JP2980306B2 - Prepaid card use management device for pachinko or spinning machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pachinko game machine capable of improving the reliability of unauthorized use of a prepaid card that has been altered or tampered with, and enabling the total sales of each prepaid card to be sold. Alternatively, the present invention relates to a usage management device for a prepaid card in a torso type amusement machine or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is well known that a sales system using a prepaid card in advance of payment is used in a wide range of fields such as a telephone business and a transportation business. Such a sales system has been adopted also in amusement facilities. For example, in the above-mentioned pachinko amusement hall, a ball lending machine with a prepaid card is installed beside each pachinko machine, a prepaid card is inserted into a prepaid card insertion slot of the ball lending machine, and a button operation is performed. A lending ball is provided for the upper plate of the pachinko machine in the amount of money of. Similarly, in a pachinko playground, a plurality of digits (or pictures, etc.) are rotated mechanically or electronically, and the rotating digits are manually stopped, and each digit is set to a predetermined combination. In such a case, a spinning-type amusement machine is provided which provides a predetermined number of medals corresponding to the number of medals voted as a prize. In this spinning-type amusement machine, similarly, a medal lending machine with a prepaid card is installed next to the spinning-type amusement machine, and a prepaid card is inserted into a prepaid card insertion slot of the medal lending machine,
By performing a button operation, a medal is loaned in a predetermined amount unit. In this case, the ball lending machine or the medal lending machine is provided with a read head for reading magnetic data recorded on a prepaid card, a display for displaying the amount of money available, and the like, and these are provided via an interface. It is configured to communicate with the host computer of the center.
With such a configuration, each pachinko parlor simply checks the balance when using the prepaid card in each ball or medal lending machine, so the apparent balance is increased. If a prepaid card is used, it will be overlooked. This is why prepaid card alterations, counterfeiting, and tampering are endless. In order to prevent this, by confirming the true balance of the prepaid card, unauthorized use can be prevented. In other words, the family register is given to the prepaid card, and this family register is formed by selectively using a number, a sign, a symbol, etc., and the contents of the family register are registered in the center host computer at the time of sale. It is necessary to inquire of the host computer used for the contents of family register.

[0003]

By the way, according to the above-described structure, each time a prepaid card is used in each store, an inquiry about the card use authorization is made to the host computer of the center. Not only the frequency of use of the communication line between the service and the center, that is, the public line network becomes enormous, but also the host computer in the center requires a huge amount of data processing, and the automatic lending machine (ball lending machine or The response to the medal lending machine is also lengthened, which causes a problem in that quick sales are hindered.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and can cope with unauthorized use of a card in a vending machine by a prepaid card, and also has a good response response to the vending machine. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a use management device for prepaid cards in a pachinko game machine or a toy-type game machine, which can appropriately collect the sales amount of prepaid cards for each store. It is.

[0005]

Use management apparatus prepaid card, such as in [Summary of pachinko game machine according to the present invention was made in order to achieve the above objects or reel-type game machine is installed in a game arcade, prepaid When using the card, it is necessary to verify whether the prepaid card held by the customer was sold by its own store or sold by another store , and that the prepaid card was
And a card accepting machine for recording an update date that can be used, and when the card accepting machine determines that the prepaid card has been sold by its own store, the available balance of the prepaid card is inquired. A local computer installed in the store for the case, when the card accepting machine determines that the prepaid card is sold by another store,
A host computer installed at a center for inquiring the available balance of the prepaid card, wherein the available balance referred to by the local computer does not match, and the available balance referred to by the host computer Is not used, the use of the ball rental machine by the prepaid card is refused.

In this case, the ball lending machine is provided with a card insertion / return port. The data of the prepaid card inserted in the card insertion / return port is read and referred to the local computer, and the prepaid card is sold by its own store. If it is determined that the prepaid card has been sold and the date of sale of the prepaid card is the same day, the prepaid card recorded on the local computer without passing through the verification of the prepaid card by the card accepting machine. It is configured to allow the operation of the ball lending machine within the range of the remaining balance.

[0007] In this case, if the prepaid card that has been validated by the card acceptance device is determined to be those sold by other stores, query the available balance to the host computer installed in the center If the available balances match, data permitting the use of the ball lending machine in the store is written on the prepaid card on the day, and the balance of the prepaid card recorded in the host computer is recorded. 2. The use management device of a prepaid card in a pachinko game machine according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the ball lending machine is permitted within the range of.

In the use management apparatus of the prepaid card in the pachinko game machine, the host computer installed in the center further includes a usable balance of each prepaid card issued and managed by the card issuing company. A computer storing the data is connected, and the host computer installed at the center is used as a slave terminal to inquire the computer managed by the card issuing company about the available balance of each prepaid card.

Further, the apparatus for managing use of a prepaid card in a spinning-type amusement machine according to the present invention is provided in a game arcade.
Is location, when using a prepaid card, the prepaid card that customers held or not sold by the own shop, or to verify those sold by other stores co
The prepaid card can be used on the day
A card accepting machine for recording an update date, and a store for inquiring the available balance of the prepaid card when the card accepting machine determines that the prepaid card has been sold by the shop. And a local computer installed at a center for inquiring the available balance of the prepaid card when the card accepting machine determines that the prepaid card is sold by another store. A host computer, wherein the use of the medal lending machine by the prepaid card is rejected when the available balances referred by the local computer do not match and when the available balances referred by the host computer do not match. Characterized in that

In this case, the medal lending machine is provided with a card insertion / return port, reads out the data of the prepaid card inserted into the card insertion / return port, inquires the local computer, and sells the prepaid card at its own store. If it is determined that the date of sale of the prepaid card is the same day, and without the verification of the prepaid card by the card accepting machine,
The medal lending machine is configured to allow operation of the medal lending machine within a range of the balance of the prepaid card recorded in the local computer.

[0011] In this case, if the prepaid card that has been validated by the card acceptance device is determined to be those sold by other stores, query the available balance to the host computer installed in the center If the usable balances match, data for permitting the use of the medal lending machine in the store is written on the prepaid card on the day, and the balance of the prepaid card recorded in the host computer is recorded. Is configured to allow the operation of the medal lending machine in the range of.

[0012] In the prepaid card usage management device in the spinning-type amusement machine, a host computer installed in the center is further managed by a card issuing company, and a usable balance of each issued prepaid card is issued. Is connected, and a host computer installed in the center is used as a slave terminal to inquire the computer managed by the card issuing company about the available balance of each prepaid card.

According to the prepaid card use management device in the above-mentioned pachinko game machine or spinning-type game machine, when the prepaid card is sold, each prepaid card is given a family register peculiar to the card including the store. The host computer is inquired as to whether or not the card can be used only when a card issued by another store is used.
If the store and the amusement arcade used are the same, the store can be used, and the sales of the prepaid card are reported to the local computer managed at the store of the prepaid card or the chain store. Register,
The same data is transmitted from the local computer to the center host computer via the communication line, and the sales record is registered in the host computer. Then, in the local computer managed on a store-by-store basis, by checking the family register of the card, it is determined whether or not the prepaid card can be used at the store. In the range of the card usable balance corresponding to the stored card number, the operation of the ball lending machine or the medal lending machine is permitted.

According to the prepaid card usage management device, when using the prepaid card, the prepaid card held by the customer is automatically transmitted to the local computer managed by the prepaid card retailer by a card accepting machine connected to a local computer. It is verified whether it was sold by the store or sold by another store. If it is determined by inquiry to the local computer that the prepaid card has been sold by its own store, the available balance of the prepaid card is further inquired to the local computer, and the card can be used. If the balances do not match, the use of the prepaid card is refused. If it is determined by inquiry to the local computer that the prepaid card has been sold by another store, the prepaid card can be used for a host computer installed at the center via a communication line. If the balance is queried and the available balance of the card does not match,
It acts to reject the use of the ball lending machine or the medal lending machine by the prepaid card.

In this case, if it is determined that the prepaid card inserted into the card insertion / return port provided in the ball lending machine or the medal lending machine has been sold by the shop on the day, the card reception The operation of the ball lending machine or the medal lending machine is permitted within the range of the balance of the prepaid card recorded in the local computer without verifying the prepaid card by the machine.

When the prepaid card is sold by its own store and used on a day other than the day, it is verified by the card accepting machine that if the usable balances referred by the local computer match, It operates so that the operation of the ball lending machine or the medal lending machine is permitted within the range of the balance of the prepaid card recorded in the local computer.

Further, in this case, when it is verified by the card accepting machine that the prepaid card has been sold by another store, if the usable balance referred by the host computer matches, the host The operation of the ball lending machine or the medal lending machine is permitted within the range of the balance of the prepaid card recorded in the computer.

As another embodiment, a computer managed by a card issuing company is further connected to the host computer installed in the center, and the host computer installed in the center is managed by the card issuing company as a slave terminal. Act to query the available computer balance for the card.

Therefore, most of the prepaid cards can be dealt with illegally by the local computer managed in the card store or the chain store. Then, only when it is determined that the card has been sold at another store, the host computer installed at the center or the computer managed by the card issuing company as a slave terminal is referred to as a slave terminal, and the unauthorized payment of the prepaid card is performed. Try to deal with usage. As described above, when it is determined that the card is sold by the store, the usable balance of the card is checked on a local computer managed by the store of the card. Therefore, the degree of inquiry to the host computer of the center can be reduced. For this reason, in comparison with the case where the balance inquiry is made to the host computer of the center in all cases, it is possible to prevent the line from being complicated for the host computer of the center. ) Can be achieved well. Further, the sales result of the prepaid card for each store can be properly aggregated by the host computer installed at the center.

[0020]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pachinko game machine according to the present invention. First, FIG. 1A shows a first example of a prepaid card used in the present invention. This prepaid card 1 is provided with a printing column 1a of the sales amount of the card on the surface thereof, and a printing column such as a unique card number assigned to each prepaid card, a store code of the prepaid card, and an issue date. 1b and the like are provided. At the top of the front surface of the card 1, there is provided a usage history and remaining amount display column 1c that can display a roughly available remaining amount of the card. FIG. 1B shows a second example of a prepaid card used in the present invention. In FIG. 1B, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1A denote corresponding parts, and a description thereof will be omitted. In the prepaid card 1 shown in FIG. 1B, as the printing ink for the card 1, a card having near infrared ray reflection characteristics is used, and each pattern can be read by an image reader that senses near infrared ray. Is done. In the prepaid card usage management device described below, each of the prepaid cards shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is appropriately used.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of a vending machine for a prepaid card installed at various places in a pachinko game hall. This card vending machine 10 has a cash slot 11
a and a money processing unit 11 having a change return port 11b;
An operation unit 12 for specifying the purchase amount of the prepaid card;
A display unit 13 for displaying the amount of money inserted into the cash slot 11a, the amount of change, and the like are connected in parallel with the control unit 14, and the card processing unit 1
5 is supplied with a control signal. The card processing unit 15 stores a predetermined number of prepaid cards 1, and receives a control signal from the control unit 14, and receives a control signal from the control unit 14, and prints a sales amount printing column 1 of each prepaid card 1 to be sold.
a, and after recording the unique card number, issuer code, and issue date given to each prepaid card in the print column 1b, place the card in the tray 15a. It is configured to be discharged. The control unit 14 is connected to a local computer 17 installed in the playground via a premises line 16 laid in the pachinko playground. The local computer 17 further includes a modem 18 and a public line serving as a communication line. It is configured to be connectable to a host computer 20 installed at the center via a network 19.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a configuration of an automatic lending machine (ball lending machine) using a prepaid card arranged on, for example, the left side of each pachinko machine (not shown). The ball lending machine 30 is operated by a button operation with a card data processing unit 31 having a prepaid card insertion / return port 31a, so that a predetermined amount of money (for example, 5
Operation unit 3 that activates the supply processing of the lending ball in the unit of 00 yen)
2 and when the prepaid card 1 is inserted into the card insertion and return slot 31a, the remaining available amount is displayed.
A display unit 33 for displaying the purchase amount or the remaining available amount after the purchase is connected to the control unit 34 in a parallel relationship. The control section 34 sends a control signal to a gate section 38 having a counter disposed between the pachinko ball transport pipe 35 and a supply pipe 37 for providing lending balls to the upper plate 36 of each pachinko machine. Is configured to be supplied. The control unit 34 is connected to the local computer 17 in the playground via the premises line 16 laid in the pachinko playground, like the control unit 14 in the vending machine 2 for prepaid cards shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 shows the local computer 1 described above.
7 shows an example of management items of each prepaid card in FIG. Although the operation of the local computer 17 will be described later, the local computer 17 stores data when the prepaid card 1 is sold and data after the prepaid card 1 is used. That is, as data at the time of sale of the prepaid card 1, the card issuer code is stored in the first item 41, the card issue date in the second item 42, and the third item 43
, A unique card number assigned to each prepaid card, and a card purchase price as a fourth item 44 are stored.

The card issuing store code of the first item 41 is not always necessary when a local computer is provided in one independent pachinko game hall, but there are some chain stores. However, if the prepaid card is shared between chain stores, the sales of the card for each chain store will be aggregated, and the payment between the chain stores will be performed if the card is used at another store in the chain store. Can be used for The data after the use of the prepaid card 1 is stored in the fifth item 45 as a purchaseable balance. In this example, the purchaseable balance of the fifth item 45 is rewritten every time the card is used. However, the sixth item and subsequent items may be further provided to store the card use history.

FIG. 5 shows an example of management items of each prepaid card 1 in the host computer 20 installed in the above-mentioned center. The operation of the host computer 20 will be described later. In the host computer 20, the data at the time of sales of the prepaid card 1 at each store and the available balance of each card are uploaded via each local computer 17. That is, as shown in FIG.
1 stores a card issuer code, a second item 52 stores a card issue date, a third item 53 stores a card number, and a fourth item 54 stores a card purchase amount. Further, the fifth item 55 stores a purchaseable balance.

Regarding the operation of each part in the above configuration,
This will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the operation performed when selling a prepaid card. The operation will be described with reference to the embodiment of the vending machine 10 for prepaid cards shown in FIG. First, the cash processing unit 11 of the card vending machine 10 monitors whether or not cash has been inserted into the cash insertion slot 11a (step S1). When it is determined that cash has been inserted into the cash slot 11a, the money processing unit 11 determines the amount of money inserted, sends the amount data to the control unit 14, and the control unit 14 displays the amount on the display unit 13. A command signal for display is supplied.
Thereby, the display unit displays the amount of money inserted into the cash slot 11a (step S2) and displays a message to input the amount of purchase of the card by the operation unit 12.

Subsequently, the control unit 14 receives the data on the purchase amount of the card input by the operation unit 12,
The calculation of “(insertion amount) − (card purchase amount)” is executed (step S3). Then, it is determined whether or not the calculation result of “(insertion amount) − (card purchase amount)” in step S3 is “0” or more (step S4).
In the case of “No”, it means that the input amount is small relative to the card purchase amount, and a card of a desired amount cannot be issued. For this purpose, the number of times of “No” is incremented (step S5), and it is determined whether or not this number has reached a predetermined number of times “n” (step S5).
6). If the predetermined number “n” has not been reached, the process returns to the routine of step S3. If it is determined in step S6 that the number of times has reached the predetermined number "n", the cash inserted into the cash input port 11a is returned to the change return port 11b. On the other hand, step S4
If it is determined “Yes” in
Calculates the change amount and supplies a command signal for displaying the change amount on the display unit 13. Thus, the change amount is displayed on the display unit 13 (step S8). Then, the money processing unit 11 discharges the change to the change return port 11b (step S9).

In FIG. 7, the control unit 14 sends a command signal to the card processing unit 15 to print the sales amount in the sales amount printing column 1a on the front surface of the prepaid card 1 to be sold and to print the sales amount. 1b, the issuer code, card issue date, and card number are printed (step S
10). Then, the card 1 processed in step S10 is discharged from the card processing unit 15 to the card tray 15a (step S11). At the same time, the control unit 1
4, the predetermined card issuance information described above is transferred to the private line 1
6 to the local computer 17, and the local computer 17 receives this, as shown in FIG.
Write information to management items. In this case, the card purchase amount is written as it is in the fifth item 45, ie, the purchaseable balance (step S12). Subsequently, the local computer 17 calls the host computer 20 installed at the center via the modem 18 and the public line network 19, and transmits predetermined card issuing information to the host computer 20 (step S13). Upon receiving the card issuance information, the host computer 20 writes the information in the management item as shown in FIG. 5 (step S1).
4) End a series of operations. In the host computer 20, as shown in FIG. 5, the card issuance date and the card purchase amount are registered in correspondence with the card issuer code. Therefore, the sales performance of the prepaid card at each store can be totaled for each period.

Next, FIG. 8 shows an operation performed when a lending ball is supplied from a ball lending machine using a prepaid card. The automatic lending machine (ball lending) using the prepaid card shown in FIG. Machine) 30 will be described. First, it is monitored whether or not a card is inserted into the card insertion / return port 31a in the card data processing unit 31. When it is determined that a card is inserted into the card insertion / return port 31a (step S21), the card data is returned. The processing unit 31 reads the inserted card number from the print column 1b. The read card number is sent to the control unit 34, and the control unit 34 makes an inquiry to the local computer 17 via the private line 16 (step S2).
2).

Then, the local computer 17 determines whether or not there is a matching card number among the recorded card numbers (step S23). 17 transmits the information to the control unit 34.
The control unit 34 causes the display unit 33 to display a message indicating that the card cannot be used (step S24). Following this, the card processing section 31 has a card insertion / ejection port 31a.
Is discharged (step S25), and the operation is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S23 that there is a match among the card numbers recorded in the local computer 17, the control unit 34 receives the purchase price input by the operation unit 32, The command signal is transmitted to the gate unit 38 (Step S26). The gate section 38 opens the gate in response to the command signal, keeps opening the gate until the counter in the gate section reaches a predetermined number of balls, and closes the gate when the predetermined number of balls is reached. Thereby, a predetermined number of lending balls are supplied to the upper plate 36 of the pachinko machine via the supply pipe 38 (step S27).

Subsequently, the control unit 34 subtracts the purchase amount from the purchaseable balance, and displays a new purchaseable balance on the display unit 33 (step S28). Then, the control unit 34 sends a new purchasable balance at the card number to the local computer 17, and the local computer 17 stores a fifth purchasable item 45 storing the purchasable balance.
Is updated to a new purchaseable balance (step S29).
Then, the process proceeds to the routine of step S25, in which the card processing unit 31 ejects the card to the card insertion / ejection port 31a, and ends the operation. As described above, since the local computer 17 manages the purchaseable balance in accordance with the card number, it is possible to improve the reliability against unauthorized use of the prepaid card.

Next, FIGS. 9 and 10 show another embodiment of the use management device of the prepaid card in the pachinko game machine according to the present invention. In this example, for example, a card accepting machine is arranged at the entrance of a pachinko amusement park, and a prepaid card already purchased is used anew, and a prepaid card is used in a store other than the store where the prepaid card was purchased. In such a case, the ball lending machine cannot be used unless a prepaid card is inserted into the card accepting machine arranged at the store of the pachinko game hall and the prepaid card is verified. When it is checked that the prepaid card has not been altered or tampered with, the prepaid card can be used in the pachinko parlor.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration, and FIG. 10 shows management items used by the local computer in the configuration of FIG. In FIG. 9, the same functional parts as those in FIG. 3 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted, and the management items denoted by reference numerals 41 to 45 in FIG. Therefore, the detailed description is omitted.

The card accepting machine 61 disposed at the entrance of the pachinko game hall has a card insertion / return port 61a. The card accepting machine 61 is provided with the exchange 6
2 and the exchange 62 is connected to the local computer 17. The local computer 17 is configured to be connectable to a host computer 20 installed at the center via a modem 18 and a public line network 19 as a communication line, as in the example shown in FIG. In the configuration of FIG. 9, first, if the prepaid card that the customer intends to use is sold at the store on the day, the prepaid card is directly sent to the ball rental machine 30 without verification by the card accepting machine 61. Cards can be used. In this case, by inserting the prepaid card into the card insertion / return slot 31a of the ball lending machine 30, the ball lending machine 30 reads the data of the card, and the prepaid card was sold at the store on the same day. Is referred to the local computer 17.

If the inquiry to the local computer 17 indicates that the prepaid card was sold at the store on the day, as described with reference to FIG. By operating the button, a loaned ball can be supplied within the range of the purchaseable balance of the prepaid card managed by the local computer 17. When the user uses a prepaid card that has already been purchased at a new store or at a store other than the store where the prepaid card was purchased, the prepaid card 1 is used by the card accepting machine 61. Insert the card into the card insertion return slot 61a. Card insertion return slot 6
When the prepaid card 1 is inserted into the card 1a, the card accepting machine 61 reads the card issuing store code (reference numeral 41 in FIG. 10) of the card 1 and inquires the local computer 17 via the exchange 62, and the card 1 It verifies whether it was sold by its own store or sold by another store.

If it is determined that the prepaid card has been sold by the store, the available (purchasable) balance of the prepaid card can be used for the local computer 17 managed by the store. When reference is made to reference numeral 45 in FIG. 10 and the available balances match, it is determined that the card 1 has not been altered or tampered with, and the card number in the local computer 17 (reference numeral in FIG. 10). The check date (reference numeral 46 in FIG. 10) of the card is recorded in association with 43), and the check date (update date) is recorded for the prepaid card 1 inserted in the card accepting machine 61. On this check date, for example, a machine date using a clock signal built in the local computer 17 can be used as it is.

The prepaid card 1 is discharged to the card insertion / return port 61a through the above-described verification process and returned to the customer. When the prepaid card 1 thus verified is inserted into the card insertion / return port 31a of the ball lending machine 30 in the configuration of FIG. 3, the card insertion / return port 31a
The card number of the prepaid card 1 inserted in and the update date written by the card accepting machine 61 are read. When the local computer 17 confirms that the update date is the current date, the operation unit 32 of the ball rental machine 30 as described with reference to FIG.
By operating the button in, the lending ball can be supplied within the range of the purchaseable balance of the prepaid card managed by the local computer 17. The checking of the update date is performed by another means as a prepaid card insertion / return port 31a of the ball rental machine 30.
The card number of the prepaid card 1 inserted in the card is read, and the check date 46 in the management item shown in FIG. It can be determined by referring to whether or not the date written in the check date 46 is the current date.

In this case, if the check date of the day is not written in the check date 46 in the management item of the local computer, the operation of the ball lending machine 30 is stopped and, for example, the display unit 33 displays A message prompting you to use the card after passing it.
On the other hand, when the card is verified by the card accepting machine 61,
In the case where it is determined that the prepaid card has been sold by the store, the inquiry result with the usable balance (45 in FIG. 10) of the prepaid card in the local computer managed by the store is obtained. If they do not match, it is determined that the card 1 has been altered or tampered with, and the card is stored in the card accepting machine 61 or the prepaid card is generated by generating a warning sound or the like. Acts to refuse to use the card.

If the prepaid card 1 verified by the card accepting machine 61 is judged to be from another store, the local computer 17 in FIG.
An inquiry is made to a host computer 20 of the center via a modem 18 and a public line network 19 as a communication line. Items managed by the host computer 20 in this case are the same as those in FIG. That is, using the card number (reference numeral 43 in FIG. 10) as a key, the available balance of the prepaid card corresponding to the card number to the host computer 20 (reference numeral 45 in FIG. 10).
Is checked, and if the usable balances match, it is determined that the card 1 has not been altered or tampered with. Then, the card check date (reference numeral 46 in FIG. 10) is recorded in correspondence with the card number (reference numeral 43 in FIG. 10) in the host computer 20, and the check date for the prepaid card 1 inserted in the card accepting machine 61 is recorded. (Update date).

The prepaid card verified in this manner can be used in a ball lending machine in the shop, and by operating a button on the operation unit 32 of the ball lending machine 30, the local computer 17 is turned on. A loaned ball can be supplied within the range of the purchaseable balance of the prepaid card managed by the host computer 20 via the host computer 20. Further, when the card is verified by the card accepting machine 61, it is determined that the prepaid card has been sold by another store, and the available balance of the prepaid card in the host computer 20 (see FIG. 10). If the inquiry result with reference numeral 45) does not match, it is determined that the card 1 has been altered or tampered with, and the card 1 is stored in the card accepting machine 61 or a warning sound or the like is issued. It acts so as to reject the use of the prepaid card. By constructing in this manner, the prepaid card 1 sold at another store has the same check function as that described above, which refers to the host computer 20 and verifies the card sold at the store by the local computer. Can be.

In the configuration described above, if the prepaid card verified by the card accepting machine 61 is recognized as being sold at another store, the data is inquired to the host computer of the center. However, for example, a computer that is managed by a card issuing company and that stores data including the usable balance of each issued prepaid card is connected to a host computer installed at the center, and is installed at the center. It is also possible to use the host computer as a relay slave terminal and to inquire the computer managed by the card issuing company of the available balance of each prepaid card.

Although FIGS. 3 to 10 described the prepaid card use management device for the ball lending machine arranged on each of the pachinko machines, a medal lending machine is provided for each of the spinning amusement machines. A configuration similar to that shown in FIGS. 3 to 10 may be employed for a prepaid card use management device in a case where medals to be inserted into a spinning-type amusement machine can be purchased with the prepaid card. it can. That is, in this case, a medal lending machine is arranged instead of the ball lending machine indicated by reference numerals 35 to 38 in FIG. Then, the control unit 34 receives the purchase price input by the operation unit 32 and transmits a command signal to the gate unit 38. Gate section 38
Is configured to open a gate in response to a command signal from the control unit 34 and discharge (lend) a number of medals corresponding to the purchase price. Also, in the configuration shown in FIG. 9, a medal lending machine is disposed instead of the ball lending machine similarly denoted by reference numerals 35 to 38.

Although the above description has been directed to a prepaid card use management device for a pachinko game machine or a torso game machine, for example, various game machines arranged in a game facility such as a game center may be used. This can be applied. In this case, a medium for using a predetermined card machine other than a ball lending machine or a medal lending machine is purchased with the prepaid card.

[0045]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the apparatus for managing the use of prepaid cards in a pachinko game machine or a toy-type amusement machine according to the present invention, a card accepting machine is arranged, for example, at the entrance of a pachinko game hall. However, every time the day changes, the prepaid card is not verified by the card accepting machine, so that the ball lending machine or the medal lending machine cannot be used, so that the prepaid card can be checked for falsification or tampering. And the reliability against unauthorized use of the prepaid card can be improved. Further, the card accepting machine determines whether the prepaid card held by the customer has been sold by its own store and its chain store or sold by another store, and based on the determination result, the local computer or the host computer of the center, respectively. Since data is inquired to the host computer, it is possible to prevent the line from being collated with the host computer in the same manner as described above.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of a prepaid card used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vending machine for a prepaid card.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vending machine (ball lending machine) using a prepaid card.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing management items in a local computer.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing management items in a host computer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation performed when a prepaid card is sold.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation performed when the prepaid card is sold following FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation performed when a lending ball is supplied from a ball lending machine using a prepaid card.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an embodiment in which a card accepting machine is employed.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing management items in a local computer and a host computer in the mode shown in FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Prepaid card 10 Card vending machine 11 Cash processing part 12 Operation part 13 Display part 14 Control part 15 Card processing part 16 Private line 17 Local computer 18 Modem 19 Signal line (public line network) 20 Host computer 30 Automatic lending machine (ball) Lending machine, medal lending machine) 31 card data processing unit 32 operation unit 33 display unit 34 control unit 35 transport pipe 36 upper plate 37 supply pipe 38 gate unit 61 card receiving machine 62 exchange

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A is installed in a game hall, when using a prepaid card, with prepaid card the customer held to verify whether those sold by the own shop by checking those sold, or another store, the prepaid card
A card accepting machine that records an update date that can be used on the day; and, when the card accepting machine determines that the prepaid card has been sold by its own shop, the prepaid card A local computer installed in the store for inquiring the available balance of the prepaid card, if the card accepting machine determines that the prepaid card has been sold by another store, A host computer installed at a center for inquiring a balance, wherein when the available balances referred by the local computer do not match, and when the available balances referred by the host computer do not match, Refuse to use the ball rental machine with the prepaid card Use management apparatus prepaid card in pachinko game machine, characterized in that the the like. 2. The ball lending machine is provided with a card insertion / return port. The data of the prepaid card inserted into the card insertion / return port is read and referred to the local computer, and the prepaid card is sold by its own store. If it is determined that the prepaid card is sold, and if the date of sale of the prepaid card is determined to be the same day, the prepaid card recorded in the local computer is not recorded by the card accepting machine without verifying the prepaid card. 2. The use management device of a prepaid card in a pachinko game machine according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the ball lending machine is allowed within a range of the balance. 3. When it is determined that the prepaid card verified by the card accepting machine has been sold by another store, an available balance is referred to a host computer installed at the center, If the usable balances match, data that permits the use of the ball lending machine at the store on that day is written to the prepaid card, and the range of the balance of the prepaid card recorded in the host computer 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the ball lending machine is permitted. 4. A host computer installed in the center is further connected to a computer which is managed by a card issuing company and stores data including a usable balance of each issued prepaid card, and is installed in the center. 4. The use of a prepaid card in a pachinko game machine according to claim 3, wherein the host computer obtained as a slave terminal is referred to a computer managed by the card issuing company for an available balance of each prepaid card. Management device. 5. A is installed in a game hall, when using a prepaid card, with prepaid card the customer held to verify whether those sold by the own shop by checking those sold, or another store, the prepaid card
A card accepting machine that records an update date that can be used on the day; and, when the card accepting machine determines that the prepaid card has been sold by its own shop, the prepaid card A local computer installed in the store for inquiring the available balance of the prepaid card, if the card accepting machine determines that the prepaid card has been sold by another store, A host computer installed at a center for inquiring a balance, wherein when the available balances referred by the local computer do not match, and when the available balances referred by the host computer do not match, The use of the medal lending machine with the prepaid card is refused. It was adapted to use management apparatus prepaid card in the reel-type game machine according to claim. 6. The medal lending machine is provided with a card insertion / return port, reads out data of the prepaid card inserted into the card insertion / return port, inquires the local computer, and sells the prepaid card at its own store. If it is determined that the prepaid card is sold, and if the date of sale of the prepaid card is determined to be the same day, the prepaid card recorded in the local computer is not recorded by the card accepting machine without verifying the prepaid card. 6. The use management device of a prepaid card in a spinning-type amusement machine according to claim 5, wherein the operation of the medal lending machine is allowed within a range of the balance. 7. When it is determined that the prepaid card verified by the card accepting machine has been sold by another store, an available balance is referred to a host computer installed in a center, If the usable balance is the same, data for permitting the use of the medal lending machine in the store is written on the prepaid card on the day, and the range of the balance of the prepaid card recorded in the host computer is recorded. 6. The use management device for a prepaid card in a spinning-type amusement machine according to claim 5, wherein the operation of the medal lending machine is permitted. 8. The host computer installed in the center is further connected to a computer which is managed by a card issuing company and stores data including a usable balance of each issued prepaid card, and is installed in the center. 8. A prepaid card in a spinning-type amusement machine according to claim 7, wherein the host computer set as a slave terminal is referred to a computer managed by a card issuing company for a usable balance of each prepaid card. Use management device.