JP5290645B2 - Recording medium processor and identification method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To apply an anti-theft measure on a recording medium for a game without damaging the convenience of operating by a clerk of a parlor or a game player. <P>SOLUTION: A CR unit 10 obtains monitoring an item among value items associated with a prepaid card, of which item the value at the time of returning the prepaid card is monitored is monitored, obtains a reference password to be compared with an input password inputted at the time of returning the prepaid card. When a request for returning the prepaid card is received, the unit 10 determines whether there is any value of the monitoring item, obtains the input password if it determines that there is some value, and confirms whether the person making the request for returning the prepaid card is the player him/herself holding the value of the monitoring item based on the obtained input password and the reference password. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording medium processing machine that performs a gaming medium lending process based on a value associated with a game recording medium, and a method for identifying the same.

  Conventionally, as a game medium lending device for lending game media such as pachinko balls and medals, a plurality of game recording media are stored inside the device, and a prepaid value equivalent to money inserted by the player is built in the device. It is well known that a gaming medium is valued and a gaming medium is lent based on the prepaid value.

  As described above, when using a game recording medium at a game store, when the player leaves the game seat for a purpose, the player removes the game recording medium and adds value to the game recording medium. A fraud in which the prepaid value stored is settled with a recording medium settlement machine occurs.

  From the viewpoint of preventing theft of such a game recording medium, Patent Document 1 describes that when a store clerk or a user performs a keep operation, the game machine is made inoperable and at the same time a game medium lending machine is installed. On the other hand, a game medium lending machine is disclosed which, when not being lent, makes the game machine operable and simultaneously allows the game medium lending machine to be lent when a keep release operation is performed.

  These keep operations and keep release operations are performed by either the store clerk or the player himself. When the store clerk wants to perform the operation, the operation is performed by inserting a key into the game table and turning it from the lock switch to the keep key switch. When the player is made to perform the operation of restoring the original, and when the player is to perform the operation, the personal identification number is input at the time of leaving and returning.

JP 2000-14394 A

  However, in the above-described prior art, every time the player leaves the seat, the store clerk or the player is forced to perform a keep operation and a keep release operation, and thus there is a problem that the convenience of operation of the store clerk or the player is impaired. there were.

  For example, when a store clerk performs a keep operation, the player must call the store clerk using a stand lamp or the like when leaving or returning, and whenever the player requests a keep operation, the store clerk It is necessary to perform an operation of inserting the key into the key and turning it to the keep key switch, and further returning the keep key switch.

  When the player performs a keep operation, the password must be entered every time the player leaves the seat, and the password must be entered in the same manner when returning.

  As described above, even when either the store clerk or the player performs the keep operation and the keep release operation, it is necessary to perform a complicated operation every time the player leaves the seat, and the operation convenience of the store clerk or the player is impaired. Will end up.

  For this reason, it is an important issue how to reduce the amount of operations performed by a store clerk or a player when performing anti-theft measures for game recording media.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems (problems) of the prior art, and implements anti-theft measures for game recording media without impairing the convenience of operation for store staff or players. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording medium processing machine that can be used and an identification method for the same.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a recording medium processing machine according to the present invention is a recording medium processing machine that performs a process of issuing a gaming recording medium associated with a high value related to gaming, Among the value items associated with the game recording medium, high value is associated with any of the value items that are designated in advance and for which the presence or absence of high value is monitored when the game recording medium is returned . A monitoring item acquisition means for acquiring the value item as a monitoring item, and reference authentication as authentication information when returning the game recording medium when a high value is associated with any of the monitoring items When the reference authentication information acquisition means for acquiring information and the return request for the game recording medium are received, the high value of the monitoring item acquired by the monitoring item acquisition means exists. High-value presence / absence determination means for determining whether or not to perform, and input authentication information acquisition means for acquiring input authentication information as authentication information at the time of return when it is determined by the high-value presence / absence determination means that there is high value And authentication information collating means for collating the input authentication information with the reference authentication information.

  Further, the recording medium processing machine according to the present invention further comprises a counting means for counting the acquired game media acquired by a gaming machine attached to the recording medium processing machine in the above invention, and the monitoring item acquiring means or The reference authentication information acquisition means prompts input of the monitoring item or the reference authentication information when the number of acquired game media counted by the counting means exceeds a predetermined value.

  In the recording medium processing machine according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the reference authentication information acquisition means functions as a member recording medium that is given to a game store member in which the game recording medium has been registered in advance. In this case, the member authentication information associated in advance with the member recording medium is acquired as the reference authentication information.

  The recording medium processing machine according to the present invention is acquired by the monitoring item acquisition means when the high value of all the monitoring items associated with the game recording medium becomes zero in the above invention. It further comprises invalidation means for invalidating the monitoring items and the reference authentication information acquired by the reference authentication information acquisition means.

  Further, the recording medium processing machine according to the present invention is the above invention, wherein the recording medium processing machine is provided corresponding to each gaming machine, and for a management apparatus that manages a plurality of recording medium processing machines. A registration requesting unit that requests to register the monitoring item and the reference authentication information in association with the identification information of the game recording medium being received by the recording medium processing machine; When the reference authentication information acquisition means newly accepts the game recording medium, the reference authentication information acquisition means uses the identification information of the accepted game recording medium, and the monitoring item registered in the management device by the registration request means; Reference authentication information is acquired.

Further, the identity verification method applied to the recording medium processing machine according to the present invention is an identity verification method applied to a recording medium processing machine that performs issuance processing of a game recording medium associated with a high value related to a game, Among the value items associated with the game recording medium, high value is associated with any of the value items that are specified in advance and for which the presence of high value is monitored when the game recording medium is returned . A monitoring item acquisition step of acquiring the value item as a monitoring item, and reference authentication as authentication information when returning the game recording medium when high value is associated with any of the monitoring items Reference authentication information acquisition step for acquiring information and the value of the monitoring item acquired by the monitoring item acquisition step when a return request for the game recording medium is received Input authentication information for acquiring input authentication information as authentication information at the time of return when it is determined that there is high value by the high value presence / absence determination step An acquisition step and an authentication information collation step for collating the input authentication information with the reference authentication information are included.

According to the present invention, among the value items associated with the game recording medium, one of the value items that is designated in advance and that is to be monitored for the presence or absence of high value when the game recording medium is returned is high in value. Is acquired as a monitoring item, and when high value is associated with any of the monitoring items , reference authentication information as authentication information when returning the game recording medium is obtained. When the acquisition request is received and the return request for the game recording medium is received, it is determined whether or not the acquired monitoring item has a high value. Since the input authentication information is obtained and the input authentication information and the reference authentication information are collated, the amount of operation performed by the store clerk or the player when the anti-theft measure for the game recording medium is performed is reduced. It is to be able, without impairing the operation convenience of the clerk or the game customer, an effect that is possible to implement the anti-theft action of the game recording medium. In particular, it is possible to acquire monitoring items or reference authentication information when a player starts using a game recording medium, and to acquire information necessary for anti-theft measures as quickly as possible. There is an effect.

  Further, according to the present invention, the number of acquired game media obtained by a gaming machine provided in the recording medium processing machine is counted, and when the counted number of acquired game media exceeds a predetermined value, the monitoring item or reference authentication is performed. Since it is configured to prompt the input of information, it is possible to prompt the input when the player has a game medium possessed by the game and is playing the game comfortably, and can easily input the monitoring item and the reference authentication information. There is an effect that it becomes possible.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the game recording medium functions as a member recording medium given to a pre-registered game shop member, the member authentication information associated in advance with the member recording medium Is obtained as reference authentication information, so that it is possible to divert the authentication information associated with the member recording medium at the time of member registration in advance and eliminate the need to input the reference authentication information again. There is an effect.

  In addition, according to the present invention, when the high value of all the monitoring items associated with the game recording medium becomes zero, the acquired monitoring items and reference authentication information are invalidated. It is possible to delete the monitoring items and reference authentication information by identifying the customer to a certain degree, and the situation where the previously registered player monitoring items and reference authentication information are handed over to the player who plays the game later There is an effect that it becomes possible to prevent.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the recording medium processing machine is provided corresponding to each gaming machine, the recording medium processing machine accepts the management apparatus that manages the plurality of recording medium processing machines. In response to the request to register the monitoring item and the reference authentication information in association with the identification information of the game recording medium in the middle, and when the game recording medium is newly received, the identification information of the received game recording medium Is used to acquire the monitoring item and reference authentication information registered in the management device, so that the player who moves the table has the trouble of inputting the monitoring item and the reference authentication information again on the destination gaming table. This is advantageous in that the amount of operation of the player accompanying the anti-theft treatment can be effectively reduced.

  Exemplary embodiments of a recording medium processing machine and its identification method according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, the case where the present invention is applied to each vehicle counting system that provides a pachinko game will be described.

  First, the system configuration of each counter counting system including the recording medium processing machine according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a system configuration of each vehicle counting system according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, each counting system includes a CR unit 10 with a counting function (hereinafter simply referred to as a CR unit), a pachinko machine 20, an island controller 30, and a value management device 50. ing.

  The CR unit 10 is a card processing unit (recording medium processing machine) provided alongside each pachinko machine 20 in the amusement store. In this embodiment, the counting function counts pachinko balls inserted from the lower plate of the pachinko machine 20. (Counter 107 described later) is further included. Specifically, after counting the number of pachinko balls obtained by the player with the pachinko machine 20 to which the device is connected, the count value as a count result is associated with the prepaid card as a ball, and the count value is associated. Issue a prepaid card. In addition, as in the past, ball lending is also performed using the prepaid remaining frequency value that is valued for the prepaid card.

  The pachinko machine 20 is a device in which a player plays a pachinko game by launching a pachinko ball into the game area. In this embodiment, the pachinko machine 20 is a so-called CR pachinko machine compatible with a prepaid card.

  The island controller 30 is a relay device that bundles a group of CR units 10 and pachinko machines 20 provided in a space (amusement island) surrounded by a passage.

  The value management device 50 is a device that manages various values associated with a prepaid card using a value management table 54a described later. The value management table 54a stores prepaid card identification information (hereinafter referred to as prepaid card ID), a prepaid remaining number, and a number of possessed balls in association with each other. For example, when an update request for the prepaid remaining number is received from the CR unit 10, the remaining number corresponding to the prepaid card ID included in the update request is updated, and when an update request for possession is received The number of possessions corresponding to the prepaid card ID included in the update request is updated.

  In this way, in each counter counting system, in addition to the prepaid remaining number, the ball to be held is further associated with the prepaid card, and the ball that has not been a problem when the counter is disposed on the island edge. Since the box is stolen by stealing one prepaid card, the need for a prepaid card theft prevention measure is increasing.

  Here, the CR unit 10 according to the present embodiment acquires, from among the value items associated with the prepaid card, a monitoring item to be monitored for presence / absence of high value when the prepaid card is returned, and when the prepaid card is returned When a reference password is obtained as authentication information for a prepaid card and a return request for a prepaid card is accepted, it is determined whether the value of the monitoring item exists, and if it is determined that the value is high This is characterized in that the input password as the authentication information is acquired, and the acquired input password is compared with the reference password.

  In other words, in this embodiment, when the prepaid card is returned, the input password is input and collated with the reference password acquired in advance, so that the store is finally closed or moved without the purpose of returning the prepaid card. The security of the prepaid card can be ensured only by entering the input PIN only when the player enters the input PIN, or calls the clerk and keeps the key as in the prior art described above. It is possible to reduce the amount of operation performed by the store clerk or the player by eliminating the need to perform a keep operation for setting a key on the switch, and therefore a keep release operation accompanying it every time the user leaves and returns.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, a value item that is regarded as important by the player in advance is designated as a monitoring item from the value items that are valued to the prepaid card, for example, items such as the remaining number of prepaid cards and possession balls in this embodiment. By entering the input PIN only when there is a high value corresponding to the specified monitoring item, except when there is a numerical value in the monitoring item, by returning the prepaid card as it is when accepting the return operation, In the case where the player himself thinks that it is not necessary, it is not necessary to input the input personal identification number, so that the amount of operation by the player can be further reduced.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when carrying out the anti-theft measures for prepaid cards, the amount of operations performed by the store clerk or the player can be reduced, and the prepaid card can be reduced without impairing the operation convenience of the store clerk or the player. It becomes possible to carry out card anti-theft measures.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the player himself / herself designates the monitoring item, and the input password is inputted only when there is a high value corresponding to the designated monitoring item. Theft that occurs when the player chooses the balance of operational convenience and there is a high value in the value item for which the monitoring item is not specified, or theft that occurs when no monitoring item is specified It becomes possible to leave responsibility to the player himself.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the anti-theft processing using authentication information such as a personal identification number is performed, the theft of the prepaid card is reduced. As a result, the prepaid card for the theft is replenished (and the prepaid card integrated member) It is possible to reduce the cost required for card replenishment).

  Then, the structure (CR unit 10 and value management apparatus 50) of each apparatus which comprises each stand counting system which concerns on Example 1 is demonstrated. Hereinafter, the configuration of the value management device 50 will be described after the configuration of the CR unit 10 is described.

  As described above, the configuration of the CR unit 10 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the CR unit shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the pachinko machine 20 provided with the CR unit 10 is indicated by a broken line.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the CR unit 10 sends a state display unit 101 that is turned on when an attendant calls, a bill insertion unit 102 that accepts various bills for lending, and a payout (return) request for a ball. Receiving ball return button 103, displayable and inputable touch panel 104 that can accept operation input on a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a display, and a ball dispensing unit 105 having a nozzle for dispensing the ball The card insertion unit 106 that accepts / returns a prepaid card, the counting unit 107 that counts the possessed balls (acquired balls), and the ball storage unit 108 that stores the retained balls (acquired balls).

  Further, the pachinko machine 20 is provided with an upper plate 210 for storing pachinko balls used for pachinko games, and a lower plate 220 for storing pachinko balls overflowing the allowable capacity of the upper plate 210. Among these, the upper plate 210 is further provided with a 7SEG display unit 211 for displaying the remaining number of prepaid cards, a ball lending button 212 for receiving a ball lending request, and a return button 213 for receiving a prepaid card return request. ing. In the present embodiment, the ball lending button 212 and the return button 213 are provided on the pachinko machine 20, but they are not necessarily provided on the pachinko machine 20 side, and may be provided on the CR unit 10.

  When borrowing a pachinko ball, if a player presses the ball lending button 212 on the pachinko machine 20 side, the ball lending operation signal is transferred to the CR unit 10 and the ball lending operation is accepted on the CR unit 10 side. A ball throwing instruction is issued from the unit 10 to the pachinko machine 20, and the lending balls are thrown onto the upper plate 210.

  Further, when the possession balls are counted, if the acquired balls are inserted into the ball storage unit 108 from the lower plate 220 of the pachinko machine 20, the inserted balls are guided to the counting unit 107 and the number of acquired balls is counted. . Then, when the player presses the possessed ball return button 103, if the possessed ball is within the range of the number of balls managed as a possessed ball (acquired ball) by the retained ball / remaining frequency update unit 16a described later, It is thrown out onto the upper plate 210 of the pachinko machine 20 via the payout unit 105.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an internal configuration of the CR unit shown in FIG. In addition, in the possession system function unit 13a and the prepaid system function unit 13b shown in FIG. 3, the block configuration is made up of function units that are not directly connected to the essence of the invention, but is actually subdivided and not illustrated. However, it does not mean that the functional part does not exist.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the CR unit 10 includes an operation unit 11, a communication I / F unit 12a, a gaming machine communication I / F unit 12b, a possession system function unit 13a, and a prepaid system function unit 13b. A card processing unit 14, a storage unit 15, and a control unit 16.

  The operation unit 11 is a general term for various button groups such as the holding ball return button 103 and the touch panel 104 shown in FIG.

  The communication I / F unit 12a controls various communications between other devices such as a value management device 50 that manages and manages the remaining number of prepaid cards and the number of possessions, and an island controller 30 that bundles CR units 10 in units of game islands. It is an interface that performs.

  The gaming machine communication I / F unit 12b is an interface that controls various communications (for example, a ball lending request and a ball throwing instruction) with the pachinko machine 20 provided in the CR unit 10.

  The possessed ball system functional unit 13a is a general term for functional units involved in the processing of the possessed ball. For example, the counting unit 107 and the possessed ball dispensing unit 105 correspond to this.

  The prepaid function unit 13b is a general term for functional units involved in the processing of the remaining prepaid number. For example, a bill validator (bill validator) that identifies a denomination of a bill inserted into the bill insertion unit 102 corresponds to this. .

  The card processing unit 14 is a processing unit that handles various cards inserted from the card insertion unit 106. Specifically, a card reader / writer that reads / writes information from / to various cards such as prepaid cards and membership cards, a card storage unit that stores a built-in prepaid card (a card with no value), a card reader / writer, and a card storage unit It is configured to include a transport / feeding mechanism portion that performs transport / feeding in between.

  The storage unit 15 is a storage device such as a non-volatile memory that stores data and programs necessary for various processes performed by the control unit 16. For example, a monitoring item to be monitored for high value at the time of returning a prepaid card The value item data 15a indicating (value item) and the reference password number data 15b indicating the reference password number to be compared with the input password number are stored together.

  The control unit 16 is a control unit that controls the CR unit 10 as a whole. The possession / remaining frequency update unit 16a, the monitoring item registration unit 16b, the reference password registration unit 16c, and the monitoring item / password deletion unit 16d. And a high value presence / absence determination unit 16e and an identity verification unit 16f. Actually, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a ROM or non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, and the possession / remaining frequency updating unit 16a, monitoring item registration The process corresponding to each of the unit 16b, the reference password registration unit 16c, the monitoring item / password deletion unit 16d, the high value presence / absence determination unit 16e, and the identity verification unit 16f is executed.

  The possessed ball / remaining frequency update unit 16a is a processing unit that updates the prepaid remaining frequency and the retained ball.

  Here, among the value items, with regard to possessed balls, the number of possessed balls is managed locally in the CR unit 10 until the prepaid card is returned, and the number of possessed balls becomes the prepaid card ID when the prepaid card is returned. While the value management device 50 is notified in association with each other, the prepaid remaining number of times is managed by the both while maintaining the synchronization between the CR unit 10 and the value management device 50 at all times.

  First, the update of the possession ball will be described. If the sensor output is obtained from the counting unit 107 belonging to the possession system function unit 13a, the possession / remaining frequency update unit 16a uses the sensor output as the possession / remaining amount. Addition updating is performed to count up the current number of balls held in the frequency update unit 16a. In addition, when a pressing operation of the holding ball return button 103 is accepted, subtraction update is performed to subtract the number of payouts set in advance by the value management device 50 or the like from the number of holding balls internally, and the holding ball function unit A throwing instruction for the number of payouts is given to the possession ball paying unit 105 belonging to 13a.

  Next, the update of the prepaid remaining frequency will be described. The possession / remaining frequency updating unit 16a determines that the banknote inserted into the banknote inserting unit 102 is denominated and true by the BV unit (bill valid unit) belonging to the prepaid system function unit 13b. When false is discriminated, a frequency value request including the addition request frequency and the prepaid card ID is made to the value management device 50 so as to add the remaining frequency for the inserted bill to the built-in prepaid card. In the value management device 50 that has received this frequency value request, the addition request frequency is added to the remaining frequency of the corresponding prepaid card ID in the value management table 54a, which will be described later, and a value completion response is sent to the CR unit 10 of the request source. Reply to

  On the other hand, when the ball lending button 212 attached to the pachinko machine 20 is pressed, the pre-paid card in which the number of lending unit amount preset by the value management device 50 is inserted The value management device 50 is requested to subtract the remaining frequency including the subtraction request frequency and the prepaid card ID so as to be subtracted from the value management device 50. In the value management device 50 that has received this remaining number valuation request, the subtraction request frequency is subtracted from the remaining number of the corresponding prepaid card ID in the value management table 54a, which will be described later, and the subtraction completion response is sent to the requesting CR unit 10. Reply to

  In addition, when the prepaid card ID of the prepaid card inserted into the card insertion unit 106 is read by the card processing unit 14, the possession / remaining number update unit 16 a has the number of possessions corresponding to the prepaid card ID and The value management device 50 is inquired about the remaining number. Upon receipt of this inquiry, the value management device 50 reads the number of possessed balls and the remaining number of prepaid cards of the corresponding prepaid card ID in the value management table 54a described later, and uses the number of retained balls and the remaining number of prepaid as the inquiry source. Reply to the CR unit 10.

  In this way, the possessed ball / remaining frequency update unit 16a updates the retained ball and the prepaid remaining frequency, and when the return button 213 attached to the pachinko machine 20 is pressed, The number of balls is linked to the prepaid card ID being inserted and notified to the value management device 50. After the possession ball is associated with the prepaid card, the card processor 14 returns the prepaid card.

  The monitoring item registration unit 16 b is a processing unit that registers monitoring items in the storage unit 15. Specifically, when a prepaid card is associated with one of the value items of the possession ball or the prepaid remaining number, the selection of the monitoring item is accepted via the touch panel 104 (see FIG. 7), and the received monitoring item Is registered in the storage unit 15 as the monitoring item data 15a.

  The reference personal identification number registration unit 16 c is a processing unit that registers the reference personal identification number in the storage unit 15. Specifically, when at least one of the value items of the possession ball and the remaining number of prepaid is selected as a monitoring item, it is to be compared with the input password that is input when the prepaid card is returned via the touch panel 104. The input of the reference password is received (see FIG. 8), and the received reference password is registered (stored) in the storage unit 15 as the reference password data 15b. The registration of the monitoring item and the reference personal identification number is associated with the prepaid card ID of the prepaid card being inserted by connecting the reference personal identification number received in this way and the monitoring item received by the monitoring item registration unit 16b. Request device 50.

  The monitoring item / password erasure unit 16d is a processing unit that erases the monitoring item and the reference code number stored in the storage unit 15. Specifically, when the value of all value items associated with the prepaid card becomes zero, the monitoring item data 15a and the reference password data 15b in the storage unit 15 are deleted. Of course, it goes without saying that the monitoring item and the reference password are deleted even when the prepaid card is returned.

  As described above, the reason for deleting the monitoring item and the reference personal identification number under certain conditions is that the prepaid card is recursively used by an unspecified number of persons, and a previously registered player This is to prevent the monitoring item and the reference personal identification number from being handed over to the player who plays the game later.

  However, in order to prevent such a situation, it is effective as long as the same player uses the same prepaid card, but when there is a possibility that different players use the same prepaid card, the monitoring item and It is necessary to invalidate the reference personal identification number, that is, it is necessary to identify the individual player with a certain degree.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, when the value of all value items associated with the prepaid card becomes zero, it is possible to assume that the player is likely to be replaced. In this case, the monitoring item and the reference password stored as the monitoring item data 15a and the reference password data 15b in the storage unit 15 are reset.

  The high value presence / absence determination unit 16e is a processing unit that determines whether there is a high value corresponding to the monitoring item stored as the monitoring item data 15a by the storage unit 15. Specifically, when the return button 213 attached to the pachinko machine 20 is pressed, the number of possessed balls is registered as a monitoring item, the number of remaining prepaid if the number of remaining prepaid is registered, these If both are registered, both the number of possessed balls and the remaining number of prepaid are inquired to the possessed ball / remaining number of times update unit 16a, and the presence / absence of high value corresponding to the monitoring item is determined.

  The person confirming unit 16f is a person who makes a return request for the prepaid card based on the reference password stored as the reference password data 15b by the storage unit 15 and the input password received via the touch panel 104. It is a processing unit that confirms whether or not the player owns the high value of the monitoring item.

  More specifically, when the high value presence / absence determination unit 16e determines that there is a high value corresponding to the monitoring item, the input code number is received via the touch panel 104, and the reference code number data 15b is stored by the storage unit 15. The reference password stored as is read out, and the input password and the reference password are verified.

  At this time, if both the input personal identification number and the reference personal identification number match, the possessed ball / remaining frequency updating unit 16a associates the possessed ball with the prepaid card and then returns the prepaid card being inserted to the card processing unit 14. On the other hand, if the two do not match, the input password is accepted again. If the input code number is received a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times) or more and the two code numbers do not match, prepaid is made through the touch panel 104, the output unit 52 of the value management device 50 described later, and other employee income. Notify nearby players, employees and fraudsters that there is a risk of card theft.

  Here, it is allowed even if the input code number does not match the reference code number up to a predetermined number of times. However, when an input code number that does not match the reference code number is entered even once, a notification is immediately made. You can do it. Further, when the prepaid card is likely to be stolen as described above, the prepaid card being inserted may be provisionally taken into the internal card storage unit.

  Next, the configuration of the value management device 50 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the internal configuration of the value management apparatus shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, only the components necessary for explaining the characteristic points of the value management device 50 according to the first embodiment are extracted.

  As shown in the figure, the value management device 50 includes an input unit 51, an output unit 52, a communication I / F unit 53, a storage unit 54, and a control unit 55.

  The input unit 51 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, the output unit 52 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a display, and the communication I / F unit 53 is connected to the CR unit 10 and the island controller 30. It is an interface for performing data communication between them.

  The storage unit 54 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a nonvolatile memory, and also stores a value management table 54a for managing the high value of each value item associated with the prepaid card.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the value management table 54 a is a table that stores the remaining number, the number of possessions, the monitoring items, and the reference password for each prepaid card ID.

  For example, taking a card with a prepaid card ID “01234” as an example, a monitoring item is set so that the presence / absence of a possessed ball is determined when the card is returned. If there is a retained ball, the reference password “9999” is set. It is shown that the monitoring item and the reference password are set so that the inserted prepaid card is returned only when the input password that matches is entered. Further, in the case of the card with the prepaid card ID “32345”, the monitoring item is set so as to determine whether or not there is a high value for both the possession ball and the remaining number of prepaids. If it exists, it indicates that the reference password is set so that the inserted prepaid card is returned only when the input password matching the reference password “0028” is input.

  The control unit 55 is a control unit that controls the entire value management device 50, and includes a possession / remaining frequency management unit 55a, a monitoring item / password registration unit 55b, and a monitoring item / password deletion unit 55c. In practice, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a ROM or non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, and the possession / remaining frequency management unit 55a, monitoring item / Processes corresponding to the password registration section 55b and the monitoring item / password deletion section 55c are executed.

  The possessed ball / remaining degree management unit 55a is a processing unit that manages the retained balls and the remaining number of prepaids associated with the prepaid card using the value management table 54a. Specifically, when a possession ball update request including a prepaid card ID is received from the CR unit 10, the number of possessions of the corresponding prepaid card ID in the value management table 54a is updated and an update completion response is sent to the request source. When a response is made to the CR unit 10 and a request for updating the remaining number including the prepaid card ID is received from the CR unit 10, the remaining number of the corresponding prepaid card ID in the value management table 54a is updated and an update completion response is sent. It returns to the requesting CR unit 10.

  The monitoring item / password registration unit 55b is a processing unit that registers the monitoring item and the reference password received from the CR unit 10 in the value management table 54a. Specifically, the monitoring item and the reference password associated with the prepaid card ID are received from the reference password registration unit 16c of the CR unit 10, and the received monitoring item and the reference password are stored in the value management table 54a. Register in the field of prepaid card ID.

  As described above, the monitoring item and the reference personal identification number are managed on the value management device 50 side as well. In other words, the player who wants to play a game on a different game machine after receiving the prepaid card is moved. This is to save the user from having to input the monitoring item and the reference password again at the game machine to be moved. In this embodiment, the monitoring item and the reference password are stored on the value management device 50 side, but the monitoring item and the reference password may be recorded on the prepaid card.

  In this way, when the prepaid card is inserted into the card insertion unit 106 in conjunction with the monitoring of the monitoring item and the reference personal identification number by the value management device 50, the coins associated with the prepaid card by the CR unit 10 and Not only the prepaid remaining number but also the monitoring item and the reference password are inquired together.

  Upon receiving this inquiry, the possession / remaining frequency management unit 55a of the value management device 50 returns the retained ball and the prepaid remaining frequency corresponding to the corresponding prepaid card ID in the value management table 54a, and corresponds to the prepaid card ID. If there is registration of a monitoring item and a reference password to be monitored, the monitoring item and the reference password are further returned. In the CR unit 10 which has obtained the inquiry result, when the monitoring item and the reference password are obtained, the monitoring item and the reference password are stored in the storage unit 15 by the monitoring item registration unit 16b and the reference password registration unit 16c. It will be registered.

  The monitoring item / password deleting unit 55c is a processing unit that deletes the monitoring item and the reference password registered in the value management table 54a. Specifically, when the possessed ball / remaining frequency number is updated by the possessed ball / remaining frequency management unit 55a, the retained ball and the remaining frequency corresponding to the prepaid card ID for which the update has been performed are referred to. When the high value becomes zero, the monitoring item and the reference password in the value management table 54a are deleted.

  Also, the monitoring item / password erasure unit 55c is a card settlement machine (a device that settles the prepaid remaining number into money) or a prize management device (a device that performs exchange control for subtracting the number of balls equivalent to the exchanged prize from the possession ball). ), When the possession ball / remaining frequency update is requested to the possession / remaining frequency management unit 55a, it is similarly monitored whether or not the prepaid card has no value, If it becomes, the monitoring item and the reference password are deleted.

  Next, the flow of processing performed in each counter counting system according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, description will be made in the order of (1) monitoring item / password registration processing, (2) monitoring item / password distribution processing, (3) monitoring item / password deletion processing, and (4) identity verification processing.

(1) Monitoring Item / PIN Registration Process As described above, here, the monitoring item / PIN registration process according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of monitoring item / password registration processing according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, when the possession / remaining frequency updating unit 16a gives a cash value from the remaining number of times zero, or when an additional update of the retained ball from the number of remaining balls is performed (step S101). When affirmative or step S102 is affirmative, the monitoring item registration unit 16b displays the monitoring item selection screen shown in FIG. 7 on the touch panel 104 and accepts selection of the monitoring item (step S103).

  At this time, when at least one of the value items of the possession ball and the prepaid remaining frequency is selected as the monitoring item (Yes in step S104), the reference password registration unit 16c displays the password shown in FIG. An input screen is displayed, and an input of a reference password that is to be compared with an input password that is input when the prepaid card is returned is accepted (step S105). If no monitoring item is selected (No at Step S104), the monitoring item and the reference password are not registered, and the process is terminated as it is.

  The monitoring item registration unit 16b registers the monitoring item received on the touch panel 104 in the storage unit 15 as the monitoring item data 15a, and the reference password registration unit 16c similarly receives the reference password received on the touch panel 104. Is registered in the storage unit 15 as the reference password data 15b, and the reference password registration unit 16c inserts the reference password received in this way and the monitoring item received by the monitoring item registration unit 16b. The value management device 50 is requested to register the monitoring item and the reference personal identification number in association with the prepaid card ID of the prepaid card in the middle (step S106), and the process is terminated.

(2) Monitoring item / PIN distribution process Next, the monitoring item / PIN distribution process according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of monitoring item / password distribution processing according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, upon receiving an inquiry for card information including a prepaid card ID (Yes in step S301), the possession / remaining frequency management unit 55a has a possession corresponding to the corresponding prepaid card ID in the value management table 54a. And the number of remaining prepaid is returned (step S302).

  At this time, if there is a registration of the monitoring item and the reference personal identification number corresponding to the prepaid card ID (Yes in step S303), the possession / remaining frequency management unit 55a sends the monitoring item and the reference personal identification number to the CR unit 10 (Step S304), and the process ends.

(3) Monitoring Item / PIN Delete Process Next, the monitoring item / PIN delete process according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the monitoring item / password deletion process according to the first embodiment. This process is performed by both the CR unit 10 and the value management device 50. Here, a case where the process is performed by the CR unit 10 will be described.

  As shown in the figure, when the high value of any value item is updated by the possessed ball / remaining frequency updating unit 16a (Yes in step S501), the monitoring item / security code deleting unit 16d It is determined whether the prepaid remaining frequency held by the update unit 16a is zero (step S502).

  At this time, if the prepaid remaining number is zero (Yes in step S502), the monitoring item / password erasure unit 16d determines whether the number of possessed balls held by the possessed / remaining number updating unit 16a is zero. It is further determined whether or not (step S503).

  If the number of possessed balls is also zero (Yes at Step S503), the monitoring item data 15a and the reference code number data 15b in the storage unit 15 are deleted (Step S504), and the process is terminated.

(4) Identity Verification Processing Next, identity verification processing according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of identity verification processing according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, when a prepaid card return operation, for example, when the return button 213 attached to the pachinko machine 20 is pressed (step S701), if a monitoring item is registered in the storage unit 15 (Yes in step S702) ), The presence / absence determination unit 16e determines whether there is a value corresponding to the monitoring item (step S703).

  At this time, when the monitoring item is not registered in the storage unit 15 (No at Step S702), or when the high value corresponding to the monitoring item does not exist (No at Step S703), the high value presence / absence determination unit 16e After associating the possessed ball with the prepaid card by the possessed / remaining frequency updating unit 16a, the prepaid card being inserted is returned to the card processing unit 14 (step S704), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when there is a high value corresponding to the monitoring item (Yes in step S703), the person confirmation unit 16f receives the input code number via the touch panel 104 (step S705) and the storage unit 15 uses the reference code number. The reference password stored as the data 15b is read, and the input password and the reference password are collated (step S706).

  Here, if both the input personal identification number and the reference personal identification number match (No in step S707), the identity verification unit 16f associates the possessed ball with the prepaid card by the possessed / remaining frequency updating unit 16a. The prepaid card being inserted is returned to the processing unit 14 (step S704), and the process ends.

  If both the input code number and the reference code number do not match (Yes at step S707), the identity verification unit 16f determines whether or not the number of verification mismatches has reached a predetermined number (for example, 3 times). (Step S708).

  If the number of verification mismatches is less than the predetermined number (No at Step S708), the processes from Step S705 to Step S707 are repeated.

  On the other hand, when the number of verification mismatches reaches a predetermined number (Yes in step S708), the identity verification unit 16f steals the prepaid card through the touch panel 104, the output unit 52 of the value management device 50, and other employee income. To the surrounding players, employees, and unauthorized persons (step S709), and the process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, among the value items associated with the prepaid card, the monitoring item to be monitored for the presence or absence of high value at the time of returning the prepaid card is acquired, and when the prepaid card is returned When a reference password is obtained as authentication information for a prepaid card and a return request for a prepaid card is accepted, it is determined whether the value of the monitoring item exists, and if it is determined that the value is high Since the input password is obtained as the authentication information and the input password is compared with the reference password, the amount of operations performed by the store clerk or the player when the prepaid card theft prevention measures are performed. It is possible to reduce the theft of the prepaid card without impairing the operational convenience of the store clerk or the player.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the monitoring item and the reference personal identification number are obtained when any value item is associated with the prepaid card, the player starts using the prepaid card. In this case, it is possible to acquire the monitoring item and the reference password, and it is possible to acquire information necessary for the anti-theft measure as quickly as possible.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, when the value of all value items associated with the prepaid card becomes zero, the acquired monitoring item and the reference password are invalidated. It is possible to identify individuals to a certain degree and delete monitoring items and reference passwords, preventing situations where previously registered player monitoring items and reference passwords are handed over to players who play games later It becomes possible to do.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the value management device 50 is requested to register the monitoring item and the reference personal identification number in association with the prepaid card ID of the prepaid card being received by the CR unit 10, and the prepaid card. Is newly acquired, the prepaid card ID of the received prepaid card is used to acquire the monitoring item and the reference password registered in the value management device 50. Thus, it is possible to save the trouble of inputting the monitoring item and the reference password again at the game machine of the moving destination, and it is possible to effectively reduce the operation amount of the player accompanying the antitheft treatment.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms other than the embodiments described above. Therefore, another embodiment included in the present invention will be described below.

(1) Monitoring Item / PIN Acceptance Trigger For example, in Example 1 above, the monitoring item and the reference PIN are entered when any value item is associated with the prepaid card. It is not always necessary to input at that timing, and when the number of possessed balls becomes a predetermined value (for example, 10,000) or more, it is possible to prompt the input of the monitoring item and the reference password and acquire the input. Absent.

  In other words, it is possible to promptly input the monitoring item and the reference personal identification number by prompting the input when the player acquires a possession by the game and is playing the game comfortably. Further, the CR unit 10 is configured to temporarily stop the counting function of the ball by the counting unit 107 until the monitoring item and the reference personal identification number are input, thereby preventing theft in a situation where the damage at the time of card theft becomes large. It is also possible to increase incentives for cooperating with treatment.

  Further, in this regard, in the present invention, from the viewpoint of recommending the input of the monitoring item and the reference password, when the prepaid residual number is a predetermined value or more, the monitoring item and the reference password must be input. You may limit your ball lending.

  For example, when 10000 yen is valued for a prepaid card, it is lent out for the lending unit amount (for example, 5 times), and the next time you borrow a ball, the monitoring item and the reference password are entered. A ball lending process may be performed. This makes it possible to increase incentives for cooperation with anti-theft measures in a situation where damage during card theft becomes large, as in the case of possession balls.

(2) Member Card In the above-described first embodiment, the prepaid card anti-theft measure used by a visitor's player has been described. However, the prepaid integrated type possessed by a player (member) who is a member of a game store member. The present invention can be similarly applied to a membership card.

  In many cases, such a membership card is pre-registered with a password at the time of membership registration. In such a case, the membership card is inserted into the card insertion unit 106 without having to bother to enter the reference password. By acquiring the personal identification number associated with the member card as the reference personal identification number when inserted into the card, it is possible to reduce the amount of operation of the member associated with the theft prevention measures.

  Further, since the prepaid integrated membership card is further associated with a stored ball in addition to the prepaid remaining frequency and the number of possessed balls, the monitoring item selection pattern as shown in the monitoring item selection screen shown in FIG. It is expanded to the total number of power, possession balls, storage balls, or a combination of these (total of 7 patterns).

  In addition, the prepaid integrated membership card need not have all these three value items associated with one identifier. For example, when the prepaid integrated membership card is composed of a magnetic stripe and an IC card, and identification information is recorded on both of them, for example, the identification information stored in the magnetic stripe is associated with the storage ball, When the prepaid remaining number and the possession ball are associated with the identification information stored in the IC card, three value items are associated with the prepaid integrated membership card through the two identification information. However, the present invention can be similarly applied.

(3) Others In the above-described first embodiment, the value management device 50 manages both the prepaid remaining number and the possession number, but it is not always necessary to manage all the value items in a unified manner, and the prepaid remaining number. The management device for managing the ball, the management device for managing the possession balls, and the management device for managing the stored balls may be distributed, or a part of the management devices may be integrated.

  In the first embodiment, the monitoring item and the reference personal identification number are transmitted from the value management device 50 to the CR unit 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is managed by the value management device 50. In this state, the input password may be transmitted from the CR unit 10 to the value management device 50. In that case, it is necessary to collate on the value management device 50 side.

  In the first embodiment, the personal identification number is used as the authentication information. However, the personal identification number is not necessarily used, and other authentication information such as biometric authentication information such as a face image or a fingerprint can be used. .

  In the first embodiment, the high value is managed by the host device such as the value management device 50 by associating the prepaid card ID recorded on the prepaid card with the high value such as the possession ball and the prepaid remaining number. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to the case where the ball and the prepaid remaining frequency are directly recorded in the prepaid card.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the embodiment in which the present invention is applied to each counter counting system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is also applied to a game arcade having an island edge counter. Can be applied as well.

  In the first embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko game has been described. However, the present invention is similarly applied to a case where a pachislot game is further included or only a pachislot game is targeted. be able to. Although an example in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko parlor has been described here, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be similarly applied to a game facility such as a game center.

  As described above, the recording medium processing machine and the person identification method according to the present invention are suitable for performing the anti-theft treatment of a game recording medium without impairing the operation convenience of a store clerk or a player.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a system configuration of each counter counting system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is the front view which showed the external appearance of CR unit shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the internal structure of CR unit shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the internal structure of the value management apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information memorize | stored in a value management table. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of monitoring item / password registration processing according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the monitoring item selection screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a PIN code input screen. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of monitoring item / password distribution processing according to Embodiment 1; 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a monitoring item / password deletion process according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of identity verification processing according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the monitoring item selection screen.

Explanation of symbols

10 CR unit with counting function 11 Operation unit 12a Communication I / F unit 12b Communication I / F unit for gaming machine 13a Ball system function unit 13b Prepaid system function unit 14 Card processing unit 15 Storage unit 16 Control unit 16a Frequency update unit 16b Monitoring item registration unit 16c Reference PIN registration unit 16d Monitoring item / PIN deletion unit 16e High value presence / absence determination unit 16f Identity verification unit 20 Pachinko machine 30 Island controller 50 Value management device 51 Input unit 52 Output unit 53 Communication I / F unit 54 storage unit 54a value management table 55 control unit 55a possessed ball / remaining frequency management unit 55b monitoring item / password registration unit 55c monitoring item / password deletion unit

Claims (6)

A recording medium processing machine that performs issuance processing of a gaming recording medium associated with high value related to a game,
Of the value items associated with the gaming recording medium, specified in advance, and are valuable height associated with one of value items of interest to monitor the presence or absence of a value higher during return of the game recording medium A monitoring item acquisition means for acquiring the value item as a monitoring item,
Reference authentication information acquisition means for acquiring reference authentication information as authentication information at the time of return of the game recording medium when high value is associated with any of the monitoring items ;
High value presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not there is a high value of the monitoring item acquired by the monitoring item acquisition means when receiving a return request for the game recording medium;
When it is determined that there is high value by the high value presence / absence determining means, input authentication information acquiring means for acquiring input authentication information as authentication information at the time of return;
A recording medium processing machine comprising: authentication information collating means for collating the input authentication information with the reference authentication information. Further comprising a counting means for counting the acquired gaming media acquired by the gaming machine attached to the recording medium processing machine;
The monitoring item acquisition means or the reference authentication information acquisition means,
2. The recording medium processing device according to claim 1, wherein when the number of acquired game media counted by the counting means exceeds a predetermined value, the recording medium processing device is urged to input the monitoring item or the reference authentication information. The reference authentication information acquisition means includes
When the game recording medium functions as a member recording medium to be given to a pre-registered game store member, the member authentication information associated in advance with the member recording medium is acquired as the reference authentication information. The recording medium processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the recording medium processing device is a recording medium processing device. When the value of all the monitoring items associated with the game recording medium becomes zero, the monitoring items acquired by the monitoring item acquisition unit and the reference authentication information acquired by the reference authentication information acquisition unit recording medium processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a disabling means for disabling. The recording medium processing machine is provided corresponding to each gaming machine,
Requests a management apparatus that manages a plurality of recording medium processors to register the monitoring item and the reference authentication information in association with the identification information of the game recording medium being received by the recording medium processor A registration request means for
The monitoring item acquisition means or the reference authentication information acquisition means,
When the game recording medium is newly received, using the identification information of the received game recording medium, the registration request means acquires the monitoring item and reference authentication information registered in the management device. The recording medium processing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein An identity verification method applied to a recording medium processing machine that performs a process of issuing a gaming recording medium associated with a high value related to a game,
Of the value items associated with the gaming recording medium, specified in advance, and are valuable height associated with one of value items of interest to monitor the presence or absence of a value higher during return of the game recording medium A monitoring item acquisition step of acquiring the value item as a monitoring item,
A reference authentication information acquisition step of acquiring reference authentication information as authentication information at the time of return of the game recording medium when a high value is associated with any of the monitoring items ;
A high value presence / absence determination step of determining whether or not there is a high value of the monitoring item acquired by the monitoring item acquisition step when receiving a return request for the game recording medium;
When it is determined that there is high value by the high value presence / absence determination step, input authentication information acquisition step of acquiring input authentication information as authentication information at the time of return,
An authentication information collating step for collating the input authentication information with the reference authentication information.

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