JP4168355B2 - Amusement hall medal management system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to medals used in game centers in which medal gaming machines are installed, the number of stocks, the number of stocks, the number of stocks by gaming machine, the operating status by gaming machine, the circulation of medals, the temporary storage information of medals, the medal rental The present invention relates to a medal / coin management system capable of comprehensively understanding the stock status of coins in a machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The medal / coin management system in the medal gaming machine field is generally delayed, and when collecting medals from each gaming machine and medal lending machine with a collecting device etc., the number of medals for each gaming machine is counted, and the count number Was recorded with a memo, etc., and the number of medals of the gaming machine was input to the computer after collecting the medals of all the gaming machines.
Here, the “medal” in the gaming machine is a metal coin analog that is uniquely produced by the game center, and when it is called “coin”, it indicates money. Accordingly, game centers are required to manage medals for game use and coins as money to be inserted into medal lending machines.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For this reason, the conventional medal management system is configured to grasp the stock status of medals for the first time after the game center is closed. Therefore, the medal operation status of the gaming machine cannot be grasped while the store is opened.
It is also possible to temporarily store surplus medals, but it is not possible to identify the players who have been deposited, and the medals that have been temporarily stored can be used by other players, so that unauthorized use of medals should be seized. There is also the inconvenience that cannot be done.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the disadvantages of the conventional technology, and can grasp the medal usage status of gaming machines and medal lending machines during play, and detect the loss of medals at the time of collection by the collecting device. Another object of the present invention is to provide a medal management system for a game arcade that can be temporarily stored by inputting an identification number of surplus medals after the game ends.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a wireless account unit (hereinafter referred to as “GAU”) is connected, and medals and / or coins (hereinafter collectively referred to as “medals”) of a game arcade. Are connected to a medal management computer for managing the game and each medal gaming machine and / or medal lending machine (hereinafter collectively referred to as “equipment”) in the amusement hall, and a medal slot installed in each device. And the count value information of the detected medals detected at the payout port, the management GAU of the medal management computerAccording to the count value transmission command from the management GAUToDirectlyA device GAU for which each device has a unique identification number for transmission, and a cart used for collecting medals of each device, and a cart controller for the cart. A counter connected to the dolly controller for counting the recovered medals recovered from each device, and count value information of the recovered medals at the counter to the medal management computerDirectlyA cart GAU for transmission, and the cart controller acquires count value information of the collected medals at the counter related to the device, and the count value information of the collected medals related to the acquired device To the medal management computer via the cart GAUDirectlySent by the medal management computer via the cart GAUReceived directlyThrough the count value information of the collected medals related to the device and the device GAU for the deviceDirectlyBased on the received count value information of the detected medal, the surplus / shortage status of the medal related to the device is monitored, and based on the monitoring result, it is determined that the number of recovered medals related to the device is in a shortage state When a message is issued, the collection worker is cautioned to that effect. The invention of claim 2 is the game hall medal management system according to claim 1, wherein each device is provided with a bar code relating to an identification number unique to each device, and the cart Further comprises a bar code reader for reading the bar code, the bar code reader being connected to the cart controller, wherein the cart controller is related to the device read by the bar code reader. The counter value information of the collected medals at the counter is acquired. Further, the invention of claim 3 is the game hall medal management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the medal management computer is connected to the medal management computer, and a function for accepting a customer's acquired medal and a customer's surplus medal are temporarily stored. The medal management computer further includes a medal depositing / dispensing machine having a function of depositing and a function of paying out a temporarily deposited medal to a customer. In the medal management computer, the count value of the detected medal received via the device GAU of each device Based on the information, it is checked whether or not the medal inventory of each device is below a predetermined level. When the medal inventory is below the predetermined level, an instruction to replenish medals is sent to the medal depositing / dispensing machine, while the medal inventory of each device is An instruction to collect medals is issued to the medal depositing / dispensing machine when the value is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. Furthermore, the invention of claim 4 is the medal management system for a game hall according to claim 3, wherein the medal depositing / dispensing machine is provided with an identification number input means and a fingerprint collator, and the medal depositing / dispensing When the surplus medal is temporarily stored, the fingerprint collator reads the customer's fingerprint and inputs an identification number via the identification number input means, and the read fingerprint information and the input identification number are used as the medal. While sending to the management computer, when paying out the medal temporarily stored by the customer, the fingerprint information of the customer is taken out from the medal management computer based on the identification number inputted through the identification number input means, and the taken out When customer fingerprint information is matched with customer fingerprint read by the fingerprint collator It paid out medals, and wherein the. The invention of claim 5 is the game hall medal management system according to claim 4, wherein the medal management computer of the affiliated game hall is connected to another medal management computer via a communication line, In each medal management computer, the temporary storage information of medals can be mutually exchanged, and at any game hall, it is possible to pay out medals and deposit medals when the result of the fingerprint verification matches. To do.
[0005]
[Action]
In the invention according to claim 1,According to the count value transmission command from the management GAU of the medal management computer,The number of inserted medals for each device in the amusement hall and / or the count value information of the detected medals related to payout are sent to the medal management computer via the device GAUDirectlySince it is transmitted, the medal management computer can always grasp the medal usage status and possession status for each device. As a result, a medal deficient device can be instructed to replenish medals, and a medal collection command can be issued when the medals are above a predetermined level. In addition, when collecting medals using a cart for inventory after the game hall is closed, the cart controller acquires count value information of the collected medals related to the device, and collects the collected medals related to the acquired device. To the medal management computer via the cart GAUDirectlyOn the other hand, in the medal management computer, via the cart GAUReceived directlyThrough the count value information of the collected medals related to the device and the device GAU for the deviceDirectlyBased on the received count value information of the detected medal, the surplus / shortage status of the medal related to the device is monitored, and based on the monitoring result, it is determined that the number of recovered medals related to the device is in a shortage state When a message is issued, the collection worker is alerted to that effect. Therefore, during medal collection work, we always keep track of the excess and deficiency status of medals related to each device, and in the event that a medal shortage occurs, we will prompt the collection worker in real time to collect it. As a result, the fact that the person is being monitored can be notified in real time. Can be done.
[0006]
In the invention of claim 2, the worker is an individual.machineIdentification informationinputWithoutTrolleyAt the barcode reader installed inRead a unique barcode for each deviceBy sending the identification number from the GAU of the cart,From equipment to medalsIt is possible to extract the count value information.
[0007]
Invention of Claim 3The customerInstalled a medal depositing and dispensing machine at the amusement hall to deal with the case where the surplus medals won by can not be used upWhenBy accepting and counting surplus medals earned by customers after the gameThe number of medals of the customer is recorded as a credit in the medal management computer.The credited medal is paid out when the customer visits the game center again within a predetermined period and desires to return the credited medal. as a resultclientThe game can be played any number of times within the range of the number of medals obtained without being limited to one day. In addition, since the medal management computer records in advance the number (predetermined) of medals filled in each gaming machine or medal lending machine before opening the store, from the device GAU for each gaming machine or medal lending machineCount value information of received detection medalBased on the medal management computerOf each deviceIt is possible to know whether the medals filled in the hopper are insufficient or overflow as a result of the progress of the game.. Therefore, the medal management computer issues a medal replenishment command to the medal depositing / dispensing machine when the number of medals in the hopper is lower than the minimum level, while issuing a medal collection command to the medal depositing / dispensing machine when the number of medals exceeds the maximum medal number. Can be the result of the customerAlways play with the best stock medalsbe able to.
[0008]
In the invention of claim 4,An identification number input means and fingerprint verification machine are provided for the medal depositing / dispensing machine. When a customer wishes to temporarily store surplus medals, the identification number as the amusement hall member assigned to the customer is identified. When input via the number input means, the input identification number is input to the medal management computer together with the fingerprint information read by the fingerprint collator. When the customer pays out a medal, the fingerprint information corresponding to the identification number stored in the medal management computer is taken out based on the identification number input by the customer through the identification number input means, and the payout is performed. Collation with the obtained customer's fingerprint information is performed by a fingerprint collator, and medals are paid out only when they match. Accordingly, a medal credited for the customer is not paid out to a person other than the legitimate customer.
[0009]
In the invention of claim 5, since the medal management computers of each game hall are connected via a communication line, the customer identification number, medal deposit information and fingerprint information can be exchanged with each other. Enter identification number at affiliated storeAt the same time, by collating with the fingerprint information taken out from the medal management computer through the fingerprint collator,The medal of the store can be paid out, and the customer can play the game anywhere in the affiliated store.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following, the invention will be described in detail according to the illustrated embodiment.
Example 1
1 and 2 show an embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an inventory cart.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a medal gaming machine installed in a game center such as a game center. The medal gaming machine 1 has sensors installed at well-known medal slot and medal payout slot (not shown). The gaming machine 1 is connected to the GAU of the center medal management computer 3 via a wireless account unit 2 (hereinafter referred to as GAU). . Reference numeral 3 denotes a medal lending machine. The medal lending machine 4 has a function for counting the number of medal payouts as described above, and the lending machine 4 is connected to the medal management computer 3 via the GAU 2. ing. As a result, the count value of each gaming machine 1 and medal lending machine 4 is immediately transmitted in response to the count value transmission command from the medal management computer 3. Each GAU 2 is configured to transmit the information to the computer 3 after recognizing the identification number of each gaming machine 1 or medal lending machine 4. Reference numeral 6 denotes a router with a hub connected to the medal management computer 3 of each store via a LAN, and is connected to the head office server 7 through the router 6 and a wide area data communication network (hereinafter referred to as WAN).
In this embodiment, the identification number, medal custody information and fingerprint information are always transmitted from the medal management computer of each store to the head office server, while the players of other stores are identified from the head office server to the medal management computer of each store. The number, medal deposit information, and fingerprint information are output.
[0011]
Reference numeral 5 denotes an inventory cart for collecting the medals held by each gaming machine 1 and medal lending machine 4 after the store is closed. The inventory cart 5 is affixed to each gaming machine 1 and medal dispensing machine 4 as shown in FIG. Further, a barcode scanner 5a for reading a barcode with a unique identification number of each gaming machine 1 and medal lending machine 4, a multi-function controller 5b connected to the scanner 5a, and each game connected to the controller 5b A coin counter 5c for counting coins or medals collected from the machine 1 or the medal lending machine 4, a display 5d with a touch panel for displaying the command and count value of the controller 5b, and the counted value for the medal management computer 3 A wireless unit 5e (GAU) for transmitting to the mail and a journal printer 5f for outputting the counted coin or medal count value. . In addition, 5g, 5h, and 5i are an uninterruptible power supply device, a battery, and a DC-AC inverter, respectively. The coin counter 5c has a selector function, and can be switched from coin (money) counting to medal counting and from medal counting to coin counting.
[0012]
In the configuration described above, the medal management computer 3 transmits an identification number to each gaming machine 1 and the medal lending machine 4 via the GAU 2 such as its own GAU and gaming machine, and the gaming machine 1 that matches the identification number. , Etc., and the gaming machine 1 can receive the medal insertion number and medal payout number or coin count value uniquely counted. As a result, it is possible to grasp whether the number of medals in each gaming machine 1 and medal lending machine 4 is in a shortage state or an overflow state, and grasp the usage status of each gaming machine.
Therefore, when the coin collecting device 5 is operated after closing the store and coins of each medal lending machine 4 and gaming machine 1 are collected, first, the barcode attached to each device 1, 4 is read by the scanner 5a. Since the identification number is transmitted to the gaming machine 1 and the medal lending machine 4 via the wireless unit 5e (GAU), the coin count value from the gaming machine 1 or the medal lending machine 4 that matches the identification number is obtained. A response is made to the wireless unit 5e (GAU) of the coin collecting device 5. Then, when the operator collects coins from each gaming machine or medal lending machine 4, and puts the collected coins or medals into the counter 5c, the counter 5c counts the coins. As a result, the medal count value transmitted in advance from the gaming machine 1 or the medal lending machine 4 is compared.
As a result, since the operator can grasp whether or not coins are insufficient at the time of collection, it becomes possible to prevent a coin from being collected.
The result can be transmitted to the medal management computer 3 via the wireless unit 5e.
Then, the medal management computer 3 determines whether or not the coins collected based on the coin information calculated from the medal information is in a shortage state, and can call attention to the operator if it is small. As a result, since the behavior of the worker is constantly monitored by the management computer 3, the worker is in a situation where it is practically impossible to perform unauthorized collection.
Since the counter 5c of the inventory cart 5 is provided with a selector, not only coins can be collected, but also medals can be counted by switching the counting object by operating the selector. The medal counting confirmation method is performed in exactly the same manner as the case of coins described above.
[0013]
Example 2
FIGS. 3 to 4 show a second embodiment of the present invention, which shows a total management system for medals in a store. In the system without the inventory cart 5 of FIG. The system includes a customer medal accepting machine 12 and a surplus medal accepting machine 9 that are connected to the medal management computer 3, and a medal depositing / dispensing machine 8 that is connected to the counter of the medal receiving machine 12.
The medal depositing / dispensing machine 8 has a fingerprint collation device as shown in FIG. 4, and the fingerprint collation device has the following configuration. That is, 8a is a 32-bit multi-function controller, and the controller 8a is connected to a known fingerprint collator 8b that reads a fingerprint. 8c is a card reader for reading a magnetic card connected to the controller 8a. Input to the card reader 8c is personal information (identification number, telephone number) by operating a color display 8d with a touch panel connected to the controller 8a. , Name, address, age, etc.), and after the personal information is input, the fingerprint is read by applying the customer's fingerprint to the fingerprint collator 8b, and the information is transmitted via the wireless LAN unit 8e. It is transmitted to the medal management computer 3 together with the customer identification number and the number of medals deposited, and the medal management computer is configured to record the fingerprint information and the number of medals deposited in the stack using the transmitted personal information (identification number) as an index. ing.
On the other hand, in the fingerprint collation device, when paying out medals, the identification number is input from the identification number input means such as the touch panel color display 8d or the card reader 8c, and the identification number is transmitted to the medal management computer. The fingerprint information stored in the stack of identification numbers is extracted from the computer, and the fingerprint collator 8b is collated with the fingerprint assigned by the customer.
Therefore, in this fingerprint collation apparatus, fingerprint information can be taken out from the medal management computer by inputting an identification number to the touch display 8d without causing the card reader 8c to read a separate card.
[0014]
In the system according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the medal management computer 3 controls all the medals in the game hall by controlling each device. As in the first embodiment of FIG. 1, the medal management computer constantly monitors the medals gaming machine 1 and the medal lending machine 4 for excess or deficiency via the GAU 2, and the medal gaming machine 1 or medal lending machine 4 inventory. When the number of medals falls below the minimum level (for example, 200 or less), a medal replenishment instruction is issued to prompt the medal gaming machine or the like to replenish medals. Then, when the number of medals in the medal gaming machine 1 reaches or exceeds the maximum level (for example, 1400 or more), a medal extraction command is issued to cause the medal extraction of the machine 1 to be performed.
The extracted medals are filled in the surplus medal receiving machine 9, and the receiving machine 9 counts the number of filled medals and transmits the actually extracted medal number to the medal management computer 3. The medals inserted into the receiving machine 9 are washed by hot water washing or the like, and whether or not the washing medals are from the game center is selected, and medals that are different as a result of the sorting work are subtracted from the stock status. The information is transmitted to the management computer 3, and regular medals are filled in the medal stock 10 of the medal depositing / dispensing device 8.
[0015]
Next, when the customer finishes the game and returns the surplus customer surplus medals to the customer medal accepting machine 12 when returning, the returned medals are counted by the counter at the customer medal acceptance port as described above, and the counted value is medal management. The information is transmitted to the computer 3 and also transmitted to the medal depositing / dispensing machine 8 as information. The medal deposited is also washed by hot water washing as described above, and then it is selected whether it is a regular medal or not, and different medals are stocked after counting.
[0016]
The actual deposit of medals is performed based on the verification device shown in FIG.
That is, the personal information (identification number) is input by selecting and operating the display unit of the touch panel color display 8d. The information is transmitted to the medal management computer 3 and written to the magnetic card by the card reader 8c. When the finger is applied to the fingerprint collator 8b after the operation is completed, the fingerprint collator 8b reads the fingerprint, and transmits the read information together with the identification number and the medal count information to the medal management computer 3. The computer 3 stores the fingerprint information together with the personal information in the memory together with the number of medals deposited as personal identification data.
Further, when a medal once deposited is drawn out for a game, the controller 8a uses the card information read by inserting the card owned by the customer into the card reader 8c or the input identification number of the customer on the touch panel color display 5d. The fingerprint information corresponding to the identification number is read from the medal management computer 3 from the stack, and then the customer is prompted to apply a finger to the fingerprint verification machine, and the fingerprint is read from the management computer 3 by scanning the fingerprint. When the result of the collation is the same, the customer is asked for the number of payouts. When the result is not the same, the user is prompted to collate the fingerprint again.
As described above, in the apparatus according to the present embodiment, the surplus medals of the customer are collected by temporarily depositing them, so that it is possible to sufficiently grasp the medal insertion / removal status in the game hall.
In addition, since the personal fingerprint information is called out from the personal identification information written on the card or the input identification number to the input means, it takes less time to read the fingerprint information.
[0017]
Example 3
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example in which medal computers at each amusement hall are connected to the head office network server 7 via a WAN (Wide Area Data Communication Network), and all medal management computers at affiliated stores are connected by WAN. By doing so, not only the management of medals at each store, but also information regarding taking in and out of medals temporarily stored can be recorded at other stores.
That is, the fingerprint information and the medal deposit number information are recorded in the head office network server 7 together with the personal information (including store information and identification number) in order to perform the fingerprint collation of the customer in the second embodiment in all stores. When the medals are paid out at other stores, the fingerprint information and the like have already been transmitted from the head office network server 7 to the medal management computer 3 at the other stores, and the fingerprint information is obtained based on the identification number entered at the other stores. The medals are paid out after confirming the individual with the data. Also, the information on the number of medals paid out is given as medal usage information to the store where the initial deposit was made via the head office network server 7, and the reduction of the stock number of medals held in the store is promoted.
As a result, regardless of the store where the customer draws medals, the number of medals held in each store is automatically increased or decreased, so that the total number of medals can be managed. The fingerprint verification time can be shortened by periodically uploading fingerprint information and the like from the head office network server 7 to the medal management computer 3 of each store.
[0018]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the system according to the present invention, since the medal management computer is configured to constantly grasp the count values of each medal gaming machine and medal lending machine, the operating state of the gaming machine and the stock status of the medal are accurately checked. The gaming machine and the lending machine can be operated in the best condition.
In addition, since the customer's surplus medals are temporarily stored by inputting the identification number and fingerprint verification, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the number of medals due to the customer taking back surplus medals from the store.
Furthermore, since it is configured to identify customers by collating fingerprints that are unique in the world, it is possible to prevent customers from paying illegal medals and to allow customers to receive surplus medals at other stores. The range of use of the customer's amusement facility can be expanded.
Since the medals cannot be paid out unless the fingerprint verification results match, it is possible to prevent medals from being transferred to another person, buying and selling medals, etc. Can be promoted.
Since the fingerprint information is extracted from the input identification number when the medal is paid out, the time required for the fingerprint verification is short, and the customer does not have to wait.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an inventory cart in the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an in-store medal in the second embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a fingerprint collation system in a second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a network system showing a third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 medal gaming machine
2 GAU
3 Medal management computer
4 medal lending machines
5 Inventory cart
6 routers
7 Head office server
8 medal custody dispensing device
9 Surplus medal receiving device
10 medal stock

Claims (5)

A medal management computer for managing wireless medals and / or coins (hereinafter collectively referred to as “medals”) connected to a wireless account unit (hereinafter referred to as “GAU”);
A total of detected medals detected at a medal insertion slot and a payout slot connected to each medal gaming machine and / or medal lending machine (hereinafter collectively referred to as “equipment”) in the amusement hall. A device GAU to which each device has a unique identification number for directly transmitting numerical information to the management GAU in accordance with a count value transmission command from the management GAU of the medal management computer;
A cart used for collecting medals of each device, and
In the cart,
A dolly controller;
A counter connected to the cart controller for counting the recovered medals recovered from each device;
The GAU for a cart for directly transmitting the count value information of the recovered medals in the counter to the medal management computer;
Provided,
In the cart controller,
Obtain the count value information of the collected medals at the counter related to the device,
Sending the collected medal count value information related to the acquired device directly to the medal management computer via the cart GAU,
In the medal management computer,
Based on the count value information of the collected medals related to the device directly received via the cart GAU and the count value information of the detected medals received directly via the device GAU of the device Monitor the medal excess and deficiency situation,
Based on the monitoring result, when it is determined that the number of recovered medals related to the device is in an insufficient state, the recovery operator is cautioned to that effect.
A medal management system for an amusement hall characterized by that. A game hall medal management system according to claim 1,
Each device is provided with a barcode related to a unique identification number for each device,
The cart is
A barcode reader for reading a barcode associated with a unique identification number for each device;
The barcode reader is connected to the cart controller,
In the cart controller,
Obtaining the count value information of the recovered medals at the counter related to the device read by the barcode reader;
A medal management system for an amusement hall characterized by that. A game place medal management system according to claim 1 or 2,
A medal depositing / dispensing machine connected to the medal management computer and having a function of accepting a customer's earned medals, a function of temporarily collecting surplus medals of a customer, and a function of paying out temporarily stored medals to a customer ,
In the medal management computer,
Based on the count value information of the detected medals received via the device GAU of each device, it is checked whether or not the medal inventory of each device is below a predetermined level. Issuing to the medal depositing / dispensing machine, while issuing a medal collection command to the medal depositing / dispensing machine when the medal inventory of each device is equal to or higher than a predetermined level.
A medal management system for an amusement hall characterized by that. A game hall medal management system according to claim 3,
The medal depositing / dispensing machine is provided with an identification number input means and a fingerprint collator,
In the medal deposit and withdrawal machine,
When the surplus medal is temporarily stored, the fingerprint collator reads the customer's fingerprint and inputs an identification number via the identification number input means. The read fingerprint information and the inputted identification number are sent to the medal management computer. While sending to
When paying out a medal temporarily deposited from a customer, the fingerprint information of the customer is extracted from the medal management computer based on the identification number input via the identification number input means, and the fingerprint information of the extracted customer and the fingerprint Match the customer's fingerprint read by the collator, and pay out medals when they match as a result of the fingerprint collation.
A medal management system for an amusement hall characterized by that. A game hall medal management system according to claim 4,
The medal management computer of the affiliated amusement hall is connected to other medal management computers via a communication line,
In each of the plurality of medal management computers,
The medal temporary deposit information can be exchanged with each other, and at any game arcade, when the result of the fingerprint collation matches, the medal can be paid out and the medal can be deposited.
A medal management system for an amusement hall characterized by that.

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