JP2922866B2 - Prepaid card system in a game arcade - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prepaid card system in a game arcade.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a game arcade such as a pachinko parlor, a prepaid card is used. With this prepaid card, it is possible to borrow a ball or coin without using cash. Therefore, even if coins run out during the game, there is no need to leave a seat for currency exchange, which is very convenient.

Conventionally, when playing a game using a system using this kind of prepaid card, a player first purchases a card of a desired amount in a prepaid card issuing machine. Then, by inserting the card into a card reader / writer provided in the gaming machine and designating an amount corresponding to the required number of balls or coins, the balls or coins can be lent out and a game can be played.

When a ball or coin is lent, the balance of the card decreases, and when the balance becomes zero, the card becomes unusable. Conventionally, a magnetic card has been used as the prepaid card, but the magnetic card is merely a recording medium and does not have an active protection function itself.
Therefore, it is easy to rewrite the data on the card and use it for forgery or unauthorized use.

In order to solve such a problem, it has been proposed to use a more secure IC card as a prepaid card. The IC card is constituted by a control unit or the like provided with a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and realizes high security by making security circuits and programs built-in so that forgery and unauthorized use are almost impossible.

A technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-83276 is known as a device using this kind of IC card. In this prior art, a gaming machine was provided with a card collection mechanism for collecting a card when the card was illegally used or the number of balls held by the player became 0.

[0007]

However, an IC card is much more expensive than a magnetic card, and a prepaid card system using a conventional magnetic card is simply an I-card.
If the card is changed to a card using a C card, the cost is high for the game arcade because the IC card is expensive.

[0008] Therefore, since the security of the IC card is higher than that of the magnetic card, it is conceivable to update and reuse the data of the card once used. By repeating reuse,
It is also possible to lower the unit price for each use. However, in the above-mentioned prior art, only a gaming machine provided with a means for collecting an IC card is disclosed, and how to easily reuse an IC card has not been solved.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a prepaid card system in a game arcade where an IC card can be easily reused.

The present invention has taken the following technical measures in order to achieve the above object. That is, the features of the present invention include an IC card having value information, a gaming machine that accepts the IC card and can play a game in accordance with the value information and reduces the value information, and issues the IC card. In a prepaid card system in a game arcade that includes an issuing device, the gaming machine is provided with first collection means for collecting the IC card when the value information becomes non-value information. Reissue means for accepting and reissuing the IC card recovered by the machine, wherein the reissue means includes second collection means for retrieving the non-reissueable IC card, and reissues the reissueable IC card. The point is that it is the target.

[0011] In this case, when the value information becomes information indicating no value, the IC card is collected, so that the used card can be surely collected. Since the issuing device is provided with a reissuing means for receiving and reissuing such a used card, the card can be reissued only by transferring the used card to the issuing device.

That is, the used IC card can be reliably collected and
The card is reissued and the card can be easily reused. In addition, IC cards collected by gaming machines include:
It is possible that some of the collected IC cards, including such IC cards, may simply be transferred to the issuing device, and may be re-issued. Cards that cannot be issued are collected by the second collection means, and only cards that can be reissued are subject to reissue. A storage unit for intensively collecting and storing the IC cards collected by the first collection means of the plurality of gaming machines; and a transport unit for transporting the IC cards from the plurality of gaming machines to the storage unit. If prepared, collection and reissuance will be easier. If the gaming machine is provided with a transmitting means for transmitting to the player that the IC card is to be collected before collecting the IC card, the first collecting means may collect the IC card after the transmission. In addition, it is possible to smoothly collect the IC card without causing confusion or anxiety of the player due to the collection of the IC card.

[0013]

Further, the IC card has information on the number of times the card has been issued, the reissuing means has a number information updating means for updating the information on the number of times the IC card has been issued, and the second collecting means has at least the IC card. If the IC card is collected when the number of issuances exceeds a certain number, the unit price for each use of the IC card can be freely adjusted by adjusting the number of issuable times. Become.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a pachinko gaming machine 1 constituting a prepaid card system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 shows an IC card 2 similarly, and FIG. 3 shows an issuing device 3 which similarly issues an IC card.

The gaming machine 1 includes a gaming machine main body 4 and a stand-to-stand unit 5 provided on a side portion thereof. The gaming machine main body 4 includes a gaming board surface 6, a hitting handle 7, and the like, and plays a game by hitting a pachinko ball with the hitting handle 7. The inter-unit unit 5 includes a card unit (IC card reader / writer) 8, a signal conversion unit 9
And a communication unit 10. As shown in FIG. 4A, the card unit 8 has an IC
When the card 2 is inserted, reading and writing to the IC card 2 are performed. Data and the like of the IC card 2 are transmitted to the main board 11 and the like of the gaming machine 1 via the signal conversion unit 9 connected to the card unit 8.

The card unit 8 is a communication unit 1
0, and the communication unit 10 can be connected to a host computer (not shown) via a communication line. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the card unit 8 stores the value information 12 of the IC card 2 as described later.
Is provided with a first collection means 13 for sending the inserted IC card 2 to the inside and collecting it when the information indicates valueless. As the first collection means 13, any suitable means such as transporting the IC card 2 with the IC card 2 sandwiched between gears or a rubber belt can be used.

The IC card 2 collected by the first collection means 13 is held by the first collection card holding unit 14. The IC card 2 shown in FIG. 2 includes a control unit 15 and a storage unit 16 therein, and data is transmitted to the card unit 8 via the connection terminal unit 17. The control unit 15 is composed of a microcomputer or the like, and the security of the card is enhanced by incorporating a security circuit and a program (not shown) in the control unit 15. The storage unit 16 is constituted by a nonvolatile memory, and does not require a power supply for storing and storing.

As shown in FIG. 5, the storage unit 16 stores an identification number 18 unique to the card, information 19 about the number of times the IC card has been issued, value information 12 expressed by the amount of money, etc. Data such as the record 20 is stored.
The storage of the data may be such that the information is directly stored in the form as it is, or may be stored in an encrypted state.

The card unique identification number 18 is the IC card 2
A different number is assigned to each IC card, and is information for specifying the IC card 2 itself regardless of the number of reissues. Further, the combination of the card unique identification number 18 and the number-of-issues information 19 makes it possible to identify the IC card 2 as a card with a certain number of issues. That is, when managing the sales of the IC card 2, it is possible to distinguish between the information when the IC card 2 was issued before and the information when the IC card 2 was reissued thereafter.
In terms of management of the sales and the like of the C card 2, it can be handled as a different IC card 2 every time it is issued.

The value information 12 includes not only the amount of money, but also
It may be expressed as the number of balls or the number of coins. The card usage record 20 stores the usage record every time the IC card 2 is used. Hereinafter, FIG.
The operation of the gaming machine 1 and the IC card 2 when playing a game using the IC card will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the player inserts the IC card 2 into the card unit 8 (step S1), the card insertion lamp 21 is turned on (step S2), and the IC card 2 is turned on.
Identifies whether the card is normal (step S3). If the IC card 2 is abnormal, that is, if it has been illegally used, the IC card 2
Is turned on, the NG lamp 22 provided in the card unit 8 is turned on (step S4), and the IC card 2 is collected into the card unit 8 by the first collection unit 13 to inform the player that the is abnormal. 1 Collection card holder 1
4 (step S5).

If the IC card 2 is normal,
The communication unit 10 connects to a communication line (step S6), and turns on an OK lamp provided in the card unit 8 to inform the player that the IC card 2 can be used (step S7). After that, the frequency display unit 2 of the gaming machine 1
In 4, the amount of money, which is the value information 12 of the IC card 2, is displayed (step S8), and a lending lamp (not shown) indicating that lending is possible is turned on (step S9).

Then, the player sets a lending amount by using an amount setting button (not shown) (step S10), and operates a lending button (not shown) (step S11) to set a ball corresponding to the set lending amount. Is lent, and the lending lamp is turned off (step S12). Subsequently, the IC card 2 subtracts the set lending amount from the value information 12 (step S13), and displays the value information 12 after the subtraction on the frequency display unit 24 (step S1).
4).

A record of the rented amount is transmitted to the host computer via a communication line (step S15), and the usage amount 20 of the IC card 2 records the rented amount and the date and time thereof. Further, the IC card 2 determines whether or not the value information 12 after the subtraction indicates information indicating no value, that is, whether or not the amount is 0 (step S1).
6). If the value information 12 has become worthless, a notifying means (not shown) notifies the player that the IC card 2 will be collected (step S17), and after a lapse of a certain time from the transmission, for example, 5 to 10 seconds Thereafter, the IC card 2 is collected into the card unit 8 by the first collection means 13 and held in the first collection card holding unit 14 (Step S).
18).

It should be noted that, if the transmission means is, for example, a sound, it can be transmitted to a player who is concentrated in the game. And the IC card 2
A process to the effect that the IC card 2 cannot be used is performed by a built-in program by itself (step S19). Unless the IC card 2 is reissued by the issuing device 3, the IC card 2 is made unusable, and illegal use is reliably prevented.

Note that step S19 may be performed immediately after the value information 12 has become worthless. If the value information 12 has not become valueless, lending can be continued, but if the player performs a card return operation (step S20), the card is returned and the card insertion lamp 21 is turned off. (Step S21).

The issuing device 3 shown in the block diagram of FIG.
Is to accept the collected IC card 2 and issue the IC card 2 by the reissue means 26. The reissuing means 26 makes the collected IC card 2 newly usable, and comprises a processing unit 27 and a card data reading / writing unit 28. The card stock storage unit 29
The IC card 2 collected by the gaming machine 1 is stored therein.
The C card is subjected to the process for reissuing.

The reissue means 26 includes the IC card 2
There is provided a second collection means 30 for collecting the IC card 2 which cannot be reissued due to contamination or damage of the IC card 2. The IC card 2 collected by the second collection means 30 is held by the second collection card holding unit 31. You. The issuing device 3 further includes a bill insertion unit 32 for inserting bills, an amount input unit 33 for inputting (selecting) the amount of a card to be purchased,
A card issuing unit 34 for issuing the reissued IC card 2 and a communication interface 35 for transmitting the sales record of the card and the like to the host computer are provided.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the reissuing process of the IC card 2 performed by the issuing device 3. First, the IC card 2 collected from the gaming machine 1 is stored in the card inventory storage unit 29 of the issuing device 3 (Step S22).
In this case, when there are a plurality of denominations of the IC card 2 to be issued, the IC cards 2 may be stored by denomination, or may be stored all at once.

Subsequently, the IC card 2 is conveyed from the card stock storage unit 29 to the card data reading / writing unit, and it is determined whether the IC card 2 has become unusable due to contamination or damage (step S23). If the IC card 2 cannot be used due to soiling, damage, or the like, the IC card 2 is collected by the second collection means 30 and the second collection card holding unit 3
1 (step S24) and is not a reissue target.

If the use has not been disabled due to soiling or damage, furthermore, whether the use should be terminated because the number of issuances so far indicated by the issuance number information 19 exceeds a certain number of times. It is determined whether or not it is (step S25). This determination can be made by comparing the issuance count upper limit value (not shown) set in the IC card 2 or the reissue means 26 with the issuance count information 19.

Further, the unit price for each use of the IC card 2 can be freely adjusted by adjusting the setting of the issuance frequency upper limit value. If the issuance count has reached the upper limit of the issuable count, the IC card 2 is collected by the second collection means 30 and the second collection card holding unit 3
Stored in 1 and not subject to reissue.

If the number of issuances has not reached the upper limit of the number of issuable times, the IC card 2 is subject to reissuance,
Card cleaning is performed by appropriate means (step S26). After that, the issuance number information updating means (not shown) of the processing unit 27 sends the card unique identification number 18, the issuance number information 19 and the usage record 20 from the IC card 2.
(Step S27), and the processing unit 27 deletes all information stored in the storage unit 16, that is, the card unique identification number 18, issuance number information 19, value information 12, card usage record 20, and the like, to thereby initialize the processing. (Step S28) to make the IC card 2 reusable.

The issuance frequency information updating means writes the card unique identification number 18 read out in step S27 to the IC card 2 which has been initialized,
Similarly, 1 is added to the issuance frequency information 19 read in step 27.
The new issuance count information 19 is written (step S
29). I for which reissue processing up to step S29 has been completed
The C card is on standby for sale (step S30),
The player inserts bills into the bill insertion section 32 (step S3
1) When the amount is input (selected) by the amount input unit 33, the amount is written (step S32), and the issue date is further written (step S33) and issued (step S34).

After the step S32, the issuing device 3
Is connected to the communication line by the communication interface 35 (step S35), and the sales record of the IC card 2 is transmitted to the host computer. By the way, the issuing device 3
As shown in FIG. 8, the IC card 2 in use, that is, the IC card 2 in which the value information 12 is not zero is accepted and the value information 12 is increased to enable additional purchase. Good.

In this case, the card information insertion section 38 stores the value information 1
When the IC card 2 with the remaining 2 (e.g., for 1000 yen) is inserted, the IC card 2 is conveyed to the card data reading / writing unit 28, the bill is inserted from the bill insertion unit 32, and the money input unit 33 is used. When the amount of money to be purchased is input (for example, 2000 yen), the value information 12 is rewritten by the processing unit 27 (to become value information for 3000 yen), and comes out from the card issuing unit 34. This additional purchase cannot exceed the upper limit of the IC card for which the amount has been set (for example, a 3000 yen card cannot be purchased more than 2500 yen).

Although the card insertion section 38 is separately provided in FIG. 8, the card insertion section 38 may be shared with the card issuing section 34. FIG.
FIG. 20 to FIG. 20 show a second embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the IC card 52 has an IC module embedded in a plastic card body 52a. In the IC module 52b, a control unit (CPU) and a storage unit (memory element) which are integrated into one chip are provided, and the surface thereof is a contact surface (connection terminal unit) with the card unit 8. .

The storage section of the IC module 52b has the configuration shown in FIG.
0, a card unique identification number (ID number) 5
3. Issue number information (recycle number) 54, amount of money 5
5. Business corporation code 56, issuer code 57, area number 58, value information (remaining balance) 59, number of uses after issuance 6
0, the latest history number 61, and a use record (use history) 62 are stored. Also, a spare area 63 is secured. The storage unit stores the date and time at which the card was recycled (reissue date and time), the number of the gaming machine using the IC card 52, and the like.
Other data may be stored.

Here, the card ID number 53 is the IC card number.
A different number is assigned to each
This is information for specifying the C card 52 itself. The number of recycling 54 is that the IC card 7 is recycled (reissued)
It is the number of times that it was done. As in the first embodiment, a number obtained by combining the ID number 53 and the number of recycles 54 (hereinafter, referred to as a number).
The serial number) allows the IC card 52 to be specified as a card with a certain number of issued cards.

The amount of money 55 is the amount of money when the IC card 52 was issued. The business corporation code 56, the issue store code 57, and the area number 58 are for specifying the card business corporation, the card issue store, and the card issue area, respectively. -It is provided as information necessary for managing the code. Number of uses after issuance 60, latest history number 6
1. In the use history 62, a use record after the IC card 52 is issued is recorded.

The IC card 52 shown in FIG.
Compared with the card, its card size and IC module
At the position of the head 52b. Therefore, even if a card other than the IC card 52 is inserted into the card unit 8, the position of the IC module 6b is different or the IC module does not exist.
Reading and writing to the C module 6b cannot be performed.

Also, since the position of the IC module does not match the position of the IC module of the normal IC card, the card unit 8
Only determines that the IC card is not readable and writable, it is possible to determine that it is an error card. The size of the IC card 52 shown in FIG. 9 is 78 mm in the horizontal direction, 49 mm in the vertical direction, and
/ Dimensions specified in JIS standard (normal credit card
(Dimensions such as height) are reduced by about 7 mm in the horizontal dimension and about 5 mm in the vertical dimension.

As described above, by making the size of the card smaller than that of the normal card and the size of the insertion port 8a accordingly, it becomes impossible to insert another kind of card into the insertion port 8a. The use of a wrong card can be effectively eliminated. Also, since it is easy to distinguish from other cards, I
The C card can be used exclusively for games. Also,
The position of the IC module 52b (the position of the connection terminal) is also
In the SO / JIS standard, a fixed position (up to 10.25 m from the left end of the card) based on the left and upper ends of the card
m, a maximum of 19.23 mm from the top of the card), but an IC created in accordance with the ISO / JIS standard.
The position is out of the standard so as not to coincide with the position of the connection terminal of the card. For example, it may be changed from the position defined by the standard by 7 mm or more (up, down, left and right directions), which is the general width dimension of the connection terminal (usually 8 ICs per IC module). It can be provided at the center of the card body or the like, as shown in FIG. 9, at a position of 33 mm from the left end and the right end of the card, 15 mm from the upper end of the card,
It is preferred that the distance be 24 mm from the lower end of the card. In addition,
At this time, the lateral dimension of the IC module 7b is 11.5.
mm, and the vertical dimension is 10 mm.

In the present embodiment, the stand-to-unit unit 5 shown in FIG. 11 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. The different parts will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, the card unit 8 of the inter-unit unit 5 has a receiving means 65 for transporting and holding the IC card 52 inserted into the insertion slot 8a inside the card unit 8. ing.
Further, an error discriminating means 66, a fraud discriminating means 67, a balance discriminating means 68, and a discriminating means 6 for discriminating the IC card 52 received by the receiving means 65.
6, 67, 68 means for performing processing in accordance with the determination results, that is, return control unit 69, return prohibition control unit 70,
The game machine function stopping means 71, the protocol destruction means 72, and the collection control unit 73 are also provided.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the receiving means 65 is provided in a card insertion passage 76 extending from the insertion port 8a to the rear of the inter-table unit 5, and is inserted into the insertion port 8a. The IC card 52 is transported by a rubber belt 77. The rubber belt 77 is a stepping motor.
The drive unit 78 is driven by a drive unit 78, and the drive amount of the drive unit 78 is controlled by a drive control unit 79.

Between the rubber belt 77 and the insertion opening 8a,
First position detecting sensor 8 for detecting insertion of IC card 6
0 is provided. Also, the IC card 52 is inserted into the insertion slot 8.
A second position detection sensor 44 for detecting that the sheet is conveyed in the direction opposite to the direction a is provided. The balance determination means 6
If it is determined in FIG. 8 that the balance 59 of the IC card is 0 (valueless), the receiving means 65 acts as the first collecting means 13, and the IC card is opposite to the insertion port 8a. It is conveyed in the direction and collected. In this case, the collection control unit 73 controls the driving unit 78 via the drive control unit 79 so as to transport the IC card 52 in the direction opposite to the insertion port 8a. The second position detection sensor 81 detects that the IC card 52 has completely passed that position (the state shown in FIG. 14C).
Is detected, and the drive unit 78 is stopped via the drive control unit 79.

The card insertion passage 76 is provided in the
Is provided so as to extend downward from the rear end of the
The IC card 52 whose remaining amount 59 of the C card becomes zero is recovered through the insertion passage 76. The collected IC card 52 is discharged downward from the card insertion passage 76 through the discharge port 82, and the island of the gaming machine 1 (a group of gaming machines) as shown in FIG. And stored in a storage section 84 provided at one end thereof.

The transport section 83 is constituted by a belt conveyor, provided for each island so as to pass below the discharge port 82 of each inter-unit unit 5, and collected by a plurality of gaming machines 1. The IC card 52 can be collectively collected and stored by one storage unit 84. The transport unit may be any means capable of transporting the IC card 52, and may be transported by a roller or the like.

The storage section 84 may simply store the card, but the storage section 84 is provided in the issuing device 3 and the IC card 52 stored in the storage section 84 is directly reissued. If the card is to be processed, there is no need to transfer the collected cards to the card stock storage unit 29 as in the first embodiment. The error determining means 66 determines whether or not the IC card 52 received and held by the receiving means 65 is an error card. Here, the mistaken card mainly refers to a card other than the IC card 52 used as a prepaid card dedicated to the game, that is, a normal credit card, etc. It also includes various cards.

The IC card 6 shown in FIG. 9 has a larger card size and I
It is different at the position of the C module 52b. If the card cannot be read or written from such a difference, the card can be determined to be a wrong card, and the wrong card is forcibly returned to the user. The means for returning the wrong card is constituted by a return control unit 69, a drive control unit 79, and a drive unit 78.
9 controls the drive means 78 via the drive control unit 79 so as to return the wrong card.

The fraud discriminating means 67 determines whether or not the IC card 52 received and held by the receiving means 65 is a fraudulent card. This fraud discriminating means 67
Is composed of a password and an authentication protocol. The IC card 52 also has a password and an authentication protocol. Whether the received IC card is unauthorized or not is determined by the fraud discriminating means 67 and the IC card.
Are mutually authenticated by the authentication protocol. Note that an IC card without an authentication protocol
The card can be regarded as a fraudulent card, but may be regarded as a wrong card.

The fraud discriminating means 67 has a discriminating counter 87.
7 counts the number of times that the IC card 52 is determined to be illegal. The return control section 69 is provided when the fraud discriminating means 67 has determined that the IC card 52 is fraudulent, and a predetermined time (for example, three minutes) retroactively from the time when the fraud is determined to be fraudulent. Is smaller than a predetermined number (for example, three times),
Operate to return C card. The predetermined time is measured by a timer unit 88.

On the other hand, in the case described above, when the count number of the discrimination counter 87 is a certain number or more, the illegal card is held and fixed in the card unit 10. The card return operation unit 8 is located on the front of the
9 is provided, and the player can return the inserted IC card 52 by operating the return operation section 89 as necessary, for example, when the player wants to end the game. If it is determined that the card is a card, it is prohibited to return the card even if the return operation unit 89 is operated. The means for prohibiting the return of an unauthorized card is constituted by a return prohibition control unit 70, a drive control unit 79, and a drive unit 78.
Control is performed so that the driving means 78 is not driven even if the return operation unit 89 is operated.

As described above, if unauthorized use is attempted many times, it is considered that the degree of malice is high and the return is prohibited. If the count of the discrimination counter is less than a certain number, the return is prohibited. The influence of the threatening effect by the user can be avoided.
In addition, in order for the return prohibition control unit 70 to operate, the number of times of unauthorized use within a certain period of time only needs to exceed a certain number, so that it is not necessary to determine the identity of the card that attempted unauthorized use. . In addition, after attempting unauthorized use,
Even if the card is used and unauthorized use is attempted, such normal use of the card does not prevent the return prohibition control unit 70 from operating.

The discrimination counter 87 within the predetermined time period
When the count number becomes a certain number or more, the protocol destruction means 72 and the game function stopping means 71 are activated in addition to the return prohibition control unit 70. The protocol destruction means 7
2 is for deleting the authentication protocol of the IC card 52 so that the IC card cannot be used again. By destroying the authentication protocol, the illegally used card can be prevented from being illegally used again for some reason.

The destruction of the protocol is performed, for example, according to ISO / J
Characters constituting initial response information specified in IS standard
Can be performed by destroying a part or a plurality of them. The gaming machine function stopping means 71 includes a card unit 8.
By sending a function stop signal from the side to the gaming machine main body 4 side, the functions such as ball launching in the gaming machine main body 4 are stopped, the dispensing of balls at the time of winning is stopped or disabled, or the power supply of the gaming machine main body 4 OFF to completely stop the function,
This is to prevent playing. Further, the function of the inter-unit unit 5 itself may be stopped.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 16 and FIG.
Gaming machine 1 when playing a game using C card 52
The operation of the IC card 2 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 14A, when the player inserts the IC card 52 into the insertion slot 8a, the first position detection sensor -80 detects the insertion (step S41) and is provided in the card unit 8. The card insertion lamp 21 is turned on, the driving means 78 is driven, and the IC card 52 is transported (step S4).
2).

When the IC card 52 is transported to the stop position, the driving means 78 stops (step S43), and reading is performed to read the data of the IC card as shown in FIG. The contact part 91 moves to the IC card 52 side (step S44). At this time, if the IC module (connection terminal) 52b of the IC card 52 is located at the position where the reading contact portion 91 has moved, reading is possible, and incorrect
If the IC module 52b is not present, it is determined that the reading is impossible and the card is incorrect (step S45).

If it is determined that the card is an error card, the card is returned to the player by the return control section 69 (step S46). (Step S47). When it is determined that the IC card 52 is invalid, the determination counter 87 is counted. If the count number from the time before the predetermined time until that time is less than 3 (step S48), the return control unit 69 determines that the IC card is invalid. And return the code 52 (step S6). If the count number from the time before the predetermined time to that time is 3 or more (step S48), the NG lamp 22 provided in the card unit 8 is turned on, and an abnormality process (detailed later) is performed (step S49). ).

If the IC card 6 is normal,
As in the first embodiment, the processing after step 6 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is performed. Here, the description after step 6 will be omitted. As described above, the card collection (step S18) conveys the IC card 52 to the rear of the card insertion path 76, discharges the IC card 52 from the discharge port 82, and stores the IC card 52 in the storage section 84 by the transfer section 83 and completes the process. I do.

The above-described abnormality processing (step S49) corresponds to the processing shown in FIG.
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, first, even if an unauthorized user performs an operation of returning the IC card 52, the IC card is held in the card unit 8 so that the IC card is not returned to the unauthorized user. The return is fixed and prohibited (step S50). Car
The IC card held in the card unit 8 cannot be taken out unless the release means 93 is operated by using a key or the like possessed by a staff member of the game arcade, and the IC card as evidence of unauthorized use is not available.
Can be obtained reliably.

Then, the authentication protocol of the IC card is destroyed (step S50), and the IC card 52 cannot be used again. At this time, the other data of the IC card 52 is held as it is, and the contents of those data can be confirmed later. Further, a function stop signal is transmitted to the gaming machine main body 4 side to stop the function of the gaming machine (step S51).

As described above, in the abnormal processing, the protocol of the IC card 52 is destroyed, the function of the gaming machine 1 is stopped, and the like. Therefore, the execution of the abnormal processing has an effect on the player and the IC card 52. large. Therefore, a mistake is determined,
Further, by preventing the abnormal processing from being performed immediately based on the result of the fraud discrimination, the execution of the abnormal processing can be carefully performed, the abnormal processing can be prevented from being performed by mistake, and a player with a low degree of malice can be performed. It is possible to minimize the impact on the environment.

FIG. 18 shows an issuing device 3 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the issuing device 3 shown in FIG.
8 is different from FIG. 8 in that a serial number collating unit 90 is provided. The host computer stores all serial numbers updated each time a certain IC card 52 is (re) issued. In the serial number collating unit 90, a card unique number (ID number) constituting the current serial number of the IC card 52
Based on 53, the record of the serial number stored in the host computer and the current serial number are verified.
In other words, if the serial number has been updated normally, the serial number is recorded in the host computer at the time of reissuance, but if the serial number has been updated by illegal processing, these numbers will be You can see that it is not recorded on the computer.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 19, the IC card 52 executed by the issuing device 3 according to the present embodiment
Is different from the first embodiment in the reissue processing of
Processing by the Serial Number Verification Unit 90 (Step S6)
0) is performed after the initialization of the card recording contents (step S28). That is, in step S29, IC
In step S60, the serial number composed of the card unique number 53 read out from the card 52 and the issued number 54 is collated with the record of the host computer as described above.

If the serial number is not recorded in the host computer, the IC card 52 is determined to have been illegally processed, is collected by the second collection means 30, and is stored in the second collection card storage unit 31. Not eligible for reissue. For this comparison, as shown in FIG. 19, the connection with the communication line (step S35) is also performed after the card cleaning (step S26).

It should be noted that the protocol of the IC card 52 is destroyed for all the IC cards 52 collected by the second collection means 30, and it is completely impossible to reuse them. In addition, only a few places in the playground (for example,
As shown in FIG. 20, apart from the issuing device 3 installed on one end of the island of the gaming machine 1), a second issuing device 95 is provided between the gaming machine main bodies 4 and in parallel with the inter-unit unit 5. Have been. The second issuing device 95 has a detachable card storage unit 96 in which the IC card 52 to be (re) issued is stored.
The second issuing device 95 may have the same function as the issuing device 3. However, the second issuing device 95 stores the IC card for which the processing up to step S29 in the flowchart of FIG. If you do, the second
There is no need to provide the collection means 30 and the like, and the entire device 95 can be made compact. If each second issuing device 95 is connected to the issuing device 3 so that data can be transmitted, the issuing device 3 can bear processing required for (re) issuing and transmission / reception of data with the host computer. It is not necessary to provide such a function in the second issuing device 95.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the issuing device 3 may receive and issue a new (unused) IC card as well as the IC card 2 collected by the gaming machine 1.

[0070]

According to the present invention, a gaming machine is provided with first collecting means for collecting an IC card when the value information becomes information indicating no value, and the issuing device collects the IC card by the gaming machine. Since the re-issuing means for receiving and re-issuing the IC card is provided, the IC card can be easily reused. Further, the collected IC card is automatically transferred to the reissue unit by the transport unit. Further, since the reissuing means includes the second collecting means for collecting the non-reissueable IC card, the non-reissueable card is collected by the second collecting means, and only the reissueable card is subject to reissue. Becomes

Further, a storage unit is provided for collectively collecting and storing the IC cards collected by the first collection means of each of the plurality of gaming machines.
If a transport section for transporting the C card is provided, collection and reissue can be further facilitated. Further, the gaming machine is provided with a transmitting means for transmitting to the player that the IC card is to be collected before the IC card is collected, and the first collecting means recovers the IC card after the transmission. Can be smoothly collected without causing confusion, anxiety, and the like of the player due to being collected.

The second collection means is configured to collect the IC card at least when the number of issued IC cards exceeds a certain number. Therefore, by adjusting the number of times that the IC card can be issued, It is possible to freely adjust the unit price for each use of the IC card.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a gaming machine constituting a prepaid card system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the IC card.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the issuing device.

FIG. 4A is a side view showing a state where a card is inserted into an IC card unit. (B) is a side view showing a state where the card is collected.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data structure in an IC card.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the gaming machine and the IC card.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the issuing device.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an issuing device that can be additionally purchased.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an IC card according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a data structure in the IC card.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the gaming machine.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the card unit.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the receiving means.

FIG. 14A is a plan view showing a state where an IC card is inserted into an insertion slot. (B) is a plan view showing a state where the IC card is at a stop position. (C) is I
It is a top view showing the state where a C card is collected.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a transport unit.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a card unit.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing abnormal processing.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an issuing device.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the issuing device.

FIG. 20 is a front view showing a state where an issuing device is provided between gaming machines.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko gaming machine 2 IC card 3 Issuing device 12 Value information 13 First collecting means 14 First card holding part 19 Issuance frequency information 26 Reissue means 30 Second collecting means

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G07F 5/00-9/10 A63F 7/02 328 B42D 15/10 521 G06K 17/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] An IC card (2, 52) having value information (12, 59), and a game can be performed according to the value information (12, 59) by accepting the IC (2, 52) card. double to reduce the value information (12,59)
In a prepaid card system in a game arcade comprising a number of gaming machines (1) and an issuing device (3) for issuing the IC cards (2, 52), the gaming machines (1) are provided with the value information (12,59). ) Becomes valueless information, the IC card (2, 5
A first collection unit (13, 65) for collecting the IC card (2, 52) collected by the gaming machine (1) and re-issued for re-issuing the IC card (2, 52); Issuing means (26) , wherein said reissuing means (26) is a non-reissueable IC card
A second collecting means (30) for collecting (2, 52);
Reissueable IC cards (2, 52) are subject to reissue
A prepaid card system in a game arcade, characterized in that: 2. The first collecting means of each of the plurality of gaming machines (1).
The IC card (5
2) a storage section (84) for collectively collecting and storing 2) the ICs from the plurality of gaming machines (1) to the storage section (84);
A transport unit (83) for transporting the card (52) is provided.
2. A prep in the game hall according to claim 1, wherein
Id card system. 3. The gaming machine (1) is provided with a transmitting means for transmitting to the player that the IC card is to be collected before the IC card (2) is collected, and the first collecting means (13). Collecting the IC card (2) after the transmission.
Or a prepaid card system in the game hall according to 2. 4. The re-issuing means (26), wherein the IC card (2) has information (19) on the number of issuances thereof.
Comprises a number information updating means for updating information (19) relating to the number of times the IC card (2) has been issued, and the second collection means (30) has at least the number of times the IC card (2) has been issued exceeds a certain number. When I
Prepaid card system as in claim 1 game arcade, wherein the collects a C card (2).