Gaming equipment

Abstract

To provide a gaming arcade device that improves usability when players perform the settlement and prize exchange procedures in order. [Solution] The gaming arcade device includes a POS 3 that performs an exchange process to exchange the number of playable cards linked to at least one piece of information on a card C held by a player for prizes, and a settlement machine 2 that performs a settlement process to settle the balance of the prepaid value linked to card C. When card C is received by the settlement machine 2, if card C is a general customer card and not a member card, the settlement machine 2 collects card C after the settlement process is completed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a device for a gaming hall.

Background Art

[0002] The gaming system disclosed in Patent Document 1 below includes a counter calculator and a prize management device installed at a prize exchange counter in a gaming hall. When a player who has finished playing inserts the card used for the game into the counter calculator, the counter calculator pays out money corresponding to the remaining balance of the prepaid value associated with this card as the settlement amount. When a store clerk in the gaming hall reads the card received from the player using the card reader of the prize management device, the prize management device performs an exchange process between the game medium with the number of credits etc. associated with this card and the prize. Thereby, the prize dispenser connected to the prize management device pays out the prize.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Recently, an operation in which a player performs each procedure of settlement and prize exchange in order (that is, in a series of processes) has been considered. In this operation, various problems are assumed regarding the usability of the player.

[0005] This invention has been made under such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a device for a gaming hall that can improve usability when a player performs each procedure of settlement and prize exchange in order.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides a gaming arcade device comprising: an exchange means for performing an exchange process to exchange a number of playable games, each linked to at least one number of pieces of information on a recording medium held by a player, for prizes; and a settlement means for performing a settlement process to settle the remaining balance of the monetary value linked to the recording medium, wherein when the recording medium is received by the exchange means, if the recording medium is a recording medium for a general customer and not a recording medium for a member, the exchange means collects the recording medium after the exchange process has been completed.

[0007] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the recording medium is received by the exchange means, if the recording medium is not associated with the balance of the value, the recording medium is retrieved by the exchange means without performing the settlement process.

[0008] Furthermore, one embodiment of the present invention provides a gaming arcade device comprising: an exchange means for performing an exchange process to exchange a number of playable games, each linked to at least one quantity of information on a recording medium held by a player, for prizes; and a settlement means for performing a settlement process to settle the remaining balance of the monetary value linked to the recording medium, wherein when the recording medium is received by the settlement means, if the recording medium is a recording medium for a general customer and not a recording medium for a member, the settlement means collects the recording medium after the settlement process has been completed.

[0009] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the recording medium is received by the settlement means, if the number of playable games associated with the recording medium is not equal to a predetermined value or more, the settlement means retrieves the recording medium after the settlement process has been completed without performing the exchange process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] This improves usability when players perform the settlement and prize exchange procedures in sequence. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a prize exchange system to which a gaming arcade device according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] This block diagram shows the electrical configuration of the prize exchange system. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the transmission and reception of information between multiple devices constituting the prize exchange system. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of a payment machine and POS in a prize exchange system to which the amusement arcade device according to the first modified example is applied. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the payment machine, POS system, and prize dispenser in a prize exchange system to which the second modified amusement arcade device is applied. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a prize exchange system 1 to which a gaming arcade device according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. The prize exchange system 1 is applied to amusement arcades such as pachinko parlors. When a customer who visits an amusement arcade plays a game on a game machine (not shown), such as a pachinko machine, and acquires game media such as pachinko balls or tokens, they exchange the acquired game media for prizes at the prize exchange counter S inside the amusement arcade. The prize exchange counter S in this embodiment is an unmanned counter in which no staff members of the amusement arcade are usually stationed. Amusement arcades handle special prizes, such as card-shaped prizes, and general prizes such as sweets. Among the general prizes, affordable prizes that can be exchanged for fractional amounts of game media are sometimes called Viking prizes.

[0013] In this embodiment, players play the game using a card C, which is an example of a recording medium. A card C belonging to a player who has registered as a member at the arcade (a so-called member) is called a member card, while a card C belonging to another player (a so-called general customer) may be called a general card. Each card C has at least a card ID recorded on it, which is an example of identification information used to identify each individual card C. As another example of a recording medium, a mobile device such as a smartphone carried by the player can be used.

[0014] The prize exchange system 1 includes at least a settlement machine 2 as an example of a settlement means and a POS 3 as an example of an exchange means. The prize exchange system 1 may further include a first prize dispensing machine 4 which dispenses special prizes, a second prize dispensing machine 5 which dispenses general prizes, a card issuing machine 6 which issues new cards C, and a management device 7 which is a higher-level device in the prize exchange system 1. The settlement machine 2, POS 3, first prize dispensing machine 4, second prize dispensing machine 5, and card issuing machine 6 are arranged around the prize exchange counter S, while the management device 7 is located in an office or the like within the amusement store. In this embodiment, the settlement machine 2 and POS 3 are adjacent to each other, and the settlement machine 2, POS 3, card issuing machine 6, first prize dispensing machine 4, and second prize dispensing machine 5 are arranged from left to right in this order.

[0015] Card C is associated with a balance of prepaid value, which is an example of the monetary value exchanged for game media in order to start or continue playing. The fact that information such as the balance of prepaid value is associated with Card C means that the information is either directly recorded on Card C, or, although the information is not recorded on Card C itself, it is recorded in the management device 7 in association with the card ID of Card C.

[0016] Card C is also linked to information about the game media acquired by the player through gameplay. This information includes at least the number of game media, but may also include the lending rate set for the game media. In this embodiment, only one lending rate is set, but multiple lending rates may be set.

[0017] Gaming media acquired by players during their gameplay on the day and counted by the in-store counting device (not shown) become "held gaming media" (or "held balls" in the case of pachinko balls). Held gaming media are valid only on the day they are acquired. After the day of acquisition, held gaming media acquired by a member become "stored gaming media" (or "stored balls" in the case of pachinko balls) and are deposited with the store. If multiple lending rates are set, held gaming media and stored gaming media may exist for each lending rate. The quantity information linked to card C includes the number of held gaming media (or "held balls" in the case of pachinko balls) and the number of stored gaming media (or "stored balls" in the case of pachinko balls). Hereafter, the number of held gaming media and stored gaming media will be collectively referred to as "number of gaming media" (number of playable media).

[0018] The electrical configuration of the prize exchange system 1 is shown in the block diagram, also referring to Figure 2. The front of the box-shaped enclosure 10 of the settlement machine 2 is provided with a card slot 11 through which players insert and remove card C, and a dispensing slot 12 from which settlement money equivalent to the balance of the prepaid value associated with card C inserted into the card slot 11 is dispensed. The dispensing slot 12 may be divided into a banknote dispensing slot 12A for dispensing settlement money in banknotes and a coin dispensing slot 12B for dispensing settlement money in coins, or the banknote dispensing slot 12A and the coin dispensing slot 12B may be combined into a single dispensing slot 12. The settlement machine 2 includes a control unit 13 composed of a CPU and timer, and an I / F unit 14, a recording medium processing unit 15, a dispensing unit 16, a detection unit 17, and a storage unit 18 electrically connected to the control unit 13 (see Figure 2).

[0019] The I / F unit 14 is an interface connected to a wired or wireless network N provided inside the game parlor (the same applies to other I / F units described later). The control unit 13 can communicate with at least the POS 3 and the management device 7 via the I / F unit 14 and the network N. The recording medium processing unit 15 is an example of a reception unit that receives the card C inserted into the card entrance / exit 11, reads information such as prepaid value and card ID from the card C inserted into the card entrance / exit 11, or ejects the inserted card C etc. from the card entrance / exit 11. Also, when a game customer uses a mobile terminal instead of the card C, the recording medium processing unit 15 can non-contact read information such as prepaid value and card ID from the mobile terminal.

[0020] The payout unit 16 includes a configuration etc. for discharging the cash stocked in the cash register 2 to the payout opening 12. Note that the cash register 2 can also pay the settlement amount not in cash but in electronic money, and in that case, the payout unit 16 includes a configuration etc. for writing the amount of electronic money corresponding to the settlement amount to a recording medium for electronic money (not shown). In this case, the recording medium processing unit 15 may also serve as the payout unit 16. The detection unit 17 is a sensor that detects the presence of the settlement amount at each payout opening 12. Various information is stored in the storage unit 18.

[0021] The POS 3 is arranged on the upper surface of the prize exchange counter S. An example of the POS 3 is a tablet terminal, and on its front surface, there are provided a display operation unit 20 constituted by a liquid crystal touch panel etc., a receipt issuing port 21, and a reading unit 22 for non-contact reading the information stored in the card C and the mobile terminal. In the display operation unit 20, the display unit and the operation unit may be separately configured. The same applies to other display operation units described later. As the operation unit, an input device such as a keyboard etc. may be used.

[0022] POS3 includes a control unit 23 composed of a CPU and timer, an interface unit 24 connected to a network N, an issuing unit 25 composed of a printer and the like that issues receipts to the issuing slot 21, and a storage unit 26 that stores various information (see Figure 2). The display operation unit 20, reading unit 22, interface unit 24, issuing unit 25, and storage unit 26 are electrically connected to the control unit 23.

[0023] The first prize dispensing machine 4 includes a box-shaped casing 30 for storing special prizes, a dispensing opening 31 provided on the top surface of the casing 30, an opening / closing unit 32 for opening and closing the dispensing opening 31, and a dispensing unit 33 provided inside the casing 30 for dispensing special prizes to the dispensing opening 31. The first prize dispensing machine 4 is connected to a network N and can communicate with at least the POS 3 and the management device 7.

[0024] The second prize dispensing machine 5 includes a box-shaped casing 35 that stores general prizes. The front of the casing 35 is provided with a reader 36 for reading receipts, a display and operation unit 37, and an outlet 38 from which the general prizes inside the casing 35 are dispensed. The second prize dispensing machine 5 may or may not be connected to the network N.

[0025] The card issuing machine 6 is positioned, for example, on the top surface of the prize exchange counter S, adjacent to the POS 3. Multiple new, or blank, cards C (more precisely, general cards) are stocked inside the card issuing machine 6. An issuing slot 40 is provided on the front of the card issuing machine 6 from which the cards C inside the machine are issued. A display and operation unit 41 is provided on the top surface of the card issuing machine 6. The card issuing machine 6 is connected to a network N and can communicate with at least the POS 3 and the management device 7.

[0026] The management device 7 includes a control unit 45, an interface unit 46 connected to the network N, and a storage unit 47 that stores various information (see Figure 2). The control unit 45 is electrically connected to the interface unit 46 and the storage unit 47. The storage unit 47 stores the card ID of issued card C, the balance of the prepaid value associated with this card ID, and the number of game tokens for each card ID.

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the transmission and reception of information between multiple devices that constitute the prize exchange system 1, such as the payment machine 2, POS 3, and management device 7. Next, the prize exchange method in the prize exchange system 1 will be explained in detail.

[0028] After finishing their game, players who visit the prize exchange counter S first insert card C into the card slot 11 of the payment machine 2 to settle their prepaid balance. Then, the control unit 13, which functions as the actual settlement means in the payment machine 2, executes a process to settle the prepaid balance linked to card C by the player themselves. Specifically, the control unit 13 reads the card ID stored in card C inserted into the card slot 11 using the recording medium processing unit 15. In other words, the control unit 13 functions as an example of a reception unit, receiving card C from the player via the recording medium processing unit 15. In the case of member customers, after inserting card C, the control unit 13 may perform member customer authentication by prompting the member customer to enter a PIN using a display operation unit (not shown) or the like provided on the payment machine 2. In addition to using a PIN, biometric authentication using a camera or the like is also possible as an authentication method.

[0029] Upon receiving card C, the control unit 13 notifies the management device 7 of the card ID of card C, thereby querying the management device 7 for the balance of the prepaid value associated with this card ID (see arrow (1) in Figure 3). The control unit 45 of the management device 7 searches the storage unit 47 for the balance of the prepaid value associated with this card ID and the number of game media associated with this card ID. The control unit 45 notifies the settlement machine 2 of the balance of the prepaid value found in the storage unit 47 (see arrow (2) in Figure 3), and notifies the POS 3 of the number of game media found in the storage unit 47 (see arrow (3) in Figure 3).

[0030] The control unit 13 of the settlement machine 2 dispenses the settlement amount corresponding to the notified balance to the player at the dispensing slot 12 via the dispensing unit 16. When the player takes the settlement amount from the dispensing slot 12, the detection unit 17 no longer detects the presence of the settlement amount at the dispensing slot 12, and the self-service settlement procedure is completed. In this way, the player can perform the procedure to settle the balance of the prepaid value linked to card C by the settlement machine 2. If the prepaid value balance is zero, no settlement amount will be dispensed, and the settlement machine 2 or other means may notify the player of this fact.

[0031] Card C, in the case of a regular card, is merely lent to the customer by the amusement store, and therefore must be returned to the amusement store after the game is finished. In this embodiment, as mentioned above, after the regular card is inserted into the card slot 11 of the payment machine 2, it is collected inside the payment machine 2. This eliminates the hassle for the customer regarding the regular card and prevents problems such as customers taking the regular card home. On the other hand, if Card C is a membership card, it is ejected from the card slot 11 by the recording medium processing unit 15 and returned to the customer.

[0032] Once the settlement procedure is complete, the control unit 13 notifies the management device 7 of this fact and the card ID of card C used for settlement (see arrow (4) in Figure 3). In response, the control unit 45 of the management device 7 sets the balance of the prepaid value associated with the card ID to zero in the storage unit 47. In the case of a general card, the control unit 45 may delete the card ID, the prepaid value associated with the card ID, and the number of game media from the storage unit 47. As a result, this general card can be reused as a new general card after being collected in the settlement machine 2 as described above.

[0033] Players who have received their winnings, or players who have no winnings to receive, can operate the display and operation unit 20 of the POS3 next to the settlement machine 2 to input information into the POS3, thereby self-servicely exchanging their game tokens for prizes via the POS3. Specifically, the display and operation unit 20 displays the number of game tokens notified to the POS3 from the management device 7, and players can select a prize that can be exchanged within that number of game tokens by operating the display and operation unit 20. The control unit 23 of the POS3, upon receiving such input from the player regarding selection, functions as the actual exchange means and executes a process to allow the player to self-servicely exchange their game tokens for the selected prize.

[0034] Specifically, when a special prize is selected, the control unit 23 instructs the first prize dispenser 4 to dispense the selected type and quantity of special prizes (see arrow (5) in Figure 3). As a result, the corresponding special prizes are dispensed from the dispenser 31 of the first prize dispenser 4 (see Figure 1), and when the player receives the dispensed special prize, the self-service prize exchange procedure for the special prize is completed. In the case of a member customer, a completion notification may be sent from the POS 3 or the first prize dispenser 4 to the management device 7 upon completion of the special prize dispensing. Upon receiving the completion notification, the control unit 45 of the management device 7 updates the corresponding number of game media (such as the number of stored balls mentioned above) in the storage unit 47 by subtracting the value of the dispensed special prize.

[0035] There may be instances where a fractional amount of game tokens (so-called leftover tokens) that cannot be exchanged for special prizes are generated. If the player is a member, the member touches card C (membership card) to the reader 22 of POS 3 before the special prize is dispensed from the first prize dispenser 4. The control unit 23 of POS 3 then notifies the management device 7, along with the card ID of card C, of ​​a command to manage the fractional amount of game tokens as stored game tokens. As a result, the fractional amount is added to the number of stored game tokens stored in the memory unit 47 of the management device 7, which is linked to this card ID.

[0036] If the player is a regular customer, the control unit 23 issues a receipt (not shown) to the issuing slot 21 via the issuing unit 25, which contains information on the type and quantity of Viking prizes to be exchanged for the remaining game tokens. When the player receives the issued receipt and has it read by the reader 36 of the second prize dispensing machine 5, the corresponding Viking prize is dispensed to the dispensing slot 38. Once the player receives the Viking prize from the dispensing slot 38, the transaction for all prize exchanges is completed. If there are multiple types of Viking prizes that can be exchanged, the player may specify the type of Viking prize they wish to receive by operating the display operation unit 37 of the second prize dispensing machine 5. General prizes other than Viking prizes may also be dispensed from the second prize dispensing machine 5 using the same procedure as Viking prizes, or they may be handed to the player by a store employee.

[0037] If the customer is a regular customer, the control unit 23 of POS3 may instruct the card issuing machine 6 to issue a new card C with the aforementioned fractional amount linked to it from the issuing slot 40 (see arrow (6) in Figure 3). In this case, the customer does not have to go back to the settlement machine 2, for example, to get a new card C issued from the settlement machine 2. In other words, even if it is discovered that a regular customer has a remaining value of a fractional amount after the original card C has been collected by the settlement machine 2, the regular customer can access the card issuing machine 6 (a terminal different from the settlement machine 2) by continuing along the flow path L (see Figure 1) from the settlement machine 2 to POS3, without having to go back and forth between the settlement machine 2 and POS3, and receive a new card C from the card issuing machine 6, which is convenient. In this case, the amusement store can start this operation by introducing the card issuing machine 6 without replacing the entire system, thus reducing equipment investment costs.

[0038] The card issuing machine 6 notifies the management device 7 of the card ID and fractional value of the new card C to be issued (see arrow (7) in Figure 3), and the control unit 45 of the management device 7 newly stores these card IDs and fractional values ​​in the storage unit 47. For example, if a player inserts multiple cards C into the card slot 11 of the settlement machine 2, the remaining value of the fractional value resulting from the prize exchange for the number of game media associated with these cards C may be consolidated into a new card C of a smaller number than the number inserted (for example, 1 card), and this new card C may be issued from the issuing slot 40 of the card issuing machine 6. Also, if a player cancels a transaction at the settlement machine 2 or POS 3 while a general card inserted into the card slot 11 has been collected in the settlement machine 2, a new card C linked to the information associated with the collected general card may be issued from the issuing slot 40 of the card issuing machine 6.

[0039] In some cases, after a player inserts card C into the card slot 11 of the settlement machine 2 and the settlement amount is dispensed into the payout slot 12, the player may forget about the settlement amount and attempt to input it into the POS3 by operating the display operation unit 20 to exchange for a prize. In such cases, while the detection unit 17 detects the presence of the settlement amount in the payout slot 12 after the recording medium processing unit 15 of the settlement machine 2 has accepted card C, the control unit 13 of the settlement machine 2 instructs the POS3 to restrict the acceptance of input from the player into the POS3. In response, the control unit 23 of the POS3 functions as an example of a restricting means to restrict the acceptance of input from the player into the POS3. As a result, a player who attempts to input into the POS3 to start the prize exchange procedure after the settlement procedure can realize that they have forgotten to take their settlement amount from the payout slot 12.

[0040] On the other hand, while POS3 is processing input from a player (such as processing for prize exchange), the control unit 23 of POS3 instructs the payment machine 2 to restrict processing by the payment machine 2. In response, the control unit 13 of the payment machine 2 restricts processing by the payment machine 2 by functioning as an example of a restricting mechanism. For example, the control unit 13 restricts the acceptance of the next card C by the recording medium processing unit 15 (such as inserting card C into the card slot 11 or reading card C). As a result, while a player is going through the prize exchange procedure at POS3, another player cannot start the settlement procedure at the payment machine 2, making it less likely for a queue of other players to form in front of the payment machine 2. Therefore, players going through the prize exchange procedure can be relieved of the mental burden of being rushed.

[0041] As another example, while POS3 is processing input from a player, the control unit 13 of the settlement machine 2 may, with the recording medium processing unit 15, accept the next card C inserted into the card slot 11, but may restrict the payout of settlement funds by the payout unit 16 for the prepaid value balance associated with this card C. In this case, while a player is going through the prize exchange procedure at POS3, another player may be able to have card C accepted by the settlement machine 2, but will not be able to complete the settlement procedure. In this case as well, a queue of other players is unlikely to form in front of the settlement machine 2, thus relieving the player going through the prize exchange procedure from the mental burden of being rushed.

[0042] Thus, when players perform the settlement and prize exchange procedures themselves in sequence, the prize exchange system 1 allows at least one of the control unit 13 of the settlement machine 2 and the control unit 23 of the POS 3 to function as an example of a restricting means, thereby restricting the processing of one of the settlement machine 2 and POS 3 while the other is processing (restricting step in the prize exchange method). Therefore, the ease of use can be improved when players perform the settlement and prize exchange procedures themselves in sequence. In addition, the management device 7, which is a higher-level device for the settlement machine 2 and POS 3 that are interconnected in this way, may also restrict the processing of the other based on the processing status of one of the settlement machine 2 and POS 3, and in this case, the management device 7 and the control unit 45 of the management device 7 may be considered as restricting means.

[0043] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0044] For example, in the embodiment described above, the player settles their payment at the settlement machine 2 and then exchanges their prize at the POS 3. However, the order of the procedures may be reversed, and even in that case, it is preferable that the processing of the other is restricted while the processing of the other is in progress. In this case, the POS 3 is provided with a reception unit (a configuration corresponding to the card entry / exit slot 11 and the recording medium processing unit 15) for receiving the player's card C.

[0045] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the payment machine 2 and POS 3 were separate and connected to each other for communication (see Figure 1). However, as shown in Figure 4, the payment machine 2 and POS 3 may be integrated by incorporating POS 3 into the payment machine 2. Moreover, as shown in Figure 5, the first prize dispensing machine 4 may also be integrated with the integrated payment machine 2 and POS 3.

[0046] The various features described above can be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1. Prize exchange system (for amusement arcades) 2 Payment machine (payment method) 3 POS (Method of exchange) C card (recording medium)

Claims

1. An exchange means that performs an exchange process to exchange the number of playable games, for which information is linked to at least one item on a recording medium held by a player, for prizes, An amusement arcade device comprising a settlement means for performing a settlement process to settle the balance of the value associated with the recording medium, An amusement arcade device that, when the aforementioned recording medium is received by the exchange means, retrieves the recording medium after the exchange process is completed, if the recording medium is a recording medium for general customers and not for members.

2. The amusement arcade device according to claim 1, wherein when the recording medium is received by the exchange means, if the recording medium is not associated with the balance of the value, the recording medium is retrieved by the exchange means without performing the settlement process.

3. An exchange means that performs an exchange process to exchange the number of playable games, for which information is linked to at least one item on a recording medium held by a player, for prizes, An amusement arcade device comprising a settlement means for performing a settlement process to settle the balance of the value associated with the recording medium, An amusement arcade device that, when the recording medium is received by the settlement means, and the recording medium is a recording medium for general customers and not for members, collects the recording medium after the settlement process has been completed.

4. The gaming arcade device according to claim 3, wherein, when the recording medium is received by the settlement means, if the number of playable games associated with the recording medium is not equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the settlement means retrieves the recording medium after the settlement process has been completed without performing the exchange process.

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