Prize exchange system, and method for exchanging prizes in the prize exchange system.

Abstract

To provide a prize exchange system capable of improving convenience in exchange transaction receiving a plurality of storage media, and a prize exchange method.SOLUTION: A prize exchange system 1 is provided with a card terminal 3. The card terminal 3 is provided with a card holding part holding a card received by the card terminal 3 during exchange transaction. During exchange transaction in which a membership card C1 is included in a plurality of cards C received by the card terminal 3 for one exchange transaction but the card holding part holds none of the storage media, both whole exchange and partial exchange are allowed. During exchange transaction in which no membership card C1 is included in the plurality of cards C received by the card terminal 3 for one exchange transaction and the card holding part holds none of the cards C, the partial exchange is prohibited.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a prize exchange system and a prize exchange method in the prize exchange system.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of a prize exchange system, Patent Document 1 below discloses a prize management device arranged at a prize exchange corner in a pachinko hall. The prize management device reads a card and performs an exchange process between the number of acquired balls associated with this card and prizes. As a result, a prize dispenser connected to the prize management device pays out prizes. In this prize management device, it is possible for a game player to perform the prize exchange procedure by themselves.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The inventors of the present application are considering, in the above prize management system (prize management device), accepting a plurality of storage media (cards) in a single exchange transaction and performing an exchange transaction of prizes (prizes) using the game media associated with these plurality of storage media.

[0005] In this case, several problems are assumed regarding the usability of the game player. As one such problem, it is assumed that a state occurs where, although a plurality of storage media are accepted, none of these storage media are held by the prize management system. Even in this state, these exchange transactions must be completed without giving an advantage to the game player. That is, it is required to improve the usability in an exchange transaction that accepts a plurality of storage media.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a prize exchange system and a prize exchange method that can improve usability in exchange transactions that accept multiple storage media. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This invention One embodiment The prize exchange system is a system for exchanging game media owned by players for prizes, and includes a reception unit that receives a storage medium associated with information about the game media owned by the player, and a processing unit that performs different processing for exchange transactions in which a specific type of storage medium is included among the multiple storage media received by the reception unit for a single exchange transaction, and for exchange transactions in which the specific type of storage medium is not included among the multiple storage media received by the reception unit for a single exchange transaction. Provide .

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention In one embodiment The aforementioned specific type of storage medium is a member-only storage medium that is used by customers who have registered as members at a gaming establishment. ru.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention In one embodiment In an exchange transaction in which the member's storage medium is included among the multiple storage media received by the reception unit for a single exchange transaction, the processing unit permits both a full exchange, in which all of the game media associated with these storage media are exchanged for the prize, and a partial exchange, in which some of the game media associated with these storage media are exchanged for the prize. ru.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention In one embodiment In exchange transactions where the member's storage medium is not included among the multiple storage media received by the reception unit for a single exchange transaction, the processing unit prohibits the partial exchange. ru.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention In one embodiment The holding unit holds the storage medium received by the receiving unit during the exchange transaction. It also includes. AndIn an exchange transaction where the member storage medium is included among the multiple storage media received by the receiving unit for a single exchange transaction, but the holding unit does not hold any of these storage media, the processing unit permits both the full exchange and the partial exchange. In an exchange transaction where the member storage medium is not included among the multiple storage media received by the receiving unit for a single exchange transaction, and the holding unit does not hold any of these storage media, the processing unit prohibits the partial exchange. ru.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention In one embodiment In an exchange transaction in which the receiving unit accepts only one of the storage media for a single exchange transaction, the processing unit permits both the full exchange and the partial exchange. ru.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention One embodiment A prize exchange method in a prize exchange system that conducts exchange transactions between game media owned by players and prizes, comprising: a reception step of receiving a storage medium associated with information of game media owned by a player; and a processing step of performing different processing for exchange transactions in which a specific type of storage medium is included among the multiple storage media received in the reception step for a single exchange transaction, and for exchange transactions in which the specific type of storage medium is not included among the multiple storage media received in the reception step for a single exchange transaction. Provide . The prize exchange method may further include a step of holding the storage medium received in the reception step in the holding unit during the exchange transaction. The aforementioned specific type of storage medium may be a member-only storage medium used by customers who have registered as members at the amusement parlor. In the processing step, if the member storage medium is included among the multiple storage media received in the acceptance step for a single exchange transaction, but the holding unit does not hold any of these storage media, both a full exchange, where all of the game media associated with these storage media are exchanged for a prize, and a partial exchange, where some of the game media associated with these storage media are exchanged for a prize, may be permitted. In the processing step, if the member storage medium is not included among the multiple storage media received in the acceptance step for a single exchange transaction, and the holding unit does not hold any of these storage media, the partial exchange may be prohibited. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] This invention One embodimentAccording to this, a plurality of storage media are accepted for one exchange transaction. Then, different processes are executed depending on whether a specific type of storage media is included in the accepted plurality of storage media or not. Specifically, in an exchange transaction where a membership storage media is included in the accepted plurality of storage media, both full exchange and partial exchange are permitted by the processing unit. Also, in an exchange transaction where a membership storage media is not included in the accepted plurality of storage media, partial exchange is prohibited.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, More specifically, in an exchange transaction where a membership storage media is included in the plurality of storage media accepted for one exchange transaction, but none of the accepted storage media are held in the holding unit during the exchange transaction, both full exchange and partial exchange are permitted. On the other hand, in an exchange transaction where a membership storage media is not included in the plurality of storage media accepted for one exchange transaction, and none of the accepted storage media are held in the holding unit during the exchange transaction, partial exchange is prohibited.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, In an exchange transaction where a membership storage media is not included in the plurality of storage media accepted for one exchange transaction, and none of the accepted storage media are held in the holding unit during the exchange transaction, the game media associated with the plurality of storage media cannot be returned. Therefore, in such an exchange transaction, partial exchange is prohibited and only full exchange is allowed.

[0017] On the other hand, in an exchange transaction where a membership storage media is included in the plurality of storage media accepted for one exchange transaction, even if none of the accepted storage media are held in the holding unit during the exchange transaction, the game media associated with the plurality of storage media can be returned to the membership storage media. Therefore, in an exchange transaction where a membership storage media is included in the plurality of storage media accepted for one exchange transaction, but none of the accepted storage media are held in the holding unit during the exchange transaction, both full exchange and partial exchange are permitted.

[0018] According to the present invention,The usability in an exchange transaction that accepts a plurality of storage media can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing a prize exchange system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic vertical sectional view of the main part of a card terminal included in the prize exchange system. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the prize exchange system. [Figure 4A] It is a flowchart showing an example of an exchange transaction. [Figure 4B] It is a flowchart showing an example of a transaction type discrimination process shown in FIG. 4A. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display content of a display operation unit in the exchange transaction. [Figure 6] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display content of a display operation unit in the exchange transaction. [Figure 7] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display content of a display operation unit in the exchange transaction. [Figure 8] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display content of a display operation unit of a POS according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a prize exchange system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The prize exchange system 1 is applied to a gaming store such as a pachinko parlor. When a gamer who comes to the gaming store obtains gaming media such as pachinko balls or medals by playing a game on a gaming table (not shown) such as a pachinko machine, the obtained gaming media is exchanged for a prize at a prize exchange counter S in the gaming store. The prize exchange counter S in the present embodiment is an unattended counter where no store clerk of the gaming store is stationed. In the gaming store, prizes such as card-shaped prizes called special prizes and general prizes such as snacks are handled.

[0021] In this embodiment, players play the game using card C, which is an example of a storage medium. There are two types of card C: member card C1, which is an example of a member storage medium (a specific type of storage medium) and is a card for players who have registered as members with the amusement store (so-called member players); and general card C2, which is a card for other players (so-called general players). Card C (member card C1 and general card C2) has at least a card ID recorded on it, which is an example of identification information for identifying each card C. As another example of a storage medium, a mobile device such as a smartphone carried by the player can be used.

[0022] The prize exchange system 1 includes a POS system 2 and a card terminal 3. The card terminal 3 accepts cards C and issues new cards C. As shown in Figure 1, the prize exchange system 1 further includes a receipt printer R, a settlement machine 4, a first prize dispensing machine 5, a second prize dispensing machine 6, and a management device 7. The first prize dispensing machine 5 is a prize dispensing machine that dispenses special prizes. The second prize dispensing machine 6 is a prize dispensing machine that dispenses general prizes. The POS system 2, card terminal 3, receipt printer R, settlement machine 4, first prize dispensing machine 5, and second prize dispensing machine 6 are arranged around the prize exchange counter S. The management device 7 is a higher-level device in the prize exchange system 1 and is located in an office or similar location within the gaming store.

[0023] Card C is associated with (or linked to) a balance of prepaid value, which is an example of the monetary value exchanged for game media in order to start or continue playing a game. The association of information such as the balance of prepaid value 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.

[0024] Card C is also associated with (or linked to) information about the gaming media acquired by the player through gameplay. This information includes at least the number of gaming media, but may also include the lending rate set for the gaming media. In this embodiment, only one lending rate is set, but multiple lending rates may be set.

[0025] Gaming media acquired by players during their gameplay on a given 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 gaming store. If multiple lending rates are set, held gaming media and stored gaming media may exist for each lending rate. The quantity information associated with 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). Hereinafter, the number of held gaming media and stored gaming media will be collectively referred to as the "number of gaming media."

[0026] POS2 is located on the top surface of the prize exchange counter S. An example of POS2 is a tablet terminal, on which a display and operation unit 20, consisting of an LCD touch panel or the like, is located. The display and operation unit 20 may be configured as separate units. An input device such as a keyboard may be used as the operation unit. The same applies to other display and operation units described later.

[0027] The card terminal 3 is located on the top surface of the prize exchange counter S. The card terminal 3 is a terminal that accepts cards C. The card terminal 3 has a box-shaped enclosure 32. A card entry / exit 30 for cards C to enter and exit is formed on the front of the enclosure 32.

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the card terminal 3. The card terminal 3 further comprises a card holding unit 31, a card reading unit 33, a card transport mechanism 35, a collection unit 36, and a collection transport mechanism 37. The card holding unit 31, card reading unit 33, card transport mechanism 35, and collection unit 36 ​​are housed within a housing 32. The card holding unit 31 holds card C. The card holding unit 31 comprises a holding base 31A and one or more pairs of rollers 31B that support card C on the holding base 31A. With card C held in the card holding unit 31, the card reading unit 33 can read information (card ID and prepaid balance) from card C.

[0029] The card transport mechanism 35 transports the card C between the card entrance / exit 30 and the card holding section 31. The card transport mechanism 35 comprises a transport member and an actuator 36B that drives the transport member. An example of a transport member is a pair of rollers 31B. That is, in the example in Figure 2, the pair of rollers 31B serves as both the transport member of the card transport mechanism 35 and the card holding section 31. The transport member may also include a belt or the like. The actuator 36B is configured to include a motor or the like.

[0030] The collection unit 36 ​​stores the collected used cards C. The collection unit 36 ​​can store multiple cards C up to a predetermined maximum number (for example, 10 cards). The collection and transport mechanism 37 transports the cards C held in the card holder 31 to the collection unit 36. The card transport mechanism 35 may also function as the collection and transport mechanism 37.

[0031] Card C inserted into the card slot 30 by a player or other user is taken into the casing 32 by the card transport mechanism 35 and held in the card holder 31. In this state, information is read from card C by the card reader 33. When returning card C to the player, after the information has been read, card C is transported from the card holder 31 to the card slot 30 by the card transport mechanism 35 and returned from the card slot 30. When collecting card C, after the information has been read, card C is transported to the collection unit 36 ​​by the collection transport mechanism 37 and collected. In the collection unit 36, used card C is held in a stacked state.

[0032] The receipt printer R has a receipt printing slot R1 on its front. The receipt printer R is composed of a printer and other components that print receipts from the printing slot R1. The receipt printer R is connected to a network N and can communicate with at least the POS2 and the management device 7.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the payment machine 4 comprises a box-shaped enclosure 40. The front of the enclosure 40 is provided with a card slot 41 through which players insert and remove cards C, and a dispensing slot 42 from which payment equivalent to the balance of the prepaid value associated with (linked to) card C inserted into the card slot 41 is dispensed. The dispensing slot 42 may be divided into a banknote dispensing slot 42A for dispensing banknote payment and a coin dispensing slot 42B for dispensing coin payment, or the banknote dispensing slot 42A and the coin dispensing slot 42B may be combined into a single dispensing slot 42. The payment machine 4 is connected to a network N and can communicate with at least the POS 2 and the management device 7.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the first prize dispensing machine 5 includes a box-shaped casing 50 for storing special prizes, a dispensing opening 51 provided on the top surface of the casing 50, an opening / closing unit 52 for opening and closing the dispensing opening 51, and a dispensing unit 53 provided inside the casing 50 for dispensing special prizes to the dispensing opening 51. The first prize dispensing machine 5 is connected to a network N and can communicate with at least the POS2 and the management device 7.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1, the second prize dispensing machine 6 includes a box-shaped casing 60 that stores general prizes. The front of the casing 60 is provided with a reader 61 for reading receipts, a display and operation unit 62, and an outlet 63 from which the general prizes inside the casing 60 are dispensed. The second prize dispensing machine 6 may or may not be connected to the network N, as shown in Figure 1.

[0036] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the prize exchange system 1. POS2 further comprises a control unit 21 that functions as a processing unit composed of a CPU, timers, etc., an I / F unit 22 connected to the network N, and a storage unit 23 that stores various information. The display operation unit 20, the I / F unit 22, and the storage unit 23 are electrically connected to the control unit 21.

[0037] The card terminal 3 further comprises a control unit 30A composed of a CPU and timer, an I / F unit 38 connected to the network N, and a storage unit 39 for storing various information. The card terminal 3 also includes an insertion sensor 30B that detects when a card C is inserted into the card slot 30. The detection output of the insertion sensor 30B is supplied to the control unit 30A. The card reading unit 33, card transport mechanism 35, retrieval transport mechanism 37, I / F unit 38, and storage unit 39 are all electrically connected to the control unit 30A. The information read by the card reading unit 33 is input to the control unit 30A. The card terminal 3 is connected to the network N and can communicate with at least the POS 2 and the management device 7.

[0038] The management device 7 includes a control unit 70, an interface unit 71 connected to the network N, and a storage unit 72 that stores various information. The control unit 70 is electrically connected to the interface unit 71 and the storage unit 72. The storage unit 72 stores, for each issued card C, the card ID, the balance of the prepaid value associated with that card ID, and the number of game tokens. After finishing their game, players who visit the prize exchange counter S first insert card C into the card slot 41 of the settlement machine 4 to settle their prepaid balance. This allows the settlement machine 4 to receive the card ID. Once the settlement procedure is complete, the settlement machine 4 notifies the management device 7 of the completion of the settlement procedure and the card ID of card C used for settlement. In response, the control unit 70 of the management device 7 sets the prepaid balance associated with the card ID to zero in the storage unit 72. After the settlement procedure is complete, card C is returned from the card slot 41. By operating the settlement machine 4, players can self-service the procedure of settling the prepaid balance associated with card C.

[0039] After returning card C, players who have received their settlement money, or players who have no settlement money to receive, then operate the display and operation unit 20 of POS2 located next to settlement machine 4. By operating POS2, players can perform the procedure of exchanging the number of game tokens for prizes themselves.

[0040] Figure 4A is a flowchart of the exchange transaction performed in the prize exchange system 1. The exchange transaction performed in the prize exchange system 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 4A. To start the exchange transaction, the player inserts card C into the card slot 30 of the card terminal 3. The control unit 21 of POS 2 monitors whether or not card C has been inserted into the card slot 30 (step S1 in Figure 4A). More specifically, the control unit 30A of the card terminal 3 refers to the detection output of the insertion sensor 30B. When the insertion of card C is detected by the insertion sensor 30B, the control unit 30A of the card terminal 3 notifies POS 2 of this fact. When card C is inserted into the card slot 30 (YES in step S1 of Figure 4A), card C inserted into the card slot 30 is taken into the housing 32 by the card transport mechanism 35 and held in the card holder 31. With card C held in the card holder 31, the control unit 30A reads the card ID from card C using the card reader 33. In other words, the control unit 30A and the card reader 33 function as reception units so that card C is accepted by the card terminal 3 (step S2 of Figure 4A, reception step). In the case of a member customer, after inserting card C, the control unit 30A may perform member customer authentication by prompting the member customer to enter a PIN using the display operation unit 20 of the POS2. In addition to using a PIN, facial recognition using a camera or the like built into the POS2 is also possible as a member customer authentication method.

[0041] Upon receiving card C, control unit 30A assigns the card ID of card C to control unit 21 of POS terminal 2. Upon receiving the card ID, control unit 21 of POS terminal 2 notifies management device 7 of the card ID, thereby querying management device 7 for the prepaid value and number of game tokens associated with this card ID. Control unit 70 of management device 7 searches its storage unit 72 for the remaining balance of the prepaid value and the number of game tokens associated with this card ID. Control unit 70 then notifies POS terminal 2 of the remaining balance of the prepaid value and the number of game tokens found in storage unit 72.

[0042] If neither the balance of the prepaid value associated with the card ID of card C nor the number of game tokens associated with this card ID exists (NO in step S3 of Figure 4A), the control unit 21 of POS2 notifies the card terminal 3 of a signal to return card C. Upon receiving this signal, the control unit 30A controls the card transport mechanism 35 to return card C, which is held in the card holder 31, from the card entry / exit 30 (step S12 of Figure 4A), and this exchange transaction is completed. Note that "no balance of prepaid value associated with the card ID of card C" means that the balance of the prepaid value is zero. Similarly, "no number of game tokens associated with the card ID" means that the number of game tokens is zero.

[0043] On the other hand, if there is a balance of prepaid value associated with the card ID, and at least one of the number of gaming media associated with this card ID, card C is accepted by card terminal 3. If there is a number of gaming media associated with the card ID of card C (number of gaming media held), when card C is accepted by card terminal 3, the control unit 21 of POS2 and the control unit 70 of management device 7 may deduct all of those gaming media (number of gaming media held).

[0044] After card C is accepted by card terminal 3, a return operation may be performed. In this case (YES in step S4 of Figure 4A), the control unit 21 of POS2 notifies card terminal 3 to return card C, and causes the accepted card C to be returned from the card entry / exit 30 (step S12 of Figure 4A). If the number of game tokens associated with this card C (the number of game tokens held) has already been deducted, the control unit 21 of POS2 restores this number of game tokens (the number of game tokens held). This completes the exchange transaction.

[0045] The prize exchange system 1 of this embodiment can accept multiple cards C via the card terminal 3 in a single exchange transaction. In other words, the exchange transactions performed in the prize exchange system 1 include single-card exchange transactions, which use one card C, and multiple-card exchange transactions, which use multiple cards C.

[0046] If there is a balance of prepaid value associated with the card ID, and at least one of the number of gaming media associated with this card ID exists (YES in step S3 of Figure 4A), and there is no return operation (NO in step S4 of Figure 4A), then the acceptance of one card C is terminated.

[0047] Next, the control unit 21 of POS2 checks whether or not there is a subsequent card C to be accepted (step S5 in Figure 4A). The control unit 21 of POS2 displays a guidance message such as "Are there any additional cards to insert?" along with buttons such as "Yes" and "No" on the display operation unit 20. The card terminal 3 has only one card holder 31. Therefore, if a subsequent card C is to be inserted, the preceding card C held in the card holder 31 must be moved to another location.

[0048] When the "Yes" button is pressed by the player (YES in step S5 of Figure 4A), the preceding card C held in the card holder 31 is moved to another location (step S6 of Figure 4A). If the preceding card C held in the card holder 31 is a member card C1, the control unit 21 of POS2 causes the preceding member card C1 to be returned from the card entry / exit 30 by the card transport mechanism 35. On the other hand, if the preceding card C held in the card holder 31 is a general card C2, the control unit 21 of POS2 causes the preceding general card C2 to be collected in the collection box 36 by the collection transport mechanism 37.

[0049] Then, the next card C is inserted into the card slot 30 (step S1 in Figure 4A). The inserted next card C is held in the card holder 31, which is now empty. As a result, the next card C is accepted by the card terminal 3 (step S2 in Figure 4A). The prepaid value and the number of game tokens associated with the card ID of the next card C are then queried from the management device 7, and the remaining balance of the prepaid value and the number of game tokens are notified to the POS 2. When the next card C is accepted by the card terminal 3, the number of game tokens associated with the card C (the number of game tokens held) may be deducted entirely at one point. There may be multiple next cards C. The process in steps S1 to S4 in Figure 4A is repeated until there are no more next cards C being inserted into the card slot 30.

[0050] In this embodiment, even in the case of multiple exchange transactions, a maximum of one member card C1 is used in each exchange transaction. In other words, two or more member cards C1 cannot be accepted in a multiple exchange transaction. Therefore, if a member card C1 is inserted into the card slot 30 while one member card C1 has already been accepted by the card terminal 3, the subsequent member card C1 will not be accepted and will be returned from the card slot 30.

[0051] Once all cards C have been inserted, the player presses the "No" button on the display operation unit 20 (NO in step S5 of Figure 4A). When the "No" button is pressed by the player, the previously held card C in the card holding unit 31 does not move. Subsequently, the control unit 21 of POS2 terminates the acceptance of card C (step S7 of Figure 4A). Card terminal 3 cannot accept any more cards C after this point.

[0052] Then, the control unit 21 of POS2 executes a transaction type determination process (step S8 in Figure 4A) to confirm the type of the exchange transaction. The transaction type determination process determines whether the exchange transaction is a normal transaction, a first-restricted transaction, or a second-restricted transaction based on the number and type of cards C received by the card terminal 3.

[0053] Subsequently, the number of game media notified to POS2 from the management device 7 is displayed on the display operation unit 20. If multiple cards C have been accepted, the number of game media corresponding to those multiple cards C is displayed. The player selects the type and quantity of prizes by operating the display operation unit 20 (step S9 in Figure 4A). Once the player has selected the type and quantity of prizes, the control unit 21 of POS2 executes a process to allow the player to exchange their game media for the selected prizes themselves. Specifically, the control unit 21 of POS2 creates payout information corresponding to the selected type and quantity of prizes and sends a payout request based on the generated payout information to the first prize payout machine 5 (step S10 in Figure 4A). As a result, the corresponding special prize is dispensed from the payout port 51 (see Figure 1) of the first prize payout machine 5. Once the player receives the dispensed special prize, the self-service prize exchange procedure for the special prize is completed. Upon completion of the special prize payout, a completion notification is sent from POS2 or the first prize payout machine 5 to the management device 7. Upon receiving the completion notification, the control unit 70 of the management device 7 updates the number of game media in the storage unit 72 according to the value of the special prize that was dispensed. Specifically, the control unit 70 of the management device 7 updates the number of stored game media in the storage unit 72 according to the value of the special prize that was dispensed. In addition, upon receiving the completion notification, the control unit 70 of the management device 7 restores and updates the number of remaining game media (number of game media held) according to the value of the special prize that was dispensed.

[0054] Upon completion of the prize exchange procedure, card C held in the card holder 31 is returned or collected (step S11 in Figure 4A). After the number of game media is updated, general card C2 whose associated number of game media has become zero is collected into the collection storage 36 by the collection transport mechanism 37. On the other hand, member card C1 and general card C2 with an associated number of game media remaining are returned to the player from the card entry / exit 30 by the card transport mechanism 35.

[0055] 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 control unit 21 of POS2 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 storage unit 72 of the management device 7, which is associated with this card ID.

[0056] If the player is a regular customer, the control unit 21 issues a receipt (not shown) from the issuing slot R1 by the receipt printer R, which contains information such as the type and quantity of regular prizes to be exchanged for the remaining game media, and the type and quantity of special prizes selected for exchange. When the player receives the issued receipt and has the reading unit 61 of the second prize dispensing machine 6 read it, the corresponding regular prize is dispensed to the dispensing slot 63. When the player receives the regular prize from the dispensing slot 63, the exchange transaction for all prizes is completed.

[0057] In a single-card exchange transaction, if the return operation is performed while card C is accepted (YES in step S4 of Figure 4A), card C, which was held in the card holder 31 of the card terminal 3, is returned from the card slot 30, and the exchange transaction is completed. Therefore, in a single-card exchange transaction, the state in which card C is accepted but not held in the card holder 31 does not occur.

[0058] In contrast, in a multi-card exchange transaction, if a return operation is performed while card C is accepted (YES in step S4 of Figure 4A), card C (the last inserted card C) that was held in the card holder section 31 of the card terminal 3 is returned from the card slot 30. At this time, both the card C (the last inserted card C) and the preceding card C have already been accepted by the card terminal 3, but the card C (the last inserted card C) has already been returned, and the preceding card C has also been returned if card C is a member card C1, or collected if card C is a general card C2. Therefore, in a multi-card exchange transaction, a situation occurs where none of the accepted card Cs are held in the card holder section 31 during the exchange transaction.

[0059] Figure 4B is a flowchart showing an example of the transaction type determination process (step S7 in Figure 4A). If the current exchange transaction is a single-card exchange transaction (YES in step S21 in Figure 4B), the control unit 21 executes a normal transaction (step S24 in Figure 4B) (processing step). Also, even if the current exchange transaction is a multi-card exchange transaction (NO in step S21 in Figure 4B), if card C is held in the card holder 31 at that time (YES in step S22 in Figure 4B), a normal transaction is executed. A normal transaction is an exchange transaction in which both full exchange and partial exchange are permitted. A full exchange is a transaction in which all of the game media associated with card C are exchanged for the prize. A partial exchange is a transaction in which some of the game media associated with card C are exchanged for the prize. A normal transaction is also an exchange transaction in which the number of remaining game media after the completion of a partial exchange transaction is stored in the storage unit 72 of the management device 7 as the number of game media held, associated with the card ID.

[0060] On the other hand, if the current exchange transaction is a multi-card exchange transaction (NO in step S21 of Figure 4B), and card C is not held in the card holder 31 at that time (NO in step S22 of Figure 4B), the control unit 21 executes a restricted transaction (steps S25 and S26 of Figure 4B) (processing step). A restricted transaction includes a first restricted transaction and a second restricted transaction. In the first restricted transaction, both full and partial exchanges are permitted, but the number of remaining game media after the completion of the partial exchange transaction is stored in the storage unit 72 of the management device 7 as the number of stored game media, associated with the card ID. In the second restricted transaction, partial exchanges are prohibited, and only full exchanges are permitted.

[0061] If card C is not held in the card holder 31 (NO in step S22 of Figure 4B), and member card C1 is included among the multiple cards C accepted for a single exchange transaction (YES in step S23 of Figure 4B), the first constraint transaction is executed (step S25 of Figure 4B). On the other hand, if card C is not held in the card holder 31 (NO in step S22 of Figure 4B), and all of the multiple cards C accepted for a single exchange transaction are general cards, that is, member card C1 is not included among the multiple cards C accepted (NO in step S23 of Figure 4B), the second constraint transaction is executed (step S26 of Figure 4B).

[0062] Figures 5 to 7 are schematic diagrams showing an example of the display content of the display operation unit 20 in the exchange transaction. A multi-coin exchange transaction will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 4B. Figures 5 to 7 should be referred to as appropriate.

[0063] The following describes a multi-card exchange transaction when member card C1 is included among the multiple cards C currently being accepted by card terminal 3. When card terminal 3 has completed accepting card C (step S7 in Figure 4A), if card C is held in the card holder 31 (YES in step S22 in Figure 4B), a normal transaction is performed in the multi-card exchange transaction (step S24 in Figure 4B), and both full exchange and single card exchange are permitted in the multi-card exchange transaction. Specifically, in prize selection (step S9 in Figure 4A), as shown in Figure 5, the exchange mode selection screen 80 is displayed on the display operation unit 20. The exchange mode selection screen 80 displays a partial exchange button 81 and a full exchange button 82. When the player operates the partial exchange button 81, a selection screen (not shown) is then displayed on the display operation unit 20. When the type and number of prizes are selected within the range of the number of game media associated with card C on the selection screen, a content confirmation screen 90 is displayed on the display operation unit 20 as shown in Figure 6. The content confirmation screen 90 displays the type and quantity of the selected prize. The content confirmation screen 90 also displays the number of game tokens used for prize exchange (display number 91), the number of remaining game tokens (display number 92), and the exchange button 93. When the exchange button 93 is pressed, a payout request corresponding to the type and quantity of prize displayed on the content confirmation screen 90 is sent to the first prize payout machine 5 (step S10 in Figure 4A).

[0064] Upon completion of the exchange transaction, if there are any remaining game media, they are returned in association with the card ID of card C held in the card holder 31. Specifically, if card C held in the card holder 31 is member card C1, the number of game media is returned in association with the card ID of member card C1, and if card C held in the card holder 31 is general card C2, the number of game media is returned in association with the card ID of general card C2.

[0065] On the other hand, when the card terminal 3 has completed accepting card C (step S7 in Figure 4A), if card C is not held in the card holder 31 (NO in step S22 in Figure 4B, YES in step S23 in Figure 4B), then the first constraint transaction is executed in this multiple card exchange transaction (step S25 in Figure 4B), and both full exchange and single card exchange are permitted in the multiple card exchange transaction. In this respect, the first constraint transaction is the same as in a normal transaction. Then, at the end of the exchange transaction, if there are any remaining game media, they are returned as stored game media, associated with the card ID of member card C1 among the multiple cards C currently accepted by the card terminal 3.

[0066] Next, we will explain a multi-card exchange transaction when member card C1 is not included among the multiple cards C currently being accepted by card terminal 3. When card terminal 3 has completed accepting card C (step S7 in Figure 4A), if card C is held in card holder 31 (YES in step S22 in Figure 4B), a normal transaction is performed in this multi-card exchange transaction (step S24 in Figure 4B), and both full exchange and single-card exchange are permitted in the multi-card exchange transaction. Then, at the end of the exchange transaction, if there are any remaining game media, they are returned in association with the card ID of card C held in card holder 31. Specifically, the number of game media is returned in association with the card ID of general card C2 held in card holder 31.

[0067] On the other hand, consider the case where, at the point when the card terminal 3 has completed accepting card C (step S7 in Figure 4A), card C is not held in the card holder 31 (NO in step S22 and NO in step S23 in Figure 4B). In this case, if the number of game media associated with the multiple accepted card Cs is deducted, it is not possible to restore that number of game media afterward. Therefore, in such a multi-card exchange transaction, a second constraint transaction is executed (step S26 in Figure 4B), and partial exchange is prohibited. That is, in this exchange transaction, only full exchange is permitted. Specifically, in prize selection (step S9 in Figure 4A), as shown in Figure 7, the content confirmation screen 90A is displayed on the display operation unit 20. The content confirmation screen 90A displays the type and number of prizes with a value equivalent to the number of game media associated with the multiple card Cs. The content confirmation screen 90A also displays the number of game media used for prize exchange, the number of game media used, the number of game media used, and the exchange button 93. However, unlike the content confirmation screen 90 shown in Figure 6, the content confirmation screen 90A shown in Figure 7 does not have a display 92 showing the number of remaining game tokens. When the exchange button 93 is operated on the content confirmation screen 90A, a payout request corresponding to the type and quantity of prizes displayed on the content confirmation screen 90A is sent to the first prize payout machine 5 (step S10 in Figure 4A). At the end of the exchange transaction, there are no remaining game tokens (number of game tokens held).

[0068] As described above, according to this embodiment, in an exchange transaction in which the member card C1 is not included among the multiple cards C received, and none of the received cards C are held in the card holder 31 during the exchange transaction, once the number of game media associated with the multiple received cards C is deducted, it is not possible to restore that number of game media afterward. For this reason, in such an exchange transaction, partial exchange is prohibited, and only full exchange is permitted (second restricted transaction).

[0069] On the other hand, in an exchange transaction in which member card C1 is included among multiple cards C accepted for a single exchange transaction, even if none of the accepted cards C are held in the card holder 31 during the exchange transaction, it is possible to return the game media associated with the multiple cards C to member card C1 as stored game media. Therefore, in such an exchange transaction, both full exchange and partial exchange are permitted (first restricted transaction).

[0070] By implementing different processing methods for these exchange transactions, these transactions can be completed without causing any disadvantage to the players. Therefore, staff interaction is not required. This improves the usability of exchange transactions that accept multiple cards C.

[0071] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be implemented in other forms as well.

[0072] Even when performing a multi-card exchange transaction, if neither the prepaid balance nor the number of game tokens associated with the card ID of the first card inserted into the card slot 11 exists (NO in step S3 of Figure 4A), that card C will not be accepted and will be returned (step S12 of Figure 4A). On the other hand, if either the prepaid balance or the number of game tokens associated with the preceding card C exists, even if neither the prepaid balance nor the number of game tokens associated with the subsequent card C exists, the subsequent card C (member card C1 and general card C2) may be accepted by the card terminal 3 without being returned. In this case, after the exchange transaction, if the subsequent card C is a general card C2, the subsequent card C will be collected by the card terminal 3. There is no particular problem in accepting a card C that does not have either a prepaid balance or a number of game tokens without canceling it, and the trouble of canceling the insertion of card C each time is eliminated. This simplifies the operation for players, and therefore improves the user experience for players.

[0073] Then, if a return operation is performed in this case (YES in step S4 of Figure 4A), if the preceding card C (which has either a prepaid balance or a number of game tokens associated with the card ID) is a general card C2, the number of game tokens already deducted from general card C2 is returned to the subsequent card C (which does not have either a prepaid balance or a number of game tokens associated with the card ID), and the subsequent card C is returned from the card entry / exit 30. If the preceding card C (which has either a prepaid balance or a number of game tokens associated with the card ID) is a member card C1, the number of game tokens already deducted from member card C1 is returned to member card C1. In this case, member card C1 has already been returned. The subsequent card C is collected by the card terminal 3.

[0074] When a full sensor (not shown) or the like detects that the number of used cards C stored in the collection unit 36 ​​has reached a predetermined number (e.g., 8 cards) close to the maximum storage capacity (e.g., 10 cards), the system may then return the cards C received by the card terminal 3 in multiple card exchange transactions each time instead of collecting them. In other words, the system switches from a collection mode, which actively collects used cards, to a return mode, which actively returns used cards.

[0075] Specifically, in a multi-card exchange transaction, card C (general card C2) received by card terminal 3 is immediately returned from card slot 30. Then, a subsequent card C is inserted into card slot 30 after the previous card C has been removed. This prevents the collection unit 36 ​​from becoming full, thus reducing the workload of the amusement parlor staff. It is also possible that the amusement parlor's hall computer is notified of this switch from collection mode to return mode. Based on this notification, the amusement parlor staff may remove the used card C accumulated in the collection unit 36.

[0076] As mentioned above, in a multi-card exchange transaction, a state occurs where the currently accepted card C is not held in the card holder 31 during the exchange transaction. This state occurs because the last inserted card C (the card C held in the card holder 31 of the card terminal 3) is returned by the return operation. In this case, the control unit 21 of POS2 may display a guidance message on the display operation unit 20 indicating that the last inserted card C (member card C1, general card C2) should be reinserted into the card slot 30 of the card terminal 3.

[0077] Furthermore, if there is an update to the stored game cartridge, it may be checked whether the member server, which manages member information among the servers constituting the management device 7, is online or offline. If it is offline, the exchange transaction may be canceled.

[0078] In the above-described embodiment, a POS system 2 was described that is positioned around the prize exchange counter S together with the payment machine 4. However, the POS system may also have a payment function.

[0079] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display content of the display operation unit 20 of POS202 according to another embodiment of the present invention. POS202 is a POS with a settlement function. That is, POS202 can perform both exchange transactions and settlement processing simultaneously. Players can perform both the procedure of settling the balance of the prepaid value linked to card C and the procedure of exchanging game media for prizes using POS202, all by themselves. POS202 differs from POS2 (see Figure 1) in that it has a settlement function. Except for this point, POS202 has the same configuration as POS2. When card C is received by card terminal 3, the control unit 21 of POS202 notifies the management device 7 (see Figure 1) of the card ID of card C received by card terminal 3. The control unit 70 of the management device 7 notifies POS202 of the balance of the prepaid value associated with this card ID and the number of game media associated with this card ID.

[0080] The settlement process performed in this POS202 includes settlement using one card C and settlement using multiple cards C. In the settlement using multiple cards, multiple cards C are received by the card terminal 3 in the same procedure as the multiple card exchange transaction described above. After the receipt of cards C is completed (corresponding to step S7 in Figure 4A), the control unit 21 of POS202 first displays the settlement execution selection screen 100 on the display operation unit 20 of POS202. The settlement execution selection screen 100 displays a settlement button 101 and a non-settlement button 102.

[0081] When a player operates the settlement button 101, the control unit 21 of the POS 202 executes a process for self-settlement of the prepaid balance associated with card C. In the case of a multiple-card settlement, the prepaid balances associated with multiple cards C are added together. Then, at the timing of sending a payout request signal to the first prize dispensing machine 5, a request is made to the settlement machine 4 to dispense the settlement amount equivalent to the added balance. Upon receiving this request, the settlement machine 4 dispenses the settlement amount to the player from the dispensing slot 42. The self-settlement procedure is completed when the player takes the settlement amount from the dispensing slot 42. In this way, players can self-settle the prepaid balance associated with card C using the settlement machine 4.

[0082] On the other hand, if the non-settlement button 102 is pressed by the player, no settlement process is performed in POS 202. If the combined prepaid balance is within the deposit limit, the control unit 21 of POS 202 writes the combined balance to the next card C (i.e., the card C held in the card holder 31). On the other hand, if the combined prepaid balance exceeds the deposit limit, the control unit 21 of POS 202 deducts the number of game tokens from the next card C (i.e., the card C held in the card holder 31) and then returns the card C. After the return, only the prepaid balance is associated with the card C, and the number of game tokens is not associated with it (the number of associated game tokens is zero).

[0083] This allows a player who has inserted multiple cards C into the POS202 with a settlement function to choose not to settle. Therefore, it is possible to respond flexibly to the player's requests. In addition, if settlement is not performed in the POS202, the balances associated with multiple cards C can be combined, so the number of cards C to be returned can be kept to a minimum. Alternatively, when settlement is not performed in the POS202, the settlement balances may not be combined, or the card terminal 3 may return each card C that is accepted with only the prepaid value balance associated with it (with the number of game tokens deducted).

[0084] Furthermore, when facial recognition is performed using the camera built into POS2,202, if the facial recognition authenticates the user as a "member aged 20 or older," the second prize dispensing machine 6 may be configured to allow the exchange of a prize restricted to those aged 20 or older. Prizes restricted to those aged 20 or older include, for example, cigarettes or alcohol.

[0085] Specifically, if a user is authenticated as a "member aged 20 or older" via facial recognition, the display operation unit 62 (see Figure 1) of the second prize dispensing machine 6 will display the prizes exclusive to those aged 20 or older. When the user selects the prize exclusive to those aged 20 or older on the display operation unit 62, the selected prize is dispensed from the dispensing opening 63. This allows users to exchange prizes for those aged 20 or older using the self-service prize exchange system 1. Since the exchange for prizes exclusive to those aged 20 or older is performed using facial recognition rather than card authentication using the member card C1, it is possible to reliably prevent the dispensing of prizes exclusive to those aged 20 or older to persons under the age of 19.

[0086] Furthermore, even if a member is authenticated as "20 years of age or older" using membership card C1, they will not be allowed to exchange for prizes exclusive to those 20 years of age or older unless they are also authenticated as "20 years of age or older" through facial recognition. This prevents the distribution of prizes exclusive to those 20 years of age or older to individuals under 19 years of age, even in the event of fraudulent use of membership card C1. However, even if a member is authenticated as "under 19 years of age" through facial recognition, they can still use member-exclusive services such as deducting and exchanging stored tokens and storing fractional tokens after exchange.

[0087] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, the various features described above can be combined as appropriate.

[0088] In the embodiment described above, the card terminal 3 is provided separately from the POS 2,202, but the card terminal 3 may also be provided integrally with the POS 2,202.

[0089] Furthermore, the number of member cards C1 included in the multiple cards C accepted for a single exchange transaction may be two or more. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 1: Prize exchange system 21: Control Unit (Processing Unit) 30A: Control Unit (Reception Unit) 31: Card holder (holding part) 33: Card reading unit (reception unit) C: Card (storage medium) C1: Membership card (member's storage medium)

Claims

1. A prize exchange system that facilitates the exchange of game media owned by players for prizes, A reception area that accepts storage media associated with information about gaming media owned by customers, A processing unit that performs different processing for exchange transactions in which a specific type of storage medium is included among the multiple storage mediums received by the receiving unit for a single exchange transaction, and for exchange transactions in which the specific type of storage medium is not included among the multiple storage mediums received by the receiving unit for a single exchange transaction, The reception unit includes a holding unit that holds the storage medium received by the reception unit during the exchange transaction, The aforementioned specific type of storage medium is a member-only storage medium, which is used by customers who have registered as members at a gaming establishment. In an exchange transaction where the member's storage medium is included among the multiple storage media received by the reception unit for a single exchange transaction, but the holding unit does not hold any of these storage media, the processing unit permits both a full exchange, where all of the game media associated with these storage media are exchanged for the prize, and a partial exchange, where some of the game media associated with these storage media are exchanged for the prize. In a prize exchange system, in an exchange transaction where the member's storage medium is not included among the multiple storage media received by the reception unit for a single exchange transaction, and the holding unit does not hold any of these storage media, the processing unit prohibits the partial exchange.

2. In an exchange transaction in which the receiving unit receives only one of the storage media for a single exchange transaction, the processing unit permits both the full exchange and the partial exchange, as described in claim 1.

3. A method for exchanging prizes in a prize exchange system that facilitates the exchange of game media owned by players for prizes, A reception step that accepts a storage medium associated with information about the gaming media owned by the customer, A processing step that performs different processing for exchange transactions where a specific type of storage medium is included among the multiple storage mediums received in the acceptance step for a single exchange transaction, and for exchange transactions where the specific type of storage medium is not included among the multiple storage mediums received in the acceptance step for a single exchange transaction, The step includes holding the storage medium received in the reception step in the holding unit during the exchange transaction, The aforementioned specific type of storage medium is a member-only storage medium, which is used by customers who have registered as members at a gaming establishment. In the processing step, in an exchange transaction where the member storage medium is included among the multiple storage media received in the acceptance step for a single exchange transaction, but the holding unit does not hold any of these storage media, both a full exchange, in which all of the game media associated with these storage media are exchanged for the prize, and a partial exchange, in which some of the game media associated with these storage media are exchanged for the prize, are permitted. A prize exchange method in a prize exchange system, wherein in the processing step, if the member storage medium is not included among the multiple storage media received in the acceptance step for a single exchange transaction, and the holding unit does not hold any of these storage media, the partial exchange is prohibited in the exchange transaction.

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