JPH09140922A - Game medium-lending device and prepaid card control system using the device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent simply and completely an illegal act using a forged card from being generated. SOLUTION: A plurality of medal lending devices 1, a ticket publishing device 2, an exact calculation process device 3 and a controller 4 are interconnected through a communication circuit L1. The respective medal lending devices 1 and the ticket publishing device 2 register the record information of a prepaid card published by their own devices in the RAM of respective control parts. The respective medal lending devices 1, upon receiving a card published by other device, transmit the information read from the card to the original card publishing device where the transmitted read-out information is collated with the registered information. The result of the collation is returned to the medal lending device 1 of the read-out information transmitting source. When the card is a right one, the medal lending process for a slot machine 5 is carried out.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention issues a prepaid card having a monetary value, accepts the inserted prepaid card, and pays out a number of game media corresponding to the monetary value to a game machine. Also, the present invention relates to a prepaid card management system using the play medium lending device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of prepaid cards,
At playgrounds such as pachinko halls, play media such as pachinko balls and medals are lent out using prepaid cards. These amusement centers are provided with a ticket issuing device for issuing a prepaid card recorded in information such as a monetary value and a play medium lending device for accepting the prepaid card and lending a play medium to a game machine,
It is freely available to customers.

The above ticket issuing devices and game media lending devices are
Information is transmitted wirelessly or by wire to a control device provided at an appropriate place in the playground via a plurality of repeaters.
The ticket issuing device transmits information on the sales amount of the card, and the game medium lending device transmits information on the value of the money deducted from the accepted card. The control device centrally manages the sales status of prepaid cards and the rental status of the game media in the entire playground by using the result of processing the information received from each ticket issuing device and the game media lending device.

The control device is further connected to the center device of the card company that sells the prepaid card, and transmits information relating to the value of money deducted by each game media lending device to the center device as appropriate.

In the center device of the card company, the amount of use of the prepaid card within a predetermined period such as a month is totaled for each amusement park using the information sent from each amusement park, and the payment is made according to the totaled result. Perform processing. Note that the writing information of the prepaid card is set in a common format by the card companies, and can be used at any playground where the system is installed. Also, the issued prepaid card can be used at any time as long as the value of money remains.

[0006]

In the above system,
Since the prepaid card has high versatility, it is highly likely that the card will be forged, but it is easy to incorporate a forged card identification function into the system and set it so that the card data cannot be illegally rewritten. Instead, the problem is that it is very difficult to prevent fraud.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. The game medium lending device has a prepaid card issuing function, and the recorded information of the prepaid card issued by the device itself is stored in the game medium lending device. By registering and checking the suitability of the prepaid card in the device,
A technical issue is to prevent fraud using a forged card easily and completely.

Further, in the present invention, in the prepaid card management system in which a plurality of the above-mentioned play medium lending devices are mutually connected through a communication line, each play medium lending device comprises:
By configuring to check the suitability of each prepaid card inserted by the matching process in the device itself or by communicating with another game medium lending device, a failure caused by the concentration of the matching process in a part of the system can be prevented. Avoid the occurrence,
A second technical object is to provide a prepaid card management system having a simple structure and a low cost.

[0009]

The invention according to claim 1 issues a prepaid card having a monetary value, accepts the inserted prepaid card, and lends a game medium corresponding to the monetary value to a game machine. A storage device that is a lending device, and stores recording information including the value of money of a prepaid card issued by the device itself as registration information of the prepaid card, and recording information read from the inserted prepaid card. And a control means for lending a game medium to a game machine by rewriting the value of money of the prepaid card and the registration information in the storage means based on the result of the collation by the collating means. Is.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the game medium lending device, in addition to the above configuration, an accommodation section for accommodating one prepaid card having a monetary value and an amount of the prepaid card rewritten by the control means. And a collecting means for collecting the prepaid card into the accommodating portion when the value of the prepaid card is judged to be zero by the judging means. It was done.

According to the third to fifth aspects of the present invention, a plurality of play medium lending, which issues a prepaid card having a monetary value and accepts the inserted prepaid card and lends a play medium corresponding to the monetary value to a game machine, The present invention relates to a system in which devices are connected to each other via a communication line.
Each of the above-mentioned play media lending devices stores a transmission / reception unit for exchanging information with other play media lending devices, and record information including the amount value of the prepaid card issued by the device itself as registration information of this prepaid card. Storage means,
And a control means for processing the inserted prepaid card to lend the game medium to the game machine, and for collating the prepaid card issued by the own device, which is inserted in another game medium lending device. .

When the prepaid card is inserted, the control means reads the recorded information of the prepaid card to determine the game medium lending device as the issuer of this prepaid card, and the issuer of this prepaid card is its own device. When it is determined that there is, the read record information is collated with the registration information in the storage means, and then the value of money of the card and the registration information in the storage means are rewritten based on the collation result so as to store the game medium for the game machine. Rent out.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the issuer of the prepaid card is another game medium lending device, the read record information is transmitted to the game medium lending device determined to be the card issuer through the transmitting / receiving unit. , Lending the play medium to the game machine by rewriting the monetary value of the card based on the verification result returned from the play medium lending device, and providing information relating to the rewriting process of the monetary value to the issuer of the prepaid card. Send to the play media lending device.
Further, when the transmitting / receiving unit receives the record information of the prepaid card issued by the own device from any of the other play medium lending devices, the control unit compares the record information with the stored information of the storage unit. When the collation result is returned to the play medium lending device that is the transmission source of the record information, and the information relating to the rewriting process of the amount of the prepaid card is received from the play medium lending device that is the collation result return destination by the transmission / reception unit, The registered information in the storage means is rewritten using the information.

In the invention of claim 4, each of the play medium lending devices is connected to each other through one bidirectional communication line, and each of the play medium lending devices is connected to any other play medium. Transmission lending means is provided for delaying the information transmission from the transmission / reception unit until the individually set time elapses from the latest information transmission by the lending device.

According to the invention of claim 5, the communication line includes:
A control device for exchanging information with each play medium lending device is connected, and each play medium lending device sends to the control device the registration information of the prepaid card stored in the storage means using the transmitting / receiving unit. When the registration information transmitting means for transmitting at a predetermined timing and the recording information of the prepaid card issued by another game medium lending device cannot receive the collation result from the game medium lending device of the card issuer. And a transmission control means for changing the transmission destination of the recording information to the control device. When the control device receives the record information of the card issued by the other play medium lending device from any of the play medium lending devices, the control device collates the record information with the registration information of the corresponding card and records the collation result. The information is returned to the game media lending device that is the sender of the information.

[0015]

According to the invention of claim 1, when the prepaid card is inserted into the game medium lending device, the record information read for the prepaid card is collated with the registration information in the storage means. The rewriting of the monetary value and registration information and the lending of the game media are performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the value of the repaid prepaid card becomes zero, the prepaid card is collected in the internal accommodation section and reused when the next card is issued.

According to the invention of claim 3, when the prepaid card issued by a certain game media lending device in the system is continuously inserted into the same device, the same as in the invention of claim 1,
Collation is performed inside the device, the monetary value of the prepaid card and the registration information are rewritten according to the collation result, and the play medium is lent. On the other hand, when a prepaid card issued by a certain game media lending device is inserted into another game media lending device, the record information of the prepaid card is transmitted from the game media lending device into which the card has been inserted to the device issuing the card, After the collation process is performed in the issuing source device, the collation result is returned to the game medium lending device that is the transmission source of the record information. This game media lending device
Based on the returned collation result, the rewriting of the monetary value and the lending of the game medium are executed, and at the same time, the information relating to the rewritten monetary value is transmitted to the game medium lending device of the card issuer. Upon receipt of this transmission, the game medium lending device of the card issuer rewrites the registration information in the storage means.

In the invention of claim 4, each of the play medium lending devices delays transmission of information from the latest information transmission time by any of the other play medium lending devices until a predetermined time corresponding to each device elapses. To do.

According to the invention of claim 5, a control device is connected to the communication line, and the registration information of the prepaid card issued by each game medium lending device is transmitted to the control device. Also, each play medium lending device, when a prepaid card issued by another play medium lending device is inserted, transmits the record information to the device that issued this card, but the verification result for this transmission must be returned. For example, the transmission destination of the record information is returned to the control device. The control device compares the transmitted record information with the registration information of the corresponding card, and returns the result to the game medium lending device that is the transmission source.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A medal lending device for lending medals to a slot machine will be given as an example of the play medium lending device of the present invention, and the configuration thereof will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Further, as a prepaid card management system according to the present invention, a plurality of medal lending devices,
An example is a system (shown in FIG. 1) in which a ticket issuing device, a settlement processing device, and a control device are connected to each other via a communication line L1.

[0021]

1 is a block diagram of a prepaid card management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This prepaid card management system includes a plurality of medal lending devices 1, a ticket issuing device 2, and a settlement processing device 3 arranged in a specific playground.
Is electrically connected to the control device 4 by a bidirectional communication line L1, and the control device 4 is further connected to the center device 6 of the card company via a communication line L2 such as a public line.

Each medal lending device 1 is provided adjacent to a slot machine 5, and each slot machine 5 and the medal lending device 1 are electrically connected by a cord wire 7. Each medal lending device 1 has a function of issuing a prepaid card, and when a bill is inserted, a magnetic card (hereinafter simply referred to as “card”) stored in a storage unit inside the machine is carried out, and a card number is given to this card. Write in information such as the value of money and the amount of money, and carry it out to the card door 22 on the front of the machine.

This medal lending device 1 is capable of accepting a prepaid card issued by its own device or another medal lending device 1 or a ticket issuing device 2, and the card is held from a prepaid card inserted from a card slot 22. The record information (hereinafter referred to as “card information”) including the value of money to be read is read and the matching process described later is performed. As a result, when the inserted card is a proper prepaid card, the control unit of the medal lending device 1 sets the value of money deducted from the prepaid card (hereinafter referred to as “deduction amount data”) to a predetermined frequency. Convert.

Each slot machine 5 is provided with three reels (not shown) on the peripheral surface of which a plurality of symbols are respectively displayed, and on the front surface thereof, a starting lever 9 and a stop button switch 10 for each reel. A medal lending switch 11, a frequency indicator 12, a medal number indicator 13 and the like are provided, and a control circuit section 14 for electrically controlling the respective components mainly composed of a CPU is incorporated in the machine.

The frequency display device 12 is electrically connected to the medal lending device 1 and displays the frequency data when the medal lending device 1 performs a frequency conversion process on the deduction amount data. When the player presses the medal lending switch 11 at this time, the control circuit unit 14 sends a control signal (hereinafter, "medal lending signal") to the control unit on the medal lending device 1 side.
Is output.

The ticket issuing device 2 is a dedicated prepaid card issuing machine, and issues a prepaid card of the same type as the issuing card of the medal lending device 1 by inserting a bill into the machine body.

The prepaid card used in the above system is set so that it is valid only on the day of issuance at this playground, and the card information is stored in the medal lending device 1 and the ticket issuing device 2 of the issuing source. It is transmitted to the control device 4 via the communication line L1. After reading the card information of the inserted prepaid card, each medal lending device 1 determines the propriety of the card by collating the card information with the internal stored information if the prepaid card issued by the device itself, The deduction amount data described above is generated.

When the medal lending signal is input in response to the pushing operation of the medal lending switch 11 in the adjacent slot machine 5, the control unit of the medal lending device 1 uses the deduction amount data to write the card. The stored card information and internal money amount information are rewritten. When this rewriting process ends, the control unit transmits a control signal indicating the end of the process to the circuit control unit 14 of the slot machine 5. In response to this control signal, the control circuit unit 14 sets the machine to a state in which medals corresponding to the frequency data have been inserted, and waits for the start of the game.

On the other hand, when a prepaid card issued by another medal lending device 1 or a ticket issuing device 2 is inserted, the medal lending device 1 reads the card information read from the prepaid card via the communication line L1. Send to the device that issued the card. In the device that receives this transmission, the transmitted card information is collated with the internal storage information,
The collation result is returned to the medal lending device 1 which is the data transmission source.

When the medal lending device 1 recognizes that the card information of the received prepaid card is proper by returning the collation result, the medal lending device 1 issues a card issued by the device itself to the prepaid card. Similarly to the above, the deduction amount data is generated. Further, when the medal lending switch 11 is pressed in the adjacent slot machine 5, the medal lending device 1 issues rewriting information including the above-mentioned deduction amount data (details will be described later) to the card via the communication line L1. Send to the original device. In the card issuing device, the stored information is rewritten based on the received rewriting information, and when the rewriting process is normally performed, a response sentence described later is returned to the medal lending device 1 of the transmission source. The medal lending device 1 of the transmission source performs the rewriting process of the monetary value of the prepaid card received upon receiving this response sentence, and then, similarly to the above, sends the control signal indicating the end of the process to the control circuit unit 14 of the slot machine 5. To transmit.

It is not always necessary to use the medal lending device 1 of the type that is electrically connected to the slot machine 5, and it is also possible to use a device that lends out an actual medal in response to the insertion of a prepaid card.

The settlement processing device 3 is for not only receiving the prepaid card with the remaining monetary value and performing the settlement process, but also for confirming the monetary value of the prepaid card, and the card information from the inserted prepaid card. After reading, the card information and rewriting information for settlement processing are transmitted to the card issuing device.

The control device 4 appropriately receives the card information of the card newly issued from each medal lending device 1 and the ticket issuing device 2, and also receives and processes the data such as the number of used cards and the settlement amount of money in each device. Then, the processing result is output to the monitor 15 or the like. The processing result is appropriately transmitted to the center device 6 of the card company via the line L2,
It is used for management such as settlement processing.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show the medal lending device 1
The front upper door 16 has an indicator lamp 1
9 and the money accepting port 20, the operation switch 21 on the inner door 17
And the card door 22 and the display 23 on the lower door 18,
Each is provided. Upper door 16, middle door 17, lower door 1
8 can be opened and closed, and locks 24 and 25 for locking are provided on the upper door 16 and the lower door 18, respectively.

The display lamp 19 is for notifying the operating state of the machine body, is normally off, and blinks or lights up when an abnormality occurs in the machine body. The money receiving opening 20 is a portion for receiving a bill (a thousand-yen bill in this case) corresponding to the issued amount of the prepaid card, and inside the bill receiving opening 20, for receiving the accepted bill inside. A bill take-in mechanism 49 (shown in FIG. 8) and a bill discriminator 48 (shown in FIG. 8) for discriminating whether the bill is true or false and whether it is a denomination determined.
And a banknote processing unit 26 including a safe (not shown) for stocking the banknotes taken in.

The card slot 22 issues a prepaid card in response to the insertion of a bill into the bill receiving slot 20, and is issued by the issued prepaid card or another medal lending device 1 or the ticket issuing device 2. It is a part for receiving a prepaid card. Inside the card entrance / exit 22, a transport mechanism 31, 39 for carrying in / out the prepaid card, a magnetic head 32 for reading / writing ticket issuing information, and a value of money. A card processing unit 2 including a card housing portion 38 (all shown in FIGS. 3 to 7) for housing a card in which zero is zero.
7 are provided.

The operation switch 21 is used for the card entrance / exit 2.
It is used when the card issued from No. 2 is immediately inserted into the inside, and the card issued from the card slot 22 is automatically taken into the card processing unit 27 by pushing the operation switch 21. .

The display unit 23 normally displays information such as the amount of bills inserted into the bill accepting slot 20 and the total sales of cards in this device, and the result of matching the inserted cards is incorrect. In some cases, a predetermined error message is displayed. A power supply unit (not shown) for supplying power to each of the above units is housed in the bottom of the medal lending device 1.

3 to 7 show the card processing unit 2
7 shows the internal mechanism of 7. On the front surface of the card processing unit 27, a card carry-in / out port 29 continuous with the card entrance / exit 20 is formed, and inside thereof, a carrying path 30 corresponding to the width and thickness of the card is formed along the depth. There is.
The first card transport mechanism 3 is provided in front of the transport path 30.
1 is provided, and a magnetic head 32 for reading and writing the ticket issuing information is provided behind it.

The card transfer mechanism 31 includes two pairs of front and rear feed rollers 34, 34, 35, 35 and transmission belts 36, 3.
6, a motor 37, etc. The rotation of the motor is given to the rear feed rollers 35, 35, and then transmitted to the front feed rollers 34, 34 via the transmission belts 36, 36.

A first photoelectric sensor PH1 is provided between the card carrying mechanism 31 and the card carry-in / out port 29, and a second photoelectric sensor PH2 is provided behind the first feed roller 34 of the card carrying mechanism 31. Each is deployed. Further, behind the magnetic head 32, there are third and fourth photoelectric sensors PH.
3, PH4 are arranged at a predetermined interval.

A surplus portion 38 corresponding to the length of the card is provided behind the photoelectric sensor PH4 on the conveying path 30. The surplus portion 38 functions as a card storage portion for storing a card whose monetary value has become zero due to the rewriting process, and a second card transport mechanism 39 is provided in the front portion thereof. This card transport mechanism 39
Is for loading and unloading the card into and from the card storage portion 38, and is composed of a pair of feed rollers 40, 40, a motor 41, a worm wheel, a transmission mechanism 42 including a worm gear, and the like. A fifth photoelectric sensor P for confirming the accommodation of the card is provided at the rear of the card accommodation section 38.
H5 is deployed.

When a bill (thousand-yen bill) is inserted from the bill receiving port 19 in a state where the card (shown by a chain line in the drawing) is accommodated in the card accommodating portion 38 (see FIG. 3), a control unit described later. The CPU 43 of the forty-sixth card 46 is provided
The motors 37 and 41 of 9 are driven to rotate forward. As a result, the rotational movement of the motor 41 is given to the feed rollers 40, 40 via the transmission mechanism 42, and the card storage portion 38
The card inside is carried forward.

The interval between the third and fourth photoelectric sensors PH3 and PH4 is set according to the length of the information storage area of the card, and the CPU 43 confirms that the photoelectric sensors PH4 and PH3 are turned on in this order. After the confirmation, when the photoelectric sensor PH4 is turned off, writing of information by the magnetic head 32 is started (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The magnetic head 32
The writing of information by means of is finished when the photoelectric sensor PH3 is turned off.

At the time when the second photoelectric sensor PH2 is switched from on to off (shown in FIG. 6), the CPU 43 stops the motors 37 and 41 of the card transport mechanisms 31 and 39, respectively. At this time, the first photoelectric sensor PH1 is in the on state, and when the photoelectric sensor PH1 is switched off, the CPU 43 recognizes that the card is pulled out from the card slot 22.

When the photoelectric sensor PH1 remains ON and an electric signal is obtained by pressing the operation switch 21, CP
U43 drives the motor 37 of the card transport mechanism 31 to rotate it in the reverse direction and transports the card backward. Thereafter, when the photoelectric sensors PH2 and PH3 are sequentially turned on, the CPU 4
3 starts reading the card information, and further rewrites the card information based on the medal lending process to the adjacent slot machine 5. Further, when the value of the money held by the card becomes zero by this processing, the CPU 43 reversely rotates the motor 41 of the second card transport mechanism 39 to store the card in the card storage portion 38, and the value of the money is stored in the card. If the card remains, the first card transport mechanism 31
The motor 37 is rotated forward to load the card in / out port 2
Carry out to 9.

When a card issued by another medal lending device 1 or a ticket selling device 2 is inserted, the card transport mechanism 31 is activated in response to the turning on of the first photoelectric sensor PH1. , The card is taken inside. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, when the card is accommodated in the card accommodation section 38, the processed card is carried out to the card carry-in / out port 29 regardless of the value of the money.
On the other hand, if no card is accommodated in the card accommodation unit 38 and the value of the inserted card after the rewriting process is zero, the card is accommodated in the card accommodation unit 38.

FIG. 8 shows the electrical construction of the medal lending device 2, which is the CPU 43 which is the main body of control and calculation.
And a ROM 46 storing a program and a RAM 45 storing various data such as the card information. The CPU 44 has a bus 47
Via the display lamp 19, the display unit 23, the operation switch 21, the five photoelectric sensors PH1 to PH5 in the card processing unit 27, the bill discriminator 48, the bill take-in mechanism 49, the first and second bills. In addition to the card transport mechanisms 31, 39, the magnetic head 32, etc., a transmission / reception unit 50 for transmitting / receiving information to / from other devices is connected.

FIG. 9 shows the appearance of the ticket issuing device 2. The front of the machine is a card display section 51 for displaying prepaid cards to be sold, and a selection for selecting the number of prepaid cards to be purchased. Button switches 56a-56
d, a bill insertion slot 57, a card issuing slot 58, a suspended bill return slot 59, a display unit 100, and the like are provided.

FIG. 10 shows the electrical construction of the ticket issuing apparatus 1. The control unit 63 including the CPU 60, the ROM 61, and the RAM 62 is connected to the selection button switches 56a to 56d and the display unit 100 via the bus 64. In addition, a bill detection sensor 65, a bill discriminator 66, a bill transport mechanism 67, a card transport mechanism 68, a magnetic head 69, a transceiver 70, etc. are connected.

The bill detection sensor 65 and bill discriminator 66 are
Both are disposed inside the bill insertion slot 57 and are used for bill detection and true / false discrimination, respectively. Banknote transport mechanism 67
Is for transporting the inserted banknotes to the banknote collecting section inside. The card transport mechanism 68 is composed of a plurality of pairs of rollers, a transmission belt, a motor, and the like, and sequentially takes out the magnetic cards stored in an internal stocker (not shown) and transports them to the card issuing port 58. The magnetic head 69 is used to write the ticketing information in a predetermined storage area of a magnetic card that is being conveyed. The display unit 100 is used to confirm the card issued by the device itself when the communication line is disconnected, which will be described later. It is for displaying information. The transmission / reception unit 70 is used to exchange necessary information with other devices.

FIG. 11 (1) shows the front surface of the settlement processing device 3, and FIG. 11 (2) shows the rear face of the settlement processing device. The information display section 71 and the bill return slot are provided on the front face of the machine. 72, a coin return port 73 and the like are provided. The rear surface is for a staff member, and is provided with a second information display section 74, an operation panel 75, a card receiving opening 76, and the like.

The information display sections 71 and 74 are both display panels such as a liquid crystal display plate, and information such as the settlement amount at the time of settlement and information on the ticket issuing information of the card to be checked at the time of checking the card issuing information. Are displayed respectively. The information display section 71 on the front is for game players.
The information display unit 74 on the rear surface is for a staff member, and more detailed information is displayed on the staff information display unit 74.

The operation panel 75 is provided with a plurality of operation switches 77 for checkout processing and various checks, and a corresponding prepaid card received by a clerk from a player is inserted into the card receiving opening 76. When the operation switch for the processing is pressed, the card information of the prepaid card is read, and the medal lending device 1 which is the issuer of this card is further read in the control unit inside the machine.
Alternatively, the card information is confirmed by communicating with the ticket issuing device 2. As a result, if the read information matches the storage information of the issuer, the settlement process or the display of the read information is performed. A card processing unit 27 similar to that used in the medal lending device 1 is provided inside the card receiving opening 76.

FIG. 12 shows the electrical construction of the settlement processing device 3, which includes a CPU 78, a ROM 79 and a RAM 80.
To the control unit 81 composed of
Information display units 71 and 74, operation switches 77 of the operation panel 75, and a photoelectric sensor PH of the card processing unit 27.
1 to PH5, card transport mechanism 31, 39, magnetic head 3
2 is connected, and information is exchanged between a bill output mechanism 83 for paying out bills to the bill return port 72 at the time of payment, a coin delivery mechanism 84 for delivering coins to the coin return port 73, and other devices. Transmitters / receivers 85 for transmitting and receiving are respectively connected.

FIG. 13 shows an electrical configuration of the control device 4, which is a control unit 89 including a CPU 86, a ROM 87, and a RAM 88, and an input unit 91 and a display circuit 9 via a bus 90.
2, the transmission / reception units 93 and 94, the disconnection detection circuit 95, etc. are connected.

The ROM 87 stores programs relating to communication and information processing with other devices and card companies, and RAM.
Various data such as card information of prepaid cards issued by each medal lending device 1 and ticket issuing device 2 is stored in 88. The input unit 91 includes a keyboard and the like,
It is used to input data necessary for processing as appropriate. The display circuit 92 is for displaying the data processing result on the monitor 15.

The first transmitting / receiving unit 93 is connected to the communication line L1 and is used for exchanging information with the medal lending device 1, the ticket issuing device 2, and the settlement processing device 3. The second transmitting / receiving unit 51 is connected to the communication line L2 and is used for exchanging information with the center device of the card company. The details of the disconnection detection circuit 95 will be described later.

The RAMs 45, 62, 80 of the medal lending device 1, the ticket issuing device 2, the settlement processing device 3, and the control device 4,
In 88, a time storage area as shown in FIG. 14 is set. This time storage area is also the current time T _N
Area R ₁ for storing the data, area R ₂ for storing the latest time T _r at which some data is received via the transmission / reception circuit (hereinafter referred to as “latest reception time T _r ”), and data is transmitted from the device itself. The latest time T _S (hereinafter referred to as “latest transmission time T _s ”) is subdivided into regions R ₃ .

FIG. 15 shows the transceiver unit 5 in the medal lending device 1, the ticket issuing device 2, the settlement processing device 3, and the control device 4.
0, 70, 85, 93 showing the structure of the receiving circuit 9
6, a transmission circuit 97, two relay circuits 98, 99, etc. The communication line L1 includes + and-signal transmission lines l1 and l2 and two disconnection detection lines l3 and l4. The reception circuit 96 and the transmission circuit 97 include relay circuits 98 and 99, respectively. Through each signal transmission line l1, l
2 are connected.

The relay circuits 98 and 99 are normally closed, and the transmission circuit 97 outputs various signals as will be described later to the signal transmission lines l1 and l2. In addition, the receiving circuit 96 receives signal transmission lines l1,
In addition to receiving the signal output to l2, it also receives the signal output from its own transmission circuit 97.

In the control device 4, the disconnection detection lines l3,
The disconnection detection circuit 95 is connected to l4. The disconnection detection circuit 95 is for detecting the disconnection state of the communication circuit L1, and its detection signal is given to the CPU 86,
Occurrence of disconnection is recognized.

FIG. 16 shows an example of communication control in the case where a disconnection occurs in the communication line L1. In the figure, a cross mark indicates a disconnection point and an arrow indicates a communicable range. In this way, even if a disconnection occurs at any place of the communication line L1, the function of the entire system does not stop, and the communication between the communicating devices can be continued.

In the illustrated example, the medal lending device 1 (indicated by 1a and 1b in the drawing) capable of communicating with the control device 4 has a device (1c in the drawing, 1c,
When the card issued in (1d) is inserted, there arises a problem that the collating process and the rewriting process of the inserted card become impossible.

In order to solve this problem, in this embodiment, new card information is transmitted to the control device 4 at the time of issuing a card in the medal lending device 1 or the ticket issuing device 2 or when rewriting the card information. In addition, when the medal lending device 1 accepts a card issued by another device which cannot communicate with the medal lending device 1, the destination of the information for collating and rewriting the card information is changed to the control device 4. Is set to. As a result, if the accepted card is issued before the disconnection, the RAM 8 of the control device 4
By using the backup card information stored in No. 8, the card collating process and the rewriting process can be performed without any trouble.

However, when the accepted card is issued after the wire break, the card information read by the medal lending device 1 and the backup data stored in the control device 4 do not match, You cannot use the card. Further, in the case of a terminal device such as a medal lending device 1c, 1d located behind the disconnection point, which cannot communicate with the control device 4, it is impossible to perform the backup process by the control device 4.

When such a situation occurs, the control unit 46 of the medal lending device 1 displays predetermined message information on the display device 23 to inform the player of the available play medium lending devices. . As described above, the medal lending device 1 stores the proper card information of the card issued by the device itself, so that the medal lending device 1 can be used as described above.
Even if the card is no longer usable, it can be used or the card information can be confirmed at the issuer or the medal lending device 1 capable of communicating with the issuer.

In this prepaid card management system,
Each device in the system is given a unique identification number to distinguish it from other devices. This identification number
Any of the three-digit numbers "000" to "999", and in the case of this embodiment, the control device has the number "000" and the other devices have the numbers "001" to "999". number is,
Each is given.

FIG. 17 shows a configuration example of the card information stored in the RAMs 45 and 62 of the medal lending device 1 and the ticket issuing device 2. Each rectangle in the figure means one byte of data for expressing a character code, and here, for convenience of description, the contents of each data are expressed in a rectangle in the form of a specific character. doing.

This card information has a data structure of 23 bytes, of which the most significant 2 bytes are the data YR indicating the last two digits of the Christian era, and the next 2 bytes are the data MT indicating the month. Data DT representing the day is represented by the next 2 bytes, and the issue date of the card is indicated by these data YR, MT, and DT.

The next 3-byte data indicates the identification number PN indicating the terminal device of the card issuer, and the subsequent 8-byte data indicates the issue number NB given to the card. Further, the subsequent 3 bits represent the monetary value VL ₀ given to the card at the time of issuance, and the last 3 bits represent the monetary value VL currently held by this card. The first byte of the data VL ₀ and VL representing the monetary value represents the unit of ten thousand, the second byte represents the unit of thousand, and the third byte represents the unit of hundred.

In the card information at the time of issuance, the above-mentioned monetary value V
Both L ₀ and VL are “010”. After that, when this card is inserted into any one of the medal lending devices 1 and the medal lending process is performed, as shown in the example of FIG.
The monetary value VL is rewritten according to the number of lent out medals.

Next, the signals sent from each device to the communication line L1 will be described step by step. In the following description, the concept including each medal lending device 1, the ticket issuing device 2, and the settlement processing device 3 in this prepaid card management system is referred to as a “terminal device” and means all devices in the system including the control device 4. In this case, the term "device" is used.

When transmitting information to any of the other devices, each device generates a signal in a predetermined format (hereinafter referred to as "command sentence") including the identification number of the device itself and the identification number of the transmission destination. This is sent to the communication line L1.

FIG. 18 shows an example of the structure of a command statement sent from each device. Similar to FIG. 17, each rectangle in the figure means one byte of data for expressing a character code, of which the first one byte is
The character "*" indicating that this signal is a command sentence is expressed. The next 3-byte data indicates the identification number YN of the device that is the target of the command statement.
The first 1 byte is the 100s digit, and the next 1 byte is 10s.
The place of is represented by the last 1 byte, and the place of 1 is represented.

The following 3 bytes of data indicate the identification number MN of the transmission source device. Similarly to the above, the first 1 byte is the 100th digit, the next 1 byte is the 10th digit, and the last one is the last digit. The ones digit is expressed by one byte.

The next 1 byte represents a command code CD which will be described later. After the transmission information SI corresponding to the content of the command code CD is indicated by the data of several bytes that follow, a predetermined value is set for each byte up to this point. The checksum CM1 obtained by performing the above calculation is represented as data of 2 bytes, and a carriage return code indicating the end of the command sentence is added to the last 1 byte. The capacity of the transmission information SI is 0 bytes for a predetermined command code CD, and in this case, a command sentence in which a checksum CM1 is added immediately after the command code CD is created.

The above command sentence is transmitted to each device through the communication line L1. Among them, the device specified by the identification number YN (in the illustrated example, the identification number "115").
Terminal device) recognizes the command sentence and returns a response sentence as shown in FIG. This response sentence is composed of a character "!" Indicating that this signal is a response sentence, several bytes of response information RI, two bytes of checksum CM2, and a carriage return code indicating the end of the response sentence. It Depending on the content of the transmitted command sentence, the response sentence may not be returned.

The command code CD indicates the type of information to be transmitted, and is composed of a character code corresponding to any alphabetic character from "A" to "L". Of these codes, each code from "A" to "H" is used when various setting data is transmitted from the control device 3 to each terminal device in order to maintain data consistency of the entire system, and remains. Each code from "I" to "L" is
It is used for data transmission from the terminal device. The following Table 1 shows the correspondence between the transmission content specified by each command code, the data capacity of the transmission information SI, and the data capacity of the response information RI for the transmission.

[0080]

[Table 1]

The relationship between each command sentence and the response sentence will be described below with reference to Table 1 above.

(1) Type Information Transmission Command (Command Code A) The type, that is, whether each device is a medal lending device 1, a ticket issuing device 2, or a settlement processing device 3 is transmitted to each terminal device. The transmission information SI in this case is 0 bytes. The terminal device that received this command statement sends a response statement including the data “1” for the medal lending device, “2” for the ticket issuing device, and “3” for the settlement processing device as the response information RI. It is created and returned to the control device 4.

(2) Operation status transmission command (command code B) This command commands each terminal device to transmit information related to the current operation status. In this case as well, the transmission information SI is 0 bytes. The terminal device that received this command statement
A 1-byte code as shown in Table 2 below is set as the response information RI according to the operating state of the device, and the control device 3
Return to.

[0084]

[Table 2]

(3) Time setting process for the terminal device (command code C) This is for setting the current time for each terminal device.
Transmission information SI having a data structure as shown in FIG. 20 is created. This transmission information SI has a data structure of 12 bytes, of which the most significant 2 bytes are 2 under the year.
The data YR indicating a digit represents the data MT indicating the month by the next 2 bytes, and the data DT, HR, MIN, SD indicating the day, hour, minute, and second are sequentially expressed in units of 2 bytes. (In the case of the illustrated example, the time "10: 13: 5 on September 5, 1995" is represented). Although the device receiving this command sentence does not output a response sentence, it rewrites the current time data T _N of the area R ₁ in the RAM in accordance with the transmission information SI.

(4) Command for transmitting set time (command code D) This command is for instructing the terminal device to transmit the set current time, and the transmission information SI in this case is 0 bytes. In response to this command statement, the terminal device
The current time data T _N in the above is read to create response information RI having the same configuration as in FIG. 20, and the response information RI is returned to the control device 3.

(5) Store Number Setting Process (Command Code E) The center number 6 of the card company sends the store number unique to the amusement park to the control unit 4, and the control unit 4 uses this command code. The same store number is set to each terminal device using E. In this embodiment, 5 as shown in FIG.
The store number is indicated by the data of byte structure, and the store number is transmitted to each terminal device as the transmission information SI.
In response to this command sentence, each device does not output a response sentence.

(6) Processing for confirming store number (command code F) This is for confirming whether or not the store number set in each terminal device is the same as that given to the playground. The transmission information SI of is 0 bytes. In response to this command statement, the terminal device creates response information RI having the same configuration as in FIG. 21 and sends it back to the control device 3.

(7) Security key code setting process (command code G) For each terminal device, a key code used for encrypting the ticket issuing information in the issuing card or decrypting the information read from the accepted card This is for setting, and a random number sequence of 8 bytes is generated in the control device 3, and this is used as transmission information SI and transmitted to each terminal device. As a result, the same key code is set in all the terminal devices in the playground. Note that the terminal device does not output a response sentence to this command sentence.

(8) Security Key Code Setting Confirmation Process (Command Code H) This is for confirming the security key code set in each terminal device, and the transmission information SI in this case is 0 bytes. In response to this command statement, the terminal device creates response information RI having an 8-byte structure that represents the set key code, and returns it to the control device 3.

The above-mentioned processing by the command codes A to H is appropriately performed at the time of starting the system, and the setting data in each device is transmitted by sequentially transmitting each command sentence to each terminal device in the playground. Can be integrated and secure. By changing the setting data of the store number and key code as appropriate,
The security of the system can be increased.

(9) Data transmission of information relating to fluctuations in operating status (command code I) This is for transmitting the status to the control device when the operating status changes in each terminal device. As the transmission information SI in this case, the same code as shown in Table 2 is used. In response to this command sentence, the control device 4 does not output a response sentence, but executes a backup process or the like for the terminal device in which the operation abnormality has occurred.

(10) Transmission of read information (command code J) This command is used when the card issued by another terminal device is inserted into the medal lending device 1 or the payment processing or check processing is executed by the payment processing device 3. The medal lending device 1 and the settlement processing device 3 extract the identification number data PN from the card information of the received card, and use this data PN of the command statement. The transmission number SI is set as the identification number YN, and the transmission information SI indicating the card information of this card is created.

FIG. 22 shows an example of the structure of this transmission information SI. First, the first 6 bytes represent the data YR, MT, DT indicating the card issuance date, the next 8 bytes represent the card code number NB, and the subsequent 3 bytes represent the amount value VL of the current card. To be done.

Upon receipt of this information transmission, the terminal device of the card issuing source collates the above transmission information SI with the card information stored in the RAM, and when both agree, the response information R
The code of "1" is returned as I. As a result of verification,
If the received data of the transmission information SI does not exist in the RAM, the terminal device of the card issuing source transmits the code of "2" as the response information RI. Also, the received transmission information S
If the monetary value VL of I does not match the monetary value VL of the corresponding card information in the RAM, the terminal device of the card issuer returns the code “3” as the response information and the corresponding card in the RAM. Perform invalidation processing such as deleting information.

(11) Transmission of rewriting information (command code K) When the terminal device receiving the response information RI of the above code "1" rewrites the value of money of the card, the terminal device of the card issuer is informed of the above. It is for transmitting rewriting information including the deduction amount data, and the transmission information SI in this case
Is as shown in FIG. This transmission information SI has a 20-byte configuration in which the renewed monetary value VL _NEW is added to the same configuration as the transmission information shown in FIG.

Upon receipt of this information transmission, the terminal device of the card issuing source performs the collation processing of the above-mentioned transmission information SI against the card information in the RAM again, and when the corresponding information is found, the above-mentioned monetary value VL _NEW After performing the above-mentioned rewriting process of the monetary value VL by using, the code of "1" is returned as the response information RI. As a result of the collation, if the received transmission information SI data does not exist in the RAM,
The card issuing terminal device transmits a code of "2" as the response information. If the value VL of the received transmission information SI does not match the value VL of the corresponding card information in the RAM, the terminal device of the card issuer returns the code "3" as the response information and the RAM. Perform invalidation processing such as deleting the corresponding card information in.

(12) Card Information Transmission Process (Command Code L) This is used when each medal lending device 1 and ticket issuing device 2 transmits the card information to the control device 4 when a new card is issued. The transmission information SI has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. In this case, the control device 4 stores the transmitted information in a predetermined area in its own RAM 88 and then returns a code of "1" as the response information.

In this prepaid card management system,
As described above, each device creates a command statement including the identification number of the device to which the information is transmitted, sends the command statement to the communication line L1, and matches the identification number YR among the devices that received the command statement. Only the device having the identified identification number executes the process corresponding to the command statement. In this case, if the target device of the command statement is performing some processing and cannot process the command statement within a predetermined time, this device sends back a predetermined busy signal to the sender device. I have to. FIG. 24 shows an example of the structure of the above busy signal, which is represented by the character “$” indicating the type of signal.

Further, in the configuration of this prepaid card management system, when a command sentence or a response sentence is sent from a plurality of devices at the same time, there arises a problem that interference occurs. In order to solve this problem, each device checks the signal transmitted by itself and immediately after the signal is transmitted, and the latest received signal is received for all the received signals (command sentence, response sentence, busy signal, etc.). The time is the RA
The data is stored in the area R ₂ in M, and the transmission of the command sentence from the own device is delayed until the predetermined time DT elapses from the latest reception time T _r .

This delay time DT is determined by the following equation (A) based on the identification number MN given to each device. DT = 110 + MN * 1.5 (msec) ... (A) The fixed value (100 msec,
1.5 msec) is set according to the information processing time of each device.

For example, the terminal device X assigned with the identification number "001" and the terminal device Y assigned with the identification number "002"
Therefore, assuming that the command sentences are transmitted at the same time at time T, each device cannot accurately recognize the received signal due to the interference of these command sentences. At this time, each device performs abnormality processing on the received signal,
The reception time T is set in the area R ₂ in the RAM,
Hereinafter, the transmission control based on the equation (A) is executed.

The above-mentioned processing is similarly performed by the terminal devices X and Y which are the issuers of the signals, and 111.5 m from the time T.
When sec has elapsed, the terminal device X with the smaller identification number
The command sentence from is retransmitted, and then from time T 11
When 3 msec has elapsed, the command statement from the terminal device Y is retransmitted.

FIG. 25 shows a control procedure of the medal lending device 1. When the apparatus is initialized by the command statement including the above-mentioned command codes A to H, the CPU 43
Is for inserting banknotes into the banknote receiving slot 20 and for a card slot 22
It waits in a state in which it can handle both the insertion of a card into and the reception of a command statement from another device.

When a bill is inserted from the bill receiving opening 20,
Step 1 (indicated by “ST1” in the figure) becomes “YES”, and the CPU 43 reads out and executes the program relating to the card issuing process in the ROM 44. If the inserted banknotes are proper, a prepaid card in which card information such as the value of 1,000 yen is written is created and issued from the card slot 22 (step 4).

When the card issued in step 4 is taken into the machine again by the pushing operation of the push operation switch 21, or the card issued by another medal lending device 1 or the ticket issuing device 2 is operated by the card entrance 22. When it is loaded inside the machine, step 2 becomes "YES" and CP
The U43 reads out and executes the program relating to the medal lending process in the ROM 44 (step 5).

The receiving circuit 96 of the transmitting / receiving section 50 receives all the signals transmitted from the respective devices, and
43 recognizes only the command sentence addressed to the own device from the received signal. When this recognition is performed, step 3 becomes "YES", and then the CPU 43 is the data for collation of the card issued by this command statement (reading data of the card accepted by another terminal device) with respect to the card. It is checked whether or not (step 6).

If the command code CD in the command statement is the above-mentioned code "J", step 6 becomes "YES" and the process shifts to step 7, and the CPU 43 reads the transmission information following this code "J". At the same time, the card information represented by the transmission information is collated with the registration information in the RAM 88 (step 7). After that, the CPU 43 creates a response sentence including any one of the codes “1”, “2”, and “3” based on the collation result, and returns the response sentence to the information transmission source device (step 8). On the other hand, if the command code CD is a code other than "J", the process proceeds to step 9 and the process based on the received command code is performed.

FIG. 26 shows the detailed procedure of the card issuing process of the step 4. First, the CPU 43 executes step 4
In -1, it is checked whether or not the inserted bill is proper by the discrimination signal of the bill discriminator 48, and if the determination is "NO", the accepted bill is returned to the bill receiving port 20. (Step 4-5).

If the accepted bill is valid, step 4-1 becomes "YES", and the CPU 43 next checks whether or not a card is accommodated in the card accommodating portion 38. At this time, if the photoelectric sensor PH5 is off, the determination at step 4-2 becomes "NO", and the routine proceeds to step 4-5.

When the determination in step 4-2 is "YES", the CPU 43 reads the current time T _N from the area R ₁ in the RAM 45, determines the issuing number NB of the card to be issued, and stores these data. And card value data (thousand yen) are combined to create card information, which is stored in the registration area of the RAM 45 (step 4-
3).

Then, the CPU 43 shifts to a process for transmitting the created card information to the control device 4. First, the CPU 43 reads the latest reception time T _r (set to a zero value in the initial stage) from the area R ₂ in the RAM 45, and the time T _r and the current time T _N indicate the elapsed time from the latest reception time. Calculate time. If this calculated value exceeds the delay time T _A based on the equation (A), step 4-6 becomes “YES”, and the CPU 43
The card information is transmitted by the command code L (step 4-7).

Next, the CPU 43 checks the command statement fed back via the receiving circuit 96 of the transmitting / receiving section 50 to check whether the transmission is normally performed (step 4-8). If this determination is “NO”, the process returns to step 4-6 again, and when the time T _A has elapsed from the transmission, the card information is transmitted again.

On the other hand, when confirming that the transmission is normally performed, the CPU 43 waits for a response sentence from the control device 4. In this case, if the response text cannot be received even after the lapse of a predetermined timeout time T _B from the transmission time T _S in step 4-7, step 4-9 becomes “YES” and the read information transmission process is performed again. Be seen. If a busy signal is received before the timeout, Step 4-12 displays “Y
Then, the process returns to step 4-6 and the same processing is performed.

When the response message including the response information "1" is returned from the control device 4, step 4-11 becomes "YES", and the CPU 43 drives the card transport mechanism 39 to drive the card storage unit 38 to store the same. The card is carried out to the conveyance path 30, and thereafter, the card information is written in the information storage area of the card by the above-mentioned procedure and carried out to the card entrance 22 (step 4-14).

If there is no response from the control device 4 even if the transmission is performed, the retransmission process is performed each time the timeout time T _B elapses. As a result, if no response is obtained for the predetermined number of transmissions, step 4-13 becomes "YES", and the CPU 43 determines that the communication line to the control device 4 side is disconnected, The process proceeds to the card issuing process of step 4-14.

27 and 28 show the detailed procedure of the medal lending process in step 5 described above. When the accepted card is taken into the carrying path 30 and carried, and the card information is read by the magnetic head 32, C
The PU 43 confirms the data YR, MT, DT related to the card issue date in the read card information, and then determines from the identification number PN whether this card is issued by its own device (step 5). -1, 5-2). As a result, if the identification number PN matches the identification number of the own device, the process proceeds to step 5-3, and the read card information and R
The registration information in the AM 45 is collated.

If the read card information is recognized as proper by the above collation, step 5-4 returns "Y".
ES ”, and the CPU 43 creates the above-mentioned deduction amount data (step 5-5). As described above, the deduction amount data is converted into the predetermined frequency data and displayed on the frequency display 12 of the adjacent slot machine 5. When the player presses the medal lending switch 11, A medal lending signal accompanying this operation is input to the medal lending device 1 from the slot machine 5. As a result, step 5-6 becomes "YES" and step 5
Then, the CPU 43 rewrites the monetary value of the card using the deduction amount data, and further transmits the frequency data corresponding to the deduction amount data to the control circuit unit 14 of the adjacent slot machine 5. Yes (Step 5
-34).

At the next Step 5-35, the CPU 43
The updated value of the value of the card is checked, and if it is zero, in the next step 5-36, the card storage unit 38
After confirming that the inside is empty, the card transport mechanism 39 is driven to store the card in the card storage section 38 (step 5-37). If the value of money remains in the card, the above step 5-35 becomes "NO", and the CP
The U43 drives the card transport mechanism 31 to carry out the card to the card slot 22 (step 5-38).

On the other hand, when the card information read from the card does not match the registration information in the RAM 45 by the collation processing in step 5-3, step 5-4 becomes "NO" and step 5 immediately. The operation shifts to −38, and the input card is returned.

When it is determined that the card accepted in step 5-2 is issued by another terminal device, CP
The U43 confirms that the delay time T _A has elapsed from the latest reception time T _r, and then transmits the card information of the accepted card to the terminal device of the issuing source (step 5-7,
5-8). Note that the content of this transmission information is checked similarly to the transmission of the card information at the time of issuing the card, and if it is not transmitted correctly, it is retransmitted when the delay time T _A has elapsed ( step 5-7～5-9) the "YES" step 5-10 if not also obtained no response after the lapse of the timeout period T _B, likewise re-transmission process is performed.

When the above-mentioned transmission is normally performed and the correct response sentence is also returned from the card issuing device, both steps 5-11 and 5-12 become "YES" and the process proceeds to step 5-17. Then, in step 5-17, the CPU 43 checks whether or not the response information RI in this response sentence is the code "1". This judgment is "Y
If it is "ES", the card information of the accepted card is considered to be proper, and the processing from step 5-18 is executed.

On the other hand, when the received response sentence is not proper, step 5-12 becomes "NO" and the CPU 4
3 returns to step 5-7 again to execute the read information retransmission processing. If the response information RI of the response sentence is the code "2" or "3", step 5-17,
Both 5-19 become "NO", and the process returns to the card return process of step 5-38.

If the communication line to the card issuing device is disconnected, no response can be obtained even if the transmission is performed a predetermined number of times, so steps 5-14 and 5-15
Are both “YES” and the process proceeds to step 5-16, the CPU 43 changes the transmission destination of the transmission information to the control device 4, and returns to step 5-7 again to execute the transmission process. In addition, the change of the destination is made by the identification number Y in the transmission information.
This is realized by changing N to the identification number "000" of the control device 4, and this changed state is held even when the following rewriting information is transmitted.

When the control device 4 which has received the above-mentioned transmission carries out an appropriate collating process and returns a response sentence containing the code "1", step 5-17 becomes "YES" and step 5 The process shifts to -18 or lower. When the communication line to the control device 4 is also broken, the loop of steps 5-7 to 5-14 is repeated a predetermined number of times, and then the process proceeds to step 5-15 again. Step 5 in this case
The determination of -15 becomes "NO" and the process proceeds to step 5-31, and the CPU 43 displays the message information indicating the terminal device of the card issuing source on the display unit 23 as shown in FIG. , And proceeds to the card return processing of step 38.

Although communication to the control device 4 is possible,
When the card information of the inserted card is not registered in the control device 4, the control device 4 returns a response sentence including the code “2”. In this case, step 17 is "N
O ”, step 19 becomes“ YES ”and step 31
After the message information is displayed on the display unit 23, the inserted card is returned as described above.

When step 5-17 is "YES", C
The PU 43, like the processing for the card issued by its own device,
While creating the deduction amount data, the frequency data according to this amount is given to the adjacent slot machine 5, and based on the input of the medal lending signal from the slot machine 5 side, the process proceeds to the medal lending process ( Step 5-
18, 5-20).

When the medal lending signal is input, the CPU 4
3 creates the rewriting information and transmits it to the terminal device that issued the card. In this case, if a response sentence is returned from the control device 4 when the read information is transmitted,
The rewriting information is also transmitted to the control device 4. Further, in the present transmission, when communication with the terminal device of the card issuer becomes impossible for the first time, the transmission destination of the information is changed to the control device 4 in the same manner as described above (step 5-21 to step 5).
-32). As a result, when the terminal device or the control device 4 of the card issuer receives the rewriting information, normally rewrites the card information registered in the RAM, and returns the response sentence including the code “1”, the step 5-32 is executed. The judgment is "YE
S ”, and the processing from step 5-33 onward is executed. When the communication to the control device 4 is also impossible, after the message information is displayed on the display unit 23, the inserted card is returned (steps 31, 3).
8).

By the rewriting processing in step 5-33, even if the value of money of the card becomes zero, the card accommodating portion 38
If the accommodation card is present in the card, this card is returned to the card door 22. If the response sentence from the issuing terminal device or the control device 4 includes a code other than "1", step 5-32 becomes "NO", the medal lending process is stopped, and the card is It is returned to the card door 22.

FIG. 29 shows the control operation of the ticket issuing device 2. Similar to the medal lending device 1, when the device is initialized, the CPU 60 stands by in a state capable of handling both insertion of a bill from the bill insertion slot 57 and reception of a command sentence from another device. .

When a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 57, step 1 becomes "YES" and the card issuing process of step 3 is executed. Further, when a signal from another device is received and step 2 becomes "YES", the content is checked in the next step 4, and if the command code CD of the received signal is "J", steps 5 and 6 are executed. If the command statement includes other command codes, the card verification process and the verification result return process are executed, respectively. The detailed procedure of steps 3, 5, and 6 is the same as that described in the medal lending device 1, and the description thereof is omitted here.

30 and 31 show the settlement processing device 3 described above.
A control procedure will be described. After the initial setting of the device is completed, a card is inserted into the card receiving opening 76, and step 1 is "YE
When it becomes "S", the CPU 78 performs the following steps 2 to 13.
Then, the same processing as that of steps 5-1 to 5-17 of FIG. 27 is executed to obtain the verification result from the terminal device of the card issuer.

When the reply message including the code "1" is returned from the destination, step 13 becomes "YES", and the process proceeds to step 14 and subsequent steps, but the reply including the code "2" or "3". When the sentence is returned, the CPU 78
Displays an error message or the like on the information display sections 71 and 74 and stops the processing (step 17).

When step 13 is "YES" and the operation switch for the card information collating process is pushed, the CPU 78 proceeds from step 14 to 15 and sets the corresponding card information to the above information. Display 71,
74 is displayed.

If the operation switch for the settlement process is pressed, step 14 becomes "YES" and C
The PU 78 transmits the rewriting information of the card to the terminal device of the card issuing source, and updates the registration information by the rewriting information by the response sentence from this device, as in steps 5-20 to 5-31 of FIG. 28. It is confirmed that the processing is completed (steps 18 to 29). When this confirmation is made and step 29 becomes "YES", the CPU 7
8 uses the magnetic head 32 to change the value of the card to "0.
At the same time as rewriting to "yen", the bill carrying-out mechanism 83 or the coin carrying-out mechanism 84 is operated to pay the settlement amount (steps 30 and 31).

On the other hand, when the response message including the code "2" or "3" is returned from the card issuing terminal device,
When step 29 becomes "NO", the process proceeds to step 32, and the CPU 78 stops the settlement process after displaying an error message on the information display portions 71 and 74.

Even in the settlement processing device 3, like the medal lending device 1, when no response is received from the card issuing terminal device for the received card reading information or rewriting information, The destination is the control device 4
To be retransmitted (step 10
-12, steps 25-29). In this case, in response to the transmission of the read information or the transmission of the rewriting information, when the response sentence is not obtained from either the card issuing device or the control device 4, or the registration information corresponding to the transmitted read information is controlled. Step 2 if not stored in device
8, the message information as shown in FIG. 33 is displayed on the information display portions 71 and 74, and the processing is stopped.

The clerk moves to the terminal device of the card issuing source displayed in the message information and inserts the card into the card entrance / exit 22 (card issuing slot 58 in the case of the ticket issuing device 2). The control unit of the terminal device which has received this card reads the record information of this card using the magnetic head, reads the corresponding registration information from the RAM, and collates it with the record information. The remaining amount and the like are displayed on the display units 23 and 100.

According to the above configuration, each medal lending device 1
Since the verification process of the card inserted into the settlement processing device 3 is normally performed by the terminal device that issues each card, it is possible to avoid concentration of transmission to the control device 4. Therefore, it is not necessary to mount a large-scale hardware on the control device 4 or to increase the communication speed between the devices, and the hardware configuration of the entire system can be significantly reduced.
Moreover, in each medal lending device 1, since the card whose monetary value has become zero is collected and reused, the cost for issuing the card can be significantly reduced, and a system with a simple and inexpensive configuration and high security is provided. be able to.

The control device 4 does not participate in the normal card verification process, but executes the above-mentioned backup process when communication between any of the terminal devices becomes impossible. Furthermore, even if the terminal device that issued the card cannot communicate with other devices, it can properly perform the collation process of the card information issued by the device itself, so that the use of the card and the settlement processing function can be performed. It will not stop completely and the convenience of the system will be greatly improved.

When the broken state of the communication line L is recovered,
The control device 4 confirms the backup process for the terminal device in which communication is disabled, and transmits the rewriting information to the terminal device that rewrites the card registration information during the disconnection. Further, the control device 4 transmits to each terminal device a command statement requesting transmission of the latest card information possessed by the own device, and in response to this, sends the card information returned from each device to the internal device itself. Performs processing such as collating with backup data and correcting data with different contents.
As a result, the consistency of data between the control device 4 and the terminal device is quickly restored, and thereafter, stable processing can be performed.

Furthermore, this prepaid card management system normally communicates between the control device 4 and the center device 6 of the card company at the end of business hours at the playground to perform data such as the sales amount and usage amount of the card per day. Is required to be transmitted, and if the amusement park side cuts off this communication and does not transmit data to the card company, the control device 4 has a function of prohibiting the system startup.

This startup prohibition function operates when communication with the card company has not been made for a predetermined number of days (for example, 3 days). Command codes A to H) are stopped, and instead, a special command statement for setting each terminal device to the inoperative state is transmitted. As a result, any device becomes inoperable, and unauthorized operation of the system is prevented.

In the system of this embodiment, the medal lending device 1 adjacent to the slot machine 5 and the ticket issuing device 2 are arranged.
The payment processing device 3 and the control device 4 are connected by a communication line L1. In addition to this configuration, other play medium lending devices such as a pachinko ball lending device for lending a pachinko ball to a pachinko game machine are added to the prepaid device. A card may be used to lend a plurality of types of play media.

When this medal lending device 1 is used alone without being connected to the communication line, it is possible to accept only the prepaid card issued by the device itself and lend out the medals. In this case, the prepaid card issued by each medal lending device 1 can be used only by that device, but the reliability of the verification of the card information is further increased, the illegal use of the card is prevented, and the prepaid card is introduced. Can significantly reduce the cost.

[0146]

As described above, according to the present invention, the recorded information of the prepaid card received by the game medium lending device is read, and the read information is collated with the registration information of the prepaid card issued by the device itself to play the game medium. Since fraudulent lending is performed, it is possible to easily and completely prevent fraudulent activity by a counterfeit card.

In the invention of claim 2, the above-mentioned play medium lending device is provided with the collecting means for collecting the prepaid card whose value of money after the rewriting process becomes zero. Therefore, the same card can be used repeatedly. It is possible to significantly reduce the cost of the card.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, after the recorded information of the prepaid card received by the game medium lending device is read, the card issued by the device itself is compared with the internal registration information, whereby another game medium For cards issued by the lending device, the read information is transmitted to the issuing device and the matching result in the device is received, so that the suitability of each card is determined.
The prepaid card issued by each game media lending device can be used in all the devices in the system, and it is possible to prevent the fraudulent act by the counterfeit card. Furthermore, since information is exchanged between each game media lending device without going through a control device for management, it is possible to avoid breakdowns due to concentration of collation processing in a part of the system such as the control device, and the configuration is simple. It is also possible to provide an inexpensive prepaid card management system.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the above system, each play medium lending device is connected to a bidirectional communication line, and information transmission from each play medium lending device is performed by any other play medium lending device. By delaying from the latest information transmission time by the device until a predetermined time set individually, it is possible to avoid interference due to simultaneous information transmission from multiple devices, and with a simple configuration and accurate It becomes possible to perform information processing.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, a control device is added to the above system, the ticket issuing information of the prepaid card issued in each game medium lending device is input to this control device, and collation is performed between the game medium lending devices. When the processing becomes impossible, the control device performs the collation processing, so that it is possible to provide a system that is resistant to accidents such as disconnection of the communication line.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a prepaid card management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view and a perspective view showing a configuration example of a medal lending device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view and a side view showing a configuration of a card processing unit.

FIG. 4 is a plan view and a side view showing a configuration of a card processing unit.

5A and 5B are a plan view and a side view showing a configuration of a card processing unit.

6A and 6B are a plan view and a side view showing a configuration of a card processing unit.

FIG. 7 is a plan view and a side view showing a configuration of a card processing unit.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a medal lending device.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a configuration example of a ticket issuing device.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the ticket issuing device.

FIG. 11 is a front view and a rear view showing the configuration of the settlement processing device.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a settlement processing device.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a control device.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a data configuration of a time storage area in the RAM of each device.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a transmission / reception unit of each device.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a communicable range at the time of disconnection.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a data configuration example of card information.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a data configuration example of a command sentence.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a response sentence.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a data configuration example of transmission information at the time of setting processing.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a data configuration example of transmission information at the time of setting processing of a store number.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a data configuration example of read information.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a data configuration example of rewriting information.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a data configuration example of a busy signal.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the medal lending device.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a detailed control procedure of a card issuing process.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a detailed control procedure of a medal lending process.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a detailed control procedure of a medal lending process.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the ticket issuing device.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the settlement processing device.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the settlement processing device.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of message information.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of message information.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 medal lending device 4 control device 27 card processing unit 38 card accommodating unit 43 CPU 45 RAM 50 transmitting / receiving unit L1 communication line

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A game medium lending device for issuing a prepaid card having a monetary value, accepting the inserted prepaid card, and lending a game medium corresponding to the monetary value to a game machine, which is issued by the device itself. Storage means for storing record information including the amount value of the prepaid card as registration information of the prepaid card; collation means for collating the record information read from the inserted prepaid card with the registration information of the storage means; A game medium lending device comprising: a control unit for renting a game medium to a game machine by rewriting a monetary value of a prepaid card and registration information in the storage unit based on a collation result of a collating unit. 2. The game medium lending device according to claim 1, wherein a storage unit for storing one prepaid card having a value of zero and a value of the prepaid card rewritten by the control unit are zero. And a collecting means for collecting the prepaid card into the accommodating part when the value of the prepaid card is judged to be zero by the judging means. Media lending device. 3. A plurality of play medium lending devices for issuing a prepaid card having a monetary value and accepting the inserted prepaid card and lending a play medium corresponding to the monetary value to a game machine via a communication line. Each of the amusement medium lending devices includes a transmission / reception unit for exchanging information with other amusement medium lending devices, and a value of a prepaid card issued by the device itself. Storage means for storing the record information as registration information of this prepaid card, and processing the inserted prepaid card to lend the game medium to the game machine, and at the same time, the device itself inserted into another game medium lending device. And a control means for performing a collating process for the issued prepaid card, the control means, when the prepaid card is inserted, When the recorded information of the prepaid card is read to determine the game medium lending device of the issuer of this prepaid card, and when it is determined that the issuer of this prepaid card is its own device, the read recorded information is stored in the storage means. After collating with the registration information, the value of the card and the registration information in the storage means are rewritten based on the collation result to rent the play medium to the game machine, and the issuer of the prepaid card lends another game medium When it is determined that the device is a device, the read record information is transmitted to the game medium lending device determined to be the card issuer through the transmitting / receiving unit, and based on the collation result returned from the game medium lending device. While rewriting the monetary value of the card and lending the play media to the game machine, the information related to the rewriting process of the monetary value is displayed. When the transmission / reception unit receives the record information of the prepaid card issued by the own device from the other play medium lending device, the record information is transmitted to the play medium lending device that issued the prepaid card. It collates with the stored information of the storage means and returns the collation result to the play medium lending device that is the transmission source of the record information, and the transmitting / receiving unit rewrites the amount of the prepaid card from the play medium lending device that is the collation result return destination. A prepaid card management system for rewriting the registration information in the storage means by using the information when the information related to the information is received. 4. The play medium lending apparatuses are connected to each other via one bidirectional communication line, and each play medium lending apparatus is the latest one by any other play medium lending apparatus. The prepaid card management system according to claim 3, further comprising a transmission delay unit that delays information transmission from the transmission / reception unit until a time individually set after information transmission elapses. 5. A control device for exchanging information with each play medium lending device is connected to the communication line, and each play medium lending device stores the control device using the transmitting / receiving unit. The registration information transmitting means for transmitting the registration information of the prepaid card stored in the means at a predetermined timing, and the transmission of the recorded information of the prepaid card issued by another game medium lending device, to the play medium lending of the card issuer And a transmission control means for changing the transmission destination of the recorded information to the control device when the collation result from the device cannot be received, wherein the control device is controlled by one of the play medium lending devices to another game. When the record information of the card issued by the medium lending device is received, the record information is collated with the registration information of the corresponding card and the collation result is the play medium of the transmission source of the record information. Prepaid card management system according to claim 3 or 4 to return to the renting machine.