JP6436954B2 - Giveaway system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a prize payout system for paying out a specific prize exchanged for a game medium such as a pachinko ball.

  At a game store, a player first purchases a game medium such as a pachinko ball and uses the game medium to play a game with a game machine such as a pachinko machine. The result of the game is the number of acquired game media. The acquired game media can be exchanged for prizes. Among prizes, there is a card-like special prize (special prize) called a special prize. An object having a predetermined monetary value is built in the special prize, and there are four types according to the monetary value, for example, 5000 yen, 1000 yen, 500 yen, 200 yen. A prize payout device for paying out such a special prize is installed in the game store. Examples of conventional prize payout devices are disclosed in Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3.

Japanese Patent No. 3722878 Japanese Patent No. 2722396 Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-21686

  In order to smoothly pay out prizes to the player, it is desirable that no prize runs out in the prize storage cassette. In order to prevent the prize storage cassette from running out, a store clerk (hereinafter referred to simply as “the store clerk”) visually checks the number (remaining amount) of prizes stored in the prize storage cassette, When the remaining amount is low or there is no premium, the premium is replenished. Therefore, it is necessary for the store clerk to regularly pull out the prize storage cassette outside the cabinet to check the remaining quantity of the prize. This confirmation work is troublesome for the store clerk.

  The present invention has been made based on such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a prize payout system capable of grasping the remaining amount of prizes in the prize storage unit.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 includes a prize management device (2) for managing a prize and a prize dispensing device for delivering a prize based on a dispensing instruction from the prize management apparatus. In the payout system, the prize payout device includes a casing (5), a plurality of prize storage sections (4) for storing a plurality of types of prizes for each prize, and the prize storage section. In response to a predetermined operation in response to a predetermined operation, and a plurality of unit portions arranged in the unit portion, a payout means (18) for taking out and paying out the received premiums from the premium containing portion arranged in the unit portion Counting means (17) for starting counting the number of prizes accommodated in the accommodating part, and counting information transmitting means (30) for transmitting the counting information of prizes accommodated in the plurality of unit parts acquired by the counting means. ) And The premium management device receives a display unit for displaying information and the count information transmitted from the count information transmission means, and the premium for each unit unit corresponding to the arrangement of the premium storage unit of the premium payout device. A display for simultaneously displaying on the display section a first display (37) for displaying the counting information of the first and a second display (36) for collectively displaying the counting information of the plurality of types of the prizes for each prize type. And a prize payout system characterized by comprising control means.

  The numbers in parentheses indicate corresponding components in the embodiments described later. The same applies hereinafter.

  The invention according to claim 2 has color information stored in association with each type of the prize, and the display control means selects a color corresponding to the prize based on the color information corresponding to the type of the prize. 2. The prize dispensing system according to claim 1, further comprising color display control means for displaying.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the giveaway dispensing device comprises a dispensing machine display unit (14), and a dispensing machine display control means for simultaneously displaying the first display and the second display on the dispensing machine display unit. and (30), a prize payout system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a.

  According to the first to third aspects of the present invention, the number of prizes accommodated in the prize accommodating part is displayed on the display means corresponding to the arrangement of the prize accommodating part. For this reason, the store clerk can grasp the number of prizes accommodated in the prize accommodating part from the display on the display means. Thereby, it is possible to accurately grasp the remaining amount of the prize in the prize container.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the prize paying system provided in the game store. It is the perspective view which looked at the giveaway device shown in FIG. 1 from the front side (side which a shop clerk operates). FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view of the prize dispensing device shown in FIG. 1. It is a top view which shows typically the layout of the prize storage cassette in the cabinet shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the prize dispensing device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen displayed during standby in the store-side display / operator shown in FIG. 2 (No. 1). It is a figure which shows the screen displayed at the time of standby in the store side display operating device shown in FIG. 2 (the 2). It is a figure which shows the screen displayed at the time of standby in the shop side display operation device shown in FIG. 2 (the 3). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen for setting types of prizes accommodated in each prize accommodating cassette in the store-side display / operator shown in FIG. 2 (part 1); FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen for setting the type of prize stored in each prize storage cassette in the store-side display / operator shown in FIG. 2 (part 2); FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen for setting the type of a prize stored in each prize storage cassette in the store-side display / operator shown in FIG. 2 (No. 3). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen for setting the type of prize color according to type in the store-side display / operator shown in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed at the time of goods receipt in the store side display operation device shown in FIG. 2 (the 1). It is a figure which shows the screen displayed at the time of warehousing in the shop side display operation device shown in FIG. 2 (the 2). It is a figure which shows the screen displayed at the time of warehousing in the shop side display operation device shown in FIG. 2 (the 3). It is a figure which shows the screen displayed at the time of warehousing in the shop side display operation device shown in FIG. 2 (the 4). FIG. 3 is a diagram (No. 1) showing a screen displayed when paying out a prize in the store-side display / operating device shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a diagram (No. 2) showing a screen displayed when paying out a prize in the store-side display / operating device shown in FIG. 2;

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a prize payout system provided in a game store.
As shown in FIG. 1, a giveaway device 1 according to the present invention is communicably connected to a giveaway management machine (premium management device) 2. A terminal controller 3 is communicably connected to the prize manager 2. The prize dispensing device 1, the prize manager 2, and the terminal controller 3 constitute a prize dispensing system.

The prize management machine 2 controls the prize dispensing apparatus 1 as an external device for the prize dispensing apparatus 1 and is installed in the game store. The prize management machine 2 has a function of managing the inventory of prizes in the prize dispensing apparatus 1, and a function of displaying and printing the inventory management data of prizes in the prize dispensing apparatus 1.
The terminal controller 3 is a computer system for performing data management of the entire game store where the prize payout device 1 is installed.

The prize payout device 1 pays out prizes, and is used, for example, by being placed directly on the floor of a game store. The prize dispensing device 1 has not only a function for dispensing prizes but also a counting function for counting the number of prizes stored in a prize storage cassette (premium storage unit) 4 (see FIG. 3), as will be described later.
The prizes handled by the prize dispensing device 1 are valuable card bodies that are exchanged according to the number of pachinko balls and other game media acquired by the player at the game store, and are also called special prizes. This prize is generally a resin card having a thickness of about 1 to 3 mm. The prize has a built-in object having a predetermined monetary value. For example, the prize has a monetary value of 5000 yen (extra large prize), 1000 yen (large prize), 500 yen (medium prize), and 200 yen (small prize). There are four types according. On the outer surface of the prize, a color representing the type of the prize (color of the prize) is attached. As a prize used in a game store in which the prize payout device 1 according to this embodiment is installed, for example, a red color is applied to the outer surface of a 5000 yen prize (extra large prize), and a 1000 yen prize (large prize). ) Is blue on the outside. The outer surface of the 500 yen prize (middle prize) is colored green, and the outer surface of the 200 yen prize (small prize) is colored yellow.

  When a game medium such as a pachinko ball acquired by a player is inserted into a counter (not shown) installed in the game store, the inserted game medium is counted, and a bar code indicating the counting result, for example, A receipt printed with is issued from this counter. Instead of such a receipt, a magnetic card in which the counting result is magnetically recorded, or an IC card having an IC chip in which the counting result is recorded may be issued from the counter.

  When the player hands over the receipt issued by the counting machine to the store clerk, the store clerk causes the prize management machine 2 to read the counting result recorded in the barcode on the receipt. The prize management machine 2 determines the type and number of prizes to be paid out (the number of payouts for each prize type) based on the read counting result. Then, a prize payout command including the determined payout number for each prize type is transmitted to the prize payout device 1. The prize payout device 1 pays out a prize according to a prize payout command sent from the prize management machine 2. The player receives the paid prize.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the prize dispensing device 1 as viewed from the front side (side on which the store clerk operates).
A player who receives a payout of a prize from the prize payout device 1 is located on the rear side (upper right side in FIG. 2), and a store clerk is located on the front side (lower left side in FIG. 2) of the prize payout device 1. And serve customers.
The prize dispensing device 1 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped cabinet (housing) 5 that forms an outer shell, and a plurality of (for example, four) prize dispensing units (unit units) 7 accommodated in the cabinet 5. When distinguishing these four prize payout units 7, the first unit 7A, the second unit 7B, the third unit 7C, and the fourth unit 7D are viewed in order from the leftmost unit as viewed from the front side of the prize payout device 1. I will say. Each premium payout unit 7 has a hollow box shape that is slightly thin in the left-right direction. On the front surface (front side in FIG. 2) of each premium payout unit 7 (specifically, the lower unit 20 (see FIG. 3)), there is a handle 8 for gripping when the premium payout unit 7 is pulled out from the cabinet 5. Is provided.

The cabinet 5 has an opening 9 on the front surface. A door 10 for closing the opening 9 is provided on the front surface of the cabinet 5. In FIG. 2, the open state of the door 10 is shown. The door 10 includes two folding type doors. The first door 10A and the second door 10B are referred to in order from the left side when viewed from the front side (the front side in FIG. 2) of the giveaway device 1.
The cabinet 5 includes a first opening / closing sensor 11 (see FIG. 5) for detecting opening / closing of the first door 10A and a second opening / closing sensor 12 (see FIG. 5) for detecting opening / closing of the second door 10B. ) And are provided. The first open / close sensor 11 outputs a detection signal when the first door 10A is in a closed state, and does not output a detection signal when the first door 10A is in an open state. The second open / close sensor 12 outputs a detection signal when the second door 10B is in the closed state, and does not output a detection signal when the second door 10B is in the open state.

  On the upper surface of the cabinet 5, a customer-side display 13 for a player is arranged. Further, on the cabinet 5, a store side display / operator (dispenser display unit) 14 for a store clerk is disposed. The store side display operation device 14 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display with a touch panel. The store clerk can perform each operation in the prize payout device 1 by touching a key (a button or a box, which will be described later) displayed on the screen of the store-side display / operation device 14.

  Eight payout ports 15 arranged in the width direction are formed on the upper surface of the cabinet 5 behind the customer-side display 13 and the store-side display operation device 14. The payout opening 15 is located above each premium payout unit 7 and corresponds to first to eighth lanes described later. Each discharge port 15 communicates with the inside of the cabinet 5 from above. Each payout port 15 is provided with a shutter 16. The shutter 16 opens and closes the payout opening 15 by sliding back and forth. FIG. 2 shows a state where the shutter 16 closes the payout opening 15.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the prize dispensing device 1 and shows the movement of the prize in one prize dispensing unit 7. In FIG. 3, the right side of the prize payout device 1 is a front side where a player who receives the paid prize is located, and the left side of the prize payout device 1 is a rear side where a store clerk who manages the prize payout device 1 is located. is there. Also, the thick line arrows in FIG. 3 indicate the flow of prizes to be paid out.

  In relation to the payout of prizes, the prize payout unit 7 is arranged in two rows in the left-right direction and arranged in the front-rear direction (left and right in FIG. 3), as will be described later, and a plurality of (for example, 8) prizes containing prizes A storage cassette 4; a counting section (counting means) 17 for counting the number of prizes stored in each prize storage cassette 4; and a payout section (payout means) 18 for paying out prizes from a predetermined prize storage cassette 4. It has. A group of the prize storage cassette 4, the counting part 17, and the payout part 18 (excluding the shutter 16) is the premium payout unit 7 described above.

  The prize dispensing unit 7 includes a lower unit 20 and an upper unit 21. The inside of the lower unit 20 and the inside of the upper unit 21 communicate with each other. In the prize dispensing unit 7, the upper unit 21 is left in the prize dispensing unit 7 with the door 10 (see FIG. 2) provided on the front surface (left side in FIG. 3) of the prize dispensing device 1 being opened. Only the unit 20 can be pulled out from the prize dispensing device 1 to the rear side.

  In the lower unit 20, the four premium storage cassettes 4 are arranged in the front-rear direction as described above. Each premium storage cassette 4 can store a plurality (for example, about 100) of premiums stacked in the vertical direction. As described above, by drawing out only the lower unit 20, it is possible to replenish (load) premiums in each premium storage cassette 4.

The payout unit 18 includes a first transport unit 22, a second transport unit 23, a lift 24, and the shutter 16 described above.
In the lower unit 20, a plurality of first transport units 22 are provided corresponding to the respective prize storage cassettes 4, and are provided so as to be movable up and down. A first drive mechanism 25 (see FIG. 5) such as a motor for moving the first transport unit 22 up and down is coupled to the first transport unit 22.

  The counting unit 17 is attached to, for example, the first transport unit 22 and can be moved up and down together with the first transport unit 22. The counting unit 17 mechanically or optically detects the boundary between the top and bottom adjacent prizes in the prize storage cassette 4 when moving up and down, and mechanically flips up and down the prizes stacked in order from the top. Thus, the number of prizes stored in the corresponding prize storage cassette 4 is counted. For this reason, the number of prizes accommodated in each prize accommodating cassette 4 can be counted by the counting unit 17. Counting the actual prizes stored in the prize storage cassette 4 by the counting unit 17 in this way is called “actual count”.

  The upper unit 21 is provided with a second transport unit 23 and a lift 24. The 2nd conveyance part 23 is provided so that a slide movement is possible in the front-back direction (FIG. 3 left-right direction). When the second transport unit 23 slides from the frontmost position to the rearmost position, the second transport unit 23 passes above the four prize storage cassettes 4 arranged in the front-rear direction in order from the frontmost prize storage cassette 4. . A second drive mechanism 28 (see FIG. 5) such as a motor for moving the second transport unit 23 back and forth is coupled to the second transport unit 23.

The lift 24 is disposed at a predetermined position (substantially in the center here) of the upper unit 21 in the front-rear direction, and is provided so as to be movable up and down. A lift driving mechanism 26 (see FIG. 5) such as a motor for raising and lowering the lift 24 is coupled to the lift 24.
On the upper wall of the cabinet 5 of the prize dispensing device 1, a dispensing outlet 15 is formed at a position facing the lift 24 from above. The payout opening 15 communicates with the upper unit 21 and faces the lift 24 from above. The payout opening 15 is opened and closed by a shutter 16. A shutter opening / closing mechanism 27 (see FIG. 5) such as a motor for opening and closing the shutter 16 is coupled to the shutter 16.

The payout opening 15 is closed except when the prize is paid out. At the time of paying out the prize, the shutter 16 moves to the rear side and is hidden in the upper wall of the cabinet 5 of the prize payout apparatus 1 (see the shutter 16 indicated by a broken line). Opened.
As a prize payout process in the prize payout device 1, first, the first transport unit 22 sequentially takes out a prize corresponding to a predetermined number of payouts from a prize on the upper side of a prize stored in the corresponding prize storage cassette 4. Transport upward. Next, the second transport unit 23 transports the premium transported upward toward the payout exit 15 side in a substantially horizontal direction and delivers it to the lift 24. The lift 24 holds the delivered prize below the payout opening 15 and then moves the shutter 16 rearward to open the payout opening 15. The prizes held below are lifted toward the payout exit 15. The lifted prize is pushed forward by a shutter 16 that attempts to close the payout opening 15. As a result, the prize is paid out to the player. The player receives the paid prize.

FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing the layout of the prize storage cassette 4 in the cabinet 5. In FIG. 4, the lower side is the front side of the prize payout device 1 (the clerk side provided with the door 10 (see FIG. 2)), and the upper side is the rear side of the prize payout device 1 (player side). .
The four prize payout units 7 are accommodated in the cabinet 5 in a state of being arranged in the left-right direction. In each prize payout unit 7, a total of eight prize storage cassettes 4 are arranged in four rows in the left-right direction. Accordingly, a total of 32 prize storage cassettes 4 are accommodated in the cabinet 5, each of which is four in eight rows in the left-right direction. Eight columns from the first column to the eighth column arranged in the left-right direction are called the first lane to the eighth lane in order from the left.

  In this embodiment, for example, the eight extravagant storage cassettes 4 (first and second row cassettes) of the first unit 7A store the red extravagant prizes, and the eight premium storage cassettes 4 ( Blue premiums are accommodated in the cassettes in the third and fourth rows). In addition, green premiums are accommodated in the 8 premium storage cassettes 4 (fifth and sixth row cassettes) of the third unit 7C, and the eight premium storage cassettes 4 (seventh and sixth) of the fourth unit 7D are stored. Yellow small prizes are housed in 8 rows of cassettes).

  Store the prize in the prize storage cassette 4 manually by a store clerk. For this reason, there is a possibility that wrong types of prizes may be accommodated in the prize accommodating cassette 4. For example, when a special prize is to be accommodated in the premium storage cassette 4 of the first unit 7A, the special prize is stored by mistake, or a special prize and a great prize are mixedly accommodated in the premium storage cassette 4 of the first unit 7A. Can be considered.

  In addition, when a wrong type of prize is stored in the prize storage cassette 4, the prize stored in the prize storage cassette 4 is automatically paid out, so that the wrong prize is paid out as a correct prize. Then, if the clerk gives the prize paid out to the player as it is, the store may lose, the player may lose, or the player may make a claim.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the prize dispensing device 1.
The prize dispensing device 1 includes a control unit (counting information transmission unit, dispensing machine display control unit) 30 including a microcomputer, for example. The control unit 30 is connected with a first drive mechanism 25, a second drive mechanism 28, a lift drive mechanism 26, a shutter opening / closing mechanism 27, and a customer-side display 13 as control targets.
The detection value output from the counting unit 17 is input to the control unit 30. Further, detection signals from the first open / close sensor 11 and the second open / close sensor 12 are input.

  Furthermore, the store side display operation device 14 is connected to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 controls the display of the store-side display operation device 14, and thereby, the number of prizes accommodated in the gift payout device 1 and the setting status of functions are displayed on the store-side display operation device 14. Further, since the store-side display / operator 14 has a screen with a touch panel, when the screen with the touch panel is operated by a store clerk, an input signal corresponding to the operation is given to the control unit 30.

  A storage unit 31 is connected to the control unit 30. The storage unit 31 is provided with a prize number management table for managing the number of prizes accommodated in the prize dispensing device 1. The prize number management table includes a prize type table for each cassette that stores the type of prize and the color of the prize stored in the prize dispensing device 1 (in the 32 prize storage cassettes 4) for each prize storage cassette 4; It includes an inventory management table for each cassette that stores the number of prizes for each prize storage cassette 4 and an inventory management table for each prize type that stores the number of prizes for each prize type.

6A to 6C are diagrams showing screens displayed in the store-side display / operation device 14 during standby. Screens shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C are displayed on the operating store-side display / operator 14 except for the initial setting, the time of warehousing, and the time of paying out prizes.
The screen shown in FIG. 6A has a title display area 35 arranged at the upper end portion of the screen, a prize type display area (second display) 36 arranged at the left portion of the screen, and a right end portion of the screen. The per-cassette prize type display area 37 (first display) arranged in the portion (the center part of the screen) between the provided button display area 38, the prize number display area 36 according to the prize type, and the button display area 38. And.

In the title display area 35, a title "Premium inventory quantity" and a message "Can be paid out" are displayed.
In the prize type display area 36 by prize type, the number of prizes accommodated in the prize dispensing device 1 (in the 32 prize accommodating cassettes 4) is displayed for each prize type. In the prize type display area 36 by prize type, the number of extra large prizes, the number of large prizes, the number of middle prizes, and the number of small prizes are displayed in numerical order from the top. The display of the number of each prize is arranged on the right side of the character display (“extra large”, “large”, “medium”, “small”) indicating the type of the prize. The control unit 30 displays the number of prizes based on the prize type-specific inventory management table stored in the storage unit 31. The number of prizes counted by the counting unit 17 is displayed in the prize type display area 36 for each prize type. For this reason, the exact number of the prizes accommodated in the prize accommodation cassette 4 can be grasped. In the prize type display area 36 for each prize type, the number of prizes stored in the prize dispensing device 1 is displayed for each prize type. Therefore, just by looking at the prize number display area 36 for each prize type, each type of prize is displayed. The remaining amount can be grasped.

  In this embodiment, a color display area 40 for displaying the color of the prize is provided. The color display area 40 is arranged adjacent to the left side of the prize type display area 36 by prize type. The color display area 40 includes color display boxes 42A, 42B, 42C, and 42D associated with character displays that display the types of prizes. Each color display box 42A-42D is arrange | positioned at the left side of the character display which displays the kind of prize. The color display box 42A corresponding to the oversized prize is colored in red, which is the color of the oversized prize, and the color display box 42B corresponding to the oversized prize is colored in blue, which is the color of the oversized prize. The color display box 42C corresponding to the middle prize is colored in green, which is the color of the middle prize, and the color display box 42D corresponding to the small prize is colored in yellow, which is the color of the small prize. In other words, in the prize type display area 36 for each prize type, the prize number display is displayed separately from the color display boxes 42A to 42D.

  The premium type display area 37 for each cassette schematically shows the types of premiums stored in each premium storage cassette 4 (see FIG. 3). More specifically, in the cassette-by-cassette prize type display area 37, 32 boxes are divided into four boxes and displayed in groups of eight. Each box corresponds to a prize storage cassette 4 (see FIG. 3), and 32 boxes are displayed imitating the layout of the prize storage cassette 4 shown in FIG. In each box group, the boxes are arranged in 4 rows and 2 columns.

In FIG. 6A, the box group under the “unit 1” display corresponds to the first unit 7A, and the box group under the “unit 2” display corresponds to the second unit 7B. The box group under the “unit 3” display corresponds to the third unit 7C, and the box group under the “unit 4” display corresponds to the fourth unit 7D.
In each box, characters (extra large, large, medium, small) representing the types of prizes stored in the corresponding prize storage cassette 4 are displayed. Each box is colored with the color of the prize stored in the corresponding prize storage cassette 4.

  In this embodiment, since the oversized prizes are accommodated in the eight prize accommodating cassettes 4 of the first unit 7A, the box group corresponding to the first unit 7A (the box group under the display of “unit 1”) Each box is colored red, which is the color of the oversized prize. Since large prizes are accommodated in the eight prize accommodating cassettes 4 of the second unit 7B, the inside of each box of the box group corresponding to the second unit 7B (the box group under the display of “unit 2”) It is colored blue, the color of the great prize.

  Further, since the middle prize is accommodated in the eight prize accommodating cassettes 4 of the third unit 7C, the inside of each box of the box group corresponding to the third unit 7C (the box group under the display of “unit 3”). Is colored green, which is the color of the medium prize. Since small prizes are accommodated in the eight prize accommodating cassettes 4 of the fourth unit 7D, the inside of each box of the box group corresponding to the fourth unit 7D (the box group under the display of “unit 4”) It is colored yellow, the color of small prizes.

  In the cassette-by-cassette prize type display area 37, the control unit 30 displays “Empty” in the box corresponding to the empty prize-receiving cassette 4 based on the cassette-by-cassette prize type table held in the storage unit 31. "Is displayed. Further, a near empty mark 41 is displayed in a box corresponding to the prize storage cassette 4 that is near empty (the number of prizes stored is less than a predetermined value (for example, 20)). A store clerk who notices the letters “Empty” and the near empty mark 41 executes a replenishment operation. With the “empty” character or near empty mark 41 displayed in the cassette-by-cassette premium type display area 37, it is possible to grasp the premium containing cassette 4 with no remaining / less premium. In addition, since “empty” characters and a near empty mark 41 are displayed in a box colored with the color of the prize, the type of prize to be replenished (accommodated) in the prize storage cassette 4 is determined by the color of the prize. It is possible to grasp without error based on

  In the replenishment operation, the store clerk opens the door 10 (see FIG. 2) while the power is on, pulls out the prize dispensing unit 7 from the cabinet 5 (see FIG. 2), and can take out the prize storage cassette 4. To do. Then, the prize storage cassette 4 with a small remaining amount (a cassette corresponding to a box on which the characters “empty” and the near empty mark 41 are displayed) is taken out, and a preset type of prize is loaded into the prize storage cassette 4. . When a store clerk loads a prize into the prize storage cassette 4, he looks at the prize type display area 37 for each cassette, and the color of the prize loaded in the prize storage cassette 4 matches the color of the box corresponding to the prize storage cassette 4. Check if they are the same. Thereby, it is possible to prevent wrong types of prizes from being stored in the prize storage cassette 4.

  Various buttons are arranged in the button display area 38. These various buttons include a display switching button 43, a menu button 44, a previous transaction button 45, and an inventory counting button 46. The display switching button 43 displays the display on the store-side display operation device 14 between the screen shown in the current screen (screen shown in FIG. 6A), the screen shown in FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C (screen displaying the previous transaction content). It is a button operated to switch between. Each time the display switching button 43 is operated, the display of the store side display operation device 14 is switched, and the screen shown in FIG. 6A, the screen shown in FIG. 6B, and the screen shown in FIG. Are displayed in this order.

The menu button 44 is a button operated to display a menu screen (not shown) on the store side display / operation device 14.
The previous transaction button 45 is a button operated to display a screen for displaying past transaction contents. By operating the previous transaction button 45, a screen similar to the screen shown in FIG. 6C (screen for displaying the previous transaction content) is displayed. On this screen, it is possible to display transaction contents for up to the past 50 by performing key operations.

  The inventory count button 46 is a button for inputting an inventory count command. By operating the inventory counting button 46, the counting operation by the counting unit 17 is executed in each premium storage cassette 4. When the stock count button 46 in the screen (for example, the screen shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C) displayed on the store-side display / operator 14 is operated while the premium payout device 1 is on standby, A command is input. When the inventory counting command is input, the control unit 30 uses the counting unit 17 to count the number of premium inventory in each premium storage cassette 4.

  When the counting by the counting unit 17 ends, the control unit 30 updates the number of prizes stored in the prize number management table. Specifically, the control unit 30 updates the data for each cassette in the inventory management table for each cassette with the count value (the number of prize stocks) obtained by counting the prize storage cassette 4. In addition, the control unit 30 calculates the premium inventory quantity for each premium type based on the premium inventory quantity for each cassette in the updated inventory management table for each cassette and the contents of the premium type table for each cassette. Based on the above, the premium inventory quantity in the premium management table is updated.

  In addition, when the cassette-based inventory management table or the premium type-specific inventory management table is updated, the control unit 30 displays the premium type-by-prize type display area 36 in FIG. 6A and the premium level display area 36 in FIG. The number of prizes displayed in the cassette-by-cassette prize type display area 37 is updated and displayed. Thereby, the exact number of prizes after counting can be displayed shortly after the counting.

  In the screen shown in FIG. 6B, a premium number display area 48 by cassette is arranged in place of the premium type display area 36 by premium type and the premium type display area 37 by cassette shown in FIG. 6A. Also, in the screen shown in FIG. 6B, a title display area 35 and a button display area 38 are arranged as in the screen shown in FIG. 6A.

In the screen shown in FIG. 6B, the title display area 35 displays a title “stock display by cassette” and a message “can be paid out”.
The cassette-by-cassette prize number display area 48 schematically shows the types of prizes accommodated in each prize-accommodating cassette 4 as in the cassette-by-cassette prize type display area 37 shown in FIG. 6A. The number of prizes stored in each prize storage cassette 4 is also shown.

  Specifically, in the cassette-by-cassette prize number display area 48, 32 boxes are divided into four groups of four boxes. Each box corresponds to the prize storage cassette 4, and 32 boxes are displayed imitating the layout of the prize storage cassette 4 shown in FIG. In each box group, the boxes are arranged in 4 rows and 2 columns. The size of each box is one size larger than each box of the premium type by cassette type display area 37 shown in FIG. 6A.

  In the screen shown in FIG. 6B, the box group under the “unit 1” display corresponds to the first unit 7A and the box group under the “unit 2” display is the same as the screen shown in FIG. 6A. Corresponds to the second unit 7B. The box group under the “unit 3” display corresponds to the third unit 7C, and the box group under the “unit 4” display corresponds to the fourth unit 7D.

  In each box, there are characters (extra large, large, medium, small) indicating the type of the premium stored in the corresponding premium storage cassette 4, and a number indicating the number of premiums stored in each premium storage cassette 4. Is displayed. Each box is colored with a color representing the type of the prize stored in the corresponding prize storage cassette 4 (the color of the prize). The control unit 30 displays the number of prizes in a box corresponding to each prize storage cassette 4 based on the cassette-by-cassette inventory management table held in the storage unit 31.

  Since the oversized prizes are stored in the eight prize storage cassettes 4 of the first unit 7A, the inside of each box of the box group corresponding to the first unit 7A (the box group under the display of “unit 1”) It is colored red. Since large prizes are accommodated in the eight prize accommodating cassettes 4 of the second unit 7B, the inside of each box of the box group corresponding to the second unit 7B (the box group under the display of “unit 2”) It is colored blue.

  Further, since the middle prize is accommodated in the eight prize accommodating cassettes 4 of the third unit 7C, the inside of each box of the box group corresponding to the third unit 7C (the box group under the display of “unit 3”). Is colored green. Since small prizes are accommodated in the eight prize accommodating cassettes 4 of the fourth unit 7D, the inside of each box of the box group corresponding to the fourth unit 7D (the box group under the display of “unit 4”) It is colored yellow.

  Each box is colored with the color of the prize, and the number of prizes for each cassette is displayed in each box, so the prize number display area 48 for each cassette displays the color of the prize in association with the number of prizes. It serves as a color display area. In other words, in the screen of FIG. 6B, the color display area is displayed overlapping the cassette-by-cassette prize number display area 48.

  In the cassette-by-cassette prize number display area 48, the number of prizes accommodated in the prize dispensing device 1 is displayed by cassette. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the remaining amount of the prizes in each prize storage cassette 4 only by looking at the prize number display area 48 by cassette. In addition, it is possible to grasp the types of prizes stored in each prize storage cassette 4 without error based on the colors of the prizes and to know the number of the prizes.

  Further, as described above, each time the display switching button 43 is operated, the display of the store-side display operating device 14 is displayed on the screen shown in FIG. 6A including the prize type display area 36 for each prize type and the number of prizes displayed for each cassette. It is possible to switch between the screen shown in FIG. Therefore, the store clerk operates the display switching button 43 to switch the display of the store clerk display operation device 14, thereby grasping both the number of prizes for each cassette and the number of prizes for each type of prize. .

  In the box corresponding to the prize storage cassette 4 that is empty (empty), the characters “empty” are displayed in place of the numbers indicating the number of prizes to be accommodated. Also, a near empty mark 41 is displayed in the box corresponding to the prize containing cassette 4 that is near empty, instead of a number that indicates the number of prizes to be accommodated. In the premium inventory display for each premium type, a near empty mark 41 is also displayed on the characters representing the types of premiums that are near empty.

  The clerk who notices the display of “empty” and the near empty mark 41 executes the replenishment operation. During the replenishment operation, the store clerk looks at the number-of-cassettes display area 48 when loading a prize into the prize storage cassette 4, and the color of the prize loaded in the prize storage cassette 4 changes to the prize storage cassette 4. Check if it matches the color of the corresponding box. Thereby, it is possible to prevent wrong types of prizes from being stored in the prize storage cassette 4.

  The screen shown in FIG. 6C displays the number of prizes paid out from the payout opening 15 (FIGS. 2 and 3) at the time of the previous transaction for each prize type. When a complaint is received from a player that the value of the special prize received is small, the store clerk looks at the screen shown in FIG. The screen shown in FIG. 6C is different from the screen shown in FIG. 6A in that the prizes that are paid out from the payout exit 15 (FIGS. 2 and 3) at the time of the previous transaction are displayed in the prize type display area 36 according to the prize type. The number is displayed for each prize type. In the title display area 35, a title “Previous number of payouts” and a message “You can payout” are displayed.

Next, the initial setting of the prize dispensing device 1 will be described.
At the time of installing the prize dispensing device 1 in the game store, a maintenance worker or a store clerk (hereinafter referred to as “store clerk” including the maintenance worker in the description of FIGS. 7A to 7D and FIGS. 8A to 8D). The store-side display / operation device 14 is operated to perform initial setting of various operations. At the time of this initial setting, the types of prizes stored in each prize storage cassette 4 and the color of the prize for each prize type are set. FIGS. 7A to 7C are diagrams showing screens for setting the types of prizes stored in the prize storage cassettes 4 in the store-side display / operator 14, and FIG. 7D shows the shop shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen for setting the color of prize according to the type in the side display operation device.

  In the screens shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, instead of the premium type display area 37 for each cassette shown in FIG. 6A, cassettes for setting the types of premiums stored in the premium storage cassettes 4 (see FIG. 3). Another premium type setting area 49 is provided. Further, a prize type selection area 50 is provided instead of the prize type display area 36 according to the prize type on the screen shown in FIG. 6A. Further, in the title display area 35, a title “payout cassette setting” and a message “select a premium type and select a cassette to be set” are displayed.

  In the cassette-by-cassette prize type setting area 49, as in the cassette-by-cassette prize type display area 37, 32 boxes corresponding to the prize-receiving cassette 4 are divided into four groups of eight boxes and displayed in FIG. It is displayed imitating the layout of the prize storage cassette 4 shown. In each box group, the boxes are arranged in 4 rows and 2 columns. In each box of the premium type setting area 49 for each cassette, characters (extra large, large, medium, small) representing the type of premium are not displayed. Each box is not colored and is colorless (same color as the background color of the screen).

  In the prize type selection area 50, four selection buttons 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D for selecting the kind of prize accommodated in each prize accommodating cassette 4 are displayed as "Premium Type" (FIGS. 7A to 7C). (See below) are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. Each of the selection buttons 51A to 51D is assigned an alphabetic character (“A”, “B”, “C”, “D”) indicating the type of each prize. “A” is associated with the oversized prize, and “B” is associated with the oversized prize. Further, “C” is associated with the middle prize, and “D” is associated with the small prize.

In the button display area 38, a return button 52 and a registration button 53 are arranged. The return button 52 is used to invalidate the previous operation. When there is an error in the operation of the store clerk, the return button 52 is operated by the store clerk.
The registration button 53 is operated to register the types of prizes accommodated in each prize accommodating cassette 4 as described below. The registration button 53 is operated for registering the color of the prize for each type, as will be described later. By operating the registration button 53, the storage unit 31 stores the types of the premiums stored in each premium storage cassette 4 and the types of the premiums according to the types, and the premium types of the premium storage cassette 4.

In the following, the types of premiums stored in each premium storage cassette 4 and the procedure for setting the color of the premium for each type will be described. In this embodiment, the types of prizes accommodated in each prize accommodating cassette 4 are determined by selecting the prize accommodating cassette 4 accommodated for each type of prize.
When setting the premium storage cassette 4 in which the extra large premium is stored, the “A” selection button 51A is operated. As a result, the “A” selection button 51A is colored in a predetermined color (see FIG. 7B). Then, after the “A” selection button 51A is operated, the boxes are sequentially operated, whereby the box corresponding to the prize storage cassette 4 in which the extra large prize is stored is selected. A thick frame surrounding the box is displayed on the operated box. In addition, the letter “A” representing the extra large prize is displayed in the box after the operation (see FIG. 7B).

  When setting a prize storage cassette 4 in which large prizes are stored, the “B” selection button 51B is operated. By this operation, the “B” selection button 51B is colored in a predetermined color. Then, after the “B” selection button 51B is operated, the boxes are sequentially operated to select a box corresponding to the prize storage cassette 4 in which a large prize is stored. A thick frame surrounding the box is displayed on the operated box. In the box after the operation, an alphabetic character “B” representing a large prize is displayed.

  When setting the premium storage cassette 4 in which the intermediate premium is stored, the “C” selection button 51C is operated. By this operation, the “C” selection button 51C is colored in a predetermined color. Then, after the “C” selection button 51C is operated, the boxes are sequentially operated to select the box corresponding to the prize storage cassette 4 in which the middle prize is stored. A thick frame surrounding the box is displayed on the operated box. In the box after the operation, the letter “C” representing the middle prize is displayed.

  When setting the prize storage cassette 4 in which small prizes are stored, the “D” selection button 51D is operated. By this operation, the “D” selection button 51D is colored in a predetermined color. Then, after the “D” selection button 51D is operated, the boxes are sequentially operated to select a box corresponding to the prize storage cassette 4 in which small prizes are stored. A thick frame surrounding the box is displayed on the operated box. In the box after the operation, an alphabetic character “D” representing a small prize is displayed.

  After the types of prizes for all the prize storage cassettes 4 are selected, the registration button 53 is operated to complete the setting of the types of prizes stored in the prize storage cassettes 4. That is, the prize storage cassette 4 corresponding to the box displaying the letter “A” is set to receive the extra large prize, and the prize storage cassette 4 corresponding to the box displaying the letter “B” is It is set to accommodate large prizes. Also, the prize storage cassette 4 corresponding to the box displaying the letter “C” is set to receive the middle prize, and the prize storage cassette 4 corresponding to the box displaying the letter “D” is Set to contain small prizes. The types of prizes stored in each premium storage cassette 4 are stored in a cassette-specific prize type table held in the storage unit 31.

  In this embodiment, since eight extra prizes are accommodated in the eight cassettes (first and second lanes) of the first unit 7A, the boxes corresponding to the eight prize accommodating cassettes 4 of the first unit 7A are “A Is set to the type of prize. In addition, since 8 premiums are stored in the eight cassettes (third and fourth lanes) of the second unit 7B, the box corresponding to the eight premium storage cassettes 4 of the second unit 7B is “B”. Set to the type.

  Further, since the eight premiums (the fifth and sixth lanes) of the third unit 7C contain middle prizes, the box corresponding to the eight premiums accommodation cassettes 4 of the third unit 7C has a prize “C”. Set to the type. Furthermore, since the small prizes are accommodated in the eight cassettes (seventh and eighth lanes) of the fourth unit 7D, the box corresponding to the eight prize accommodating cassettes 4 of the fourth unit 7D is “D”. Set to the type of prize.

In the above description regarding the selection buttons 51A to 51D, it has been described that the types of prizes are displayed using the alphabets “A”, “B”, “C”, and “D”, but the types of prizes are shown instead of the alphabets. Character display (“extra large”, “large”, “medium”, “small”) may be displayed.
After the operation of the registration button 53, the screen shown in FIG.
Using the screen shown in FIG. 7D, the color of the prize is set for each type. In the screen shown in FIG. 7D, a color palette display area 54 is displayed instead of the cassette-by-cassette premium type setting area 49 in the screens of FIGS. 7A to 7C. In the title display area 35, a title “Premium display color setting” and a message “Select a premium type and select a display color” are displayed.

  In the color palette display area 54, 26 color palettes are arranged in 4 rows and 7 columns (only the rightmost column is 2 rows). These 26 colors are the candidate colors. Each color pallet is colored with a predetermined color (that is, a prize candidate color), and character display of the color is provided in each color pallet. The colors prepared in the color palette display area 54 are “dark red” color, “red” color, “light peach” color, “dark peach” color, “peach” color, “dark blue” color, “Blue”, “Sky”, “Water”, “Green”, “Dark orange”, “Orange”, “Yellow”, “Dark green”, “Green”, “Yellow green” Color, “light green”, “dark blue”, “gray”, “light gray”, “black”, “white”, “brown”, “light brown”, “purple” and colorless Of 26. In this embodiment, colorlessness is also adopted as one type of color. The store clerk can select one of the 26 colors, which is closest to the color of each prize (extra-size prize, large prize, middle prize, and small prize) and set it as the prize color.

When setting the prize color, the store clerk operates one of the selection buttons 51A to 51D to select it.
In addition, color display boxes 55A, 55B, 55C, and 55D colored with the selected prize color are displayed in the selection buttons 51A to 51D. In this embodiment, the color display boxes 55A to 55D are rectangular and display the types of prizes of the selection buttons 51A to 51D (“A”, “B”, “C”, “C” in the selection buttons 51A to 51D). D ”is displayed adjacent to the left side of the display). The color display boxes 55A to 55D are displayed at the timing when the color palette in the color palette display area 54 is selected.

  Specifically, when the red color palette that is the color of the oversized prize is selected after the “A” selection button 51A is operated, a thick frame surrounding the color palette is displayed. After the color palette is selected, a color display box 55A colored in red is displayed on the left side of the premium type display (“A”) of the “A” selection button 51A. In addition, a thick frame surrounding the color palette is displayed. After the color palette is selected, if the blue color palette which is the color of the large prize is selected after the “B” selection button 51B is operated, the prize type display of the “B” selection button 51B is displayed. A color display box 55B colored in blue is displayed on the left side of (“B”).

  Further, when the green color palette which is the color of the middle prize is selected after the “C” selection button 51C is operated, a thick frame surrounding the color palette is displayed. After the color palette is selected, a color display box 55C colored in green is displayed on the left side of the premium type display (“C”) of the “C” selection button 51C. Furthermore, when the yellow color palette which is the color of the small prize is selected after the “D” selection button 51D is operated, a thick frame surrounding the color palette is displayed. Further, after the color palette is selected, a color display box 55D colored in yellow is displayed on the left side of the premium type display (“D”) of the “D” selection button 51D.

After the selection of colors for all four types of prizes is completed, the registration button 53 is operated to complete the setting of the prize colors. As a result, the color of the prize for each prize type is stored in the prize type table for each cassette held in the storage unit 31. By the operation of the registration button 53, a series of initial setting work is completed.
It should be noted that the color display boxes 55A to 55D, which are part of the selection buttons 51A to 51D, are not colored with the premium color, but the entire selection buttons 51A to 51D are colored with the premium color. You can also.

Next, preparation work before opening the store will be described. Prior to opening the store, no prize is stored in each prize storage cassette 4. The store clerk loads (enters) the prize into the prize storage cassette 4 as a preparatory work before opening the shop.
FIG. 8A to FIG. 8D are diagrams showing screens displayed at the time of warehousing in the store-side display / operation device 14. In the state before opening, the screen shown in FIG. 8A is displayed. This screen is the same screen as FIG. 6A. In the state before opening, no premiums are stored in all the premium storage cassettes 4, and no premium of any kind is stored in the premium dispensing device 1. Therefore, on the screen shown in FIG. 8A, a message “No prize” is displayed in the title display area 35. In addition, “empty display” is displayed in all boxes in the premium type display area 37 for each cassette.

  The store clerk opens the door 10 (see FIG. 2) while the power is on, pulls out the prize dispensing unit 7 (see FIG. 2) from the cabinet 5, and allows the prize storage cassette 4 to be taken out. Then, the prize storage cassette 4 is taken out, and a preset type of prize is loaded into the prize storage cassette 4. The clerk looks at the per-cassette prize type display area 37 when loading a prize into the prize storage cassette 4, and the color of the prize loaded in the prize storage cassette 4 is the same as the color of the box corresponding to the prize storage cassette 4. Check if it is. Thereby, it is possible to prevent wrong types of prizes from being stored in the prize storage cassette 4. Then, the prize storage cassette 4 loaded with the prize is set in a cassette holder (not shown).

  When the above is repeated and all the prize storage cassettes 4 in which the prizes are stored in the prize dispensing unit 7 are mounted, the prize dispensing unit 7 is pushed into the cabinet 5. Then, after all the prize dispensing units 7 have been pushed into the cabinet 5, the door 10 is closed. When the closing operation of the door 10 in the open state is detected by the first and second opening / closing sensors 11 and 12, the number of prizes accommodated in each prize accommodating cassette 4 is counted by the counting unit 17.

The counting start condition may not be the detection of the closing operation of the door 10. When an insertion detection means for detecting that the prize dispensing unit 7 is inserted into the cabinet 5 is provided in the cabinet 5, the counting by the counting unit 17 is detected by detecting the insertion of the prize dispensing unit 7 by the insertion detection means. May be started.
After counting by the counting unit 17, the control unit 30 updates the number of prizes stored in the prize number management table. Specifically, the control unit 30 updates the data for each cassette in the inventory management table for each cassette with the count value (the number of prize stocks) obtained by counting the prize storage cassette 4.

In addition, the control unit 30 calculates the premium inventory quantity by premium type based on the premium inventory quantity for each cassette in the updated inventory management table by cassette and the contents of the premium type table by cassette, and the calculation Based on the result, the number of premium stocks in the stock management table by premium type is updated. After counting by the counting unit 17, the screen shown in FIG.
In the screen shown in FIG. 8B, the number of warehousing by type of premium is displayed in the number-of-species display area 36 by type of premium. Based on the prize type-specific inventory management table held in the storage unit 31, the number of prizes (number of warehousing) by type of prize is displayed. In addition, the cassette-by-cassette prize type display area 37 is not displayed, and this portion is filled with the same color as the background color. In the screen shown in FIG. 8B, the title “Number of prizes received” and a message “The number of goods received by prize [please press [Confirm]]” are displayed in the title display area 35.

  8B, a confirmation button 57 is arranged in the button display area 38 in place of the menu button 44, the previous transaction button 45, and the inventory count button 46 in FIG. In other words, the display switching button 43 and the confirmation button 57 are arranged in the button display area 38. The confirmation button 57 is for confirming the number of prizes stored in the prize dispensing device 1. The store clerk confirms the number of received prizes displayed in the prize type display area 36 according to the prize type, and operates the confirmation button 57 when the displayed number matches the number actually received.

Each time the display switching button 43 is operated, the store-side display operating device 14 is alternately switched between the screen shown in FIG. 8B and the screen shown in FIG. 8C.
The screen shown in FIG. 8C is a screen that displays the number of prizes (the number of prizes received) by prize storage cassette 4. This screen is the same screen as that in FIG. 6B, and a cassette-by-cassette prize number display area 48 is arranged. In the screen shown in FIG. 8C, the title display area 35 displays the title “Number of prizes received” and the message “The number of goods received by cassette is [please confirm]”. The control unit 30 displays the number of prizes in a box corresponding to each prize storage cassette 4 based on the cassette-by-cassette inventory management table held in the storage unit 31. When 100 premiums are stored in all premium storage cassettes 4 by the warehousing operation, the number “100” is displayed in all boxes as shown in FIG. 8C.

When the confirmation button 57 in the button display area 38 is operated on the screen shown in FIG. 8B or the screen shown in FIG. 8C, the screen is switched to the screen shown in FIG. 8D. The screen shown in FIG. 8D is a standby screen similar to FIG. 6A.
In the prize type display area 36 according to the prize type, the prizes stored in the prize dispensing apparatus 1 after receipt (in the 32 prize storage cassettes 4) based on the value of the stock management table classified by prize type are updated. The number is displayed by type of prize. When 100 premiums are stored in all premium storage cassettes 4 by the warehousing operation, “800” is displayed as the number of extra large prizes, the number of large prizes, the number of middle prizes, and the number of small prizes. The

Next, payout of prizes will be described.
In response to receiving a prize payout command from the prize management machine 2, the control unit 30 performs a prize payout process. In the prize payout process, a prize is paid out based on a prize payout command from the prize management machine 2.
The prize payout command is a command transmitted from the prize management machine 2 when the prize management machine 2 reads the number of game media recorded in the barcode on the receipt. This prize payout command includes information regarding the type and number of prizes to be paid out from the payout exit 15 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), that is, the number of prizes to be paid out by prize type.

Based on the prize payout command sent from the prize management machine 2, the control unit 30 (one or more) the prize storage cassette 4 to which the prize is to be paid out, and the number of prizes to be paid out from each prize storage cassette 4 To decide. Then, the control unit 30 pays out a prize according to the determined content.
FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are diagrams showing screens displayed when paying out prizes in the store-side display / operation device 14 shown in FIG.

  When a prize payout command is sent from the prize management machine 2, a screen shown in FIG. The screen shown in FIG. 9A is the same as the screen shown in FIG. 6C, and includes a title display area 35, a prize type display area 36 for each prize type, and a prize type display area 37 for each cassette. In the screen shown in FIG. 9A, unlike the screen shown in FIG. 6C, the button display area 38 is not displayed. In the title display area 35, a title “Now paying out” and a message “You will get a free gift once” are displayed.

On the screens shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the number of prizes to be paid out from the payout exit 15 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is displayed in the prize type display area 36 according to the prize type. The prize type display area 36 for each prize type is displayed separately from the color display area 40 as described above.
The control unit 30 displays the number of prizes paid out by prize type sent from the prize management machine 2 in the prize type display area 36 by prize type. In the example shown in FIG. 9A, a case in which a prize payout command is sent, which includes 10 extra large prizes, five large prizes, three medium prizes and one small prize, is shown. In the display area 36, “18”, “5”, “3”, and “1” are displayed as the number of special prizes to be paid out, the number of great prizes, the number of medium prizes, and the number of small prizes, respectively. .

When a prize is paid out from the payout unit 18, as shown in FIG. 9B, a title “Paying out” and a message “Please take a prize” are displayed in the title display area 35.
After the prize is paid out, the number of prizes actually paid out is displayed between the display of the number of prizes to be paid out in the prize type display area 36 according to the prize type and the character display indicating the type of the prize. Is done. When the number of prizes actually paid out matches the number of prizes to be paid out, the characters “OK” are displayed in association with the display of the number of prizes actually paid out. On the other hand, when the number of prizes actually paid out is different from the number of prizes to be paid out, the letters “NG” are displayed in association with the display of the number of prizes actually paid out (see FIG. (Not shown in 9B).

  The store clerk has the same kind and number of prizes paid out from the payout exit 15 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) as the kind and number of prizes to be paid out displayed in the prize number display area 36 according to the prize type. To check. Since the color display area 40 for displaying the color of the prize is disposed adjacent to the left side of the prize type display area 36 according to the prize type, the color of the prize to be paid out can be grasped. Therefore, the store clerk can confirm whether or not the paid out prize is a correct prize, and gives the prize to the player only when the prize is the correct prize. Thereby, even if the wrong type of prize is stored in the prize storage cassette 4, it is possible to prevent the wrong type and number of prizes from being delivered to the player.

  Then, when a prize is paid out from the payout unit 18, the control unit 30 updates the number of prizes stored in the prize number management table. Specifically, out of the data for each cassette in the inventory management table for each cassette (the number of premium stocks), the data of the premium storage cassette 4 for which the premium has been paid out is subtracted from the number paid out from the premium storage cassette 4 Update by doing. In addition, the control unit 30 calculates the premium inventory quantity by premium type based on the premium inventory quantity for each cassette in the updated inventory management table by cassette and the contents of the premium type table by cassette, and the calculation Based on the result, the number of premium stocks in the stock management table by premium type is updated.

  After the payout of the prize, the standby screen shown in FIGS. 6A and 8D is displayed on the store-side display / operator 14. In the prize type display area 36 for each prize type, the number obtained by subtracting the number of prizes of each type paid out from the number of prizes of each kind immediately before payout is displayed as the display of the number of prizes. For example, if the types and number of prizes shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B are paid out from the screen state shown in FIG. 8D, the number of extra large prizes, large prizes are displayed in the prize type display area 36 for each prize type. "790", "795", "797", and "799" are respectively displayed as the number of items, the number of medium prizes, and the number of small prizes.

As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can also be implemented with another form.
In the above-described embodiment, in the standby screen shown in FIG. 6A, in addition to the prize type display area 36 for each prize type, information related to the number of prizes for each prize storage cassette 4 (“empty”) 6 is displayed as an example. On the screen shown in FIG. 6A, information on the number of prizes by prize storage cassette 4 ("empty" or near empty mark 41) is displayed. May not be displayed.

  Further, in the screen shown in FIG. 6A at the time of standby, the configuration has been described in which the color display area overlaps the cassette-by-cassette prize number display area 48; It may be displayed separately. Further, although the configuration in which the prize type display area 36 according to the prize type is displayed separately from the color display area 40 has been described, the prize number display area 36 according to the prize type may be overlapped with the color display area 40. .

  Further, the number of prizes stored in the prize storage cassette 4 may be displayed in each box of the cassette-by-cassette prize display area 48. In this case, since the number of prizes for each prize storage cassette 4 is displayed in the cassette-by-cassette prize display area 48, the cassette-by-cassette prize display area 48 displays a display area for displaying the number of prizes by prize type and the prize storage cassette 4. It also serves as a separate display area. In this case, it is possible to display the number of prizes for each prize storage cassette 4 and the number of prizes for each prize type on one screen.

  Further, in this case, each time the display switching button 43 is operated, the display of the store side display / operating device 14 is displayed on the screen shown in FIG. 6A including the prize type display area 36 for each prize type and the prize number display area 48 for each cassette. 6B including the screen shown in FIG. 6B, the display switching button 43 is operated to display both the number of prizes for each prize storage cassette 4 and the number of prizes for each kind of prize. It is possible to switch the number of prizes for each prize storage cassette 4.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the stock confirmation command is given to the prize payout device 1 by the operation of the inventory counting button 46 of the store side display operation device 14 of the prize payout device 1 has been described. By operating the inventory counting button 46 of the operation unit (not shown) of the prize management machine 2, the prize dispensing apparatus 1 receives the inventory confirmation command from the prize management machine 2, and confirms the inventory based on this inventory confirmation command. A command may be given.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the number of prizes is displayed on the side of the prize dispensing device 1 (display as shown in FIGS. 6A to 9B) has been described. However, inventory information data is transmitted to the prize management machine 2. By doing so, the number of prizes may be displayed on the side of the prize management machine 2 (display as shown in FIGS. 6A to 9B).
In the above-described embodiment, the prize dispensing device 1 has been described as having the counting unit 17, but the present invention can also be applied to a prize dispensing device without the counting unit 17. Even if the gift dispensing device does not have the counting unit 17, the control unit 30 needs to acquire inventory information (amount of inventory). For example, if the store clerk knows the number of goods received at the time of prize warehousing, the shop clerk manually inputs the number of goods received at the time of prize warehousing, and then subtracts the number actually paid out. The control unit 30 can acquire inventory information (amount of inventory). In addition, if the number of goods received at the time of prize storage is a predetermined fixed value (for example, 100), if the number of goods received at the fixed value is automatically input in accordance with the process of receiving the prize, By subtracting the paid-out number, the control unit 30 can acquire inventory information (inventory quantity). As a result, the present invention can be applied to a prize dispensing device without the counting unit 17, and in this case, the same effect as the present invention can be obtained. In the case where the number of warehousing is manually input, the number of warehousing may be input by the prize dispensing device 1 or the prize management machine 2.
The shape of the prize is not limited to a card shape, and further, the mechanism for counting the prize and the counting method are not limited.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described by taking as an example the case where the present invention is applied to a stationary type prize dispensing device that is used by being directly installed on the floor of a game store. The present invention can also be applied to a desktop-type gift dispensing device that is placed on and used.
In addition, various design changes can be made within the scope of matters described in the claims.

1 Premium Dispensing Device 2 Premium Management Device 4 Premium Storage Cassette (Premium Storage Unit)
5 Enclosure 7 Freebie unit (unit)
14 Store side display operation unit (dispenser display unit)
17 Counting unit (counting means)
18 Dispensing department (dispensing means)
30 Control unit (counting information transmission means, dispenser display control means)
36 Prize number display area for each prize type (second display)
37 Premium category display area by cassette (first display)

Claims (3)

In a prize dispensing system including a prize management apparatus that manages prizes and a prize dispensing apparatus that dispenses prizes based on a dispensing instruction from the prize management apparatus,
The prize dispensing device is:
A housing,
A plurality of prize storage units for accommodating a plurality of types of prizes for each prize;
A plurality of unit portions accommodated in the housing and arranged with the prize storage portion;
A payout means for taking out and paying out the prizes stored from the prize container arranged in the unit part;
In response to a predetermined operation, counting means for counting the number of prizes accommodated in the prize accommodating unit;
Counting information transmitting means for transmitting the counting information of the prizes accommodated in the plurality of unit parts acquired by the counting means,
The giveaway management device includes:
A display for displaying information;
Receiving said count information sent from the counting information sending unit, a first display for displaying the count information of the prize said to correspond to the arrangement of the prize housing section of the prize dispensing device for each said unit section, said plurality display control means for the second display and the type of the batch display the counting information of the prize for each prize types simultaneously displayed on said display unit,
A premium dispensing system characterized by comprising: Color information stored in association with each type of the prize,
2. The prize payout system according to claim 1, wherein the display control means includes color display control means for displaying a color corresponding to a prize based on color information corresponding to the type of the prize. The prize dispensing device is:
A dispenser display ,
And dispensers display control means for simultaneously displaying the second display and the first display in the payout machine display unit,
The prize payout system according to claim 1, wherein:

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