JP2989044B2 - Card processing 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 card processing machine used in a game system that uses a rewritable reusable card and enables exchange of a game medium obtained by a game with a prize using the card. More particularly, the present invention relates to a card processing machine having a function of determining whether a reused card can be used again.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a gaming system using a card, for example, there is one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-242290. In this game system, when playing a pachinko game, a card of the amount corresponding to the cash input is issued, the card is inserted into a lending machine, the game is played, and the number of balls The value obtained by adding "the number of replenishment balls which are prize balls-the number of out balls" is rewritten and recorded on the card. Then, after the game is over, prize exchange is performed based on this card. As a reusable card, a card described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-220475 is known. This card is
A magnetic recording band is provided to record magnetic information, and a pattern recording unit for recording visible information is provided to record information of the card. Then, the magnetic information and the pattern information are rewritten as necessary.

[0003]

However, in the pachinko system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-242290, a card that has been used once is usually discarded after use, and abnormalities occur during use. The determined card has also been discarded. Even if a reused card is used in a pachinko system as described above and reused many times, once the reused card is determined to be abnormal, the card must be discarded and disposed. ing. Analyzing the cause of the card determined to be abnormal in this way revealed that the card itself had a hardware abnormality and could not be reused,
Other factors of the card itself, for example, an abnormality occurred on the card processing machine side and the card was determined to be abnormal as a result, it was determined to be abnormal because the date of card issuance was not the day of prize exchange It turned out that there was something. In the case of a pachinko parlor or the like, it is determined that the game is abnormal in accordance with the regulations of the law (Article 23, Paragraph 1, Item 3 of the Act on Regulations on Customs Sales, etc. and Optimization of Business). The customer is not allowed to take out balls, medals, or similar items outside of the business office, and the removal of cards is also prohibited. The reason for this is that payment processing cannot be performed, and the card is determined to be an abnormal card. As described above, it was found that there were a considerable number of cards that were determined to be abnormal and that could be reused as described above.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a card processor capable of accurately determining the reusability of a reusable card.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, a card processor according to the present invention comprises a card for reading a recorded content of a card by taking in a reusable card recording at least the number of game media obtained by a customer. In the processing machine, test data storage means for previously storing test data for recording / reproducing test of the card, recording means for writing the test data to the card, and the card on which the test data is written And a reading means for reading the test data from the CPU and outputting read test data, and a data matching means for checking the stored test data with the read test data.

[0006]

A card processor capable of using a reusable card previously holds a test pattern for a recording / reproduction test in an information recording area of the card. When the customer inserts the card, the record information such as the number of game media of this card and the date of card issuance is read and transferred to the management device. Thereafter, a test pattern is recorded in an information recording area of the card by visual or electromagnetic means or the like. After the recording, the test pattern is read to determine whether the same test pattern as the held test pattern has been reproduced.

[0007] By determining the reuse of the tested card based on the result of this determination, the card rejected due to improper use of the card, such as a mismatch between the issue date and the prize exchange date, can be reused. By removing only cards that are physically prone to errors during recording and reproduction, reuse of inexpensive cards is promoted while ensuring reliability.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a system for a game arcade will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inside of a game room, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a prize exchange system in the game room.

In FIG. 1, currency exchange machines CEN1 and CEN2 are arranged near the entrance in front of the game arcade. The types of gaming machines include, for example, a medal gaming machine 1, a pachinko gaming machine 2, and the like, and an island is formed by a group of gaming machines arranged in a row. In the vicinity of each gaming machine, a medal lending machine or a betting ball lending machine that provides medals or the like as game media in exchange for coins is provided. The medal lending machine and the ball lending machine are controlled by a controller CTR provided for each island. At the end of the island of the medal gaming machine 1, a medal counter 3 is arranged,
The number of inserted medals is counted, and the counted value is transmitted to a card / receipt issuing machine 4 arranged adjacent to the medal counter 3. A ball counter 5 is arranged at the end of the island of the pachinko gaming machine 2, counts the number of prize balls inserted, and counts the value to a card / receipt issuing machine arranged adjacent to the ball counter 5. 4 The card / receipt issuing machine 4 is a card that records the number of medals or small balls inserted into the counter,
Or issue a receipt.

[0010] A prize exchange counter is provided at the back of the game arcade. The prize exchange counter is divided into an unmanned counter 6 and a manned counter 7, and the unmanned counter 6
It comprises a prize dispensing machine 8, a card processing machine 9, and a child management machine 12. The manned counter 7 includes a prize dispensing machine 8, a card processing machine 9, a barcode scanner 11, and a parent management machine 13.

In the unattended counter 6, the prize exchanger inserts a card into the card processing machine 9 and instructs the prize exchange to give out a prize corresponding to the counted value from the prize dispenser 8. The manned counter 7 is provided with a barcode scanner 11 in addition to the card processor 9, and reads out the recorded data of the issued receipt. In the manned counter 7, in addition to the prizes stored in the prize dispenser 8, various prizes are prepared on the display shelf, and various prizes are exchanged. The contents of the entire prize exchange are totaled in the parent management machine 13 and used for inventory, delivery management and the like.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the flow of a game, in which a player purchases a game medium by using a ball lending machine or a medal lending machine (step S1). The player selects an appropriate gaming machine. For example, the number of game media is increased by the pachinko gaming machine 2 (step S2). Then, the game is stopped and the increased game media is exchanged for a premium. Counter 5 where the player is free
Is inserted (step S3), a card or receipt on which the number of award balls is recorded is issued from the card / receipt issuing machine 4 (step S4). Bring this card or receipt to the prize exchange counter. When a player inserts a card into the card processing machine 9 or an employee reads a receipt with the barcode scanner 11, the management machine 1
The number of prize balls is stored in 2 or 13 (step S5), and prize exchange becomes possible. Players choose their favorite prizes,
The game can be enjoyed again by receiving the surplus prize balls (step S6).

Next, counting of game media and issuance of cards and the like will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the ball counter 5, and when a prize ball is inserted into the upper hopper 5a,
The prize ball flows to a counting sensor (not shown) due to the inclination of the hopper 5a, and counting is started. The counting result is displayed on the upper display 5b. A part of the prize ball that has passed through the counting sensor is temporarily stopped by a ball collecting mechanism of a ball returning unit (not shown). At least a fractional prize ball less than the minimum premium ticket exchange unit is stored in the ball collecting mechanism, and the prize ball is thrown out to the ball return port 5c in response to a command to return a surplus ball. The counting result is transmitted to the card / receipt issuing machine 4 via a connection code (not shown).

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the medal counting machine 3. When medals are thrown into the upper hopper 3a, medals flow to a counting sensor (not shown) due to the inclination of the hopper 3a and the medal transport mechanism provided at the bottom of the hopper 3a, and counting is started. The counting result is displayed on the upper display 3b. The counting result is transmitted to the card / receipt issuing machine 4 via a connection code (not shown).

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the card / receipt issuing machine 4. A display unit 4a is provided at the upper front of the card / receipt issuing machine 4, and displays the number of game media inserted into the counter and the like. A receipt issuing port 4b for discharging a receipt is provided below the display unit 4a.
For example, a receipt on which predetermined items are printed by the journal printer 4C is ejected. Below the receipt issuing port 4b, there is provided an all button 4g for instructing issuance of a card or a receipt in which all the balls are recorded without returning the surplus balls of the game medium inserted by the player. Adjacent to this, there is provided a surplus ball return button 4h for returning a surplus ball of the game medium inserted by the player and instructing issuance of a card or receipt in which only a fraction that can be issued as a prize is recorded. A card issuing port 4d for ejecting a card on which the number of game media counted is recorded is provided in the lower front part of the card / receipt issuing machine 4.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing the internal structure of the card / receipt issuing machine 4. In the figure, a cassette box 4e stores a large number of recyclable cards whose print portions can be rewritten as shown in FIG. Predetermined items are visibly printed by a thermal print head described later in a print display column at the top of the card in the vertical direction. On the back of this card, a magnetic stripe on which the above-mentioned predetermined items are to be recorded electromagnetically is formed.

The card is sent out from the lower part of the cassette box 4e by the pickup roller PR. Roller pairs R1 to R5 are arranged from the pickup roller PR toward the card issuing port 4d to form a card transport path. A thermal print head S is provided between the roller pair R2 and R3.
The thermal print head SR is pressed against the print column portion of the card by the operation of a solenoid (not shown).
A plantain roller PL is provided on the opposite surface of the thermal head SR for support. The thermal print head SR visually records and displays the above-mentioned predetermined items, that is, the issue date a, the card number b, the total number of balls c, the dividing number d, the surplus balls e, and the like in the print display field of the card. The thermally printed card is conveyed to the magnetic card part MC. The magnetic stripe of the card records information by a magnetic stripe reproducing / recording head RW. After the recording is completed, the card is moved in the reverse direction, returned, and transported again. After confirming that information such as the total number of balls is correctly recorded on the magnetic stripe, the card is sent out to the card issuing port 4d. Therefore, the magnetic card unit M
C is driven by a motor MT capable of normal rotation and reverse rotation. The other transport paths are driven by a motor STMT that rotates in the forward and reverse directions. If the card is determined to be abnormal in reading the card, the card is sent back, and the roller pair R
6 is accommodated in the reject box 4f. Detection switches S1 to S4 are disposed on the card transport path to detect the position of the card. A card ejection mechanism 43 is constituted by a roller pair for driving the card, a drive motor, and the like, and a card recording mechanism 4 is constituted by a thermal print head SR, a magnetic stripe reproduction / recording head RW, and the like.
4 are configured.

A journal printer 4c is provided on the upper part of the housing. The journal printer 4c includes a receipt ejecting mechanism 45 for sending the recording roll paper to the receipt issuing port 4b via a printing unit, and a receipt printing mechanism 46 for printing the total number of balls or the like on the receipt by a number or a barcode. . Whether to record data such as the total number of counted balls on a card or to print on a receipt by the journal printer 4c can be performed, for example, by setting the card / receipt mode setting switch 47 or by a software command from the outside. it can.

Outputs of the detection switches S1 to S7 are supplied to an issuance abnormality detecting means 49 formed in a control program of the microprocessor. Issuance abnormality detection means 49
Based on the outputs of these sensors, a card or receipt jam, out of stock, or the like is determined. This determination result is output to the control unit 4
It is supplied to the first issue abnormality switching means 41e, and performs switching of card or receipt issue.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the control circuits of the counters 3 and 5 and the card / receipt issuing machine 4.
The counting means 51 of the medal counter 3 or the ball counter 5 includes a sensor for detecting the passage of the game medium and a counter for accumulating the number of passages. The count value of the counter is sent to the control unit 52 that controls the counter. The control unit 52 is constituted by a microprocessor, displays the count value on a display unit (not shown), and transfers the count value to the card / receipt issuing machine 4 via the interface 53. As described above, the prize balls for return are stored in the ball storage mechanism which is the return means 54 of the ball return unit of the ball counter 5.

The control unit 52 includes a card / receipt issuing machine 4
When the return command of the prize ball is received from the control unit 41, the return unit 54 is instructed to return the prize ball by the designated number. The return means 54 returns the prize ball to the ball return port 5 in response to the extra ball return command.
c.

The control system of the card / receipt issuing machine 4 includes a control unit 41, an interface 42, a card ejection mechanism 43,
Card recording mechanism 44, receipt ejection mechanism 45, receipt printing mechanism 46, card / receipt mode setting switch 4
7, time elapse detecting section 48, issue abnormality detecting means 49, all switches 4g, extra ball return switch 4h, and the like.

The control section 41 is constituted by a microprocessor, and a control program is stored in a built-in ROM 41a. Further, information such as a count value supplied from the counter 3 or 4 is stored in the built-in RAM 41b via the interface 42. A card / receipt issuance switching control unit 41c and a fraction deletion unit 41d are formed on the control program. When the card / receipt mode setting switch 47 provided near the cassette box 4e is selected as a card, the card / receipt issuance switching control means records the count value and the like on the card and ejects the card. Select a program. When the card / receipt mode setting switch 47 is selected as the receipt, the program is selected so that the count value or the like is recorded on the card and is ejected. When the card / receipt mode setting switch 47 is selected for automatic selection, a receipt is issued when the count value is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and a card is issued when the count value is equal to or more than the predetermined value. When the remaining one of the recording medium of the card and the receipt is exhausted, the processing is switched to the issuance of the other recording medium in stock.

The fraction deleting means 41d can be selectively operated by turning on a dip switch (not shown). The time elapse detecting unit 48 configured by a timer function provided in the microprocessor detects the elapse of a predetermined time, for example, the time immediately before closing, and generates a timeout signal, whereby the fraction deletion unit 41d is activated. The function of the fraction deletion unit 41d is to correct the total count value stored in the RAM 41b to a count value without a fraction except for a preset number of prize exchange units, for example, a fraction less than 20 pachinko balls. For example, the above-mentioned fraction is obtained as the remainder after dividing the total count value by the minimum number of exchange units of prize exchange.

The issuance abnormality switching unit 41e sends out the card from the cassette box 4e when the detection output of the issuance abnormality detection unit 49 indicates that the journal printer 4c has run out of receipts or that a receipt jam has occurred. . Conversely, if the detection output indicates that the card stock has run out in the cassette box 4e or that a card jam has occurred, the journal printer 4
Send the receipt from c.

When the player presses the all button on the card / receipt issuing panel, it is necessary to record the total number of balls on a card or the like without returning the inserted prize balls from the counter 5 and issue all the balls. A command is issued from the switch 4g to the control unit 41. Also,
When the surplus ball return button is pressed, the surplus ball return switch 4 indicates that surplus balls less than the minimum number of exchange units for prize exchange should be returned.
h to the control unit 41.

The control section 41 executes a card feed control program (not shown) to thereby control the cassette box 4
The card ejection mechanism 43 that conveys the card from e to the card issuing port 4d is controlled. In addition, the control unit 41
By executing a card recording control program (not shown), the card recording mechanism 44 is controlled to write data to be recorded, such as the count value stored in the RAM 41b, on the card, and to erase the contents described on the card. .

The receipt ejecting mechanism 45 and the receipt printing mechanism 46 are also controlled by the control unit 41 executing a receipt recording mechanism control program and a receipt printing mechanism control program (not shown).

FIG. 10 shows a game medium counter and a card / receipt issuing procedure by issuing a card / receipt, in which the game medium acquired by the player is counted by the counter 5.
(Step S101), the counter 5 starts counting (Step S102). The counting is repeated until the player presses the all button 4c or the surplus return button 4c. When the player presses one of the buttons, the card / receipt issuing machine 4 confirms that the output of the counter 5 is not changed by the end of counting, and loads the provided count value and the like into the RAM 41b. (Step S103). All button 4g indicating a command to record all game media count values
Is pressed or whether the return button 4h is pressed (step S104). When the all button 4g is pressed, "0" is stored in the area B of the RAM 41b (step S105). When the excessive return button 4h is pressed, it is determined whether or not the time for issuing a card or the like exceeds the reference time previously set in the time lapse detecting unit 48 (step S106). The reference time is set, for example, to a time immediately before the game hall closes. This is in order to eliminate the trouble of the customer who has no game time and has to return it to the counter after all. If the time exceeds the reference time, “0” is stored in the area B of the RAM 41b (step S105). If it has not exceeded the reference time, "1" is stored in the area B of the RAM 41b (step S107). If "1" is set in the area B of the RAM 41b, a surplus ball is returned in a later step.

Card / receipt mode setting switch 47
However, if the receipt is set in advance by the attendant (step S108), the control unit 41 does not issue the card, and the receipt ejection mechanism 45 and the receipt printing mechanism 4 do not issue the card.
6 is issued to issue a receipt (step S10).
9). Step S108 corresponds to a card / receipt issuing mode setting means.

Card / receipt mode setting switch 47
Is set to automatic selection (step S10
8) It is determined whether or not the count value exceeds a predetermined number (step S110). If the number is less than the predetermined number, a receipt is issued (step S109). If the number is more than the predetermined number, a card is issued (step S111). This is because the card issuance unit price is higher than the receipt, so the recording media to be thrown out is distinguished by the number of game media acquired, the cost required for issuance is suppressed, and the card has a kind of premium value. To make it happen.

Card / receipt mode setting switch 47
Is set in the card (step S108),
Only the card is issued (step S111), and the receipt is not issued in principle. Step S10 described above
8. S110 is a card / receipt issuance switching control means 41
corresponding to c.

In the issuance of the receipt and the issuance of the card (steps S109 and S111), count data such as the total number of balls c, the number of divisions d and the number of remaining balls e are recorded on the respective recording media. In these issuing processes, the control unit 41 executes the fraction deletion program corresponding to the fraction deletion unit 41d according to the setting of the execution program. That is, RA
From the count value stored in M41b, it is possible to delete and record the remaining number less than the minimum number unit of prize exchange (step S115).

When issuing a card, if the card is out of stock or if a card jam is detected (step S
112), it is determined whether an abnormality has been detected in the receipt issuance (step S113). If it is normal, the process shifts from issuing a card to issuing a receipt (step S109).

On the other hand, when the receipt is out of stock or when the occurrence of a jam of the receipt is detected (step S114), it is determined whether an abnormality has been detected in the card issuance (step S115). If it is normal, the process shifts from issuing a receipt to issuing a card (step S111).

When both the issuance of the card and the receipt are abnormal (steps S113 and S115), the issuance of the recording medium is stopped, and the occurrence of the abnormality is notified to the attendant (step S116).

When the issuance of the card or the receipt is completed, the value of the area B is determined (step S117). When the value of B is “1”, the surplus ball is returned because it is before the set time. That is, the remaining number obtained by executing the above-described fraction deletion program is transferred to the control unit 52 of the counter 5 via the interface 42 together with the return command. The control unit 52 instructs the returning means 54 to return the remaining balls for the remaining number (step S118).

If the value of the area B is "0" (step S117), the player does not want to return the extra balls, or the reference time has elapsed, so the extra balls are not returned. . Step S117 has a function of stopping the return of the extra balls in the ball counting machine 5, and the return stopping means 5
2a.

As a result, it is possible to arbitrarily select the issuance of the card or the receipt, and when the stock of the card or the receipt is exhausted, the ejection recording medium is switched to the stock medium in stock. Further, even if one recording medium is jammed, the recording medium is automatically switched to another recording medium, so that it is possible to reduce the system down related to the issuance of the recording medium. Further, since the card and the receipt can be issued in a manner corresponding to the number of acquisition media, the premium value of the card can be increased.

Next, a prize exchange system in the prize exchange counter will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 11, the left side of the premium exchange counter is an unmanned counter 6 and the right side is a manned counter 7. The unmanned counter 6
It comprises a prize dispensing machine 8, a card processing machine 9, and a child management machine 12. When the prize exchanger uses the unmanned counter 6, the card is inserted into the card processor 9. Then, after pressing down the card insertion end button, the prize corresponding to the recorded count value or division number is discharged from the prize dispensing machine 8.

The manned counter 7 includes a prize dispenser 8, a card processor 9, a barcode scanner 11, and a parent management machine 13. At the manned counter 7, a prize dispenser 8
Can be exchanged for various kinds of prizes prepared on the display shelf in addition to the prizes stored in the display shelf. Prize exchange manned counter 7
Is used, a card is inserted into the card processing machine 9 or a receipt is handed over to a clerk so that the barcode scanner 11 reads the recorded data, so that the number of recorded game media is transmitted to the management machine 13. Let in. Then, the clerk listens to the customer's request and operates the keyboard of the management machine 13 so that the prize is thrown out from the prize dispenser 8, or the prize is taken out from the display shelf and exchanged by hand. The management machine 13 manages prize inventory and the like.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a card processing machine 9 as a card processing means for reading recorded data such as the number of game media recorded on a card. At the lower front part of the card processor 9, a card insertion slot 9a for taking in a card is provided. A card insertion end button 9b is provided above this. The player can continuously insert a plurality of cards into the card insertion slot 9a. In this case, the recording data read from each card is stored in the management device 12 sequentially.
Or it is transferred to 13. The count value read from the card is displayed on a display 9c arranged at the upper front of the card processor 9. When the card insertion is completed, the player presses the card insertion end button 9b. Thereby, the end of the card insertion is notified to the management machine 12 via the control unit of the card processing machine 9.
Or 13 is instructed.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram schematically showing the internal structure of the card processor 9. In the figure, when the customer inserts the card into the card insertion slot 9a, the magnetic card unit M
The card is detected by the sensor S1 of C. When the insertion of the card is detected, the motor MT drives the card take-in mechanism of the magnetic card unit MC including the roller pairs R1 and R2 and the like. In the roller pair R1 part,
A magnetic stripe read / write head RW is provided;
The recorded data such as the number of game media recorded on the card is read. This recording data is sent to the management device. The magnetic stripe reproducing / recording head RW and the like constitute a card reading mechanism 94. When the card passes through the roller pair R2, the sensor S
2 detects the arrival of the card at the print degaussing section.
As a result, the motor STMT operates, and the roller pair R3
The card taking-in mechanism including R5 is driven. As the card passes between roller pairs R3 and R4, roller pair R
By the thermal print head SR and the platen roller PL1 arranged between R3 and R4, writing is performed on the print column of the card for uniform erasure in the post-process. When the card passes through the roller pair R4, a print column is read by a reading head OH of an OCR (optical character reading device) used in a test mode described later. O
The read output of the CR head OH is supplied to the control unit 91,
The written characters and symbols are determined by the OCR unit composed of the pattern recognition processing software. When the card passes through the roller pair R4, the sensor S3 detects this. The position of the print column of the card is determined by a passage timer, etc.
Heat generation is commanded to the erasing head IH. The card is brought into close contact with the erasing head IH by the platen roller PL2. Numerical values and the like printed in the print column of the card are all erased by the heat generated by the erasing head IH. When the sensor S4 detects that the card has passed through the erasing head IH and is loaded into the cassette box 9d for collecting the card, the pickup roller PR is driven and the card is taken into the cassette box 9d. When the card is stored in the predetermined position, this is detected by the sensor S6, and the driving of the card taking-in mechanism stops. Sensors S8 and S9 are arranged above the cassette box 9d to detect that the collection of cards in the cassette is full. In this case, the attendant is notified, and the taking in of the card is stopped until the cassette is replaced with an empty cassette box. A mechanism for transporting the card inserted into the card insertion slot 4d into the cassette box 9d constitutes a card take-in mechanism 93. The cassette box 9d containing the card is set as it is in the card / receipt issuing machine 4, and the card is repeatedly used. When it is determined by the management machine 13 or the control unit 91 that there is an abnormality in the read data of the taken-in card, for example, when a card with a date other than the date of issuance is inserted, the card is transferred via the roller pair R5. It is stored in the reject box 9e. Reject box 9e
A mode setting circuit 98 for selectively setting an initialization mode and an operation mode of a card described later is provided in the vicinity of. The mode setting circuit 98 is composed of, for example, a dip switch circuit.
Is forwarded to

An example of the prize dispenser 8 will be described with reference to FIG. Inside the prize dispensing machine 8, for example, a plurality of cylindrical article dispensing units each carrying a plurality of cassettes storing prizes are arranged. A 100 yen prize, a 500 yen prize, a 1000 yen prize, and the like are set in the cassette.
A predetermined number of the corresponding prizes are thrown out of the outlets 8a, 8b or 8c in response to the designation of the division number or the prize. The structure of such a prize dispenser is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-1652.
No. 96, it will not be described in detail.

An example of the management machines 12 and 13 will be described with reference to FIG. Although the same management machines 12 and 13 are used, one of the master machines 1
3. The other operates as the slave unit 12. The prize exchange information of the child device 12 is collected in the parent device. In the figure, by selecting the position of the key switch a of the management machine, it can be switched between automatic and manual. Key switch a for unmanned counter 6
Is automatically selected. When the automatic setting is made, when the record data read by the card processor 9 is transferred to the management machine 12, the management machine 12 throws out the prize corresponding to the count value or the fraction while giving priority to the expensive prize. To do so.

FIG. 18 shows a prize dispensing machine 8, a card processing machine 9, a ball returning machine 10, and a child management machine 1 in the unmanned counter 6.
2 shows a control system.

A card take-in mechanism 93 for taking the inserted card into the card processor 9, a card writing / reading mechanism 94 for reading recorded data on the card, and an erasing mechanism 95 for erasing recorded data on the card are provided by a microprocessor. Is controlled by the control unit 91 constituted by This microprocessor controls each mechanism according to a control program stored in a ROM (not shown) and temporarily stores read data in a RAM (not shown). When the prize exchanger presses the insertion end button, an insertion end command is issued from the insertion end switch 9b via the interface 92 to the management machine 1.
2

The management unit 12 includes a control unit 121 including a microprocessor (not shown), a ROM storing a control program, a RAM storing prize exchange information and the like, an interface 123 for converting data signals, and the like. The recording data transferred from the card processor 9 is temporarily stored in the RAM of the control unit 121 via the interface 123. The control unit 121 of the management machine 12 obtains the type and number of the prize, for example, by dividing the count value of the game media by the largest exchange unit and dividing the remainder by the next largest exchange unit. . This is transferred to the premium dispenser 8 via the interface 123. Child management machine 12
Is transferred to the parent management machine 13 and used for stock management of the prize.

The prize dispenser 8 includes a prize dispensing mechanism 83 for dispensing a prize, and a control unit 8 for controlling the operation of the prize dispensing mechanism 83.
1. An interface 82 that mediates data transfer between the control unit 81 and the management device 12. The control unit 81 is constituted by a microprocessor,
The type and number of the prize specified by 2 are determined, and the prize discharging mechanism 83 is controlled to discharge the specified number of prizes of the specified type.

Next, a procedure for exchanging prizes at the unmanned counter 6 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the premium exchange person inserts a card into the insertion slot 9a of the card processing machine 9 (step S21). Then, a card insertion detection signal is sent from the sensor S1 provided in the MC unit of the card processor 9 to the control unit 91.
Emitted to Upon receiving the card insertion detection, the control unit 91 activates the card loading mechanism 93 and causes the card writing / reading mechanism 94 to read the recorded data such as the count value of the game media recorded on the card. The read record data is taken into the RAM. If there is no error in the recording state, this recording data is transferred to the management device 12 (step S22). The control unit 91 operates the data erasing mechanism 95 to erase the recorded data on the card and make it reusable. The card is conveyed to the cassette box 9d after the print display field is deleted, and is collected. On the other hand, if there is an error in the recording status of the card,
This card is collected in the reject box 9e, and the control unit 91 notifies the attendant that the abnormal card has been collected.
The card processor 9 transfers the read record data to the management machine 12 every time a card is inserted. After finishing inserting the card, the prize exchange person presses the end button (step S23). The pressing of the end switch 9b is transferred to the management device 12 via the control unit 91. Control unit 12 of management machine 12
When the end switch 9b is instructed to be pressed, the recording data 1 is stored in a group of received recording data. When it is determined from the number of read recording data that a plurality of cards have been inserted (step S24), the division number is corrected.

The correction of the division number is performed, for example, by accumulating the number of remainders for each card, and when the accumulated value exceeds the minimum number of prize exchange units, for example, 20 prize balls, the division number is 1 per minimum minimum prize exchange unit number.
Add. In addition, the correction of the division number is the total number of balls c per card.
, The divided value is divided by the minimum number of exchange units to obtain a division number and a remainder, and the calculated division number is set as a new division number (step S25).

After the correction of the division is completed, or when it is determined from the number of read recording data that only one card has been inserted (step S24), for example, the division of the recording data or the designated premium Are transferred to the premium dispenser 8 (step S26). The prize dispenser 8 projects prizes according to the number of divisions or the type and number of designated prizes (step S27). The transaction data in the prize exchange is transferred from the child management device 12 to the parent management device 13 in order to perform unified inventory management in the parent management device 13 (step S28).

Thus, the prize exchange in the unmanned counter is performed.

FIG. 20 shows a control system of the prize dispensing machine 8, the card processing machine 9, the ball returning machine 10, the barcode scanner 11, and the parent management machine 13 in the manned counter 7.

The card loading mechanism 93, the card writing / reading mechanism 94, and the data erasing mechanism 95 of the card processor 9 are controlled by a control unit 91 constituted by a microprocessor. This microprocessor is an RO (not shown)
Each mechanism is controlled according to the control program stored in M, and read data is temporarily stored in a RAM (not shown).
When the insertion end switch 96 is operated by the premium exchange person, an insertion end command is transferred to the management device 13 via the interface 92.

The management unit 13 includes a control unit 13d including a microprocessor (not shown), a ROM storing a control program, a RAM storing prize exchange information and the like, a prize name,
A large-sized keyboard 13c for inputting the number and the like, a large-sized display 13b for displaying operation contents of the keyboard 13c and information relating to prize exchange, an interface 13f for performing signal conversion of data, and the like are provided. The recording data transferred from the card processor 9 is temporarily stored in the RAM of the control unit 13d via the interface 13f. Management machine 13
The controller 13d of, for example, when the exchange to the prize stored in the prize dispenser 8 is instructed by the attendant, divides the count value of the game media by the larger exchange unit, and the remainder is Divide by the largest exchange unit,
Find the type and number of prizes stored. This is transferred to the premium projector 8 via the interface 13f. Further, information on the prize exchange performed in the child management device 12 is transferred to the parent management device 13 via the interface 13f,
It is used for prize inventory management and the like.

The prize dispensing machine 8 includes a prize dispensing mechanism 83 for dispensing a prize, and a control unit 8 for controlling the operation of the prize dispensing mechanism 83.
1 and an interface 82 that mediates data transfer with the management machine 12. The control unit 81 is constituted by a microprocessor, determines the type and number of prizes specified by the management machine 12, controls the prize discharging mechanism 83, and discharges the specified number of prizes of the specified type.

Next, a procedure for exchanging prizes in the manned counter 7 will be described with reference to FIG. In the manned counter 7, the key switch 1 of the management machine 13 shown in FIG.
The position of 3a is manually selected. When the key switch 13a is set at the manual position, it is possible to input a prize name, the number, and the like from the large keyboard 13c shown in FIG.
Information about the operation of the keyboard 13c and information about prize exchange are displayed on the large display 13b shown in FIG. Read data such as a read count value is transferred from the card processor 9 or the barcode scanner 11 to the parent management machine 13.

First, the clerk instructs the keyboard to select either the input from the card processor 9 or the input from the barcode scanner 11 (step S41). With the card processing machine 9 selected, the premium exchange person inserts the card into the insertion slot 9a of the card processing machine 9 (step S42). Then, a card insertion detection signal is transmitted to the control unit 91 from the sensor S1 provided in the MC unit of the card processing machine 9. Upon receiving the card insertion detection, the control unit 91 activates the card loading mechanism 93, and causes the card writing / reading mechanism 94 to read the recorded data such as the count value of the game media recorded on the card. The read record data is stored in the R
It is taken in AM. If there is no error in the recording state, the recorded contents are transferred to the management device 13 (step S43).
The control unit 91 operates the data erasing mechanism 95 to erase the recorded data on the card and make it reusable. The card is conveyed to the cassette box 9d after the magnetic stripe portion and the print display section are erased, and is collected. On the other hand, if there is an error in the recording state of the card, the card is collected in the reject box 9e, and the control unit 91 notifies the staff that the abnormal card has been collected. The card processor 9 transfers the read record data to the management machine 13 every time a card is inserted. After completing the insertion of the card, the prize exchange person presses the end button (step S44).

When the input from the barcode scanner 11 is selected (step S41), when the clerk causes the scanner 11 to read the receipt received from the prize exchanger, the recording data from the barcode scanner 11 is stored in the management machine. 13 (step S45).

When it is determined from the number of read recording data that a plurality of cards have been inserted (step S46), the division is corrected as described above. For example, the remainder of each card is integrated, and if the integrated value exceeds the division number, a division number generated by integrating the remainder is added to the integrated value of the division number of each card to obtain a new division number. The part where the integrated value of the remainder does not exceed the division is stored as a new remainder (step S47).

The clerk presses the end key on the keyboard 13c when ending the input of the premium to be exchanged into the management machine 13. If the end key is not pressed (step S48), the designation of the prize to be exchanged can be repeated until the division, which is the minimum unit of prize exchange, becomes 0 (step S49). The attendant asks the customer for the type and number of the desired prize, and inputs this from the keyboard 13c. Each time the type and number of prizes are input from the keyboard 13c, the control unit 13d of the management device refers to the quotient corresponding to (prize x number) with reference to the quotient for each prize stored in the memory in advance. Calculate and subtract this from the fraction of the read data. The details of such prize exchange are displayed on the display 13b by the control unit 13d (step S50). The input operation is
This can be repeated until the remaining divisor becomes "0" (steps S48 to S50).

When the end key is pressed by the attendant (step S48) or the remaining divisor becomes "0" (step S49), the input of the prize ends, and the process shifts to the exchange by handing the prize (step S51). ). When the designated prize is a thing stored in the prize dispensing machine 8 (step S52), the management machine 13 transmits the prize to be dispensed and the number thereof (step S53). Prize dispenser 8
In accordance with this command, the designated prizes are thrown out in a designated number (step S54). If the designated prize is not stored in the prize dispenser 8 (step S5
2), prizes are exchanged only by handing.

In this manner, the prize exchange at the manned counter is performed.

Next, the error checking operation of the card in the card processor will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 22 and 23. A function for performing a card error check can be selectively added to the card processor 9.
In such a case, the card processing machine 9 includes the OCR head OH and the OCR head as shown in FIG.
The OCR means 97 is constituted by a program (not shown) for judging a character or the like from the result of reading by the head. In addition, a mode setting unit 98 is provided for setting an initialization mode for initializing a card, which will be described later, and an operation mode for performing a normal operation by using a dip switch or the like. Control unit 9
A control program including a data collating means 91a as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 23 is added to the control program of FIG. The ROM 91b of the control unit 91, which is constituted by, for example, an E ² P-ROM, stores magnetic recording test data and print test data. As these test data, various patterns such as a fixed character string, a lattice pattern, and a dot row are prepared, and any one of them is selected in advance or these patterns are used in combination.

The operation of the control section 91 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the prize exchange person inserts the card into the card insertion slot 9a, the magnetic card part MC
The card is detected by the sensor S1. When the insertion of the card is detected, the roller pair R
The card take-in mechanism of the magnetic card unit MC constituted by R1 and R2 is driven (step S71). When the mode setting means 98 is set to the operation mode, a normal processing routine is performed (step S72), and the recording data such as the number of game media and the date of card issuance recorded on the magnetic stripe of the card are recorded by the recording / reproducing head RW. It is read (step S73). The read data is transferred to the management residue 13 via the control unit 91. The management residue 13 determines whether there is an error in the data content, for example, whether the date of card issuance coincides with the date of exchange of a prize, whether the card number matches the registration number of the file register, and the like.
To communicate. When the data abnormality is transmitted (step S
74), the control unit 91 displays the details of the abnormality on the display 9c to call attention of the card inserter and the attendant (step S84). In addition, a warning sound is generated if necessary. The card determined to have an abnormality in the recording data is a roller pair R2.
To R5 are driven and collected in the reject box 9e (step S85).

If there is no abnormality in the data recorded on the card (step S74), since the data recorded on the card has already been stored in the management machine, a test is performed to check whether the card can be reused. I do. First, the recording data of the magnetic stripe is erased by the write head while rotating the pair of rollers R1 and R2 in the reverse direction to return the card, the pair of rollers R1 and R2 are rotated forward, and the test data stored in the ROM 91b is read and recorded. Writing is performed on the magnetic stripe by the reproducing head RW (step S75). The card pair is reversed by rotating the roller pairs R1 and R2 in the reverse direction, and the test data recorded by the recording / reproducing head RW is read by rotating the card forward (step S76). The read test data is
Transferred from the card writing / reading mechanism 94 to the control unit 91,
It is checked whether the data matches the test data held in the OM 91b (step S77). As a result of the collation, when they do not match, it is determined that there is a physical abnormality in the magnetic stripe of the card, so that the above-mentioned abnormality display is performed (step S84), and the card is collected in the reject box 9e (step S85). If there is no abnormality in the test data recorded on the card (step S77), the magnetic stripe is initialized by the recording / reproducing head RW while moving the card (step S78).

Next, an error check of the coloring function for displaying characters and the like in the print column of the card is performed. First, the controller 91 rotates the pair of rollers R3, R4, RL2, and RL2 in the normal direction, moves the card to the erasing head IH, and erases the print field of the card. After erasure, the roller pairs R3, R4, RL2 and RL
The two cards are reversed, and the print field of the card is returned to the write head SR. The test data for printing is read out from the ROM 91b, applied to the write head SR, and the test pattern for printing is written in the print column of the card while sending the card in the forward direction (step S79). This print column is OCR head OH
And characters and patterns are identified by the OCR function 97 (step S80). The identification result or the line information that is sequentially read and the held test data are collated to determine the degree of coincidence of the data (step S81). If it is determined that they do not match, a display corresponding to the content of the abnormality is performed (step S84), and the card is collected in the reject box 9e (step S84).
85).

If it is determined that the collation data match (step S81), the card is sent to the erasing head IH,
The test pattern recorded in the print column of the card is erased and the card is initialized (step S8) in order to use the card again.
3). When the pair of rollers R4 and RL2 is rotated forward and the card is passed through the erasing head IH, the sensor S4 detects that the card is taken into the cassette box 9d for collecting the card. Then, the pickup roller PR is driven, the card is taken into the cassette box 9d, and the card is stored at a predetermined position (step S83).

On the other hand, when checking or initializing the card stored in the reject box, the mode is set to initialization by a staff member. Then, the process moves to step S75 in step S72. as a result,
Only the physical recording / reproducing test of the card and the processing corresponding to the initialization are performed (steps S75 to S85), and the reusable card is stored in the cassette box 9b.

In this way, those cards having poor physical recording characteristics are excluded from reuse, and only cards that are not suitable for reuse due to scratches, dirt, deterioration of recording characteristics, etc. are removed.

[0072]

As described above, the card processor according to the present invention tests the physical recording characteristics of the recovered reusable card to determine whether or not the card can be reused. Of the cards determined to be abnormal due to the discrimination of the data contents, those cards that can be reused originally do not have to be discarded. In addition, it is preferable that the card to be used again is discarded earlier before the limit of use, and the reliability of data recording is secured, as compared with the case where the reliability of the card is judged based on the number of times of repeated use of the card.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining the inside of a game hall.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a prize exchange system in a game arcade.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a game in a game arcade.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a ball counter.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a medal counting machine.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a card / receipt issuing machine.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the structure of a card / receipt issuing machine.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a card.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control system of a counter and a card / receipt issuing machine.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a card / receipt issuing procedure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of a premium exchange counter.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of a card processing machine.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the structure of a card processing machine.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an example of a premium dispensing machine.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an example of a management device.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a keyboard of the management device.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a display device of the management device.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system of each device in the unmanned counter.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a procedure for exchanging prizes in an unmanned counter.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system in a manned counter.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a procedure for exchanging prizes in a manned counter.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing the structure of a card processor having a card test function.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a card test in the card processor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Medal gaming machine 2 Pachinko gaming machine 3 Medal counting machine 4 Card / receipt issuing machine 5 Ball counting machine 8 Premium dispensing machine 9 Card processing machine 10 Ball returning machine 11 Barcode scanner 12 Child management machine 13 Parent management machine

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A card processor for reading a recorded content of a card by taking in a reusable card which records at least the number of game media obtained by a customer, comprising: Test data storage means stored in advance; recording means for writing the test data on the card; reading means for reading the test data from the card on which the test data is written and outputting read test data; And a data collating means for collating the stored test data with the read test data. 2. The card processor according to claim 1, wherein said card taken in based on a result of the comparison by said comparison means is selected and collected. 3. An initialization means for initializing an information recording area of a tested card when the collation between the stored test data and the read test data coincides with each other, and loading the initialized card into a cassette. 2. The card processing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a card taking-in means for collecting the card into a storage container.