Redemption machine and game system

Abstract

To provide a redemption machine and a game system that can easily achieve card recycling.SOLUTION: A redemption machine is provided, including: a recording medium reading unit for receiving a recording medium where a point balance and the number of game media are mapped, the point balance indicating a balance number left by subtracting the points used by games from the points corresponding to a credited amount, the number of game media indicating a balance number acquired by games based on the game media lent for games; an acquisition unit for acquiring the point balance and the number of game media recorded in the recording medium; a redemption amount acquisition unit for acquiring a redemption amount to be exchanged for cash based on the point balance; a receipt issuing unit capable of outputting a paper receipt where information is printed that can specify the number of game media; a recording medium recovery unit for recovering the received recording medium; and payout unit for paying out cash corresponding to the redemption amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an adjustment machine and a gaming system. [Background technology]

[0002] In gaming parlors, systems using membership cards and non-member cards are becoming common. These cards are linked to the number of gaming media (game value) available to the player, such as the number of pachinko balls or slot medals, and players can exchange the linked game value for cash to receive gaming services.

[0003] Membership cards and non-membership cards may be linked to values ​​other than gaming value, such as a credit balance that corresponds to the difference between the amount deposited and the amount consumed through gaming.

[0004] Membership cards are linked to specific players and can be used repeatedly. Non-membership cards, on the other hand, are generally limited to use only on the day of initial use. Non-membership cards that are limited to use only on the day of initial use are also called one-day cards. When a player leaves the gaming facility, they can convert the remaining credit points on the card into cash using the payment machine. On the other hand, the gaming value remaining on the card can be used to exchange for prizes or for playing games, but cannot be converted into cash. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2005-319085 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Therefore, when using the one-day card described above, if both a credit balance and a gaming value are linked to the card, the gaming value remains even when the credit balance is converted into cash, and after settlement, the card, which is linked only to the gaming value, must be returned to the player. Furthermore, if only a fractional gaming value is linked to the one-day card, players may discard the card because it is too much trouble to use it for games or to exchange it for prizes. In this case, not only are the remaining balls on the card wasted, but the gaming facility is unable to collect the card, making it difficult to reuse the card. An embodiment of the present invention aims to provide an adjustment machine and gaming system that preserves the valuable value and gaming value of the card and facilitates card recycling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The settlement machine of the embodiment includes a recording medium reading unit that accepts a recording medium associated with a credit balance indicating the number of credits remaining after being consumed by play from the credits corresponding to the deposited amount, and a number of gaming media indicating the number of gaming media remaining acquired by play based on the gaming media loaned for play, an acquisition unit that acquires the credit balance and number of gaming media associated with the recording medium, a settlement amount acquisition unit that acquires the settlement amount to be exchanged for currency based on the credit balance, a receipt issuing unit that can output a paper receipt on which information that can identify the number of gaming media is printed, a recording medium collection unit that collects the accepted recording medium, and a dispensing unit that dispenses currency corresponding to the settlement amount. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the overall configuration of a gaming system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is a diagram showing an example of information linked to a gaming ID in the gaming system according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a machine for inter-machine transfer according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a management device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5]1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a prize management machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a settlement machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the settlement machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the paper receipt acceptance operation of the prize management machine according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Overall composition) An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, a gaming system 10 of this embodiment includes gaming machines, namely, a plurality of pachinko machines 2 and a plurality of slot machines 7, inter-machine units 3 provided between the pachinko machines 2, inter-machine units 8 provided between the slot machines 7, a plurality of data display devices 9, a network 20 constructed using communication devices such as a hub and a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) access point, an island computer 25, and a wearable device 26.

[0010] The plurality of inter-machine machines 3 are gaming devices provided in correspondence with the plurality of pachinko machines 2, respectively. The plurality of inter-machine machines 3 are connected to the plurality of pachinko machines 2, respectively. On the other hand, the plurality of inter-machine machines 8 are gaming devices provided in correspondence with the plurality of slot machines 7, respectively. The plurality of inter-machine machines 8 are connected to the plurality of slot machines 7, respectively. Note that the inter-machine machines 3, 8 may be equipped with a bill validator (bill validator) or the like.

[0011] The plurality of data display devices 9 are respectively connected to the plurality of pachinko machines 2 and the plurality of slot machines 7. The plurality of pachinko machines 2, the plurality of slot machines 7, the plurality of inter-machine machines 3 and 8, and the plurality of data display devices 9 are connected to a network 20 via an island computer 25. In the following explanation, the pachinko machine 2 will be mainly used as an example, except when it is necessary to explain the pachinko machine 2 and the slot machine 7, which are both gaming machines, separately.

[0012] In addition to the above-mentioned devices, the gaming system 10 is also equipped with various other devices. The gaming system 10 further includes a counter 14, a ticket issuing machine 15, a settlement machine 12, a prize management machine (POS) 19, a prize management machine (self-POS) 16, prize payout machines 11 and 18, a management device 5, a personal computer 5a, a protocol converter 21, a modem 22, a card center 23, a data disclosure machine 17, and a replay reception machine 24. These devices are connected to a network 20. The prize management machine 19 is equipped with a prize payout machine 18 and is a prize exchange device for employees that is operated by employees. On the other hand, the prize management machine 16 is equipped with a prize payout machine 11 and is a self-service prize exchange device that allows players to exchange prizes when exchanging prizes.

[0013] The management device 5 is configured as an information collection device such as a hall computer, a prize management device, a member management device, etc. Information from the pachinko machines 2, the slot machines 7, and the peripheral devices mentioned above is output to the management device 5 via a network 20, and is further transmitted to a card center 23 via a protocol converter 21 and a modem 22. Note that information is communicated from the modem 22 to the card center 23 via a general communication line.

[0014] In the gaming system 10, players can play games such as pachinko and slots using currency (banknotes and coins), a member's card (member's recording medium) 27, a non-member's card (non-member's recording medium) 28, etc. In the gaming system 10, gaming media such as pachinko balls and medals (coins) are lent and borrowed between the gaming facility (gaming hall) and players (member players, non-member players) according to the points (valuable value) that can be specified by the currency, member's card 27, or non-member's card 28, and players use the lent and borrowed pachinko balls and medals to play games.

[0015] Here, "points" refers to the amount of money deposited converted into a numerical value to be consumed through play (point conversion). For example, 10,000 yen converted into points is 100 points. If 10 points are consumed, 90 points remain, and these remaining points are called the point balance. Furthermore, a "member player" is a player who holds a membership card 27, and whose attribute information, such as address, name, age, gender, favorite machine (favorite type of gaming machine), contact information, and PIN number, is associated with a member number (member ID) that can individually identify the member player and is registered in the management device 5. On the other hand, a "non-member player" is a general player whose information is not registered as a member player.

[0016] The member card 27 and the non-member card 28 are contactless recording media equipped with an IC chip and an antenna, and are formed in the shape of a card or a coin. The non-member card 28 is distinguishable from the member card 27 by being shorter in length and width and thinner than the member card 27. The member card 27 stores a card ID (recording medium identification information), to which various information about the member player is linked. This linked information (see FIG. 2 ) includes, for example, a game ID (collection identification information), a member number, remaining credits, counted balls, held balls, out (fired balls), safe (balls supplied to the gaming machine, i.e., balls supplied to the upper tray of the game: balls acquired by the player), and the amount used. The member card 27 generally has no limit on its usage period and can be used permanently.

[0017] Other information that can be linked includes the number of saved balls (or the number of saved medals in the case of slot machines), points, wins and losses (not shown) (safe minus outs), the number of loaned balls (or the number of loaned medals in the case of slot machines), and the type of gaming machine. Information on these information can also be linked, including historical information, daily information, and weekly information, as well as address, name, age, gender, favorite machine, contact information, and PIN number. During play, the number of the gaming machine on which the player is playing or the number of the machine 3 can also be temporarily linked. Information of monetary value, such as the balance of points, counted balls, held balls, and saved balls, is referred to as "value information." Information on the duration of play and the number of jackpots that have occurred can also be aggregated and linked.

[0018] The above-mentioned "out (fired balls)" is sometimes called "in (number of inserted coins)" in slot machines. Here, slot machines are referred to as "out" just like pachinko machines. Similarly, the above-mentioned "safe" is sometimes called "out (number of dispensed medals)" in slot machines. Here, slot machines are referred to as "safe" just like pachinko machines. "Points" include visit points (points awarded when a member's card 27 is inserted into the inter-machine machine 3, 8), ball loan points (points awarded according to the number of loaned balls), win / loss points (points awarded to a losing customer according to the difference between the number of outs and the number of safes), and operating points (points awarded according to the number of outs). This information is managed by the management device 5. "Management" means updating, deleting, and maintaining this information. This information is not limited to these, and any information necessary for game management can be linked (associated) as appropriate.

[0019] The non-member card 28 also stores a card ID (recording medium identification information), and various information about the non-member player is linked to this card ID. In particular, information such as the gaming ID, the remaining number of points, the number of counted balls, the number of balls held, the number of loaned balls, and the number of deposited balls is linked to the card ID for a specified period of time. In other words, the usage period of the non-member card is limited. However, this information is not limited to this, and any information necessary for game management may be linked as appropriate. This linked information is managed by the management device 5 in the same way as the information linked to the member card 27. Information such as the membership number and points is not linked to the non-member card 28. However, the management device 5 can store this information so that it can be linked at any time.

[0020] Of the above information, the gaming ID is, for example, an ID that is assigned when coins are inserted into the inter-machine machines 3, 8, and subsequent game information is managed in association with this gaming ID. For example, when a player who does not possess a member's card 27 or a non-member's card 28 starts playing with coins, a gaming ID is first issued, and game information is linked to this gaming ID and managed. After that, for example, when a non-member's card 28 is issued, the card ID stored in the non-member's card 28 is additionally linked to the gaming ID and managed. Furthermore, a player who possesses a member's card 27 may insert the member's card 27 into the inter-machine machines 3, 8 to start playing without inserting coins, in which case a gaming ID may be issued when the member's card 27 is accepted.

[0021] (Inter-stand machine) Next, the inter-machine machines 3 and 8 will be explained based on Fig. 3. Note that the inter-machine machine 8, which is an inter-machine medal dispenser, has functions corresponding to those of the inter-machine machine 3, and therefore the inter-machine machine 3 will be mainly explained here, and a detailed explanation of the inter-machine machine 8 will be omitted. Also, in the following explanation, the number of held balls or held medals, the number of counted balls or counted medals, or the number of stored balls or stored medals, as the number of gaming media, will be explained as the number of held balls. The inter-machine machine 3 is a device that mainly supplies pachinko balls to the upper tray of the pachinko machine 2, and as shown in Fig. 3, includes a card acceptance unit 31, a card processing unit 32, a currency acceptance unit 33, a button unit 34, a display unit 35 that displays various information, a lamp unit 36 ​​that turns on and off lamps, a communication unit 37 that communicates information with external devices, and a control unit 30 that comprehensively controls the above-mentioned units of the inter-machine machine 3. The inter-machine machine 3 may also be provided with a counting unit capable of counting the pachinko balls won by the corresponding pachinko machine 2.

[0022] The currency acceptance unit 33 is connected to, for example, a bill recognition device, and can recognize the insertion of currency into the bill recognition device and the currency amount. The button unit 34 includes a ball loan button, a replay ball loan button, a return button, etc. A member's card 27 or a non-member's card 28 is inserted into the card acceptance unit 31. The card processing unit 32 includes a reader / writer unit, a card storage unit, and a card issuing unit. The reader / writer unit reads a card ID and a game ID from the member's card 27 or non-member's card 28 accepted by the card acceptance unit 31. If information such as points is stored on the member's card 27 or non-member's card 28, the reader / writer unit reads this information in addition to the card ID. The reader / writer unit outputs the read information to the control unit 30 and writes updated points and the like under the control of the control unit 30. The card issuing unit issues a new non-member's card 28 from the storage.

[0023] The card issuing unit retrieves a non-member card 28 from the card storage unit, stores new information such as a card ID, a game ID, and the latest value information, and then issues the card by ejecting it from the card accepting unit 31. The "latest value information (balance information)" is information indicating, for example, the number of points remaining during play and the number of balls acquired through play. When a new non-member card 28 is issued, the card processing unit 32, under the control of the control unit 30, transmits to the management device 5 issuance information indicating that the non-member card 28 has been issued. This issuance information includes, for example, information indicating that the non-member card 28 has been issued, the card ID recorded on the new non-member card 28, and the latest value information stored on the non-member card 28.

[0024] When the currency acceptance unit 33 accepts currency and the card processing unit 32 issues a non-member card 28, the latest value information may include the remaining credit points and the number of balls held. That is, the difference between the credit points corresponding to the amount accepted by the currency acceptance unit 33 and the number of credit points consumed by dispensing balls may be included in the value information as the remaining credit points. Also, the difference between the number of balls dispensed by dispensing balls and the total number of balls acquired through play may be included in the value information as the number of balls held. This latest value information may be recorded on the non-member card 28, or may be recorded by the management device 5 and made identifiable by linking it to a card ID.

[0025] (Management device) Next, the configuration of the management device 5 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 4. As described above, the management device 5 manages information linked to, for example, the member card 27 or the non-member card 28. As part of this management, the management device 5 issues a gaming ID. As shown in Fig. 1, the management device 5 is connected to the above-mentioned personal computer 5a, which has a function for referencing the information of the management device 5. Information from the management device 5 is output to each device via the network 20. As a result, the above-mentioned data display device 9 displays information such as a slump graph, the number of starts, and the number of jackpots for the multiple pachinko machines 2.

[0026] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the management device 5 includes a control unit 50, a timer unit 51, an information collection unit 52, a status monitoring unit 53, a database unit 54, a communication unit 55, and an ID management unit 56.

[0027] The control unit 50 comprehensively controls the above-mentioned units shown in Fig. 4 of the management device 5. The control unit 50 also has the function of reading information from the database unit 54 and searching for and extracting various pieces of information held by the database unit 54. This information search and extraction can be performed by the control unit 50, or by the ID management unit 56 under the control of the control unit 50. The control unit 50 may also perform calculations such as the settlement amount based on commands from the settlement machine 12, for example, and output the results of the calculations.

[0028] The timer unit 51 is capable of measuring a predetermined time (for example, any period in the range of several seconds to several minutes). The timer unit 51 starts a timekeeping operation under the control of the control unit 50, the information collection unit 52, the status monitoring unit 53, etc., and measures time until an instruction to complete the timekeeping operation is received from the control unit 50, the information collection unit 52, the status monitoring unit 53, etc. The measured time is notified to the control unit 50, the information collection unit 52, the status monitoring unit 53, etc. The timer unit 51 is reset after the notification.

[0029] The information aggregation unit 52 is controlled by the control unit 50, and based on various information transmitted from each device such as the island computer 25, the inter-machine machines 3 and 8, the data display unit 9, each pachinko machine 2, and each slot machine 7, registers and aggregates each game data in the database unit 54, and notifies the control unit 50 of the game data as needed, as shown in Fig. 2. Game data includes, for example, "operation (playing) / non-operation (end of game or temporary suspension of game)", "ball increase information" indicating the increase in acquired balls, and "card information" indicating the insertion status of, for example, a member / non-member card.

[0030] In addition to the information described above, the information aggregation unit 52 aggregates and manages various pieces of information shown in Fig. 2, such as the number of starts and the number of jackpots. Furthermore, the information aggregation unit 52 can also manage information such as whether or not a jackpot is in progress, whether or not a special probability is in progress, and the time the table was last updated. The management of this game information is carried out based on, for example, a jackpot signal, a start signal, a winning signal, a special probability signal, an out signal, a safe signal, and a signal related to the number of pachinko balls to be dispensed, which are output from the pachinko machine 2, and a deposit signal, a ball dispensing signal, and a replay ball dispensing signal, which are output from the inter-machine unit 3.

[0031] This gaming information is stored as a table in the database unit 54, and in addition to being managed by the information aggregation unit 52, this table is also managed by the status monitoring unit 53 under the control of the control unit 50. When there are multiple tables, as shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to manage each table in association with each other by linking each table with a unique identifier such as a data number. This gaming data may also be managed as history information, daily information, weekly information, etc. in the information aggregation unit 52. For example, the information aggregation unit 52 manages data aggregated by various information, such as aggregating gaming data by type of jackpot.

[0032] The status monitoring unit 53 is controlled by the control unit 50 and, based on the above-mentioned gaming data (such as the operating / non-operating status as mentioned above) managed by the information aggregation unit 52, classifies each pachinko machine 2 and each slot machine 7 into three states: an "empty machine state" indicating that the gaming machine is not occupied by a player, a "playing state" indicating that the gaming machine is in play, and a "monitoring state" which is an intermediate state between the empty machine state and the playing state.

[0033] The database unit 54 is equipped with various storage devices such as a hard disk drive and a solid state drive. The database unit 54 stores the above-mentioned information as a table. This information is read and written as needed. When the inter-machine machine 3 executes processes such as issuing a non-member card 28, updating the credit balance, and updating the number of held balls, the database unit 54 updates the data such as the credit balance and number of held balls updated by the process. The communication unit 55 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information (signals) via the network 20 with peripheral devices such as the pachinko machine 2 and the inter-machine machine 3.

[0034] The ID management unit 56 includes an ID search unit, an ID issuing unit, and an ID registration unit. The ID search unit searches for a specific gaming ID from a table stored in the database unit 54. The ID search unit notifies the control unit 50 of the presence or absence of a gaming ID as a search result, or if a gaming ID is found, of the searched gaming ID. The ID issuing unit issues a new gaming ID. The ID registration unit stores the gaming ID issued by the ID issuing unit in the database unit 54. The ID registration unit also registers the card ID included in the issuance information in the database unit 54 in association with the gaming ID.

[0035] (prize management machine) Next, the configuration of the prize management machines 16, 19 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 5. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the functions of the prize management machines 16, 19 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the prize management machines 16, 19 include a control unit 160, a recording medium reading unit 161, a display unit 162, an operation unit 163, and a communication unit 164.

[0036] The prize management machines 16, 19 are installed, for example, at the prize counter of a hall, and are used when a player exchanges the gaming value of the number of gaming media (balls, medals) he has acquired for a desired prize. The prize management machine 16 is a self-service POS, and is configured so that when exchanging prizes, the player himself generally performs the operations related to the prize exchange, and an employee performs the operations related to the prize exchange if necessary. The prize management machine 16 and the prize management machine 19 are the same hardware.

[0037] The control unit 160 has various electronic components such as a central processing unit (CPU), read-only memory (ROM), and random access memory (RAM), all of which are not shown, as well as various electrical circuits such as a control circuit, an interface circuit connected to a connection port for a LAN or dedicated line, a power supply circuit, and a step-up or step-down circuit. The control unit 160 is configured to perform various arithmetic processes based on input signals and control the operation of each unit according to the results of those arithmetic processes. The control unit 160 has functions such as obtaining the issuance history of paper receipts received by the recording medium reading unit 161, determining whether the paper receipts have been used fraudulently, extracting prizes that can be exchanged for the number of balls held printed on the paper receipts, and erasing the identification information of paper receipts from which prizes have been paid out.

[0038] The recording medium reading unit 161 is a device that reads information recorded on a recording medium. Here, the recording medium includes cards such as the member card 27 and the non-member card 28, as well as receipts (paper receipts) which are paper media, and mobile terminals on which member registration has been performed using an application. The recording medium reading unit 161 includes a reader capable of reading information from a contactless type recording medium (for example, a reader conforming to a short-range wireless communication standard), a scanner capable of reading information printed on a receipt, and the like. The recording medium reading unit 161 reads information such as a card ID and game value recorded on the recording medium. The information read by the recording medium reading unit 161 is output to the control unit 160 as a read signal.

[0039] The display unit 162 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and is arranged, for example, at a prize counter so that the display screen faces an employee or a player. The display unit 162 is configured to display information based on image data, which is UI data input from the control unit 160.

[0040] The operation unit 163 includes, for example, a position input device such as a touch panel as an operation device, and is provided on the display screen of the display unit 162. In the operation unit 163, an employee or a player inputs an operation command by selecting an item displayed on the display screen of the display unit 162. In addition to the touch panel, the operation unit 163 may include, for example, an operation device such as a microphone, a mouse, or a keyboard, which is a voice input device.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication unit 164 is an interface that communicates with each unit via the network 20. The communication unit 164 transmits, for example, information such as the card ID read by the recording medium reading unit 161 to the management device 5. The communication unit 164 also communicates with the prize payout machines 11, 18, for example, using a command-response system. The communication unit 164 is configured to output prize payout commands to the prize payout machines 11, 18, and to receive information regarding the status of the prize payout machines 11, 18 as an input signal. Information regarding the number of replacement balls is transmitted to the prize payout machines 11, 18, and the prize payout machines 11, 18 allocate the number of prizes to be paid out. Information regarding the number of prizes may also be transmitted directly to the prize payout machines 11, 18.

[0042] The recording medium reader 161 reads the card ID from the recording medium read by the player. The control unit 160 obtains from the management device 5 the number of game media (the number of remaining balls or medals) acquired by the player as a result of playing the game based on the card ID. The control unit 160 outputs a prize payout command to the prize payout machine 11, 18 based on the number of game media acquired, and subtracts the number corresponding to the prize from the number of game media acquired and registers the result in the management device 5. The prize payout machine 11, 18 that received the payout command dispenses the specified prize, and the number of game media linked to the card ID is updated in accordance with the payout of the prize and re-registered in the management device. The updated number of game media may be linked again to the member card 27 or non-member card 28 when the card is returned, or may be issued with the number of game media identified on a newly printed receipt.

[0043] The recording medium reader 161 also reads identification information and the number of balls held, which is the game value, from the paper receipt scanned by the player. The identification information on the paper receipt may be a game ID or information corresponding to the card ID. The identification information on the paper receipt may be printed as characters, or may be displayed by printing a barcode or QR code (registered trademark). The control unit 160 acquires the issuance history of the paper receipt from the management device 5 based on the identification information. The issuance history identifies which device output the paper receipt. Paper receipts are output from the counter 14, the adjustment machine 12, the prize management machine (POS) 19, the prize management machine (self-POS) 16, etc. The control unit 160 identifies the output device based on the acquired issuance history, determines whether the paper receipt scanned by the player was used fraudulently, and outputs a warning command to the management device 5 if fraudulent use was detected. The management device 5 that receives the notification command notifies the prize management machine (POS) 19, prize management machine (self-POS) 16, hall computer, wearable terminal 26, etc. via the network 20, and alerts staff. In other words, when a player has a paper receipt scanned, the control unit 160 has the function of determining whether or not the paper receipt is being used properly, and notifying the manager if it is being used fraudulently.

[0044] Examples of fraudulent use of paper receipts include when the recording medium reader 161 reads more than a predetermined number of paper receipts output from a specific device during prize exchange (using multiple different unused paper receipts), or when the recording medium reader 161 re-reads a paper receipt that has already been exchanged for a prize by the prize management device (POS) 19, 16 (reusing a used paper receipt). For example, paper receipts output from the settlement device 12 (described below) and the prize management device (POS) 19, 16 are generally output when a player finishes playing, and it is unnatural for a player to possess multiple receipts in one day. Therefore, there is a possibility of fraud, such as collecting paper receipts that other players have discarded in the trash and exchanging them for prizes. However, since possessing two or so paper receipts output from the settlement device 12 can occur even during normal play, a threshold may be set in the management device 5 to determine the number of paper receipts read in one prize exchange to alert the player.

[0045] (Payment machine) Next, the functional configuration of the settlement machine 12 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the functions of the settlement machine 12 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the settlement machine 12 includes a control unit 120, a recording medium reading unit 121, a display unit 122, an operation unit 123, a receipt issuing unit 124, a dispensing unit 125, and a communication unit 126.

[0046] The settlement machine 12 has a function to exchange the remaining balance of points on, for example, the member card 27 or the non-member card 28 for cash. The settlement machine 12 also has a function to print and output the number of balls remaining on, for example, the non-member card 28 on a receipt.

[0047] The control unit 120 includes various electronic components, such as a central processing unit (CPU), read-only memory (ROM), and random access memory (RAM), all of which are not shown. It also includes various electrical circuits, such as a control circuit, an interface circuit connected to a LAN or dedicated line connection port, a power supply circuit, and a step-up or step-down circuit. The control unit 120 executes various arithmetic operations based on input signals and controls the operation of each unit according to the results of the arithmetic operations. The control unit 120 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires the remaining credit points and the number of gaming media from the management device 5 or the card, and as a settlement amount acquisition unit that calculates (acquires) the settlement amount. The control unit 120 does not necessarily have to calculate the settlement amount itself. For example, the control unit 120 may have the management device 5 or the like calculate the settlement amount and then acquire the calculation result of the settlement amount along with the remaining credit points from the management device 5.

[0048] The recording medium reading unit 121 is a device that reads information recorded on a recording medium. Here, the recording medium includes cards such as the member card 27 and the non-member card 28, as well as receipts (count receipts) which are paper media, and mobile terminals on which member registration has been performed using an application. The recording medium reading unit 121 includes a reader capable of reading information from a contactless type recording medium (for example, a reader conforming to a short-range wireless communication standard), a scanner capable of reading information printed on a receipt, and the like. The recording medium reading unit 121 reads information such as a card ID and game value recorded on the recording medium. The information read by the recording medium reading unit 121 is output to the control unit 120 as a read signal.

[0049] Furthermore, the recording medium reading unit 121 functions as a recording medium recovery unit with a recovery mechanism that recovers used non-member cards 28 that have no remaining value, such as remaining credit points, or gaming value, such as the number of balls held. Unlike member cards 27, non-member cards 28 are generally only valid for the day. In other words, non-member cards 28 that have no remaining value at the time of settlement can be recycled by being recovered rather than returned to the player.

[0050] The display unit 122 includes, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and is arranged, for example, in the settlement machine 12 so that the display screen faces the player. The display unit 122 is configured to perform display based on image data, which is UI data input from the control unit 120.

[0051] The operation unit 123 includes, for example, a position input device such as a touch panel as an operation device, and is provided on the display screen of the display unit 122. In the operation unit 123, an operation command is input by the player selecting an item displayed on the display screen of the display unit 122. In addition to the touch panel, the operation unit 123 may include, for example, an operation device such as a microphone, a mouse, or a keyboard, which is a voice input device.

[0052] The receipt issuing unit 124 is a device for issuing receipts, which are paper media. The receipt issuing unit 124 issues a paper receipt on which is printed information that can identify the settlement amount exchanged from the credit balance to currency as a result of the settlement process by the settlement machine 12, the number of balls held by the player associated with the card read by the recording medium reading unit 121, the number of balls remaining after the prize exchange process by the prize management machines 16, 19, etc. The paper receipt displaying information related to the number of balls held may be output separately from the paper receipt displaying the settlement amount.

[0053] The dispensing unit 125 is a device that dispenses money corresponding to the settlement amount to be returned to the player.

[0054] 1, the communication unit 126 is an interface that communicates with each unit via the network 20. The communication unit 126 transmits, for example, information such as the card ID read by the recording medium reading unit 121 to the management device 5.

[0055] (Operation of the payment machine) Next, the operation of the settlement machine 12 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the settlement machine according to the embodiment.

[0056] When a player finishes playing, he or she uses the number of balls he or she has in the prize management machine 16, 19 to obtain a prize. When a prize corresponding to the number of balls he or she has is exchanged, the number of balls corresponding to the prize is subtracted from the number of balls he or she has linked to the card ID, and the registered information in the management device 5 is updated to the number of balls he or she has not used for prize exchange. After exchanging for a prize, the player settles the balance of the points linked to the card ID.

[0057] The recording medium reading unit 121 receives the player's recording medium, and reads the card ID and game ID from the recording medium (S200).

[0058] The control unit 120 uses the card ID read by the recording medium reading unit 121 as a key to obtain the corresponding balance of points and the number of balls held stored in the management device 5 (S210).

[0059] The control unit 120 calculates the settlement amount (refund amount) based on the acquired credit balance (S220). Alternatively, for example, the control unit 120 may not calculate the settlement amount, but may have the management device 5 calculate the settlement amount in advance, and the control unit 120 may acquire the settlement amount together with the credit balance from the management device 5.

[0060] Here, the control unit 120 determines whether the recording medium received by the recording medium reading unit 121 is a member's card 27 or a non-member's card 28 (one-day card) that is valid for only one day (S230).

[0061] If the received recording medium is a one-day card (Yes in S230), the control unit 120 further determines whether the acquired number of held balls includes a fraction equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (S240).

[0062] If the received recording medium is a one-day card and the acquired number of balls is less than a predetermined threshold (No in S240), the control unit 120 inquires through the display unit 122 whether the player wishes to donate or give up the number of balls they have (S250). One-day cards are originally used by non-members to play for that day only, and balls cannot be saved and used for loaning later, so this confirms the player's intention regarding what to do with any remaining balls that are insufficient to exchange for prizes. The threshold for inquiring about donating or giving up the number of balls is, for example, a number less than 10 (1 to 9).

[0063] When the player inputs through the operation unit 123 that he / she has no intention of donating or abandoning the balls (No in S250), the receipt issuing unit 124 outputs a paper receipt (document) on which information that can identify the number of balls held is printed (S260). In addition to the number of balls held, the receipt may also be printed with a settlement record of the remaining credits, identification information for the paper receipt, a card ID, etc. The player may use the receipt on which the number of balls held is printed to reuse it as a prize exchange target through the prize management machine 16, 19. The player may also use the receipt on which the number of balls held is printed to reuse it for play through the replay acceptance machine 24. When the paper receipt on which the number of balls held is printed is issued, the control unit 120 outputs a command to the management device 5 to erase the number of balls held for the corresponding card ID. The management device 5, upon receiving the command, erases the number of balls held for the corresponding card ID.

[0064] When the receipt issuing unit 124 outputs a receipt, the control unit 120 may output the identification information and card ID of the output receipt to the management device 5 and record an issuance history in a database that includes at least information about which device the paper receipt was output from. In this case, the prize management machine 16, 19 can be configured to notify the manager via the personal computer 5a, wearable terminal 26, etc. if multiple prize exchanges have been made using the identification information on the receipt, or if multiple receipts output from the settlement machine 12 have been used together to exchange for prizes. This makes it easy to detect acts that suggest fraudulent use of the receipt (multiple prize exchanges using the same receipt, prize exchanges using fraudulently obtained receipts).

[0065] Once the receipt is issued, the recording medium reading unit 121 collects the received recording medium (S270). The collected recording medium can be reused.

[0066] When the player inputs through the operation unit 123 that he or she intends to donate or abandon the balls (Yes in S250), the control unit 120 outputs a command to the management device 5 to erase the number of balls held corresponding to the accepted one-day card (S290). The management device 5, having received the command, erases the number of balls held for the corresponding game ID. In addition, together with the erasure, the management device 5 may record historical information indicating that the leftover balls have been erased or donated as an erasure history. Once the number of balls held has been erased, the recording medium reading unit 121 collects the accepted recording medium (S270).

[0067] The control unit 120 dispenses cash based on the calculated settlement amount (S280).

[0068] If the received recording medium is not a one-day card but a member's card 27 (No in S230), or if the acquired number of held balls is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (Yes in S240), the control unit 120 records the acquired number of held balls as is (S300). In other words, the control unit 120 does not update the number of held balls recorded in the management device 5, but maintains it as is.

[0069] The recording medium reading unit 121 returns the received recording medium as is (S310), and the control unit 120 dispenses cash based on the calculated settlement amount (S280). In other words, if the membership card 27 or the number of balls held is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the card is returned without being collected.

[0070] In the example described above, it has been explained that the management device 5 manages the balance of the points and the number of balls held as the number of gaming media, but this is not limited to this. It may also be possible to record the balance of the points and the number of balls held on the card together with the card ID, etc. In this case, the balance of the points and the number of balls held will be obtained directly from the card.

[0071] In this way, the settlement machine according to the embodiment issues a receipt on which information that can identify the number of balls held is printed, and the recording medium can be collected, so that the card can be easily recycled. In other words, even if there are fractional balls remaining in the number of balls held, the player is given a record of the number of balls held, and the card itself can be recycled.

[0072] In addition, in the settlement machine of the embodiment, if the number of balls held is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the number of balls held is recorded and the recording medium can be returned, so that players can easily use the balls they have held for games again while taking into account the balance with recycling costs, thereby providing benefits such as the ability to easily use the balls held for games again.

[0073] In addition, in the settlement machine of the embodiment, if the recording medium is a membership card 27, the number of balls held is recorded and the recording medium can be returned, so the valuable value related to the number of balls held by a member player can easily be maintained as saved balls.

[0074] Furthermore, the settlement machine according to the embodiment outputs a receipt before outputting the amount of the settlement in currency, preventing the player from forgetting to receive the receipt. A notification may be issued when it is determined that only currency has been received without a receipt being received. In this case, the notification is sent to the wearable terminal 26 worn by the employee.

[0075] (Operation of the prize management machine) Next, the paper receipt acceptance operation of the prize management machine of the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 5 and 8. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the paper receipt acceptance operation of the prize management machine of the embodiment. The prize management machines 16, 19 are configured to be able to pay out prizes based on paper receipts issued by the settlement machine 12 and on which the number of balls held is printed.

[0076] When a player holds a paper receipt with the number of balls held printed on it over the scanner of the recording medium reading unit 161, the recording medium reading unit 161 reads the number of balls held printed on the paper receipt and the identification information that identifies the paper receipt (S400).

[0077] The control unit 160 acquires the issuance history of paper receipts issued for the corresponding card ID based on the identification information on the paper receipt (S410). In addition to the identification information of the issued paper receipt, the issuance history may include usage information such as the issuance date and time, prize exchange and replay acceptance, and information about the device on which the receipt was issued.

[0078] The control unit 160 determines whether the use of the paper receipt with the identification information read by the recording medium reading unit 161 is fraudulent based on the acquired issuance history, etc. (S420). Determining whether the use of the paper receipt is fraudulent can be achieved, for example, by consecutively reading paper receipts with different identification information output from the settlement machine 12 multiple times, by reading a paper receipt that has already been used (for example, a prize has been paid out, a replay has been accepted, etc.), or by reading a paper receipt with no issuance history.

[0079] If the result of the determination is that the paper receipt is valid (Yes in S420), the control unit 160 extracts prizes that can be paid out based on the number of balls printed on the read paper receipt, and displays them on the display unit 162 (S430). The player can input the prize he or she wants via the operation unit 163 in accordance with the display on the display unit 162 (S440).

[0080] When the operation unit 163 receives the selection of a prize (Yes in S440), the control unit 160 outputs a command to dispense the prize selected by the operation unit 163 to the prize dispenser 11, 18 (S450).

[0081] The control unit 160 outputs a command to erase the identification information of the paper receipt that was used to exchange the prize to the management device 5. Upon receiving the command, the management device 5 erases the identification information of the paper receipt that was used to exchange the prize (S460). This prevents multiple prize exchanges using paper receipts with the same identification information.

[0082] If the result of the determination is that the paper receipt is not valid (No in S420), for example, if paper receipts with different identification information output from the settlement machine 12 are read multiple times in succession, if an already used paper receipt is read, or if a paper receipt with no issuance history is read, the control unit 160 outputs a notification command to the management device 5 (S470). Upon receiving the command, the management device 5 outputs notification information via the personal computer 5a or the like that the paper receipt has been fraudulently used.

[0083] The notification of fraudulent use by the management device 5 is not limited to notification via the personal computer 5a. For example, the management device 5 can output a notification command to the wearable terminal 26 to notify the administrator by sound or vibration emitted by the wearable terminal 26, or can display a warning message on the display unit 162 of the prize management machine 16, 19.

[0084] When the control unit 160 outputs a notification command (S470) or when no prize is selected (No in S440), the control unit 160 displays on the display unit 162 that there are no prizes to be exchanged (S480).

[0085] According to the prize management machine of this embodiment, the payout of prizes is controlled based on the identification information printed on the paper receipt, thereby preventing fraudulent use of the paper receipts output by the settlement machine.

[0086] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 2...Pachinko machines 3,8…Inter-stand machine 5...management device, 5a...personal computer 7. Slot machines 9...Data display 10...Game system 11,18…Prize dispenser 12…Payment machine 14...Counting machine 15...Ticket machine 16,19…Prize management machine 17...Data release machine 20…Network 21...Protocol converter 22...Modem 23...Card Center 24...Replay reception machine 25...Island Computer 26...Wearable device 27...Member's card, 28...Non-member's card 30...control unit, 31...card acceptance unit, 32...card processing unit, 33...currency acceptance unit, 34...button unit, 35...display unit, 36...lamp unit, 37...communication unit 50...control unit, 51...timer unit, 52...information collection unit, 53...status monitoring unit, 54...database unit, 55...communication unit, 56...ID management unit 120...control unit, 121...recording medium reading unit, 122...display unit, 123...operation unit, 124...receipt issuing unit, 125...payment unit, 126...communication unit 160...control unit, 161...recording medium reading unit, 162...display unit, 163...operation unit, 164...communication unit

Claims

1. a recording medium reading unit that receives a recording medium that corresponds to a balance of points that indicates the number of points remaining after consumption by a game from the number of points corresponding to the deposited amount, and a number of game media that indicates the number of game media remaining that have been acquired by the game based on the game media loaned for the game; an acquisition unit that acquires the remaining points and the number of game media associated with the recording medium; a settlement amount acquisition unit that acquires a settlement amount to be exchanged for currency based on the frequency balance; a receipt issuing unit capable of outputting a paper receipt on which information capable of identifying the number of game media is printed; a recording medium recovery unit that recovers the received recording medium; a dispensing unit that dispenses the currency corresponding to the settlement amount; A cashier equipped with this.

2. If the recording medium is a member-use recording medium owned by a member, The receipt issuing unit does not output the paper receipt, the recording medium recovery unit does not recover the recording medium but returns the recording medium in association with the number of game media; If the recording medium is a non-member recording medium owned by a non-member, 2. The payment machine according to claim 1, wherein the receipt issuing unit outputs the paper receipt on which information capable of identifying the number of game media is printed.

3. The settlement machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the receipt issuing unit outputs the paper receipt when the number of gaming media is less than a predetermined threshold, and does not output the paper receipt when the number of gaming media is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold.

4. 4. The settlement machine according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing unit dispenses the currency equivalent to the settlement amount after the receipt issuing unit outputs the paper receipt.

5. The payment machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3; a prize management unit configured to be able to receive the recording medium and the paper receipt, and to exchange the recording medium for a prize based on information that can identify the number of game media associated with the recording medium or the number of game media printed on the paper receipt; Equipped with the receipt issuing unit outputs identification information for identifying the paper receipt when outputting the paper receipt; The prize management unit determines whether or not the use of the paper receipt is fraudulent based on the identification information, and outputs notification information if the use of the paper receipt is determined to be fraudulent. A gaming system characterized by:

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