JP4255023B2 - Card management system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a card management system that manages a balance of a predetermined value that can be used in gaming equipment such as a lending machine that lends pachinko balls for each card that is used in the gaming equipment.

  At game stores such as pachinko halls, a membership card is issued to a player who has applied for membership registration, and this membership card is used for customer management and improvement of membership services. There are two ways to use a membership card: when you visit a store, when you play with a gaming machine, insert the membership card into a gaming equipment such as a ballroom lending machine that is installed alongside the gaming machine. There is a form to get.

  In any form, payment of the rental fee of the game medium is basically performed using cash or a prepaid card. Therefore, in the case of the latter form, a member player inserts two types of cards, a member card and a prepaid card, into a gaming facility device such as a ball machine and plays a game. In addition, when moving to another gaming machine, both the membership card and the prepaid card are extracted and set in the destination device to play a game.

  In order to reduce the burden on member players related to the management of these two types of cards, the member card is presented at the time of purchase of the prepaid card, and the member code read from this member card is the card ID of the prepaid card issued this time. There has been proposed a gaming system in which a player's member can be specified simply by setting a prepaid card after registration (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-54668 A

  In the above gaming system, you can enjoy playing as a member just by using a prepaid card without using a membership card, but when you purchase a prepaid card, you can purchase a membership card, purchase price, issued prepaid card You have to manage many things, such as change. This puts a lot of burden on the members, and it is easy to forget to take change, membership cards or prepaid cards.

  Also, since the purchased prepaid card stores the information of the member card, it has not been possible to easily dispose of the used prepaid card in order to prevent information leakage. For this reason, the member has to manage the used prepaid card, and there is a problem that the burden on the member player related to the card management increases.

The present invention is for the problem to be solved the above problems, providing a card management system that can of reducing the burden of the player involved in the management of a plurality of types of cards used in the game equipment It is intended to do.

The invention according to claim 1 is for each card used by setting a gaming facility device (10) and a predetermined value balance available in the gaming facility device (10) in the gaming facility device (10). A management device (100) for managing
The card is a contactless wireless card using an electromagnetic field,
The gaming equipment includes a first read / write device and a second read / write device disposed adjacent to the first read / write device as the card read / write device, and the directivities of the antenna portions of these read / write devices are different from each other. When the card is inserted into each of the first and second read / write devices, read / write by non-contact of the card is performed in each of the first and second read / write devices,
When the card (81, 85) is set in each of the first and second read / write devices of one gaming equipment (10), the management device (100) is associated with these cards. The total balance is summed, the total balance is registered in association with one of the set cards (85), and the balances associated with the remaining cards (81) are set to zero.
This is a card management system.

According to the above invention, when a card (81, 85) is set in each of the first and second read / write devices of one gaming equipment (10), these cards (81, 85) The balances associated with are collected on any one of the cards (85). Identification information such as a card number is registered in the card. The management device (100) stores and manages the card identification information and the balance information of the card in association with each other. For example, a plurality of gaming equipment (10) may be connected to the management apparatus (100), and information related to cards may be centrally managed by one management apparatus (100). The balance information may be recorded on each card, and when the management device (100) cannot be used due to a failure or the like, the balance may be used based on the information recorded on the card.

The cards (81, 85) set in the first and second read / write devices may be the same type of card or different types of cards.

Moreover, according to the said invention, the directivity of the antenna part (43, 62) of the 1st, 2nd read / write apparatus (40, 60) arrange | positioned adjacently is set to a mutually different direction. Usually, the directivity of the antenna unit (43, 62) of the read / write device (40, 60) is set in order to efficiently transmit power and signals to the contactless wireless card set at a fixed position. It is set in the direction of the contactless wireless card.

Therefore, by setting the directivities of the antenna units (43, 62) of the first and second read / write devices (40, 60) to be different from each other, the antenna units of the read / write devices (40, 60) are set. The influence of the electromagnetic field generated by (43, 62) on signal reception in the non-contact wireless card set in the adjacent read / write device (40, 60) or in the adjacent read / write device (40, 60) is reduced. This makes it possible to reduce the interval between adjacent read / write devices (40, 60).

  In the invention according to claim 2, the directivities of the antenna portions of the first and second read / write devices are different from each other by 90 degrees.
  The card management system according to claim 1.

  According to the said invention, the directivity of the antenna part (43, 62) of a 1st, 2nd read / write apparatus (40, 60) is set to the direction which is hard to receive an influence from each other.

In the invention according to claim 3 , the card includes a membership card (85) in which the owner is registered and a visitor card (81) in which the user is unspecified,
In the management device (100) , a visitor card (81) is set on one of the first and second read / write devices of one gaming equipment (10) , and a membership card (85) is set on the other. The card management system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the balance of the visitor card (81) is collected on the membership card (85).

  According to the above invention, the balance of the visitor card (81) is collected on the membership card (85).

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the gaming equipment (10) accepts input of authentication information for authenticating the owner of the membership card (85) when the membership card (85) is set, and the membership card (85). The identification information of the membership card (85) read from (85) and the received authentication information are transmitted to the management device (100),
The management device (100) authenticates the owner of the membership card (85) based on the identification information and authentication information sent from the gaming equipment (10), and when the authentication is successful, the membership card The use of the balance registered in association with (85) is permitted, and when the authentication fails, the use of the balance registered in association with the membership card (85) is prohibited. A card management system according to claim 3 .

  According to the above invention, the gaming equipment device (10) requests the owner's authentication information when using the membership card (85) and authenticates the owner with the management device (100) based on the input authentication information. When authentication fails, the use of the balance registered in association with the membership card (85) is prohibited. Since it is inquired from the gaming equipment (10) to the management device (100) whether or not it is a genuine owner, authentication information can be centrally managed by the management device (100).

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the gaming equipment device (10) includes a card accommodating portion (41) capable of accommodating a plurality of visitor cards (81), and the set balance of the visitor cards (81) is zero. The card management system according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the visitor card (81) is collected in the card accommodation unit (41).

  According to the said invention, the visitor card | curd (81) from which the balance became zero is collect | recovered by the card accommodating part (41) which a game equipment device (10) has.

According invention in claim 6, the game equipment (10) includes a plurality can accommodate card accommodating portion visitor card (81) comprises a (41), a visitor card feeding from the card accommodating section (41) ( 81) is issued. The card management system according to claim 5 , wherein:

  According to the said invention, a new visitor card (81) is issued from the card accommodating part (41) which game equipment (10) has. By providing both the collecting function and the issuing function, the collected visitor card (81) can be recycled as a newly issued visitor card (81).

The invention according to claim 7 is the card management according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the card accommodation portion (41) accommodates the visitor cards (81) stacked in the vertical direction in a horizontal state. System.

  According to the said invention, a visitor card | curd (81) is laminated | stacked by the perpendicular direction in a horizontal state, and is accommodated in a card | curd accommodating part (41). Even in a gaming facility device (10) having a strict restriction on the lateral width, such as an interbank ball lending machine installed in a gap between the gaming machine and the gaming machine, by extending the card accommodating portion (41) in the vertical direction, It is possible to increase the number of stored visitor cards (81).

In the invention according to claim 8 , the front surface of the gaming equipment (10) is rectangular,
The card accommodating section (41), according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that they contain by stacking visitor card (81) with its surface becomes the longitudinal direction and vertical front forming the rectangular Card management system.

  According to the said invention, a visitor card (81) is laminated | stacked in the state in which the surface is perpendicular | vertical to the long side direction of the front surface of a game equipment device (10), and is accommodated in a card accommodating part (41). Even in the gaming facility equipment (10), where the length of the front side in the short side direction is severely limited, it is possible to increase the number of sheets that can be accommodated.

Invention, the first read-write device the visitor card, according to claim 3, wherein the second read-write device is characterized in that a device for the read-write the membership card dedicated respectively according to claim 9 The card management system according to 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 .

According to the card management system that involved the present invention, first, when the card is set in each of the second read-write device, the balance associated with the these cards with the one game equipment of Are collected on any one card, so that the burden on the player concerning the management of a plurality of types of cards can be reduced.

  When a membership card and a visitor card are set, the balance of the visitor card is aggregated into the membership card. Since the balance is aggregated into the membership card indispensable for the member, the member can only use one member card. It is sufficient to manage the card, and the burden on the member player related to card management can be minimized.

  When using a membership card that requires authentication of the owner, even if the membership card is lost, the balance cannot be used by another person, thus improving security. It is also possible to reissue the membership card by reproducing the registration information at the time of loss. In particular, if the visitor card balance is consolidated into a membership card, the security related to the balance is improved.

  In the case where the visitor cards are stacked in the vertical direction in a horizontal state and are stored in the card storage unit, a gaming facility with a strict limit on the width, such as a table machine installed in the gap between the gaming machine and the gaming machine Also in the device, it is possible to increase the number of visitor cards accommodated by extending the card accommodating portion in the vertical direction. Similarly, in the case where a visitor card is stacked in a state in which the face is perpendicular to the long side direction of the front surface of the gaming machine equipment and is stored in the card storage portion, a game in which the length in the short side direction of the front surface is severely limited Also in the facility equipment, the number of sheets that can be accommodated can be increased by stacking and accommodating the non-contact wireless cards in the long side direction of the front surface.

Since the card is a non-contact type wireless card using an electromagnetic field, each read / write device is generated by the adjacent read / write device by setting the directivities of the antenna portions of the adjacent read / write devices to different directions. It becomes difficult to be influenced by the electromagnetic field to be applied, and adjacent read / write devices can be arranged close to each other. In particular, when the directivities of the antenna portions of adjacent read / write devices are different from each other by 90 degrees, the influence of the electromagnetic field generated by each read / write device on the adjacent read / write device is minimized.

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

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the state of installation of the gaming facility device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention in the game hall. Inside the amusement hall, a large number of pachinko machines 3 as gaming machines and a set of gaming equipment 10 that lends pachinko balls (game media) used in the pachinko machines 3 to the players are arranged side by side. A gaming machine island 4 accommodated on both sides is provided. In addition, a management device 100 described later is installed in the management room of the game hall. The gaming machine 3 and the gaming equipment device 10 accommodated in the gaming machine island 4 are connected to the management device 100 through a network not shown.

  In each gaming machine island 4, the interval between adjacent pachinko machines 3 is 40 mm, and the gaming equipment 10 is stored in this narrow space. The game equipment 10 sends a pachinko ball payout signal to the combined pachinko machine 3, and the pachinko machine 3 that receives the pachinko ball discharges the pachinko ball to the upper plate 5 of its own so-called CR sand machine. It is configured as.

  The gaming equipment 10 can handle two types of cards, a visitor card and a membership card, as a card for managing the player's lending price and monetary value. Each of these cards is a contactless wireless card and has a function of storing information in a rewritable manner.

  The visitor card is a prepaid card that does not specify a user and can receive a pachinko ball lending for the balance registered in association with the card. The visitor card is a so-called recycle card that can be used many times by rewriting data. The visitor card is collected when the balance is exhausted and reused as a newly issued visitor card.

  The membership card is a card associated with the owner's member on a one-to-one basis, and the player's member is specified by inserting it into the gaming equipment device 10. By inserting a membership card, it becomes possible to use the balance and savings held by the member. Use of a membership card requires authentication of the owner with a PIN. Further, the card number is engraved on the membership card.

  FIG. 3 shows the front surface (front surface) of the gaming equipment device 10. The gaming equipment 10 has a rectangular front surface and is installed such that the short sides of the rectangle are horizontal. On the front surface of the gaming equipment 10, in order from top to bottom, a status display lamp 11, a bill insertion / extraction port 12, a frequency display unit 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, and a light receiving unit 16 , A key hole 17, a visitor card confirmation LED 18, a visitor card insertion slot 19, a membership card confirmation LED 20, and a membership card insertion slot 21 are provided.

  The status display lamp 11 is a lamp that displays the operating status of the gaming equipment device 10. The banknote insertion / ejection port 12 is an opening for inserting a banknote that is used for lending a pachinko ball and returning the inserted banknote. The frequency display unit 13 is a display unit for displaying the balance of the card in use. The display unit 14 is a display unit that displays various types of information such as the number of replays that can be used for storing money and member information.

  The operation unit 15 includes a numeric keypad and other input keys for inputting an amount used for lending, a personal identification number, and the like from the balance of the card. The light receiving unit 16 is a light receiving window for receiving an optical signal transmitted from a remote controller operated by a game hall attendant. The key hole 17 is a key hole for inserting a key for releasing a lock mechanism for fixing the gaming equipment device 10 to the gaming machine island 4 so that the gaming equipment device 10 cannot be pulled out.

  The visitor card confirmation LED 18 is a lamp for displaying the status of the visitor card. The visitor card insertion port 19 is an opening through which visitor cards are inserted and discharged. The visitor card insertion slot 19 is opened in a rectangular shape elongated in the horizontal direction so that the visitor card is inserted in a horizontal state. In other words, the visitor card insertion slot 19 is opened in a rectangular shape that is elongated in the direction of the short side of the front surface of the gaming facility device 10.

  The membership card confirmation LED 20 is a lamp for displaying the status of the membership card. The membership card insertion slot 21 is an opening through which membership cards are inserted and discharged. The membership card insertion slot 21 is opened in a vertically elongated rectangular shape so that the membership card is inserted vertically.

  FIG. 4 shows the left side surface of the gaming equipment device 10. Inside the gaming equipment 10 are housed a bill discriminator 31 that determines the authenticity and amount of bills inserted, and control boards 32 and 33 that perform various controls relating to payout. In addition, an external output terminal plate 34 for sending a payout signal to the pachinko machine 3 and transmitting / receiving data related to sales, member information, etc. to the management device 100 is provided on the back of the gaming equipment 10. It is provided.

  At a position corresponding to the visitor card insertion slot 19, a first read / write device 40 that performs a read / write function for the visitor card and a function for stocking the visitor card is attached. A second read / write device 60 is provided at a position corresponding to the member card insertion slot 21 to read and write information from / to the member card. A card control board 37 for controlling these operations is provided below the first read / write device 40 and behind the second read / write device 60.

  FIG. 5 shows the appearance of the visitor card. The visitor card 81 has a flat rectangular shape with a thickness of several millimeters. The planar shape of the visitor card 81 is, for example, a rectangular short side (width) of about 25 mm and a long side (length) of about 60 mm. . The visitor card 81 includes an IC tag 82 and an antenna 83 that operate by receiving electromagnetic power from outside. The IC tag 82 is a wireless IC tag using an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) method. The antenna 83 is a loop antenna that circulates around an antenna line.

  The IC tag 82 includes a power generation unit (not shown), a communication unit, a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and a CPU (central processing unit). The IC tag has a function of writing received data to a non-volatile memory, or reading data stored in the non-volatile memory and wirelessly transmitting the data.

  In the IC tag 82 of the visitor card 81, a card ID, a balance, the number of times of rewriting, a ticket issue number, and a machine number are recorded. The card ID is unique identification information assigned to the IC tag by the manufacturer of the IC tag, and a serial number at the time of manufacture is used. The card ID cannot be rewritten. The number of rewrites indicates the total number of times data is rewritten by this visitor card. Since the visitor card has a fixed number of times of rewriting, the visitor card replacement time is managed by grasping the total number of times of rewriting.

  The ticket issue number is a unique identification number assigned by the management device 100 to each visitor card issued at this amusement hall on the day. For example, a serial number representing the ticket issue order is used. The machine number is a unique identification number assigned to the gaming equipment device 10. In the visitor card, the machine number of the gaming equipment 10 in which the visitor card is set is recorded. The machine number recorded on the visitor card is rewritten every time a game medium is lent out.

  FIG. 6 shows the appearance of the membership card. The membership card 85 has a flat rectangular shape with a thickness of several millimeters. The planar shape of the member card 85 is, for example, about 40 mm for the short side (width) of the rectangle and about 60 mm for the long side (length). . As with the visitor card 81, the member card 85 includes an antenna 87 and an RFID IC tag 86. The antenna 87 is a loop antenna that circulates around an antenna line. The IC tag 86 of the member card 85 records a member number, a balance, a stored ball and other member information.

  FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration of the first read / write device 40 and the second read / write device 60. The first read / write device 40 includes a card accommodating portion 41 that accommodates the visitor cards 81 in a stacked state in a state where the surface of the visitor card 81 is perpendicular to the long side direction of the front surface of the gaming machine equipment 10. Further, the first read / write device 40 is provided in the middle of the transport path, and a transport section 42 that transports the visitor card 81 straightly in a horizontal state between the visitor card insertion slot 19 and the card storage section 41. And an antenna 43.

  The card accommodating portion 41 constitutes a space for stacking and accommodating the visitor cards 81 in a state (here, a horizontal state) in which the face is perpendicular to the long side direction of the front surface forming the rectangle of the gaming equipment device 10. A side wall and a ceiling, and the lower part is open.

  The conveying path of the conveying unit 42 is arranged at an open lower part of the card accommodating part 41 and substantially forms the bottom of the card accommodating part 41. The idling roller 44 and the feeding roller 45, the card accommodating part 41 and the visitor card insertion slot 19 and a pair of conveying rollers 46 and 47 arranged at a predetermined interval. Above each of the conveying rollers 46 and 47, pinch rollers 46a and 47a for pressing and pressing the upper surfaces of the upper surfaces with springs are provided.

  The conveying rollers 46 and 47 and the feeding roller 45 are rotationally driven by a motor 48 through gears, pulleys, and timing belts. When the motor 48 is driven to rotate forward, the visitor card 81 is transported from the visitor card insertion port 19 toward the card accommodation portion 41, and when driven reversely, the visitor card 81 is conveyed from the card accommodation portion 41 toward the visitor card insertion port 19. .

  In the middle of the transport path, first to third card sensors 51 to 53 for detecting the presence and position of the visitor card 81 to be transported are provided. These are transmissive optical sensors in which a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit are arranged to face each other.

  A card raising mechanism 54 that pushes up the visitor card 81 accommodated in the card accommodating portion 41 is provided at the lower portion of the card accommodating portion 41. The card raising mechanism 54 is driven by a solenoid 55, and while the solenoid 55 is turned on, the visitor card 81 accommodated in the card accommodating portion 41 is pushed upward to form a state where it does not come into contact with the feeding roller 45. ing. By pushing up the visitor card 81 accommodated in the card accommodating portion 41 by the card raising mechanism 54, the visitor card 81 is unnecessarily paid out from the card accommodating portion 41 while the motor 48 is driven, or the feeding roller 45 is The visitor card 81 is prevented from being rubbed and damaged unnecessarily.

  An antenna 43 is installed above the conveyance path between the conveyance roller 46 and the conveyance roller 47. The position directly below the antenna 43 is an access position for the first read / write device 40 to read / write information from / to the visitor card 81.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view of the antenna 43 as viewed from above. The antenna 43 is a coiled loop antenna that circulates the antenna wire 56 as shown in the figure, and is installed so that the surface of the loop is horizontal (opposite the visitor card 81 stopped at the access position). Yes.

  When a current is passed through the antenna 43 in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 8 (clockwise), a magnetic field (magnetic field, electromagnetic wave) B is generated according to the right-handed screw law.

  9 is a CC cross section of the antenna 43 shown in FIG. Near the center of the antenna 43, the magnetic field B is directed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the loop surface. That is, the magnetic field B generated by the antenna 43 has directivity in a direction substantially perpendicular to the loop surface near the center of the antenna 43. Since the antenna 43 is installed so that the loop surface is horizontal, the magnetic field B generated by the antenna 43 has directivity in the vertical direction (vertical direction).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the second read / write device 60 has a card detection switch 61 for detecting that the member card 85 has been inserted up to a fixed position, an antenna 62, and the inserted member card 85 at a fixed position. And a leaf spring 63 to be fixed.

  The antenna 62 is a coiled loop antenna in which an antenna wire is circulated similarly to the antenna 43 of the first read / write device 40. The antenna 62 is arranged so that the loop surface is vertical, and the generated magnetic field has directivity in the horizontal direction near the center of the antenna 62, and is directed to the antenna 43 of the first read / write device 40. The characteristics are set to be 90 degrees different.

  In this way, by providing a read / write device for each type of card, three types of card-type gaming equipment with both membership card, visitor card, and both functions can be realized without major specification changes. It becomes possible to change the specification to other types even from. As a result, even if the specification is changed or the additional specification is changed even if it is once installed in the amusement hall, it is possible to easily cope with the specification change by preparing an exchange unit or an additional unit of the read / write device. In addition, the insertion slot for the membership card and the visitor card is prepared for each, and the shape and direction thereof are different, so that erroneous insertion of the card is prevented.

  FIG. 10 is a principle diagram showing the positional relationship between the visitor card 81 and the antenna 83 set at the access position of the first read / write device 40 and the state of the magnetic field. The shape and size of each antenna shown in FIG. 10 are adjusted as appropriate to explain the principle.

  Due to the change in the magnetic field B generated by the antenna 43 of the first read / write device 40, a phenomenon (electromagnetic induction) opposite to the right-handed screw law shown in FIG. An induced electromotive force is generated and current flows. The magnitude of the induced electromotive force generated in a circuit is proportional to the rate at which the number of magnetic fluxes passing through the circuit changes per unit time. The number of magnetic fluxes is a vertical component of the magnetic flux passing through the surface formed by the circuit. Therefore, when the magnetic field B generated by the antenna 43 of the first read / write device 40 and the card-side antenna loop surface are orthogonal to each other, the efficiency of electromagnetic induction is best, and the magnetic field B and the card-side antenna The electromagnetic induction efficiency becomes the worst when the positional relationship is parallel to the loop surface.

  The antenna 43 of the first read / write device 40 and the antenna 83 of the visitor card 81 have the antenna loop surfaces facing each other in parallel at the access position, and the antenna 43 of the first read / write device 40 generates The magnetic field B crosses the loop of the antenna 83 of the visitor card 81 so as to be orthogonal to the plane of the loop. As described above, in such a positional relationship, the antenna 83 of the visitor card 81 is relatively efficiently operated by electromagnetic induction (mutual induction action) based on the change of the magnetic field B generated by the antenna 43 of the first read / write device 40. An induced electromotive force is generated and current flows. That is, the power and signal sent from the first read / write device 40 are efficiently transmitted to the visitor card 81 through the magnetic field B.

  On the other hand, the membership card 85 and its antenna 87 set in the second read / write device 60 are in a positional relationship indicated by a broken line in FIG. 10 with respect to the antenna 43 of the first read / write device 40. That is, the loop surface of the antenna 43 of the first read / write device 40 and the loop surface of the antenna 87 of the membership card 85 are in a perpendicular relationship, and the magnetic field generated by the antenna 43 of the first read / write device 40. B hardly traverses the loop of the antenna 87 of the membership card 85. In such a positional relationship, almost no induced electromotive force is generated in the antenna 87 of the member card 85 due to electromagnetic induction (mutual induction) by the magnetic field B generated by the antenna 43 of the first read / write device 40, and current flows. Absent.

  That is, the direction of the antenna 83 of the visitor card 81 is the most efficient direction for electromagnetic induction based on the magnetic field B generated by the antenna 43 of the first read / write device 40 (the mutual inductance is maximized). The 85 antennas 87 are in the direction of the least efficient (the mutual inductance is the smallest).

  Similarly, the antenna 62 of the second read / write device 60 and the antenna 87 of the membership card 85 set on the second read / write device 60 are arranged so that their loop surfaces face each other in parallel and electromagnetic induction (mutual induction action). ) For the most efficient positional relationship. On the other hand, the antenna 62 of the second read / write device 60 and the antenna 83 of the visitor card 81 set in the first read / write device 40 are orthogonal to each other in the plane of the loop, which is the most efficient for electromagnetic induction (mutual induction). It is in a bad position relationship.

  As described above, the antenna 43 of the first read / write device 40 and the antenna 62 of the second read / write device 60 are different in directivity by 90 degrees, and the influence of the electromagnetic field (mutual inductive action) is the most mutually. The position is difficult to receive. As a result, the first read / write device 40 and the second read / write device 60 can be arranged close to each other without being easily affected by the other generated electromagnetic field.

  In addition, since the first read / write device 40 is arranged in such a direction that the visitor cards 81 accommodated in the card accommodating portion 41 are stacked in the vertical direction in a horizontal state, the gaming facility equipment having severe restrictions on the lateral width 10, a large number of visitor cards 81 can be accommodated by extending the card accommodating portion 41 in the vertical direction.

  FIG. 11 shows an electrical configuration of the gaming equipment device 10. The control boards 32 and 33 are mainly composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory). Moreover, the control boards 32 and 33 are provided with the function of the communication part 35 for communicating with the pachinko machine 3 and the management apparatus 100 which were combined.

  A banknote discriminator 31, a display operation unit 36, a light receiving unit 16, and a card control board 37 are connected to the control boards 32 and 33. The display operation unit 36 in this figure is a simplified representation of the status display lamp 11, the frequency display unit 13, the display unit 14, the operation unit 15, the visitor card confirmation LED 18, and the member card confirmation LED 20. A first read / write device 40 and a second read / write device 60 are connected under the card control board 37.

  The card control board 37 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), a ROM, and a RAM that control the operations of the first read / write device 40 and the second read / write device 60, a motor driver, a solenoid driver, and a sensor. An amplifier, communication unit, etc. are provided. The card control board 37 notifies the control boards 32 and 33 of changes in the insertion / ejection state of the visitor card 81 and the membership card 85, and writes and reads data to and from each card based on instructions from the control boards 32 and 33. Is supposed to do.

  FIG. 12 shows an electrical configuration of the management apparatus 100. The management apparatus 100 has a CPU 101 as means for performing various data processing, and a ROM 102 and a RAM 110 are connected to the CPU 101.

  Further, the management apparatus 100 is connected with a display means 103 for displaying various data as characters, graphics, etc., an operation means 104 for accepting various instructions from an operator, a printer 105 for printing out forms and the like as peripheral devices. Yes. Further, the CPU 101 is connected to the pachinko machine 3, the gaming equipment device 10, the member registration machine 8, etc. via a communication interface.

  The CPU 101 operates according to the system program and data stored in the ROM 102 and the program and data loaded into the RAM 110. A fixed disk device 120 is connected to the CPU 101 via a bus, and various programs executed by the CPU 101 are loaded from the fixed disk device 120 to the RAM 110.

  The programs and data read / written in the RAM 110 include a card processing program 111, a member information management program 112, an authentication processing program 113, and the like. In addition, a program (not shown) that performs display control, operation control, communication control, print control, sales management, and the like is provided.

  The member information management program 112 is a program for controlling the member registration process to the member information database 121 and the registration content changing process based on the registration information input from the member registration machine 8. In the member information database 121, the name, gender, date of birth, member number, password, telephone number, address, e-mail address, hobby, occupation, etc. are registered for each member. These pieces of information are registered when the store clerk inputs the contents of the member registration application form that the member has filled in at the time of enrollment to the management apparatus 100. Also, in the member information database 121, the number of reserved balls of the member and the balance of value that can be used for renting game media in the gaming equipment 10 are registered in association with the member number. Members can use this value to rent game media.

  In the visitor card database 122, for each card ID of the issued (issued) visitor card, a balance of value that can be used in the gaming facility device 10, an issue number, and the like are stored in association with each other. The card processing program 111 is a program that performs a function of managing the balance of the membership card registered in the membership information database 121 and the balance of the visitor card registered in the visitor card database 122, and updating the balance. . The authentication processing program 113 is a program that performs a function of authenticating the owner of the member card by comparing the password entered when using the member card with the password of the member registered in the member information database 121.

  The balance associated with the member card or visitor card is registered in the member information database 121 or visitor card database 122, and is also recorded on the member card or visitor card itself.

  In addition, a sales database for managing sales is created in the fixed disk device 120.

  FIG. 13 shows a flow of operations of the gaming equipment device 10 when a bill is inserted. When a bill is inserted into the bill insertion / ejection slot 12 (step S201; Y), the bill validator 31 determines its authenticity and face value (step S202). When the inserted banknote is not authentic (step S203; N), the banknote is returned from the banknote insertion / extraction port 12 (step S204), and the process is ended (end).

  If it is determined that the bill is a genuine bill (step S203; Y), it is checked whether or not the member card 85 is set in the second read / write device 60. If it is not set (step S205; N), the regulation is made. The game medium is lent (ball lending process) for the amount of money (500 yen here) (step S206). When game media is lent out by inserting banknotes, change is always generated, and when the membership card 85 is not set, a visitor card is newly issued, and change is registered in association with this visitor card 81. It is like that.

  That is, one visitor card is fed out from the card accommodating portion 41 of the first read / write device 40 to the access position in the first read / write device 40 and stopped (step S207), and the balance corresponding to change is calculated. Registration is performed in association with this visitor card (step S208). Registration is performed both on the visitor card itself and on the visitor card database 122 of the management apparatus 100.

  When a membership card is set (step S205; Y), a specified amount of game media is lent (ball lending process) (step S209), and the balance registered in association with this membership card is The change is added and updated (step S210).

  FIG. 14 shows in more detail the operation when a bill is inserted into the gaming equipment 10 with no membership card set, including information exchange between the gaming equipment 10 and the management device 100. It is a thing. When a bill is inserted (P1), the gaming equipment device 10 rents out a predetermined amount of gaming media, and then pays out one visitor card from the card accommodating portion 41 of the first read / write device 40 to the access position. . The card ID and the number of rewrites are read from this visitor card, and the balance corresponding to change and the number of rewrites added to the number of rewrites read previously are written in the visitor card (P2).

  Thereafter, the gaming equipment 10 receives the data (card ID or both of this and the number of rewrites after the update), the input amount, the balance, the machine number of the gaming equipment 10 and the sales ( (Amount used for renting game media) is transmitted to the management apparatus 100 (P3).

  When the management apparatus 100 receives the above data from the gaming equipment device 10, the management apparatus 100 generates a ticket issuing number and updates the visitor card database 122. That is, the balance, ticket issue number, etc. are stored in the visitor card database 122 in association with the received card ID (P4). The management device 100 transmits the ticket issuing number and the balance to the gaming facility device 10 that is the transmission source of the previous data (P5). The game facility device of the transmission source is specified by, for example, the previously received machine number or network address.

  The gaming equipment 10 writes the ticket issue number and machine number received from the management device 100 in the visitor card and updates the number of rewrites (P6).

  Note that even when a bill is inserted with the membership card set, the gaming facility device 10 also has data such as a membership number acquired from the membership card, the inserted amount, the balance, and the gaming facility device 10. Are transmitted to the management apparatus 100.

  Receiving this, the management apparatus 100 updates the member information database 121 based on the received data. That is, the balance registered in the member information database 121 in association with the corresponding member number is rewritten to a value obtained by adding an amount corresponding to the change indicated by the received data (input amount−sales). The management device 100 transmits the updated balance to the gaming facility device 10 that is the transmission source of the received data. Receiving this, the gaming equipment device 10 writes the balance on the set membership card.

  FIG. 15 shows the flow of the game media lending process using the balance. When the player operates the operation unit 15 of the gaming equipment 10 to request rental of gaming media (step S301; Y), the gaming equipment 10 has the membership card set in the second read / write device 60. Whether or not is checked (step S302). When the membership card is set (step S302; Y), the balance is inquired to the management apparatus 100. If there is no balance (step S303; N), the balance is zero and the process is terminated. (End).

  When the membership card has a balance (step S303; Y), a specified amount of game media is lent (ball lending process) (step S304), and the balance relating to the membership card is updated (step S305). The balance is updated by both the member card itself and the member information database 121. The member information database 121 is updated by transmitting the current sales amount and the member number (or machine number) from the gaming equipment 10 to the management apparatus 100.

  When the membership card is not set (step S302; N), it is checked whether or not the visitor card is set (step S306). When the membership card is not set (step S306; N), the process is terminated (step S306; N). End). When the visitor card is set (step S306; Y), the management device 100 is inquired about the balance of this visitor card. If there is no balance (step S307; N), the balance is displayed as zero. End (end).

  When there is a balance in the visitor card (step S307; Y), the game medium is lent out (ball lending process) for a specified amount (step S308), and the balance process related to this visitor card is updated (step S309). . The balance is updated in both the visitor card database 122 and the visitor card of the management apparatus 100 by transmitting the current sales amount and the card ID (or machine number) from the game equipment 10 to the management apparatus 100.

  If the balance remains after the update (step S310; N), the process is terminated (end), and if the balance after the update is zero (step S310; Y), this visitor card is stored in the card storage unit 41. It collects (step S311) and the process is ended (END).

  As described above, the balance relating to each visitor card and the balance relating to each membership card are basically managed by the management apparatus 100. When a failure occurs and the data of the management apparatus 100 cannot be used, the balance information recorded on the visitor card or the membership card is used urgently and payment is performed.

  The second half of FIG. 14 (after P7) shows in detail the operation when the game media is lent out using the balance of the visitor card, including the exchange of information between the game equipment 10 and the management device 100. ing. This operation is performed when the balance of a visitor card newly issued by inserting a bill is used as it is in the same gaming equipment device 10 or when a visitor card with a balance is transferred to a different gaming equipment device 10 and used. Arise.

  If there is a game media lending request operation from the operation unit 15 of the gaming equipment device 10 in a state where the visitor card is set (P7), the gaming equipment device 10 starts from the currently set visitor card with the card ID and ticket issuing number. The balance is read (P8), and these and the machine number of the gaming equipment 10 are transmitted to the management apparatus 100 (P9). Note that the data transmitted to the management apparatus 100 may be either a ticket issue number or a card ID.

  The management device 100 searches the visitor card database 122 based on the sent data, and the visitor card set in the gaming equipment device 10 is authentic, and the balance associated with this visitor card is confirmed. (P10) by checking the card ID or the like. If the visitor card is successfully verified and there is a balance, if the balance is less than the specified amount or if the balance is less than the specified amount, the amount that can be lent within the balance is subtracted, The balance of the visitor card registered in the visitor card database 122 is updated to the balance after subtraction (P11). Further, the updated balance and the lending permission are transmitted to the gaming equipment 10 that is the transmission source of the previous data (P12).

  When the gaming facility device 10 receives the lending permission from the management device 100, it rents the gaming media (P13). Further, the balance received from the management apparatus 100, the machine number of the gaming equipment 10 and the number of rewrites after the update are written in the visitor card (P14). In addition, the current sales amount and the machine number are transmitted to the management apparatus 100 (P15), and the management apparatus 100 that receives this updates the sales database (not shown) (P16).

  In addition, when the balance written in the visitor card is zero, the gaming equipment device 10 collects this visitor card in the card accommodation unit 41 (P17). When the balance remains, the visitor card is held at the access position of the first read / write device 40 as it is to prepare for the use of the balance.

  FIG. 1 shows an operation when a membership card or a visitor card is newly inserted into the gaming equipment device 10. When the membership card is inserted (step S401; Y), it asks for the input of a personal identification number (step S402). The personal identification number input from the operation unit 15 and the membership number read from the inserted membership card are transmitted to the management apparatus 100, and the management apparatus 100 is requested to authenticate the owner of the membership card (step S403).

  The management apparatus 100 searches the member information database 121 with the member number received from the gaming equipment device 10, and the password registered in the member information database 121 in association with the member number and the password received from the gaming equipment device 10. The numbers are collated, and if they match, authentication success is returned, and if they do not match, authentication failure is returned to the gaming equipment 10 as an authentication result.

  In the case of authentication failure (step S404; N), the gaming equipment 10 returns the membership card (step S405) and ends the process (END). If the authentication is successful (step S404; Y), it is checked whether or not a visitor card is currently set in the first read / write device 40 of the gaming facility device 10, and if not set (step S406; N). ) End processing (END). Thereafter, the balance of the membership card can be used.

  If a visitor card is set (step S406; Y), the balance associated with this visitor card is collected into the membership card (step S410). Thereafter, the balance of the visitor card is set to zero, and this visitor card is collected in the card accommodation unit 41 (step S411), and the process is ended (END).

  Specifically, the gaming equipment device 10 manages the card ID read from the visitor card, the ticket issue number, the balance, the membership number read from the membership card, the machine number of the gaming equipment device 10, and the aggregation request. Transmit to device 100. Receiving this, the management apparatus 100 searches the visitor card database 122 and collates / confirms the presence and balance of the visitor card with the corresponding card ID, and associates the collated / confirmed balance with the previous member number. And the balances registered in the member information database 121 are totaled. Then, the balance registered in the member information database 121 in association with this member number is rewritten to this total balance. Also, the balance registered in the visitor card database 122 in association with the previous card ID is rewritten to zero. Thereafter, the management device 100 transmits the previous total balance to the gaming facility device 10 that is the transmission source of the aggregation request, and the gaming facility device 10 that has received this rewrites the balance of the membership card to the received total balance. Further, the balance of the visitor card is rewritten to zero, and the visitor card is collected in the card storage unit 41.

  If the newly inserted card is a visitor card (step S4001; N, step S407; Y), the management device 100 is inquired for verification of the balance of the visitor card, and if there is no balance (step S408; N), the visitor card is collected in the card storage unit 41 (step S411), and the process is terminated (END).

  If there is a balance in the inserted visitor card (step S408; Y), it is checked whether or not a membership card is currently set in the second read / write device 60 of the gaming facility device 10 and must be set. (Step S409; N), the process is terminated (END).

  When the membership card is set, the balance associated with the inserted visitor card is collected into the membership card (step S410). Thereafter, the balance of the visitor card is set to zero, and this visitor card is collected in the card accommodation unit 41 (step S411), and the process is ended (END).

  In this way, when both a visitor card and a membership card are set in one gaming equipment device 10, the balance of the visitor card is aggregated into the membership card, and thereafter, the balance can be managed only with the membership card. This can reduce the burden on member players related to card management. Also, since the membership card is authenticated when the card is used, even if the card is lost, the balance cannot be used by another person. Therefore, security is improved by collecting the balance on the membership card. Even if the member card is lost, the owner is authenticated by the personal identification number and the member information related to the member is registered in the member information database 121. Based on this, the member card can be re-used in the lost state. Can be issued.

  FIG. 16 shows an operation when the checkout button of the gaming equipment device 10 is operated. When the checkout button is operated (step S501; Y), it is checked whether or not the visitor card is set at the access position of the first read / write device 40. If it is set (step S502; Y), The visitor card is ejected from the visitor card insertion slot 19 (step S503), and the process is terminated (end). When the visitor card is not set (step S502; N), the processing is ended as it is (end). Note that the membership card is pulled out by the player at the time of checkout, so automatic discharge processing is not performed. The second lead ride device 60 may be provided with a member card automatic discharge mechanism so that the member card is automatically discharged in accordance with the operation of the checkout button.

  Lending game media for a specified amount is actually performed by repeating the lending process for a unit amount a plurality of times. For example, if the specified amount is 500 yen and the unit amount is 100 yen, the lending process for the unit amount is repeated five times.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the lending process for the unit amount is executed (step S601), and the balance of the corresponding card is subtracted by the unit amount and updated (step S602). In order to update the balance for the unit amount, communication is performed between the gaming equipment 10 and the management apparatus 100, and both the update of the databases 121 and 122 of the management apparatus 100 and the rewriting of the data of the card itself are performed. The above process is repeated (steps S601 and S602) until the specified amount is reached (step S603).

  FIG. 18 shows the operation timing of each unit when the lending process for the unit amount is repeated. When the lending request signal 701 for the specified amount is input once, the gaming equipment 10 sends a lending signal 702 for the unit amount (for example, 25 pieces for 100 yen) to the combined pachinko machine 3. Output multiple times at predetermined intervals. Each time the lending signal 702 is output, a balance update process 703 is performed.

  Receiving the lending signal 702, the pachinko machine 3 executes the lending operation of the game medium. At this time, a lending operation signal 704 is input from the pachinko machine 3 to the game equipment 10. Further, when the lending operation for the unit amount is completed, a lending completion signal 705 is input from the pachinko machine 3 to the gaming equipment device 10. The gaming equipment 10 outputs the next lending signal 702 after the lending completion signal 705 is inputted.

  By renting the specified amount into unit amounts in this way, even if a game medium becomes clogged or runs out during lending, the balance is made for each unit amount, so it was actually lent out The error between the number of game media and the balance decrease (sales) is reduced.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment, the game facility device 10 has been described by taking a so-called CR sand machine as an example in which a payout signal is sent to an adjacent pachinko machine and the pachinko ball is paid out from the pachinko machine. You may comprise a mechanism as what is called a cash machine which game equipment itself has. In this case, a discharge nozzle or the like for guiding the pachinko ball to the upper plate of the adjacent pachinko machine is provided on the front surface of the game equipment.

  In addition, in order to make it possible to identify the visitor card insertion slot 19 and the membership card insertion slot 21 at a glance, the visitor card confirmation LED 18 and the membership card confirmation LED 20 have different lamp colors, and only the membership card confirmation LED 20 emits light. Also good.

  In the embodiment, the balance is updated by both the management device and the visitor card and the membership card every time the game medium is lent, but in addition to these, or in place of both or one of them, You may comprise so that the balance information etc. regarding each card | curd may be memorize | stored and updated for every rental of a game medium in the internal memory of the game equipment 10. In this case, when a visitor card or a membership card is ejected from the gaming equipment device 10, or when the visitor card is collected when the balance becomes zero, information related to these cards is deleted from the internal memory of the gaming equipment device 10. It is good to configure. The information stored in the internal memory of the gaming equipment device 10 may be used when, for example, the management device 100 becomes unusable on the way.

  In addition, the stock amount of visitor cards stored in the card storage unit 41 may be notified. For example, the stock amount is displayed with a level meter provided in the gaming equipment 10 or the upper and lower limits of the stock amount are set, and when the value is reached, a warning signal is output and the stock amount warning is displayed on another display device. It is good to do. The stock amount may be displayed on a device that can be checked by a store clerk such as a management device, a hall computer, or an island edge sand monitor.

  In the embodiment, the gaming facility device 10 into which two types of cards, a visitor card and a membership card, can be inserted has been described as an example, but the number of types of cards is not limited. Moreover, the apparatus which can set two or more cards of the same kind may be sufficient. That is, when a plurality of cards of the same type are set, the balance is collected on any one card.

  The directivity of the antenna 43 of the first read / write device 40 may be different from the directivity of the antenna 62 of the second read / write device 60, and the difference is preferably as close to 90 degrees. In the embodiment, the first read / write device 40 is arranged close to the upper side of the second read / write device 60. However, the first read / write device 40 may be arranged upside down. Further, depending on the shape of the main body case of the gaming equipment, adjacent read / write devices may be arranged side by side or diagonally.

  Further, in the embodiment, the case where two read / write devices are provided is illustrated, but the number of antennas of adjacent read / write devices may be three or more as long as the antenna directivity is different from each other.

It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when a membership card or a visitor card is newly inserted in the game equipment concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the installation state in the game hall of the game facility equipment concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the game equipment apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a left view which shows the game equipment concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the visitor card | curd used with the game equipment apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the membership card used with the game equipment concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure and a positional relationship of a 1st read / write apparatus and a card | curd control board. It is a top view which shows the antenna of a 1st read / write apparatus. It is CC sectional drawing of the antenna shown in FIG. It is a principle figure which shows the relationship between the magnetic field B and direction of an antenna. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the game equipment apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the game equipment apparatus when a banknote is inserted. It is explanatory drawing which represented in detail the operation | movement when a banknote was thrown into the game equipment apparatus in the state in which the membership card is not set including transmission / reception of information between a game equipment device and a management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the rental process of the game media using a balance. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when the adjustment button of game equipment is operated. It is a flowchart which shows the lending process of the game media for a regulation amount. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | movement timing of each part when the lending process for unit amount is repeated.

Explanation of symbols

A ... Arrow indicating current direction B ... Magnetic field 3 ... Pachinko machine 5 ... Upper plate 8 ... Member registration machine 10 ... Amusement equipment 11 ... Status display lamp 12 ... Banknote insertion / extraction port 13 ... Frequency display unit 14 ... Display unit 15 ... Operating section 16 ... Light receiving section 17 ... Key hole 18 ... Visitor card confirmation LED
19 ... Visitor card slot 20 ... Member card confirmation LED
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Member card insertion slot 31 ... Bill identification machine 32, 33 ... Control board 34 ... External output terminal board 35 ... Communication part 36 ... Display operation part 37 ... Card control board 40 ... 1st read / write device 41 ... Card accommodating part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 42 ... Conveyance part 43 ... Antenna of 1st read / write device 44 ... Idling roller 45 ... Feeding roller 46, 47 ... A pair of conveyance roller 46a, 47a ... Pinch roller 48 ... Motor 51 ... 1st card sensor 52 ... 2nd Card sensor 53 ... third card sensor 54 ... card raising mechanism 55 ... solenoid 56 ... antenna wire 60 ... second read / write device 61 ... card detection switch 62 ... second read / write device antenna 63 ... leaf spring 81 ... visitor card 82 ... IC tag 83 ... visitor card antenna 85 ... membership card 86 ... Antenna 100 ... management device of C tag 87 ... membership card 101 ... CPU
102 ... ROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 103 ... Display means 104 ... Operation means 105 ... Printer 110 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 111 ... Card processing program 112 ... Member information management program 113 ... Authentication processing program 120 ... Fixed disk apparatus 121 ... Member information database 122 ... Visitor card database 701 ... Lending request signal 702 ... Lending signal 703 ... Balance update processing 704 ... Lending operation Signal 705 ... Lending completion signal

Claims (9)

A gaming facility device, and a management device for managing a balance of a predetermined value that can be used in the gaming facility device for each card used by being set in the gaming facility device,
The card is a contactless wireless card using an electromagnetic field,
The gaming equipment includes a first read / write device and a second read / write device disposed adjacent to the first read / write device as the card read / write device, and the directivities of the antenna portions of these read / write devices are different from each other. When the card is inserted into each of the first and second read / write devices, read / write by non-contact of the card is performed in each of the first and second read / write devices,
When a card is set in each of the first and second read / write devices of one gaming equipment, the management device totals the balances associated with these cards, and this total balance Is registered in association with one of the set cards, and the balance associated with the remaining cards is set to zero. The card management system according to claim 1, wherein the directivities of the antenna units of the first and second read / write devices are different from each other by 90 degrees. The card includes a membership card in which the owner is registered and a visitor card whose user is unspecified,
When the visitor card is set in one of the first and second read / write devices of one game equipment and the membership card is set in the other, the management device aggregates the balance of the visitor card into the membership card. The card management system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein When the membership card is set, the gaming equipment device accepts input of authentication information for authenticating the owner of the membership card, and receives the identification information of the membership card read from the membership card and the received authentication information. To the management device,
The management device authenticates the owner of the member card based on the identification information and authentication information sent from the gaming equipment, and when the authentication is successful, the balance registered in association with the member card 4. The card management system according to claim 3 , wherein the use of the balance registered in association with the member card is prohibited when the use of the card is permitted and the authentication fails. The gaming facility device includes a card storage unit that can store a plurality of visitor cards, and when the balance of the set visitor cards becomes zero, the visitor card is collected in the card storage unit. The card management system according to claim 3 or 4 . The card management system according to claim 5 , wherein the gaming equipment includes a card storage unit that can store a plurality of visitor cards, and issues a visitor card by paying out from the card storage unit. The card management system according to claim 5 , wherein the card storage unit stores visitor cards stacked in a vertical direction in a horizontal state. The front of the gaming equipment is a rectangle,
7. The card management system according to claim 5 , wherein the card storage unit stacks and stores the visitor cards in a state in which a surface thereof is perpendicular to a long side direction of the front surface forming the rectangle. Claim wherein the first read-write device is characterized in that the visitor card, said second read-write device is a device for the read-write the membership card dedicated respectively 3,4,5,6,7 Or the card management system according to 8 ;

Images