JPH04253881A - Premium managing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a premium managing apparatus which restrains a load on the management aspect of a game hall by utilizing a premium card published toward a predetermined member while being used to permit a player to selectively obtain a premium from many kinds of premiums. CONSTITUTION:A premium managing apparatus is used when a premium is exchanged with premium balls given to a player playing a pinball machine. This apparatus comprises a premium ball counter 7 for counting the number of premium balls given to the player to figure out an amount of money corresponding to the premium balls and a premium card discriminator 61 which publishes to the player as a predetermined member a premium card 136 on which information capable of specifying the amount of money corresponding to the premium balls is recorded and can add the amount of money of the premium figured out by the premium ball counter 7 to the amount of money of the premium specified by the published premium card 136.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a prize processing device,
More specifically, the present invention relates to a prize processing device used when a player exchanges a prize using a valuable object given to the player as a result of playing a game on a gaming machine.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventionally, when exchanging prizes, for example, valuable objects given to players at the end of a game are counted at a predetermined place (for example, a prize exchange place) installed in a gaming hall. The player is asked to exchange the counted value object for a prize such as a desired product within the range of the assigned value.

0003

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in this conventional method of exchanging prizes, no matter how many valuable objects a player acquires as a result of playing games, the goods and services purchased by the gaming parlor are Prizes can only be selected within a very limited range such as, etc., and there are many cases where the prize desired by the player does not exist.

[0004] In order to solve this problem, if the types of prizes such as products and services handled at the game parlor are increased, a larger space will be required to display the prizes, which will require more space to install the game machines. As a result, the management of the game hall deteriorates, resulting in the inconvenience of forcing the game hall to bear a heavy burden in terms of management.

[0005] Therefore, if a member's recording medium is issued to a predetermined member and the member's recording medium is sold at a member's recording medium dealer that sells a relatively large number of products and services, the member's recording medium is in possession of the member's recording medium. It is conceivable to solve the above-mentioned inconvenience by configuring the system so that the members can exchange prizes from among the many items they buy and sell.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention utilizes member recording media issued to predetermined members to reduce the management burden on the gaming hall while also allowing players to choose from among many types of prizes. To provide a prize processing device used to selectively obtain desired items.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention is a prize processing device used when a prize is exchanged using a value object given to a player as a result of playing a game on a gaming machine. a member recording medium issuing means for issuing a member recording medium on which information with identifiable value is recorded to a player as a predetermined member; A calculation means for calculating the amount of assigned value that a valuable object has, and a value to which the assigned value calculated by the calculation means can be added to the value specified by the issued member recording medium. The method is characterized in that it includes an adding means.

[0008]

According to the present invention, by the function of the member recording medium issuing means, a member storage medium in which information whose value can be specified is specified is issued to a predetermined member. When adding the valuable object given to the player as a result of the game to the value specified by the member recording medium, first,
The value object given to the player is counted by the calculating means to calculate the amount of the given value corresponding to the value object, and then the value adding means records the given value in the member record. Add to the value specified by the medium.

[0009] In other words, the assigned value is added to the value specified by the member's recording medium that can be used at member's recording media dealers that sell many products and services. Therefore, the assigned value can be used for prize exchange using the member recording medium.

0010

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram schematically showing the entire gaming management equipment device according to the present invention.

[0012] 103 in the figure is a ball rental card issuing company,
A central control computer 111 for aggregating sales by hall is installed, which includes a built-in CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. This ball lending card issuing company 103 sends the ball lending card 134 (
(see Figure 3B) is issued to each gaming hall 100, 101...
will be shipped to. Note that information may be written on the ball rental card 134 when it is sold at the ball rental card vending machine 4, or information may be written in advance. The centralized control computer 111 of each game hall 100, 101... and the ball rental card issuing company 103 is connected to the terminal box 109 installed at each game hall 100, 101... through a communication line, so that information can be transmitted. It is composed of

[0013] Regarding the game hall 101, the game hall 1
Since it has the same configuration as 00, detailed explanation and illustration will be omitted here.

[0014] In the figure, 104 is a premium card issuing company, which is an example of a member recording medium issuing center, and includes CPU, RAM,
A central management computer 112 containing a ROM and the like is installed. This centralized control computer 112 and terminal boxes 110 installed at each gaming hall 100, 101, . 105, 106, 107 in the figure
are member stores that are members of the premium card issuing company 104, and each store has a CP
Affiliated store management computers 119, 120, and 121 each having a built-in RAM and ROM are installed. These member store management computers 119, 120, and 121 are connected to the premium card issuing company's central management computer 112 through a communication line, and are configured to be able to transmit information. The member store 107 is equipped with a ball rental card vending machine 122 for selling the ball rental card 134 issued by the ball rental card issuing company 103 to customers. It is connected to a central control computer 112 of the premium card issuing company 104 via a communication line via a terminal box 123, and is configured to be able to transmit information. Further, the ball rental card vending machine 122 and the centralized control computer 111 of the ball rental card issuing company 103 are connected via a communication line via a terminal box 124, so that information can be transmitted.

[0015] In the figure, 108 is a bank, which has a CPU and a RAM.
, ROM, etc., is installed. This central device 117 includes a database 118, which includes each gaming hall 100, 101, ball lending card issuing company 103, premium card issuing company 104, each member store 105, 106, 1.
Accounts such as 07 and deposit amounts deposited in those accounts are stored. Symbols A, B, C, D, E, F, and G illustrated in the database 118 are the ball rental card issuing company 103, the gaming hall 100, and the gaming hall 101, respectively.
, the respective accounts of member store 105, member store 106, member store 107, and premium card issuing company 104, and the illustrated arrows mean that money is transferred from one account to another in the direction of the arrow. .

[0016] From the ball lending card issuing company 103 to the gaming hall 10
The ball lending card 134 shipped at 0 is the ball lending card vending machine 4.
is sold to users (players) by The user pays the price or receives a prize card 136, which is an example of a member recording medium described later.
(See FIG. 5) is inserted into the ball lending card vending machine 4, and a ball lending card with a predetermined amount recorded thereon is issued. The user inserts the ball lending card into a card processing machine (card ball lending machine) 3 corresponding to the pachinko machine 2 that the user wants to play from among the pachinko machines 2, which are an example of a plurality of gaming machines installed in a gaming hall. Then, by using the amount recorded on the ball rental card, game balls are paid out to the pachinko machine 2, and a game can be played.

[0017] When the game ends, the amount recorded on the ball rental card 134 is updated to be reduced by the amount used for the game, and the ball rental card 134 with the remaining amount recorded is paid out to the player. A prize ball, which is an example of the value given to a player as a result of a game using a gaming machine, is paid out to a user. The user puts the paid prize balls into the prize ball counter 7 (see FIG. 2) of the prize processing device 5, and
The number of prize balls thrown in is counted. This prize processing device 5 adds and updates the valuable value recorded on the prize card 136 (see FIG. 5) within the value range corresponding to the number of prize balls thrown in, and adds and updates the valuable value recorded on the special prize 138 (see FIG. 5). 6)) or the ball number card 134 (see Figure 4).
(see). Furthermore, this prize processing device 5 also has a function of newly issuing a prize card 136. This premium card 136 is a member card issued to a predetermined member, and this premium card constitutes a member recording medium issued to a predetermined member. The user reads the issued ball number card 19 at the ball number card reading device 50 provided at the counter 114.
0, the number of balls information recorded on the ball number card 19 is read, and within the range of the number of balls information read, it can be exchanged for general prizes such as cigarettes and chocolates. .

The ball rental card vending machine 4, card processing machine 3, pachinko machine 2, prize processing device 5, and ball number card reader 500 installed in the gaming hall 100 are each connected to a hall management computer 6. , configured to enable transmission of information. This hall management computer 6 is a CP
It has built-in RAM, ROM, etc., and stores data such as ball rental card sales amount, ball rental card usage amount, the number of profitable and unprofitable balls of the pachinko machine 2, and the number of prize balls counted by the prize processing device 5. Centrally manages various information generated at the gaming hall, such as exchange amount information for general prizes using ball number cards, update information on increase in prize cards, information on new issuance of prize cards, information on exchange amount for special prizes, etc. . Note that the ball number card issued by the prize processing device 5 can be exchanged for a prize at the gaming hall 100 and only on the same day. The same information as the ball number information recorded on the ball number card 19 is also stored in the hall management computer 6, and each time the ball number card 19 is used and the number of balls stored is updated, The corresponding ball number information in the management computer 6 is also updated with a reduced amount, and each time the ball number card 19 is used, the ball number information recorded on the ball number card 19 and the ball number information stored in the hole management computer are updated. So-called uniform number management is carried out to check whether the numbers match or not. The user inserts the prize card 136 paid out to the user into the ball rental card vending machine 4 and sells the ball rental card 134 within the value recorded on the prize card.
can be purchased.

Information regarding the sales amount (sales amount) from the use of the prize card of the ball rental card vending machine 4 installed in the game hall 100 is transmitted to the centralized control computer 112 of the prize card issuing company 104 via a communication line via the terminal box 110. transmitted to. Furthermore, this terminal box 1
10 and the central control computer 112 do not necessarily need to be connected online, but the sales amount of ball rental cards can be totaled, a slip or the like containing the total amount can be created, and the sales amount of ball rental cards can be calculated offline using the slip or the like. It may also be input into the central management computer 112.

[0020] Furthermore, a special prize exchange device is provided in the game hall, and when the user inserts the paid special prize into the special prize exchange device, the user receives cash in an amount corresponding to the inserted special prize 138. It is also possible to make the payment possible. Note that instead of paying out cash, the remaining amount on the user's premium card 136 may be updated to increase the amount. When this special prize exchange device is provided, the special prize exchange device is connected to the central control computer 112 of the premium card issuing company 104 via a terminal box, and the amount of special prizes 138 received at the premium card issuing company 104 is Preferably, the information is configured to be transmitted to the central management computer 112.

[0021] The special prize exchange device and the prize processing device 5 may be installed in a prize exchange place provided outside the game hall.

On the other hand, if a user wants to actually check out the prize and purchase it instead of exchanging the prize using a catalog, which will be described later, the user brings the prize card 136 to the member store 10.
6, insert the prize card 136 into the prize processing device 9 installed at the member store 106, and enter the type of prize you want among the goods and services sold at the member store 106. The number is input into the prize processing device 9. Then, the amount corresponding to the input prize is subtracted from the remaining amount of the prize card 136, and the prize card 136 after the subtraction is returned to the user. In this way, the user can actually see the prize and check it out. In addition, the central management computer 112 of the premium card issuing company 104 and the member store management computers 119, 12 installed at each member store 105, 106, 107.
0,121 does not necessarily need to be connected online, and the prize number and number of prizes sent from the game halls 100 and 101, as well as the address, name, telephone number, etc. of the user corresponding to the prize number, are totaled and the slip is sent. 105, 106 at each member store periodically and offline in bulk.
, 107.

A special prize exchange device 8 for exchanging special prizes for cash is installed in the bank 108 , and users bring their own special prizes to the bank 108 and the special prizes are installed in the bank 108 . It can be inserted into the special prize exchange device 8 and converted into cash. The special prize exchange device 8 installed in this bank 108 is the terminal box 1
16 to the central control computer 112 of the premium card issuing company 104 via a communication line, and is configured such that the exchange amount of the special prize 138 is transmitted to the central control computer 112 via the terminal box 116. .

The central control computer 112 of the premium card issuing company 104 and the database 118 of the bank 108 are connected through a communication line, and the following information is transmitted from the central control computer 112 to the database 118. In other words, information on the increased amount of the prize card updated by the prize processing device 5 provided in the gaming halls 100, 101, prizes can be redeemed using the ball lending card vending machine 4 provided in the gaming halls 100, 101. Information on the sales amount of the ball rental card sold by the card, information on the sales amount of prizes using the prize card at each member store 105, 106, 107 (prize exchange amount information), etc. are transmitted. On the other hand, from the central control computer 111 of the ball rental card sales company 103, the total amount of the ball rental cards sold at the game halls 100, 101 and the total amount of money spent using the ball rental cards at the game halls 100, 101 are calculated. The difference information is transmitted to the database 118. In addition, 10 member stores
In step 7, information on the total amount (card price) of the ball lending cards sold is transmitted from the central management computer 111 to the database 118.

In the database 118, money is transferred between each account in the direction shown by the arrow in the figure based on the various transmitted information. In other words, the total sales amount (card price) of ball rental cards between account A of the ball rental card sales company and accounts C and B of each gaming hall, and the usage amount of the ball rental cards used by the card processing machine 3. Transfer money by the difference between the total and the total amount. In addition, the amount obtained by deducting the fee from the total sales amount (card price) of the ball rental card at the member store 107 is transferred from the account F of the member store 107 to the ball rental card sales company 1.
Move to account A of 03. As a result, member store 107
can earn a profit by deducting the commission. Playground 1
Ball rental card 1 sold with premium card 136 using ball rental card vending machine 4 provided at 00,101
The amount obtained by deducting the commission from the total sales amount of 34 is transferred from the account G of the premium card issuing company 104 to each gaming hall 100, 10.
Move to accounts B and C of 1. The amount obtained by adding a fee to the updated amount of the premium card increased by the premium processing device 5 installed in each gaming hall 100, 101 and the purchase price of the special premium 138 purchased by each gaming hall 100, 101. The total is the accounts B and C of each gaming hall 100 and 101.
The account is then moved to the account C of the premium card issuing company 104. In fact, only the amount of card increase renewal amount, special premium purchase price (added commission), and sales amount (deducted commission) will be transferred between accounts G, C, and B. It becomes like this. In addition, each member store 105, 106, 10
The amount obtained by subtracting the fee from the premium sales amount (prize exchange amount) using the premium card 136 in step 7 is transferred from the account G of the premium card issuing company 104 to the accounts D, E, and F of each member store 105, 106, and 107. Moving.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a special prize exchange device (special prize adjustment machine) provided in the main part of the gaming hall and the bank.

The ball lending card vending machine 4 installed in the gaming hall 100 is provided with a bill slot 26, and when the user (player) inserts a bill from the bill slot 26, the bill is inserted. The banknotes are identified by the banknote validator 27,
If the banknote is invalid, such as a counterfeit banknote, it is returned to the user, but if it is a valid banknote, it is taken into the banknote storage section 28. Then, the amount corresponding to the inserted bill is displayed on the amount display 23, and the sales card selection button 36 is selectively operated within the range of the displayed amount. For example, the ball lending card 19 includes 1000 yen, 2000 yen, 3000 yen, 5
There are five types of cards with denominations of 000 yen and 10,000 yen, and by selecting and pressing the sales card selection button 36, it is possible to specify the desired ball lending card 19 among the five types of ball lending cards 19. can. By pressing this sales card selection button 36, the ball lending card 19 with the amount specified by the pressing operation is taken out from the ball lending card storage section 32, and the ball lending card 19 that has been taken out is selected and has the specified amount of money. The ball lending card discriminator 31 identifies whether or not it is the ball lending card 19, and if it is identified as the ball lending card of the selected amount, the ball lending card dispensing port 3
The ball lending card 19 is paid out from 0. Thereafter, if there is change, the change bill dispensing device 34 is activated and the change is dispensed to the user from the change bill dispensing port 33. In addition, 40 in the figure is a control section, which is composed of a microcomputer and the like for controlling the ball rental card vending machine 4.

This ball rental card vending machine 4 is capable of selling ball rental cards 19 not only by inserting money such as banknotes but also by using a prize card 136. In that case, the prize card 136 is inserted into the prize card slot 24. Then, the prize card 136 inserted by the prize card discriminator 25
It identifies whether the card is a valid card or not, and if it is an invalid card, abnormal processing such as returning the inserted card to the user or notifying the game hall staff that an invalid card has been inserted is carried out. It is done. If the inserted card is a proper card, the card information recorded on the inserted card is read by the prize card identification device 25, and then the user inputs the password using the password input key 29. If the entered password is the correct number, the remaining amount recorded on the inserted prize card 136, that is, the prize amount, is displayed on the amount display 23. The user can select and operate the sales card selection button 36 within the range of the amount displayed by the amount display 23 and purchase the ball rental card 134 of the desired amount in the same manner as described above. Then, use the ball rental card 13 of the desired amount.
The remaining amount of the premium card 136 after purchasing 4, that is, the remaining amount of the premium, is displayed on the amount display 23, and the remaining amount of the inserted premium card is updated to the remaining amount of the premium displayed on the amount display 23. The updated prize card is then returned to the user through the prize card slot 24. In addition, 20 in the figure is a processor number display section, and the number of this ball rental card vending machine 4 is displayed. Further, 21 is an on-sale indicator, and 22 is a sales discontinued indicator, and while this ball lending card vending machine 4 is selling the ball lending card 134, the sale discontinued indicator 22 goes out and the on-sale indicator is turned off. 21 is displayed lit. Conversely, if this ball lending card vending machine 4 is not on sale, the on sale indicator 21 goes out and the sale stop indicator 22 lights up. Reference numeral 37 in the figure is an input banknote fullness display section, and when the banknote storage section 28 is full with banknotes input from the banknote input slot 26 and no more banknotes can be inserted, this input banknote fullness display section 37 is displayed. The display is lit or blinking, and is configured to indicate to the game hall staff that the inserted banknotes are full. 38
is a change bill shortage display section, and when there is a shortage of change bills stored to be paid out to the user by the change dispensing device 34, this change bill shortage display section 38 lights up or blinks, indicating that the change is not available in the game. It is configured so that it can notify the staff at the venue. Reference numeral 39 is a ball rental card shortage display section, and when there is a shortage of ball rental cards 134 stored for sale to players, this ball rental card shortage display section 39 lights up or blinks, indicating that the game It is configured so that it can notify the staff at the venue.

When a user plays a game using the ball rental card 134 sold by the ball rental card vending machine 4, a card processing machine (card processing machine) installed on the gaming machine installation island of the gaming hall 100 is used. Ball rental machine) 3 Ball rental card slot 1
Insert the ball rental card 134 into the slot 2. This card processing machine (
The card ball lending machine) 3 is provided adjacent to each of the plurality of pachinko machines 2 installed on the installation island 1, and corresponds to each adjacent pachinko machine. Therefore, for example, if you want to play a game using the pachinko machine 2 in the center of the figure, insert the balls into the ball rental card slot 12 of the card processing machine (card ball rental machine) 3 adjacent to the left side of the pachinko machine in the center of the illustration. It is necessary to insert the loan card 134. If the user inserts the ball rental card 134 into the ball rental card slot 12 and specifies the amount of money he/she wants to use for the pachinko machine 2 by operating the amount selection button 14, the number of balls corresponding to the specified amount will be displayed. Game balls are paid out to the pachinko machine 2, and a pinball game in which the game balls are fired into the game area becomes possible. and,
Ball rental card 134 inserted from ball rental card slot 12
The remaining amount display 13 displays the remaining amount obtained by subtracting the amount selected by the amount selection button 14 from the remaining amount. On the other hand, if a predetermined game state occurs, such as a pachinko ball hit into the game area winning a prize during a pinball game, a predetermined game value is awarded to the player based on the occurrence of the predetermined game state. The points corresponding to the awarded gaming value are added and displayed on the credit display 15. On the other hand, the score corresponding to the pachinko balls used in the pinball game is subtracted from the score displayed on the credit display 15, and the score after the subtraction is displayed on the credit display 15. Then, when the player presses an end button (not shown) or when the pachinko machine 2 is stopped, prize balls corresponding to the points displayed on the credit display 15 are paid out to the player. .

The player puts the paid prize balls into the prize ball counter 7 of the prize processing device 5.

The prize ball counter 7 counts the inserted prize balls and inputs the coefficient value to the prize processing apparatus main body 5' via the wiring 7a. This prize ball counter 7 constitutes a calculation means that counts the value objects given to the player and calculates the amount of value given to the value objects. In addition, this prize ball counter 7 is connected to the prize processing device main body 5'.
It may be incorporated within. The prize processing device main body 5' issues a new prize card 136, updates an increased amount, pays out a special prize 138, and pays out a ball number card 19 within the range of the inputted prize ball information.

A new prize card 13 is created by the prize processing device 5.
In order to pay out 6, first have the player fill in the necessary information such as address, name, telephone number, etc. on a prescribed form by hand, and then have the player insert the entry form into the entry form slot 63. . The entry form inserted into the entry form input slot 63 is passed through the character reading device 6, which is an optical character reading device such as OCR.
4, and then the entry form is stored in the entry form storage section 6.
It is stored in 5. If it is determined that the character can be identified as a result of reading by the character reading device 64, a message indicating that it is possible is displayed on the cathode ray tube display 76, and if it is not possible to identify the character, the cause of the inability is displayed on the cathode ray tube display 76. If the card can be identified, the player presses the prize card registration key 84, takes out one of the prize cards stored in the prize card storage section 62, identifies it with the identification device 61, and identifies the required card. The information is written on the prize card 136 and the prize card 136 is inserted through the prize card input/output port 60.
pay out.

Next, when paying out the special prize 138,
First, the player inserts a prize ball into the prize ball counter 7. Then, the number of balls thrown in is displayed on the prize ball display 74, and when the player presses the special prize payout key 78, the details of the special prize 138 are displayed on the cathode ray tube display 76. The breakdown of this special prize is, for example, the prize ball counter 7
If the total amount of prize balls thrown in is 7,000 yen, then 1 special prize with a value of 5,000 yen and 1
This is an indication that two special prizes worth 000 yen will be given out. Next, when the player presses the confirmation key 83, the special prize 138 whose details are displayed on the cathode ray tube display 76 is taken out from the special prize storage section 68, and the special prize dispensing device 67 takes out the special prize 138 from the special prize dispensing slot. 66 and is paid out to the player side. After that, the receipt issuing device 73
A receipt is printed and issued to the player from the receipt issuing port 72.

Next, when paying out a number of balls card that can be exchanged for a general prize, the player first inserts the prize balls into the prize ball counter 7. Then, as mentioned above, the prize ball display 7
The number of balls thrown in is displayed at 4, and the player presses the general prize number card payout key 79. Then, the general prize number card is taken out from the general prize number card storage section 71 by the general prize number card dispensing device 70, the inputted prize number data is recorded, and the game is played from the general prize number card payout opening 69. The ball number card 19 is paid out to the player's side.

Next, when updating the prize card 136 to increase the amount, the player first inserts prize balls into the prize ball counter 7, the number of balls inserted is displayed on the ball number display 74, and then the game A person inserts his or her own prize card 136 into the prize card insertion/payout opening 60. Next, the player inputs the password using the numeric keys 75. Then, the remaining prize amount recorded on the inserted prize card will be displayed on the CRT display 7.
6 is displayed. The remaining prize amount is the amount already recorded on the inserted prize card. Next, when the player presses the prize update key 80, the prize card identifier 61 writes a new prize amount, which is updated by adding the prize amount corresponding to the inserted prize balls, to the inserted prize card 136. The prize card 136 with the new prize amount written thereon is inserted into the prize card insertion/ejection slot 6.
Payouts start from 0 to the player. After that, receipt issuing port 7
A receipt will be issued from 2. This premium card identifier 6
1 constitutes a value adding means capable of adding the assigned value calculated by the calculation means to the value specified by the member recording medium issued to a predetermined member. In addition, this means of adding value is
It may be possible to add all of the given value, or it may be to add only the value specified within the range of the given value based on the user's operation of specifying the amount to be added.

[0036] Next, when the user uses his own prize card 136 to look at the prize catalog provided at the counter 114 of the game hall and wants to obtain the prize listed in the catalog, he first The prize card 136 is inserted into the prize card insertion/payout opening 60. Next, the user enters the password using the numeric keys 75. Then, the remaining prize amount recorded on the inserted prize card 136 is displayed on the cathode ray tube display 76, and after pressing the prize number designation key 81, the desired prize which has been determined in advance by looking at the catalog etc. is displayed. Enter the prize number using the numeric keys 75. Then, the input prize number is displayed on the cathode ray tube display 76. Next, after pressing the number of prizes designation key 82, the desired number of prizes is inputted using the numeric keys 75. Then, the inputted number is displayed on the cathode ray tube display 76. At that stage, in the case of an error such as a shortage of the remaining prize amount recorded on the inserted prize card, the cause of the error is displayed on the cathode ray tube display 76. If there is no error and the user presses the confirmation key 83, a receipt 141 (see FIG. 7) is printed by the receipt issuing device 73 and issued to the user from the receipt issuing port 72. Then, the inserted prize card 136 is updated to the new remaining prize amount by subtracting the amount used for the prize exchange, and the prize card 136 is inserted.
It is returned to the user through the outlet 60. In addition, 10a in the figure
is a connection wiring that connects the prize processing device 5 and the terminal box 110, and through this connection wiring 10a and the terminal box 110, the user's address, name, and telephone number inputted at the time of issuing a new prize card as described above are transmitted. Information regarding necessary items such as the above information is transmitted to the central management computer 112 of the premium card issuing company 104. In other words, the prize processing device 5 includes at least the value information added by the value adding means in order to provide the publisher of the member recording medium with information for managing the member recording medium. It includes an information output means to output. Furthermore, the prize number and the number of prizes entered from the aforementioned numerical keys 75, the card number of the inserted prize card 136, etc. are transmitted to the centralized control computer 112 of the prize card issuing company 104 via the connection wiring 10a and the terminal box 110. transmitted to. The central control computer 112 stores the transmitted necessary information such as the user's address, name, telephone number, etc. in correspondence with the number of the prize card held by the user, and stores the transmitted information such as the user's address, name, telephone number, etc. When the number is transmitted, necessary information such as the address, name, telephone number, etc. of the holder of the prize card 136 is determined from the card number, and the prize is sent to the member store management computer of the member store near the user's address. The number and number information, as well as the address, name, and address of the user to whom the prize will be sent.
Phone number etc. will be sent.

[0037] At a later date, the member store will deliver the desired number of prizes to the user. In addition,
In the figure, numeral 77 is a control unit including a microcomputer or the like for controlling the prize processing device 5. Further, 20 is a processor number display section, 21' is an in-operation indicator to indicate that it is in operation, and 22' is an operation stop indicator to indicate that operation is being stopped.

[0038] If the user wishes to exchange the special prize dispensed from the prize processing device 5 for cash, the user brings the special prize 138 to the bank 108 and exchanges the special prize 138 for cash. A special prize 138 is inserted through the special prize slot 52 of the payment machine 8. Then, the amount corresponding to the inserted special prize 138 is displayed on the amount display 59, and when the user presses the confirmation key 58, the banknote dispensing device 51' is activated and the banknotes are delivered to the banknote dispensing port 50.
Coins are dispensed from the coin dispensing port 54 to the user, and the coin dispensing device 54' is operated as necessary to dispense coins to the user from the coin dispensing opening 54. The amount of money made up of bills and coins to be paid out is controlled to match the amount displayed by the amount display 59. Thereafter, the receipt issuing device 57 operates and a receipt with predetermined information printed thereon is issued to the user through the receipt issuing port 56. Note that 777 in the figure is a control section consisting of a microcomputer or the like. Further, 20 is a processor number display, 21 is a sales indicator, and 22 is a sales discontinuation indicator. In addition, this special prize exchange device (special prize payment machine) 8 is connected to the central control computer 112 of the premium card issuing company 104 via the terminal box 116, and the number of special prizes 138 received in the premium card issuing company 104 is controlled. is transmitted to the central management computer 112.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the recorded information recorded on the ball number card 19. Ball number card 19
As shown in the figure, the magnetic stripe 133 includes a game store code that can identify the gaming hall where the number of balls card 19 was issued, the date of issue of the number of balls card 19, and the date of issue of the number of balls card 19. A card number as a number, ball number information, a security code for improving the security of the ball number card 19, etc. are recorded.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the recorded information recorded on the ball lending card.

The magnetic strip 135 of the ball lending card 134 has recorded thereon a card number which is the number of the ball lending card 134, balance information, a security code for improving card security, and the like.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the recorded information recorded on the prize card.

The magnetic strip 137 of the prize card 136 includes the card expiration date for specifying the expiry date of use of the prize card 136, the card number which is the number of the prize card 136, the remaining amount (remaining prize amount), and the prize card 136. Security codes, etc. are recorded to improve security.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the special prize. The special prize 138 is composed of a magnetic card in which a magnetic stripe 139 is formed on a part of a resin plate. This magnetic stripe 139 records an issue number, which is the number with which this special prize 138 was issued, a security code for improving the security of this special prize 138, and the like. Furthermore, some of the special prizes 138 include
A gold chip 140 having a value commensurate with the prize value of the special prize 138 is incorporated.

FIG. 7 shows a receipt issued by the prize processing device (prize card processing device) 9 when a prize is selected using a catalog at the prize exchange office 102 and a prize is exchanged. information is printed. Figure 3~
The various cards shown in Figure 6 and the special prizes shown in Figure 7 are not limited to magnetic cards, but also include IC cards, optical cards (those using optical disk memory), thermal cards, cards with bar codes, and punch-hole cards. It may be constructed of various materials such as a perforated card. In addition, although the various cards shown in Figures 3 to 5 record and update ball number information and remaining amount information, the ball number information and remaining amount information are not recorded on the cards and are updated based on the card number. Hall management computer 6
Alternatively, the ball number information and remaining amount information may be updated in the centralized control computers 111 and 112.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a central control computer installed at a premium card issuing company and various devices connected to the central control computer.

An auxiliary computer 112' is connected to the central management computer 112, and a CRT display 142, a keyboard 144, and a printer 143 are connected to this auxiliary computer 112'. The keyboard 144 is activated by inserting and operating a key owned by a predetermined operator into the power switch 160 of the auxiliary computer 112'. The keyboard 144 includes a hall-by-hall total key 151 for totaling data by game hall (hall), a store-by-store sales key 152 for totaling sales by member store, and a store-by-store sales key 152 for totaling data by prize card. Aggregation key 153 for each card, a prize entry/exit key 154 for aggregating special prize entry/exit data, an accident key 155 for aggregating accident card data, and a printer 143
A print key 156 for printing predetermined data by
is provided. By operating the various keys 151 to 155, the respective data described above are aggregated and the aggregated results are displayed on the CRT display 142 (FIGS. 9 to 11). Further, the keyboard 144 is provided with a numeric keypad 157 for inputting numbers and the like, a character information input key 159 for inputting character information, and other function keys 158.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the total information for each hole, which is compiled by the central control computer of the premium card issuing company.

B and C in the first line indicate the name of the gaming hall (hall), and the second line clearly indicates the type of data collected. In other words, the "prize card updated amount" means the updated amount of the premium card that has been increased and updated by the prize processing device 5 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and is based on the data sent to the central management computer 112 at the time of the increased amount update. The game hall to which the premium card issuing company 104 makes the claim is specified by the number of the terminal box from which the prize is sent. Note that the billing destination gaming hall may be specified based on the processor number of the prize processing device 5. The gaming hall code may be sent from the terminal box to the central control computer 112 together with the increase update data. The "special prize delivery amount" means the amount of the special prize 138 shipped from the premium card issuing company 104 to the game hall. "Sales amount of ball lending card" means the sales amount of ball lending card 134 when ball lending card 134 is sold using prize card 136 using ball lending card vending machine 4 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). . The leftmost column in the diagram shows the date. For example, the amount of prize card renewal at Hall B on October 1st is 3,481,926 yen, and the amount of special prizes issued is 7.
,000,000 yen, and the ball rental card sales amount is 2.7
It is 56,000 yen. Note that the data for Hall B on October 2nd and October 30th and Hall C on October 3rd and October 31st are "0", but this is 10
Hall B is closed on the 2nd of May and 30th of October.
Hall C is closed on October 3rd and October 31st.
This is because they did not conduct business. In addition, the amount of renewal of premium cards, amount of special premiums issued, and sales amount of ball lending cards will be calculated on October 1st.
The total amount for one month from October 31st to October 31st is displayed, and the amount charged by the premium card issuing company 104 to each game parlor is calculated and displayed. For example, in the case of Hall B, the monthly charge for the premium card renewal amount is 87,649,30, which is the same as the total amount.
7 yen, and the amount of special prizes issued is 207,302,500 yen, which is a certain fee added to the total amount, and the fee is further deducted from the total amount for the ball rental card sales amount71 , 441,470 yen will be paid to B hall 100 from premium card issuing company 104. The difference between those charges is 223,5 on the bottom line.
It is shown as 10,337 yen. In addition, the prize processing device 5
The total number of prize balls data entered in the game hall 10
0 transmits the total data of prize balls paid out to the central control computer 112 of the prize card issuing company 104, and the central control computer 112 aggregates the total number of prize balls for each gaming hall based on the transmitted data. It may also be displayed. In that case, the profit for each gaming facility can be calculated based on the aggregated data of card ball rental amounts for each gaming facility and this data on the total number of prize balls shown in FIG. 14, which will be described later. will be covered with glass to prevent tax evasion, etc.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the total data for each card compiled by the central management computer of the premium card issuing company. In the figure, the top line shows the card number of the prize card, and the line below it shows the remaining amount of the prize on the previous month's prize card. Further, the updated amount of the premium card and the amount used for each day from October 1st to October 31st are shown. For example, it can be seen that on October 1st, the premium card with card number 12001 has been updated with an increase of 5,300 yen, and 15,000 yen has been used. Then, the total of each monthly increase renewal amount and usage amount from October 1st to October 31st is calculated and shown, and the total usage amount is subtracted from the sum of the previous month's remaining amount and the total of the increase renewal amount. The amount left on the premium card as of October 31st is 30,400 yen.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing sales data by member store. The top line in the diagram shows the store name of each member store, and the numbers below are the sales using the premium card 136 for each member store from October 1st to October 31st. The amount is shown. Then, the total sales for the month is calculated and shown, and below the sales total, the fees paid by each member store to the premium card issuing company 104 are shown. The remaining amount after subtracting the commission from the total sales is the transfer amount paid from the premium card issuing company 104 to each member store. For example, in the case of member store D, 2,091.9
It will be 99 yen.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing aggregation of accident card data. In the leftmost column of the figure, the card number of the accident card is shown, and in the case of a lost card, the card number of the card reported after the lost card is reported by the person who lost it is registered. For example, in the case of card number 12003 in FIG. 10, the card was last updated by 6,500 yen on October 1st, and has not been used or updated since then. Since the holder of this card number 12003 reported that it was lost on October 2, 1990, the reported card was registered as an accident card and an asterisk (*) was added in front of the amount showing the balance in Figure 10. will be displayed. on the other hand,
The card number 12004 shown in FIG. 12 is a card whose balance has been falsified, and the card number 12004 shown in FIG.
As you can see from the data in column 04, even though the remaining prize amount is "0" as of October 1st,
36,000 yen was used on October 1st, indicating that the balance had been falsified as of October 1st. Therefore, it will be registered as an accident card as of October 1st. As shown in FIG. 10, an accident card whose balance has been falsified is displayed with a star in front of the balance number. The accident card information shown in FIG.
If the accident card is used at those locations, an alarm will be sounded immediately so that the accident can be handled.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the storage/output data of special prizes. There are three types of special prizes 138: 2,000 yen, 500 yen, and 100 yen, and the number of prizes received is the bank 108.
The number of special prizes 138 that have been returned to the premium card issuing company 104 is shown for each type of special prize 138. On the other hand, the number of prizes issued and the prize card issuing company 104
Special prize 13 shipped to each game hall 100, 101 from
The number 8 is shown for each type of special prize 138. The total number of special prizes 138 issued from October 1st to October 31st is calculated and shown for each game hall and for each type of special prize. In addition, 1 special prize shipped to each game hall during the month.
38 total amounts are shown, and the total amount plus the commission becomes the amount billed to each game parlor. For example, in Hall B, the amount charged for special prizes 138 for one month from October 1st to October 31st is 207,
It will be 302,500 yen. The number of prizes in stock in the right column of the illustration is 1
Premium card issuer 1 from October 1st to October 31st
04 shows the number of prizes in stock for each type of special prize.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the sales data of ball rental cards by hole compiled by the centralized control computer 111 of the ball rental card sales company 103.

[0055] In the figure, "card sales amount" refers to each game hall 1.
00,101 means the sales amount of the ball lending card 134 sold by the ball lending card vending machine 4, from October 1st to 1
The sales amount for the month ending October 31st is shown. "Card ball loan amount" means the ball loan amount lent by the card processing machine (card ball lending machine) 3 using the ball loan card 134, and is for one month from October 1st to October 31st. The amount owed between balls is shown. The "difference" means the amount obtained by subtracting the card rental amount from the card sales amount, and the amount for one month from October 1st to October 31st is shown. "Card burden amount" means that a certain game hall has a ball rental card 134
For example, at Hall B, the monthly card charge is 1,263,517
It becomes a yen. The calculation method for this card burden is to use the central control computer 111 to calculate the number of ball rental cards sold by all the gaming halls and ball rental card stores, and add the total number of sold cards per ball rental card to the total number of sales. First, calculate the total card manufacturing cost for one month by multiplying by the manufacturing cost. Then, a value is calculated by dividing the monthly card ball rental amount at a certain game hall by the total amount of card ball rental amounts at all game halls, and this value becomes the card burden ratio at that game hall. Then, the value obtained by multiplying the card burden ratio by the above-mentioned total card manufacturing fee becomes the card burden amount for one month at the game parlor.

[0056]

[Effects of the Invention] The present invention allows the value given to the player as a result of the game to be used for exchanging prizes using the member's recording medium. In this way, it becomes possible for players to select and exchange prizes from among the many types of prizes handled by the gaming parlor, while reducing the burden on the management of the gaming parlor. Moreover, with this single prize processing device, it is possible to issue a new member's recording medium, calculate the assigned value of the assigned value object, and add the assigned value to the value specified by the member's recording medium. Since it is equipped with almost all the minimum necessary functions for a game hall to adopt a prize exchange service using member recording media, a game hall must have at least one prize processing device. By introducing this system, it will be almost possible to start a prize exchange service using member recording media.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram schematically showing an example of a game management equipment device in which a prize processing device according to the present invention is used.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the main parts of the gaming hall.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining information recorded on a ball number card.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining information recorded on a ball rental card.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining information recorded on a prize card.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a special prize.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing the printed contents of a receipt.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a central management computer of a card issuing company and various devices connected to the central management computer.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing total data for each hole compiled by the management computer of the premium card issuing company.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing total data for each card compiled by the central management computer of the premium card issuing company.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing sales data by member store compiled by the central management computer of the premium card issuing company.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing total data of accident cards compiled by the central control computer of the premium card issuing company.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating storage/output data of special prizes compiled by the central control computer of the prize card issuing company.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing sales data by hole compiled by the central management computer of the ball rental card issuing company.

[Explanation of symbols]

104 is a prize card issuing company, 112 is a centralized control computer, 103 is a ball rental card issuing company, 111 is a central control computer, 100 and 101 are gaming halls, 108 is a bank, 6 is a hall management computer, 7 is a prize ball counting machine 2 is a pachinko machine which is an example of a gaming machine, 3 is a card processing machine,
4 is a ball lending card vending machine, 5 is a prize processing device, 61 is a prize card identification machine, 67 is a special prize dispensing device, 70 is a general prize ball number card dispensing device, 19 is a ball number card, 134 is a ball lending card, 136 is a prize card which is an example of a recording medium for members, and 138 is a special prize.

Claims (1)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A prize processing device used when a player exchanges a prize using a value object given to the player as a result of playing a game on a gaming machine, the device having a value that can be specified. a member recording medium issuing means for issuing a member recording medium on which information is recorded to a player as a predetermined member; A calculation means for calculating the size, and a value addition means capable of adding the assigned value calculated by the calculation means to the value specified by the issued member recording medium. Features a prize processing device.