JPH07194836A - Valuable data storing medium processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a valuable data storing medium processing device in which the purchase of a valuable data equivalently exchangeable with a game medium is simplified, and the game by an issued valuable data recording medium is also allowed to facilitate the introduction of a prepaid card. CONSTITUTION:A control part 24 issues a prepaid card of a prescribed amount by the amount information received from a note identifying part 23 or a coin identifying part 22, and the residual charge of the issued prepaid card or a brought prepaid card is supplied to a game control device 28, whereby the ball lending operation based on the prepaid card can be performed. When the balance is '0' or a card return switch 29 is operated, the residual charge is written to the card received by a card writer 20b, and the resulting card is returned to a player.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a valuable data storage medium processing device for performing various control processes of a valuable data storage medium used when lending game media such as pachinko balls and medals for slot machines to a player in a game shop. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, game machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines have been constructed so that a player can play a game through a game medium such as a pachinko ball or a medal, and a game profit depending on a game result. The game media ejected from the game media ejecting device of the gaming machine can be acquired.
In recent years, there has been a game data lending medium such as a prepaid card that has been issued in advance so that the game medium can be rented out, and the game medium renting control device connected to each gaming machine is used to rent out the game medium. There is a game machine in which a control device transmits game medium lending possibility information to a gaming machine and a switch operation of the gaming machine causes the gaming medium ejecting device to eject the lending game medium. However, a prepaid card cannot be purchased unless it is generally a prepaid card issuing machine installed in a corner of a game store, and the purchase of a prepaid card is a complicated act for a player. Moreover, when lending a game medium using a prepaid card, when valuable data (value data that can be equivalently exchanged with the game medium) stored in the card runs out, the player leaves the seat to purchase the card again. You have to go to a card issuing machine to stop the game when the card balance reaches zero. This may cause a slowdown in card issuance even at amusement stores, which may lead to poor management of amusement stores. Therefore, a card vending machine to be installed between gaming machines has been proposed, for example, by Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-307177.
However, it is not possible to start the game just by purchasing the prepaid card, and next, the player has to borrow a game medium such as balls. Therefore, JP-A-5-15
In Japanese Patent No. 4252, it is proposed that the card issuing machine and the card ball lending machine are alternately arranged between the gaming machines. Further, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 4-95087 proposes a prepaid card processing device which enables a single machine to issue a prepaid card and rent a game medium by using the prepaid card.

[0003]

However, when the card issuing machine and the ball lending machine are alternately arranged between the gaming machines,
Since it has to move left and right, the burden on the player may be reduced, but it is still complicated. Also,
Although a single prepaid card processing device may be convenient for a player, lending a game medium using a card is achieved by transferring data to the game machine without actually ejecting the game medium. Processing. Therefore, it is difficult for a player who has become accustomed to the conventional game with a game medium in his hand. The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and makes it possible to purchase a valuable data storage medium that can be equivalently exchanged with a game medium without leaving a seat, and also allows the use of the conventional game medium to be prepaid. An object is to provide a valuable data storage medium processing device that facilitates the introduction of a card.

[0004]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a receiving unit (for example, a card that receives currency and valuable data storage media that can be equivalently exchanged with a game medium used for a game on a gaming machine). An insertion / ejection slot 13), a valuable data storage medium processing means (for example, included in the control unit 24) capable of issuing a valuable data storage medium storing valuable data equivalent to currency received from the receiving unit, and valuable data. Valuable data read / write means capable of reading and writing valuable data to / from a storage medium (for example,
Card reader / writer 20) and reading of the valuable data
Valuable data read by the writing means is stored internally as valuable data, and the rentable control device that lends the game medium to the player within the range of the valuable data is supplied to the rental control device to actually rent the game medium. Valuable data storage control means (for example, included in the control unit 24) that subtracts and stores the valuable data provided to the valuable data storage medium processing means corresponds to the monetary value when the money is accepted. When valuable data is stored in a new valuable data storage medium that is internally stocked by the valuable data read / write means and supplied to the player, and the valuable data storage medium is received from the outside, the game end condition in the gaming machine In the state in which the valuable data is stored, the valuable data stored in the valuable data storage control means is transferred to the received valuable data storage medium. It is a valuable data storage medium processing device and supplying by written by the issuing-writing means to the player.

[0005]

When the money is received, the valuable data storage medium processing means writes the valuable data corresponding to the monetary value into the new valuable data storage medium stocked therein by the valuable data read / write means, and inputs it. A valuable data storage medium corresponding to the amount of money is newly issued to the player. Further, the valuable data storage medium processing means reads and writes valuable data stored by the valuable data storage control means in a state where a game ending condition occurs in the gaming machine when the valuable data storage medium is received from the outside. By the means, the received valuable data storage medium is written, and the valuable data storage medium is rewritten and returned to the player. Further, the valuable data storage control means actually lends the game medium through the lending control device within the range of the stored valuable data, and subtracts and stores the valuable data actually provided for lending the game medium.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine, which is one specific example of a gaming machine, and pachinko balls are lent out as a game medium, will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In an island facility 1 in which a plurality of game machines are arranged in a row, a plurality of pachinko machines 2 ... And a card unit 3 as a game medium lending processing device connected to each pachinko machine 2 ... I am doing it. In this embodiment, the pachinko machine 2 and the card unit 3 are separately configured and are connected to each other via the connection cables 4 ..., However, each function of the card unit 3 ... Is appropriately dispersed to provide the pachinko machine. It may be provided integrally with the main body of the machine 2.

The card units 3 connected to the respective pachinko machines 2 are connected to the banknote collecting conveyor 5, the coin collecting conveyor 6a, the coin replenishing conveyor 6b and the card replenishing conveyor 7 to collect coins and bills. , And coins and cards can be supplied. The banknotes collected by the banknote recovery conveyor 5 are stored in the banknote storage section 8, and the coins transferred by the coin recovery conveyor 6a are recovered by the coin hopper 9 and the coin lifting section 10
Through the coin replenishing conveyor 6b to the card unit 3 and the unissued valuable data storage medium (prepaid card, IC card, etc.) stored in the card stocker 11
Is supplied from the card supply conveyor 7 to a predetermined card unit 3. The supply of this card will be described in detail later.

The banknote storage section 8, coin hopper 9, coin unloading section 10, card stocker 11 and the like are provided in the group management device 1a provided on one side of the island facility 1. Further, the group management device 1a is also provided with an island controller 12 for controlling the collection of banknotes and coins from each card unit 3 and the supply of coins and cards to each card unit 3.

Next, the card unit 3 connected to each pachinko machine 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

A card insertion / ejection slot 13 is formed in the upper part of the front side of the card unit 3, for example, and a prepaid is a valuable data storage medium in which valuable data that can be exchanged equivalently to a pachinko ball, which is a game medium that can be used for a game, is stored in advance. A card or the like is received from the outside and a prepaid card or the like issued by the card unit 3 can be discharged. In addition to the card insertion / ejection opening 13, a coin insertion opening 14 for receiving coins, a bill insertion opening 15, and a coin return opening 16 are provided, and the amount of money inserted from the coin insertion opening 14 or the bill insertion opening 15 is If the amount of the prepaid card issued by the card unit 3 is exceeded, the prepaid card of the amount is issued.

Further, a display portion 17 is provided at an appropriate position on the front side of the card unit 3, and for example, the frequency of the prepaid card in the card unit 3 (value data necessary for lending a game medium once is used as a reference amount). The numerical value determined as “once” is displayed on the display unit 17. In addition, by operating the return switch 18 provided at an appropriate position on the front side of the card unit 3, the balance after the purchase of the prepaid card is discharged as change. An operation status indicator 19 for visually displaying whether or not the ball lending operation by the card unit 3 is possible is also provided on the front side of the card unit 3.

On the other hand, inside the card unit 3, a card reader for reading the remaining frequency of the prepaid card inserted from the card insertion / ejection slot 13 and a card issued by the card unit 3 for rewriting the frequency of the prepaid card. A card reader / writer 20 is integrally provided with a card writer for writing valuable data to
To the card reader / writer 20, a card supply conveyor 7
Cards for issuance from are supplied via the card feeder 21. In addition, the card unit 3 stores the total amount of money to be inserted into the card unit 3 which is identified by the coin identifying unit 22 and the bill identifying unit 23, and transmits card data to the pachinko machine 2 and the card reader. There is provided a control unit 24 that comprehensively controls the operation of the card unit 3 such as reading / writing to / from the writer 20.

The coins received from the coin input port 14 and the coins conveyed from the coin replenishing conveyor 6b are discharged to the coin return port 16 through the coin passage 25 or guided to the coin recovery conveyor 6a. . If the amount of money inserted into the card unit 3 is higher than the issued amount of the card, the change hopper 26 operates and a predetermined amount of change is discharged to the coin return port 16. Further, the card unit 3 is provided with a system communication unit 27 for transmitting the card issuing information of the card unit 3 to a card supplying company or the like, and data is transmitted by, for example, optical communication.

Next, the control operation of the control section 24 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4 showing a functional block diagram related to card control.

When a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 15, the inserted amount data identified by the bill identification unit 23, and when a coin is inserted into the coin insertion port 14, the insertion amount identified by the coin identification unit 22. The data are respectively supplied to the control unit 24, and the control unit 24 counts these input money data,
If the counted amount reaches the card amount issued by the card unit 3 (for example, 5000 yen), the card having the amount is issued.

For example, assuming that a player has inserted 10,000 yen into the card unit 3, the amount of money inserted has reached the amount of issued card (5,000 yen), so one card is issued and the change is made. Pay out. That is, the card in which valuable data worth 5,000 yen is written is sent to the card insertion / ejection slot 13.

Therefore, the player pushes the card issued from the card insertion / ejection opening 13 as it is, or inserts the brought card into the card insertion / ejection opening 13.

Then, the issued prepaid card is inserted in the card reader / writer 20 of the card unit 3, the valuable data read by the card reader 20a is supplied to the control unit 24, and the valuable data of the accepted card is stored. To do. Then, the control unit 24 comprehensively controls the game control function of the gaming machine 2 and supplies valuable data to the game control apparatus 28 having the function of the lending control apparatus. By receiving this valuable data, the pachinko machine 2 The game control device 28 is in a ball lending possible state in which a ball lending operation is possible (a state in which a player can effectively accept a ball lending request based on the operation of the ball lending selection switch).

When a ball lending request signal based on the player's selection of a ball lending selection switch is input to the game control device 28 of the pachinko machine 2 which has shifted to the ball lending control enabled state, the ball lending request is made. Since the game control device 28 as the lending control device performs the ball lending / discharging operation based on the signal, a predetermined number of pachinko balls are discharged from the pachinko ball discharging device of the pachinko machine 2 to the upper plate of the pachinko machine 2 to the player. Be rented out. In this way, the pachinko ball lent out by the player is used for the pachinko game. In addition, the game control device 28 of the pachinko machine 2 has a game board control function for controlling various game devices and a display device of a game board related to an actual pachinko game, and a pachinko ball payout operation or a prize payout operation. In some cases, it may be divided into a ball ejection control function and the like to be performed by the ejection device.

Here, when the player operates the card return switch 29 to end the game, the control section 24 provides valuable data which is used for lending pachinko balls and subtracted and stored,
The card existing in the card reader / writer 20 is written and the card is ejected.

When the player runs out of the frequency of the issued card amount (when the internal memory of the control unit 24 becomes "0"), the remaining frequency of the card is set to "0". Will be returned.

In the present invention, all the change is made by coins, and when the change is discharged, the coin is discharged from the coin discharging unit 30 by the control of the control unit 24 and the coin remaining amount sensor 31 is used. It is for grasping the remaining amount of.

Next, the operation control including the card unit 3 as the lending control device will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the card unit 3 is provided as described above, and the game control device 28 of the pachinko machine 2 is applied as the lending control device.

In this embodiment, the currency (banknotes / coins) or the prepaid card is in a standby state, and when these are accepted, the type of the banknote / coin is identified or the valuable data of the card is read.

First, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the case where the valuable data of the card is read will be described. Valuable data (or the frequency corresponding to the valuable data) is stored inside and the stored data is displayed. .

Next, the game control device 28 of the pachinko machine 2
Send valuable data to. Then, it is determined whether or not the card return switch 29 is operated, and if the return switch 29 is not operated, when the game control device 28 performs a ball lending operation based on the valuable data, the game control device 2
Since the ball lending data is transmitted from 8, the ball lending data is received, the received data is subtracted from the stored data, the subtraction result is stored again, and new storage data (balance) is displayed.

Then, it is judged whether or not the new storage data, that is, the balance is "0", and if it is not "0", the storage data is transmitted to the game control device 28 again. On the other hand, the balance is "0"
When it becomes, or when the card return switch 29 is operated, the data of the card in the card reader / writer 20 is rewritten to “balance” including “0” and discharged to the customer side from the card insertion / ejection slot 13. At the same time, the internal storage data is reset to enter the standby state.

On the other hand, when accepting cash, the type of inserted bills or coins is identified, a new raw card is taken into the card reader / writer 20 from the card feeder 21, and valuable data issued to this card is stored. Write and issue the card to the player. Further, the system communication unit 27 transmits the card sales information indicating that the card has been sold to the card management company. If a large amount of money is invested in the valuable data of the issued card, change will be required, and therefore the change of the required amount will be paid out.

Here, a card supply method will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. In the embodiment described above, the cards are concentrated and stored in the card stocker 11 provided in the group management device 1a as shown in FIG. 6 (A), and the card unit 3 via the card supply conveyor 7 if necessary. It is designed to be supplied to the Curdley Dryer 20 of
This supply method is called centralized).

However, the card supply is not limited to the above-mentioned centralized type, and each card unit 3 is provided with a cartridge 11a for storing a predetermined number of cards.
It may be supplied from 1a (hereinafter, this supply method is referred to as a dispersion type). The raw card may be replenished in the cartridge 11a manually by an employee before opening the store, for example.

According to this decentralized method, it is possible to quickly issue a new card because the card need not be transported and the transportation time does not take. In addition, equipment costs are low.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned centralized card replenishment, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, a card waiting portion 21a is formed between the card reader / writer 20 and the card replenishing conveyor 7a. One raw card can be kept on standby at all times during business hours in the card standby section 21a. With this configuration, when the card reader / writer 20 requests a raw card, the card can be immediately supplied from the card standby unit 21a, and no time loss occurs in issuing a new card. Card feeder 2 shown in FIG.
1 corresponds to the card waiting section 21a.

Further, in the above-mentioned centralized card supply, a card collecting path can be additionally provided. That is, as schematically shown in FIG. 7C, a card collecting conveyor 7b in the opposite direction is provided in parallel with the card supply conveyor 7a, and the card reader / writer 20 and both conveyors 7 are provided.
A card standby portion 21a is formed between a and 7b. By doing so, when the card reader / writer 20 requests a raw card, the card can be immediately supplied from the card standby section 21a, and the unnecessary card can be collected. If the card supply conveyor 7 can also be conveyed in the opposite direction, replenishment and recovery can be performed with one conveyor.

On the other hand, unnecessary cards are collected. That is, a card whose balance has become zero and has no value is collected without returning it to the player. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the used cards from being scattered in the store while being left in the store and spoiling the appearance. Also, if a highly slippery card is dropped on the floor, it will be dangerous when walking, but it is safe if it is collected. Further, when the store is closed, the raw cards remaining in the card waiting section 21a can be collected in the card stocker 11. In this way, once the raw card is collected, it is safe and secure.

Then, in order to collect the card which has become worthless, it is only necessary to judge the card balance in the control process and add a process for collecting the card when the balance is "0".

In the above embodiment, the card issuance amount is described as a single price of "5,000 yen", but cards of a plurality of prices may be issued, and the issuance amount can be freely set. It is also possible to issue a configurable card or issue a card with an issue amount based on the amount of money received. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the change is paid out by coins, but it may be paid out by bills, or bills and coins can be mixed. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the card reader / writer 20 writes predetermined valuable data to the raw card in which the valuable data is not written and issues it to the player. A plurality of types of written cards may be prepared and stored in the card stocker 11, and appropriately selected and issued based on the received amount of money.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the game control device housed in the pachinko machine is applied as the lending control device has been described, but the present invention is an inter-lens ball lending machine arranged between the pachinko machines. The ball lending control device provided in can also be applied to the lending control device. In this case, the above-mentioned card unit 3 may be replaced with an inter-mountain ball lending machine that can use cards, and the flowchart may be changed to FIG.

That is, in FIG. 8, the ball lending control device housed in the inter-lens ball lending machine is provided as the lending control device. Also in this embodiment, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the system is in a standby state until accepting currency (banknotes / coins) or prepaid cards, and if these are accepted, the types of banknotes / coins are identified or valuable data of the card is read. .

First, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the case where the valuable data of the card is read will be described. Valuable data (or the frequency corresponding to the valuable data) is internally stored and the stored data is displayed. .

Next, valuable data is transmitted to the ball lending control device of the inter-mountain ball lending machine. Then, it is determined whether or not the card return switch 29 is operated, and if the return switch 29 is not operated, when the ball lending operation based on the valuable data is performed by the ball lending control device, the ball lending control device Since the ball lending data is transmitted, the ball lending data is received, the received data is subtracted from the stored data, the subtraction result is stored again, and new storage data (balance) is displayed.

Then, it is judged whether or not the new storage data, that is, the balance is "0", and if it is not "0", the storage data is transmitted again to the ball lending controller. On the other hand, when the balance becomes “0” or when the card return switch 29 is operated, the card data in the card reader / writer 20 is rewritten to “balance” including “0” and the card insertion / ejection slot is opened. 1
It is discharged from 3 to the customer side, and the stored data inside is reset to enter the standby state.

On the other hand, when cash is accepted, the type of the inserted bill or coin is identified, a new raw card is taken from the card feeder 21 into the card reader / writer 20, and valuable data to be issued to this card is stored. Write and issue the card to the player. Further, the system communication unit 27 transmits the card sales information indicating that the card has been sold to the card management company. If a large amount of money is invested in the valuable data of the issued card, change will be required, and therefore the change of the required amount will be paid out.

According to this embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a pachinko machine that does not have a ball lending function, and balls can be lent out in the same manner as a conventional inter-mountain ball lending machine. Therefore, even a player or a game store unfamiliar with the handling of a prepaid card can play the game without confusion, and the introduction of the prepaid card can be easily accepted.

Further, the present invention can be made into a more advanced embodiment by changing the software means. Therefore, the control operation will be described in detail with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

Card reader / writer 2 of card unit 3
If the issued prepaid card is inserted in 0,
The valuable data read by the card reader 20a is the control unit 2
4, the control unit 24 controls the game control function of the gaming machine 2 in a centralized manner, and the valuable data is supplied to the game control device 28 having the function of the lending control device. By receiving the valuable data, Game control device 2 of pachinko machine 2
8 is a ball lending enabled state in which a ball lending operation is possible (a state in which a player can effectively receive a ball lending request based on the operation of the ball lending selection switch).

On the other hand, when a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 15, the inserted amount data identified by the bill identifying unit 23 is
When a coin is inserted into the coin slot 14, the coin amount data identified by the coin discriminating unit 22 is supplied to the control unit 24, respectively, and the control unit 24 counts the coin amount data, and the counted amount is calculated. If the amount of the card issued by the card unit 3 (for example, 5000 yen) has been reached, it is assumed that the card of that amount has been issued, and the issued card has been accepted into the unit for ball lending, and the card data is used by the pachinko machine 2 To the game control device 28. That is, the control unit 24
At this stage, the card data is stored in the pachinko machine 2 in the same manner as when a valid prepaid card is accepted by the internal storage without physically accessing the issuing card.
It is supplied to the game control device 28.

For example, if it is assumed that the player has inserted 10,000 yen into the card unit 3, the amount data of coins corresponding to 5000 yen is supplied to the ball lending controller 24, and the amount of money inserted is the issued card amount ( Since it has reached 5000 yen, it is assumed that one card is issued and the remaining card count =
It is stored as 50 (100 yen for one frequency). The card may not be received from the outside but may be held by the card unit 3. And the balance of 500
0 yen will be paid out to players as change.

When a ball lending request signal based on the player selecting the ball lending selection switch is input to the game control device 28 of the pachinko machine 2 which has shifted to the ball lending control enabled state, the ball lending request is made. Since the game control device 28 as the lending control device performs the ball lending / discharging operation based on the signal, a predetermined number of pachinko balls are discharged from the pachinko ball discharging device of the pachinko machine 2 to the upper plate of the pachinko machine 2 to the player. Be rented out. In this way, the pachinko ball lent out by the player is used for the pachinko game. In addition, the game control device 28 of the pachinko machine 2 has a game board control function for controlling various game devices and a display device of a game board related to an actual pachinko game, and a pachinko ball payout operation or a prize payout operation. In some cases, it may be divided into a ball ejection control function and the like to be performed by the ejection device.

Here, when the player operates the card return switch 29 to end the game, the control unit 24 causes the card to be sent from the outside regardless of whether the card remaining number in the internal memory is "0". It is determined whether it is accepted or issued by the card unit 3, and if it is issued by the card unit 3 (card reader / writer 20
(If there is no card inside), supply one card for issuance from the card feeder 21 to the card reader / writer 20,
The control unit 24 causes the card writer 20b to write the remaining card number (including "0") stored internally by the card writer 20b, and supplies a new card to the player. That is, the player is the first card unit 3 at this point.
You will receive a prepaid card from. in short,
In the control unit 24, "virtually issuing a card" and "actually supplying the card to the player" are processed separately. If the card is received from the outside (card reader / writer 20
Card reader / writer 2)
The valuable data of the card existing in 0 is rewritten and discharged.

That is, in this embodiment, even if the player runs out of the frequency for the issued card (when the internal storage of the control unit 24 becomes "0"), is the card accepted from the outside? Regardless of the card issued by the card unit 3, the remaining number of the card is set to "0" and the card is returned or issued.

However, it is useless to issue a card with the remaining number "0", that is, a card that cannot be used. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the issuance of unnecessary cards, and it is easy to suppress the cost of card issuance and effectively utilize the resources.

Therefore, in order to implement the above-described embodiment, when the player operates the card return switch 29 to end the game, the control unit 24 causes the remaining card count of the internal memory to be "0". It is determined whether or not.
If the card remaining number is not "0", it is determined whether the card is received from the outside or issued by the card unit 3, and the card unit 3
If there is no card in the card reader / writer 20 (if there is no card in the card reader / writer 20), one card for issuance is supplied from the card feeder 21 to the card reader / writer 20, and the card remaining stored in the controller 24 is stored. The card writer 20b writes the frequency on the issuing card, and supplies the player with a new usable card having the remaining frequency. That is, the player receives a prepaid card from the card unit 3 which is valuable at this point for the first time and has a value obtained by subtracting the used amount from the issued amount. In short, in the control unit 24, "virtually issuing a card" and "actually supplying the card to the player"
It distinguishes between and processing and suppresses unnecessary card issuance.

On the other hand, when the player runs out of the frequency of the issued card amount (when the internal memory of the control unit 24 becomes "0"), the card is received from the outside or the card unit. 3 determines whether the card is issued, and if the card is received from the outside, the remaining number of the card is set to "0" and the card is returned.

In this embodiment, the card provided by the card unit 3 issues a card used for ball lending (control unit 2
4), the card feeder 21 and the card writer 20
The operation is terminated as it is without issuing a command to b. That is,
According to the present embodiment, the control unit 24 internally stores the information regarding the card issuance, so that the ball lending operation can be performed without physically accessing the issuing card, and the usable frequency is used. When you run out, you don't have to issue a useless card. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the issuance of unnecessary cards, and it is possible to suppress the card issuance cost and effectively utilize the resources.

Next, the operation control including the above card unit 3 as the lending control device will be described based on the flowcharts of the respective embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 to 12. 9 and 10 show an embodiment in which the game control device 28 of the pachinko machine 2 is applied as the lending control device, provided with the card unit 3 as described above.

In these embodiments, currency (banknote
It is in a standby state until accepting coins) or prepaid cards, and when accepting these, the type of banknote / coin is identified or valuable data of the card is read.

First, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, when the valuable data of the card is read, the valuable data (or the frequency corresponding to the valuable data, etc.) is stored inside and the stored data is displayed. To do. On the other hand, when accepting money, the type of inserted banknote or coin is identified, valuable data for the card amount issued by the card unit 3 is internally stored, and a card indicating that the card is sold The sales information is transmitted from the system communication unit 27 to the card management company, and the valuable data for the internal storage is displayed. If the amount of money inserted into the issued card is large, the required amount of change is paid out.

Next, the game control device 28 of the pachinko machine 2
Send valuable data to. Then, it is determined whether or not the card return switch 29 is operated, and if the return switch 29 is not operated, when the game control device 28 performs a ball lending operation based on the valuable data, the game control device 2
Since the ball lending data is transmitted from 8, the ball lending data is received, the received data is subtracted from the stored data, the subtraction result is stored again, and new storage data (balance) is displayed.

Then, it is determined whether or not the new storage data, that is, the balance is "0", and if it is not "0", the storage data is transmitted to the game control device 28 again. On the other hand, the balance is "0"
When it becomes, or when the card return switch 29 is operated, the presence / absence of a card in the card reader / writer 20 is determined, and if there is a card, the data of the card is set to “balance” including “0”. The data is rewritten and discharged from the card insertion / ejection slot 13 to the customer side, and the internal storage data is reset to enter the standby state.

On the other hand, if there is no card in the card reader / writer 20, a new card is taken into the card reader / writer 20 from the card feeder 21 and a "balance" including new stored data "0" is written in this card. Then, the card is ejected to the customer side through the card insertion / ejection slot 13, and the stored data inside is reset to enter the standby state.

By the way, in this embodiment, as described above, it is possible to prevent the useless card from being issued. That is, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, when the stored data becomes “0” before the card return switch 29 is operated, if there is a card in the card reader / writer 20, the balance “0” is written to the card. Although the card is returned to the player, if there is no card in the card reader / writer 20, it goes into a standby state. In FIG. 10, the stored data is reset just in case.

On the other hand, if the card return switch 29 is operated before the stored data becomes "0", the presence / absence of a card in the card reader / writer 20 is determined. Is rewritten to "balance" and discharged from the card insertion / ejection slot 13 to the customer side, and the stored data inside is reset to enter the standby state. If there is no card in the card reader / writer 20, the card feeder 21
A new card is taken into the card reader / writer 20 from the above, and the new balance data, which is the stored data, is written into this card and discharged from the card insertion / ejection slot 13 to the customer side.
The internal storage data is reset to enter the standby state.

According to this embodiment, when a player uses up a card purchased by throwing money into the card unit 3, this card is processed as a virtual card and a card with a balance of "0" is processed. Do not issue. That is, the control unit 24
Internally stores information on card issuance, it becomes possible to lend a ball without physically accessing the card for issuance, and when a usable frequency is exhausted, a useless card is issued do not do. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the issuance of unnecessary cards, and it is possible to suppress the card issuance cost and effectively utilize the resources.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the game control device housed in the pachinko machine is applied as the lending control device has been described, but in the present embodiment, the inter-lens ball lending arranged between the pachinko machines is explained. The ball lending control device provided in the machine can also be applied to the lending control device. In this case, replace the above-mentioned card unit 3 with an inter-lens ball lending machine that can use cards.
The flowchart may be changed to FIGS. 11 and 12.

That is, in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, a ball lending control device housed in a stand ball lending machine is provided as a lending control device. Also in these embodiments, similarly to each of the above-described embodiments, it is in a standby state until accepting currency (banknotes / coins) or prepaid cards, and if these are accepted, the types of banknotes / coins are identified or valuable data of the card is recognized. To read.

First, when the valuable data of the card is read, the valuable data (or the frequency corresponding to the valuable data, etc.) is stored inside and the stored data is displayed. On the other hand, when accepting money, the type of inserted banknotes or coins is identified, valuable data for the amount of the card issued by the inter-mountain lending machine is internally stored, and the card is sold. The card communication information is sent from the system communication unit to the card management company, and the valuable data for internal storage is displayed. If the amount of money inserted into the issued card is large, the required amount of change is paid out.

Next, valuable data is transmitted to the ball lending control device of the inter-lens ball lending machine. Then, it is determined whether or not the card return switch is operated, and if the return switch is not operated, when the ball lending operation based on the valuable data is performed by the ball lending control device, Since the lending data is transmitted, the ball lending data is received, the received data is subtracted from the stored data, the subtraction result is stored again, and new stored data (balance) is displayed.

Then, it is judged whether or not the new storage data, that is, the balance is "0", and if it is not "0", the storage data is transmitted again to the ball lending controller. On the other hand, when the balance becomes “0” or when the card return switch is operated, it is determined whether or not there is a card in the card reader / writer, and if there is a card, the data of the card is set to “0”. It is rewritten into the included “balance” and discharged from the card insertion / ejection slot to the customer side, and the internal storage data is reset to enter the standby state.

On the other hand, if there is no card in the card reader / writer, a new card is taken into the card reader / writer from the card feeder 21 and a "balance" including new stored data "0" is written to this card. The data is discharged from the insertion / ejection port to the customer side, and the stored data inside is reset to enter the standby state.

By the way, in this embodiment, as described above, it is possible to prevent the useless card from being issued. That is, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, when the stored data becomes “0” before the card return switch 29 is operated, if there is a card in the card reader / writer 20, the balance “0” is written to the card. Although the card is returned to the player, if there is no card in the card reader / writer 20, it goes into a standby state. In FIG. 12, the stored data is reset just in case. are doing.

On the other hand, if the card return switch is operated before the stored data becomes "0", the presence / absence of a card in the card reader / writer is determined. The balance is rewritten to be discharged to the customer side through the card insertion / ejection slot, and the stored data inside is reset to enter the standby state. If there is no card in the card reader / writer, take a new card from the card feeder 21 into the card reader / writer, write the new balance data “balance” into this card, and discharge it from the card insertion / ejection slot to the customer side. At the same time, the internal storage data is reset to enter the standby state.

According to this embodiment, when a player uses up a card purchased by throwing money into a stand ball lending machine,
This card is processed as a virtual card and a card with a balance of "0" is not issued. In other words, the control unit internally stores the information related to card issuance, which enables the ball lending operation without physically accessing the issuing card, and is wasteful when the available frequency is exhausted. I will not issue a card. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the issuance of unnecessary cards, and it is possible to suppress the card issuance cost and effectively utilize the resources.

Further, according to this embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a pachinko machine which does not have a ball lending function, and can lend a ball in the same manner as a conventional inter-mountain ball lending machine. Therefore,
Even a player or a game store unfamiliar with the handling of prepaid cards can play the game without confusion, and the introduction of prepaid cards can be easily accepted.

The card supply method described above is also effective for these embodiments. For example, if a recoverable supply method is used as shown in FIG. 7C, not only issuance of a useless card not performed, but a used worthless card can be recovered. It is possible to prevent the beauty of the product from being spoiled by being scattered inside the store while being left in the store. Further, when the card standby unit 21a is provided, the card can be conveyed to the card standby unit 21a during the game, so that a new card can be immediately supplied when it becomes necessary. There is no loss of time in issuing such a card. Furthermore, various settings such as setting the price of the issued card, writing valuable data each time it is issued to a raw card, and preparing multiple types of cards in which valuable data is written in advance can be appropriately adopted. .

In the above embodiment, the game machine is described as a pachinko machine, so the game medium is a pachinko ball, but the same can be applied to the case where the game machine is a pachi-slot and the game medium is a medal.

The present invention has been described above with reference to the illustrated embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be appropriately implemented without changing the configuration described in the claims. . For example, a change function, an acceptable denomination, etc. can be appropriately set.

[0078]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the valuable data storage medium processing device is provided with the valuable data storage medium processing means, not only the valuable data transmission process to the lending control device and the subtraction process of the used valuable data,
It is also possible to perform a new valuable data storage medium issuing process, and there is no need for a player to leave the gaming machine and purchase the valuable data storage medium, unlike the conventional case. Therefore, even when the card balance becomes zero and a new game medium is to be lent out, the valuable data storage medium using money can be issued on the spot, so that the game can be continued without interruption. This promotes the issuance of cards at the game shop. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a gaming machine that does not have a conventional game media lending control function, and facilitates the introduction of a valuable data storage medium.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of an island facility.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a card unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing an internal configuration of a card unit.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram related to card control.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of control of the card unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a card supply method.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the card supply method in more detail.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of control of a unit ball rental machine.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of the control flow of the card unit.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the control flow of the card unit.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another example of the control flow of the pedestrian ball rental machine.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another example of the flow of control of the unit ball rental machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Pachinko machine 3 Card unit 13 Card insertion / ejection opening 14 Coin insertion opening 15 Banknote insertion opening 20 Card reader / writer 24 Control section 28 Game control device

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] May 18, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0071

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

By the way, in this embodiment, as described above, it is possible to prevent the useless card from being issued. That is, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, when the stored data becomes “0” before the card return switch 29 is operated, if there is a card in the card reader / writer 20, the balance “0” is written to the card. Although the card is returned to the player, if there is no card in the card reader / writer 20, it goes into a standby state. In FIG. 12, the stored data is reset just in case.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A receiving unit that receives a currency and valuable data storage medium that can be equivalently exchanged with a game medium used for a game on a gaming machine, and a valuable that stores valuable data equivalent to the currency received from the receiving unit. A valuable data storage medium processing means capable of issuing a data storage medium, a valuable data reading / writing means capable of reading valuable data and writing valuable data to the valuable data storage medium, and the valuable data reading / writing means. The read valuable data is stored internally as stored valuable data, and the stored valuable data is supplied to the lending control device that lends the game medium to the player within the range of the valuable data, and is actually provided for lending the game medium. Valuable data storage control means for subtractively storing valuable data, and the valuable data storage medium processing means receives money. When inserted, the valuable data corresponding to the monetary value is written to the new valuable data storage medium stocked internally by the valuable data read / write means and supplied to the player, and the valuable data storage medium is accepted from the outside. When the game termination condition occurs in the gaming machine, the valuable data stored in the valuable data storage control means is written to the accepted valuable data storage medium by the valuable data read / write means and supplied to the player. A valuable data storage medium processing device characterized by: 2. The valuable data storage medium processing device according to claim 1, wherein the lending control device for lending the game medium to the player within the range of the valuable data is the game control device housed in the gaming machine. 3. The lending control device for lending a game medium to a player within the range of valuable data is a ball lending control device housed in an inter-mountain ball lending machine arranged between game machines. Valuable data storage medium processing device.