JP2516828B2 - Wireless information card device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a wireless information card device suitable for use in a ball lending machine or various vending machines in a pachinko game arcade.

Conventional technology A card that stores valuable information with a bar code or magnetic stripe, and a card lead that reads valuable information from this card.
A card equipped with a writer, based on the valuable information stored in the card, driving the article dispensing device within that range to dispense the article, and storing the remaining amount of the valuable information in the card and returning it. The system is known as a prepaid card system.

However, with this type of card system, there is the hassle of having to insert the card into the card reader and writer and make the machine read the valuable information every time a sales operation is performed, and the card is temporarily removed when the goods are paid out. Since it is away from the user's hand, there are often problems that the user forgets to collect the card after the end of the sales operation.

In addition, the prepaid card using the bar code is relatively easy to forge, and the method of reading and writing with the magnetic head on the card using the magnetic stripe requires a complicated transport mechanism for the card read & writer. Therefore, there is a drawback that the card is easily jammed or broken.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-13849 discloses that a product is sold by a remote control unit using wireless information transfer.
An automatic vending machine such as that shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 0 has been proposed, but this one sends a purchase request signal from the remote control unit side to the automatic vending machine side, so that the purchase qualification included in the purchase request signal is appropriate. It is just a thing to judge the unsuitability and perform the selling operation by the vending machine, and when the selling place is crowded with multiple users who have the same type of remote control unit,
Or, in a situation where a plurality of vending machines of the same type are installed side by side at the same place, normal selling operation cannot be performed.

For example, if there are multiple users who have the same type of remote control unit, the vending machine that receives the purchase request signal will automatically sell as long as the user who has the proper purchase qualification operates the remote control unit. It is difficult to identify the person to whom the product was paid out because the operation is performed, and it is appropriate when there are multiple vending machines of the same type. There is a problem in that the same product is uniformly dispensed from each vending machine even if one user who has a proper purchase qualification outputs only one purchase request signal.

Needless to say, the vending machine as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-138490 should be used under the condition that the relationship between the user who owns the remote control unit and the vending machine always corresponds one-on-one. However, there are no inconveniences to that extent, but when selling in a crowded place, or when selling with a vending machine of the same type, more If this type of conventional technology is applied to pachinko ball lending to an unspecified number of users by using a ball lending machine, it will cause significant inconveniences such as difficulty in identifying the purchaser and duplicate payment of goods. Will result.

Further, JP-A-1-303896 discloses an operation signal which is provided in the vicinity of each signal receiving unit of a plurality of controlled devices and is transmitted from a signal transmission remote control unit to the signal receiving unit of the controlled device. A plurality of reception control means capable of having a first state in which the signal receiving unit can receive and a second state in which the signal receiving unit cannot receive, and an identification for identifying each controlled device transmitted from the signal transmission remote control unit. The identification signal receiving means for receiving the signal and the reception control means provided in proximity to the signal receiving portion of the controlled device corresponding to the identification signal received by the identification signal receiving means are controlled to the first state, and There is provided a remote control reception control device having a reception control means for controlling the reception control means to a second state.

Even if a plurality of controlled devices that operate with the same remote control unit are arranged close to each other, this control can remotely control only the desired controlled device corresponding to the identification control signal sent from the remote control unit. In addition, it prevents other devices from operating at the same time.

However, in this device, since the remote control unit sends an identification control signal to the partner device to be controlled, it is indispensable to perform an operation for designating the partner device in the remote controller unit.
Considering that there are many ball lending machines and vending machines in the pachinko amusement hall, it is necessary to provide a remote control unit with a large number of selection keys for designating other devices, There is a disadvantage that the device cannot be operated unless the user goes to the vicinity of the device and performs a key operation for designating the partner device each time, and it is not preferable considering the operability of the remote control unit.

In addition, this one requires a connection cable as a signal transmission line for allowing only the partner device to be controlled to receive and the other controlled device to be unable to receive, but a lot of ball lending machines in the game arcade. Connecting to a vending machine or a vending machine via a connection cable requires a large number of connection cables, so the connection cables tend to get entangled and the connection cables tend to be complicated, and the remote control reception control device itself is also large. There is no choice but to become a thing.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-43889 includes a communication unit connected to a signal transmission line and a remote control receiving unit that receives a remote control signal from a remote control transmitter, and a device address or command transmitted from the remote control transmitter. The remote control signal receiving unit receives a remote control signal including information, compares the device address of the electronic device previously stored in the remote control signal receiving unit with the device address contained in the received remote control signal, and if they match, After processing the command information of the remote control signal received in the electronic device, if they do not match, assemble them into a telegram format of the control signal transmitted by the communication unit based on the information included in the received remote control signal, and then assemble the signal transmission path. An electronic device with a remote control operation type transmission function for transmitting to a device address included in a received remote control signal via the is proposed.

This product can realize remote control of all electronic devices with only one remote control transmitter via the remote control receiver built in the electronic device, and directly remote control the remote control receiver of the electronic device to be operated. Not only that, the remote control of the electronic device to be operated can also be realized by indirectly performing remote control operation on the remote control receiver of the electronic device other than the operation target.

However, even in this case, since the remote control transmitter sends an identification control signal to the partner device to be controlled, it is essential to perform an operation for designating the partner device in the remote controller transmitter. For example, considering that there are many ball lending machines and vending machines in a pachinko game arcade, it is necessary to provide a remote control transmitter with a large number of selection keys for designating other devices. If there is no, go to the vicinity of the other device,
Each time the key operation for designating the partner device is not performed, the device cannot be operated, which is not preferable in consideration of the operability of the remote control transmitter.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless information card and an operation target only when the user is wearing the wireless information card and is located in the immediate vicinity of the article dispensing device to be operated. Wireless communication is established only with the article dispensing device, the article can be dispensed only by performing a dispensing operation to the article dispensing device, and further, fraudulent acts such as forgery are difficult,
To provide a wireless information card device capable of performing an appropriate payout operation even when a large number of article payout devices are installed side by side or when selling is performed in a place where many users are crowded. is there.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the wireless information card device of the present invention includes an identification radio wave output unit that constantly outputs different unique identification radio waves in a narrow range, and different unique communication frequencies. And a plurality of article dispensing devices individually provided with a first transceiver for wireless communication, and a second transceiver with a variable communication frequency when performing wireless communication with the plurality of article dispensing devices, and When the identification radio wave output from the article dispensing device is received, a frequency that tunes the communication frequency of the second transceiver to the unique communication frequency of the first transceiver of the article dispensing device corresponding to the received unique identification radio wave. A wireless information card having a tuning means, wherein the wireless information card includes valuable information storage means storing valuable information, the wireless information card and the plurality of When the object to be used is identified in one article dispensing apparatus by wireless communication with one of the article dispensing apparatuses, the one of the items is used within a range of valuable information of the wireless information card according to a predetermined dispensing operation. While driving the article dispensing device to dispense the article, each time the article is dispensed, the valuable information corresponding to the dispensed article is subtracted from the valuable information of the wireless information card stored in the valuable information storage means. A wireless information card device, comprising: storage updating means for automatically re-storing the valuable information storing means.

Action A plurality of article payout devices arranged in the game hall constantly output different unique identification radio waves to a narrow range from the identification radio wave output section provided in each of the article payout devices.

When the user carrying the wireless information card selects one of the plurality of article dispensing devices and is positioned in the immediate vicinity of this article dispensing device, the frequency tuning means arranged on the wireless information card is moved from the article dispensing device. A second communication frequency allocated to the wireless information card is variable to the unique communication frequency of the first transceiver of the article dispensing device that receives the output identification radio wave and corresponds to the received unique identification radio wave. Tune the communication frequency of the transceiver.

Since the identification radio wave is different and unique to each article dispensing device, there is always a one-to-one correspondence between the article dispensing device and the wireless information card, and the wireless information card used on the side of this article dispensing device is specified. Then, wireless communication is established between the article dispensing device and the wireless information card at the communication frequency peculiar to the first transceiver of the article dispensing device.

A user located in the immediate vicinity of the article dispensing device, that is, when a user wearing a wireless information card synchronized with the article dispensing device performs a predetermined dispensing operation on the article dispensing device, the synchronized wireless information card, In short, wireless transmission / reception is performed between the wireless information card to be used and the article dispensing apparatus, and the article dispensing apparatus is driven within the range of valuable information of the wireless information card to dispense the article.

The memory update means subtracts valuable information corresponding to the dispensed article from the valuable information of the wireless information card to be used and automatically re-stores it in the valuable information storage means every time the article is dispensed.

Embodiments Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a wireless information card 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Also, in the block diagram showing the ball lending machine 2 as the article dispensing device, each of the wireless information card 1 and the ball lending machine 2 is provided with a transmission / reception unit 5 and a transmission / reception unit 6 for realizing a transmission / reception function by wireless output. Together with wireless information card 1
A storage unit 3 including a RAM and the like, and a calculation unit 4 including a microprocessor are provided in each of these units, and constitute a valuable information storage unit and a storage updating unit, respectively.

In the storage unit 3 of the wireless information card 1, the value of valuable information indicating the amount of pachinko balls that can be purchased is written in advance by a writing device unique to the manufacturer or the pachinko parlor. It receives backup from the built-in battery that supplies driving power.

The ball lending machine 2 has a purchase amount selection button for purchasing a pachinko ball, control means for outputting valuable information corresponding to the purchase amount to the transmission / reception unit 6 in response to operation of the purchase amount selection button, and wireless information. And a control unit that detects a payout signal wirelessly input from the card 1 to the transmission / reception unit 6 and permits the payout of the pachinko balls corresponding to the purchase amount. The payout mechanism, the coin input and sorting mechanism, etc. are the same as the conventional ones, and it is also possible to lend balls by ordinary coins.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a plurality of ball lending machines 2. Each of the ball lending machines 2a to 2d is a large number of pachinko machines horizontally arranged in an island shape.
7a-7d, one on each side, and each pachinko machine 7a-7d
On the front side of the, the identification radio wave output unit 9a-9d that outputs the unique identification radio waves corresponding to the ball lending machines 2a-2d arranged on the one side toward the front of the pachinko machine with directivity and at a short reach is provided. The identification radio waves fa to fd having different wavelengths are constantly output from the identification radio wave output units.

On the other hand, the radio information card 1 detects the reception states of fa to fd of the identification radio waves from the pachinko machines 7a to 7d, and the transmitting / receiving unit 5
There is provided a frequency tuning circuit for tuning the communication frequency of any one of the ball lending machines 2a to 2d.

For reference, the relationship between the identification radio waves fa to fd for each ball lending machine 2a to 2d and the communication frequencies Fa to Fd for each ball lending machine 2a to 2d, and the identification radio waves fa to fd detected by the wireless information card 1 Tables 1 and 2 show the relationship with the communication frequencies Fa to Fd tuned by this.

Therefore, if the user wearing the wireless information card 1 sits on the chair 8a arranged in front of the pachinko machine 7a, the wireless information card 1 detects the identification radio wave fa from the pachinko machine 7a, and the wireless information The communication frequency of the card 1 is tuned to the communication frequency Fa of the ball lending machine 2a, the wireless communication between the wireless information card 1 and the ball lending machine 2a is automatically established, and it is arranged in front of the pachinko machine 7b. When sitting on the chair 8b, the communication frequency of the wireless information card 1 is tuned to the communication frequency Fb of the ball lender 2b, and the wireless communication between the wireless information card 1 and the ball lender 2b is automatically established. .

The communication frequency of the wireless information card 1 is the seating position of the user.
The communication frequencies Fa to Fd of the ball lending machines 2a to 2d are tuned according to 8a to 8d, and the communication frequencies Fa to Fd of the ball lending machines 2a to 2d are different from each other.

In the present embodiment, since the storage unit 3 serving as valuable information storage means and the arithmetic unit 4 serving as storage updating means are provided for each wireless information card 1, it is necessary to set a unique identification code for each wireless information card 1. However, an identification code or the like for each pachinko parlor may be set.

As for the wireless information card 1 to be used for a specific ball lending machine, the ball lending machine that is the target of the payout operation is determined.
The wireless information card 1 tuned to the communication frequency of 2a to 2d is uniquely determined regardless of the internal processing of the wireless information card 1 or the ball lending machines 2a to 2d. In other words,
Identification radio wave output section 9a provided on the front of the pachinko machines 7a to 7d
9d are each a part of the ball lending machines 2a to 2d, and wireless communication between the wireless information card 1 and the ball lending machines 2a to 2d by the identification radio waves fa to fd from the identification radio wave output units 9a to 9d. The wireless information card 1 to be used is identified by.

Then, when the user wearing the wireless information card 1 sits on the desired pachinko machine 7, for example, a chair 8a arranged in front of the pachinko machine 7a, and operates the purchase amount selection button of the ball lending machine 2a, The control means of the ball lending machine 2a transmits valuable information $ 'according to the purchase amount of the pachinko ball to the wireless information card 1 at the predetermined communication frequency Fa via the transmission / reception unit 6, and pays out from the wireless information card 1. Go into a waiting state waiting for a signal.

The wireless information card 1 that has received the valuable information $ 'corresponding to the purchase amount of the pachinko ball has the current value $ of the valuable information stored in the storage unit 3 and the valuable information $' transmitted from the ball lending machine 2a. Only when it is determined that the current value $ of the valuable information is equal to or more than the valuable information $ ′ transmitted from the ball lending machine 2a by comparing the relations in the arithmetic unit 4, Value of valuable information $ 'according to the purchase amount of the pachinko ball
Is re-stored in the storage unit 3 as the current value $ of the valuable information, and is transmitted to the ball lending machine 2a via the transmission / reception unit 5 at a predetermined communication frequency Fa.
To send the payout signal.

The ball lending machine 2a receives the payout signal from the wireless information card 1 and executes the payout of the pachinko balls corresponding to the purchase amount selected by the purchase amount selection button, which is the valuable information $ ', and executes one transaction. Complete. If the payout signal from the wireless information card 1 is not received within a certain period of time after the valuable information $ ′ corresponding to the purchase price of the pachinko ball is transmitted to the wireless information card 1, the wireless information card 1 Considering that the valuable information $ 'corresponding to the purchase amount selected by the purchase amount selection button is larger than the current value $ of the stored valuable information, the payout of the pachinko ball is refused, and the user Wait for the purchase amount selection button of the proper amount to be operated.

When it is determined that the valuable information $ 'corresponding to the purchase amount selected by the purchase amount selection button is larger than the current value $ of the valuable information stored in the wireless information card 1, the wireless information card 1 Alternatively, a pachinko ball payout command of an amount corresponding to the current value $ of valuable information may be transmitted to the ball lending machine 2a, and the remaining amount of pachinko balls may be paid out at once.

Further, the ball lending machine 2a is provided with a payout confirmation sensor and the like, and when the wireless information card 1 receives the valuable information $ 'according to the purchase amount of the pachinko ball, the value of this valuable information $' is temporarily stored in the wireless information card 1. In addition to memorizing, $ and $ 'in the arithmetic unit 4
Compare the size relationship with and send a payout signal, and the ball lending machine 2a
When the ball confirmation machine 2a confirms the operation of the payout confirmation sensor
To output a subtraction command to the wireless information card 1 from the current value of the valuable information $ stored in the wireless information card 1 and subtract the value of the temporarily stored valuable information $ 'to re-store in the storage unit 3 You may make it control. In this way, the valuable information $ of the wireless information card 1 is not unduly subtracted when the ball lending machine 2a runs out of balls or malfunctions, thereby preventing troubles with the user. You can Further, a liquid crystal display or the like for displaying the current value $ of valuable information may be arranged on the wireless information card 1.

The wireless information card 1 in which the remaining amount of the current value $ of the valuable information is “0” can be collected by the manufacturer or the pachinko parlor, and any valuable information $ can be written and reused.

The example in which the wireless information card 1 is provided with the storage unit 3 serving as the valuable information storage unit and the calculation unit 4 serving as the storage updating unit has been described above, but the valuable information storage unit and the memory updating unit are not necessarily the wireless information card. It is not necessary to provide each one.

For example, even if a centralized management computer connected to the ball lending machine 2 is provided with valuable information storage means and storage update means, and only the identification code ID unique to the card is stored in the storage section 3 of the wireless information card 1, The same effect as described above can be achieved. In the valuable information storage means of the centralized management computer, the identification code ID of the wireless information card 1 and the valuable information $
It is necessary to store and in a one-to-one correspondence.

In this case, the identification radio waves fa from the identification radio wave output units 9a to 9d
After the ball lending machine 2 detects the wireless information card 1 to be used by wireless communication between the wireless information card 1 and the ball lending machines 2a to 2d by ~ fd, the wireless communication is performed using the tuned communication frequency. The identification code ID of the card is transmitted from the information card 1 to the ball lending machine 2. The control means of the ball lending machine 2 refers to the value of the identification code ID to identify the wireless information card 1 to be used, accesses the valuable information storage means of the centralized management computer, and responds to this wireless information card 1. The valuable information $ is read, and the pachinko balls are paid out within the range of the valuable information $ according to the payout operation by the user, and the current value of the valuable information $ read from the centralized management computer is used according to the purchase amount of the pachinko balls. The value of valuable information $ 'is subtracted, the value of the identification code ID is referred to, and this value $ = $-$' is the current value of valuable information $
As a result, the valuable information storage means of the centralized management computer is updated and stored. Since the value $ of valuable information directly related to the payout of a pachinko ball is always stored in the valuable information storage means in the centralized management computer, it is practically impossible to tamper with the wireless information card 1. In addition to the identification code ID of the wireless information card 1 and the valuable information $, other information items may be set in the valuable information storage means of the centralized management computer. For example, wireless information card 1
If the name of the user who lent the wireless information card 1 is registered in association with the identification code ID of, and the usage status of the wireless information card 1 is aggregated for each name of the user, Customer management becomes easier by providing appropriate services.

In these embodiments, the ball lending machine 2 serving as the article dispensing device is arranged in a narrow space, and a large number of wireless information cards 1 may be used at the same time. It is desirable to input and output valuable information in tune with the frequency of a specific ball lending machine,
In an ordinary vending machine or the like, where a large number of users are rarely flooded at the same time, the wireless information card 1
It is not necessary to identify the individuality of the wireless information card 1
There is no problem even if the communication frequency is fixed to the communication frequency of the vending machine and the communication frequencies of the wireless information card 1 are all the same.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the wireless information card device of the present invention, the plurality of article dispensing devices are configured to constantly output different unique identification radio waves within a narrow range from the identification radio wave output units provided in the respective article dispensing devices. When the user carrying the wireless information card is outputting and selects one of the plurality of article dispensing devices and is positioned in the immediate vicinity of this article dispensing device, the frequency tuning means provided in the wireless information card is activated. , The identification radio wave output from the article dispensing device is received, and the communication frequency provided in the wireless information card is variable to the unique communication frequency of the first transceiver of the article dispensing device corresponding to the received unique identification radio wave. By tuning the communication frequency of the second transmission / reception unit, the relationship between the article dispensing device and the wireless information card always corresponds one-to-one, and the article dispensing device is used on the side of the article dispensing device. The wireless information card to be specified is specified, and wireless communication is established between the article dispensing device and the wireless information card at the unique communication frequency of the first transmitting / receiving unit of the article dispensing device. It is not necessary to provide a large number of selection keys for specifying the item, and the user does not need to operate the key for specifying the other party's article dispensing device, and the user wears the wireless information card. In this state, the article can be easily dispensed by being located in the immediate vicinity of the article dispensing apparatus to be operated and immediately performing only the dispensing operation to the article dispensing apparatus.

Further, the wireless information card located in the immediate vicinity of the article dispensing device is specified by the different unique identification radio waves for each article dispensing device, that is, the wireless information card worn by the user who intends to use the article dispensing device is The communication frequency at which the specified wireless information card side performs wireless communication is changed to a unique communication frequency of this article dispensing device only, and a one-to-one correspondence transmission / reception relationship is established between this article dispensing device and the wireless information card. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the need for a signal transmission line for making it impossible to receive the article dispensing device other than the communication partner, and at the same time, when there are multiple users who have the same type of wireless information card or the same type of vending machine. Even if there are multiple stores, it is possible to carry out appropriate sales activities without causing confusion.

The annoyance of picking up the card each time the selling operation is performed is eliminated, and it is difficult to forge, and there is no concern that the card will be jammed or that the user will forget to collect the card after the selling operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a wireless information card and a ball lending machine as an article dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a plurality of ball lending machines according to the embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Wireless information card, 2, 2a to 2d ... Ball lending machine as article dispensing device, 3 ... Storage section as valuable information storage means, 4 ... Calculation section as storage update means, 5 ... Wireless Transmitter / receiver for realizing output / transmitter function, 6 ...
A transmission / reception unit for realizing a transmission / reception function by wireless output,
7a-7d …… Pachinko machines, 8a-8d …… Chairs, 9a-9d …… Identification radio wave output section.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Mitsuharu Kitajima 250 Asahi, Kochino-cho, Konan-shi, Aichi San Electronics Co., Ltd. In Sun Communication (56) References JP-A-63-138490 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of article dispensing devices each individually provided with an identification radio wave output section for constantly outputting different unique identification radio waves in a narrow range and a first transmitting / receiving section for performing wireless communication at different unique communication frequencies. And an identification radio wave output from the second transceiver having a variable communication frequency when performing wireless communication with the plurality of article delivery devices and the article delivery device, the received unique identification radio wave Of the article dispensing device corresponding to
A wireless information card provided with frequency tuning means for tuning the communication frequency of the second transmitting / receiving section to the communication frequency peculiar to the transmitting / receiving section, and the wireless information card stores valuable information storing means storing valuable information; When the object to be used is identified by one article dispensing device by wireless communication between the wireless information card and one of the plurality of article dispensing devices, the wireless information card of the wireless information card is determined according to a predetermined dispensing operation. Within the range of the valuable information, the one article dispensing device is driven to dispense the article, and each time the article is dispensed, the value is paid from the valuable information of the wireless information card stored in the valuable information storage means. A wireless information card device, comprising: storage updating means for reducing valuable information corresponding to an article and automatically re-storing the valuable information in the valuable information storing means.