JPH08107971A - Playing medium lending system for game shop - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To commonly use a card-shaped storage medium for lending playing medium among plural game shops. CONSTITUTION: A card issued by a card issue center 7 is vended by a card vending machine 3 in the game shop and the sales of cards becomes the profit of the game shop. When a player barrows a play medium from a play medium lending device 2 by using the card vended at that game shop or the other game shop, each playing medium lending device 2 outputs a negotiable use value information quantity signal used for lending that playing medium to a managing device 5. Then, the managing device 4 outputs a negotiable use value information sum-up signal based on added memory value adding and storing this negotiable use value information quantity signal through an outside transmission line 6 to the card issue center 7.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game medium lending system in a game store for lending a game medium to be used for a game through valuable value information stored in a card-shaped storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional game medium lending system in a game shop generally lends a game medium by inserting money into a game medium lending device.

However, in a game medium lending system in which money is thrown into a game medium lending device, in order to enhance the convenience so that a player can lend a game medium without leaving the game machine, the gaming machine line Since it is general to arrange the game media lending device between the game machines in the island equipment, there is a device that transfers the money thrown into each game media lending device to one end of the island equipment and collects it. Will be needed. In addition, if the money that can be used in the game media lending device is limited to coins, etc., the player who has exhausted the coins etc. necessary to borrow the game media must change the bills one by one. If you provide a game media lending device that can also use banknotes on the island facility, the money collection device will become more complicated, and money will be collected in the island facility during collection. Could be clogged or stolen.

Therefore, a card-type game medium lending system has been proposed in which a game medium lending device can lend a game medium through a card purchased by inserting money into a card issuing machine installed in a game shop. There is. In such a card-type game media lending system, even if the game media lending device is arranged in the island facility, an expensive and complicated device for transferring and collecting money is not required, and the money is stored in the island facility. There is no danger of being stolen.

[0005]

However, the card-type game medium lending system proposed hitherto is
Issuing a unique card that can be used effectively at the game store, and inserting the properly issued card into the game medium lending device enables rental of the game medium. Card is valid only at the amusement store issued on the day of issue. For this reason, when a player borrows a game medium in order to play a game at another game store, he must use a card issued at the game store or directly use cash. When you leave the store, you have to settle the card purchased at the amusement store (return the unused balance) and purchase a card for lending a game medium again at the destination game store. For each player, a complicated act of purchasing and paying for the card is required for each player, so that the handling of the card is troublesome, and the convenience of the player is rather deteriorated.

Further, in the card-type game medium lending system for issuing a game medium lending card that is valid only for the day of the game at the game store, a large number of players pay the card when the game store is about to be closed. In a game shop where only a limited number of checkout machines are installed, a large number of players will have to wait for checkout. It should be noted that if the number of payment machines installed is increased, the payment waiting time for such players can be reduced, but the facility investment on the game store side will increase and maintenance and repair of all payment machines will also be necessary. Therefore, the burden on the game shop side is significantly increased, which is inefficient.

[0007] In addition, since the financial institutions such as banks are already closed at the closing time of the amusement stores, each amusement store secures the banknotes necessary and sufficient for the settlement of the game media lending card in advance. If the game store falls into a state in which payment cannot be made, the game store's risk is large because it greatly affects the credit of the game store.

Further, in the card-type game medium lending system as described above, despite the fact that there is a card balance, the game medium lending card is settled for each gaming shop and the card is disabled. Therefore, it is a great waste of resources to purchase a new game medium lending card at a future game store and make a payment every time the player leaves the store.

[0009]

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and a card-shaped storage medium (for example, a card 2).
4) In a game medium lending system in a game store for lending a game medium (for example, a ball for a pachinko machine 1) to be used for a game through the valuable value information stored in 4), the game store is previously provided with the card supply organization. A card that purchases a card-shaped storage medium in which valuable value information of a predetermined mode issued by (for example, a controlling organization) is stored, and sells the card-shaped storage medium in which the valuable value information is stored based on the input of money. Card storage device selling means (for example, the card issuing machine 3) and a predetermined number of game media are ejected based on a player's predetermined lending operation on condition that valuable value information is stored in the card storage device. The game medium discharge control means (for example, the game medium lending device 2) that performs the value subtraction of the valuable value information relating to the discharge of the game medium and outputs the used valuable value information signal, and the above-mentioned game. Usage in which the used value information signal output from the medium discharge control means is added and stored, and the used value information totalization signal based on the added storage value is output to the card supply institution for the purpose of billing the sales of the game store. A valuable value information totaling means (for example, management device 4) is provided.

In such a game medium lending system in a game store, the card-shaped storage medium purchased in advance from the card supply organization is sold to the player by the card-shaped storage medium selling means, and the game medium discharge control means discharges the game medium. Valuable value information of the card-shaped storage medium used for the purpose is transmitted to the valuable value information totaling means, and the valuable value information totaling means additionally stores the valuable value information amount signal from each gaming medium discharge control means. The used-value-of-value information totaling means outputs the used-value-of-use information totaling signal based on the added storage value to the card supply organization. Therefore, if the sales amount corresponding to this used value information totalization signal is paid from the card supply organization to the gaming shop, there will be a balance of issuance of the card-shaped storage medium at the gaming shop and a balance of lending of the gaming medium. It will be separate and independent.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a game medium lending system according to the present invention.

The controlling organization issues a card in which valuable value information and the like are stored, and sells this card to the player through a selling means such as a retail store. The player uses the card at the game shop to receive a game medium from the game medium lending device and play the game. The game store sends the sales data of the game medium lending device to the controlling organization. In the controlling organization, the sales price corresponding to this sales data is
Or pay directly to the amusement store.

That is, the governing body in FIG. 1 is
It functions as a card supply institution that issues a card-shaped storage medium that stores valuable value information in a predetermined mode.

FIG. 2 and subsequent figures show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko game store.

As shown in FIG. 2, at the pachinko game store,
A large number of pachinko machines 1 ... Are installed side by side, and a game medium lending device 2 for lending balls used as a game medium is arranged between the pachinko machines 1 and 1 at appropriate intervals, and the above-mentioned game medium lending device is provided. 2 and the management device 4 installed in the management room are electrically connected via the in-store transmission path 5.

The cards used in this pachinko game store are sold by a card issuing machine 3 installed at an appropriate counter in the store or in the store.

That is, the card issuing machine 3 as a selling means installed in the amusement store functions as a card-shaped storage medium selling means for selling the card-shaped storage medium purchased in advance from the card supply organization based on the input of money. To do.

The sales data and the like calculated and accumulated by the management device 4 are sent to the general institution, but the management device 4 is electrically connected to the card issuing center 7 which is the general institution via an out-of-store transmission line 6 such as a telephone line. May be connected to each other for data transmission.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the card issuing machine 3 opens a bill insertion slot 10 as a coin insertion slot in the front face 8 of a box 9 having a front face 8 which can be opened and closed, and inserts the bill. A purchase amount selection operation unit 11 composed of a plurality of push buttons is provided above the mouth 10, and an insertion amount display 1 composed of a plurality of 7-segment indicators is provided above the purchase amount selection operation unit 11.
2 is provided, the issuing amount indicator 13 next to the input amount indicator 12 indicates that the operation is in progress, and the issue cancellation indicator 1 that indicates the issue cancellation.
4 are arranged side by side, and the card issuing ports 15 and 15 'are opened vertically below these indicators 13 and 14, and the change return port 16 is opened below the card issuing port 15'.

Inside the box 9, a bill validator 17 as a currency validator is placed at a position communicating with the bill insertion slot 10 when the front face 8 is closed, at a position communicating with the card issuing slot 15. The card issuing device 18 is replaced by the card issuing slot 1
A card issuing device 18 'is arranged at a position communicating with 5', and a change payment device 19 is arranged at a position communicating with the change return port 16, and a machine number setting for setting the machine number of the card issuing machine 3 at the bottom. The device 20 is provided with a monitor device 21 for displaying the amount of sales, the number of issued cards, the remaining amount of cards, the remaining amount of change, bill overflow, and the like, and a control device 22 for controlling the above-mentioned devices as necessary. The device 22 has the above-mentioned amount-of-payment indicator 12, issuing indicator 13 and issue cancellation indicator 1
4, bill validator 17, card issuing device 18, 18 ',
The change payment device 19, the platform number setting device 20, and the alarm indicator mounted on the upper surface of the box 9 are electrically connected.

The bill discriminating device 17 takes in the bill inserted by the player through the bill insertion slot 10 to discriminate the authenticity of the bill, and also discriminates the kind of the bill to send a signal to the control device 22, which is inappropriate. If the banknote is judged to be a valid banknote, it will be returned to the player. On the other hand, when the bill validator 17 determines that the bill is appropriate and the type of the bill, the controller 2
In response to the signal from 2, the inserted amount indicator 12 displays the amount of the bill. For example, if a 10,000-yen bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 10, it will be "10,000 yen", and if it is a 5,000-yen bill, "5.
"1,000 yen", and in the case of a 1,000 yen bill, "1,000 yen" is displayed. In this state, when the player operates the purchase amount selection operation unit 11 to select a desired amount for the game,
The card issuing machine 3 operates the card issuing device 18 or 18 'to issue a card storing valuable value information corresponding to the amount of money selected by the purchase amount selection operation unit 11.

Although the card issuer 3 stores the card 24 in which the valuable information and the like are stored in the card issuing center 7, the card issuer 3 itself may store the valuable and valuable information. . Further, the card issuing machine 3 may be installed not only in the pachinko game store but also in another place, for example, a cigarette shop, a supermarket, or the like.

Card issuing machine 3 as the above-mentioned selling means
The card 24 issued by is, as shown in FIG.
It is a thin plate made of synthetic resin or the like, on the surface of which an amount display portion 25 is provided substantially in the center in the longitudinal direction, a balance display portion 26 is provided above the amount display portion 25, and a magnetic surface is provided below the amount display portion 25. And the like, and a security storage unit 28 below the information storage unit 27, and an arrow indicating the insertion direction of the card 24 is displayed. In addition,
In order to make it easier to understand the insertion direction of the card 24 and to prevent a mistake in the insertion direction, one corner of the tip of the card 24 may be cut obliquely in advance.

On the amount display section 25 of the card 24, the amount of money to be stored in the information storage section 27 at the time of purchase, for example, "10000 yen" is displayed. This amount indicates the maximum amount of use of the card 24. In the balance display unit 26, the balance of the card is punched in the game medium lending device 2,
Display with marking etc. The information storage unit 27 stores an effective amount and a limit amount, and the effective amount is updated and recorded as a balance in the game medium lending device 2.

The security storage unit 28 has a card 24.
Store security data to prevent counterfeiting. This security data can be read by an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor or the like, and is hidden and stored in the design of the card. In this case, the same data as the security data stored in the security storage unit 28 is stored in the information storage unit 27, and both data are compared at the time of renting out the game medium. It is determined to be used, and the game medium is lent.

Further, in order to more clearly manage the sales in the game medium lending device 2, the information storage unit 27 may store a card number in addition to the above-mentioned information. This card number consists of a unique number for each card,
The data is transmitted when the game medium lending device 2 transmits the data to the management device 4.

In the card issuing device 18, as shown in FIG. 6, one end of a conveying means 30 such as a belt conveyor which is vertically opposed is provided at the exit of the card storing section 31, and the conveying means 3 is provided.
With the other end of 0 facing the card issuing port 32, the transport means 30
A card detector 33 is provided near the card issuing port 32. A card shortage detector 34 and a shutter device 35 are provided at the exit of the card storage unit 31. Therefore,
When the card issuing device 29 receives the card issuing signal from the control device 22, the shutter device 35 opens and one card 24 is taken out from the card storing section 31, and the motor 36 is operated to take out the card 24. It is conveyed in the direction of the issuing port 32. When the card detector 33 detects the end of ejection of the card 24, the motor 36 is stopped, and the change payment device 19 is operated by the change signal from the control device 22 to subtract the selected amount from the amount of the inserted bill. The amount of money is calculated by the calculation control unit of the control device 22, and the currency corresponding to this amount is paid out to the change return port 16.

A card issuing device 37 with a writing function used when the card issuing machine 3 itself stores valuable information and the like.
As shown in FIG. 7, the card issuing device 18
In addition, an information writing device 38, a printing device 39, and a card transport detector are added, and the same devices as the card issuing device 18 are designated by the same reference numerals.

One end of the conveying means 30 such as a belt conveyor which is vertically opposed to each other faces the outlet of the card storage section 31, and the other end of the conveying means 30 faces the card issuing port 32. For example, an information writing device 38 including a magnetic head, a printing device 39, and a card transport detector are provided. A card shortage detector 34 and a shutter device 35 are provided at the exit of the card storage unit 31. Therefore, when the card issuing device 37 receives the card issuing signal from the control device 22, the shutter device 35 is opened to take out one card 24 from the card storing portion 31, and the motor 36 is operated to take out the card 24. Is conveyed toward the card issuing port 32.

The card 2 is detected by the first card conveyance detector 40.
When the second card transport detector 41 detects the leading edge of the card 24, that is, the information storage unit 27 of the card has reached the information writing device 38, the control is performed. In response to a signal from the device 22, the information writing device 38a writes the store code, date data, security data, and card identification information in the information storage unit 27 by magnetic action. Then, when the third card conveyance detector 42 detects the card 24, the motor 36 is temporarily stopped, and the printing device 39 prints the card issuing date and the security data in the security storage unit 28 by the print signal from the control device 22. To do. Note that the security data is printed while being hidden in the characters of the date. When this printing process ends, the motor 36 operates to convey the card 24, and when the card detector 33 detects the card 24, the motor 36 stops again and the printer 34 displays the amount of money at the time of issuance.
Display in 5. In this way, various information is written, and the card 24 on which the amount of money at the time of issuance and the like is printed is ejected to the card issuing port 32. When the card detector 33 detects that the card has been discharged, the motor 36 is stopped and the change payment device 19 is activated by the change signal from the control device 22 to subtract the selected amount from the amount of the inserted bill. Is calculated by the calculation control unit of the control device 22, and money corresponding to this amount is paid out to the change return port 16.

Further, in the card issuing device 18 and the card issuing device 37 with a writing function, the card shortage detector 34
When the shortage of the cards 24 in the card storage unit 31 is detected, the control device 22 which receives the signal from the shortage card detector 34 displays on the monitor device 21 that the shortage of the cards 24 has occurred, and also displays the alarm indicator 23. It lights up to notify the staff, and at the same time when the issuing display 13 is turned off, the issuing stop indicator 14 is turned on to visually display the card issuing stop to the player. Also, when the change is insufficient or the bill storage unit for storing the bills inserted by the player is full, the issuance of the card is stopped in the same manner as above.

In the present embodiment, two card issuing devices 18 are provided in the card issuing machine 3 and two types of cards having different amounts of money, for example, "1000 yen" and "3000 yen" are filled, and the player Although the card corresponding to the desired amount of money is selectively discharged by the selection of the operated purchase amount selection operation unit 11 that has been operated, a plurality of issuing devices 18 may be provided to increase the selectable amount of money. Alternatively, a plurality of cards having different designs may be filled in so that a desired card can be selected. Also, there is only one issuing device 18,
You may make it fill one type of card. further,
In the card issuing device 37 with a writing function, a plurality of amounts of money can be written by one device, and in this case as well, only one card issuing device 37 with a writing function may be used.

It is desirable that the above-mentioned card issuing machine 3 be managed by the card issuing center 7, and that card replenishment, payment collection, etc. be performed by the card issuing center 7. In addition, when the card issuing machine 3 is installed in a pachinko gaming shop, the management of the card issuing machine 3 may be performed by the pachinko gaming shop. In this case, the pachinko gaming shop purchases the card and pays for it. To the card issuing center 7.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the management device 4 is a display device including a central processing unit 43, a main storage device 44, an auxiliary storage device 45, a calendar 46, a keyboard 47, a cathode ray tube and the like. 48 and printer 4
9, the first transmission control device 50, and the second transmission control device 51
And are electrically connected to each other. Power is supplied to the management device 4 via the auxiliary power supply device 52 and the power supply device 53.

The central processing unit 43 is a unit for centrally managing the control units in the management unit 4, and carries out data transfer between the units and data arithmetic processing.

The main storage device 44 has a file in which sales data and total sales data of each game medium lending device 2 are stored, and a processing program of the central processing device 43 is stored when the power is turned on.

The auxiliary storage device 45 is composed of a hard disk or the like, and stores the processing program of the central processing device 43 and unique data such as a store number for the card issuing center 7 to identify each amusement store. Store sales data.

The calendar 46 is for setting the date, time, etc., and the date information is stored when the sales data is stored in the auxiliary storage device 45 or the sales data is transmitted to the card issuing center 7. The time data is used when the sales information from the game medium lending device 2 is stored in the main storage device 44.

The keyboard 47 is a command board for the central processing unit 43, and as shown in FIG. 10, the key switch 54, the opening switch 55, the closing switch 56,
Sales switch 57, print switch 58, transmission switch 5
9, a file switch 60, a ten-key pad 61 and the like are provided.

The key switch 54 is a switch for preventing erroneous operation of the opening switch 55 and the closing switch 56, and each switch does not operate unless the switch is turned on. The opening switch 55 is a switch for starting the acceptance of the card in the game medium lending device 2, and by operating this switch, a start command is transmitted to the game medium lending device 2. Closing switch 56
Is a switch for ending the acceptance of the card in the game medium lending device 2, and by operating this switch, an end command is transmitted to the game medium lending device 2. The sales switch 57 is a command switch for causing the display device 48 to display the total sales of the game media lending device 2 and the sales of each game media lending device 2. The print switch 58 is a command switch for causing the printer 49 to print the total sales of the game media lending device 2 and the sales of each game media lending device 2. The transmission switch 59 is a command switch for transmitting the total sales data to the card issuing center 7. If the total sales data is automatically transmitted according to a command from the card issuing center 7, the transmission switch 59 is unnecessary. Numeric keypad 61
Is a switch for inputting the unit number or the like of the game media lending device 2 when it is desired to know the sales of the particular game media lending device 2.

The printer 49 is a device for printing sales and the like in the game medium lending device 2 described above. First
The transmission control device 50 is a device for establishing transmission / reception rights and standardizing transmission / reception data on the transmission path 5 in the game shop, and for performing transmission / reception management of data required by the central processing unit 43.

The second transmission control device 51 establishes a transmission / reception right on the telephone line between the amusement store and the card issuing center 7, standardizes the transmission / reception data, and manages the transmission / reception of the data required by the central processing unit 43. It is a device for performing.

The power supply device 53 is a device for supplying power to each control device, and the auxiliary power supply device 52 is a backup power supply at the time of power failure, and sales data and the like stored in the main storage device 44 is generated by the power failure. This is a device provided to prevent disappearance.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the processing in the management device 4 described above.

When the management device 4 is powered on,
The sales file is cleared, the code is received from the card issuing center 7, this code is stored, and the store opening switch 5
When 5 is turned on, an opening command signal to the game media lending device 2
After sending the code, the system waits for receipt of sales data.
When the sales data is received, the corresponding unit number in the sales file is searched, the received amount is added to the unit sales file, the time is read from the calendar 46, and the time, the received card number, and the received amount are stored. When the store closing switch 56 is turned on, a store closing command signal is transmitted to the game medium lending device 2. When the transmission switch 59 is turned on, the total sales are calculated, the transmission data is processed by the code sent from the card issuing center 7, and the sales data is transmitted to the card issuing center 7. When the file switch 60 is turned on,
The date information and the sales file are stored in the auxiliary storage device 45, and the processing in the management device 4 ends.

The game medium lending device 2 shown in FIG. 12 is arranged between the pachinko machine 1 and the pachinko machine 1, and the card insertion port 65 of the card reading / writing device 64 is provided on the front face portion 63 of the box 62. , A pilot lamp 66, an alarm indicator 67, an amount indicator 68, a purchase selection switch 69, and a ball lending port 70 are provided inside, and a supply ball is provided above the ball supply gutter 71 branched from the ball supply gutter above the pachinko machine row. A detector 72 is provided, a ball discharge device 73 is provided at the lower end of the ball supply gutter 71, the outlet of the ball flow down gutter 74 of the ball discharge device 73 is connected to the ball lending opening 70, the card reading / writing device 64, an alarm display. Vessel 66, price display 68, purchase selection switch 6
9, the supply sphere detector 72 and the sphere discharge device 73 are electrically connected to the control device 75, and the control device 75 is connected to the in-store transmission line 5
It is connected to the management device 4 via.

The pilot lamp 66 receives the card 24 and displays that the gaming medium can be rented,
When there is no sphere in the supply sphere detector 72 or when the connection with the management device 4 is not confirmed, the light is turned off and the acceptance of the card 24 is stopped. The alarm display 67 displays that the acceptance card 24 is improper, such as when the security data of the security storage unit 28 of the card 24 and the information storage unit 27 do not match. The amount display 68 displays the balance of the acceptance card 24. The purchase selection switch 69 is
It is a switch for designating the purchase amount, and in the present embodiment, it is composed of 100 yen, 200 yen, and 500 yen switches, and the game medium corresponding to the specified amount is lent. Note that the purchase selection switch 69 may be omitted, and a game medium equivalent to a predetermined amount, for example, 200 yen, may be lent out by inserting the card once.

The card reading / writing device 64 is a device for reproducing and updating the magnetic data stored in the card 24, reading the security data, and marking the balance, as shown in FIG. A card transport path 76 is provided toward the first transport roller 76, and a first transport roller 78 and a second transport roller 79 driven by a transport motor 77 are provided on the transport path 76.
5, an insertion detection sensor 80 is provided on the card insertion port 65 side of the first conveyance roller 78, and a security reading sensor 81, a read / write head 82, and a marking device are provided between the first conveyance roller 78 and the second conveyance roller 79. 83
Is provided, an inversion position detection sensor 84 is provided near the end of the card transport path 76, an encoder 86 that rotates simultaneously with the transport motor 77 is attached to the shaft 85 of the transport motor 77, and a positioning sensor 87 is attached to the encoder 86. The conveyance motor 77, the insertion detection sensor 80,
The security reading sensor 81, the read / write head 82, and the marking device 83 are connected to the control device 75.

The carrying motor 77 is a motor capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions for driving the carrying roller for carrying the card 24.
The first and second transport rollers 78 and 79 are connected via a transport belt 88. The insertion detection sensor 80 is a detector for detecting the insertion of the card 24 and driving the carry motor 77 in the normal direction. When the card 24 is no longer present at this sensor position during card ejection, the carry motor 7 is inserted.
Stop 7. The security reading sensor 81 is
The sensor is a sensor for reading the data hidden in the security storage unit 28 of the card 24, and includes an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, and the like according to the storage method of the security storage unit 28.

The read / write head 82 is a head for reading the information stored in the storage information section 27 of the card 24 and updating the valuable information, and is composed of a magnetic head or the like. The marking device 83 is a device for displaying the balance on the balance display unit 26 of the card 24, and includes a puncher, a punch, and the like according to the balance display method.
The encoder 86 is a device for generating a positioning signal for determining a data reading position and an updating position of the information storage unit 27 of the card 24, a security data reading position, a marking position on the balance display unit 26, and the like. hand,
It consists of a slit disk.

The positioning sensor 87 is a sensor for detecting the positioning signal of the encoder 86 to determine each reading position and the like. When the encoder 86 is a slit board, the slit opening / closing state is optically detected. Then, this is converted into a pulse train and sent to the control device 75.
The reverse position detection sensor 84 is a stop position of the card 24,
This is a sensor for determining the reverse rotation position of the carry motor 77, and is a sensor for detecting the front end of the card 24 and the like to determine the reverse rotation position.

As shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the ball discharging device includes a ball stopper portion 90 which moves in and out of the ball supply trough 71 by the driving of the ball discharging solenoid 89 to restrict the flow of the ball, and a passing ball. Equipped with a ball discharge sensor 91 for detecting one address,
The ball discharge solenoid 89 and the ball discharge sensor 91 are electrically connected to the control device 75.

FIG. 16 shows a block diagram of the control device 75 of the above-mentioned game medium lending device 2. This controller 7
Reference numeral 5 denotes a CPU having an arithmetic control circuit 92, a ROM 93, a RAM 94, and a transmission control circuit 95. A card reading / writing device 64, a unit number setting switch 96, a driver 97, a receiver 98, etc. are connected to this CPU to control them. ing. Further, power is supplied to the CPU via a power supply circuit 99.

The driver 97 drives the pilot lamp 66, the alarm indicator 67, the amount indicator 68, the ball discharge solenoid 89, etc. by the control signal from the CPU.

The receiver 98 is for sending signals from the ball discharge sensor 91, the supplied ball detector 72, the purchase selection switch 69, and the ball rate setting switch 100 for setting the number of balls to be paid for 100 yen to the CPU. . When the purchase selection switch 69 is omitted, a similar signal is sent out when the card is inserted, and a ball for 200 yen, for example, is rented out.

The machine number setting switch 96 is a switch for setting the transmission address of the game medium lending device 2, and this address data is always added to the transmission data.

The transmission control circuit 95 includes the level conversion circuit 1
01 is connected, and the level conversion circuit 101 converts the signal level for shaping the waveform of the received data and the drive capability of the transmitted data signal. Level conversion circuit 1
A branch circuit 102 is connected to 01 to separate and combine a transmission signal and a reception signal. Further, the branch circuit 102 is provided with a transmission line connector terminal 103, and is connected to the transmission line by a connector.

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart of the processing in the above-mentioned game medium lending device 2.

When the power of the game medium lending device 2 is turned on, the RAM 94 is cleared, the I / O port is initialized, and the unit number from the unit number setting switch 96 and the ball rate from the ball rate setting switch 100 are read. . When the store opening command signal from the management device 4 is received, the code is stored, the presence or absence of supply balls is confirmed, and when a predetermined number or more of supply balls are accumulated, the pilot lamp 66 is turned on to accept the card. A message is displayed to the player, and the player waits for a card to be inserted.

When the player inserts the card 24 into the card insertion slot, the insertion detection sensor 80 detects the tip of the card 24 and sends a signal to the control device 75, and the control device 75 actuates the carry motor 77 to activate the card 24. The read / write head 82 reads the data in the information storage unit 27, the security read sensor 81 reads the security data in the security storage unit 28, and the security data in the information storage unit 27 and the security storage unit 28 match. When the balance of the card 24 is available, the amount of money is displayed on the amount display 68, and the process of the ball discharging device 73 is started. Here, if the security data does not match, or if there is no balance in the card 24, an alarm display 67 is displayed to give a warning to the player,
When the carrier motor 77 is operated to eject the card 24 and the player receives the card 24, the alarm display 67 is cleared, and the card returns to the card insertion waiting state.

When the purchase selection switch 69 is operated and there is a balance of the designated amount of money, a ball discharging operation is started. In the ball discharging operation, the number of balls to be discharged according to the designated amount of money is calculated by the ball rate, and when the ball discharging solenoid 89 is excited, the ball stopper 90 withdraws from the ball flow path in the trough, and the ball in the trough flows down. The ball discharge sensor 91 detects a passing ball and sends a signal to the control device 75. The control device 75 counts the signal from the ball ejection sensor 91, and when it counts that a predetermined number of balls have passed, demagnetizes the ball ejection solenoid 89 and stops the flow of the balls. Therefore, a certain number of spheres, eg 1
Twenty-five balls for 00 yen are discharged to the ball rental slot 70.

In this way, when the number of balls desired by the player is discharged to the ball lending slot 70, the arithmetic unit of the control device 75 discharges the amount of money previously displayed on the amount display 68 to the ball lending slot 70. The amount of money corresponding to the sphere is subtracted, and the balance is visually displayed on the amount display 68. The balance may be calculated and calculated when the player operates the purchase selection switch 69. And
When the player operates the purchase switch 69 to borrow a desired number of balls within the range of the value of money of the card 24, the card reading / writing device 64 is added to the card 24 that has been inverted by the inversion signal of the inversion position detection sensor 84. The balance is stored in the read / write head 82, and the balance is marked by the marking device 83. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the marking by the marking device 83 is 70 when the value of the card is 10,000 yen and the balance is 5000 yen.
The balance display portion 26 of ¥ 00 or more is filled by printing.

When the process in the ball discharging device 73 is completed, the display of the amount display 68 is cleared, the data such as the machine number, the card number, the purchase amount, etc. are processed by the code and transmitted to the management device 4 as sales data. To do. After that, when the closing command signal is received from the management device 4, the pilot lamp 6
6 is turned off to indicate to the player that the card 24 will not be accepted, and the process in the game medium lending device 2 is ended. FIG.
An example of sales data managed by the management device 4 is shown in FIG.

In the game medium lending device 2, when the player operates the purchase selection switch 69, the game medium lending device 2
The machine number, the card number of the inserted card, and the purchase amount are transmitted to the management device 4. These data are stored in the management device 4 as files for each game medium lending device. This file for each game media lending device is composed of one day's worth of purchase time, card number, and purchase amount of purchase data for one time, and stores the total purchase amount as unit sales data. The management device 4 collects the files for each game medium lending device into a sales file of the game store, and stores the total of the sales data of the devices as total sales data.

That is, the game medium lending device 2 is
"On the condition that the valuable value information is stored in the card 24 which is a card-shaped storage medium, a predetermined number of balls which are game media are discharged based on a predetermined lending operation of the player, and when the game medium is discharged. The management device 4 adds and stores the used valuable value information signal output from the game medium lending device 2 by functioning as a game medium discharge control means for subtracting the related valuable value information and outputting a used valuable value information amount signal. However, the used value information totaling signal based on the added stored value is output to the card supply institution for the purpose of making a monetary request for sales at a game shop.

Among the above-mentioned files, the store number and the total sales file are transmitted to the card issuing center 7 to request the settlement of accounts receivable.

In addition to the store number and the total sales file described above, the file to be sent to the card issuing center 7 also transmits the unit number and unit sales data for each game media lending device at the same time, or the entire sales file. You may send it. By doing so, the card issuing center 7 can grasp detailed sales data at each amusement store, and reliability is also improved.

In order to prevent the sales data from being tampered with on the in-store transmission line 5 or on the telephone line, the sales data may be processed by rearranging the bits of the transmission data by encryption from the card issuing center 7. It is possible to prevent falsification of data in the game shop. It is even more effective if this code is changed daily. Further, if a used value information totaling means is provided separately from the management device 3 and this is managed by the card supply organization, it is even more effective in preventing falsification of sales data.

In the above embodiment, the game medium lending device for lending a ball used in a pachinko parlor as a game medium has been described. However, the game medium according to the present invention is not limited to a ball, and a game coin or the like may be lent. Good.

[0071]

As described above, according to the game medium lending system in the amusement store according to the present invention, the card-shaped storage medium purchased in advance from the card supply organization is sent to the player by the card-shaped storage medium selling means. The valuable value information of the card-shaped storage medium which is sold and used by the game medium discharge control means for discharging the game medium is transmitted to the used valuable value information totaling means, and the used valuable value information totaling means controls each game medium discharge control. Since the used-value-of-use information collecting means outputs the used-value-of-use information collecting signal based on the added storage value in which the used-value-of-use information amount signal from the means is additionally stored, the used-value-of-use information collecting signal is output to the card supply organization. Assuming that the sales amount equivalent to the above is paid from the card supply organization to the game store, the balance regarding the issuance of the card-shaped storage medium at the game store And the balance on the loan of the body is made to those independently.

Therefore, as long as it is a card-shaped storage medium which stores the value information of a predetermined form supplied from the card supply organization, no matter which card-shaped storage medium is purchased at any game store, the same game medium is obtained. It can be used at all amusement stores that have adopted the lending system, and there is no need to re-purchase or pay for a card-shaped storage medium each time the amusement store changes, and it is convenient for the player. Can be greatly increased. In addition, the card-shaped storage medium sold by the card-shaped storage medium selling means,
Since the valuable information can be effectively used until all the valuable information is used up, it is not necessary to disable the card-shaped storage medium forcibly and it is possible to contribute to effective use of resources.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a game medium lending system.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram when the present invention is applied to a pachinko game store.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a card issuing machine.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the inside of the card issuing machine.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a card.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the inside of the card issuing device.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the inside of the card issuing device with a writing function.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a management device.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a management device.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a keyboard.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of processing in the management device.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a game medium lending device.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the inside of the card reading / writing device.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the ball discharging device.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a ball discharging device.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a control device of the ball lending device.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a process in the game medium lending device.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a sales file.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Pachinko machine 2 Game media lending device 3 Card issuing machine 4 Management device 7 Card issuing center 24 cards

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 6, 1995

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Full text

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Document name] Statement

[Title of Invention] Game medium lending system in a game shop

[Claims]

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game medium lending system in a game store for lending a game medium to be used for a game through valuable value information stored in a card-shaped storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional game medium lending system in a game shop generally lends a game medium by inserting money into a game medium lending device.

However, in a game medium lending system in which money is thrown into a game medium lending device, in order to enhance the convenience so that a player can lend a game medium without leaving the game machine, the gaming machine line Since it is general to arrange the game media lending device between the game machines in the island equipment, there is a device that transfers the money thrown into each game media lending device to one end of the island equipment and collects it. Will be needed. In addition, if the money that can be used in the game media lending device is limited to coins, etc., the player who has exhausted the coins etc. necessary to borrow the game media must change the bills one by one. If you provide a game media lending device that can also use banknotes on the island facility, the money collection device will become more complicated, and money will be collected in the island facility during collection. Could be clogged or stolen.

Therefore, a card-type game medium lending system has been proposed in which a game medium lending device can lend a game medium through a card purchased by inserting money into a card issuing machine installed in a game shop. There is. In such a card-type game media lending system, even if the game media lending device is arranged in the island facility, an expensive and complicated device for transferring and collecting money is not required, and the money is stored in the island facility. There is no danger of being stolen.

[0005]

However, the card-type game medium lending system proposed hitherto is
Issuing a unique card that can be used effectively at the game store, and inserting the properly issued card into the game medium lending device enables rental of the game medium. Card is valid only at the amusement store issued on the day of issue. For this reason, when a player borrows a game medium in order to play a game at another game store, he must use a card issued at the game store or directly use cash. When you leave the store, you have to settle the card purchased at the amusement store (return the unused balance) and purchase a card for lending a game medium again at the destination game store. For each player, a complicated act of purchasing and paying for the card is required for each player, so that the handling of the card is troublesome, and the convenience of the player is rather deteriorated.

Further, in the card-type game medium lending system for issuing a game medium lending card that is valid only for the day of the game at the game store, a large number of players pay the card when the game store is about to be closed. In a game shop where only a limited number of checkout machines are installed, a large number of players will have to wait for checkout. It should be noted that if the number of payment machines installed is increased, the payment waiting time for such players can be reduced, but the facility investment on the game store side will increase and maintenance and repair of all payment machines will also be necessary. Therefore, the burden on the game shop side is significantly increased, which is inefficient.

[0007] In addition, since the financial institutions such as banks are already closed at the closing time of the amusement stores, each amusement store secures the banknotes necessary and sufficient for the settlement of the game media lending card in advance. If the game store falls into a state in which payment cannot be made, the game store's risk is large because it greatly affects the credit of the game store.

Further, in the card-type game medium lending system as described above, despite the fact that there is a card balance, the game medium lending card is settled for each gaming shop and the card is disabled. Therefore, it is a great waste of resources to purchase a new game medium lending card at a future game store and make a payment every time the player leaves the store.

[0009]

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and a card-shaped storage medium (for example, a card 2).
4) In the game medium lending system in a game store that lends a game medium (for example, a ball for a pachinko machine 1) to be used for a game through the valuable value information stored in 4), the above-mentioned game store has a card supply institution ( For example, a card-shaped storage medium which is issued by the controlling organization and which stores the valuable-value information in a predetermined predetermined mode, and which sells the card-shaped storage medium which stores the valuable-value information based on the input of money. Storage medium selling means (for example, card issuing machine 3),
A predetermined number of game media are ejected based on a predetermined lending operation of the player on the condition that the card-shaped storage medium stores valuable value information in a predetermined manner, and valuable information related to the ejection of the game media. The value information is subtracted, and the game medium discharge control means (for example, the game medium lending device 2) that outputs the used valuable value information signal and the used valuable value information signal output from the game medium discharge control means are added and stored, And a use value information totaling means (for example, a management device 4) for outputting a use value information totaling signal based on the added storage value to the card supply organization for the purpose of billing money for sales at a game store. I decided.

In such a game medium lending system in a game store, the card-shaped storage medium purchased in advance from the card supply organization is sold to the player by the card-shaped storage medium selling means, and the game medium discharge control means discharges the game medium. Valuable value information of the card-shaped storage medium used for the purpose is transmitted to the valuable value information totaling means, and the valuable value information totaling means additionally stores the valuable value information signal from the game medium discharge control means. The used valuable value information totaling means outputs the used valuable value information totaling signal based on the value to the card supply organization. Therefore, if the sales amount corresponding to this used value information totalization signal is paid from the card supply organization to the gaming shop, there will be a balance of issuance of the card-shaped storage medium at the gaming shop and a balance of lending of the gaming medium. It will be separate and independent.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a game medium lending system according to the present invention.

The controlling organization issues a card in which valuable value information and the like are stored, and sells this card to the player through the selling means. The player uses the card at the game shop to receive a game medium from the game medium lending device and play the game. The game store sends the sales data of the game medium lending device to the controlling organization. The controlling organization pays the sales price corresponding to this sales data to the game shop through a financial institution or directly.

That is, the governing body in FIG. 1 is
It functions as a card supply institution that issues a card-shaped storage medium that stores valuable value information in a predetermined mode.

FIG. 2 and subsequent figures show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko game store.

As shown in FIG. 2, at the pachinko game store,
A large number of pachinko machines 1 ... Are installed side by side, and a game medium lending device 2 for lending balls used as a game medium is arranged between the pachinko machines 1 and 1 at appropriate intervals, and the above-mentioned game medium lending device is provided. 2 and the management device 4 installed in the management room are electrically connected via the in-store transmission path 5.

The cards used in this pachinko game store are sold by a card issuing machine 3 installed at an appropriate counter in the store or in the store.

That is, the card issuing machine 3 as a selling means installed in the amusement store functions as a card-shaped storage medium selling means for selling the card-shaped storage medium purchased in advance from the card supply organization based on the input of money. To do.

The sales data and the like calculated and accumulated by the management device 4 are sent to the general institution, but the management device 4 is electrically connected to the card issuing center 7 which is the general institution via an out-of-store transmission line 6 such as a telephone line. May be connected to each other for data transmission.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the card issuing machine 3 opens a bill insertion slot 10 as a coin insertion slot in the front face 8 of a box 9 having a front face 8 which can be opened and closed, and inserts the bill. A purchase amount selection operation unit 11 composed of a plurality of push buttons is provided above the mouth 10, and an insertion amount display 1 composed of a plurality of 7-segment indicators is provided above the purchase amount selection operation unit 11.
2 is provided, the issuing amount indicator 13 next to the input amount indicator 12 indicates that the operation is in progress, and the issue cancellation indicator 1 that indicates the issue cancellation.
4 are arranged side by side, and the card issuing ports 15 and 15 'are opened vertically below these indicators 13 and 14, and the change return port 16 is opened below the card issuing port 15'.

Inside the box 9, a bill validator 17 as a currency validator is placed at a position communicating with the bill insertion slot 10 when the front face 8 is closed, at a position communicating with the card issuing slot 15. The card issuing device 18 is replaced by the card issuing slot 1
A card issuing device 18 'is arranged at a position communicating with 5', and a change payment device 19 is arranged at a position communicating with the change return port 16, and a machine number setting for setting the machine number of the card issuing machine 3 at the bottom. The device 20 is provided with a monitor device 21 for displaying the amount of sales, the number of issued cards, the remaining amount of cards, the remaining amount of change, bill overflow, and the like, and a control device 22 for controlling the above-mentioned devices as necessary. The device 22 has the above-mentioned amount-of-payment indicator 12, issuing indicator 13 and issue cancellation indicator 1
4, bill validator 17, card issuing device 18, 18 ',
The change payment device 19, the platform number setting device 20, and the alarm indicator mounted on the upper surface of the box 9 are electrically connected.

The bill discriminating device 17 takes in the bill inserted by the player through the bill insertion slot 10 to discriminate the authenticity of the bill, and also discriminates the kind of the bill to send a signal to the control device 22, which is inappropriate. If the banknote is judged to be a valid banknote, it will be returned to the player. On the other hand, when the bill validator 17 determines that the bill is appropriate and the type of the bill, the controller 2
In response to the signal from 2, the inserted amount indicator 12 displays the amount of the bill. For example, if a 10,000-yen bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 10, it will be "10,000 yen", and if it is a 5,000-yen bill, "5.
"1,000 yen", and in the case of a 1,000 yen bill, "1,000 yen" is displayed. In this state, when the player operates the purchase amount selection operation unit 11 to select a desired amount for the game,
The card issuing machine 3 operates the card issuing device 18 or 18 'to issue a card storing valuable value information corresponding to the amount of money selected by the purchase amount selection operation unit 11.

[0023] The card issuing machine 3 as a sale means that the
The card 24 issued by is, as shown in FIG.
It is a thin plate made of synthetic resin or the like, on the surface of which an amount display portion 25 is provided substantially in the center in the longitudinal direction, a balance display portion 26 is provided above the amount display portion 25, and a magnetic surface is provided below the amount display portion 25. And the like, and a security storage unit 28 below the information storage unit 27, and an arrow indicating the insertion direction of the card 24 is displayed. In addition,
In order to make it easier to understand the insertion direction of the card 24 and to prevent a mistake in the insertion direction, one corner of the tip of the card 24 may be cut obliquely in advance.

On the amount display section 25 of the above-mentioned card 24, the amount of money to be stored in the information storage section 27 at the time of purchase, for example, "10000 yen" is displayed. This amount indicates the maximum amount of use of the card 24. In the balance display unit 26, the balance of the card is punched in the game medium lending device 2,
Display with marking etc. The information storage unit 27 stores an effective amount and a limit amount, and the effective amount is updated and recorded as a balance in the game medium lending device 2.

The security storage unit 28 includes a card 24.
Store security data to prevent counterfeiting. This security data can be read by an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor or the like, and is hidden and stored in the design of the card. In this case, the same data as the security data stored in the security storage unit 28 is stored in the information storage unit 27, and both data are compared at the time of renting out the game medium. It is determined to be used, and the game medium is lent.

Further, in order to more clearly manage the sales by the game medium lending device 2, the information storage unit 27 may store a card number in addition to the above-mentioned information. This card number consists of a unique number for each card,
The data is transmitted when the game medium lending device 2 transmits the data to the management device 4.

In the card issuing device 18, as shown in FIG. 6, one end of a conveying means 30 such as a belt conveyor which is vertically opposed is provided at the exit of the card storing section 31, and the conveying means 3 is provided.
With the other end of 0 facing the card issuing port 32, the transport means 30
A card detector 33 is provided near the card issuing port 32. A card shortage detector 34 and a shutter device 35 are provided at the exit of the card storage unit 31. Therefore,
When the card issuing device 29 receives the card issuing signal from the control device 22, the shutter device 35 opens and one card 24 is taken out from the card storing section 31, and the motor 36 is operated to take out the card 24. It is conveyed in the direction of the issuing port 32. When the card detector 33 detects the end of ejection of the card 24, the motor 36 is stopped, and the change payment device 19 is operated by the change signal from the control device 22 to subtract the selected amount from the amount of the inserted bill. The amount of money is calculated by the calculation control unit of the control device 22, and the currency corresponding to this amount is paid out to the change return port 16.

Note that it is possible to store valuable value information and the like in the card issuing machine 3 itself, and the card issuing device 37 with a writing function used in such a case is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the information writing device 38, the printing device 39, and the card transport detector are added to the card issuing device 18 described above, and the same devices as the card issuing device 18 are designated by the same reference numerals and described. To do.

One end of the conveying means 30 such as a belt conveyor, which is vertically opposed, faces the outlet of the card storage section 31, and the other end of the conveying means 30 faces the card issuing port 32. For example, an information writing device 38 including a magnetic head, a printing device 39, and a card transport detector are provided. A card shortage detector 34 and a shutter device 35 are provided at the exit of the card storage unit 31. Therefore, when the card issuing device 37 receives the card issuing signal from the control device 22, the shutter device 35 is opened to take out one card 24 from the card storing portion 31, and the motor 36 is operated to take out the card 24. Is conveyed toward the card issuing port 32.

The card 2 is detected by the first card conveyance detector 40.
When the second card transport detector 41 detects the leading edge of the card 24, that is, the information storage unit 27 of the card has reached the information writing device 38, the control is performed. In response to a signal from the device 22, the information writing device 38a writes the store code, date data, security data, and card identification information in the information storage unit 27 by magnetic action. Then, when the third card conveyance detector 42 detects the card 24, the motor 36 is temporarily stopped, and the printing device 39 prints the card issuing date and the security data in the security storage unit 28 by the print signal from the control device 22. To do. Note that the security data is printed while being hidden in the characters of the date. When this printing process ends, the motor 36 operates to convey the card 24, and when the card detector 33 detects the card 24, the motor 36 stops again and the printer 34 displays the amount of money at the time of issuance.
Display in 5. In this way, various information is written, and the card 24 on which the amount of money at the time of issuance and the like is printed is ejected to the card issuing port 32. When the card detector 33 detects that the card has been discharged, the motor 36 is stopped and the change payment device 19 is activated by the change signal from the control device 22 to subtract the selected amount from the amount of the inserted bill. Is calculated by the calculation control unit of the control device 22, and money corresponding to this amount is paid out to the change return port 16.

Further, in the card issuing device 18 and the card issuing device 37 with a writing function, the card shortage detector 34
When the shortage of the cards 24 in the card storage unit 31 is detected, the control device 22 which receives the signal from the shortage card detector 34 displays on the monitor device 21 that the shortage of the cards 24 has occurred, and also displays the alarm indicator 23. It lights up to notify the staff, and at the same time when the issuing display 13 is turned off, the issuing stop indicator 14 is turned on to visually display the card issuing stop to the player. Also, when the change is insufficient or the bill storage unit for storing the bills inserted by the player is full, the issuance of the card is stopped in the same manner as above.

As described above, the card issuing device 4 with a writing function
With 7, you can write multiple amounts of money with one device, so
Issuing card with no amount information etc.
A function with a writing function that was supplied from Seki to the game store and installed in the game store.
Write the amount information according to the purchase amount with the card issuing device 47
If so, only cards with a certain amount of face value are concentrated
In case of sales, the cards for sale are out of stock.
Although it is possible to avoid such a situation, the amount of money issued
Because there is a possibility that the information will be tampered with, the card
Car as a card supply agency for maintenance and management of issuing devices
The security system that the issuing center 7 does
Required.

However, there are many card issuing centers 7.
Issuing all cards installed in multiple amusement stores
For the card issuing center 7 to manage the device
It will be a huge burden. In addition, the card issuing device
In case of problems, it is a relatively minor trabe
Even if it is a le, the amusement shop side cannot handle it independently
Repair is completed by the card issuing center 7.
Issuance of cards will be delayed until
May affect even the sales of
But that's not desirable.

Therefore, the game media lending system according to the present invention
In the case of
Selling cards from the card issuing center 7 to each game shop, etc.
Cards that are supplied to the Dan
To the card issuing center 7 and receive the supply
Management of the card issuing device 18 that sells
By adopting a system configuration that is performed for each store,
We decided to prevent such problems.

In the game medium lending system according to the present invention, two card issuing devices 18 are provided in the card issuing machine 3, and two types of cards with different amounts of money, for example, "1000 yen" are provided.
The card corresponding to the desired amount of money is selectively ejected by selecting the purchase amount selection operation unit 11 operated by the player.
You can increase the amount of money that can be selected by providing three or more units, or fill multiple cards with different designs,
A desired card may be selectable. Moreover, only one issuing device 18 may be used to fill one type of card.

It is desirable that the above-mentioned card issuing machine 3 be managed by the card issuing center 7, and that card replenishment, payment collection, etc. be performed by the card issuing center 7. In addition, when the card issuing machine 3 is installed in a pachinko gaming shop, the management of the card issuing machine 3 may be performed by the pachinko gaming shop. In this case, the pachinko gaming shop purchases the card and pays for it. To the card issuing center 7.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the management device 4 is a display device including a central processing unit 43, a main storage device 44, an auxiliary storage device 45, a calendar 46, a keyboard 47, a cathode ray tube and the like. 48 and printer 4
9, the first transmission control device 50, and the second transmission control device 51
And are electrically connected to each other. Power is supplied to the management device 4 via the auxiliary power supply device 52 and the power supply device 53.

The central processing unit 43 is a unit for centrally managing the control units in the management unit 4, and performs data transfer between the units and data arithmetic processing.

The main storage device 44 has a file in which sales data and total sales data of each game medium lending device 2 are stored, and a processing program of the central processing device 43 is stored when the power is turned on.

The auxiliary storage device 45 is composed of a hard disk or the like, and stores the processing program of the central processing unit 43 and unique data such as a store number for the card issuing center 7 to identify each amusement store. Store sales data.

The calendar 46 is for setting the date, time, etc., and the date information is stored when the sales data is stored in the auxiliary storage device 45 or the sales data is transmitted to the card issuing center 7. The time data is used when the sales information from the game medium lending device 2 is stored in the main storage device 44.

The keyboard 47 is a command board for the central processing unit 43, and as shown in FIG. 10, the key switch 54, the opening switch 55, the closing switch 56,
Sales switch 57, print switch 58, transmission switch 5
9, a file switch 60, a ten-key pad 61 and the like are provided.

The key switch 54 is a switch for preventing erroneous operation of the opening switch 55 and the closing switch 56, and each switch does not operate unless the switch is turned on. The opening switch 55 is a switch for starting the acceptance of the card in the game medium lending device 2, and by operating this switch, a start command is transmitted to the game medium lending device 2. Closing switch 56
Is a switch for ending the acceptance of the card in the game medium lending device 2, and by operating this switch, an end command is transmitted to the game medium lending device 2. The sales switch 57 is a command switch for causing the display device 48 to display the total sales of the game media lending device 2 and the sales of each game media lending device 2. The print switch 58 is a command switch for causing the printer 49 to print the total sales of the game media lending device 2 and the sales of each game media lending device 2. The transmission switch 59 is a command switch for transmitting the total sales data to the card issuing center 7. If the total sales data is automatically transmitted according to a command from the card issuing center 7, the transmission switch 59 is unnecessary. Numeric keypad 61
Is a switch for inputting the unit number or the like of the game media lending device 2 when it is desired to know the sales of the particular game media lending device 2.

The printer 49 is a device for printing sales and the like in the game medium lending device 2 described above. First
The transmission control device 50 is a device for establishing transmission / reception rights and standardizing transmission / reception data on the transmission path 5 in the game shop, and for performing transmission / reception management of data required by the central processing unit 43.

The second transmission control device 51 establishes the transmission / reception right on the telephone line between the amusement store and the card issuing center 7, standardizes the transmission / reception data, and manages the transmission / reception of the data required by the central processing unit 43. It is a device for performing.

The power supply device 53 is a device for supplying power to each control device, and the auxiliary power supply device 52 is a backup power supply at the time of power failure, and sales data and the like stored in the main storage device 44 is generated by the power failure. This is a device provided to prevent disappearance.

FIG. 11 shows a flow chart of the processing in the management device 4 described above.

When the management device 4 is powered on,
The sales file is cleared, the code is received from the card issuing center 7, this code is stored, and the store opening switch 5
When 5 is turned on, an opening command signal to the game media lending device 2
After sending the code, the system waits for receipt of sales data.
When the sales data is received, the corresponding unit number in the sales file is searched, the received amount is added to the unit sales file, the time is read from the calendar 46, and the time, the received card number, and the received amount are stored. When the store closing switch 56 is turned on, a store closing command signal is transmitted to the game medium lending device 2. When the transmission switch 59 is turned on, the total sales are calculated, the transmission data is processed by the code sent from the card issuing center 7, and the sales data is transmitted to the card issuing center 7. When the file switch 60 is turned on,
The date information and the sales file are stored in the auxiliary storage device 45, and the processing in the management device 4 ends.

The game medium lending device 2 shown in FIG. 12 is arranged between the pachinko machine 1 and the pachinko machine 1. The front side 63 of the box body 62 is provided with the card insertion opening 65 of the card reading / writing device 64. , A pilot lamp 66, an alarm indicator 67, an amount indicator 68, a purchase selection switch 69, and a ball lending port 70 are provided inside, and a supply ball is provided above the ball supply gutter 71 branched from the ball supply gutter above the pachinko machine row. A detector 72 is provided, a ball discharge device 73 is provided at the lower end of the ball supply gutter 71, the outlet of the ball flow down gutter 74 of the ball discharge device 73 is connected to the ball lending opening 70, the card reading / writing device 64, an alarm display. Vessel 66, price display 68, purchase selection switch 6
9, the supply sphere detector 72 and the sphere discharge device 73 are electrically connected to the control device 75, and the control device 75 is connected to the in-store transmission line 5
It is connected to the management device 4 via.

The pilot lamp 66 receives the card 24 and displays that the gaming medium can be rented,
When there is no sphere in the supply sphere detector 72 or when the connection with the management device 4 is not confirmed, the light is turned off and the acceptance of the card 24 is stopped. The alarm display 67 displays that the acceptance card 24 is improper, such as when the security data of the security storage unit 28 of the card 24 and the information storage unit 27 do not match. The amount display 68 displays the balance of the acceptance card 24. The purchase selection switch 69 is
It is a switch for designating the purchase amount, and in the present embodiment, it is composed of 100 yen, 200 yen, and 500 yen switches, and the game medium corresponding to the specified amount is lent. Note that the purchase selection switch 69 may be omitted, and a game medium equivalent to a predetermined amount, for example, 200 yen, may be lent out by inserting the card once.

The card read / write device 64 is a device for reproducing and updating magnetic data stored in the card 24, reading security data, and marking the balance, as shown in FIG. A card transport path 76 is provided toward the first transport roller 76, and a first transport roller 78 and a second transport roller 79 driven by a transport motor 77 are provided on the transport path 76.
5, an insertion detection sensor 80 is provided on the card insertion port 65 side of the first conveyance roller 78, and a security reading sensor 81, a read / write head 82, and a marking device are provided between the first conveyance roller 78 and the second conveyance roller 79. 83
Is provided, an inversion position detection sensor 84 is provided near the end of the card transport path 76, an encoder 86 that rotates simultaneously with the transport motor 77 is attached to the shaft 85 of the transport motor 77, and a positioning sensor 87 is attached to the encoder 86. The conveyance motor 77, the insertion detection sensor 80,
The security reading sensor 81, the read / write head 82, and the marking device 83 are connected to the control device 75.

The carry motor 77 is a motor capable of rotating in the normal and reverse directions for driving the carry roller for carrying the card 24.
The first and second transport rollers 78 and 79 are connected via a transport belt 88. The insertion detection sensor 80 is a detector for detecting the insertion of the card 24 and driving the carry motor 77 in the normal direction. When the card 24 is no longer present at this sensor position during card ejection, the carry motor 7 is inserted.
Stop 7. The security reading sensor 81 is
The sensor is a sensor for reading the data hidden in the security storage unit 28 of the card 24, and includes an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, and the like according to the storage method of the security storage unit 28.

The read / write head 82 is a head for reading the information stored in the storage information section 27 of the card 24 and updating the valuable information and the like, and is composed of a magnetic head or the like. The marking device 83 is a device for displaying the balance on the balance display unit 26 of the card 24, and includes a puncher, a punch, and the like according to the balance display method.
The encoder 86 is a device for generating a positioning signal for determining a data reading position and an updating position of the information storage unit 27 of the card 24, a security data reading position, a marking position on the balance display unit 26, and the like. hand,
It consists of a slit disk.

The positioning sensor 87 is a sensor for detecting the positioning signal of the encoder 86 to determine each reading position and the like. When the encoder 86 is a slit board, the slit opening / closing state is optically detected. Then, this is converted into a pulse train and sent to the control device 75.
The reverse position detection sensor 84 is a stop position of the card 24,
This is a sensor for determining the reverse rotation position of the carry motor 77, and is a sensor for detecting the front end of the card 24 and the like to determine the reverse rotation position.

As shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the ball discharging device includes a ball stopper portion 90 which is driven into and out of the ball supply trough 71 by the driving of the ball discharging solenoid 89 to regulate the flow of the ball, and a passing ball. Equipped with a ball discharge sensor 91 for detecting one address,
The ball discharge solenoid 89 and the ball discharge sensor 91 are electrically connected to the control device 75.

FIG. 16 shows a block diagram of the control device 75 of the game medium lending device 2 described above. This controller 7
Reference numeral 5 denotes a CPU having an arithmetic control circuit 92, a ROM 93, a RAM 94, and a transmission control circuit 95. A card reading / writing device 64, a unit number setting switch 96, a driver 97, a receiver 98, etc. are connected to this CPU to control them. ing. Further, power is supplied to the CPU via a power supply circuit 99.

The driver 97 drives the pilot lamp 66, the alarm indicator 67, the amount indicator 68, the ball discharge solenoid 89, etc. by the control signal from the CPU.

The receiver 98 sends signals to the CPU from the ball discharge sensor 91, the supplied ball detector 72, the purchase selection switch 69, and the ball rate setting switch 100 for setting the number of balls to be paid for 100 yen. . When the purchase selection switch 69 is omitted, a similar signal is sent out when the card is inserted, and a ball for 200 yen, for example, is rented out.

The machine number setting switch 96 is a switch for setting the transmission address of the game medium lending device 2, and this address data is always added to the transmission data.

The transmission control circuit 95 includes the level conversion circuit 1
01 is connected, and the level conversion circuit 101 converts the signal level for shaping the waveform of the received data and the drive capability of the transmitted data signal. Level conversion circuit 1
A branch circuit 102 is connected to 01 to separate and combine a transmission signal and a reception signal. Further, the branch circuit 102 is provided with a transmission line connector terminal 103, and is connected to the transmission line by a connector.

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart of the processing in the above-mentioned game medium lending device 2.

When the power of the game medium lending device 2 is turned on, the RAM 94 is cleared, the I / O port is initialized, and the unit number from the unit number setting switch 96 and the ball rate from the ball rate setting switch 100 are read. . When the store opening command signal from the management device 4 is received, the code is stored, the presence or absence of supply balls is confirmed, and when a predetermined number or more of supply balls are accumulated, the pilot lamp 66 is turned on to accept the card. A message is displayed to the player, and the player waits for a card to be inserted.

When the player inserts the card 24 into the card insertion slot, the insertion detection sensor 80 detects the tip of the card 24 and sends a signal to the control device 75, and the control device 75 operates the carry motor 77 to cause the card 24 to move. The read / write head 82 reads the data in the information storage unit 27, the security read sensor 81 reads the security data in the security storage unit 28, and the security data in the information storage unit 27 and the security storage unit 28 match. When the balance of the card 24 is available, the amount of money is displayed on the amount display 68, and the process of the ball discharging device 73 is started. Here, if the security data does not match, or if there is no balance in the card 24, an alarm display 67 is displayed to give a warning to the player,
When the carrier motor 77 is operated to eject the card 24 and the player receives the card 24, the alarm display 67 is cleared, and the card returns to the card insertion waiting state.

When the purchase selection switch 69 is operated and there is a balance of the designated amount of money, the ball discharging operation is started. In the ball discharging operation, the number of balls to be discharged according to the designated amount of money is calculated by the ball rate, and when the ball discharging solenoid 89 is excited, the ball stopper 90 withdraws from the ball flow path in the trough, and the ball in the trough flows down. The ball discharge sensor 91 detects a passing ball and sends a signal to the control device 75. The control device 75 counts the signal from the ball ejection sensor 91, and when it counts that a predetermined number of balls have passed, demagnetizes the ball ejection solenoid 89 and stops the flow of the balls. Therefore, a certain number of spheres, eg 1
Twenty-five balls for 00 yen are discharged to the ball rental slot 70.

In this way, when the number of balls desired by the player is discharged to the ball lending slot 70, the calculation unit of the control device 75 discharges from the amount previously displayed on the amount display 68 to the ball lending slot 70. The amount of money corresponding to the sphere is subtracted, and the balance is visually displayed on the amount display 68. The balance may be calculated and calculated when the player operates the purchase selection switch 69. And
When the player operates the purchase switch 69 to borrow a desired number of balls within the range of the value of money of the card 24, the card reading / writing device 64 is added to the card 24 that has been inverted by the inversion signal of the inversion position detection sensor 84. The balance is stored in the read / write head 82, and the balance is marked by the marking device 83. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the marking by the marking device 83 is 70 when the value of the card is 10,000 yen and the balance is 5000 yen.
The balance display portion 26 of ¥ 00 or more is filled by printing.

When the process of the ball discharging device 73 is finished, the display of the amount display 68 is cleared, the data such as the unit number, the card number, the purchase amount, etc. are processed by the code and transmitted to the management device 4 as sales data. To do. After that, when the closing command signal is received from the management device 4, the pilot lamp 6
6 is turned off to indicate to the player that the card 24 will not be accepted, and the process in the game medium lending device 2 is ended. FIG.
An example of sales data managed by the management device 4 is shown in FIG.

In the game medium lending device 2, when the player operates the purchase selection switch 69, the game medium lending device 2
The machine number, the card number of the inserted card, and the purchase amount are transmitted to the management device 4. These data are stored in the management device 4 as files for each game medium lending device. This file for each game media lending device is composed of one day's worth of purchase time, card number, and purchase amount of purchase data for one time, and stores the total purchase amount as unit sales data. The management device 4 collects the files for each game medium lending device into a sales file of the game store, and stores the total of the sales data of the devices as total sales data.

That is, this game medium lending device 2
"On the condition that the valuable value information is stored in the card 24 which is a card-shaped storage medium, a predetermined number of balls which are game media are discharged based on a predetermined lending operation of the player, and when the game medium is discharged. The management device 4 additionally stores and stores the value-of-use information signal output from the game-media lending device 2 by functioning as "game medium discharge control means for subtracting the value-value information concerned and outputting a value-of-use value information signal". , And outputs the value-of-use-value information totaling signal based on the added storage value to the card supply institution for the purpose of making a monetary request for sales at a game store. What
In the above embodiment, the used value information collection
The management device 4 as a stage is provided in the game shop,
For example, while managing various equipment in the game store
A so-called hall computer that collects game information of gaming machines
To add the function of the means for collecting valuable value information to
May be.

Among the above-mentioned files, the store number and the total sales file are transmitted to the card issuing center 7 to request the settlement of accounts receivable.

In addition to the store number and the total sales file described above, the file to be sent to the card issuing center 7 also transmits the unit number and unit sales data for each game media lending device at the same time, or the entire sales file. You may send it. By doing so, the card issuing center 7 can grasp detailed sales data at each amusement store, and reliability is also improved.

Further, in order to prevent the sales data from being tampered with on the in-store transmission line 5 or on the telephone line, the sales data may be processed by rearranging the bits of the transmission data by encryption from the card issuing center 7. It is possible to prevent falsification of data in the game shop. It is even more effective if this code is changed daily.

The above embodiment uses a game medium lending device for lending a ball used in a pachinko machine as a game medium.
Although the game medium lending system has been described, the game medium is not limited to a ball, and a game coin or the like may be lent out.

[0073]

As described above, according to the game medium lending system in the game store according to the present invention, the card-shaped storage medium previously purchased from the card supply organization is sold to the player by the card-shaped storage medium selling means. The valuable value information of the card-shaped storage medium used by the game medium discharge control means for discharging the game medium is transmitted to the used valuable value information totaling means, and the used valuable value information totaling means is sent from each game medium discharge control means. Since the used-value-of-use information collecting means outputs the used-value-of-use value information totaling signal based on the added stored value obtained by additionally storing the used-use value-of-use information signal, it corresponds to this used value-of-use information totaling signal. If the sales amount is paid from the card supply organization to the game store, the balance of the issuance of the card-shaped storage medium at the game store and the rental of the game medium are provided. And the balance on is that the separate independent.

Therefore, as long as it is a card-shaped storage medium which stores valuable value information in a predetermined form supplied from the card supply organization, the same game medium can be obtained regardless of the card-shaped storage medium purchased at any game store. It can be used at all amusement stores that have adopted the lending system, and there is no need to re-purchase or pay for a card-shaped storage medium each time the amusement store changes, and it is convenient for the player. Can be greatly increased. In addition, the card-shaped storage medium sold by the card-shaped storage medium selling means,
Since the valuable information can be effectively used until all the valuable information is used up, it is not necessary to disable the card-shaped storage medium forcibly and it is possible to contribute to effective use of resources.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a game medium lending system.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram when the present invention is applied to a pachinko game store.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a card issuing machine.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the inside of the card issuing machine.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a card.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the inside of the card issuing device.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the inside of the card issuing device with a writing function.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a management device.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a management device.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a keyboard.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of processing in the management device.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a game medium lending device.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the inside of the card reading / writing device.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the ball discharging device.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a ball discharging device.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a control device of the ball lending device.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a process in the game medium lending device.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a sales file.

[Explanation of code] 1 pachinko machine 2 game media lending device 3 card issuing machine 4 management device 7 card issuing center 24 cards

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 6

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 6]

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 7

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 7]

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location // B42D 15/10 551 C

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A game medium lending system in a game store for lending a game medium to be used for a game through valuable value information stored in a card-shaped storage medium as an intermediary, wherein the game store is issued in advance by the card supply organization. A card-shaped storage medium selling means for purchasing a card-shaped storage medium in which valuable-value information of a predetermined predetermined mode is stored and selling the card-shaped storage medium in which the valuable-value information is stored based on the input of money; Based on the condition that the valuable information is stored in the card-shaped storage medium, a predetermined number of game media are ejected based on a predetermined lending operation of the player, and valuable information related to the ejection of the game media is displayed. The game medium discharge control means for subtracting and outputting the used valuable value information signal and the used valuable value information signal outputted from the above-mentioned game medium discharge control means are additionally stored and stored. A game medium in a game shop, comprising: a means for collecting useful value information based on a value, which outputs to the card supply institution for billing the sales of the game shop for the purpose of monetary billing. Lending system.