JP4859860B2 - GAME MEDIUM LENDING SYSTEM, GAME MEDIUM PROCESSOR, AND GAME MEDIUM REMAINING DISPLAY METHOD - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game medium lending system and a game medium remaining amount display method in which a plurality of game medium processors having at least a game medium storage unit and a display unit for storing game media such as medals are connected via a network. The present invention relates to a game medium lending system, a game medium processing machine, and a game medium remaining amount display method capable of improving the efficiency of replenishment / collection of game media in a game store.

  Conventionally, at a game store such as a game center, a game is played by borrowing a medal that a player uses for a game from the game store and then inserting the medal into a game machine. For this reason, a gaming machine is usually provided with a medal lending machine that accepts banknotes and coins and pays out a predetermined amount of medals.

  In addition, in order to make it possible for players to use the medals earned through games on the game machines when they visit the store next time, there are medal depositing / dispensing machines that store medals and pay medals. Is provided. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a deposit / dispensing device capable of depositing and dispensing medals is provided in a game store.

  In this way, the game store is provided with a medal lending machine and a medal depositing / dispensing machine having a medal hopper for storing a predetermined amount of medals inside the apparatus. Replenishment and collection of medals to the dispenser is performed as necessary.

  Specifically, the medal hopper in each of these devices is provided with a near empty sensor that detects near empty and a near full sensor that detects near full, and when the near empty or near full is detected, the lamp on the device Therefore, the store clerk of the amusement store replenishes and collects medals at the time when the lighting of the lamp is visually confirmed or periodically.

JP 2007-75153 A

  However, the medal replenishment / collection work for the medal lending machine and the medal depositing / dispensing machine is a heavy burden for the store clerk of the amusement store. In other words, unlike a pachinko parlor, a game center does not have a medal lending machine attached to each game machine, but a single medal lending machine is placed near a plurality of game machines. It is necessary for the store clerk to keep an eye on the lamp of the medal lending machine. This is because once the medal lending machine becomes near empty, not only one player but also a plurality of players are prevented from continuing the game, and this phenomenon leads to a decrease in the effect of attracting customers at the amusement store and a decrease in profits.

  The same applies to all medal lending machines and medal deposit / withdrawal machines in the game center, so the shopkeepers must always keep an eye on the lamps on each medal lending machine and on the medal deposit / withdrawal machine. In addition, every time a near empty or near full is detected, medals must be replenished / collected promptly, resulting in excessive labor for the medals replenishment / collection. .

  From the above, how to improve the efficiency of the replenishment / collection work of medals to the medal lending machines and medal depositing / dispensing machines in the game center is a big issue. Note that such a problem occurs not only in the replenishment / collection of medals at game centers, but also in the replenishment / collection of game media at each game store.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, and a game medium lending system, a game medium processing machine, and a game capable of improving the efficiency of replenishment / collection of game media in a game store An object of the present invention is to provide a medium remaining amount display method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a game medium lending system in which a plurality of game medium processors having at least a game medium storage unit and a display unit for storing game media are connected via a network. Each of the game medium processing machines includes a remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of game medium staying in the gaming medium storage unit, and a remaining amount of the game medium detected by the remaining amount detecting means is near empty. A remaining amount requesting means for requesting the remaining amount of game media from another game medium processor when the first threshold value is less than or equal to or greater than a second threshold value indicating near full, and another game medium When a request for the remaining amount of game media is received from the processing device, remaining amount notification means for notifying the remaining amount of game medium detected by the remaining amount detection means, and the remaining amount of game medium received from another game medium processing device The above Characterized by comprising a display control means for displaying controlled radical 113.

  Further, in the present invention according to the above-mentioned invention, the plurality of game medium processing machines lend a game medium depositing machine for depositing a game medium and a game medium for the accepted money and pay out the deposited game medium. And at least a game medium lending / dispensing machine.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the plurality of game medium processing machines include a game medium lending machine that lends a game medium for the accepted money, and a game medium that deposits the game medium and pays out the deposited game medium. And at least a depositing / dispensing machine.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the plurality of game medium processing machines further include a game machine having at least a game medium storage unit and a display unit for storing game media.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein each game medium processing machine has a second game state in which the remaining amount of the game medium detected by the remaining amount detecting means is equal to or less than a first threshold value indicating near empty or near full. When the predetermined warning lamp is controlled to be turned on in the first mode when the threshold value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and a request for the remaining amount of game media is received from another game media processing machine, The warning lamp is controlled to be turned on in the second mode.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein each game medium processing machine is configured such that the near empty or near full is resolved by replenishment of the game medium to the game medium storage unit or collection of the game medium from the game medium storage unit. In addition, while controlling to turn off the warning lamp of the own device, the other game media processing machine issues a lamp turn-off instruction to the other game medium processing machine, and the other game medium processing machine turns off the warning lamp in response to receiving the lamp turn-off instruction. It is characterized by controlling the turning off.

  Further, the present invention is a game medium remaining amount display method of a game medium lending system in which a plurality of game medium processors having at least a game medium storage unit and a display unit for storing game media are connected via a network, A remaining amount detecting step for detecting the remaining amount of gaming media that each gaming medium processing machine stays in the gaming medium storage unit, and a first threshold in which the remaining amount of gaming media detected by the remaining amount detecting step indicates near empty. A remaining amount requesting process for requesting the remaining amount of game media from another game media processing device, and a remaining game media from the other game media processing device when the value is equal to or less than a second threshold value indicating near full. When a request for the amount is received, a remaining amount notifying step for notifying the remaining amount of gaming media detected by the remaining amount detecting step and a remaining amount of gaming media received from another gaming medium processing device are displayed on the display unit. Control Characterized in that it includes a display control step.

  In addition, the present invention is a game medium processing machine that has at least a game medium storage unit and a display unit for storing game media and is installed so as to be communicable with other game medium processing machines, wherein the game medium storage unit A remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of game medium staying in the game, and a second threshold indicating that the remaining amount of game medium detected by the remaining amount detecting means is equal to or less than a first threshold value indicating near empty or near full. If it is equal to or greater than the value, the remaining amount request means for requesting the remaining amount of game media to another game medium processing device, and the remaining amount of game media when the request for the remaining amount of game media is received from another game medium processing device. A remaining amount notifying unit for notifying the remaining amount of game medium detected by the amount detecting unit, and a display control unit for controlling display of the remaining amount of game medium received from another game medium processing device on the display unit. Features.

  According to the present invention, each game medium processor detects the remaining amount of game medium that stays in the game medium storage unit, and the detected remaining game medium amount is equal to or less than a first threshold value indicating near empty or near first. If it is equal to or greater than the threshold value of 2, if the remaining amount of game media is requested from another game media processor, and the remaining amount of game media is received from another game media processor in response to this request Since the display unit controls display of the remaining amount of game media received, when a store clerk at a game store replenishes or collects game media to one game media processing machine, the other game media processing machines Since it is possible to grasp game media on the spot and use the collected game media for replenishment of other devices, it is possible to improve the efficiency of replenishment / collection operations of game media at game stores.

  Further, according to the present invention, the plurality of game medium processing machines include a game medium deposit machine for depositing game media, and a game medium lending for lending out game media for the accepted money and paying out the deposited game media. Since it is configured to include at least a payout machine, the game media collected from the game medium depositing machine, which is mainly used for depositing game media, can be used for replenishment of the game medium lending / dispensing machine, which is mainly used for paying out game media. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of game media replenishment / collection operations.

  Further, according to the present invention, the plurality of game medium processing machines include a game medium lending machine that lends a game medium for the received money, and a game medium depositing / dispensing machine that deposits the game medium and pays out the deposited game medium. Therefore, it is possible to use game media collected mainly from game media deposit / withdrawal machines, which have been deposited a lot, for replenishment of game media lending machines, and to improve the efficiency of replenishment / collection of game media. It becomes possible.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since it is configured to further include a gaming machine having at least a gaming medium storage unit and a display unit for storing gaming media, the gaming machine collected by other gaming media processing machines is replenished to the gaming machine. In addition, by replenishing the game media collected from the gaming machine to other game media processing machines, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the game media replenishment / collection work. In particular, since the number of gaming machines arranged in the game store is larger than the number of other gaming medium processing machines, the gaming media for replenishment or collection to other gaming medium processing machines can be efficiently used for the gaming machines. Can be adjusted.

  Further, according to the present invention, each game medium processing machine has a second threshold value indicating that the remaining game medium amount detected by the remaining amount detecting means is equal to or less than a first threshold value indicating near empty, or indicating a near full value. In the above case, when a predetermined warning lamp is controlled to be turned on in the first mode and a request for the remaining amount of game media is received from another game media processing machine, a second different from the first mode is provided. Since it is configured to control the lighting of the warning lamp in the aspect, the store clerk of the game store only confirms the warning lamp of one game medium processing machine, and any one of the game medium processing machines is in a near empty or near full state. I can understand that there is.

  Further, according to the present invention, each game medium processing machine, when the near empty or near full is eliminated by replenishment of the game medium to the game medium storage unit or recovery of the game medium from the game medium storage unit, While controlling to turn off the warning lamp of its own device, the other game media processing machine is instructed to turn off the lamp, and the game media processing machine is configured to control the warning lamp to be turned off in response to acceptance of the lamp turn-off instruction. Therefore, the warning lamp can be appropriately turned off.

  Exemplary embodiments of a game medium rental system, a game medium processor, and a game medium remaining amount display method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, the case where the present invention is applied to a game center that provides a game using medals as game media will be described.

<System configuration>
First, the system configuration of the medal lending system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a medal lending system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, game machines 110a and 110b (hereinafter collectively referred to as “game machines 110”) that provide games using medals are arranged in the game center 100, and the game machines 110a are installed. A medal lending / dispensing machine 130 is disposed in the vicinity of the area, and a medal lending / dispensing machine 140 is disposed in the vicinity of the installation area of the game machine 110b. In addition, a medal depositing machine 120 is disposed near the counter 160 of the game center 100. The medal lending / dispensing machine 130, the medal lending / dispensing machine 140, and the medal depositing machine 120 are connected to each other via a network 150.

  The game machine 110 is a game machine that uses a medal as a game medium to play a game, and pays out a predetermined number of medals when a winning occurs in the game. When the player visits the game center 100, the player inserts cash into the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 or 140, borrows the medal, and plays the game on the game machine 110 using the borrowed medal. In this way, if the player has won many medals as a result of playing the game, the acquired medals are inserted into the medal depositing machine 120 and stored. Thereby, the player can play a game using a medal at the time of coming to the store at a later date. Specifically, the player performs a predetermined payout operation with the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 or 140 when coming to the store at a later date to withdraw the stored medal.

  The medal depositing machine 120 is a device for depositing medals acquired by a player as a stored medal. Specifically, when the fingerprint data is read from the player's finger and the number of medals is counted, the medal lending / dispensing machine The stored medal request data including the fingerprint data and the number of medals is transmitted to 130 to make a stored medal request. One medal depositing machine 120 is provided in the vicinity of the counter 160 where the staff is resident, and in this respect, a plurality of medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140 are provided at various locations in the game center 100. Many players perform medals lending and savings medals repeatedly on a daily basis, so a relatively large number of medal lending / dispensing machines are installed, but only a few players win many medals. Therefore, a relatively small number of medal deposit machines 120 is sufficient.

  The medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140 are apparatuses that lend a medal in cash to a player and pay out a stored medal deposited in advance. Specifically, when a player inserts cash into the medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140 and performs a predetermined medal lending operation, the player pays out medals equivalent to cash as in the conventional medal lending machine. put out. On the other hand, when the player performs a payout operation of stored medals on the medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140, a predetermined number of stored medals are paid out of the number of stored medals.

  Further, in this embodiment, the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 performs collective medal management, and when the player deposits medals using the medal depositing machine 120, the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 is used. Receives the medal saving request data and updates the medal saving management table. Similarly, when the player pays out medals using the medal lending / dispensing machine 140, the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 receives the stored medal payout request data and updates the stored medal management table. become.

  As described above, the medal depositing function and the medal paying function of the conventional medal depositing / dispensing machine are separated, and the medal depositing machine 120 having only this medal depositing function and the medal paying function added to the conventional medal lending machine. The reason for providing the lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140 is that a conventional medal depositing / dispensing machine that integrates a medal depositing with a relatively low use frequency and a medal paying out with a high use frequency is desired to pay out a medal quickly. This is because there are frequent cases where the player who waits for the medal deposit is a major factor that hinders the convenience of the player.

  Here, in the medal lending system according to the present embodiment, when any one of the medal depositing machine 120 and the medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140 is in the near empty state or the near full state, the information on the remaining medal amount of the other device is displayed. It is characterized in that each is acquired and displayed on the display unit of its own device. With this configuration, the clerk of the game center 100 can grasp the remaining medals status of other devices when visiting a device that is in a near empty state or a near full state. It is possible to transfer medals from a large number of other devices to a device having a small remaining amount of medals, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the number of medals replenished by the store clerk and the number of medals collected.

<Composition of medal deposit machine 120>
Next, the configuration of the medal deposit machine 120 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the medal depositing machine 120 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the medal depositing machine 120 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a liquid crystal panel 120a, a medal deposit entrance 120b, a fingerprint reading unit 120c, and a lamp 120d are provided on the front surface of the medal depositing machine 120. 120e and a medal remaining amount detection sensor 120f are provided.

  The liquid crystal panel 120a is a touch panel type display device, and the operation procedure when depositing medals, the number of stored medals, the completion of storing medals, and the like are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 120a. The remaining amount of medals of other devices (medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140) is displayed above. The medal depositing machine 120 does not perform a medal payout operation, and therefore it is not necessary to provide a near empty sensor.

  The medal deposit opening 120b is an insertion slot provided for inserting a medal to be stored. The number of medals inserted into the medal deposit door 120b is counted by a medal counting processing unit 122 described later.

  The fingerprint reading unit 120c is a reading unit that reads fingerprint data, which is biometric information that uniquely identifies a player. In this embodiment, when depositing a medal, the medal lending / dispensing device 130 associates the medal with the fingerprint data, stores the medal, and also withdraws the medal from the remaining medal number associated with the fingerprint data. To do. As described above, in this embodiment, a case where fingerprint data and the number of stored medals are managed in association with each other will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other biological information such as palm prints may be used. it can. In addition, a member card can be issued and the card ID of the member card and the number of stored medals can be associated with each other. In this case, a card reader may be provided instead of the fingerprint reading unit 120c.

  The lamp 120d is an alarm lamp that is turned on when a medal in the medal hopper 120e that stores medals is in a near-full state, and the clerk of the game center 100 collects medals when the lamp 120d is turned on. However, in this embodiment, the lamp 120d is not only when the medal depositing machine 120 is in the near full state, but also when another device (the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 or 140) is in the near empty state. Blinks in a manner different from the above.

  The reason for this is that the store clerk of the game center 100 cannot always monitor all the lamps provided in the medal depositing machine 120 and the medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140 as a real problem. This is because the necessity of replenishment or collection can be easily grasped through the lamp of the apparatus. For this reason, the lamps of the medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140, which will be described later, are also turned on when the apparatus is nearly empty, and blinked when the medal depositing machine 120 is near full.

  Thus, in this medal depositing machine 120, since it is necessary to detect the near-full state of the medals stored in the medal hopper 120e, the medal hopper 120e is provided with a medal remaining amount detection sensor 120f. The medal remaining amount detection sensor 120f is not a mere near-full sensor, but is configured so that a rough remaining amount of medals can be grasped by arranging a plurality of sensors in tandem. This is because when a request for the remaining amount of medals is made from another device, the current remaining amount of medals can be notified.

  Next, the internal configuration of the medal depositing machine 120 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the medal depositing machine 120 includes a liquid crystal panel 120a, a fingerprint reading unit 120c, a lamp 120d, a medal remaining amount detection sensor 120f, an interface unit (I / F unit) 121, and a medal count. A processing unit 122, a storage unit 123, and a control unit 124 are included. Since the liquid crystal panel 120a, the fingerprint reading unit 120c, the lamp 120d, and the medal remaining amount detection sensor 120f have already been described with reference to FIG. 2, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  The I / F unit 121 is an interface unit for performing communication with the medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140 disposed in the game center 100 via the network 150. What is the interface specification? There may be. The medal counting processing unit 122 is a processing unit that counts the number of medals inserted into the medal deposit door 120b and notifies the control unit 124 of the counting processing. The storage unit 123 is a storage device for temporarily storing stored medal request data transmitted to the medal lending / dispensing machine 130. The reason for temporarily storing in this way is to cope with the loss of the medal saving request data due to poor communication status or the like.

  The control unit 124 is a control unit that performs overall control of the medal depositing machine 120 such as display control of the liquid crystal panel 120a, reading control with respect to the fingerprint reading unit 120c, and counting control of the medal counting processing unit 122, and the medal depositing processing unit 124a, Other device medal status display processing unit 124b and medal status notification processing unit 124c are included.

  The medal deposit processing unit 124a performs processing for generating the stored medal request data including the fingerprint data and the number of medals and transmitting it to the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 after completing the reading of the fingerprint data and the counting of the medals. When the medal deposit processing unit 124a receives the notification of the near full state from the medal remaining amount detection sensor 120f, for example, the medal deposit processing unit 124a controls the lamp 120d to light red (lights in the first mode) and displays the other device medal status display. The processing unit 124b is instructed to display the remaining medal amount of the other device on the liquid crystal panel 120a. When the remaining amount of medals is requested from another device (medal lending / dispensing machine 130 or 140), the lamp 120d blinks in red (flashes in the second mode). The first aspect and the second aspect may be anything, and it is desirable that both aspects can be distinguished.

  When the other device medal status display processing unit 124b receives an instruction to display the remaining medal amount of the other device from the medal deposit processing unit 124a, the remaining device medal state display processing unit 124b indicates the remaining medal amount to the other devices (medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140). Request. In response to such a request, if a notification of the remaining amount of medals is received from another device, the information is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 120a.

  When the medal status notification processing unit 124c receives a medal remaining amount request from other devices (medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140), the medal remaining amount detected by the medal remaining amount detection sensor 120f is sent to the requesting device. It is a processing unit for notifying.

<Composition of medal lending / dispensing machine 130>
Next, the configuration of the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. 4 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, on the front surface of the medal lending / dispensing machine 130, there are a liquid crystal panel 130a, a coin slot 130b, a bill slot 130c, a change slot 130d, a medal slot 130e, and a fingerprint reader. A unit 130f and a lamp 130g are provided, and a medal hopper 130h and a medal remaining amount detection sensor 130i are provided inside the device.

  The liquid crystal panel 130a is a touch panel type display device similar to the liquid crystal panel 120a of the medal depositing machine 120, and displays a selection screen for lending medal or paying out medal with cash, displaying a subsequent operation procedure, and the like. For example, on the liquid crystal panel 120a, two indications “medal lending by cash” and “payment of stored medal” are made. When the display portion “medal lending by cash” is touched, “1000 yen, 2000 yen, 3000” "Yen" is displayed. Here, when the player touches the display “1000 yen”, the lending of medals for 1000 yen is specified.

  The coin insertion slot 130b is an insertion slot for inserting coins, the banknote insertion slot 130c is an insertion slot for inserting banknotes, and the change payment outlet 130d receives a change obtained by subtracting the amount of the medal lending amount from the insertion amount. This is an outlet for paying out. These coin insertion slot 130b, bill insertion slot 130c and change payment outlet 130d are used when renting medals with cash.

  The fingerprint reading unit 130f is the same as the fingerprint reading unit 120c of the medal depositing machine 120, and the fingerprint reading unit 130f is used when paying out the stored medals. The medal payout port 130e is a throwout port to which a medal to be paid out out of medals lent out in cash or stored medals is thrown out.

  The lamp 130g is an alarm lamp that is turned on when a medal in the medal hopper 130h that stores medals is in a nearly empty state, and the store clerk of the game center 100 replenishes the medal when the lamp 130g is turned on. However, in this embodiment, not only when the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 is in the near empty state, but the other devices (the medal depositing machine 120 or the medal lending / dispensing machine 140) are in the near full state or the near empty state. Also when it becomes, the lamp 130g blinks.

  As described above, the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 is provided with the medal remaining amount detection sensor 130i because it is necessary to detect the near empty state of the medals stored in the medal hopper 130h similarly to the medal depositing machine 120. The medal remaining amount detection sensor 130i has a configuration in which a plurality of sensors are arranged in a column in order to be able to notify the current relatively accurate medal remaining amount when a request for the remaining medal amount is made from another device. It has become.

  Next, the internal configuration of the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 includes a liquid crystal panel 130a, a fingerprint reading unit 130f, a lamp 130g, a medal hopper 130h, a medal remaining amount detection sensor 130i, a money processing unit 131, and a medal processing unit. It has a dispensing control unit 132, an interface unit (I / F unit) 133, a storage unit 134, and a control unit 135. The liquid crystal panel 130a, fingerprint reading unit 130f, lamp 130g, and medal remaining amount detection sensor 130i have already been described with reference to FIG.

  The money processing unit 131 is a processing unit that performs processing related to deposit and withdrawal of money. Specifically, after determining the authenticity of the coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 130b and the bills inserted from the banknote insertion slot 130c, the total amount of the deposit amount is calculated and notified to the control unit 135. The processed money is stored in a money storage unit (not shown), and a bill or a coin conveyed from the money storage unit is discharged as change to the change payment outlet 130d as necessary.

  The medal throwing control unit 132 is a control unit that controls throwing a part of medals stored in the medal hopper 130h to the medal payout port 130e. Specifically, the cup-shaped tray is automatically installed in the medal payout opening 130e prior to the medal throwing, and then the medal is thrown on the tray. In addition, although the case where the saucer on a cup is installed automatically was illustrated here, this invention is not limited to this.

  The I / F unit 133 is the same as the I / F unit 121 of the medal depositing machine 120, and an interface for performing communication between the medal depositing machine 120 and the medal lending / dispensing machine 140 via the network 150. Part. Here, any interface specification may be used, as long as the remaining number of medals in the medal hopper can be requested and the remaining number of medals can be notified.

  The storage unit 134 is a storage device such as a hard disk device, and stores a medal saving management table 134a. As shown in FIG. 6, the stored medal management table 134a stores IDs, fingerprint data, the number of stored medals, and the last deposit date in association with each other.

  The control unit 135 is a control unit that performs overall control of the medal lending / dispensing machine 130. The medal lending processing unit 135a, the medal saving number management unit 135b, the medal paying processing unit 135c, the other device medal status display processing unit 135d, and the medal It has a state notification processing unit 135e.

  The medal lending processing unit 135a is a processing unit responsible for medal lending processing using cash. Specifically, if the selected amount is received from the liquid crystal panel 130a and the received amount is received from the money processing unit 131, the money processing is performed. The change amount is notified to the unit 131 and the number of medals to be thrown is notified to the medal throwing control unit 132.

  The medal number management unit 135b is a management unit that manages the number of medal savings of each player using the medal management table 134a. When the medal request data is received from the medal deposit machine 120, The fingerprint data included in the request data is searched on the stored medal management table 134a, and if there is matching fingerprint data, the medal number in the stored medal request data is added to the stored medal number of the ID corresponding to the fingerprint data. Add and update.

  On the other hand, when the fingerprint data included in the medal saving request data does not exist in the medal saving management table 134a, a new ID is issued and the fingerprint data and the medal number are newly registered. Also, when performing medal payout processing on the own device, when the medal payout request data is received from the medal lending / dispensing machine 140 by subtracting the number of payout medals from the number of saved medals corresponding to the fingerprint data Is performed by subtracting the number of saved medals from the number of saved medals corresponding to the fingerprint data in the saved medal payout request data.

  Further, the medal saving number management unit 135b includes a reference date obtained by subtracting a predetermined aging extinction period (for example, one year) from the current date at a predetermined time after the game center 100 is closed, and the medal saving management table 134a. Each of the above final deposit dates is compared with each other, and the number of stored medals after the expiration date is replaced with “0” periodically. This is to invalidate the stored medals that have passed a certain aging extinction period because the unlimited use of the stored medals adversely affects the profit of the game center 100.

  The medal payout processing unit 135c is a processing unit responsible for processing related to payout of stored medals. When the input of fingerprint data and the number of payouts is accepted, the medal payout processing unit 135c is calculated from the number of stored medals on the stored medal management table 134a corresponding to the fingerprint data. The medal number management unit 135b is notified to subtract the number of medals for the number of payouts, and a medal throwing instruction is issued to the medal throwing control unit 132 after the completion of the subtraction.

  Further, when the medal payout processing unit 135c receives a notification of the near empty state from the medal remaining amount detection sensor 130i, the medal payout processing unit 135c controls the lamp 130g to be lit red (lighted in the first mode), for example. The medal status display processing unit 135d is instructed to display the remaining medal amount of the other device on the liquid crystal panel 130a. When the remaining amount of medals is requested from another device (medal depositing machine 120 or medal lending / dispensing machine 140), the lamp 130g blinks red (flashes in the second mode).

  The other device medal status display processing unit 135d performs the same processing as the other device medal status display processing unit 124b of the medal depositing machine 120, and receives a medal remaining amount display instruction of the other device from the medal payout processing unit 135c. If so, it requests the remaining amount of medals from other devices (medal depositing machine 120 and medal lending / dispensing machine 140). In response to such a request, if a notification of the remaining amount of medals is received from another device, the information is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 130a.

  The medal status notification processing unit 135e performs the same processing as the medal status notification processing unit 124c of the medal depositing machine 120, and requests a remaining medal request from other devices (the medal depositing machine 120 and the medal lending / dispensing machine 140). When received, the processing unit notifies the requesting device of the remaining amount of medals detected by the remaining medal detection sensor 130i.

  Here, the configuration of the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 has been described, but the medal lending / dispensing machine 140 has substantially the same configuration. However, the medal lending / dispensing machine 140 does not have a configuration corresponding to the medal saving number management unit 135b and the medal saving management table 134a of the medal lending / dispensing machine 130. Instead, when performing the medal payout process, the stored medal payout request data (including fingerprint data and the number of payouts) is sent to the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 to request the medal management table 134a to be updated. become.

<Cash medal lending procedure>
Next, a processing procedure at the time of medal lending with cash in the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of medal lending with cash using the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 shown in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 is initially in a state of waiting for the receipt of money from the coin insertion slot 130b or the banknote insertion slot 130c (No in step S101), and accepts the receipt of money. (Yes at step S101), the selection button equal to or less than the deposit money amount is validated (step S102), and a state of waiting for a selection operation from the player is entered (No at step S103). For example, when the deposit amount is 2000 yen, 1000 yen and 2000 yen amount selection buttons are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 130a, and the operation of pressing the 1000 yen button or the 2000 yen button is awaited.

  If any one of the selection buttons is pressed by the player (Yes at Step S103), the number of medals for the amount selection button is thrown out (Step S104), and the difference between the money amount deposited and the amount of the selection button Is paid out from the change outlet 130d as change (step S105).

  By performing the above-described series of processes, it is possible to lend out the number of medals for cash as in the conventional medal lending machine. Although the explanation about the cancellation of the process is omitted here, if a cancel button (not shown) is pressed during the deposit, the money for the deposit is returned and the process is terminated.

<Medal deposit processing procedure>
Next, a medal deposit processing procedure using the medal deposit machine 120 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a medal deposit processing procedure using the medal deposit machine 120 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, if a predetermined medal depositing operation is performed on the liquid crystal panel 120a of the medal depositing machine 120 (step S201), “please place your finger on the fingerprint reading unit 120c” on the liquid crystal panel 120a. Is displayed.

  In response to this operation guide, if the player places his finger on the fingerprint reading unit 120c, the fingerprint data is read (step S202), and then the operation guide "insert medal" on the liquid crystal panel 120a. Is displayed.

  In response to this operation guide, if the player inserts a medal into the medal deposit opening 120b (Yes at Step S203), the number of inserted medals is counted (Step S204), and the counting result is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 120a. In addition to the display, the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 is sent to the medal saving request data (including fingerprint data and the number of medals) to request a medal saving (step S205).

  Then, when the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 receives the stored medal request data (Yes at Step S206), the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 searches whether the same fingerprint data as that registered in the stored medal management table 134a, If registered, the number of medals in the stored medal request data is added to the number of medals stored in the corresponding ID column (step S207), and an update completion notification (including ID) is sent to the medal depositing machine 120. Update completion data is transmitted) (step S208). If the fingerprint data is not registered in the stored medal management table 134a, an ID is newly issued, and the fingerprint data and the number of medals in the stored medal request data are newly registered and updated in association with this ID. Notify completion.

  If the medal deposit machine 120 has received the update completion data (Yes at Step S209), the “completed medal”, “ID”, and “number of accumulated medals” are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 120a, and the process is terminated (Step S209). S210).

<Procedure for paying out stored medals>
Next, a procedure for paying out stored medals using the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a stored medal payout procedure using the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 shown in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, when the selection operation of “save medal payout” on the liquid crystal panel 130a of the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 is received (step S301), the “finger to fingerprint reading unit” is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 130a. The operation guide "Please put on 130f" is displayed. In response to the operation guide, if the player places his finger on the fingerprint reading unit 130f, the fingerprint data is read (step S302), and fingerprint data matching processing is performed (step S303). In this collation processing, it is checked whether or not the same fingerprint data that has been read has already been registered in the medal saving management table 134a.

  As a result, when the same fingerprint data as the read fingerprint data does not exist in the stored medal management table 134a (No in step S304), since there is no stored medal, an error is displayed (step S311), and the step The process proceeds to S301.

  On the other hand, when the same fingerprint data that has been read exists in the stored medal management table 134a (Yes in step S304), the number of stored medal associated with the fingerprint data is obtained from the stored medal management table 134a. It is taken out and displayed on the liquid crystal panel 130a (step S305), and the input of the payout number of the number of stored medals is accepted (step S306).

  If the input payout number is within the number of stored medals (Yes at Step S307), the payout number is subtracted from the number of stored medals on the stored medal management table 134a and the stored medal management table 134a is updated (Step S307). In step S308, a medal payout process for throwing out medals corresponding to the payout number is performed (step S309), and “payout completion” is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 130a (step S310). If the number of payouts exceeds the number of stored medals (No at Step S307), an error is displayed (Step S311) and the process proceeds to Step S301.

  When the medal lending / dispensing device 140 performs the stored medal payout processing, the processing is basically the same as that of the medal lending / dispensing device 130, but (1) fingerprint data collation processing and In obtaining, the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 is inquired, and (2) the medal is paid out after receiving the update completion notification of the stored medal management table 134a.

<Procedure for extinguishing aging of stored medals>
Next, a description will be given of a stored medal aging extinction processing procedure in the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the erasure / erasure process of the stored medals in the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 shown in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, if the timer detects that a predetermined time (for example, 23:00) after the game center 100 is closed (Yes at step S401), the first ID of the medal management table 134a is stored. It is checked whether or not an expiration date (for example, one year) is missed with reference to the final deposit date (step S402). For example, if the current date is “March 10, 2008” and the expiration date is “1 year”, the last deposit date is before “March 10, 2007”. It will be extracted as a passing target.

  If the expiration date has not passed (No at Step S403), the ID is incremented and then the process proceeds to Step S402 (Step S406). If the expiration date has been exceeded (Yes at Step S403), The number of medals is initialized to “0” and the last deposit date is also initialized (step S404). If there is an unprocessed ID (Yes at Step S405), the ID is incremented (Step S406), and the process proceeds to Step S402. If all IDs are processed (No at Step S405), the process is completed. Exit.

<Medal remaining amount display procedure to other devices>
Next, a series of processing procedures from when the medal depositing machine 120 shown in FIG. 1 detects the near-full state until the remaining amount of medals is displayed on another device will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure from when the medal depositing machine 120 shown in FIG. 1 detects the near-full state until the remaining amount of medals is displayed on the other device.

  As shown in FIG. 11, if the medal remaining amount detection sensor 120f of the medal depositing machine 120 detects a near-full state (Yes in Step S501), the lamp 120d is lit in red (Step S502), and another device (medal lending / The payout machines 130 and 140) are requested for the remaining amount of medals (step S503).

  If the medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140 accept the request for remaining medal (Yes at step S504), the medal remaining amount detected by the remaining medal sensor 130i is returned to the medal depositing machine 120 ( In step S505, each lamp 120d blinks in red (step S506).

  When the medal depositing machine 120 receives the notification of the remaining amount of medals from the medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140, the medal remaining amount of each device is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 120a (step S507), and the clerk inputs the medal hopper 120e to the medal hopper 120e. A state of waiting for medal collection is entered (No at steps S508 to S509).

  If the store clerk collects medals from the medal hopper 120e (Yes at step S509), the medal depositing machine 120 transmits a lamp extinguishing signal to the medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140 (step S510) and the liquid crystal. The medal remaining amount display of the other device of the panel 120a is erased, and the lamp 120d of the own device is turned off (step S511). On the other hand, when the medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140 receive the lamp extinguishing signal from the medal depositing machine 120 (Yes at Step S512), the lamp 130g of the own apparatus is extinguished (Step S513).

  The medals collected from the medal hopper 120e of the medal depositing machine 120 are replenished to the medal lending / dispensing machine 130 or 140 in the near empty state confirmed based on the remaining medals display of the other device displayed on the liquid crystal panel 120a. . However, if there is no medal lending / dispensing machine 130 or 140 requiring replenishment, the store clerk takes it home to store it.

  In the above series of explanations, the case where the medal depositing machine 120 is in the near-full state is shown, but the same processing is performed when the medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140 are in the near-empty state.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the medal remaining amount detection sensors are provided in the medal hoppers of the medal depositing machine 120 and the medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140, respectively, and one of the devices is in the near full state or the near empty state. In this case, the game center 100 stores the medal remaining amount requested to the other device and the medal remaining amount returned in response to the request is displayed on the liquid crystal panel of the device. Efficient replenishment and recovery procedures such as collecting a medal from another device and replenishing the device, or collecting a medal from the device and replenishing the other device as long as the LCD panel is checked. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the medal supplement collection operation.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the medal depositing machine 120 and the medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140 are targeted has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same applies to each apparatus having a medal hopper. Can be targeted. Specifically, instead of the medal depositing machine 120 and the medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140, a medal lending machine that lends medals in cash and a medal depositing / dispensing machine that deposits and pays out medals are provided. The same applies to the above.

  In addition, since the game machine provided in the game center includes a medal hopper, this game machine can also be an object of the present invention. Since many such game machines are provided in comparison with the medal depositing machine 120 and the medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140, the medals collected from the medal depositing machine 120 can be replenished to empty game machines, or the medal lending / dispensing machines. For example, the medals to be replenished in 130 and 140 can be collected from the game machine, thereby facilitating the work.

  In the above embodiment, the medal number information received from another device is displayed on the liquid crystal panel. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a receipt printed with the medal number information is issued. You can also. As a result, the store clerk can replenish medals while looking at the receipt. This is effective when a large number of devices exist in the game center 100 (equipped with a journal printer). If the information including the number of medals of the device itself is printed on the receipt, it can also be used for checking the stock of medals.

  In the above embodiment, the remaining number of medals received from the other device is always displayed on the liquid crystal panel. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the remaining amount of medals in the other device is a fixed amount ( It can be configured to display only those that are less than or higher than near empty or less than a certain amount (lower than near full). As a result, only devices that may need to be replenished or collected medals in the near future can be made apparent, so that the efficiency of the medals supplemented and collected work can be further improved.

  In this way, when only the lamps of other devices that require medal replenishment or medal recovery are blinked in red, even if there is no lamp extinction signal, the medal replenishment or medal recovery is performed on this other device. The lamp may be turned off.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the medal depositing machine 120 and the medal lending / dispensing machines 130 and 140 are connected, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. The management device 170 can also be connected on the network 150.

  If the management device 170 receives the medal remaining amount request and the medal remaining amount transmitted from each of the devices 120 to 140, the management device 170 can manage the log information related to the medal replenishment collection. By referring to the history of the log information, it is possible to grasp the approximate sales, the transition of stored medals, and the like. If the devices 120 to 140 are configured to notify the management device 170 together with the sales data, the sales data of each device can be displayed on the display unit of the management device 170. Specifically, during business, each medal lending / dispensing machine 130 and 140 responds to a predetermined time or a request from the management device 170 with the current sales data (total amount, deposit / withdrawal data by type, medal lending) The management device 170 displays a list of sales data collected from each medal lending / dispensing machine 130 and 140 in real time on the display unit. When the store is closed, the management device 170 transmits a closing request signal to each medal lending / dispensing machine 130 and 140, and each medal lending / dispensing machine 130 and 140 confirms and confirms the sales by this closing signal. The sales data is transmitted to the management device 170 to clear the daily data, and the daily data is automatically displayed on the liquid crystal panel until the main body power is turned on / off after the daily data is cleared. As a result, the sales situation in the store can be grasped in real time, and the daily data confirmation work at the time of closing the store can be made more efficient.

  As described above, the game medium lending system, the game medium processor, and the game medium remaining amount display method according to the present invention include a plurality of game media having at least a game medium storage unit and a display unit for storing game media such as medals. It is suitable when the processing machine is installed in a game store, and particularly suitable for improving the efficiency of replenishment / collection of game media.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a medal lending system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the medal depositing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the medal depositing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the medal lending / dispensing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the medal lending / dispensing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the stored medal management table shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of medal lending with cash in the medal lending / dispensing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a medal deposit processing procedure using the medal deposit machine shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a stored medal payout procedure using the medal lending / dispensing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for erasing the stored medals in the medal lending / dispensing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure from when the medal depositing machine shown in FIG. 1 detects a near-full state until the remaining amount of medals is displayed on another device. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a system configuration when a management apparatus is provided.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Game center 110a, 110b, 110 Game machine 120 Medal deposit machine 120a Liquid crystal panel 120b Medal deposit entrance 120c Fingerprint reading part 120d Lamp 120e Medal hopper 120f Medal remaining amount detection sensor 121 Interface part (I / F part)
122 medal count processing unit 123 storage unit 124 control unit 124a medal deposit processing unit 124b other device medal status display processing unit 124c medal status notification processing unit 130,140 medal lending / dispensing machine 130a liquid crystal panel 130b coin slot 130c bill slot 130d Change payout port 130e Medal payout port 130f Fingerprint reading unit 130g Lamp 130h Medal hopper 130i Medal remaining amount detection sensor 131 Money processing unit 132 Medal throwing control unit 133 Interface unit (I / F unit)
134 storage unit 134a medal saving management table 135 control unit 135a medal lending processing unit 135b medal number management unit 135c medal payout processing unit 135d other device medal status display processing unit 135e medal status notification processing unit 150 network 160 counter 170 management device

Claims (8)

A game medium lending system in which a plurality of game medium processors having at least a game medium storage unit and a display unit for storing game media are connected via a network,
Each game media processor
A remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the game medium staying in the game medium storage unit;
When the remaining amount of the game medium detected by the remaining amount detecting means is equal to or less than a first threshold value indicating near empty or equal to or greater than a second threshold value indicating near full, with respect to another game medium processing machine A remaining amount requesting means for requesting a remaining amount of game media;
A remaining amount notifying unit for notifying the remaining amount of gaming medium detected by the remaining amount detecting unit when a request for remaining amount of gaming medium is received from another gaming medium processing device;
A game medium lending system comprising: display control means for controlling display of the remaining amount of game medium received from another game medium processing machine on the display unit.   The plurality of gaming medium processing machines include at least a gaming medium depositing machine that deposits gaming media and a gaming medium lending / dispensing machine that lends gaming media for the accepted money and pays out the deposited gaming media. The game medium lending system according to claim 1.   The plurality of game medium processing machines include at least a game medium lending machine that lends game media for the accepted money, and a game medium deposit / withdrawal machine that deposits game media and pays out deposited game media. The game medium rental system according to claim 1.   4. The game medium lending system according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of game medium processors further include a game machine having at least a game medium storage unit and a display unit for storing game media.   Each game medium processing machine has a predetermined value when the remaining amount of the game medium detected by the remaining amount detecting means is equal to or less than a first threshold value indicating near empty or equal to or greater than a second threshold value indicating near full. Controlling lighting of the warning lamp in the first mode and lighting control of the warning lamp in a second mode different from the first mode when a request for the remaining amount of game media is received from another game media processing machine The game medium rental system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein   Each game medium processing machine controls to turn off the warning lamp of its own device when the near empty or near full is resolved by replenishment of the game medium to the game medium storage unit or recovery of the game medium from the game medium storage unit However, the other game media processing device issues a lamp turn-off instruction to another game media processing device, and the other game media processing device controls the warning lamp to be turned off in response to receiving the lamp turn-off instruction. 5. The game medium lending system according to 5. A game medium remaining amount display method of a game medium lending system in which a plurality of game medium processors having at least a game medium storage unit and a display unit for storing game media are connected via a network,
A remaining amount detection step of detecting the remaining amount of game media that each game media processing machine stays in the game media storage unit; and
When the remaining amount of the game medium detected by the remaining amount detection step is equal to or less than a first threshold value indicating near empty or equal to or greater than a second threshold value indicating near full, with respect to another game medium processing machine A remaining amount request process for requesting a remaining amount of game media;
A remaining amount notification step of notifying the remaining amount of game media detected by the remaining amount detection step when a request for remaining amount of game media is received from another game medium processing machine;
And a display control step of controlling display of the remaining amount of game media received from another game media processing machine on the display unit. A game medium processing machine that has at least a game medium storage unit and a display unit for storing game media and is installed so as to be communicable with other game medium processing machines,
A remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the game medium staying in the game medium storage unit;
When the remaining amount of the game medium detected by the remaining amount detecting means is equal to or less than a first threshold value indicating near empty or equal to or greater than a second threshold value indicating near full, with respect to another game medium processing machine A remaining amount requesting means for requesting a remaining amount of game media;
A remaining amount notifying unit for notifying the remaining amount of gaming medium detected by the remaining amount detecting unit when a request for remaining amount of gaming medium is received from another gaming medium processing device;
A game media processor, comprising: display control means for controlling display of the remaining amount of game media received from another game media processor.

Images