JPH1119317A - Device for exchanging game elements for articles - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for exchanging game elements for articles capable of perfectly preventing a fraudulent act to an information recording medium in which the number of game elements are recorded. SOLUTION: This device 10 for exchanging game elements for articles comprises a housing 12. Outside the housing 12, a counter 14 for counting the number of pachinko balls f1 is provided. The number of the pachinko balls f1 is displayed by an amount display 16. Inside the housing 12, a card issuing means is provided. An issued magnetic card is displayed by the card display to a player P1 . The magnetic card which was used out and from which magnetic information was eliminated is returned to the player from a card return hole 34.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game element exchange apparatus, and more particularly, to a game element such as a pachinko ball or a pachislot medal used for a game machine (pachinko machine) or an electric game machine (pachislot machine). The present invention relates to a game element exchange device for exchanging money or prizes at a rate of money.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 is an illustrative plan view showing an example of a game arcade as a background of the present invention as viewed from a plane. The pachinko parlor H is provided with a game machine Sima S1 and an electric game machine Sima S2. The player P1 carries a game element such as a pachinko ball or a pachislot medal obtained in a game in a box and carries it, and counts the number of pachinko balls and the number of pachislot medals (the number of game elements) by the counting device 1. The counting result is displayed on a display, coded and recorded on an information recording medium such as a perforated tape or a bar code card, and delivered to the player. The player carries the information recording medium to the exchange reception U, and hands the information recording medium to the clerk P2. The clerk P2 reads the information recorded on the information recording medium with the reading device 2. The reading device 2 displays, based on the read information, the number of prizes that can be exchanged at a predetermined rate and fractions that cannot be exchanged. Then, the clerk P2 hands over a gift such as a paperweight to the player P1.

[0003]

However, conventionally,
A player could freely carry an information recording medium such as a perforated tape or a bar code card, and was free to take it out of the store. For this reason, there is a possibility that the information recording medium is tampered with or falsified.

[0004] Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a game element exchange device that can completely prevent improper operation on an information recording medium on which the number of game elements is recorded.

[0005]

A game element exchange device according to the present invention exchanges game elements such as pachinko balls and pachislot medals on the basis of information recorded on an information recording medium with money items such as money and premiums. A game element exchange device for performing a game element exchange, wherein an information recording medium in which the number of game elements that can be exchanged for money is recorded is issued in the device and is not delivered to a player. Device. According to the present invention, an information recording medium in which the number of game elements that can be exchanged for money is recorded does not reach the player's hand. Therefore, it is possible to completely prevent fraudulent acts of falsifying or forging the information recording medium.

Further, the game element exchange device according to the present invention displays a counting means for counting the number of game elements such as pachinko balls and medals for pachislots, and displays the number of game elements counted by the counting means. Display means for recording, a medium issuing means for recording the counting result by the counting means on an information recording medium prepared in the apparatus in advance, and issuing the result in the apparatus, and an information recording medium issued by the medium issuing means. It is preferable to include a medium display means for displaying to a player, and a hardware delivery means for delivering hardware corresponding to the number of game elements recorded on the information recording medium to the player. In this case, the number of game elements is counted by the counting means, and the result is displayed by the display means, so that the player can visually check the number of game elements. The information recording medium is prepared in the apparatus in advance, and is issued in the apparatus by the medium issuing means. In the information recording medium, the number of game elements such as pachinko balls and pachislot medals that can be exchanged for money or premiums at a predetermined rate is recorded. Based on the information, the money is delivered to the player. The information recording medium is mainly used by the game provider for sales management and the like, and does not necessarily need to be delivered to the player as long as its existence or recorded information is clearly indicated to the player. Therefore, in this game element exchange device, the information recording medium is issued in the device, and the information recording medium on which the information that can be exchanged for money is recorded is not delivered to the player. Therefore, tampering or falsification of the information recording medium is completely prevented.

Further, the game element exchange device according to the present invention may include a medium returning means for erasing information recorded on the used information recording medium and returning the information to the player. In this case, in order to prevent unauthorized reuse of the information recording medium, the information recording medium is returned to the player after the recorded information is deleted. The used information recording medium in this case plays a role as a receipt. Further, in order to prevent fraud, it is more preferable to take measures for preventing reuse, such as recording used information or destroying the portion where information is recorded, when returning the information recording medium.

Further, the game element exchange device according to the present invention displays counting means for counting the number of game elements such as pachinko balls and medals for pachislots, and displays the number of game elements counted by the counting means. Display means for recording, a medium issuing means for recording the counting result by the counting means on an information recording medium prepared in the apparatus in advance, and issuing the result in the apparatus, and an information recording medium issued by the medium issuing means. Medium display means for displaying to the player, exchange information display means for displaying money items corresponding to the number of game elements recorded on the information recording medium, and a selection switch for selecting the type and quantity of a desired money item; A money delivery means for delivering the money finally selected by the selection switch to the player, and erasing the information recorded on the information recording medium and returning the information to the player It may include a fit of the medium returning means. In this case, the exchange information display means displays a money item corresponding to the number of game elements recorded on the information recording medium. The player selects a desired type and quantity of money using the selection switch while watching the display. Then, the money item selected by the selection switch and finally determined is delivered to the player by the money item delivery means. Then, the used information recording medium is returned by the medium returning means after the recorded information is erased in order to prevent unauthorized reuse.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view showing one example of a game element exchanging device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing one example of an internal device thereof. This game element exchange device 10
Is provided, for example, in the exchange reception U of the pachinko parlor H shown in FIG. First, the structure will be described. The game element exchange device 10 shown in FIG. A counter device 14 for counting the number of pachinko balls f1 as game elements is provided outside the housing 12.
As the counter device 14, a so-called jet counter conventionally used in pachinko parlors can be used. The number of pachinko balls f1 counted by the counter device 14 is displayed to the player and the clerk by the quantity display device 16. As the quantity display device 14, for example, L
Conventionally used devices such as a CD display, a CRT display, and an LED can be used.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a card issuing device 18 for issuing a magnetic card CA as an information recording medium is provided inside the housing 12. As the card issuing device 18, the same device as a prepaid card automatic issuing device conventionally used in a game arcade can be used. The card issuing device 18 uses the magnetic card C
A includes a feeding device 20 for stocking a plurality of A's and feeding them one by one at the time of issuance, and a magnetic head 22 for writing, for example, the counted number of pachinko balls f1 into the magnetic recording layer of the magnetic card CA. Only the clerk can supply the raw magnetic card CA to the feeding device 20. Magnetic card CA on which information is written by magnetic head 22
Is transferred toward a card display device 26 by a card transfer device 24 including a motor, a pulley, a belt and a roller.

The card display device 26 temporarily holds the transferred magnetic card CA at a predetermined position inside the housing 12 and displays it to a player outside the housing 12. . The card display device 26 includes a card holding device 28 for temporarily holding the transferred magnetic card CA inside the housing 12, and a transparent material such as a glass plate that penetrates the wall surface of the housing 12. And a card display unit 30 formed by fitting the body.

Further, downstream of the card display device 26,
A magnetic head 32 is provided for taking measures for preventing unauthorized use of the magnetic card. The magnetic head 32 is for erasing information recorded on a used magnetic card. At this time, a code for preventing unauthorized use may be written by the magnetic head 32. In this case, if the host manages the code, it is possible to electronically confirm that the magnetic card CA on which the card has been used has been used. Can be expected. Then, the used magnetic card CA is returned to the player from the card return port 34. The magnetic card CA may be collected in a card collection box provided inside the housing 12 without being returned to the player.

As shown in FIG. 2B, a cash dispensing device 36 is provided in the housing 12 for exchanging the number of pachinko balls for money at a predetermined rate and paying the money to a player. Can be The cash payout device 36 includes a bill payout device 38 and a coin payout device 40. A gift certificate or a shopping card may be paid out instead of cash. Further, inside the housing 12, there is provided a prize display device 42 for exchanging the number of pachinko balls at a predetermined rate for cigarettes, chocolate, and other prizes and delivering them to the player. As the cash dispensing device 36 and the premium display device 42, those conventionally used in a game arcade or a game center can be used. Also, as gifts, there are currently a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, stuffed animals, barbecue sets, and other various types of gifts provided at the game arcade.
If it can be prepared inside the prize, it is automatically delivered to the player from the prize display device 42. If it cannot be prepared inside the housing 12, after displaying on the premium display device 42,
It is handed over to the player from the clerk P2 at the game hall. Further, the player himself / herself may be able to shop based on the number of pachinko balls or the like obtained in the game.

FIG. 3 shows a game element exchange device 10 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical connection state of FIG. Next, this game element exchange device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The electrical connection status of 0 will be described. Each device described above is electrically connected to the control device 44. As the control device 44, a computer including a CPU, a memory, and the like is used. On the input side of the control device 44, a selection switch 46 for selecting what and how much to exchange pachinko balls and a decision switch 48 for finally deciding are connected. The output side of the control device 44 is connected to an exchange information display device 50 for displaying the type and amount of the money item selected by the selection switch 46. As the selection switch 46 and the decision switch 48, for example, a computer keyboard can be used, and as the exchange information display device 50, a computer display can be used.

FIG. 4 shows a game element exchange apparatus 10 shown in FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement situation of. Next, an operation state of the game element replacement device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. In step S1, the player P1 puts the pachinko balls in the box into the counter device 14. Then, the counter device 14 counts the number of pachinko balls. The number is determined in step S2.
It is displayed to the player P1 and the clerk P2 by the quantity display device 16. Then, the magnetic card CA as an information recording medium is issued by the card issuing device 18 inside the housing 12. Then, in step S4, the magnetic card CA is displayed for the player P1.

Next, in step S5, the type and number of money and prizes, such as money and prizes, at which the number of pachinko balls recorded on the magnetic card CA can be exchanged at a predetermined rate are displayed. Then, in step S6, the player P1 selects a desired money item while watching the display on the exchange information display device 50. This selection is made, for example, by orally ordering a desired money item from the clerk P2, and the clerk P2 operates the selection switch 46 accordingly. The result of the selection is displayed on the exchange information display device 50. The player P1 can instruct the store clerk P2 to make another selection or change the selection after seeing it. In some cases, the player P1 may be able to operate the selection switch 46 and the decision switch 48 by himself.

When the player P1 informs the clerk P2 that the selection of the desired money has been completed, the clerk P2 sets the decision switch 48.
Is operated to determine the selection, and the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, money is refunded to the player P1, and a prize is displayed or delivered. Then, in the next step S8, the information on the number of pachinko balls recorded on the magnetic card is erased, and in step S9, the magnetic card CA on which no magnetic information is recorded is returned to the player P1 as a receipt. You. In this case, on the surface of the magnetic card CA, for example, by thermal coloring printing,
History information such as the number of pachinko balls and what they have been exchanged for may be printed.

Even if a magnetic record is illegally written on the magnetic card CA returned to the player P1, the player P1 sets the magnetic card CA in the card issuing device 18 in the housing 12 in advance. Therefore, unless the clerk P2 acts fraudulently, fraud by the player P1 can be completely prevented. Alternatively, identification information unique to the magnetic card CA may be recorded and returned to the player P1. In this case, by managing the identification information unique to the card by a host computer or the like of the store, fraudulent acts can be more reliably prevented. Further, in order to reliably prevent fraud, a portion where information is written to the magnetic card CA, for example, a portion where a magnetic track is formed may be destroyed and returned to the player P1. In any case, the gaming element exchange device 10 according to the present invention is characterized in that an information recording medium in which the number of gaming elements that can be exchanged for money is recorded is not delivered to the player. In the game element exchange device 10 according to the present invention, since the information recording medium such as the magnetic card CA is interposed, the management of the information recording medium can be clarified by a third party. Is possible.

In the above description, the processing of pachinko balls has been described. However, when the pachislot medal f2 is used as a game element, the counter device 14 is replaced with a conventional pachislot medal counter device 15. Other than the above, processing can be performed in the same manner as described above.

In the game element exchange device 10, a magnetic card is used as an information recording medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a bar code card on which a bar code is thermally printed or information is punched in a predetermined pattern. Perforated tape may be used. Further, a card-shaped, disk-shaped or other information recording medium such as an IC card or an optical card in which information is recorded electronically may be used. Further, the information recording medium is not limited to using an information recording medium as one independent entity in terms of physical properties. For example, a card is virtually provided in a microcomputer and an actual card is distributed. Instead, the same operation and effect as described above may be obtained by processing only electronic information. In that case, an IC memory chip is used as the medium holding means, and the CPU may perform the electronic issuance of the medium and the writing or erasing of the information electronically. In this case,
Since the information recording medium cannot be delivered to the player P1, the production cost of a magnetic card or the like as the information recording medium can be reduced in addition to the effects obtained from the above-described embodiment. Further, since it is not necessary to prepare a magnetic head as the information writing means or the information erasing means, the cost can be reduced.

[0022]

According to the gaming element exchange apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to completely prevent an improper act on an information recording medium which records the number of gaming elements such as pachinko balls and pachislot medals. For this reason, sound management of the game arcade as public entertainment can be achieved, and the player can play the game with peace of mind.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a game element exchange device according to the present invention.

2 (A) is an illustrative view showing a state of transfer of a card inside a housing of the game element exchange device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing a cash payout device and a prize display device inside a housing of the gaming element exchange device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical connection state of a control device of the game element replacement device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation state of the gaming element exchange device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative plan view showing a game arcade as a background of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 gaming element exchange device 12 housing 14 counter device 16 quantity display device 18 card issuing device 20 payout device 22 magnetic head 24 card transfer device 26 card display device 28 card holding device 30 card display portion 32 magnetic head 34 card return port 36 Cash dispensing device 38 Bill dispensing device 40 Coin dispensing device 42 Premium display device 44 Control device 46 Selection switch 48 Decision switch 50 Exchange information display device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A game element exchange device for exchanging game elements such as pachinko balls and pachislot medals for money or prizes based on information recorded on an information recording medium. A game element exchange apparatus characterized in that an information recording medium in which the number of possible game elements is recorded is issued in the apparatus and is not delivered to a player. 2. A counting means for counting the number of game elements such as pachinko balls, pachislot medals, and the like; a display means for displaying the number of game elements counted by the counting means; Medium issuing means for recording the result of counting by the counting means on an information recording medium and issuing the information in the apparatus; and medium displaying means for displaying to a player the presence of the information recording medium issued by the medium issuing means. And a money delivery means for delivering money corresponding to the number of game elements recorded on the information recording medium to the player.
A game element exchange device according to claim 1. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a medium return means for erasing information recorded on the used information recording medium and returning the erased information to the player. Gaming element exchange device. 4. A counting means for counting the number of game elements such as pachinko balls and pachislot medals, a display means for displaying the number of game elements counted by said counting means, provided in the apparatus in advance. Medium issuing means for recording the counting result by the counting means on the information recording medium and issuing the information in the apparatus, medium displaying means for displaying to a player the presence of the information recording medium issued by the medium issuing means, Exchange information display means for displaying money corresponding to the number of game elements recorded on the information recording medium; a selection switch for selecting a type and quantity of a desired money; a money finally selected and selected by the selection switch And a medium return means for returning information to the player after erasing the information recorded on the information recording medium. The gaming element exchange device according to claim 1, comprising: