JPH0416199B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Technical Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to a machine for managing the exchange of prize balls and prizes, which is used when a customer exchanges pachinko balls, etc. acquired by a customer at a pachinko game hall or the like for a desired prize. Regarding.

Technical background of the invention and its problems; Conventionally, the first method of exchanging prizes at pachinko game parlors is to count the pachinko balls acquired by the customer and exchange the prize at the same time; There is a second method in which the prize exchange is performed completely separately.

In the case of the first prize exchange method, the customer brings the acquired pachinko balls to the prize exchange counter, counts the pachinko balls with a ball counting machine installed at the counter, and subtracts the value of the prize from the counted value. This is a system for exchanging prizes, and since it is possible to count pachinko balls and exchange prizes at the same time in one place, the store can be used effectively without taking up space in the store, and customers only have to go to the counter once. This has the advantage of allowing prizes to be exchanged, leading to improved services. However, for example, if a customer acquires a large number of balls, the customer must play the game while holding many balls, and even if a prize is exchanged, the customer must play the game while holding the prize. In any case, it was inconvenient for customers.

On the other hand, in the case of the second prize exchange method, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-52082,
The pachinko ball counting area and the prize exchange area are set up in completely different locations, and transactions are carried out via cards (or receipts). The customer goes to the counting station with the pachinko ball he/she has acquired, and has a card issued that records the information counted by the pachinko counting machine.The customer then takes the card and goes to the prize exchange area, where he/she can win within the value of the card. It is designed so that it can be exchanged for prizes. In this case, even when a customer acquires a large number of pachinko balls,
It is very convenient because it can be replaced with a card and kept in your possession, but even in normal prize exchange operations, customers have to go to the counting area and the prize exchange area separately and perform two separate processes. However, there was a problem that would require a lot of effort. In addition, since the stores had to install the devices in two separate locations, they took up a lot of space, and there was a problem in that the store could not be used effectively.

Purpose of the Invention: The present invention has been made by focusing on the above-mentioned points, and aims to improve customer service by allowing pachinko balls to be counted and prizes to be exchanged at the same time in one place, and to improve customer service. To provide a prize exchange machine capable of exchanging prizes even if only the receipt is brought after once issuing the count of pachinko balls in response to a request from a person. Furthermore, the present invention is equipped with a barcode scanner, and the barcode scanner reads the barcode attached to the prize, and each time it is read, it is subtracted from the count value of the pachinko balls. However, there are things that allow you to quickly exchange prizes.

Summary of the invention: This invention relates to an exchange machine for prizes such as prize balls, and includes a ball counting device that counts the number of prize balls, a ball return device that releases an arbitrary number of prize balls, counting data, input data. A machine for managing the exchange of prize balls, etc., and prizes, which is integrally configured with a display device that displays a display device that displays a number of balls, etc.
a receipt issuing instruction means for instructing the issuance of a receipt certifying the number of balls acquired by the customer; a receipt issuing device for issuing the receipt; a customer number attached when issuing the receipt; and a receipt issuing device for issuing the receipt; a customer memory that stores the counted values of the ball counting device in correspondence with each other; a barcode scanner that reads the barcode attached to the prize; a number input means that inputs the customer number of the issued receipt; and the receipt issuing instruction. If there is no instruction input for means and a prize is read by the barcode scanner, the number of prize balls, etc. corresponding to the type of prize read by the barcode scanner will be determined each time a prize is read by the barcode scanner. The remaining number of prize balls, etc. is calculated by subtracting the number from the counted value each time, and upon pressing the end key instructing the end of the prize exchange, the number of prize balls, etc. corresponding to the remaining number is sent to the ball return device. a first control means for commanding return; when the receipt issuance instruction means inputs an instruction to issue a receipt, the receipt issuing device issues a receipt with at least a customer number printed thereon, and the receipt is stored in the customer memory; a second control means for storing the number and the ball count value in correspondence; when the customer number of the receipt is input by the number input means;
The count value corresponding to the customer number stored in the customer memory is read out, and the number of prize balls, etc. corresponding to the type of prize read by the barcode scanner is determined by the barcode scanner. Each time it reads, the remaining quantity of prize balls is calculated by subtracting it from the counted value, and upon pressing the end key to instruct the end of the prize exchange, the prize balls corresponding to the remaining quantity are sent to the ball return device. and third control means for commanding the return of the items.

Embodiment of the invention: Figures 1A and 1B show the external appearance of an exchange management machine 1 of the present invention, in which a desktop type prize terminal 10 is provided at the front A, and a pachinko ball is installed at the rear B. A ball counting device 20 for automatically counting prize balls, etc. and a return port 3 for returning prize balls, etc.
Ball return devices 30 for returning balls from 1 to a customer are stacked one on top of the other. In addition, a keyboard 11 is provided on the panel surface of the prize terminal 10 as an operation section for the staff member to manually input necessary data, etc., and also for displaying necessary data, guidance, etc. A display device 12 is provided, and a mode changeover switch 13 is provided below the screen of this display device 12 for switching operation modes such as exchange and registration. The ball counting device 20 has a hopper shape that receives prize balls etc. won by the customer from above, and automatically counts the number of prize balls etc. thrown in. In this manner, the exchange management machine 1 of the present invention has the prize terminal 10, the ball counting device 10, and the ball return device 30 integrally configured.

The internal configuration of the exchange management device 1 is as shown in FIG. 2, and includes a CPU (microcomputer system, etc.) 100 as an arithmetic and control device that performs overall control, and this CPU 100 is equipped with a keyboard 11 and a A key signal from the mode changeover switch 13 is inputted, the CPU 100 performs calculations, and the results are displayed on the display device 12. In addition, the CPU100 has a ball counting device 2.
0 and ball return device 30 are connected via a bus line, and a barcode reader 14 for reading a barcode indicating a prize name attached to a prize via a barcode scanner 141 is connected.
Furthermore, a memory 15 for storing necessary data, etc., and a receipt issuing device 16 for printing out calculation results, etc. and delivering them to the customer are similarly connected via a bus line.

Figure 3 shows an example of the key arrangement on the keyboard 11. There are 40 "prize" keys for specifying and inputting prizes, as well as "sphere input" key and "end" key. It also has a numeric keypad, etc. Furthermore, Fig. 4 shows the mode changeover switch 1.
3 in detail, and the staff member inserts the insertion port 131 into
By inserting the specified key and turning it,
It is designed to allow you to freely specify modes such as "exchange,""registration," and "aggregation." On the other hand, the memory 15 has a customer memory 151 as shown in FIG. 5A and a prize memory 152 as shown in FIG. 1 to #100) and stores the number of prize balls, etc. The prize memory 152 is divided into, for example, an area for storing the total number of balls input in one day and the number of returned balls, and an area for storing, for example, the quantity of prizes 1 to 40 exchanged in one day.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, such a prize management machine 1 is centrally managed, and a plurality of exchange management machines 1
(#1 to #n) are connected to a computer 3 installed in a management room of a pachinko parlor, etc. via a totaling device 2, and are also connected to a modem (MODEM) 4.
The system is connected to a host computer installed at the head office of the pachinko parlor or other amusement facility through the computer, and centrally manages the exchange of prize balls and prizes at each amusement facility.

The operation of the exchange management device 1 having such a configuration will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the operation of exchanging prize balls, etc. and prizes is started (step S1), it is first determined whether or not the mode selector switch 13 is designated as "exchange" (step S1).
S2), if "exchange" is not specified, the prize exchange operation ends (step S9).
Then, if the mode changeover switch 13 is designated as "replacement" by the staff member's key,
``Available for handling'' is displayed on the display device 12 via the CPU 100, and then it is determined whether or not prize balls, etc. have been inserted into the ball counting device 20 (step S3). displays "Counting" on the display device 12, and the ball counting device 20 counts the number of balls such as prize balls thrown in (step S4). and,
The results counted by this ball counting device 20 are stored in the memory 1.
5 and memorize it (step S5). At this time,
The CPU 100 converts the value of the counted number of prize balls, etc. and the prize, and if it is possible to exchange it for any prize, displays "exchangeable" on the display device 12 (step S6). , keyboard 11
Wait for the "Add ball" key to be pressed (step
S7), if the "add ball" key is pressed and there are still prize balls, etc. in the ball counting device 20, the step S4 described above is performed.
Return to step S8. In other words, the "add ball" key is pressed when the prize balls, etc. are once thrown into the ball counting device 20, and then additional prize balls, etc. are inserted, and all of the prize balls, etc., are counted after being thrown in. Repeat the above operation until no more are added.

Here, in step S7 above, "Add ball"
If the key is not pressed, it means that there are no more balls to be inserted, and if the "ball input" key is pressed in this state, a receipt will be issued as the insertion of prize balls, etc. has ended. When the "receipt issue" key on the keyboard 11 is pressed, a receipt is printed by the receipt issue device 16 (steps S20 to S22). Note that the customer's number and the quantity of prize balls etc. thrown in are stored in the receipt, and the quantity of prize balls etc. of the customer is stored in a predetermined position (corresponding to the customer number) of the customer memory 151. After issuing the receipt in this way, the process returns to the first step S2.

By the way, if the prize balls, etc. have not been thrown in in the judgment of "presence or absence of balls" in step S3 mentioned above, the prize balls, etc. are not thrown into the ball counting device 20 and counted, but are instead played with this prize exchange machine. Since this is a case where a prize is to be exchanged for a customer for whom a receipt has already been issued after counting, work begins to input the issued receipt into the exchange management machine and exchange it for a prize. Therefore, in this case, it is necessary to operate the "receipt input" key on the keyboard 11, and when the "receipt input" key is pressed (step S10), "receipt input" is displayed on the display device 12. At the same time, enter your own customer number etc. recorded on the receipt using the numeric keys of the keyboard 11 (step S11), and read the memory contents of your corresponding customer number already stored in the customer memory 151. (Step S12). and,
Based on the read content, it is determined whether it can be exchanged for a prize and a display is made to that effect (step
S14). This is a step to check whether the input customer number etc. is genuine. Then, if exchange is possible, it is determined whether or not exchange is possible again (step S13,
S30), if it cannot be replaced, the process moves to the termination operation described later. The reason why the test is made again to determine whether or not it can be replaced is because it is necessary to determine whether there is a problem or whether the product is to be terminated. If the prize can be exchanged in step S30, the "prize" key corresponding to the desired prize is operated from among the keys on the keyboard 11 (step S31), and "exchanging" is displayed on the display device 12. . In addition, when the barcode scanner 141 reads and inputs the barcode attached to the prize in advance (step S33), the barcode reader 1
4, the bar code of the prize brought by the customer is read, and in either case, the number of prizes is input using the numeric keypad or the "repeat" key (step S32). The customer's own data (corresponding to the number or price of prize balls, etc.) stored in advance in the customer memory 151
The CPU 100 subtracts the input prize data from this data and performs a memory operation (step S34), and returns to step S30 to repeat the prize designation operation.

In this way, the specified operation for exchanging the prize is repeated, and if the exchange becomes impossible, the specified operation is terminated, so "End" is displayed on the display device 12 and the "End" key on the keyboard 11 is pressed. It waits until the button is pressed (step S35), and when the "end" key is pressed, the specified number of prizes, all pitches thrown in, and the number of returned balls are added to a predetermined area of the prize memory 152 ( Step S36), it is determined whether there are prize balls etc. that should be returned to the customer (step S36).
S37) If there is a ball to be returned, return it from the return port 31 via the ball return device 30 (step S37).
S38). In addition, if there are no balls to return or after returning the ball, the process returns to the first step S2, and if the "end" key is not pressed in step S35, the player does not wish to exchange the ball for a prize such as a prize ball and issues a receipt. If the player only wishes to do so, the process returns to step S21, and when the ``receipt issue'' key is pressed, the number of prize balls he threw in, his customer number, etc. will be stored in the receipt.

Effects of the invention: As described above, according to the exchange management machine of this invention,
Since the ball counting device, ball return device, and prize terminal are integrated, the staff can operate them with a single operation without having to separate them individually. Because they are integrally constructed, less installation space is required, and the total cost of these devices can be reduced.

In addition, the number of customer registrations (#1 to
#100) and the number of prizes (1 to 40) are arbitrary, and receipts can be issued in any method and format. In addition, in this application, the customer memory 1
51 is provided in each prize exchange management machine, but if instead of this, it is provided collectively in the totalizing device 2 shown in Fig. 6, it is possible to exchange receipts issued by other prize exchange management machines. .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1A and 1B are external views showing one embodiment of the switching management device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the switching management device of the invention, and FIG. 3 is a keyboard used in the invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a mode changeover switch used in the present invention, FIG. 5 A and B are diagrams for explaining the memory area used in the present invention, and FIG. A system diagram showing a connection example of the switching management device of the present invention,
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the exchange management device of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Exchange management machine, 2... Totalization device, 3... Center computer, 4... Modem, 10... Prize terminal, 11... Keyboard, 12... Display device, 13... Mode changeover switch, 14... ...Barcode reader, 15...Memory, 16...Receipt issuing device, 20...Ball counting device, 30...Ball return device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 Prize balls, etc. that are integrally configured with a ball counting device that counts the number of prize balls, etc., a ball return device that releases an arbitrary number of prize balls, etc., and a display device that displays counting data, input data, etc. and a prize exchange management machine, which calculates the count counted by the ball counting device,
a receipt issuing instruction means for instructing the issuance of a receipt certifying the number of balls acquired by the customer; a receipt issuing device for issuing the receipt; a customer number attached when issuing the receipt; and a receipt issuing device for issuing the receipt; a customer memory that stores the counted values of the ball counting device in correspondence with each other; a barcode scanner that reads the barcode attached to the prize; a number input means that inputs the customer number of the issued receipt; and the receipt issuing instruction. If a prize is read by the barcode scanner without inputting an instruction for the method, the barcode scanner will determine the quantity of prize balls, etc. corresponding to the type of prize read by the barcode scanner. Each time it is read, the remaining quantity of prize balls, etc. is calculated by subtracting it from the counted value, and upon pressing the end key that instructs the end of the prize exchange, the prize balls, etc. corresponding to the remaining quantity are sent to the ball return device. a first control means for instructing the return of a customer; when the receipt issuance instruction means inputs an instruction to issue a receipt, the receipt issuing device issues a receipt with at least a customer number printed thereon;
a second control means for storing a customer number and a ball count value in correspondence with each other in the customer memory; when the customer number on the receipt is input by the number input means, the customer number is stored in the customer memory; A count value corresponding to is read out, and the quantity of prize balls, etc. corresponding to the type of prize read by the barcode scanner is subtracted from the count value each time a prize is read by the barcode scanner. a third control that calculates the remaining quantity of prize balls, etc., and instructs the ball return device to return prize balls, etc. corresponding to the remaining quantity based on pressing of an end key instructing to end the prize exchange; A machine for managing the exchange of prize balls, etc. and prizes, characterized by comprising means and;