JPH0542250A - Card processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the reutilization possibility judging precision by recording a test pattern on an inserted card, reading it, and confirming the regenerating property of the recorded data in the card processor of a game system. CONSTITUTION:The data of an inserted card are sent to a readout control unit 13 by a card writing/reading system 94 to check the presence of the abnormality of the data. If the data are normal, the reutilization possibility is checked. The recorded data of the card are erased by a data erasing system 95, then the test data of a ROM 91b are written. The test data are read by the card writing/reading system 94 and transferred to a controller 91. The controller 91 collates the inputted data with the test data of the ROM 91b and reports an abnormality in case of inconsistency. If no abnormality is found, the magnetic stripe is initialized by a record generating head to record the card data again. The error check of a coloring unit displaying the characters of the character column of the card is likewise performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a card processor used in a game system which uses a rewritable reusable card and enables exchange of a game medium and a prize acquired by a game using the card. In particular, the present invention relates to a card processor having a function of determining whether or not a reused card can be reused.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a game system using a card, for example, there is one described in JP-A-63-242290. In this game system, when you play a pachinko game, you issue a card with an amount corresponding to the cash you put in, insert that card into the pedestal ball lending machine and play the game. The value obtained by adding "the number of supply balls that are prize balls-the number of out balls" is rewritten and recorded on the card. After the game is over, prizes are exchanged based on this card. Further, as the reuse card, the one described in JP-A-60-220475 is known. This card is
A magnetic recording band is provided to record magnetic information, and a pattern recording unit for recording visually observable information is provided to record information on a card. Then, the magnetic information and the pattern information are rewritten if necessary.

[0003]

However, in the pachinko system described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-242290, a card that has been used once is usually discarded after use, and it is considered that an abnormality occurs during use. The judged card is also discarded as it is. Even if the reuse card is used in a pachinko system as described above and is reused many times, the reuse card is discarded once it is determined to be abnormal once it is judged to be abnormal. ing. When the cause of the card that was judged to be abnormal in this way was analyzed, a hardware abnormality of the card itself occurred and it could not be reused,
Other factors of the card itself, such as an abnormality on the card processor side, resulting in the card being determined to be abnormal, and the card being issued on a different day than the gift exchange day It turned out that there are things. In this case, it is determined to be abnormal in the amusement halls such as pachinko parlors according to the regulation of law (Law Article 23, Paragraph 1, Item 3 of the Act on Regulation of Customs Business and Adequacy of Business). It is forbidden for customers to bring out balls, medals, and other similar items for use outside of the office.The card is also prohibited from being taken out as a result. This is because a card with a different number cannot be settled and is judged as an abnormal card. It was found that there are a considerable number of cards that can be reused as described above among the cards judged to be abnormal.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a card processor which can accurately determine the reusability of a reuse card.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a card processing machine of the present invention is a card for taking in a reusable card having at least the number of game media acquired by a customer and reading the recorded contents of the card. In the processor, test data storage means for storing test data for recording / reproducing test of the card in advance, recording means for writing the test data in the card, and the card in which the test data is written. And reading means for reading the test data and outputting the read test data, and data collating means for collating the stored test data with the read test data.

[0006]

The card processing machine which can use the reuse card holds a test pattern for the recording / reproducing test in the information recording area of the card in advance. When the customer inserts the card, the recorded information such as the number of game media and the card issue date of the card is read and transferred to the management device. Then, the test pattern is recorded in the information recording area of the card by visible or electro-magnetic means. After recording, the test pattern is read to determine whether the same test pattern as the held test pattern has been reproduced.

By determining whether to reuse the tested card based on the result of this determination, it is possible to reuse the rejected card due to improper use of the card such as mismatch between the issue date and the gift exchange date, Only cards that are physically prone to errors during recording / reproduction are removed to promote reliability and reuse of inexpensive cards.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the system of the game arcade will be described. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the inside of the game arcade, and FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a prize exchange system in the game arcade.

In FIG. 1, currency exchange machines CEN1 and CEN2 are arranged near the entrance on the front of the game arcade. As types of gaming machines, for example, there are a medal gaming machine 1, a pachinko gaming machine 2, and the like, and an island is formed by a gaming machine group arranged in a line. In the vicinity of each gaming machine, a medal lending machine or a stand ball lending machine that provides medals or the like as a game medium in exchange for coins is provided. The medal lending machine and the ball lending machine are controlled by the controller CTR provided for each island. The medal counting machine 3 is arranged at the end of the island of the medal gaming machine 1,
The number of inserted medals is counted, and the counted value is transmitted to the card / receipt issuing machine 4 arranged adjacent to the medal counting machine 3. A ball counting machine 5 is arranged at the end of the island of the pachinko gaming machine 2, counts the number of prize balls thrown, and the card / receipt issuing machine is arranged adjacent to the ball counting machine 5. Communicate to 4. The card / receipt issuing machine 4 is a card that records the number of medals or small balls thrown into the counting machine,
Or issue a receipt.

A prize exchange counter is provided in the back of the game arcade. The prize exchange counter is divided into an unmanned counter 6 and a manned counter 7.
The prize dispenser 8, the card processor 9, and the child manager 12 are used. Further, the manned counter 7 is composed of a gift dispenser 8, a card processor 9, a bar code scanner 11 and a parent management machine 13.

At the unmanned counter 6, the prize exchanger inserts a card into the card processor 9 and issues a prize exchange command, and the prize dispenser 8 throws a prize corresponding to the count value. The manned counter 7 is provided with a bar code scanner 11 in addition to the card processor 9, and the recorded data of the issued receipt is read. At the manned counter 7, in addition to the prizes stored in the prize dispenser 8, various kinds of prizes are prepared on the display shelf, and various prizes are exchanged. The contents of the entire prize exchange are totaled by the parent management machine 13 and used for inventory management, delivery control, and the like.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the flow of the game, and the player purchases the game medium by the ball lending machine or the medal lending machine (step S1). The player selects an appropriate gaming machine. For example, the number of game media is increased by the pachinko gaming machine 2 (step S2). Then, the game is stopped and the increased game media are exchanged for prizes. Counter 5 with no players
When a prize ball is thrown in (step S3), a card or receipt recording the number of prize balls is issued from the card / receipt issuing machine 4 (step S4). Bring this card or receipt to the prize exchange counter. When the player inserts the card into the card processing machine 9 or the employee reads the receipt by the bar code scanner 11, the management machine 1
The number of prize balls is stored in 2 or 13 (step S5), and the prize can be exchanged. The player selects a prize of his choice,
You can enjoy the game again by receiving the surplus prize balls (step S6).

Next, the counting of game media and the issuing of cards and the like will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the ball counter 5, and when a prize ball is put into the upper hopper 5a,
Due to the inclination of the hopper 5a, prize balls flow into a counting sensor (not shown) and counting is started. The counting result is displayed on the upper display 5b. A part of the prize balls passing through the counting sensor is once stopped by a ball pool mechanism (not shown) of the ball returning unit. At least a fractional prize ball less than the minimum gift certificate exchange unit is accumulated in the ball pool mechanism and is thrown to the ball return port 5c in response to a command to return the surplus ball. Further, the counting result is transmitted to the card / receipt issuing machine 4 via a connection cord (not shown).

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the medal counter 3. When a medal is loaded into the upper hopper 3a, the medal flows into a counting sensor (not shown) due to the inclination of the hopper 3a and the medal transport mechanism provided at the bottom of the hopper 3a, and counting is started. The counting result is displayed on the upper display 3b. Further, the counting result is transmitted to the card / receipt issuing machine 4 via a connection cord (not shown).

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the card / receipt issuing machine 4. A display unit 4a is provided on the upper front of the card / receipt issuing machine 4 and displays the number of game media loaded in the counting machine. A receipt issuing port 4b for ejecting a receipt is provided below the display unit 4a,
For example, the journal printer 4C ejects a receipt on which predetermined items are printed. Below the receipt issuing port 4b, there is provided a full button 4g for instructing the issuance of a card or a receipt in which all balls are recorded without returning the surplus balls of the game medium inserted by the player. Adjacent to this, there is provided a surplus ball return button 4h for returning a surplus ball of a game medium inserted by the player and for issuing a card or a receipt in which only a fraction in which the prize can be issued is recorded. At the lower front of the card / receipt issuing machine 4, a card issuing port 4d for ejecting a card in which the number of counted game media is recorded is provided.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing the internal structure of the card / receipt issuing machine 4. In the figure, a cassette box 4e accommodates a large number of recycle cards whose print portions as shown in FIG. 8 can be rewritten. A thermal print head, which will be described later, visibly prints predetermined items in a print display column at the upper part of the vertical direction of the card. On the back of this card, a magnetic stripe on which the above-mentioned predetermined items are to be recorded electromagnetically is formed.

The card is sent out from the lower part of the cassette box 4e by the pickup roller PR. Roller pairs R1 to R5 are arranged from the pickup roller PR toward the card issuing port 4d to form a card transport path. A thermal print head S is provided between the roller pair R2 and R3.
There is R, and the thermal print head SR is pressed against the print column portion of the card by the operation of a solenoid (not shown).
A plantain roller PL is provided on the opposite surface of the thermal head SR for supporting. The thermal printing head SR visibly records and displays the above-mentioned predetermined items, that is, the issuing date a, the card number b, the total number c of coins, the divisor d, the surplus sphere e, etc. in the printout column of the card. The thermal-printed card is conveyed to the magnetic card unit MC. Information is recorded on the magnetic stripe of the card by the magnetic stripe reproducing / recording head RW. After the recording is completed, the card is moved in the opposite direction, returned, and conveyed again. After confirming that the information such as the total number of balls is correctly recorded on the magnetic stripe, the card is sent to the card issuing port 4d. Therefore, the magnetic card unit M
C is driven by a motor MT capable of forward and reverse rotation. The other transport path is driven by a motor STMT that rotates in the forward and reverse directions. When it is determined that the card is abnormal when reading the card, the card is sent back and the roller pair R
It is accommodated in the reject box 4 f via 6. Detection switches S1 to S4 are arranged on the card transport path to detect the position of the card. A card ejecting mechanism 43 is constituted by the above-mentioned roller pair for card feeding, a drive motor, etc., and a card recording mechanism 4 is constituted by a thermal print head SR, a magnetic stripe reproducing / recording head RW, etc.
4 are configured.

A journal printer 4c is provided on the upper part of the housing. The journal printer 4c is composed of a receipt ejecting mechanism 45 that sends the recording roll paper to the receipt issuing port 4b through a printing unit, and a receipt printing mechanism 46 that prints the total number of balls or the like on the receipt by numbers or barcodes. .. Whether the data recording such as the total number of counted balls is recorded on the card or is printed on the receipt by the journal printer 4c can be performed by, for example, setting the card / receipt mode setting switch 47 or by a software command from the outside. it can.

The outputs of the detection switches S1 to S7 are supplied to the issue abnormality detection means 49 formed in the control program of the microprocessor. The issue abnormality detection means 49 is
The output of these sensors is used to discriminate jams of cards and receipts, out of stock, and the like. The result of this determination is the control unit 4
It is supplied to the issuance abnormality switching means 41e of No. 1 and switches the issuance of a card or receipt.

FIG. 9 shows a functional block diagram of the control circuits of the counters 3, 5 and the card / receipt issuing machine 4.
The counting means 51 of the medal counting machine 3 or the ball counting machine 5 is composed of a sensor that detects passage of the game medium and a counter that integrates the number of passages. The count value of the counter is sent to the control unit 52 which controls the counter. The control unit 52 is composed of a microprocessor, displays the count value on a display unit (not shown), and transfers the count value to the card / receipt issuing machine 4 via the interface 53. As described above, the prize pool for return is stored in the ball pool mechanism which is the return means 54 of the ball return unit of the ball counter 5.

The control unit 52 uses the card / receipt issuing machine 4
When receiving the award ball return instruction from the control unit 41, the instruction means 54 is instructed to return the award balls by the designated number. The return means 54 throws the prize balls into the ball return opening 5 in response to the instruction to return the surplus balls.
throw to c.

The control system of the card / receipt issuing machine 4 includes a control unit 41, an interface 42, a card ejection mechanism 43,
Card recording mechanism 44, receipt ejection mechanism 45, receipt printing mechanism 46, card / receipt mode setting switch 4
7, time passage detection unit 48, issue abnormality detection means 49, all switches 4g, surplus ball return switch 4h, and the like.

The control unit 41 is composed of a microprocessor, and a control program is stored in a built-in ROM 41a. Information such as the count value supplied from the counter 3 or 4 is stored in the built-in RAM 41b via the interface 42. A card / receipt issue switching control means 41c and a fraction deletion means 41d are formed on the control program. The card / receipt issue switching control means records the count value or the like on the card and ejects it when the card / receipt mode setting switch 47 provided near the cassette box 4e is selected as the card. Select a program. When the card / receipt mode setting switch 47 is selected as a receipt, the program is selected so that the count value and the like are recorded on the card and thrown out. When the card / receipt mode setting switch 47 is selected for automatic selection, a receipt is issued when the count value is less than or equal to a predetermined number, and a card is issued when the count value is greater than or equal to the predetermined value. Further, when the remaining one of the recording medium of the card and the receipt is exhausted, it is switched to the issue of the other recording medium in stock.

The fraction deleting means 41d can be selectively operated by turning on a dip switch (not shown). When the time lapse detection unit 48 configured by the timer function provided in the microprocessor detects the lapse of a predetermined time, for example, the time just before the closing of the store, and generates a time-out signal, the fraction deletion means 41d is activated. The function of the fraction deleting means 41d is to correct the total count value stored in the RAM 41b to a preset count value, excluding a preset prize exchange unit number, for example, a fraction number less than 20 pachinko balls. For example, the above-mentioned fraction is obtained as the remainder when the total count value is divided by the minimum number of exchange units for exchange of premiums.

The issuance abnormality switching means 41e sends out the card from the cassette box 4e when the detection output of the issuance abnormality detection means 49 indicates that the journal printer 4c is out of receipt or the receipt jam has occurred. .. On the contrary, if the detection output indicates that the card is out of stock in the cassette box 4e or the card is jammed, the journal printer 4
Send the receipt from c.

When the player pushes all the buttons on the card / receipt issuing panel, all the number of balls to be recorded and issued without returning the thrown prize balls from the counting machine 5 The control unit 41 is instructed from the switch 4g. Also,
When the surplus sphere return button is pressed, the surplus sphere return switch 4 is to return surplus spheres less than the minimum number of exchange units for prize exchange.
The control unit 41 is instructed from h.

The control unit 41 executes a card feeding control program (not shown) to cause the cassette box 4
It controls the above-mentioned card ejection mechanism 43 that conveys the card from e to the card issuing port 4d. In addition, the control unit 41
The card recording mechanism 44 is controlled by executing a card recording control program (not shown), and the data to be recorded such as the count value stored in the RAM 41b is written in the card or the contents written in the card are erased. ..

The receipt ejection mechanism 45 and the receipt printing mechanism 46 are also controlled by the control unit 41 executing a receipt recording mechanism control program and a receipt printing mechanism control program (not shown).

FIG. 10 shows a procedure for issuing cards and receipts by issuing the above-mentioned game medium counter and card / receipt, and counting the game medium acquired by the player 5
When loaded into the hopper (step S101), the counter 5 starts counting (step S102). The counting is repeated until the player presses the all button 4c or the surplus return button 4c. When the player presses one of the buttons, the card / receipt issuing machine 4 confirms that the output of the counting machine 5 is not changed by the end of counting, and fetches the provided count value or the like into the RAM 41b. (Step S103). All button 4g meaning command to record all count values of game media
It is determined whether is pressed or the remaining return button 4h is pressed (step S104). When the all button 4g is pressed, "0" is stored in the area B of the RAM 41b (step S105). When the remainder return button 4h is pressed, it is determined whether or not the time to issue a card or the like exceeds the reference time set in advance in the time passage detection unit 48 (step S106). This reference time is set, for example, at the time just before the closing of the game hall. This is to save the customer the trouble of having to return it to the counter after all because there is no game time. If it exceeds the reference time, "0" is stored in the area B of the RAM 41b (step S105). If it does not exceed the reference time, "1" is stored in the area B of the RAM 41b (step S107). When "1" is set in the area B of the RAM 41b, the surplus ball is returned in a later step.

Card / receipt mode setting switch 47
However, when the receipt is set in advance by the staff member (step S108), the control unit 41 does not issue the card, and the receipt ejection mechanism 45 and the receipt printing mechanism 4 are not issued.
6 is controlled to issue a receipt (step S10).
9). Step S108 corresponds to the card / receipt issuing mode setting means.

Card / receipt mode setting switch 47
Is set to automatic selection (step S10
8) It is determined whether the count value exceeds a preset predetermined number (step S110). When the number is less than the predetermined number, a receipt is issued (step S109), and when the number is more than the predetermined number, a card is issued (step S111). This is because the unit cost of issuing cards is higher than that of receipts, so you can distinguish the recording media to be ejected by the number of game media acquired, reduce the cost of issuing and have a kind of premium value for cards. To let it.

Card / receipt mode setting switch 47
Is set on the card (step S108),
Only the card is issued (step S111), and the receipt is not issued in principle. Step S10 described above
8, S110 is card / receipt issue switching control means 41
Corresponds to c.

In the issuance of the receipt and the issuance of the card (steps S109 and S111), the count data such as the total number of balls c, the divisor d and the number of surplus balls e are recorded on the respective recording media. In these issuing processes, the control unit 41 executes the fraction deleting program corresponding to the fraction deleting unit 41d according to the setting of the execution program. That is, RA
From the count value stored in M41b, it is possible to delete and record the surplus number less than the minimum number unit of the prize exchange (step S115).

When issuing a card, if the card is out of stock or the occurrence of a card jam is detected (step S
112), it is determined whether or not an abnormality is detected in receipt issuance (step S113). If it is normal, the process shifts from the card issuance to the receipt issuance (step S109).

On the other hand, in the issuance of a receipt, if the receipt is out of stock or the occurrence of a jam of the receipt is detected (step S114), it is determined whether or not an abnormality is detected in the card issuance (step S115). If it is normal, the procedure shifts from the receipt issuance to the card issuance (step S111).

When both the card issuance and the receipt issuance are in an abnormal state (steps S113 and S115), the issuance of the recording medium is stopped and a staff member is informed of the occurrence of the abnormality (step S116).

When the card or receipt is issued, the value of the area B is discriminated (step S117). When the value of B is "1", the surplus sphere is returned because it is before the set time. That is, the surplus number obtained by the execution of the fraction removal program described above is transferred to the control unit 52 of the counter 5 via the interface 42 together with the return command. The control unit 52 instructs the return means 54 to return the surplus balls for the surplus (step S118).

When the value of the area B is "0" (step S117), the player does not want to return the surplus balls or the surplus balls are not returned because the reference time has elapsed. .. Step S117 has a function of stopping the return of the surplus balls in the ball counting machine 5, and the return stopping means 5
It corresponds to 2a.

As a result, the issuing of cards or receipts can be arbitrarily selected, and when the stock of cards or receipts runs out, the ejected recording medium is switched to the stock recording medium. Further, even when one recording medium is jammed, the recording medium is automatically switched to another recording medium, so that it is possible to reduce system down related to recording medium issuance. Furthermore, since the card and the receipt can be distinguished and issued according to the number of acquired media, the premium value of the card can be increased.

Next, the prize exchange system in the prize exchange counter will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 11, the left side of the prize exchange counter is the unmanned counter 6, and the right side is the manned counter 7. The unattended counter 6
The prize dispenser 8, the card processor 9, and the child manager 12 are used. When the prize exchanger uses the unattended counter 6, the card is inserted into the card processor 9. Then, after depressing the card insertion end button, a prize corresponding to the count value or the divisor recorded from the prize dispenser 8 is dispensed.

The manned counter 7 is composed of a prize dispensing machine 8, a card processing machine 9, a bar code scanner 11 and a parent management machine 13. At the manned counter 7, the prize dispenser 8
In addition to the prizes stored in the store, it is possible to exchange with various kinds of prizes prepared on the display shelves. The prize exchanger has a manned counter 7
When using a card, the card is inserted into the card processor 9, or a receipt is given to a clerk, and the bar code scanner 11 is caused to read the recorded data. Incorporate. Then, the staff member listens to the customer's wishes and operates the keyboard of the management machine 13 to dispense the prize from the prize dispenser 8 or to take out the prize from the display shelf and exchange the prize by hand. The management machine 13 manages the inventory of prizes.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a card processing machine 9 which is a card processing means for reading recorded data such as the number of game media recorded on the card. A card insertion slot 9a for taking in a card is provided in the lower front portion of the card processing machine 9. A card insertion end button 9b is provided on the upper portion. The player can successively insert a plurality of cards into the card insertion slot 9a. In this case, the record data read from each card is stored in the sequential management device 12
Or transferred to 13. The count value read from the card is displayed on the display 9c arranged on the upper front of the card processor 9. When the player finishes inserting the card, the player presses the card insertion end button 9b. As a result, the completion of card insertion is controlled by the management machine 12 via the control unit of the card processing machine 9.
Or 13 is commanded.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram schematically showing the internal structure of the card processor 9. In the figure, when the customer inserts the card into the card insertion slot 9a, the magnetic card unit M
The C sensor S1 detects the card. When the insertion of the card is detected, the motor MT drives the card taking-in mechanism of the magnetic card unit MC including the roller pairs R1 and R2. In the roller pair R1 part,
A magnetic stripe reproducing / recording head RW is provided,
Recorded data such as the number of game media recorded on the card is read. This recorded data is sent to the management device. The magnetic stripe reproducing / recording head RW and the like constitute a card reading mechanism 94. When the card passes the roller pair R2, the sensor S
By 2, the arrival of the card at the print degaussing unit is detected.
As a result, the motor STMT operates and the roller pair R3 to
A card take-in mechanism including R5 and the like is driven. When the card passes between the roller pair R3 and R4, the roller pair R
By the thermal print head SR and the platen roller PL1 arranged between 3 and R4, writing is performed in the print field of the card for uniform erasing in the subsequent process. When the card passes the roller pair R4, the print field is read by the read head OH of the OCR (optical character reader) used in the test mode described later. O
The read output of the CR head OH is supplied to the control unit 91,
The written characters and symbols are discriminated by the OCR unit composed of pattern recognition processing software. When the card passes the roller pair R4, the sensor S3 detects this. The position of the print field of the card is determined by the passage timer etc.,
The erasing head IH is instructed to generate heat. The card is brought into close contact with the erasing head IH by the platen roller PL2. All the numbers printed in the print field of the card are erased by the heat generated by the erasing head IH. When the card passes the erasing head IH and the sensor S4 detects that the card is carried into the cassette box 9d for collecting the card, the pickup roller PR is driven and the card is taken into the cassette box 9d. When the card is stored in the predetermined position, this is detected by the sensor S6, and the driving of the card take-in mechanism is stopped. Sensors S8 and S9 are arranged above the cassette box 9d to detect when the collection of cards into the cassette is full. In this case, the staff is informed and the card loading is stopped until the empty cassette box is replaced. A mechanism for transporting the card inserted into the card insertion slot 4d into the cassette box 9d constitutes a card loading mechanism 93. The cassette box 9d containing the card is set in the card / receipt issuing machine 4 as it is, and the card is repeatedly used. When it is determined by the management device 13 or the control unit 91 that the read data of the taken-in card is abnormal, for example, when a card on a date other than the issue date is inserted, the card passes through the roller pair R5. It is accommodated in the reject box 9e. Reject box 9e
A mode setting circuit 98 for selectively setting a card initialization mode and an operation mode, which will be described later, is provided in the vicinity of. The mode setting circuit 98 is composed of, for example, a dip switch circuit, and the setting contents of the switch are set by the control unit 91.
Transferred to.

An example of the prize dispenser 8 will be described with reference to FIG. Inside the prize dispenser 8, for example, a plurality of cylindrical article discharge units carrying a plurality of cassettes storing prizes are arranged. 100 yen prizes, 500 yen prizes, 1000 yen prizes, etc. are set in the cassette.
In response to the designation of the divisor or the prize, a predetermined number of the corresponding prize is thrown out from the outlets 8a, 8b or 8c. The structure of such a gift dispenser is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-1652.
Since it is explained in detail in No. 96, it will not be explained in detail.

An example of the management machines 12 and 13 will be described with reference to FIG. The same management machines 12 and 13 are used, but one of them is the master machine 1 due to program switching.
3 and the other operates as the slave unit 12. The prize exchange information of the child machine 12 is collected by the parent machine. In the figure, by selecting the position of the key switch a of the management machine, it is possible to switch between automatic and manual. Key switch a in the unattended counter 6
The position of is automatically selected. When set to automatic, when the record data read by the card processing machine 9 is transferred to the management machine 12, the management machine 12 throws out a prize corresponding to the count value or the divisor while giving priority to an expensive prize. Command to do so.

FIG. 18 is a prize dispenser 8, a card processing machine 9, a ball returning machine 10 and a child management machine 1 in the unmanned counter 6.
2 shows a control system of No. 2.

The card loading mechanism 93 for loading the card in which the card processor 9 is inserted, the card writing / reading mechanism 94 for reading the data recorded on the card, and the erasing mechanism 95 for erasing the data recorded on the card are the microprocessor. It is controlled by the control unit 91 configured by. This microprocessor controls each mechanism according to a control program stored in a ROM (not shown) and temporarily stores read data in a RAM (not shown). When the insertion end button is pressed by the prize exchange person, an insertion end command is issued from the insertion end switch 9b via the interface 92.
2 is transferred.

The management machine 12 is provided with a microprocessor (not shown), a ROM storing a control program, a RAM 121 for storing prize exchange information and the like, an interface 123 for converting data signals, and the like. The recording data transferred from the card processor 9 is temporarily stored in the RAM of the control unit 121 via the interface 123. For example, the control unit 121 of the management machine 12 divides the count value of the game medium by the one with the largest exchange unit, and divides the remainder by the one with the next largest exchange unit to obtain the type and number of prizes. .. This is transferred to the prize dispenser 8 via the interface 123. Child management machine 12
The information related to the exchange of free gifts, which has been performed in 1., is transferred to the parent management machine 13 and used for inventory management of free gifts.

The prize throwing machine 8 controls the operation of the prize throwing mechanism 83 for throwing a prize and the prize throwing mechanism 83.
1, an interface 82 that mediates data transfer between the control unit 81 and the management machine 12. The control unit 81 is composed of a microprocessor,
The type and number of prizes designated by 2 are discriminated, and the prize ejecting mechanism 83 is controlled to eject a specified number of prizes of the designated kind.

Next, the prize exchange procedure in the unmanned counter 6 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the prize exchanger inserts the card into the insertion slot 9a of the card processor 9 (step S21). Then, a card insertion detection signal is sent from the sensor S1 provided in the MC section of the card processor 9 to the control section 91.
Is emitted to. Upon receiving the card insertion detection, the control unit 91 activates the card loading mechanism 93 and causes the card writing / reading mechanism 94 to read the recorded data such as the count value of the game medium recorded on the card. The read recording data is taken into the RAM. If there is no error in the recording state, this recording data is transferred to the management device 12 (step S22). The control unit 91 operates the data erasing mechanism 95 to erase the recorded data of the card and make it reusable. The print display field of the card is erased, and the card is transported to the cassette box 9d and collected. On the other hand, if there is an error in the recording status of the card,
This card is collected in the reject box 9e, and the control unit 91 notifies the staff that the abnormal card has been collected.
The card processor 9 transfers the read recording data to the management device 12 every time a card is inserted. When the prize exchanger finishes inserting the card, he / she presses the end button (step S23). The pressing of the end switch 9b is transferred to the management device 12 via the control unit 91. Control unit 12 of management machine 12
When the end switch 9b is instructed to be pressed, No. 1 stores the received recording data by dividing it into a group. If it is determined that a plurality of cards have been inserted from the number of read recording data (step S24), the divisor is corrected.

For the correction of the divisor, for example, the surplus number of each card is integrated, and when the integrated value exceeds the minimum prize exchange unit number, for example, 20 award balls, the divisor 1 is calculated for the minimum prize exchange unit number.
To add. In addition, the correction of the divisor is the total number of balls per card c
It is also possible to carry out by accumulating, dividing the integrated value by the minimum number of exchange units to obtain a divisor and a remainder, and setting the calculated divisor as a new divisor (step S25).

After the correction of the divisor is completed, or when it is determined that only one card is inserted from the number of read recording data (step S24), for example, the divisor of the recording data or the designated prize. The type and the number of items are transferred to the prize dispenser 8 (step S26). The premium dispenser 8 dispenses premiums according to the divisor or the designated type and number of premiums (step S27). The transaction data in the free gift exchange is transferred from the child management machine 12 to the parent management machine 13 to perform unified inventory management in the parent management machine 13 (step S28).

In this way, the prize exchange at the unmanned counter is performed.

FIG. 20 shows a control system of the prize dispensing machine 8, the card processing machine 9, the ball returning machine 10, the bar code scanner 11 and the parent management machine 13 in the manned counter 7.

The card taking-in mechanism 93, the card writing / reading mechanism 94 and the data erasing mechanism 95 of the card processor 9 are controlled by the control section 91 which is composed of a microprocessor. This microprocessor is not shown in the RO
Each mechanism is controlled according to the control program stored in M, and read data is temporarily stored in a RAM (not shown).
When the insertion end switch 96 is operated by the giver, the insertion end command is transferred to the management device 13 via the interface 92.

The management device 13 includes a microprocessor (not shown), a ROM storing a control program, a control unit 13d including a RAM for storing prize exchange information and the like, a prize name,
It is provided with a large keyboard 13c for inputting the number of pieces, a large display 13b for displaying operation contents of the keyboard 13c and information regarding prize exchange, an interface 13f for converting data signals and the like. The recording data transferred from the card processor 9 is temporarily stored in the RAM of the control unit 13d via the interface 13f. Management machine 13
The control unit 13d of, for example, when an instruction to exchange the prize stored in the prize dispenser 8 is given by a staff member, divides the count value of the game medium by a large exchange unit, and calculates the remainder number next. Try to divide by the largest exchange unit,
Find the type and number of prizes stored. This is transferred to the prize dispenser 8 via the interface 13f. Further, the information regarding the prize exchange performed in the child management machine 12 is transferred to the parent management machine 13 via the interface 13f,
Used for inventory management of premiums.

The prize throwing machine 8 controls the operation of the prize throwing mechanism 83 for throwing a prize and the prize throwing mechanism 83.
1 and an interface 82 that mediates data transfer with the management device 12. The control unit 81 is composed of a microprocessor, determines the type and number of prizes designated by the management machine 12, and controls the prize dispensing mechanism 83 to dispense a designated number of prizes of the designated number.

Next, the procedure for exchanging the prize in the manned counter 7 will be described with reference to FIG. In the manned counter 7, the key switch 1 of the management machine 13 shown in FIG.
The position of 3a is manually selected. When the key switch 13a is set to the manual position, the prize name, the number of items, etc. can be input from the large keyboard 13c shown in FIG.
Information on the operation contents of the keyboard 13c and exchange of prizes is displayed on the large-sized display 13b shown in FIG. Read data such as a read count value is transferred from the card processor 9 or the bar code scanner 11 to the parent management machine 13.

First, the clerk gives an instruction from the keyboard to select either the input from the card processor 9 or the input from the bar code scanner 11 (step S41). With the card processor 9 selected, the prize exchanger inserts the card into the insertion slot 9a of the card processor 9 (step S42). Then, a sensor S1 provided in the MC section of the card processor 9 issues a card insertion detection signal to the control section 91. Upon receiving the card insertion detection, the control unit 91 activates the card loading mechanism 93 and causes the card writing / reading mechanism 94 to read the recorded data such as the count value of the game medium recorded on the card. The read recording data is stored in the R in the control unit 91.
Taken in by AM. If there is no error in the recorded state, this recorded content is transferred to the management device 13 (step S43).
The control unit 91 operates the data erasing mechanism 95 to erase the recorded data of the card and make it reusable. The card is erased from the magnetic stripe portion and the print display field, and is transported to the cassette box 9d and collected. On the other hand, if there is an error in the recording state of the card, this card is collected in the reject box 9e, and the control unit 91 notifies the staff that the abnormal card has been collected. The card processor 9 transfers the read record data to the management machine 13 every time a card is inserted. When the prize exchanger finishes inserting the card, he / she presses the end button (step S44).

In the state where the input from the bar code scanner 11 is selected (step S41), when the clerk causes the scanner 11 to read the receipt received from the prize exchange person, the record data from the bar code scanner 11 is stored in the management machine. 13 is transferred (step S45).

When it is determined that a plurality of cards have been inserted from the number of recorded data read (step S46), the above-mentioned correction of the divisor is performed. For example, when the surplus number of each card is integrated and the integrated value exceeds the divisor, the divisor generated by the integration of the surplus number is added to the integrated value of the divisor of each card to obtain a new divisor. The part where the integrated value of the remainder does not exceed the divisor is stored as a new remainder (step S47).

When finishing the input of the prize to be exchanged to the management machine 13, the clerk presses the end key of the keyboard 13c. If the end key is not pressed (step S48), the designation of the prize to be exchanged can be repeated until the divisor, which is the minimum unit of the prize exchange, becomes 0 (step S49). The clerk asks the customer for the type and number of desired prizes and inputs them from the keyboard 13c. The control unit 13d of the management machine refers to the divisor corresponding to (gift x number) every time the type and number of the gifts are input from the keyboard 13c, by referring to the divisor for each gift stored in the memory in advance. Calculate and subtract this from the divisor of the read data. The contents of such prize exchange are displayed on the display 13b by the controller 13d (step S50). The input operation is
It can be repeated until the remaining divisor becomes "0" (steps S48 to S50).

When the staff member presses the end key (step S48) or the remaining divisor becomes "0" (step S49), the input of the free gift is completed and the free gift is exchanged (step S51). ). When the designated prize is the one stored in the prize dispenser 8 (step S52), the management machine 13 transmits the prizes to be dispensed and the number thereof (step S53). Free gift dispenser 8
In accordance with this instruction, the player throws out a specified number of the corresponding prizes (step S54). If the specified prize is not stored in the prize dispenser 8 (step S5)
2) The prizes will be exchanged only by hand.

In this way, the prize exchange at the manned counter is performed.

Next, the card error checking operation in the card processor will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 22 and 23. A function for checking a card error can be selectively added to the card processor 9.
In such a case, the card processor 9 is added to the OCR heads OH and OCR as shown in FIG.
The OCR means 97 is configured by a program (not shown) for discriminating characters and the like from the result read by the head. Further, a mode setting means 98 is provided for setting an initialization mode for initializing a card, which will be described later, and an operation mode for performing a normal operation by a DIP switch or the like. Control unit 9
A control program including a data collating means 91a as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 23 is added to the first control program. The magnetic recording test data and the print test data are stored in the ROM 91b of the control unit 91, which is constituted by, for example, an E ² P-ROM. These test data are prepared in various patterns such as a fixed character string, a lattice pattern, and a dot array, and any one of them is selected in advance or these patterns are used in combination.

The operation of the control unit 91 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the person who exchanges the prize inserts the card into the card insertion slot 9a, the magnetic card unit MC
The sensor S1 detects the card. When the insertion of the card is detected, the roller pair R is driven by the motor MT.
The card take-in mechanism of the magnetic card unit MC constituted by 1 and R2 is driven (step S71). When the mode setting means 98 is set to the operation mode, a normal processing routine is executed (step S72), and the record data such as the number of play media recorded on the magnetic stripe of the card and the card issue date are recorded by the recording / reproducing head RW. It is read (step S73). The read data is transferred to the management remainder 13 via the control unit 91. The management remainder 13 determines whether or not there is an error in the content of the data, for example, the card issuance date and the gift exchange date match, whether the card number matches the registration number of the file ledger, and the like.
Communicate to. When data abnormality is transmitted (step S
74), the control unit 91 displays the content of the abnormality on the display 9c, and calls the attention of the card inserter and the attendant (step S84). In addition, a warning sound is generated if necessary. The card determined to have an abnormality in the recorded data is a roller pair R2.
.About.R5 are driven and collected in the reject box 9e (step S85).

If there is no abnormality in the data recorded on the card (step S74), the data recorded on the card is already stored in the management machine, so a test to check whether the card can be reused. I do. First, while the roller pair R1 and R2 is reversed to return the card, the recording data of the magnetic stripe is erased by the write head, the roller pair R1 and R2 is normally rotated, and the test data stored in the ROM 91b is read and recorded. Writing is performed on the magnetic stripe by the reproducing head RW (step S75). The roller pair R1 and R2 is reversed to return the card, and the card is normally rotated to read the test data recorded by the recording / reproducing head RW (step S76). The read test data is
R is transferred from the card writing / reading mechanism 94 to the control unit 91,
It is checked whether or not it matches the test data held in the OM 91b (step S77). If they do not match as a result of the collation, it is determined that the magnetic stripe of the card has a physical abnormality, and therefore the abnormality display is performed (step S84) and the card is collected in the reject box 9e (step S85). If the test data recorded on the card is normal (step S77), the magnetic stripe is initialized by the recording / reproducing head RW while moving the card (step S78).

Next, an error check of the coloring function for displaying the characters in the print field of the card is performed. First, the control unit 91 rotates the roller pairs R3, R4, RL2, and RL2 in the forward direction to move the card to the erasing head IH to erase the print field of the card. After erasing, roller pair R3, R4, RL2 and RL
2 Reverse the card and return the print field of the card to the write head SR. The test data for printing is read out from the ROM 91b, given to the write head SR, and the test pattern for printing is written in the print field of the card while feeding the card in the forward direction (step S79). This print field is OCR head OH
Is read by the OCR function 97, and a character or pattern is identified by the OCR function 97 (step S80). This identification result or the line information read sequentially and the held test data are collated to determine the degree of coincidence of the data (step S81). If it is determined that they do not match, a display corresponding to the content of the abnormality is displayed (step S84), and the card is collected in the reject box 9e (step S).
85).

When it is judged that the collation data match (step S81), the card is sent to the erasing head IH,
The test pattern recorded in the print field of the card is erased and the card is initialized in preparation for reuse (step S8).
3). When the card is passed through the erasing head IH by normally rotating the roller pair R4 and RL2, the sensor S4 detects that the card is carried into the cassette box 9d. Then, the pickup roller PR is driven, the card is taken into the cassette box 9d, and the card is stored at a predetermined position (step S83).

On the other hand, when checking or initializing the cards stored in the reject box, the clerk sets the mode to initializing. Then, in step S72, the process moves to step S75. as a result,
Only the physical recording / reproducing test of the card and the process corresponding to the initialization are performed (steps S75 to S85), and the reusable card is stored in the cassette box 9b.

In this way, the reusable card having poor physical recording characteristics is excluded from the reusable object, and only the card which is not suitable for reuse due to scratches, stains, deterioration of recording characteristics, etc. is removed.

[0072]

As described above, since the card processing machine of the present invention tests the physical recording characteristics of the recovered reused card to determine whether it is suitable for reuse, it can be read from the card. Among the cards judged to be abnormal by discriminating the data contents, the originally reusable cards are not discarded. Further, as compared with the case where the reliability of the card is judged by using the number of times of repeated use of the card as a guide, early disposal before the usage limit of the card to be reused is reduced, and the reliability of data recording is also ensured, which is preferable.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining the inside of a game arcade.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a prize exchange system in a game arcade.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a game in the game hall.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a ball counter.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a medal counting machine.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a card / receipt issuing machine.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the structure of a card / receipt issuing machine.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a card.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control system of a counting machine and a card / receipt issuing machine.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a card / receipt issuing procedure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of a prize exchange counter.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of a card processing machine.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the structure of a card processing machine.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an example of a premium dispenser.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an example of a management machine.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a keyboard of a management machine.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a display unit of a management machine.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system of each device in the unmanned counter.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the procedure for exchanging prizes in the unmanned counter.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system in a manned counter.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing the procedure for exchanging prizes in the manned counter.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing the structure of a card processor having a card test function.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a card test procedure in the card processing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 medal gaming machine 2 pachinko gaming machine 3 medal counting machine 4 card / receipt issuing machine 5 ball counting machine 8 prize dispensing machine 9 card processing machine 10 ball returning machine 11 bar code scanner 12 child management machine 13 parent management machine

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location G07F 7/08

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A card processing machine for taking in a reusable card having at least the number of game media acquired by a customer and reading the recorded contents of the card, wherein test data for a recording / reproducing test of the card is provided. Test data storage means stored in advance, recording means for writing the test data in the card, and reading means for reading the test data from the card in which the test data is written and outputting read test data. A card processing machine, comprising: data collating means for collating the stored test data with the read test data. 2. The card processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the card taken in is sorted and collected based on a matching result of the matching means. 3. An initialization unit for initializing an information recording area of a tested card when the stored test data and the read test data match each other, and the initialized card is a cassette. The card processing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a card taking-in means for collecting the card in a storage container.