Totalizator terminal, journal output method, and program

The system enables easy access to electronic journals across a network of totalizer terminals by using two-dimensional codes to identify and broadcast terminal information, addressing inefficiencies in accessing voting media records.

JP7620579B2Active Publication Date: 2025-01-23TOTALIZATOR ENG CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022002983
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-01-12
Publication Date
2025-01-23
Estimated Expiration
2042-01-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing totalizer terminals face challenges in efficiently accessing electronic journals from voting media, such as voting tickets and receipts, due to discrepancies in recorded and voted content, difficulty in locating the issuing terminal, and time-consuming maintenance processes.

Method used

A system that includes a totalizer terminal with a printing control unit to print a two-dimensional code containing terminal logical numbers and electronic journal information, a reading unit to read these codes, and a determination unit to broadcast the information to other terminals if necessary, allowing easy access to electronic journals across a network of terminals.

Benefits of technology

Facilitates quick and efficient searching of electronic journals, reducing maintenance time and effort by enabling seamless communication between terminals.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a totalizator terminal device that makes it easy to search electronic journals on gambling media and improve the speed of maintenance process.SOLUTION: A totalizator terminal 10 includes a print control unit 111, a reader 112, a determination unit 113, a simultaneous transmission unit 114, and a journal output unit 115. The print control unit prints a two-dimensional code containing information on a terminal logical number that identifies the totalizator terminal that issued the gambling ticket and the number of the electronic journal. The determination unit determines whether the terminal logical number included in the two-dimensional code is that of its own terminal. If it is determined that the terminal on which the two-dimensional code is printed is not its own terminal, the simultaneous transmission unit transmits the terminal logical number and the electronic journal number included in the two-dimensional code to other totalizator terminals simultaneously by broadcast. If it is determined that the terminal logical number is its own terminal, the journal output unit outputs the electronic journal included in the two-dimensional code.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a totalizator terminal, a journal output method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] When a fan of a publicly managed race bets, the purchase information is printed on a voting medium such as a betting ticket or receipt and issued to the fan. The fan's past purchase information is recorded sequentially as an electronic journal and can be displayed on the operator's screen of the Totalizator terminal. Meanwhile, a technology has been disclosed in which a two-dimensional code indicating a voting device is read and voting data is transmitted to the voting device indicated by the read two-dimensional code (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-096750 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there are cases where the counter will accept complaints that the information on the ballot differs from what was actually voted for, or requests from fans to reduce the number of ballots they have purchased.

[0005] The time of purchase is printed on voting media such as voting tickets and receipts, and the relevant electronic journal section can be accessed using that time as a search criterion, but operators who want to respond to maintenance as quickly as possible may want to avoid the hassle of inputting information.In this case, the teller cannot immediately access the electronic journal on which the customer service situation at the time of purchase is printed from voting media such as voting tickets or receipts.

[0006] In addition, each Totalizator terminal only holds the information that was purchased at that terminal. Therefore, in order to check the electronic journal portion of the voting media, it is necessary to go to the terminal that actually issued the voting media such as the voting ticket or receipt, which is cumbersome.

[0007] A terminal logical number that identifies the terminal is printed on voting media such as voting tickets and receipts, and although it is possible to go to the terminal that issued the voting media, the terminal is not necessarily nearby and may be on a different floor, which makes maintenance response time-consuming. As a result, it is not possible to immediately access the Totalizator terminal at the time of purchase from voting media such as voting tickets and receipts.

[0008] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a totalizator terminal device that can easily search the electronic journal of voting media and can speed up maintenance response. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is characterized in that, in a totalizator terminal installed in multiple public racing venues and printing transaction information on voting media, it comprises a printing control unit that prints a two-dimensional code including a terminal logical number identifying the totalizator terminal that issued the voting media and information on an electronic journal number, a reading unit that reads the two-dimensional code printed by the printing control unit, a determination unit that determines whether the terminal logical number included in the two-dimensional code read by the reading unit belongs to the terminal itself, a broadcasting unit that broadcasts the terminal logical number and the electronic journal number included in the two-dimensional code read by the reading unit to other totalizator terminals by broadcasting if it is determined that the broadcasted terminal logical number belongs to the terminal itself, and a journal output unit that outputs the electronic journal corresponding to the electronic journal number included in the two-dimensional code if it is determined that the terminal logical number broadcasted belongs to the terminal itself.

[0010] The present invention also relates to a journal output method that is executed by a totalizator terminal that is installed in multiple locations at a public racing stadium and prints transaction information on voting media, the method printing a two-dimensional code including a terminal logical number that identifies the totalizator terminal that issued the voting media and information about an electronic journal number, reading the printed two-dimensional code, determining whether the terminal logical number included in the read two-dimensional code belongs to the terminal itself, and if it is determined that the terminal that printed the two-dimensional code is not the terminal itself, broadcasting the terminal logical number and the electronic journal number included in the read two-dimensional code to other totalizator terminals, and if it is determined that the broadcasted terminal logical number belongs to the terminal itself, outputting the electronic journal corresponding to the electronic journal number included in the two-dimensional code.

[0011] The present invention is also characterized in that a computer of a totalizator terminal, which is installed in a public racing stadium and prints transaction information on voting media, prints a two-dimensional code including a terminal logical number identifying the totalizator terminal that issued the voting media and information on an electronic journal number, reads the printed two-dimensional code, determines whether the terminal logical number included in the read two-dimensional code belongs to the terminal itself, and if it is determined that the terminal that printed the two-dimensional code is not the terminal itself, broadcasts the terminal logical number and the electronic journal number included in the read two-dimensional code to other totalizator terminals simultaneously, and if it is determined that the broadcasted terminal logical number belongs to the terminal itself, executes a process of outputting the electronic journal corresponding to the electronic journal number included in the two-dimensional code. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, searching the electronic journal of voting media becomes easier, and maintenance response can be speeded up. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a totalizator system including a totalizator terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a totalizator terminal. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a voting ticket issued by a totalizator terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a receipt issued by a totalizator terminal. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a totalizator terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a configuration of a journal stored in a journal storage unit; [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic journal output to a display unit by a journal output unit. FIG. [Figure 8] 11 is a sequence chart showing an example of a journal output process executed in each totalizator terminal of the totalizator system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a totalizator system 100 including a totalizator terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, the totalizator system 100 has a plurality of totalizator terminals 10-1 to 10-n. A plurality of totalizator terminals 10-1 to 10-n are arranged at a public racetrack. The totalizator system 100 of this embodiment is applicable to public racetracks for various public races such as horse racing, bicycle racing, boat racing, and auto racing. In the example of Fig. 1, there are four totalizator terminals 10-1 to 10-n, but four or more terminals may be provided.

[0016] The totalizator terminals 10-1 to 10-n are connected via a network N and can communicate with each other. The totalizator terminals 10-1 to 10-n can be identified by their IP addresses. In the following, when the multiple totalizator terminals 10-1 to 10-n are not distinguished from each other, they may be referred to as totalizator terminals 10. Furthermore, the number of totalizator terminals 10 connected to the network N is not particularly limited. The totalizator terminals 10 sell and refund betting tickets, and also issue receipts such as itemized slips and gift certificates that are treated as a specified amount of betting ticket purchase money.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the totalizator terminal 10. The totalizator terminal 10 has a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a display unit 13, an input unit 14, a reading unit 15, a ticket issuing unit 16, and a communication unit 17. The totalizator terminal 10 may also have other hardware configurations not shown in Fig. 3.

[0018] The control unit 11 controls the entire totalizator terminal 10 and has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that reads programs and executes control processing. The storage unit 12 has a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage unit 12 stores the programs executed by the control unit 11, display screen data, and various other data. The storage unit 12 also provides a working area for the control unit 11 when executing the programs. The storage unit 12 also stores an electronic journal, which will be described later. The storage unit 12 may also include other data, etc.

[0019] The display unit 13 is, for example, a display such as an LCD, and displays a display screen under the control of the control unit 11. The input unit 14 is, for example, an input interface such as a touch panel display integrated with the display unit 13, and accepts operational inputs from the operator of the totalizator terminal 10.

[0020] The reading unit 15 has a mark card reading unit 151 and a betting ticket reading unit 152. Under the control of the control unit 11, the mark card reading unit 151 reads voting data from an inserted mark card and transmits the read voting data to the control unit 11. Under the control of the control unit 11, the betting ticket reading unit 152 reads voting information from voting media such as a betting ticket or receipt and transmits the read voting information to the control unit 11.

[0021] The ticket issuing unit 16, under the control of the control unit 11, prints the voting details and issues a voting ticket, and also prints the voting details and issues a receipt such as a detailed ticket. The gift certificate can be used as the payment for the voting ticket when the user purchases the voting ticket at the totalizator terminal 10.

[0022] The communication unit 17 communicates with the other totalizator terminals 10-2, 10-3, and 10-n via the network N of the totalizator system 100 under the control of the control unit 11.

[0023] Next, the voting medium issued by the totalizator terminal 10 will be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a voting ticket 21 issued by the totalizator terminal 10. The voting ticket 21 is printed and issued by the ticket issuing unit 16 of the totalizator terminal 10. On the voting ticket 21, information such as the date on which the voting ticket 21 was issued, the voting content, the voting amount, and two two-dimensional codes 22A, 22B of the voting information are printed. When the two two-dimensional codes 22A, 22B are not particularly distinguished from each other in the description, they will be referred to as "two-dimensional codes 22" below. In Fig. 3, a QR code (registered trademark) is printed as an example of the two-dimensional code 22.

[0024] The two-dimensional code 22 includes information such as the date the voting ticket 21 was issued, the voting content, the voting amount, and other voting information, as well as a terminal logical number that identifies the totalizator terminal 10 that issued the ticket, and the number of the electronic journal when the voting ticket 21 was issued.

[0025] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a receipt 23 issued by the totalizator terminal 10. The receipt 23 is printed and issued by the ticket issuing unit 16 of the totalizator terminal 10. On the receipt 23, information such as the date on which the receipt 23 was issued, the voting details, the voting amount, etc., and a two-dimensional code 24 of the voting information are printed. In Fig. 4, a QR code (registered trademark) is printed as an example of the two-dimensional code 24.

[0026] The two-dimensional code 24 includes information such as the date the receipt 23 was issued, the voting content, the voting amount, and other voting information, as well as a terminal logical number that identifies the totalizator terminal 10 that issued the receipt 23, and the number of the electronic journal when the receipt 23 was issued.

[0027] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the totalizator terminal 10. The control unit 11 of the totalizator terminal 10 has a print control unit 111, a reading unit 112, a determination unit 113, a broadcasting unit 114, and a journal output unit 115. The control unit 11 may have a functional configuration not shown in Fig. 5. The memory unit 12 of the totalizator terminal 10 has a journal memory unit 121. The memory unit 12 of the totalizator terminal 10 may have data not shown in Fig. 5.

[0028] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a journal stored in the journal storage unit 121. As shown in Fig. 6, the journal is composed of a file header 32 and electronic journal data 33, and the electronic journal data is composed of one or more data blocks 31. The file header 32 is stored at the beginning of the file of the data block 31, and stores information such as the date when the electronic journal data was generated and the terminal logical number. The electronic journal data 33 is stored after the file header 32. The electronic journal data 33 is of variable length, and a block header 34 and journal print data 35 are stored in each data block.

[0029] The printing control unit 111 prints a two-dimensional code including a terminal logical number that identifies the totalizator terminal 10 that issued the voting medium and information on the electronic journal number. The voting medium includes a voting ticket and a receipt. The terminal logical number is an identification symbol that can uniquely identify each totalizator terminal 10-1 to 10-n. Each totalizator terminal 10-1 to 10-n stores its own terminal logical number.

[0030] The printing control unit 111 controls the ticket issuing unit 16 to print two two-dimensional codes 22A, 22B of voting information on a betting ticket 21 and issue the ticket, as shown in the betting ticket 21 of Fig. 3. Similarly, the printing control unit 111 controls the ticket issuing unit 16 to print a two-dimensional code 24 on a receipt 23 and issue the ticket, as shown in the receipt 23 of Fig. 4.

[0031] The reading unit 112 reads the two-dimensional code printed by the print control unit 111. For example, the reading unit 112 controls the betting ticket reading unit 152 to read the two-dimensional codes 22A and 22B printed on the betting ticket 21 in Fig. 3, or the two-dimensional code 24 printed on the receipt 23 in Fig. 4.

[0032] The determination unit 113 determines whether the terminal logical number included in the two-dimensional code read by the reading unit 112 is that of the own terminal.

[0033] If the simultaneous transmission unit 114 determines that the terminal that printed the two-dimensional code is not its own terminal, it broadcasts the terminal logical number and electronic journal number contained in the two-dimensional code read by the reading unit 112 to the other totalizator terminals 10-2 to 10-n.

[0034] When the journal output unit 115 determines that the broadcasted terminal logical number is its own terminal, it outputs an electronic journal corresponding to the electronic journal number included in the two-dimensional code. The journal output unit 115 displays and outputs the electronic journal corresponding to the electronic journal number on the display unit 13. The journal output unit 115 may output the electronic journal by printing the electronic journal corresponding to the electronic journal number using a printer (not shown). The journal output unit 115 may also output the electronic journal by printing it using the ticket issuing unit 16.

[0035] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic journal 40 output to the display unit 13 by the journal output unit 115. In Fig. 7, an electronic journal 40 for one customer is output. The journal output unit 115 displays and outputs the electronic journal 40 on the display unit 13.

[0036] The electronic journal 40 includes, for example, columns 41 to 46. Column 41 displays how much cash the fan has inserted. Column 42 displays that the fan has inserted a mark card into the terminal and that the totalizator terminal 10 has read the mark card. Column 43 displays that the read voting contents have been transmitted to a host computer (not shown) and that the purchase has been made. Column 44 displays that the payment has been settled. The payment details include information on the purchase ballot remaining in the totalizator terminal 10 and information on the release of cash. Column 45 displays information showing how much cash has been released. Column 46 displays that the fan has received the purchase ballot. The operator of the totalizator terminal 10 can reliably and easily handle the fan by viewing the contents of the electronic journal 40 output to the display unit 13. This makes it easier to search for the electronic journal of the voting medium, and the speed of maintenance response can be improved.

[0037] Next, a description will be given of a journal output method by the journal output process executed in each of the totalizator terminals 10-1 to 10-n of the totalizator system 100. Fig. 8 is a sequence chart showing an example of the journal output process executed in each of the totalizator terminals 10-1 to 10-n of the totalizator system 100.

[0038] The journal output process is executed by the control unit 11 of the totalizator terminal 10. First, the control unit 11 of the totalizator terminal 10-1 reads the two-dimensional code from the betting ticket 21 or receipt 23 (step S11). The control unit 11 determines whether the terminal logical number included in the two-dimensional code matches the terminal logical number of its own terminal (totalizator terminal 10-1) (step S12).

[0039] If the terminal logical number included in the two-dimensional code matches the terminal logical number of the terminal itself (step S12: YES), the control unit 11 of the totalizator terminal 10-1 searches for the electronic journal for the corresponding customer service section using the electronic journal number as a key (step S13).

[0040] The control unit 11 of the totalizator terminal 10-1 displays and outputs the electronic journal searched for in step S13 on the display unit 13 (step S14). The operator of the totalizator terminal 10 can easily and reliably handle the fan while looking at the electronic journal displayed on the display unit 13. This makes it easier to search for the electronic journal of the voting medium, and can speed up maintenance response.

[0041] Returning to step S12, if the terminal logical number included in the two-dimensional code does not match the terminal logical number of the own terminal (step S12: NO), a message containing the terminal logical number and the electronic journal number is broadcast to the other totalizator terminals 10-2 to 10-n (step S15).

[0042] The control units 11 of the totalizator terminals 10-2 to 10-n judge whether the terminal logical number included in the message received by broadcast matches the terminal logical number of the terminal itself (each of the totalizator terminals 10-2 to 10-n) (step S16). If the terminal logical number included in the message received by broadcast does not match the terminal logical number of the terminal itself (step S16: NO), the control units 11 of the totalizator terminals 10-2 to 10-n discard the received message (step S17). When this process ends, the journal output process ends.

[0043] If the terminal logical number contained in the message received by broadcast matches the terminal logical number of the own terminal (step S16: YES), the control unit 11 of the totalizator terminals 10-2 to 10-n searches for the electronic journal for the relevant customer service section by referring to the journal memory unit 121 using the electronic journal number contained in the message received by broadcast as a key (step S18).

[0044] The control unit 11 of the totalizator terminals 10-2 to 10-n transmits the search results found in step S18 to the totalizator terminal 10 that sent the search (step S19). The control unit 11 of the totalizator terminal 10 displays the electronic journal on the display unit 13 based on the search results transmitted in step S19. The operator of the totalizator terminal 10 can easily and reliably respond to fan problems while looking at the electronic journal displayed on the display unit 13. This makes it easier to search for the electronic journals of the voting media, and can speed up maintenance responses. When this process is completed, the journal output process is completed.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and the components can be modified and embodied within the scope of the gist of the invention at the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, all components shown in the embodiments may be appropriately combined. Furthermore, components across different embodiments may be appropriately combined. Of course, various modifications and applications can be made within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10, 10-1~n: Totalizer terminal 11: Control section 12: Storage section 13: Display section 14: Input section 15: Reading unit 16: Ticket issuing unit 17: Communications Department 21: Voting ticket 22: 2D code 22A: 2D code 22B: 2D code 23: Receipt 24: 2D code 31: Data block 32: File header 33: Electronic journal data 34: Block header 35: Journal print data 40: Electronic Journal 100: Totalizator System 111: Print control unit 112: Reading unit 113: Judgment section 114: Broadcasting department 115: Journal output section 121: Journal storage unit 151: Mark card reading unit 152: Ballot reading unit N: Network

Claims

1. At the totalizator terminals installed at public racing venues and which print transaction information on voting media, A printing control unit that prints a two-dimensional code including a terminal logical number that identifies the totalizator terminal that issued the voting medium and information on the number of the electronic journal; a reading unit that reads the two-dimensional code printed by the print control unit; a determination unit that determines whether the terminal logical number included in the two-dimensional code read by the reading unit belongs to the terminal itself; a simultaneous transmission unit that, when it is determined that the terminal logical number included in the two-dimensional code read by the reading unit does not belong to the terminal itself, simultaneously transmits the terminal logical number included in the two-dimensional code read by the reading unit and the number of the electronic journal to other totalizator terminals by broadcast; a journal output unit which, when it is determined that the terminal logical number included in the two-dimensional code read by the reading unit is that of the own terminal, outputs the electronic journal corresponding to the number of the electronic journal included in the two-dimensional code read by the reading unit, and, when it is determined that the terminal logical number included in the two-dimensional code read by the reading unit is not that of the own terminal and, in any of the other totalizator terminals, it is determined that the terminal logical number transmitted simultaneously by the broadcast is that of the own terminal, outputs the electronic journal received from any of the totalizator terminals and corresponding to the number of the electronic journal transmitted simultaneously by the broadcast. A totalizator terminal comprising:

2. 2. A totalizator terminal according to claim 1, The voting medium includes a voting ticket or a receipt related to the public racetrack. A totalizator terminal comprising:

3. A journal output method that is executed by a totalizator terminal that is installed in a plurality of public racetracks and prints transaction information on betting media, the method comprising: Printing a two-dimensional code including a terminal logical number for identifying the totalizator terminal that issued the voting medium and information on the number of the electronic journal; Reading the printed two-dimensional code, determining whether the terminal logical number included in the read two-dimensional code is that of the own terminal; If it is determined that the terminal logical number included in the read two-dimensional code is not that of the own terminal, the terminal logical number included in the read two-dimensional code and the number of the electronic journal are simultaneously transmitted to other totalizator terminals by broadcasting; When any of the other totalizator terminals determines that the terminal logical number transmitted by the broadcast is that of the own terminal, output the electronic journal corresponding to the number of the electronic journal transmitted by the broadcast received from any of the totalizator terminals; When it is determined that the terminal logical number included in the read two-dimensional code is that of the own terminal, the electronic journal corresponding to the number of the electronic journal included in the read two-dimensional code is output. A journal output method comprising:

4. Totalizator terminal computers are installed in multiple locations at public racing venues and print transaction information onto voting media. Printing a two-dimensional code including a terminal logical number for identifying the totalizator terminal that issued the voting medium and information on the number of the electronic journal; Reading the printed two-dimensional code, determining whether the terminal logical number included in the read two-dimensional code is that of the own terminal; If it is determined that the terminal logical number included in the read two-dimensional code is not that of the own terminal, the terminal logical number included in the read two-dimensional code and the number of the electronic journal are simultaneously transmitted to other totalizator terminals by broadcasting; When any of the other totalizator terminals determines that the terminal logical number transmitted by the broadcast is that of the own terminal, output the electronic journal corresponding to the number of the electronic journal transmitted by the broadcast received from any of the totalizator terminals; When it is determined that the terminal logical number included in the read two-dimensional code is that of the own terminal, the electronic journal corresponding to the number of the electronic journal included in the read two-dimensional code is output. A program characterized by executing a process.

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