JPH1176595A5 - - Google Patents

Description

[Document name] Specification [Title of invention] Pachinko ball lending system [Claims]
Claim 1: A pachinko ball lending system that receives cash and lends gaming media according to player input,
It consists of a card vending machine, a ball lending machine, and a terminal device.
The card vending machine has a currency identification device for identifying the authenticity and amount of inserted cash, an identification code setting means for identifying the player who inserted the cash, and a means for transmitting and receiving data to and from the terminal device,
The ball lending machine has an identification code recognition means for identifying a player, a balance display means for displaying a remaining balance, a ball lending means for lending gaming media up to the remaining balance as specified by the player, and a transmission/reception means for transmitting and receiving to and from the terminal device,
The terminal device is a pachinko ball lending system characterized in that it has a transmission/reception means between the card vending machine and the ball lending machine, an identification code storage means for storing an identification code set by the player, a balance calculation means for calculating the remaining balance, a sales calculation means for calculating sales, and a sales transmission means for transmitting sales to the card company .
2. The pachinko ball lending system according to claim 1,
A pachinko ball lending system characterized in that the card vending machine sets an identification code and issues an identification code storage medium, and the ball lending machine recognizes the identification code and receives the insertion of the identification code storage medium .
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0001]
[Technical Field to which the Invention Belongs]
To provide a pachinko ball lending system in the form of a vending machine in a pachinko parlor where pachinko balls are lent out in exchange for inserting cash, and more particularly to a card-type pachinko ball lending system which accepts large denomination bills and enables balls to be lent up to the amount inserted by operating a button on a pachinko machine.
[0002]
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, thin ball dispensing machines installed between pachinko game machines have been widely used in pachinko parlors. Conventional ball dispensing machines cannot accept large denomination notes such as 10,000 yen or 5,000 yen notes. This has created a problem for players who run out of small denomination notes such as 1,000 yen notes, having to leave their seats to exchange them for new money.
[0003]
To address this issue, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 6-23140 and 7-88244 devised devices that allow ball dispensers to accept high-value bills. These devices accept high-value bills and store the amount of the inserted ball, allowing balls to be dispensed up to the inserted amount by pressing a button.
[0004]
However, currency identification devices that identify currency denominations and determine whether they are genuine or fake are very expensive, and installing them between each machine is costly for pachinko parlors. Installing cheaper devices has poor performance, so it may not be possible to determine if a fake bill is being used. Especially with the recent emergence of sophisticated counterfeit bills, a high-performance currency identification device is needed.
[0005]
Meanwhile, prepaid cards have recently been introduced in various industries. These allow users to purchase prepaid cards with cash in advance and then insert the cards into various devices to use them in the same way as cash. Customers can simply bring cards with them instead of carrying large amounts of cash, and some cards even come with special offers when purchased, making them widespread. Prepaid cards have also been introduced in the pachinko industry, where card terminals have been installed as ball dispensing machines between machines, allowing users to insert a card and operate a button to dispense balls.
[0006]
A card system using prepaid cards in a pachinko parlor will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the card system. In Figure 5, a pachinko parlor 100 has an optical repeater 101 at its center, a terminal box 102 connected to a card company 110 via a telephone line, a card vending machine 103 that sells prepaid cards, and card terminal machines 104 such as card units, card ball lending machines, and card medal lending machines that players 120 use when playing games. Some of these machines are rented from the card company 110.
[0007]
The card company 110 periodically receives the card usage amount used at the hall 100 from the terminal box 102, and periodically delivers and sells cards in response to orders from the hall 100. In addition, the difference between the card usage amount and the card purchase price is settled between the card company 110 and the hall 100 once a month at the time of settlement. Meanwhile, a player 120 purchases a card from the card vending machine 103 and uses the card at the card terminal machine 104 to borrow pachinko balls or medals to play pachinko games.
[0008]
By introducing this card system, cash management can be centralized in the hall 100, eliminating the need to install multiple currency identification devices. Card sales and usage can be managed centrally through optical communications. Furthermore, by periodically reporting card usage to the card company 110, the card company 110 manages sales data, freeing the hall from the need for tedious payment procedures. Card usage is guaranteed by the card company 110, among other advantages.
[0009]
However, a major problem arose at this point: fraudulent cards. A large number of fraudulent high-value prepaid cards were circulating, and countermeasures were delayed, resulting in significant losses for card companies. With countermeasures unable to keep up with the fraud, the pachinko industry decided to discontinue the use of high-value cards. This situation is similar in other industries, with NTT's telephone cards and JR's Orange Cards also discontinuing the use of high-value cards. Therefore, in parallel with the use of small-value cards, the pachinko industry is now returning to the traditional cash-based ball dispensing system at machines between machines.
[0010]
[Problem to be solved by the invention]
However, the same problems as before arise again when dispensing balls with cash. That is, currency identification devices that identify the denomination of currency and determine whether it is legitimate or illegitimate are very expensive, and installing them between each machine is costly for pachinko parlors. Installing cheaper devices has poor performance, so it may not be possible to determine if a counterfeit bill has been used.
[0011]
Furthermore, in the unlikely event of fraud, if balls are paid out in cash and handled individually by each hall, the entire loss will be borne by the pachinko hall. Smaller halls could be plunged into a management crisis due to fraud. Furthermore, each hall must manage its own operations, such as sales data, which is both tedious and costly. Furthermore, even if card-related equipment is installed, its usefulness will be severely limited if it cannot accept high-value cards.
[0012]
The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a pachinko ball lending system that does not waste previously installed card-related equipment, does not require special costs, eliminates the risk of fraudulent cards being used, and allows management of sales data to be left to the card company.Furthermore, it is convenient for players as ball lending can be processed by pressing a button on the ball lending machine between machines, and eliminates the risk of accidental or intentional settlement by others.
[0013]
[Means for solving the problem]
In order to solve the above problems, according to the invention of claim 1, in a pachinko ball lending system that receives cash and lends game media according to input by a player,
It consists of a card vending machine, a ball lending machine, and a terminal device.
The card vending machine has a currency identification device for identifying the authenticity and amount of inserted cash, an identification code setting means for identifying the player who inserted the cash, and a means for transmitting and receiving data to and from the terminal device,
The ball lending machine has an identification code recognition means for identifying a player, a balance display means for displaying a remaining balance, a ball lending means for lending gaming media up to the remaining balance as specified by the player, and a transmission/reception means for transmitting and receiving to and from the terminal device,
The terminal device is characterized by having a transmission/reception means between the card vending machine and the ball lending machine, an identification code storage means for storing an identification code set by the player, a balance calculation means for calculating the remaining balance, a sales calculation means for calculating sales, and a sales transmission means for transmitting sales to the card company .
[0014]
Since prepaid cards are not used, there is no risk of fraudulent cards being used. Since only the card vending machine has a currency identification device, only a small number of machines need to be installed. Like conventional card vending machines, card vending machines are installed in several locations depending on the size of the hall, such as near the entrance. Therefore, even if a high-end currency identification device is introduced, the cost does not increase significantly. On the other hand, ball dispensing machines are installed between each gaming machine, allowing players to dispense balls while sitting in front of the machine. Therefore, players do not need to get up from their seats to exchange money, and their interest is not lost during play.
[0015]
Also, by purchasing a card with a predetermined amount of money to be used, ball dispensing processing will be disabled once the amount is reached, so there is no risk of overspending unintentionally. Furthermore, the terminal device stores the identification code set by the player when purchasing the card and transmits and receives it to each ball dispensing machine. Therefore, no matter which ball dispensing machine a player uses in the hall, simply by entering the identification code, the player's remaining balance can be automatically displayed and ball dispensing processing can be performed up to the remaining balance. This is also very convenient when changing gaming machines in the middle of a game.
[0016]
Furthermore, at the amusement arcade, the terminal device automatically calculates sales at regular intervals and sends the information to the card company, eliminating the need for tedious sales calculations and reducing management costs.Furthermore, since the card company manages sales and cash, there is no need to bear the large risk of fraud, providing peace of mind.
[0017]
According to the invention of claim 2 , in the pachinko ball lending system of claim 1,
The card vending machine sets an identification code and issues an identification code storage medium, and the ball lending machine recognizes the identification code and receives the insertion of the identification code storage medium .
[0018]
If only the identification code is input, there is a possibility that another player may mistakenly or intentionally input another player's identification code. To prevent erroneous input by others, the identification code must be very complex, which makes inputting the code cumbersome and unpleasant for the player. Therefore, instead of making the identification code complex, an identification code storage medium is used. For example, an ID card or ID key is used. When a player enters a store, he or she enters the identification code and receives the identification code storage medium at the same time as purchasing a card. Next, the player sits down at a gaming machine, inserts the identification code storage medium into the ball dispensing machine, and enters a simple identification code, allowing for easy identification. Furthermore, when leaving the store, the player returns the identification code storage medium at the same time as paying. In this way, identity verification can be ensured without making the identification code complex.
[0019]
[Embodiments of the Invention]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A pachinko ball lending system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and drawings.
The configuration of a pachinko ball lending system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a pachinko ball lending system.
[0020]
As shown in Figure 1, the pachinko ball lending system 1 is installed in a hall 2 and consists of four devices: an optical repeater 10, a terminal box 20, a card issuing device 30, and an inter-machine ball lending machine 40. An administrator manages the entire hall, and the terminal box 20 performs sales calculations, the card issuing device 30 accepts cash and is equipped with a currency identification device, an ID card issuing device, and a settlement device, and the inter-machine ball lending machine 40 lends pachinko balls between machines and processes the settlement are all connected to the optical repeater 10, and are able to send and receive data to and from each other.
[0021]
Of these, the optical repeater 10 and terminal box 20 are similar to those used in conventional card systems. That is, one optical repeater 10 is installed on each gaming machine island, and transmits to the terminal box 20 the ball dispensing process performed by the machine-to-machine ball dispenser 40 on the island, and the processing details when a new ID card is issued by the card issuing device 30. The terminal box 20 receives data from the card issuing device 30 and the machine-to-machine ball dispenser 40, calculates the remaining balance for each player, and transmits this data again via the optical repeater 10 to the machine-to-machine ball dispenser 40, where it displays the remaining balance. The terminal box 20 also calculates the total sales for the entire hall 2 and periodically transmits this data to the card company 3 via a telephone line.
[0022]
Next, the internal configuration of the terminal box 20, card issuing device 30, and inter-machine ball lending machine 40 of the pachinko ball lending system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the pachinko ball lending system 1. Although the optical repeater 10 is omitted in Fig. 2, all transmission and reception with external devices is performed via the optical repeater 10.
[0023]
2, the interior of the terminal box 20 is configured around a CPU 21, which contains an ID recognition unit 22, an amount calculation unit 23, a ball loan control unit 24, and a sales calculation unit 25. Furthermore, the terminal box 20 contains a storage unit 26 for storing the player's ID identification code and sales, and a transmission unit 27 for communicating with the card company 3 via the telephone line 5.
The surface of the card issuing device 30 is provided with an identification code input switch 31, an ID card entrance/exit 32, and a cash insertion slot (not shown here), and inside the card issuing device 30 are provided with a currency identification machine 33 and a cash refund machine 34.
An identification code input switch 41 is provided inside the inter-machine ball lending machine 40, and an ID card entrance/exit 42, a display unit 43, a refund switch 44, a lending switch 45, and a ball lending machine 46 are provided on the surface of the inter-machine ball lending machine 40.
[0024]
The ID identification unit 22 receives input from the identification code input switch 31 or the identification code input switch 41 and compares it with the identification code stored in the storage means 26. If the ID has already been registered, it checks whether the combination of the ID card number and the identification code is correct. If the ID has not yet been registered, a new ID card is issued and the combination of the ID card number and the input identification code is stored in the storage means 26. The identification code may be a four-digit number, as conventionally used on cash cards, or may be a symbol or have a different number of digits. Depending on the type of identification code, the identification code input switches 31 and 41 may be provided with the necessary switches. Alternatively, without providing a special switch, input may be made using a combination of the dispense switch 45, the payout switch 44, etc., already provided on the inter-machine ball dispenser 40.
[0025]
The amount calculation unit 23 stores the amount of money inserted by the card issuing device 30, the authenticity and amount of which are identified by the money identification machine 33, together with the ID in the storage means 26. In addition, in response to a player's request, the remaining amount is displayed on the display unit 43 of the ball dispensing machine 40, and when a ball dispensing process is performed, the amount is deducted, and in the case of a refund, the remaining amount is refunded in cash by the cash refund machine 34.
[0026]
The ball lending control unit 24 receives the remaining amount calculated by the amount calculation unit 23, and when the player operates the lending switch 45 of the inter-machine ball lending machine 40, it lends balls for the requested amount or the remaining amount. When balls are lent, the loan amount is sent to the sales calculation unit 25 and counted as sales.
[0027]
The sales calculation unit 25 receives the transmission from the ball lending control unit 24, calculates the sales, and stores the calculated sales in the storage means 26. When the business for one day is finished, the sales for that day are tallied, and a sales report is sent to the card company 3 via the telephone line 5 by the transmission means 27 during a predetermined time period.
[0028]
Next, the operation of the pachinko ball lending system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart of the pachinko ball lending system 1.
[0029]
When a player enters hall 2, he or she first inserts cash into card issuing device 30 (S101) and inputs an identification code (S102). The card issuing device 30 uses the currency validator 33 to verify the authenticity and amount of the inserted cash (S103). Next, upon receiving the player's input of the identification code, the device transmits a set of the player's identification code, the amount inserted, and the ID card number to be issued to terminal box 20 (S104). The card issuing device 30 then issues an ID card, and the player receives the ID card with the registered ID (S105).
[0030]
After receiving the ID card, if the balance is insufficient or if the player wishes to play more, the player may make an additional deposit (S106). To make an additional deposit, the player inserts the ID card into the card issuing device 30 again and issues a deposit instruction (S106: YES). The card issuing device 30 checks the amount and ID (S107) and adds the amount to the balance (S108).
[0031]
Next, the player begins playing at the gaming machine. To do this, when the player sits down at the gaming machine, he or she first inserts his or her ID card into the machine-to-machine ball dispenser 40 and inputs the identification code (S109). The machine-to-machine ball dispenser 40 transmits the input ID card number and identification code to the terminal box 20 (S110). The terminal box 20 calculates the remaining balance from the transmitted ID card number and identification code and transmits it to the machine-to-machine ball dispenser 40 (S111). The machine-to-machine ball dispenser 40 displays the received remaining balance on the display unit 43 (S112).
[0032]
The player requests the rental of pachinko balls to play (S113), requests a refund of the remaining balance (S124), or requests the return of the ID card to change pachinko machines or make additional deposits (S129). The pachinko ball rental system 1 waits until one of these actions is taken.
[0033]
If a ball loan request is made, the loan switch 45 is operated (S113: YES). The inter-machine ball loan machine 40 transmits the type of loan switch operated to the terminal box 20 (S114). The terminal box 20 compares the remaining balance with the ball loan amount requested by the switch operation (S115). If the loan amount is smaller than the remaining balance (S115: YES), the loan amount is set to the requested loan amount and transmitted to the sales calculation unit 25 (S116). Furthermore, the terminal box 20 transmits this to the ball loan device 46 of the inter-machine ball loan machine 40, which performs ball loan processing for the determined loan amount of pachinko balls (S117), and the player plays pachinko. Furthermore, the sales calculation unit 25 stores the sales in the storage device 26. Furthermore, the terminal box 20 calculates the remaining balance and transmits it to the inter-machine ball loan machine 40, which changes the remaining balance displayed on the display unit 43 (S118). Furthermore, the process waits for the next switch operation.
[0034]
Alternatively, if a loan amount greater than the remaining balance is requested (S115: NO), the loan amount is set to the remaining balance (S119). The remaining balance is loaned by the ball loaning device 46 of the inter-machine ball loaning device 40 (S120). Since the remaining balance is used up, the ID is deleted (S121). Furthermore, a message indicating that the remaining balance is 0 is sent to the inter-machine ball loaning device 40, the display on the display unit 43 is turned off, and the ID card collection process is completed (S122).
[0035]
If a request for a refund is made rather than a ball loan request (S113: NO), the refund switch 44 is operated (S124: YES). In this case, the refund amount is the remaining balance (S125), and the remaining amount is paid out in cash to a cash refund slot (not shown) (S126). Furthermore, the remaining balance is reset to 0 (S127), the ID is erased, the display on the display unit 43 is turned off, and the ID card collection process is completed (S128).
[0036]
Alternatively, if the ID card is requested to be returned not for ball lending or refunding (S124: NO) but for changing pachinko machines or for making additional deposits, the ID card slot 42 is operated and the ID card is removed (S129: YES). The machine-to-machine ball lending machine 40 turns off the remaining balance display (S130) and waits until the next ID card is inserted. Furthermore, if neither ball lending, refunding, nor ID card removal is being performed (S129: NO), the machine-to-machine ball lending machine 40 waits until any of these is performed.
[0037]
Furthermore, when business hours for one day are completed, closing processing is carried out according to the flowchart of Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a sales report transmission program to the card company 3 that is executed after business hours are completed.
[0038]
When business hours end, the sales calculation unit 25 first tally up the sales using the contents stored in the storage means 26 (S201). Next, the tally up the sales is compiled into a report format for reporting to the card company 3 and transmitted to the transmission means 27 (S202). The transmission means 27 then makes a communication call to the receiving device of the card company 3 via the telephone line 5 (S203). If the line connection is not successful (S204: NO), the communication call is repeated (S203). If the line connection is successful (S204: YES), the sales report is transmitted (S205). Once transmission is complete, the line is disconnected (S206). Note that, although the line call is made from the pachinko parlor 2 side here, the line call may also be made by a method such as determining a time from the card company 3 side.
[0039]
As explained in detail above, according to the pachinko ball dispensing system 1 of this embodiment, the currency validator 33 is only included in the card issuing device 30, and only a few units are required depending on the size of the hall 2, so even if an expensive, high-end machine is used, costs are not significantly increased. Furthermore, ball dispensing operations can be performed while sitting in front of the pachinko machine using the inter-machine ball dispensing device 40, so the enjoyment of playing is not lost. Furthermore, since the identification code and ID card are used in combination, there is no need to worry about refunds being made accidentally or intentionally by others. Furthermore, since cash management and sales data management are handled by the card company, this also serves as insurance for the hall 2, and by reusing previously installed prepaid card equipment, there is no need for new capital investment.
[0040]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be applied in various ways.
For example, although an ID card is used here, an electronic key or the like can also be used as long as it can verify the identity of the person.
Furthermore, for example, transmission and reception within the hall is not limited to optical communication, and various wired or wireless communication methods can be used depending on the size and cost of the hall.
[0041]
[Effects of the Invention]
The pachinko ball lending system 1 of the present invention does not use prepaid cards, so fraudulent cards cannot be used. Since only the card vending machines have currency identification devices, only a small number of machines need to be installed. Like conventional card vending machines, card vending machines are installed in several locations depending on the size of the hall, such as near the entrance. Therefore, even if a high-end currency identification device is introduced, the cost does not increase significantly. Meanwhile, ball lending machines are installed between each gaming machine, allowing players to perform ball lending procedures while sitting in front of the gaming machine. Therefore, players do not need to get up from their seats to exchange money, and their interest in the game is not lost.
[0042]
Furthermore, at the amusement arcade, the terminal device automatically calculates sales at regular intervals and sends the information to the card company, eliminating the need for tedious sales calculations and reducing management costs.Furthermore, since the card company manages sales and cash, there is no need to bear the large risk of fraud, providing peace of mind.
[0043]
Furthermore, by using an identification code storage medium such as an ID card or ID key instead of inputting only the identification code, other players will not mistakenly or intentionally input someone else's identification code and settle the account, even if a particularly complicated identification code is not used.
[Brief explanation of the drawings]
Figure 1
1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a pachinko ball lending system according to the present invention.
Figure 2
1 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the pachinko ball lending system of the present invention.
Figure 3
3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the pachinko ball lending system of the present invention.
Figure 4
10 is a flowchart of a program for transmitting a sales report to a card company after business hours.
Figure 5
1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional ball lending system using a prepaid card.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Pachinko ball lending system 2 Hall 3 Card company 4 Player 5 Telephone line 10 Optical repeater 20 Terminal box 21 CPU
26 Storage means 27 Transmission means 30 Card issuing device 33 Currency validator 40 Inter-machine ball lending machine 43 Display unit 45 Lending switch 46 Ball lending machine