Prize purchase system and prize purchase method

Abstract

To provide a prize purchase system and a prize purchase method capable of improving ease of use, in processing according to a prize purchase price.SOLUTION: A prize purchase system 1 comprises: a control part 35 for calculating a purchase price of a prize acquired by a game player; a prize reading machine 10 for executing processing according to the purchase price, in a prize for which the purchase price is calculated by the control part 35; and a payoff machine 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a prize redemption system and a prize redemption method. [Background technology]

[0002] In gaming facilities such as pachinko parlors, there is a facility called a prize exchange office that purchases prizes won by players, separate from the gaming facility itself. The prize reader disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is installed within the prize exchange office. An attendant at the prize exchange office sets the prize received from the player in the prize reader. The set prize is then taken into the prize reader, identified, and then collected. The prize identification result is output to a dispensing machine that is communicatively connected to the prize reader, and cash equivalent to the purchase price of the prize is paid to the player from the dispensing machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-39425 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is expected that in the future, when a prize is purchased at a prize exchange center, a predetermined process will be required depending on the purchase price of the prize. One example of such a predetermined process is a process in which the seller's identity is registered at the prize exchange center if the purchase price is above a predetermined amount, as in the case of secondhand goods transactions. If such a system is implemented, it is desirable to improve the ease of use of this process.

[0005] The present invention has been made against this background, and aims to provide a prize purchase system and a prize purchase method that can improve usability in processing according to the purchase price of prizes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention One embodiment of is a prize purchase system that includes a calculation means for calculating the purchase price of a prize won by a player, and a processing means for executing processing according to the purchase price for the prize whose purchase price has been calculated by the calculation means.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention One embodiment of The prize purchase system includes a reception means for receiving predetermined information about the player, and as the processing when the purchase price calculated by the calculation means is less than a predetermined amount, the processing means omits the reception process for receiving the predetermined information by the reception means and executes a payment process for paying a negotiable value equivalent to the purchase price.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention One embodiment of is characterized in that, as the processing when the purchase price calculated by the calculation means is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the processing means executes the acceptance processing and the payment processing after the acceptance processing, and pays a negotiable value equivalent to the purchase price in the payment processing.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention One embodiment of is characterized in that, as the processing when the purchase price calculated by the calculation means is equal to or greater than the specified amount, the processing means also executes a storage process to store the specified information received in the reception process.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention One embodiment of is characterized in that, as the processing when the purchase price calculated by the calculation means is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the processing means omits the acceptance processing, divides the purchase price into multiple small purchase prices less than the predetermined amount, and executes multiple small payment processing operations to pay valuables equivalent to the small purchase prices.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention One embodiment ofis characterized in that, as the processing when the purchase price calculated by the calculation means is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the processing means omits the acceptance processing, divides the purchase price into individual purchase prices for each prize, and executes individual payment processing multiple times to pay the valuables equivalent to the individual purchase prices.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention One embodiment of is characterized in that, as the processing when the purchase price calculated by the calculation means is equal to or greater than the specified amount, the processing means executes a notification process to notify that the specified information is required before the payment process.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention One embodiment of The predetermined information includes personal identification information for verifying the identity of the player.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention One embodiment of The method is characterized in that the processing means stores information about the payment of the value in the processing as transaction information, regardless of the purchase price.

[0015] The present invention One embodiment of is a prize purchasing method in a prize purchasing system, which includes a calculation step of calculating the purchase price of a prize won by a player, and a processing step of executing processing according to the purchase price for the prize whose purchase price has been calculated in the calculation step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The present invention One embodiment of According to the article, the prize buyback system automatically processes prizes for which a buyback price has been calculated, according to the buyback price. This reduces the amount of manual work required for the process, improving usability.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention,Specifically, in the prize redemption system, if the calculated purchase price is less than a predetermined amount, the reception process for receiving predetermined information about the player is skipped, and a payment process for paying a value equivalent to the purchase price is executed. The predetermined information may include identity verification information for verifying the identity of the player. On the other hand, in the prize redemption system, if the calculated purchase price is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the reception process and the payment process after the reception process are executed, and the value equivalent to the purchase price is paid in the payment process. In other words, in the prize redemption system, a process according to the purchase price is automatically executed, such that the reception process is skipped if the purchase price is less than the predetermined amount, and the reception process is executed if the purchase price is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount. If the purchase price is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, a storage process for saving the predetermined information received in the reception process may also be executed.

[0018] Furthermore, the present invention One embodiment of According to the publication, in a prize purchase system, if the calculated purchase price is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the acceptance process may be omitted, and the purchase price may be divided into a plurality of small purchase prices each less than the predetermined amount, and a small payment process for paying a negotiable value equivalent to each small purchase price may be executed multiple times. In this case, the player can ultimately receive a negotiable value equivalent to a purchase price equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, even without having to go through the trouble of the acceptance process, thereby improving usability.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention One embodiment of According to the publication, in the prize purchase system, if the calculated purchase price is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the acceptance process may be omitted, and the purchase price may be divided into individual purchase prices for each prize, and individual payment processes may be executed multiple times to pay the value equivalent to the individual purchase prices. In this case, the player can ultimately receive the value equivalent to a purchase price equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, even without having to go through the trouble of the acceptance process, thereby improving usability.

[0020] Furthermore, the present invention One embodiment ofAccording to the publication, in a prize purchase system, if the purchase price is equal to or exceeds a predetermined amount, a notification process is executed before the payment process to notify the player that predetermined information is required for the acceptance process. Therefore, the player who receives the notification can respond appropriately after recognizing that the predetermined information is required, thereby improving usability.

[0021] Furthermore, the present invention One embodiment of According to the method, in a prize purchase system, information about the payment of valuable value may be stored as transaction information regardless of the purchase price. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a prize purchase system. [Figure 2] This is an oblique view of the prize handling device included in the prize purchase system, seen from the front. [Figure 3] A block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the prize purchase system. [Figure 4] A figure showing an example of the display content on the display unit of the prize handling device. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of display content on a display unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of display content on a display unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of display content on a display unit. [Figure 8] A diagram showing the contents of a table stored in the prize purchase system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] A prize redemption system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the prize redemption system 1. The prize redemption system 1 includes at least a prize reader 10 and a dispensing machine 11. The prize reader 10 is a device that reads set prizes, and the dispensing machine 11 is a device that pays out a negotiable value equivalent to the purchase price of the prize that has been read by the prize reader 10. In this embodiment, the negotiable value is cash, but it may also be electronic money, etc.

[0024] The prize reader 10 and the dispensing machine 11 are communicatively connected to each other via a wireless or wired network 12. At least a portion of the network 12 may be configured using a public line. The prize redemption system 1 may further include a management device 13 as a higher-level device for the prize reader 10 and the dispensing machine 11. The management device 13 is also communicatively connected to each of the prize reader 10 and the dispensing machine 11 via the network 12.

[0025] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the prize reading machine 10 as seen from the front side. In Fig. 2, in addition to the prize reading machine 10, a prize C to be set in the prize reading machine 10 is also shown. An example of the prize C will be a special prize paid out to a player in exchange for a gaming medium such as pachinko balls that the player has won at a gaming facility such as a pachinko parlor.

[0026] A special prize is not a regular prize such as candy or juice, but a prize containing a valuable item such as gold with a predetermined monetary value. In this embodiment, the special prize is a rectangular card. There are multiple types of special prizes, each with a denomination of 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen, or 5,000 yen, depending on the value of the valuable item. Hereinafter, a 1,000 yen prize C is referred to as a small prize, a 2,000 yen prize C is referred to as a medium prize, and a 5,000 yen prize C is referred to as a grand prize. The surface color of each special prize may be different so that the types of special prizes can be visually distinguished. A special prize may also contain an IC chip containing information for identifying the type of special prize.

[0027] In the case of a special prize, prize C is circulated in a returnable box (not shown) via the gaming facility, a prize exchange office that purchases prize C won by players, a wholesaler that purchases prize C from the prize exchange office and sells it to gaming facilities, and an interchange office that collects prize C from multiple wholesalers, shuffles them, and then distributes them to each wholesaler. At least the prize reader 10 and dispensing machine 11 of the prize purchase system 1 are installed in the prize exchange office.

[0028] In the following, the orientation of the prize reader 10 and its components will be determined based on the left-right, up-down, front-rear and back-rear directions of the prize reader 10 when viewed from the front side, which corresponds to the front side of the page in Figure 2. Here, the left-right direction is the same as the width direction of the prize reader 10, and the up-down direction is the same as the vertical direction. The front-rear direction, which corresponds to the depth direction of the prize reader 10, and the left-right direction, i.e., the width direction, are included in the horizontal direction.

[0029] The prize reader 10 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is slightly elongated in the width direction. The portion that forms the outer shell of the prize reader 10 will be referred to as the main body 20. Approximately two-thirds of the right side of the main body 20 is provided with an operation unit 21 that is operated by a prize exchange attendant or the like, a printer unit 22 that issues receipts and the like, a transport unit 23 that transports the set prize C, an identification unit 24 that identifies the transported prize C, and a display operation unit 25 that displays various information. Approximately one-third of the left side of the main body 20 is provided with a storage unit 26 that stores the prize C after it has been read.

[0030] The operation unit 21 is provided, for example, approximately in the center in the vertical direction on the front of the main body 20. The operation unit 21 includes a start switch 27 that is pressed to start the operation of the prize reader 10, and a stop switch 28 that is pressed to stop the operation of the prize reader 10, and the start switch 27 and stop switch 28 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. An issuing port 20A for receipts and the like issued by the printer unit 22 is provided on the top surface of the main body 20.

[0031] With regard to the transport section 23, the upper right corner of the front of the main body 20 is hollowed out in a concave shape by being cut out from both the front and top sides, and this concave section is the setting section 29 where the prizes C are set in a stacked state in the vertical direction. The vertical direction in which the prizes C are stacked coincides with the thickness direction of each prize C. The longitudinal direction of the prizes C set in the setting section 29 coincides with the left-right direction.

[0032] The part of the main body 20 located immediately to the left of the setting section 29 is the central section 20B of the main body 20 in the left-right direction. Within the central section 20B, a transport path 20C is formed that extends horizontally in the left-right direction and transports one prize C. The right end of the transport path 20C is connected to the lower part of the setting section 29 from the left side. A through hole 20D is formed on the left side surface of the central section 20B, which is connected to the transport path 20C from the left side. The through hole 20D is large enough to allow one prize C to pass through.

[0033] The transport unit 23 is configured to pay out the prizes C set in the setting unit 29 one by one and transport them within the prize reader 10. Specifically, the transport unit 23 includes a circular endless belt 30 made of an elastic material such as rubber, and a drive mechanism (not shown) for moving the endless belt 30 in a circular motion. The drive mechanism is composed of a motor or the like. A portion of the endless belt 30 is arranged across the lower part of the setting unit 29 and the transport path 20C in the central part 20B of the main body 20, and is exposed to the left side through a through hole 20D in the central part 20B. A plurality of protrusions (not shown) are arranged at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt 30 along the direction of circular movement of the endless belt.

[0034] When the endless belt 30 moves in a circular motion in response to the driving mechanism, one of the protrusions on the endless belt 30 catches on the lowest prize C in the setting section 29 from the right side, causing this prize C to move to the left in a substantially horizontal position. As a result, the prizes C in the setting section 29 are fed out one by one starting from the lowest prize C and move to the left, and after being taken into the conveying path 20C in the central section 20B, are thrown out to the left through the through-hole 20D.

[0035] The identification unit 24 is a part that identifies the prize C dispensed from the setting unit 29 of the transport unit 23, and is built into the central part 20B of the main body 20. The identification unit 24 is composed of a sensor that identifies the prize C by the reflected light when light is projected onto the prize C, an IC reader that reads the information stored in the IC chip built into the prize C in a non-contact manner, and the like.

[0036] The display operation unit 25 is a rectangular liquid crystal touch panel that occupies roughly the lower half of the aforementioned area of about two-thirds of the right side on the front of the main body 20 and is elongated in the width direction. The display operation unit 25 may exist as an external display device separate from the prize reading machine 10 and be communicatively connected to the prize reading machine 10. The aforementioned operation unit 21 may be configured with touch keys displayed on the display operation unit 25. Furthermore, the display unit and operation unit of the display operation unit 25 may be configured separately.

[0037] The storage section 26 has a storage cabinet 31 in which items that have been transported by the transport section 23 are stored. The storage cabinet 31 is a vertically long hollow body that stores prizes C that have passed through the transport path 20C in the central section 20B of the main body 20 and been dispensed from the through-hole 20D. The internal space 31A of the storage cabinet 31 is a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped space that is open to the front side of the storage cabinet 31. The through-hole 20D is connected to the right side of the approximate center of the internal space 31A in the vertical direction. The internal space 31A is provided with multiple (here, two) thin, plate-like stages 32 that extend in the vertical direction.

[0038] The two stages 32 are housed in the internal space 31A with a gap between them in the vertical direction. Of the two stages 32, the lower stage 32 is referred to as the lower stage 32A, and the upper stage 32 is referred to as the upper stage 32B. The area above the lower stage 32A in the internal space 31A is divided into two upper and lower storage areas 33 by the lower stage 32A and the upper stage 32B. Specifically, one of the two storage areas 33 is the lower storage area 33A located between the lower stage 32A and the upper stage 32B, and the other is the upper storage area 33B located above the upper stage 32B. Note that the upper storage area 33B in FIG. 3 is in its narrowest state in the vertical direction.

[0039] The storage section 26 is provided with a drive mechanism (not shown) that raises and lowers the two upper and lower stages 32 while maintaining the vertical distance between them. The drive mechanism is composed of, for example, a motor and a belt that moves in a circular motion by receiving the driving force of the motor. The two stages 32 are connected to this belt and rise and fall in conjunction with the circular motion of the belt.

[0040] The two upper and lower stages 32 are movable in the vertical direction between an upper limit "recovery position" and a lower limit "reject position." When the two stages 32 are in the recovery position as shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface of the lower stage 32A is positioned at the same vertical position as the through-hole 20D in the central portion 20B or lower than the through-hole 20D. When the two stages 32 are in the reject position (not shown), the upper surface of the upper stage 32B is positioned at the same vertical position as the through-hole 20D or lower than the through-hole 20D.

[0041] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the prize purchase system 1. The prize reading machine 10 includes a control unit 35. The control unit 35 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The same applies to the other control units described below. In the prize reading machine 10, the control unit 35 is electrically connected to each of the operation unit 21, printer unit 22, transport unit 23, recognition unit 24, display operation unit 25, and storage unit 26 mentioned above, a memory unit 36 that stores various information, a reception unit 37 (see Figure 2) composed of a scanner or the like located outside the main body 20, and an I / F (interface) unit 38 connected to the network 12.

[0042] The control unit 35 accepts operation of the start switch 27 and stop switch 28 on the operation unit 21 by an attendant or the like. The control unit 35 operates the printer unit 22 to issue a receipt. The control unit 35 drives a drive mechanism (not shown) in the conveyance unit 23 to move the endless belt 30 in a circular motion. The control unit 35 receives an input of the recognition result of the prize C by the recognition unit 24.

[0043] The control unit 35 controls the display content on the display operation unit 25. The control unit 35 accepts operations by an attendant or the like using touch keys or the like displayed on the display operation unit 25. The control unit 35 drives a drive mechanism (not shown) of the storage unit 26 to move the two upper and lower stages 32 in the vertical direction between a collection position and a reject position. The control unit 35 accesses information stored in the memory unit 36, stores new information in the memory unit 36, and updates existing information in the memory unit 36. Information read by the reception unit 37 is input to the control unit 35. The control unit 35 can communicate with each of the dispensing machine 11 and the management device 13 via the network 12 by the I / F unit 38.

[0044] The dispensing machine 11 includes a control unit 40, an I / F unit 41 connected to the network 12, and a valuable medium processing unit 42. The control unit 40 is electrically connected to the I / F unit 41 and the valuable medium processing unit 42. The control unit 40 can communicate with each of the prize reading machine 10 and the management device 13 via the network 12 using the I / F unit 41. The valuable medium processing unit 42 includes a configuration for dispensing cash stored in the dispensing machine 11 to the outside of the dispensing machine 11. When the dispensing machine 11 handles electronic money, the valuable medium processing unit 42 includes a configuration for writing the required amount of electronic money to a storage medium of the player, etc.

[0045] The management device 13 includes a control unit 45, an I / F unit 46 connected to the network 12, and a memory unit 47 that stores various information. The control unit 45 is electrically connected to the I / F unit 46 and the memory unit 47. The control unit 45 can communicate with each of the prize reading machine 10 and the dispensing machine 11 via the network 12 via the I / F unit 46. The control unit 45 accesses information stored in the memory unit 47, stores new information in the memory unit 47, and updates existing information in the memory unit 47.

[0046] Next, a prize redemption method in the prize redemption system 1 will be described. First, an attendant at the prize exchange counter receives a prize C from a player who has won a prize C at an amusement facility and come to the prize redemption counter, places the prize C in the setting unit 29 of the prize reader 10, and then presses the start switch 27. The player may also place the prize C in the setting unit 29 and press the start switch 27. In response to the pressing of the start switch 27, the control unit 35 of the prize reader 10 moves the endless belt 30 in a circular motion, thereby paying out the prizes C placed in the setting unit 29 one by one and sending them to the conveyance path 20C. Note that even without pressing the start switch 27, the control unit 35 may start paying out the prize C in response to the prize C being placed in the setting unit 29. In this case, the prize reader 10 includes a sensor (not shown) that detects the presence or absence of a prize C in the setting unit 29.

[0047] The prize C sent to the conveying path 20C is identified by the identification unit 24, and the identification result is input to the control unit 35. If the prize C is identified as being genuine of a predetermined type, the control unit 35 moves the stage 32 to the collection position, and the prize C is collected in the lower storage area 33A as a buyable prize that can be exchanged for cash. On the other hand, for prizes C that are identified as not being genuine of any type, the control unit 35 moves the stage 32 to the reject position, and the prize C is rejected in the upper storage area 33B and then returned to the player.

[0048] In this way, the control unit 35 allocates all of the prizes C set in the setting unit 29 to either the lower storage area 33A or the upper storage area 33B. When there are only a few prizes C left in the setting unit 29, an attendant or a player may set additional prizes C that are eligible for purchase in the setting unit 29.

[0049] When all the prizes C on the set unit 29 are gone or when an attendant or player presses the stop switch 28, the control unit 35 displays the buy-back screen 50 shown in Fig. 4 on the display operation unit 25. The buy-back screen 50 displays buy-back price information 50A about the total buy-back price of the prizes C stored in the lower storage area 33A, breakdown information 50B about the breakdown of the buy-back price, and a confirmation key 51 for confirming with the player whether or not they wish to buy back the prizes. In this embodiment, all keys with names ending in "key" are touch keys.

[0050] Regarding the purchase price, the control unit 35 calculates the purchase price for each type of prize C by multiplying the total number of each type of prize C stored in the lower storage area 33A by the individual purchase price, which varies for each type, and calculates the final purchase price as the sum of the purchase prices for each type. The control unit 35 may update the purchase price by adding the individual purchase price of the prize C each time it allocates the prize C to the lower storage area 33A, and use the latest purchase price as the final purchase price. In either case, the control unit 35 functions as an example of a calculation means to calculate the purchase price of the prize C (a calculation step in the prize purchase method). The control unit 45 of the management device 13 may also function as the calculation means. The individual purchase price may be the same (equivalent to) or different from the value of the prize C at the gaming facility, i.e., the aforementioned 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen, or 5,000 yen.

[0051] A predetermined threshold amount is set for the purchase price. An example of the predetermined amount is 10,000 yen. If the purchase price is equal to or exceeds the predetermined amount, the player must register predetermined information about himself or herself with the prize exchange center. The predetermined information includes personal identification information (such as name, address, and date of birth) to verify the player's identity.

[0052] If the trade-in amount is less than the predetermined amount, the control unit 35 displays the trade-in screen 50 shown in Fig. 4 on the display operation unit 25. A player who wishes to trade in touches the YES key 51A of the confirmation keys 51. The control unit 35 then commands the dispensing machine 11 to pay the value equivalent to the trade-in price, and the control unit 40 of the dispensing machine 11 executes a payment process to pay cash equivalent to the trade-in price. When the player receives the cash paid by the dispensing machine 11, the trade-in transaction is completed.

[0053] If a player who does not wish to purchase the prize touches the NO key 51B of the confirmation key 51, the control unit 35 switches the display operation unit 25 to a standby screen (not shown), thereby canceling the current transaction. The attendant returns the prize C in the lower storage area 33A to the player.

[0054] If the purchase price is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the control unit 35 displays a purchase screen 52 shown in Fig. 5 on the display operation unit 25. The purchase screen 52 displays purchase price information 52A about the total purchase price of the prize C stored in the lower storage area 33A, a message 52B that indicates that the player must present personal identification information to purchase at that purchase price, and breakdown information 52C about the breakdown of the purchase price.

[0055] The buy-back screen 52 displays a message 52D inquiring the player whether or not he wishes to buy at the buy-back price, a message 52E inquiring the player about dividing the buy-back price into multiple small buy-back prices less than a predetermined amount and processing the transaction in multiple small transactions, and a selection key 53. In relation to the message 52E, a message (not shown) indicating that the presentation of personal identification information is not required when processing in multiple small transactions may also be displayed on the buy-back screen 52.

[0056] A player who wishes to purchase at the purchase price in the purchase price information 52A touches the continue key 53A of the selection keys 53. The control unit 35 then displays a guide screen 54 shown in Fig. 6 on the display operation unit 25. The guide screen 54 displays a message 54A requesting the player to present his / her personal identification information. The guide screen 54 may also display an illustration or the like indicating the location of the reception unit 37 to which the personal identification information should be presented.

[0057] The player has the reception unit 37 read an identification card such as a driver's license on which personal identification information is written. In this case, the control unit 35 and the reception unit 37 function as an example of a reception means, and the control unit 35 receives the personal identification information about the player from the identification card as a reception process. (Reception step) The personal identification information may be received by the reception unit 37 using OCR input of the identification card, or may be received by manual input by the player. In the case of manual input by the player, an input device such as a keyboard may be provided as an example of the reception means. The display operation unit 25 may also be used as the input device.

[0058] After the acceptance process, the control unit 35 commands the dispensing machine 11 to pay the value equivalent to the purchase price (12,000 yen in FIGS. 5 and 6), and the control unit 40 of the dispensing machine 11 executes the payment process. When the player receives the cash paid from the dispensing machine 11, the transaction for this purchase is completed.

[0059] A player who wishes to process multiple small transactions for the purchase price in the purchase price information 52A touches the multiple transaction key 53B (see FIG. 5) of the selection keys 53. The control unit 35 then displays the small transaction screen 55 shown in FIG. 7 on the display operation unit 25. The small transaction screen 55 displays purchase price information 55A about the small purchase price for the first small transaction, breakdown information 55B about the breakdown of the small purchase price, and a confirmation key 56 for confirming with the player whether or not the player wishes to purchase. When the player touches the YES key 56A of the confirmation keys 56, the control unit 35 commands the dispensing machine 11 to pay the valuable equivalent to the small purchase price (5,000 yen in FIG. 7), and the control unit 40 of the dispensing machine 11 pays the player cash equivalent to the small purchase price as payment processing for the first small transaction.

[0060] Upon completion of the first transaction, the control unit 35 displays a small-lot transaction screen 55 for the second transaction on the display operation unit 25. When the player touches the YES key 56A on the small-lot transaction screen 55, the control unit 35 commands the dispensing machine 11 to pay the value equivalent to the second small-lot purchase price, and the control unit 40 of the dispensing machine 11 pays the player cash equivalent to the small-lot purchase price as payment processing for the second transaction. If there is a third or subsequent transaction, the prize reader 10 and the dispensing machine 11 perform processing similar to that for the second transaction. When all small-lot transactions are completed, the player will finally receive cash equivalent to the initial purchase price (12,000 yen in FIG. 5). It is desirable that the control unit 35 set the small-lot purchase price so as to minimize the number of small-lot transactions.

[0061] If a player who does not wish to purchase touches the NO key 56B (see FIG. 4) of the confirmation keys 56, the control unit 35 switches the display operation unit 25 to a standby screen (not shown), thereby canceling the current small lot transaction. Instead of canceling the small lot transaction, the player may change the small lot purchase price using a numeric keypad (not shown) or the like displayed on the display operation unit 25, in which case the small lot transaction can be resumed at the changed small lot purchase price.

[0062] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the contents of table 60 stored in the memory unit 47 of the management device 13. Each time a transaction is completed, the control unit 35 of the prize reading machine 10 sends information about the transaction to the management device 13. The control unit 45 of the management device 13 registers the received information in table 60. Table 60 stores the transaction date and time, which is the date and time when the transaction was completed, the purchase price for the transaction, personal identification information, and notes, in the order of transaction date and time. The purchase price may also include information about the type and number of prize C, which is the breakdown of the purchase price. The transaction date and time and purchase price are stored in table 60 by the control unit 35 as transaction information for the payment of valuable value for any transaction, regardless of the purchase price.

[0063] On the other hand, personal identification information is stored in table 60 only in the case of a transaction in which the purchase price is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. In other words, if the purchase price is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the management device 13 executes a storage process to store the personal identification information received in the reception process at the prize reading machine 10 in table 60. In the case of the small-amount transaction described above, personal identification information is not stored in table 60, but information indicating that the current transaction is a small-amount transaction may be stored in table 60 as a note. Table 60 may also be stored in the memory unit 36 of the prize reading machine 10, in which case the control unit 35 of the prize reading machine 10 updates the contents of table 60 each time a transaction is completed.

[0064] As described above, the prize buyback system 1 functions as an example of processing means for at least one of the prize reading device 10, the dispensing device 11, and the management device 13, and automatically performs processing for the prize C whose buyback price has been calculated according to the calculated buyback price (a processing step in the prize buyback method). This reduces the manual burden on staff and players regarding this processing, thereby improving usability. Note that the control unit 35 of the prize reading device 10, the control unit 40 of the dispensing device 11, and the control unit 45 of the management device 13 may also be considered examples of processing means.

[0065] Specifically, as a process according to the purchase price when the purchase price is less than a predetermined amount (less than 10,000 yen in this embodiment), the prize reading machine 10 omits the reception process (see FIG. 6) for receiving the player's personal identification information, and the dispensing machine 11 executes a payment process for paying cash equivalent to the purchase price (see FIG. 4). On the other hand, as a process according to the purchase price when the purchase price is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the prize reading machine 10 executes a reception process (see FIG. 6), and after the reception process, the dispensing machine 11 executes a payment process, in which cash equivalent to the purchase price is paid in the payment process. As a process according to the purchase price when the purchase price is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the management device 13 also executes the above-mentioned storage process.

[0066] In other words, in prize purchase system 1, processing according to the purchase price is automatically performed, such that the reception process is omitted if the purchase price is less than a predetermined amount, and the reception process is performed if the purchase price is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount. If the reception process is performed in prize purchase system 1, staff are relieved from the burden of writing personal identification information by hand in a ledger or the like, which improves usability and prevents the time required for transactions from being prolonged.

[0067] Furthermore, as another process according to the calculated purchase price when the calculated purchase price is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the prize reader 10 omits the reception process, and the control unit 35 divides the purchase price into multiple small purchase prices less than the predetermined amount, and the dispensing machine 11 executes multiple small payment processes to pay the value equivalent to the small purchase prices (see Figure 7). In this case, the player can ultimately receive the value equivalent to a purchase price equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, even without having to go through the trouble of the reception process, thereby improving usability.

[0068] Furthermore, as a further process according to the calculated purchase price when the calculated purchase price is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the prize reader 10 may omit the reception process, and the control unit 35 may divide the purchase price into individual purchase prices for each prize C, and the dispensing machine 11 may execute multiple individual payment processes to pay the value equivalent to the individual purchase prices. Even in this case, the player can ultimately receive the value equivalent to a purchase price equal to or greater than the predetermined amount without having to go through the reception process, thereby improving usability. Note that since players may find it inconvenient if individual payment processes are repeated multiple times for each prize C, individual payment processes may be executed multiple times when the number of prizes C is less than a predetermined number (when there are a small number of prizes C), and the aforementioned small payment processes may be executed multiple times when the number of prizes C is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (when there are a large number of prizes C).

[0069] If the purchase price is equal to or exceeds a predetermined amount, the control unit 35 of the prize reader 10 executes a notification process before the payment process, informing the player by a message 52B (see FIG. 5) or the like that personal identification information is required for the acceptance process. Therefore, the player who receives the notification can respond appropriately after recognizing that personal identification information is required, thereby improving usability.

[0070] The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0071] For example, two or more of the prize reader 10, the dispensing machine 11, and the management device 13 may be integrated into one device. A camera may be used as the reception unit 37, and the personal identification information may include image data of the player captured by the camera.

[0072] Furthermore, the various features described above can be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1. Prize purchase system 10 Prize Reader 11. Dispensing machine 13 Management device 35 Control Unit 37 Reception Department 40 Control Unit 45 Control Unit C. Prize

Claims

1. A calculation means for calculating the purchase price of the prize won by the player; a processing means for executing processing according to the purchase price of the prize whose purchase price has been calculated by the calculation means; receiving means for receiving predetermined information about a player; In a prize purchase system, when the purchase price calculated by the calculation means is less than a predetermined amount, the processing means skips the reception process in which the reception means receives the predetermined information and performs a payment process in which a valuable item equivalent to the purchase price is paid.

2. The prize purchase system described in claim 1, wherein when the purchase price calculated by the calculation means is equal to or greater than the specified amount, the processing means executes the reception process and the payment process after the reception process, and pays a valuable amount equivalent to the purchase price in the payment process.

3. A prize purchase system as described in claim 2, wherein, as the processing when the purchase price calculated by the calculation means is equal to or greater than the specified amount, the processing means also performs a storage process to store the specified information received in the reception process.

4. The prize purchase system described in claim 1, wherein when the purchase price calculated by the calculation means is equal to or greater than the specified amount, the processing means omits the acceptance process, divides the purchase price into multiple small purchase prices less than the specified amount, and performs multiple small payment processes to pay valuables equivalent to the small purchase prices.

5. A prize purchase system as described in claim 4, in which, as the processing when the purchase price calculated by the calculation means is equal to or greater than the specified amount, the processing means omits the acceptance processing, divides the purchase price into individual purchase prices for each prize, and performs multiple individual payment processes to pay valuables equivalent to the individual purchase prices.

6. A prize purchase system as described in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, as the processing when the purchase price calculated by the calculation means is equal to or greater than the specified amount, the processing means executes a notification process to notify that the specified information is required before the payment process.

7. A prize purchase system as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the predetermined information includes personal identification information for verifying the identity of the player.

8. A prize purchase system as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the processing means stores information about the payment of valuable value in the process as transaction information regardless of the purchase price.

9. A prize purchase method in a prize purchase system, A calculation step of calculating the purchase price of the prize won by the player; a processing step for executing a process according to the purchase price of the prize whose purchase price has been calculated in the calculation step; a receiving step of receiving predetermined information about a player; A prize purchasing method in which, when the purchase price calculated in the calculation step is less than a predetermined amount, the processing step skips the acceptance step and pays a valuable amount equivalent to the purchase price.

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