains in charge of the staff.

When the wholesaler and the amusement facility, which are separate organizations, handle the prize 4 of the prize payout device 1, in the prize payout device 1, the operation unit 16 of the prize payout device 1 is used for each of the wholesaler and the staff. It is desirable that the authority for the operation is set. Specifically, the wholesaler is in charge of the first operation of the operation unit 16 for the replenishment process of replenishing the prize 4 to the prize payout device 1 and the inventory check process of confirming the inventory of the prize 4 in the prize payout device 1. The second operation of the operation unit 16 for the purpose of the operation unit 16 and the third operation of the operation unit 16 for the error release processing for canceling the error such as the jam of the prize 4 generated in the prize payout device 1 are recognized.

On the other hand, in principle, only the fourth operation of the operation unit 16 for the prize payout process for paying out the prize 4 in the prize payout device 1 to the player is permitted to the staff. On the contrary, the wholesaler is not allowed to perform the fourth operation, the staff is not allowed to perform the first and second operations, and the third operation is allowed on the premise of the restrictions described below. .. The relationship between the authority for the first to fourth operations, the wholesaler ID, and the staff ID assigned to the staff is stored in the storage unit 50 of the prize payout device 1. Therefore, the control unit 41 of the prize payout device 1 switches the operation mode according to the wholesaler ID or the clerk ID input by the operation unit 16.

For example, when a wholesaler arrives to deliver the prize 4 at a timing before the start of business of the amusement facility and the wholesaler ID is input by the operation unit 16 of the prize payout device 1, the control unit 41 of the prize payout device 1 receives the wholesaler ID. After executing the authentication by the wholesaler ID, a guidance screen indicating that the replenishment process, the inventory check process, and the error release process are possible is displayed on the display unit 15. Therefore, when the wholesaler performs the first operation of the operation unit 16, the control unit 41 unlocks the prize storage unit 12 by the lock unit 47, so that the wholesaler releases the prize storage unit 12 in the accommodation position to the prize payout device 1. The prize 4 can be replenished in the prize storage unit 12 by pulling out from.

When the wholesaler returns the prize storage unit 12 replenished with the prize 4 to the storage position and then performs the second operation of the operation unit 16, the control unit 41 uses the counting unit 43 to replenish the prize storage unit 12 with the number of prizes 4. Counting is performed, and the counting result is printed by the printing unit 46 to create an inventory list, which is then issued to the issuing port 24. The control unit 41 may print an invoice based on the replenishment number by the printing unit 46 and issue it to the issuing port 24. The appropriate inventory of prize 4 may be predetermined according to the business schedule such as the presence or absence of an event held at the amusement facility. In that case, the difference between the actual inventory and the appropriate inventory may be set. When the value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the prize payout device 1 notifies the prize, and the wholesaler who receives the notification replenishes the prize 4.

When an error occurs in the prize payout device 1 being dealt with by the wholesaler, the wholesaler performs the third operation of the operation unit 16. As a result, the control unit 41 unlocks the prize storage unit 12 by the lock unit 47, so that the wholesaler pulls out the prize storage unit 12 from the prize payout device 1 and removes and replenishes the prize 4 to release the error. It can be fixed. When the wholesaler returns the prize storage unit 12 that has been replenished with the prize 4 to the storage position and then operates the operation unit 16, the control unit 41 counts the number of stocks of the prize 4 in the prize storage unit 12 by the counting unit 43. .. If the stock quantity does not match before and after the occurrence of the error, the wholesaler can correct the stock quantity of the prize 4 by operating the operation unit 16. The history of correction of the inventory quantity (correction date and time, wholesaler ID of the corrected wholesaler, correction content, etc.) is stored in the storage unit 50.

After the prize 4 is replenished, the business of the amusement facility is started, and when the staff of the game facility inputs the staff ID by the operation unit 16 of the prize payout device 1 for the prize payout process, the control unit 41 of the prize payout device 1 changes. After the authentication by the staff ID is executed, a guidance screen indicating that the prize payout process and the error release process are possible is displayed on the display unit 15. When the clerk performs the fourth operation of the operation unit 16 in response to the request of the player, the control unit 41 pays out the prize 4 to the payout port 13 by the payout unit 42.

When an error occurs in the prize payout device 1 being dealt with by the staff member, the staff member performs the third operation of the operation unit 16. As a result, the control unit 41 unlocks the prize storage unit 12 by the lock unit 47. The lock of the prize storage unit 12 may be released by a remote control from the wholesaler who has been contacted by the amusement facility, instead of the third operation of the operation unit 16 by the staff. Alternatively, the prize storage unit 12 may be unlocked by the clerk entering the timed one-time password notified by the wholesaler on the operation unit 16. In any case, the clerk can pull out the unlocked prize storage unit 12 to remove the prize 4 and refill it to clear the error.

When the clerk returns the prize storage unit 12 replenished with the prize 4 to the storage position and then operates the operation unit 16, the control unit 41 counts the number of stocks of the prize 4 in the prize storage unit 12 by the counting unit 43. If the number of stocks matches before and after the occurrence of the error, the prize payout device 1 returns to the normal state, so that the prize payout process can be executed after that. On the other hand, if the number of stocks does not match before and after the occurrence of the error, the prize payout device 1 is in the normal state, provided that it is stored in the storage unit 50 as a history or notified to the wholesaler as necessary. Return to. If the stock quantities do not match before and after the error occurs, the prize payout device 1 does not have to return to the normal state until the wholesaler is present.

In addition, various design changes can be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

1 Prize payout device 1A Master unit 1B Slave unit 2 POS terminal 3 Management device 4 Prize 12 Prize storage unit 19 Payment storage unit 22 Storage medium 25 Settlement money storage unit 41 Control unit 42 Payment unit 43 Counting unit 44 Reception unit 45 Communication I / F part 46 Printing department 48 Withdrawal department 49 Settlement department 100 Prize management system

Claims (10)

A prize storage unit for storing prizes and
A payout section that pays out prizes from the prize storage section,
A counting unit that counts the prizes to be replenished in the prize storage unit,
A calculation unit that calculates the consideration to be paid for the prize to be replenished in the prize storage unit based on the counting result by the counting unit.
A prize payout device including an output unit that outputs the consideration calculated by the calculation unit. Including a cash storage unit that stores cash for prizes,
The prize payout device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit includes a withdrawal unit for withdrawing cash corresponding to the consideration from the price storage unit. The reception department that accepts storage media and
The prize payout device according to claim 2, further comprising a settlement unit that setstles the value associated with the storage medium received by the reception unit. The prize payout device according to claim 3, further comprising a settlement money storage unit provided separately from the payment storage unit and storing cash for settlement by the settlement unit. The prize payout device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a POS terminal that receives instructions for payout of prizes. The prize payout device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
A prize management system that is communicable with the prize payout device and includes a management device that manages information about the prize and the consideration. According to the replenishment of the prize to the prize storage unit, the counting unit counts the prize, and the prize is counted.
According to the counting by the counting unit, the calculation unit calculates the consideration to be paid for the prize, and the output unit outputs the consideration.
The prize management system according to claim 6, wherein the prize payout device further includes a notification unit that notifies the management device of the counting result by the counting unit and the output content by the output unit. The management device notifies the prize management device of information about the unpaid consideration of the prize replenished in the prize storage unit.
In response to the replenishment of the prize to the prize storage unit, the counting unit counts the prize, and at the time of the replenishment, the output unit outputs the unpaid consideration.
The prize management system according to claim 6, wherein the prize payout device further includes a notification unit that notifies the management device of the counting result by the counting unit and the output content by the output unit. The prize payout device includes a prize payout device serving as a master unit and a prize payout device serving as a slave unit.
In each of the prize payout devices, the counting unit counts the prize according to the replenishment of the prize to the prize storage unit.
The slave unit further includes a first notification unit that notifies the management device of the counting result by the counting unit of the slave unit.
The master unit further includes an acquisition unit that acquires a counting result by the counting unit of the slave unit from the management device.
In the master unit, all the calculation units are replenished to the prize storage units of the master unit and the slave unit based on the counting results of the master unit and the slave unit. The consideration to be paid for the prize is calculated, and the output unit outputs the consideration.
The sixth aspect of claim 6, wherein the master unit further includes a second notification unit that notifies the management device of at least the counting result by the counting unit of the master unit and the output content of the output unit of the master unit. Prize management system. The prize payout device includes a prize payout device serving as a master unit and a prize payout device serving as a slave unit.
The management device notifies the master unit of information about the unpaid consideration of the prize replenished in the prize storage unit.
In each of the prize payout devices, the counting unit counts the prize in response to the replenishment of the prize to the prize storage unit, and at the time of the replenishment, the output unit of the master unit outputs the unpaid consideration. death,
The slave unit further includes a first notification unit that notifies the management device of the counting result by the counting unit of the slave unit.
The prize according to claim 6, wherein the master unit further includes a second notification unit that notifies the management device of the counting result by the counting unit of the master unit and the output content of the output unit of the master unit. Management system.

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