JPH10157U - Prepaid card processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] By providing a prepaid card issuance function, a reception function, and a data transmission function to an adjacent game machine, in addition to improving customer service, game machine exchange and card jam, etc. Eliminates the inconveniences associated with failures. A card slot 13, a money slot 17, and a card discharge port 16 are provided on the front of the machine, and a money processing unit and a card issuing unit are provided inside the machine. When money is inserted into the money insertion slot 17, issuance of a prepaid card or transmission of a predetermined value to the game machine is performed in accordance with the selection operation by the push button switches 45 and 46. When the prepaid card is inserted into the card slot 13, the value of the prepaid card is transmitted to the game machine.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a prepaid card processing device applied to a lending machine for renting medals used in slot machines and pachinko balls used in pachinko game machines, and in particular, the invention relates to a specific game machine. The present invention relates to a prepaid card processing device which is provided as a set independently from the game machine.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 For example, a slot machine is a game machine in which a game is started each time by inserting a medal into a medal slot. A certain number (for example, five) of such medals are lent for a certain amount (for example, 100 yen), and are usually lent by medal lending machines installed at various places in an amusement park. Therefore, the player first borrows medals at the medal lending machine, and then selects one of the machines to enjoy the game. In recent years, there has been proposed a type of medal lending machine that can use a prepaid card, and a player purchases one or more prepaid cards at a prize exchange, and transfers the prepaid card to the card of the medal lending machine. They are borrowed medals by putting them into the slots.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

 However, if the player runs out of prepaid cards, the player will need to visit the prize exchange each time to purchase prepaid cards. For this reason, the player has to go round-trip between the slot machine, the medal rental machine and the prize exchange, which is troublesome and lacks customer service.

In order to solve the above problem, a prepaid card issuing machine is arranged adjacent to a game machine, a prepaid card receiving and processing mechanism is provided in the game machine main body, and a predetermined game is played by inserting the prepaid card. There is an apparatus in which a medium is set in a game machine (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-168195). According to this configuration, the player does not need to stand in order to purchase a prepaid card, but also can play the game immediately after inserting the purchased prepaid card into the game machine. You will be free from it.

[0005] However, in recent playgrounds, game machines are frequently changed in model. Therefore, in the case of the above-mentioned configuration, it is necessary to provide a similar prepaid card processing mechanism in a newly installed game machine, and the It is troublesome and costly. In addition, when a replaced game machine is discarded or reused, information about the prepaid card may leak out of the game machine and be abused, and the management must be strengthened. Occurs. In addition, if a malfunction such as a card jam occurs during use, the use of the game machine itself becomes impossible, leading to a problem that operating profit is lost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problem. By providing a function of issuing a prepaid card, a function of receiving a prepaid card, and a function of transmitting data to an adjacent game machine, it is possible to improve customer service. It is another object of the present invention to provide a prepaid card processing device which eliminates inconveniences caused by a failure such as replacement of a game machine or card jam.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 According to the present invention, in a prepaid card processing device which is provided independently of the game machine in combination with a specific game machine adjacent thereto, a money inlet for receiving insertion of money and a money received at the money insertion port are provided. A money processing unit for determining the amount of money to be taken in, a card issuing unit for issuing a prepaid card, a switch for selecting between issuance of a prepaid card and data transmission, a card slot for receiving the insertion of a prepaid card, A card reader for reading the value of the prepaid card received at the card slot, and, when the insertion of the prepaid card is received at the card slot, the value read or the amount read by the card reader. Data transmission for transmitting data relating to the number of executable games according to the value to the game machine And when the input amount determined by the money processing unit satisfies a predetermined amount condition, the card issuing unit and the data transmission unit are operable, and the value of the prepaid card read by the card reader is set to a predetermined value. A control unit that enables the data transmission unit to operate when the value condition is satisfied, wherein the card issuing unit accepts insertion of money at the money insertion slot, and prepaid by the switch. When issuance of a card is selected, a prepaid card of a predetermined value is issued within the range of the amount of money determined by the money processing unit, and the data transmission unit accepts the insertion of money at the money slot. And when the data transmission is selected by the switch, the predetermined money value or the money value within the range of the money amount determined by the money processing unit. It is configured to transmit the data related to the game executable number of times in accordance with the Previous Symbol game machine.

In the invention according to claim 2, the card issuing unit issues a prepaid card corresponding to the remaining amount when the inserted amount determined by the money processing unit is larger than the amount value transmitted by the data transmitting unit. I am trying to do it.

[0009]

[Action]

 When a prepaid card is inserted into the card slot, the value of the prepaid card is read by the card reader, and when the value satisfies a predetermined value condition, the read value or the value corresponding to the value is read. Data relating to the number of times the game can be executed is transmitted to the game machine. When money is inserted into the money slot, the money processing unit takes in the inserted money to determine the amount of money to be inserted, and when the amount of money satisfies a predetermined amount condition, according to the selection by the switch, Either a prepaid card of a predetermined value within the range of the input amount is issued, or data relating to the predetermined amount value within the range of the input amount or the number of times the game can be executed according to the predetermined value is transmitted to the game machine.

[0010] In the prepaid card processing device according to claim 2, if the inserted amount determined by the money processing unit is larger than the amount value transmitted by the data transmitting unit, the card issuing unit deletes the prepaid card corresponding to the remaining amount. Issue.

[0011]

【Example】

 FIG. 1 shows a situation in which a medal lending machine 2 and a slot machine 3 in which the present invention is implemented are alternately arranged on a setting table 1 of a playground. Each slot machine 3 has three reels 4a, 4b, 4c, and a symbol display section 5, a medal loan number display 6, a medal slot 7, a start lever 8, and three stop button switches on the front of the machine. 9, a game button switch 10, a settlement button switch 11, a medal receiving tray 12, and the like are provided.

The symbol display section 5 is a section for displaying symbols provided on the peripheral surface of each of the reels 4a, 4b, 4c along a predetermined stop line and displaying the symbols. The rotation status of the reels 4a, 4b, and 4c can be seen through, and when the reels are stopped, symbols for three frames on the peripheral surface of each reel can be confirmed.

The start lever 8 is for starting three reels at once, and the three stop button switches 9 are for stopping corresponding reels individually. The medal slot 7 is a part for receiving medals, and the medal tray 12 is a part for receiving medals at the time of settlement or the like.

In this embodiment, prior to the start of the game, an arbitrary number of medals on hand are inserted into the machine in advance, or medals are loaned to the machine by transferring medal number data from the medal lending machine 2. In addition, a method of executing the game by consuming a loan medal by pressing the game button switch 10 in each game (referred to as a “credit method”) is adopted. Therefore, the game button switch 10 is pressed a number of times corresponding to the number of consumed medals when executing the game.

The medal loaned number display 6 displays the number of medals lent to the machine, and the settlement button switch 11 adjusts the lent medals and discharges the medals to the medal tray 12.

FIG. 2 shows the external appearance of the medal lending machine 2. On the front of the medal lending machine 2, a card slot 13, a balance display 14, a push button switch 15 for a transmission command, a card slot 16, and a bill insertion. A mouth 17, a deposit amount display 44, a push button switch 45 for issuing a card, a push button switch 46 for a transfer command, and the like are provided.

The card slot 13 is a portion for accepting the insertion of a prepaid card, and a card processing unit (not shown) is provided inside a machine corresponding to the card slot 13. The card processing unit includes a card transport mechanism for loading and unloading the inserted prepaid card, a card reader 18 (shown in FIG. 5) for reading the amount of money encoded on the prepaid card, and the like.

The balance indicator 14 displays the remaining value (balance) obtained by subtracting the consumed value from the value at the time of insertion of the prepaid card. The transmission command push button switch 15 is for instructing transmission of data of the number of medals (for example, 50) corresponding to a certain amount of money to a specific (for example, left adjacent) slot machine 3. The transmission data may be money data. In this case, the entire money is converted into the number of medals on the slot machine 3 side.

The bill insertion slot 17 is a portion for receiving bill insertion, and the card ejection slot 16 is a portion for ejecting the issued prepaid card. The deposit amount display 44 displays the deposit amount at each point in time. A push button switch 45 for issuing a card is used to select issuance of a prepaid card, and a push button switch 46 for issuing a transfer command is used to transfer medal count data equivalent to 1000 yen without issuing a prepaid card. It is for doing.

In this embodiment, a 1000-yen bill, a 5000-yen bill, and a 1,000,000-yen bill are accepted at the currency slot 17 and the number of medals corresponding to 1000 yen is issued without issuing a prepaid card in accordance with a selection operation by a push button switch. It is possible to transfer data or issue a prepaid card with a value equivalent to the deposit amount. A money processing unit 19 illustrated in FIG. 4 is provided inside the machine corresponding to the money insertion slot 17, and a card issuing unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 3 is provided inside the machine corresponding to the card outlet 16. Is provided.

The card issuing unit 20 shown in FIG. 3 includes a box-shaped case 21 and a card feeding mechanism 22 provided at an opening on the lower surface of the case 21. A large number of prepaid cards 23 are accommodated in the case 21 in a stacked state, and a weight plate 24 having an appropriate weight for biasing the card downward is provided on the stacked body. The card feeding mechanism 22 has a belt 27 mounted between a pair of rollers 25 and 26, and a motor (not shown) is connected to one of the rollers. The laminate of the prepaid cards is supported on a belt 27. When the belt 27 is run in the direction of the arrow, the lowermost prepaid card is fed out in the direction of the card discharge port 16. A card transport mechanism 47 communicating with the card discharge port 16 is provided in the card feeding direction, and a write head 48 for encoding a value corresponding to a deposit amount is provided along the card transport path. .

The money processing unit 19 shown in FIG. 4 has a bill transport mechanism 28, and the bill transport mechanism 28 has a belt 31 mounted between a pair of rollers 29, 30, and one of the rollers is not shown. The drive motor is connected. A plurality of guide rollers 32, a bill discriminator 33 for discriminating 1000-yen bills, a first photoelectric sensor 34 for detecting insertion of bills into the bill insertion slot 17, and a bill discriminator along the bill conveyance path. A second photoelectric sensor 35 for detecting the arrival of a bill at 33 is provided, and a bill storage space 36 is provided at the end of the bill transport path, that is, at a position below the belt 31. In the drawing, reference numeral 37 denotes a door. By opening the door 37, the bills stored in the bill storage space 36 can be taken out.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a circuit configuration of the medal lending machine 2. A control unit composed of a microcomputer includes a CPU 38, which is a main body of control and calculation, a ROM 39 storing programs, and a work area. RAM 40. The CPU 38 is provided with a sensor group 42 such as a photoelectric sensor via an I / O port 41, a push button switch 15 for sending commands, a balance indicator 14, a transmitting unit 43, a push button switch 45 for issuing cards, and a push button for transfer commands. The switch 46, the card reader 18, the bill validator 33, the card feeding mechanism 22, the bill transport mechanism 28, the deposit amount display 44, the card transport mechanism 47, the write head 47, and the like are connected.

When the value of the prepaid card inserted from the card slot 13 is 1000 yen or more, or when the banknote inserted from the money slot 17 is 1000 yen or more, Under the control of the CPU 38, in response to the pressing operation of the push button switch 15 for transmission command, the number of tokens data corresponding to 1000 yen is transmitted to the control circuit of the slot machine 3 on the left.

FIG. 6 shows a control procedure of the medal lending machine 2 by the CPU 38 in the above embodiment. In step 1 (indicated by "ST1" in the figure), the CPU 38 determines whether or not the prepaid card has been inserted into the card slot 13. If the determination is "YES", the next step is performed. In step 2, a card transport mechanism (not shown) is driven to take in the prepaid card, and the card reader 18 determines the value of the card.

If the value of the money is 1000 yen or more, the judgment of “is there a balance?” In step 3 becomes “YES”, and the CPU 38 stores the money in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 40 and displays the balance. The balance is displayed on the container 14. If the determination in step 3 is "NO", the process proceeds to step 5, where the prepaid card is returned to the card slot 13.

In step 6, it is determined whether or not the push button switch 15 for transmission command has been pressed. If the determination is “YES”, the medal number data corresponding to 1000 yen is transmitted to the transmission area of the RAM 40. And the write data is transmitted from the transmission section 43 to the control circuit section of the slot machine 3 on the left (step 7). In the next step 8, the CPU 38 subtracts 1000 yen from the balance of the prepaid card to calculate a new value (balance) and stores it in the RAM 40. If the balance is 1000 yen or more, the determination in the next step 9 is “YES”, the flow returns to step 4 to change the display content of the balance display 14, and waits for the push-button switch 15 for the transmission command to be pressed. To

Next, when a bill is inserted into the money insertion slot 17 without inserting a prepaid card, the determination in step 1 is “NO”, the determination in step 10 is “YES”, and the CPU 38 proceeds to the next step 11 Then, the banknote transport mechanism 28 is driven to take in the banknote, and the banknote discriminator 28 determines the authenticity or denomination of the banknote.

If the inserted bill is one of a 1,000-yen bill, a 5,000-yen bill, and a 10,000-yen bill, the determination in step 12 is “YES”, and the CPU 38 causes the deposit amount indicator 44 to display the amount. If the determination in step 12 is “NO”, the inserted bill is returned to the money slot 17. (Step 14).

In the next step 15, it is determined whether or not the push button switch 45 for issuing a card has been pressed, and in step 18, whether or not the push button switch 46 for transferring commands has been pressed. If "NO" and step 18 is "YES", the CPU 38 transfers medal number data equivalent to 1000 yen to the transmission area of the RAM 40 in step 19, and deducts 1000 yen from the amount of the inserted bill in the next step 20. To calculate a new deposit amount and store the value in a predetermined area of the RAM 20.

In the next step 21, it is determined whether or not the transmission instruction push button switch 15 has been pressed. If the determination is “YES”, the CPU 38 transmits the medal number data corresponding to 1000 yen to the transmission unit. 43 to the control circuit of the specific slot machine 3 (step 22). If there is a deposit amount, the next step 23 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step 13, where the CPU 38 displays the deposit amount on the deposit amount display 44 and waits for the next push button operation.

Next, when the card issuing push button switch 45 is pressed, the step 15 becomes “YES”, and the CPU 38 drives the card feeding mechanism 22 of the card issuing unit 20, and the writing head 48 corresponds to the deposit amount. Then, a prepaid card is issued and released to the card discharge port 16 (step 16). In this case, the determination of “Is there a deposit?” In the next step 17 is “NO”.

If the push button switch 45 for issuing a card is pressed immediately after a bill is inserted, the process proceeds from step 15 to step 16. In this embodiment, the CPU 38 causes the card issuing unit 20 to issue a prepaid card of 1,000 yen. If the deposit remains, the process returns from step 17 to step 13. If the push button switch 45 for card issuance is continuously pressed at this stage, the CPU 38 drives the write head 48 to correspond to the deposit amount. A prepaid card to be issued is issued (step 16).

[0034]

[Effect of the invention]

 As described above, in this invention, a prepaid card processing device is arranged independently of the game machine in combination with a specific game machine, and the prepaid card is issued by the prepaid card processing device, and the issued prepaid card is issued. By accepting cards and sending data on the value of the cards or the number of times the game can be executed according to the value to the game machine, the player does not need to take a seat to purchase or use prepaid cards, and customer service Can be improved. In addition, since the purchase and use of prepaid cards are performed on a device independent of the game machine, even if the game machine is replaced, it is only necessary to connect the signal line for transmitting data, and it is possible to change the model of the game machine. The associated costs can be reduced, and the leakage of information on prepaid cards can be avoided. Furthermore, even if the prepaid card processing device breaks down, the game machine can be used, so that the operating revenue can be maintained.

In addition, according to the invention of claim 1, at the time of inserting money, instead of issuing a card by selecting operation with a switch, the money value within the range of the inserted amount or the number of times the game can be executed according to the value is executed. Since it is possible to transmit related data to the game machine, it is not necessary to insert the issued prepaid card into the card slot to start the game, which can simplify the player's trouble. The game progresses faster.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, when the input amount is larger than the amount value transmitted by the data transmitting unit, a prepaid card corresponding to the remaining amount is issued, so that the change is paid out. This eliminates the need to incorporate a prepaid card processing device, which can prevent the structure of the prepaid card processing device from becoming complicated, and can also increase the operating profit of the playground.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an arrangement state of a medal lending machine in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of a medal lending machine in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a card issuing unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a money processing unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a medal lending machine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Medal lending machine 13 Card slot 15 Push button switch for sending command 16 Card outlet 17 Money slot 19 Money processing unit 20 Card issuing unit 23 Prepaid card 38 CPU 45 Push button switch for card issuing 46 Push button switch for transfer command

Claims (2)

[Utility model registration claims] 1. A prepaid card processing device which is arranged independently of said game machine in combination with a specific game machine adjacent thereto, a money insertion slot for accepting insertion of money, and a money accepted by said money insertion slot. , A money processing unit for determining the amount of money to be inserted, a card issuing unit for issuing a prepaid card, a switch for selecting between issuing a prepaid card and transmitting data, a card slot for receiving the insertion of a prepaid card, A card reader that reads the value of the prepaid card received at the card slot, and when the insertion of the prepaid card is received at the card slot, the value of the money read by the card reader or the value of the money Data transmission for transmitting data related to the number of times the game can be executed to the game machine When the input amount determined by the money processing unit satisfies a predetermined amount condition, the card issuing unit and the data transmission unit are operable, and the value of the prepaid card read by the card reader is a predetermined value. And a control unit that enables the data transmission unit when the condition is satisfied. When, the money processing unit issues a prepaid card of a predetermined value within the range of the amount of money determined by the money processing unit, the data transmission unit, the money insertion is accepted at the money slot, and by the switch When the data transmission is selected, a predetermined monetary value or a game corresponding to the monetary value within the range of the input amount determined by the money processing unit. A prepaid card processing device configured to transmit data relating to the number of times the game can be executed to the game machine. 2. The card issuing unit issues a prepaid card corresponding to the remaining amount when the input amount determined by the money processing unit is larger than the amount value transmitted by the data transmitting unit. 2. The prepaid card processing device according to 1.