JP6212364B2 - Gift exchange system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a prize exchange system in which a game value acquired by a player at a game store can be used for prize exchange.

  Currently, at game stores, the number of balls acquired is counted after the game is finished, a recording medium such as a receipt on which the counting result is recorded is issued to the player, and the receipt is presented to a prize exchange counter and read by a POS. By doing so, the desired prize is exchanged within the range of the number of acquired balls.

  In such a prize exchange, the number of acquired balls is not necessarily the number corresponding to the exchange prize (the number of acquired balls = the number of prize exchanges), and a fraction often occurs. In that case, the store clerk of the game shop confirms the fraction, and passes a small prize (for example, juice or sweets) to the player corresponding to the fraction, thereby completing the prize exchange. Basically, such prize exchange is performed on the same day as the game.

  In addition, since the prize exchange is very complicated, the equivalent number of exchange balls (the number of management balls and the fraction) is registered in advance in association with each of the general prizes, and the player determines the number of obtained balls. On the other hand, when the information on the prize designated for exchange is input, the maximum number that can be exchanged and the resulting fraction are calculated, and appropriate exchange is realized by exchanging the prize based on the calculation result, The thing which reduced the processing burden has already been provided (for example, patent document 1).

JP 2012-85935 A

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 as described above has the following problems. In other words, it is time consuming and troublesome to perform the above-described processing after the game is over, and at that time, it is necessary to select from prizes in the game store, so the degree of freedom of exchange itself is low.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a prize exchange system capable of easily exchanging prizes with a high degree of freedom without performing troublesome processing. To do.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the object described above resides in the inventions of the following items.
The invention described in claim 1
A prize exchange system that allows a player to use the gaming value acquired at an amusement store for prize exchange,
A recording medium issuing means capable of issuing a predetermined recording medium for exchanging prizes based on the gaming value acquired by the player at the amusement store;
Premium exchange means capable of exchanging premiums based on the recording medium issued by the recording medium issuing means;
Provisional settlement processing means capable of performing provisional settlement related to the gift exchange based on the recording medium issued by the recording medium issuing means,
The provisional settlement processing means
Authentication means for authenticating whether or not the recording medium for making the provisional payment is valid;
Processing means capable of performing processing related to provisional settlement when the authentication means authenticates the recording medium.
Issuing means capable of issuing a provisional settlement certification medium indicating that the provisional settlement has been properly performed,
Based on the temporary payment certification medium issued by the issuing means, the premium exchange by the premium exchange means can be performed for a predetermined period after the temporary payment.

  According to this prize exchange system, a player can obtain a predetermined recording medium for exchanging prizes according to the game value, and then make a provisional settlement related to the prize exchange based on the recording medium. Become. A provisional settlement certification medium is issued on the condition that the provisional settlement has been legitimately performed. Based on this temporary settlement certification medium, the player can exchange prizes not only on the day when the recording medium is issued but also for a predetermined period after the temporary settlement.

The invention according to claim 2
The premium exchange means and the provisional payment processing means are provided in an affiliated store that can communicate with the amusement store,
The game store is provided with the recording medium issuing means,
The authentication means includes
When the game store and the partner store are communicable, the authentication is performed based on information on the recording medium issued at the game store,
When the game store and the partner store are incapable of communication, it is configured to perform the authentication independently,
After the original authentication, when the gaming store and the affiliated store become communicable, the authentication can be performed based on information on the recording medium issued at the gaming store. It is structured.

  According to this prize exchange system, if the online store is capable of communicating between the amusement store and the affiliated store when authenticating whether or not the recording medium for temporary settlement is valid, the affiliated store Authentication is performed based on information at the amusement store. On the other hand, when performing the authentication, if the amusement store and the affiliated store are offline where communication is not possible, the affiliated store will authenticate independently and authenticate with the information at the amusement store when online later. .

  According to the prize exchange system according to the present invention, prize exchange with a high degree of freedom can be easily performed without troublesome processing.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the flow of the provisional payment in a prize exchange system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a prize exchange system. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in a goods management terminal. It is a screen transition diagram which shows the flow of operation in the display screen of a merchandise management terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the temporary payment process in a goods management terminal. 6 is a flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. It is a screen transition diagram showing the flow of the operation of provisional payment processing on the display screen of the product management terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the information confirmation process in a goods management terminal. It is a screen transition diagram which shows the flow of operation of the information confirmation process in the display screen of a merchandise management terminal. It is a screen transition diagram showing the flow of operation of the gift exchange process on the display screen of the product management terminal. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the game store which comprises a prize exchange system, and the convenience store which is a some affiliated store. It is explanatory drawing which shows the schematic flow of the main operation | movement in the case where a supervision company is included in a prize exchange system. It is a form for explaining a premium information database attached to a premium management terminal. It is a front view of a gaming machine and a card unit for explaining an operation for selecting a temporary settlement place. FIG. 10 is a screen transition diagram of a terminal for explaining the flow of an operation for online reservation for provisional settlement or prize exchange.

Hereinafter, as an embodiment of the present invention, a prize exchange system 1 in which a game value acquired by a player at a game store can be used for prize exchange will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, referring to FIG. 1, an outline of the flow of provisional settlement in the gift exchange system 1 of the present embodiment will be described. Basically, in the present prize exchange system 1, based on the number of prize balls (game value) acquired by a player at a game store, prize exchange or provisional settlement is made at a convenience store (hereinafter referred to as a convenience store) as a partner store. Is configured to do.

  In the present prize exchange system 1, an amusement shop directly enters into an alliance agreement with a partner store such as a convenience store providing a place for giving away prizes, or ties up through a supervising company that comprehensively manages prize exchange and provisional settlement. By signing a tie-up agreement with a store, the player can exchange prizes using the number of prize balls acquired at the amusement store. Here, not only one store but also a plurality of partner stores may exist. In addition, about a player, when leaving a game store and entering a partner store, it represents as a player as it is for convenience of explanation.

First, the flow of processing in the game store in FIG. 1 will be described.
A number of pachinko machines and slot machines, not shown, are installed in the game store, and the player plays a game using the rented game media. When the game machine is a pachinko machine, the player operates the handle to fire a game ball (game medium) on the game board surface, and when the game ball wins, a prize ball is paid out according to the winning form. When the player finishes the game, the player counts the possessed ball (premium ball) with the counter 10 installed in the game store ((a) in FIG. 1).

  The counter 10 will be described later, but it is installed for each gaming machine individually or for each gaming machine island in which a plurality of gaming machines are arranged in the gaming store, and is inserted into a reception port for receiving a prize ball. The game ball is counted by a counter consisting of a sensor or the like as needed, and the counting result is stored and calculated. Such a counter 10 records the counting result on a counting receipt or a membership card and issues it to the player ((b) in FIG. 1).

  The player presents the count receipt issued from the counter 10 or the membership card (the count result recorded on the card) at a prize exchange counter in the game store ((c) in FIG. 1). Then, the game store inputs the counting result recorded on the presented counting receipt or the like to the prize management terminal (POS shop POS) 20 to check whether the count data is correct or not. I do.

  The prize management terminal (POS for amusement shop) 20 will also be described later, but is installed at a prize exchange counter in the amusement shop, and reads the counting result from the counting receipt submitted by the player with a scanner and calculates the corresponding prize. Is. The prize management terminal (POS for amusement store) 20 issues a prize receipt or a special prize after completing the processing necessary for the prize exchange ((d) in FIG. 1). Here, the prize receipt corresponds to a “predetermined recording medium” for exchanging prizes with general prizes, and the special prize is for cashing. The provisional settlement of the present embodiment is limited to the exchange of prizes with general prizes based on prize receipts, and therefore the description of special prize redemption will be omitted below.

Next, prize exchange at the affiliated store in FIG. 1 will be described.
The player moves to a partner store such as a convenience store that also serves as a prize exchange (a cash exchange), and presents a prize receipt issued at the aforementioned amusement shop ((e) in FIG. 1). Based on this prize receipt, the player can exchange the prize for the desired general prize as it is, but at this point in time, it is also possible to make a temporary settlement related to the prize exchange without exchanging the prize. . Hereinafter, in FIG. 1, an example will be described in which a player makes a provisional settlement instead of exchanging premiums.

  The provisional settlement means that the necessary processing related to the prize exchange is completed before the prize exchange with the general prize is actually performed up to the number of prize balls (game value) recorded in the prize receipt. . At the time of this provisional settlement, the player has not yet obtained an actual general prize. Therefore, the premium price is not charged from the affiliated store to the amusement store, and the amusement store does not pay the premium price to the affiliated store. The player can simplify the procedure and processing related to prize exchange at the end of the game by making a preliminary settlement in advance, so the procedure and processing in the temporary settlement at the end of the game is compared to the normal end of the game It can be done easily.

  In the affiliated store, when the player desires and selects a provisional payment, information on the presented premium receipt is input to the product management terminal (POS for store) 60. The merchandise management terminal (POS for shop) 60 is installed, for example, at a cashier counter in an affiliated store, and reads information from a prize receipt submitted by a player with a scanner and performs necessary information processing. In the affiliated store, provisional settlement is performed based on information input by the merchandise management terminal (POS for store) 60.

  In the provisional settlement, as will be described in detail later, first, it is authenticated whether or not the prize receipt for performing the provisional settlement is valid. Then, if the giveaway receipt is authenticated, the temporary settlement certificate is used as a temporary settlement certification medium indicating that the temporary settlement has been legitimately performed after performing necessary processing related to the temporary settlement. Issue ((f) in FIG. 1). Here, the provisional settlement certificate is sufficient if it is like a receipt in which necessary items are recorded, but this proves the correctness when exchanging premiums at a later date.

  Thus, based on the temporary payment certificate issued by the affiliated store, the player can later exchange prizes for a predetermined period after the temporary payment ((g) in FIG. 1). The time limit for temporary payment at partner stores is the same as when the gift receipt is issued, as in the case of conventional gift exchange. For example, it may be arbitrarily determined to be within 6 months after provisional settlement.

  By issuing the prize receipt after counting at the amusement store described above, related information is registered in the amusement store. After that, when making a temporary payment ((f) in FIG. 1) or when exchanging premiums after the temporary payment ((g) in FIG. 1), the partner store gives the prize receipt valid to the amusement store. Characteristics, provisional settlement information, and premium information are collated ((h) in FIG. 1). If there is no problem in the verification at the time of this temporary settlement (in the case of “OK”), the above-mentioned temporary settlement certificate is issued ((f) in FIG. 1). Temporary payments can be added together, and the player can add a plurality of temporary payment certificates (the number of prize balls recorded in the certificate) to exchange the prizes.

  As described above, collation is performed at the time of provisional settlement (including summation). However, if the amusement store and the convenience store are offline, that is, if the amusement store POS 20 and the store POS 60 cannot communicate, for the time being. After processing, at a predetermined timing when you come online later, you can check against the amusement store, or make a temporary settlement based on information registered in the affiliated store in advance (mainly summed up) And so on.

  Specifically, for example, when the game store is offline after the store is closed, the game store that is the issuer of the premium receipt can be specified if there is record information of the premium receipt. Therefore, the prize receipt includes information for specifying the amusement store in addition to the amusement store membership information and the award information. By doing so, when making a temporary payment after the amusement store is closed or when a failure occurs on the amusement store side (that is, when the correctness of the prize receipt cannot be determined at the actual temporary payment processing timing, etc.) The record information of the premium receipt is read and held by the store POS 60, and provisional settlement is temporarily performed. Then, after the opening of the amusement store or after recovery (so-called online timing, etc.), communication with the corresponding amusement store is performed based on the record information of the stored prize receipt, and a temporary settlement is made again. The validity of the gift receipt that has been made will be judged.

  In addition, when the customer goes offline due to an obstacle on the partner store side, the record information of the gift receipt is held as information read by the store POS 60, and provisional settlement is made provisionally. After the recovery of the affiliated store (so-called online timing, etc.), the premium that has been temporarily settled by communicating with the corresponding amusement store based on the record information of the prize receipt that has been retained. The validity of the receipt will be judged. If the counter 10 and the management device go offline due to a failure or the like in the amusement store, information is temporarily held on the counter 10 side, and the information is sent from the counter 10 to the management device after restoration. You can do that.

In addition, after the provisional settlement, if an actual prize exchange is performed based on the provisional settlement certificate, the affiliated store will be charged for the goods that are general prizes to the amusement store, and based on this, the amusement store will be charged to the affiliated store. To pay the premium ((i) in FIG. 1).
Note that the player exchanges general prizes that can be preliminarily settled, and can also exchange special prizes at partner stores, although not shown in FIG.

  Next, referring to FIG. 2, an overall outline of the configuration of the gift exchange system 1 of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the prize exchange system 1 is configured by connecting each system of an amusement store and a partner store to each other via a network. Although only one affiliated store is shown in FIG. 2, there may be a plurality of affiliated stores, and other affiliated stores are similarly configured and connected.

  In addition to a plurality of game machines (not shown), the amusement store includes a counter 10, a prize management terminal (POS point for amusement store) 20, a hall management computer terminal 30, a printer 40, a router 41, and a gaming store (member management) server. A system is established in which 50 etc. are connected by an in-store network. In the game store system, only one counter 10 is shown, but in practice, a plurality of counters 10 are generally installed.

  The counter 10 operates according to a predetermined control program, and when a possessed ball (prize ball) acquired by the player is inserted into the receiving port, the counter 10 counts with a sensor or the like and outputs the count result It is. The counter 10 includes a card R / W 11 that can read and write information on a membership card of a game store, and a printer 12. The counting result of the ball held by the counter 10 is recorded on the member card by the card R / W 11, or a counting receipt on which numbers and barcodes are printed is issued by the printer 12.

  The prize management terminal 20 is a POS for a game shop, operates according to a predetermined control program, and calculates prizes that can be exchanged by the player according to the counting result (game value) of the possessed ball acquired by the player. . The prize management terminal 20 includes a barcode reader 21 and a receipt ticketing machine 22 that also serves as a card R / W.

  The prize management terminal 20 reads the counting result from the counting receipt issued by the counter 10 with the barcode reader 21 or the counting result recorded on the membership card by the counter 10 with the card R of the receipt ticket issuing machine 22. Read with / W and calculate a prize that can be exchanged by the player. In the prize management terminal 20, the player can perform an operation of arbitrarily selecting a prize that the player desires to exchange in accordance with the prize information that is the counting result of the ball.

  The types of prizes include so-called special prizes for cash exchange, in addition to general prizes that are usually sold at affiliated stores. When the general prize is selected, the receipt issuing machine 22 issues a prize receipt in which a bar code or the like indicating the prize information, which is the counting result of the possessed ball, is recorded. When a special prize is selected, the special prize may be handed over as it is instead of the prize receipt.

  Such a prize management terminal 20 corresponds to “recording medium issuing means” that can issue a prize receipt (predetermined recording medium) for exchanging prizes based on the game value acquired by the player at the game store. Further, when the prize management terminal 20 issues a prize receipt, the prize information recorded in the prize receipt is stored and managed in association with information for specifying the player (game shop information, game shop member information, etc.). Is set to

  The hall management computer terminal 30 is installed in a management room in the game store, and collects and manages various data output from each gaming machine, the counter 10, the prize management terminal 20, and the like. That is, the hall management computer terminal 30 is a device that comprehensively manages the entire system of the amusement store. The hall management computer terminal 30 manages the operations and information of the counter 10 and the prize management terminal 20 described above. The hall management computer terminal 30 is connected to a printer 40 for print output, a router 41 for communication with the outside of the amusement store, and the like via an in-store network such as a LAN.

  The amusement shop (member management) server 50 operates in accordance with a predetermined control program, and manages the above-described prize information and the like in addition to information relating to the amusement shop members. Various information managed by the amusement shop (member management) server 50 is stored and stored in an attached amusement shop member information database 51. Specifically, for example, member information, a ball possessed by the member (game value), and the like are stored in the game store member information database 51 for each card ID that specifies a game store member. With this amusement store (member management) server 50, the amusement store not only manages the information relating to the membership of the amusement store, but also the above-mentioned prize information, etc., as well as authentication of prize receipts and provisional payment information with affiliated stores, affiliated stores Similarly, it may be configured so that temporary settlement can be performed.

  On the other hand, a partner store (convenience store or the like) displays a large number of products (not shown), but also has a merchandise management terminal (the store POS) 60 installed at the checkout counter. A system including 60 is built. The affiliated store system is connected to the aforementioned amusement store system through a communication router 70 or the like so that various data can be transmitted and received. It should be noted that a printer for printing out various data may be provided in the affiliated store system.

  The merchandise management terminal 60 has substantially the same configuration as the above-described prize management terminal 20, operates according to a predetermined control program, and responds to the prize information recorded on the prize receipt issued by the prize management terminal 20. The provisional settlement and premium exchange process described above are performed. The merchandise management terminal 60 also includes a barcode reader 61 and a receipt ticketing machine 62 that also serves as a card R / W. The merchandise management terminal 60 includes a touch panel display screen that can display various information and perform various operations. This operation can be performed not only by the clerk of the affiliated store but also by the player who is the customer.

  The merchandise management terminal 60 reads premium information from a premium receipt presented by the player using a barcode reader 61 and exchanges it for a corresponding product (general premium). Processing related to the exchange of premiums based on the subsequent temporary settlement certificate is performed, and information regarding each processing is input. When the player presents the special prize, the corresponding cash is handed to the player or an electronic money card is charged (added), and information on the processing is also stored in the merchandise management terminal 60. It is input with.

  Such a merchandise management terminal 60 corresponds to a “prize exchange means” capable of exchanging giveaways based on the giveaway receipt issued by the giveaway management terminal 20. The merchandise management terminal 60 corresponds to “temporary settlement processing means” capable of making a provisional settlement related to the prize exchange based on the prize receipt issued by the prize management terminal 20. In addition to the prize information, the prize receipt also includes information for specifying a game store and a player for authentication.

  The merchandise management terminal 60 has a function related to the “provisional payment processing means”, an authenticating means for authenticating whether or not the giveaway receipt for performing the temporary payment is valid, and the authenticating means that the giveaway receipt is valid. A processing means capable of performing a process related to provisional settlement when authenticated, and an issuing means capable of issuing a provisional settlement certification medium indicating that the provisional settlement is legitimately performed. I have.

  Here, the authentication means of the merchandise management terminal 60 receives the prize information read from the prize receipt and information for specifying the game shop or the player when the provisional payment is made to the prize management terminal 20 of the game shop. It is compared whether or not it matches the information stored and managed, and if it matches (verification OK), it is authenticated that the gift receipt is valid. Further, the processing means executes provisional settlement processing shown in FIGS. As part of the provisional settlement process, the issuing means issues a provisional settlement certificate which is a provisional settlement certification medium ((f) in FIG. 1).

  Furthermore, the merchandise management terminal 60 performs prize exchange based on the provisional settlement certificate issued by the terminal itself, in addition to exchanging prizes based on the prize receipt by the “prize exchange means” described above. After the provisional settlement, the player can exchange prizes by using the merchandise management terminal 60 within a predetermined period of six months from the date of issuance of the provisional settlement certificate. At the time of prize exchange based on such provisional settlement certificate, the merchandise management terminal 60 receives the prize information read and input from the provisional settlement certificate and information for specifying the game shop or player, the prize management terminal of the game shop. 20 is compared with the information stored and managed in FIG. 20, and is matched (matching OK), or is compared with the information already stored and managed in its own terminal and matched (Verification OK) is configured to allow prize exchange.

Next, the flow of processing in the merchandise management terminal 60 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the product management terminal 60, and FIG. 4 is a screen transition diagram showing a flow of operations on the display screen of the product management terminal 60.
In FIG. 3, when a prize receipt (or provisional settlement certificate) is presented by a player at a partner store, it is first determined whether or not a selection operation has been performed at the merchandise management terminal 60 (step S10).

  This selection operation is performed by a touch operation on the display screen of the merchandise management terminal 60. When the screen is touched in the standby screen shown in FIG. 4A, the selection screen shown in FIG. 4B is displayed. Transition. In this selection screen, a “Premium exchange” button for instructing a prize exchange, a “Temporary settlement” button for instructing a provisional settlement, and an “Information browsing” button for instructing information confirmation appear. It can be arbitrarily selected (touched).

  When any button is selected (touched), the screen shifts to a screen corresponding to the selected process. In the example shown in FIG. 4B, the state where the “provisional settlement” button is selected (touched) is represented by an icon imitating a finger. Note that the sum of temporary settlement is also selected (touched) by the “provisional settlement” button, but as shown by the broken line in FIG. 4B, the “summation” button is also prepared from the beginning, You may comprise so that the sum of temporary payment may be instruct | indicated by selection (touch) of a button.

Returning to FIG. 3, when the above-described selection operation is performed (YES in step S10), the subsequent processing branches for each selected operation (individual No is associated) (step S11). ). If there is no selection operation (NO in step S10), the process is terminated.
Of the above-described selection operations (step S11), the operation No. When 1 is instructed, that is, when the “exchange prize” button in FIG. 4B is selected (touched), a prize exchange process corresponding to this is executed (step S12).

In the above-described selection operation (step S11), the operation No. When 2 is instructed, that is, when the “provisional settlement” button is selected (touched) in FIG. 4B, a provisional settlement process corresponding to this is executed (step S13).
Furthermore, in the above selection operation (step S11), the operation No. When 3 is instructed, that is, when the “browse information” button is selected (touched) in FIG. 4B, an information confirmation process corresponding to this is executed (step S14).

  Next, the flow of the provisional settlement process will be described with reference to FIGS. Such provisional settlement processing is executed by the merchandise management terminal 60 and corresponds to step S13 in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of provisional settlement processing, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the continuation of FIG.

  In FIG. 5, when the prize receipt is read by the barcode reader 61 of the merchandise management terminal 60 (step S20), the merchandise management terminal 60 sends a collation request for prize receipt information to the amusement shop prize management terminal 20 (step). S21). Then, it is determined whether or not the merchandise management terminal 60 has received the collation result from the prize management terminal 20 (step S22). If the collation result is received (YES in step S22), it is determined whether or not the collation result is valid (step S23). Hereinafter, “verification” in the figure is an agreement with “authentication”.

  If there is no problem in the collation result, the collation result is OK (YES in step S23), and the premium receipt information recorded in the premium receipt is displayed on the display screen of the merchandise management terminal 60 (step S24). On the other hand, if there is a problem with the verification result, the verification result is not OK (NO in step S23), and the provisional settlement process is terminated as it is. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not summation in provisional settlement has been designated (ON) (step S25). If the total is ON (YES in step S25), the process proceeds to the process following FIG. 6. If the total is not ON (NO in step S25), the process proceeds to step S27.

  If the merchandise management terminal 60 has not received the collation result from the prize management terminal 20 in step S22 described above (NO in step S22), it is determined whether a time-out has occurred (step S26). If the time-out has not yet occurred (NO in step S26), step S22 is repeated again. If the time-out has occurred (YES in step S26), the process proceeds to step S24. As described above, in the temporary settlement, even if there is no response for a predetermined time with respect to the matching result from the prize management terminal 20 (even if it is offline), the process proceeds for the time being. This is because it is sufficient to confirm the validity later.

  In a succeeding step S27, it is determined whether or not the issue in the provisional settlement is confirmed (ON). If issuance is ON (YES in step S27), a request for updating temporary settlement information is transmitted from the merchandise management terminal 60 to the prize management terminal 20 of the amusement store (step S28). On the other hand, if the issue is not ON (NO in step S25), the temporary settlement process is terminated as it is.

  Next, in the merchandise management terminal 60, it is determined whether or not the provisional payment information has been updated in the prize management terminal 20 (step S29). Here, if the temporary payment information has been updated in the free gift management terminal 20, the merchandise management terminal 60 receives information related to the temporary payment information update = OK indicating that (YES in step S29), and the temporary management information is also received in the own terminal. The settlement information is stored (step S31), and a temporary settlement certificate is issued (step S32). As described above, by storing provisional settlement information in the terminal itself, it is possible to cope even when offline at the time of summing described later.

  In addition, when the merchandise management terminal 60 does not receive information related to the provisional settlement information update = OK (NO in step S29), it is determined whether or not a time-out has occurred (step S30). If time has not yet expired (NO in step S30), step S29 is repeated again. If timed out (YES in step S30), the process proceeds to step S31.

  If the summation is ON in step S25 described above (YES in step S25), the process proceeds to the process following FIG. 6, and it is first determined whether or not summation information has been received (step S40). If the summation information has been received (YES in step S40), a request for matching the summation target information is transmitted from the merchandise management terminal 60 to the prize management terminal 20 of the amusement store (step S41). On the other hand, if the summation information is not received (NO in step S40), the provisional settlement process is terminated as it is. Here, the summation information is information that can identify a provisional settlement certificate to be summed, such as reading a provisional settlement certificate that has already been issued or inputting a serial number displayed on the provisional settlement certificate. .

  Next, it is determined whether or not the merchandise management terminal 60 has received a verification result from the prize management terminal 20 (step S42). If the collation result is received (YES in step S42), it is determined whether or not the collation result is valid (step S43). If there is no problem in the collation result, the collation result is OK (YES in step S43), and the merchandise management terminal 60 transmits a summation target information transmission request to the amusement store prize management terminal 20 (step S45). On the other hand, if there is a problem with the verification result, the verification result is not OK (NO in step S43), and the provisional settlement process is terminated as it is.

  Subsequently, the merchandise management terminal 60 determines whether or not the summation target information has been received from the prize management terminal 20 (step S46). If the merchandise management terminal 60 receives the summation target information (YES in step S46), the process jumps to step S50 to store the summation target information in its own terminal. On the other hand, if the summation target information has not been received (NO in step S46), it is determined whether a timeout has occurred (step S47). If time-out has not yet occurred (NO in step S47), step S46 is repeated again. If time-out has occurred (YES in step S47), the summation target information is searched within the own terminal of the merchandise management terminal 60 (step S47). S48), it is determined whether there is summation target information (step S49).

  If there is the summation target information (YES in step S49), the summation target information is displayed as it is on the display screen of the product management terminal 60 (step S51). On the other hand, when there is no summation target information (NO in step S49), the summation target information received from the premium management terminal 20 is stored in the terminal (step S50), and then displayed on the display screen of the merchandise management terminal 60. The summation target information is displayed (step S51). As described above, when the product management terminal 60 is offline, the product management terminal 60 searches whether or not information corresponding to the terminal itself is stored. If there is information, the product management terminal 60 uses the information to perform processing related to display or addition. Become.

  Thereafter, the merchandise management terminal 60 determines whether or not to perform summation (step S52), and when summation is performed (YES in step S52), stores the information after summation (step S53), The summed information is transmitted to the prize management terminal 20 of the amusement store (step S54). Then, a provisional settlement certificate after addition is issued (step S55). If summation is not executed (NO in step S52), the provisional settlement process is terminated as it is.

  Next, referring to FIG. 7, the flow of operations at the merchandise management terminal 60 relating to provisional settlement processing will be described. FIG. 7 is a screen transition diagram showing the flow of provisional settlement operations on the display screen of the merchandise management terminal 60. When the “provisional payment” button for instructing temporary payment is selected (touched) in the selection screen shown in FIG. 4B, the display screen of the product management terminal 60 is displayed as shown in FIG. 7A. Displays a message to the effect that the provisional settlement is to be made and to read the premium receipt. At this time, when the prize receipt is read by the barcode reader 61 of the merchandise management terminal 60, the prize receipt information is displayed on the display screen as shown in FIGS.

  The prize receipt information includes the “issue date” of the prize receipt, the “expiration date” for which the provisional settlement is possible, and the like, in addition to the “number of provisional settlement balls” which is the counting result (game value) of the ball. In addition, on the display screen, together with the prize receipt information, a “sum” button for instructing summation and an “OK” button for not instructing summation are displayed. When the “total” button is selected (touched), the total is turned on (YES in step S25 in FIG. 5), and when the “OK” button is selected (touched), the total is not turned on (step in FIG. 5). NO in S25).

  First, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the “OK” button is selected (touched), a guidance that a temporary settlement certificate is issued is displayed. That is, as shown in FIG. 7C, a message is displayed that a temporary settlement certificate is issued and that a prize exchange at a partner store is recommended by the deadline. During such display, an hourglass indicating a waiting state is displayed. As described above, the term is six months from the date of issuance of the provisional settlement certificate.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7D, a provisional settlement certificate is issued from the receipt ticketing machine 62 of the merchandise management terminal 60. In this temporary settlement certificate, a serial number is recorded in addition to the gift receipt information. The serial number is used to uniquely identify each provisional settlement certificate. The serial number may be printed as it is as shown, or may be recorded so as not to be directly visible. For example, it is conceivable to display a two-dimensional bar code so that it can be acquired by reading it and accessing it. Further, the player may set a simple password when issuing the temporary settlement certificate, and may obtain it by inputting it.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7 (e), when the “summation” button is selected (touched), as shown in FIG. 7 (f), guidance indicating that the addition is possible and other provisional settlement certificate to be added A message to read is displayed. Here, instead of reading the temporary settlement certificate, it may be set so that the record of the temporary settlement certificate can be called by inputting the serial number recorded in the temporary settlement certificate. In any case, when the record of the temporary settlement certificate to be added is input, as shown in FIG. 7 (g), a message indicating that confirmation is in progress and an hourglass indicating the waiting state are displayed.

  Thereafter, when the confirmation is completed, as shown in FIG. 7H, the premium receipt information recorded in the temporary settlement certificate to be added is displayed on the display screen. When the operator confirms the contents of the information and selects (touches) the “OK” button in the display screen, the information after the summation is displayed as shown in FIG. A provisional settlement certificate in which information is recorded is issued. Note that FIG. 7 shows an example in which a total of two temporary settlement certificates are combined, but the number of temporary settlement certificates to be combined is not limited to two, and three or more can be obtained by repeating the same operation. Records of temporary payment certificates can be added up.

  Next, the flow of the information confirmation process will be described with reference to FIG. Such information confirmation processing is executed by the merchandise management terminal 60, and corresponds to step S14 in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the information confirmation process. First, it is determined whether or not a viewing condition for information confirmation is satisfied (step S60).

  That is, when the provisional payment certificate is read or the serial number recorded in the temporary payment certificate is input in the merchandise management terminal 60, the viewing condition for information confirmation is satisfied (step S60). YES), a matching request is transmitted from the merchandise management terminal 60 to the prize management terminal 20 of the amusement store (step S61). Then, it is determined whether or not the merchandise management terminal 60 has received the collation result from the prize management terminal 20 (step S62). On the other hand, when the browsing condition is not satisfied (NO in step S60), the information confirmation process is terminated.

  Next, when the merchandise management terminal 60 receives the collation result (YES in step S62), it is determined whether or not the collation result is valid (step S63). If there is no problem in the verification result, the verification result is OK (YES in step S63), and a transmission request for provisional settlement information is transmitted from the merchandise management terminal 60 to the prize management terminal 20 of the amusement store (step S65). .

  Then, it is determined whether or not the merchandise management terminal 60 has received provisional settlement information from the prize management terminal 20 (step S66). When provisional settlement information is received (YES in step S66), detailed information display processing for displaying various information such as provisional settlement information on the display screen of the merchandise management terminal 60 is performed (step S67). The process ends.

  If the merchandise management terminal 60 has not received the collation result from the prize management terminal 20 in step S62 described above (NO in step S62), it is determined whether a time-out has occurred (step S64). If time-out has not yet occurred (NO in step S64), step S62 is repeated again. If time-out has occurred (YES in step S64), the information confirmation process is terminated.

  Similarly, if the merchandise management terminal 60 has not received provisional settlement information from the premium management terminal 20 in step S66 described above (NO in step S66), it is determined whether or not a time-out has occurred (step S68). If time-out has not yet occurred (NO in step S68), step S66 is repeated again. If time-out has occurred (YES in step S68), the information confirmation process is terminated. Even if the merchandise management terminal 60 has timed out in step S64 or S68, if there is a provisional settlement performed at the terminal itself (the provisional settlement information corresponding to the read provisional settlement certificate, etc.). If stored, the provisional settlement information may be displayed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the flow of operations at the product management terminal 60 relating to information confirmation processing will be described. FIG. 9 is a screen transition diagram showing the flow of information confirmation operation on the display screen of the product management terminal 60. When the “information browsing” button for instructing information confirmation is selected (touched) in the selection screen shown in FIG. 4B, the display screen of the product management terminal 60 is displayed as shown in FIG. 9A. Displays a message for confirming information, and a “certificate” button for selecting reading of a provisional settlement certificate and a “No. input” button for selecting input of a serial number are displayed as input operations. The

  When the “No. input” button in FIG. 9A is selected (touched), a message instructing the input of the serial number is displayed on the display screen of the merchandise management terminal 60 as shown in FIG. 9B. Is displayed. At this time, the operator inputs the serial number using a numeric keypad attached to the merchandise management terminal 60. When the serial number input here is authenticated, as shown in FIGS. 9C and 9E, the display screen of the merchandise management terminal 60 records the current temporary payment information in the temporary payment certificate. In addition to the number of “tentative settlement balls”, the “issue date” of the provisional settlement certificate and the “expiration date” that allows provisional settlement are displayed.

  FIG. 9C shows a case where there is only one provisional settlement information. When the “end” button in the display screen is selected (touched), the display process related to the information confirmation ends. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9D, when the expiry date of temporary settlement is approaching, a warning such as “!! WARNING !!” is displayed on the display screen, and the display color is changed. good. Further, depending on the number of days remaining until the expiration date, the display color, background display, display size, and the like may be sequentially changed to call attention. In the display screen shown in FIG. 9D, the “return” button is used to return to the previous screen. The “Next” button is used to proceed to the next screen, but cannot be selected without the next screen.

  On the other hand, FIG. 9E shows a case where there are a plurality of temporary settlement information (summed up), and when the “details” button on the display screen is selected (touched), it is recorded in each temporary settlement certificate. The provisional settlement information that is being displayed is displayed. When a plurality of provisional settlement information is added up, the history can be sequentially confirmed from the old provisional settlement certificate. As shown in FIG. 9 (f), by selecting (touching) the “Next” button appearing on the display screen, as shown in FIG. Such provisional settlement information can be displayed.

  When the “end” button is selected (touched) on the display screen shown in FIG. 9G, the display process related to information confirmation ends. When the “next” button is selected (touched), the previous provisional settlement information is displayed. However, if there is no provisional settlement information older than this, the selection cannot be made. Even when a plurality of provisional settlement information is sequentially displayed in this manner, the above-described change of the display mode regarding the expiration date may be performed for each screen corresponding to each provisional settlement information.

  Next, the flow of operations at the product management terminal 60 related to prize exchange will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a screen transition diagram showing the flow of operation for exchanging premiums on the display screen of the product management terminal 60. When “Premium exchange” instructing prize exchange is selected (touched) on the selection screen shown in FIG. 4B, the display screen of the product management terminal 60 is displayed as shown in FIG. 10A. Displays a message to exchange the prize and to read the prize receipt.

  When the prize receipt is read by the barcode reader 61 of the merchandise management terminal 60, as shown in FIG. 10B, the display screen displays “temporary value” which is the counting result (game value) of the ball recorded on the prize receipt. In addition to the “number of payable balls”, a “special” button for instructing special prize exchange and a “general” button for instructing general prize exchange are displayed. The prize receipt here is also used in place of the special prize described in FIG. 1, and the player can exchange the special prize based on the prize receipt instead of the special prize.

  When the “special” button in FIG. 10B is selected (touched), information relating to special prize exchange is displayed on the display screen of the merchandise management terminal 60, as shown in FIG. 10C. In the example of FIG. 10 (c), when the number of provisionally settled balls of 3250 is exchanged for one special prize of the maximum monetary unit (3000 balls), the details that the remaining fraction is 250 balls are displayed, and this is accepted. In this case, the “OK” button is selected (touched), and if not accepted, the “NO” button is selected (touched).

  When the “OK” button in FIG. 10C is selected (touched), as shown in FIG. 10D, whether the fractional 250 balls after the special prize exchange is to be temporarily settled or prize exchanged. The selection screen is displayed, and a “provisional settlement” button for instructing provisional settlement and a “exchange” button for instructing prize exchange are displayed. The prize exchange here can be exchanged for both general prizes and special prizes. However, if the fraction does not satisfy the minimum monetary unit of the special prize, it is inevitably limited to ordinary prize exchange. It should be noted that by selecting (touching) the “NO” button in FIG. 10C, the type of prize and the allocation of prize exchange can be changed as appropriate.

  When the “exchange” button is selected (touched), it is possible to selectively add a ball (the number of additional balls) and add cash (cash) when exchanging the prize. That is, as shown in FIG. 10E, on the display screen, a “no” button that does not add a ball or add cash, a “cash” button that instructs to add cash, and a “provisional settlement” that instructs to add a ball. "Button is displayed. The addition of the holding ball here is an addition from the amount already paid temporarily. In FIG. 10D, when the “provisional settlement” button is selected (touched), the display screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.

  In FIG. 10 (e), when the “No” button is selected (touched), premiums are exchanged within the range of the remaining fraction, and the premium is selected as shown in FIG. 10 (f). After that, a message to read the barcode is displayed. When a desired prize is selected according to this message and the barcode attached to the prize is read by the barcode reader 61 of the merchandise management terminal 60, as shown in FIG. 10 (g), it is necessary to exchange the prize. The number of balls is specifically displayed. The selection of the prize here is performed within the exchangeable range with the fraction. Finally, in FIG. 10G, when the “OK” button is selected (touched), the prize exchange is completed, and when the “cancel” button is selected (touched), the prize exchange is canceled.

  In addition, in FIG. 10E, when the “cash” button is selected (touched), cash will be exchanged by adding cash to the remaining fraction, as shown in FIG. First, a message to the effect that the cash to be added is inserted is displayed. Here, the clerk of the affiliated store may receive the cash to be added. When cash is added, as shown in FIG. 10 (i), the sum of the fraction and the number of balls corresponding to the added cash is specifically displayed. Thereafter, the “do not” button in FIG. 10E is selected (touched), and the prize exchange described in FIGS. 10F to 10G is performed.

  Also, in FIG. 10E, when the “provisional settlement” button is selected (touched), a prize exchange is performed by adding a ball for provisional settlement to the remaining fraction, and FIG. First, a message to read the temporary settlement certificate is displayed. Here, as described above, a serial number may be input instead of reading the provisional settlement certificate.

  Then, when a ball for provisional settlement is added, as shown in FIG. 10 (k), the sum of the fraction and the number of possession for provisional settlement is specifically displayed. The provisional payment can be added based on a plurality of provisional settlement certificates, not limited to one provisional settlement certificate. Thereafter, the “do not” button in FIG. 10E is selected (touched), and the prize exchange described in FIGS. 10F to 10G is performed.

  As described above, FIG. 10 describes the prize exchange related to the fraction after the special prize exchange. However, when the “general” button is selected (touched) in FIG. The prize exchange explained will be performed. When fractions are generated by such prize exchange, processing is performed in the procedure after FIG.

  The explanation about the special prize is omitted in FIG. 1, but the affiliated store purchases the special prize (a prize receipt that also serves as a gift) and hands the corresponding cash to the player or adds it to the electronic money card. Become. After that, special prizes are purchased at premium wholesalers, and the price of special prizes is paid to partner stores. In addition, the prize wholesaler wholesales special prizes to the amusement shop, and the amusement shop pays the prize wholesaler for the special prize.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the relationship between the amusement store constituting the premium exchange system 1 of the present embodiment and a convenience store as a plurality of affiliated stores will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 11 (a), game store A is connected to a single convenience store A among a plurality of convenience store convenience stores through a network that allows temporary payment, and can perform temporary payment. Is set 1: 1 with the amusement store.

  The amusement shop A communicates with the convenience store A only through the network at all times, and can make provisional settlement as described above even if it is temporarily offline. In addition, the player can exchange prizes (game value) acquired at the game store A at any other convenience store B, C... Even in the system configuration shown in FIG. 11A, the processes shown in FIGS. 3 to 10 can be performed.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11 (b), the game shop A is connected to a plurality of convenience stores A, B, C... Each of the convenience stores A, B, C,... Can make a prize exchange at any convenience store by signing an alliance agreement with the supervising company. Here, the supervising company manages not only the prize information at the amusement store A but also the prize information at all the convenience stores in the alliance, and updates and transmits various information as needed at the supervising company. Is set.

  In FIG. 11 (b), only one convenience store A among a plurality of convenience stores A, B, C... Is set to be able to make provisional payments, but at any other convenience store B, C. In addition to exchanging premiums, if the network is in an online state, for example, within a predetermined period, provisional payment may be made. The supervising company can transmit / receive various information regarding the amusement store to each convenience store A, B, C... Even if the amusement store A is offline.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11 (c), amusement store A is connected to a plurality of convenience stores A, B, C... Through a network centering on the respective headquarters, and further, amusement store A and each convenience store A, B are connected. , C... Are also connected. Each of the convenience stores A, B, C,... Can make a prize exchange at any convenience store by signing an alliance agreement with the supervising company. As in the case of FIG. 11 (b), the supervising company manages not only the prize information at the amusement store A but also the prize information at all the convenience stores that are affiliated with each other. It is set to update and send / receive as needed.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11 (c), various information can be transmitted / received to / from the amusement store A, a plurality of convenience stores A, B, C... Specifically, for example, transmission / reception of information at normal times is performed between each convenience store A, B, C... And the supervising company, but when this route goes offline, information is transmitted between the corresponding convenience stores. To send and receive. Alternatively, information is normally transmitted and received between each convenience store A, B, C... Directly without going through a supervising company. When the convenience stores go offline, each convenience store A, B, C It may be set to contact the headquarters from…. In FIG. 11, there are four convenience stores, but of course the number of affiliated stores is not limited to this.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 12, a schematic flow of main operations in the case where the supervision company is included in the prize exchange system 1 according to the present embodiment (FIGS. 11B and 11C) will be described. In FIG. 12, only one store of convenience store A is shown as the affiliated store, but the number of affiliated stores is not limited to one. Convenience store A is an affiliated store capable of provisional settlement.

  First, at the game store, when the game is over, the player counts the possession ball (premium ball) with the counter 10, and when the count result is input to the premium management terminal 20, a premium receipt is issued (step A10). . At this time, the prize receipt information such as the prize information (the number of prize balls) recorded in the prize receipt is also stored and registered in the prize management terminal 20 in its own terminal (storage means) (step A11). The prize information and the like are transmitted from the prize management terminal 20 to the merchandise management terminal 60 in the convenience store A and the supervising company (step A12). Each time the merchandise management terminal 60 receives prize information or the like from the prize management terminal 20, the information is stored and updated in association with the game shop A (step A13).

  The player brings a prize receipt, moves to the convenience store A (step A14), and presents the prize receipt issued at the aforementioned amusement store, the prize receipt is read by the merchandise management terminal 60 (step A15). Then, the merchandise management terminal 60 transmits a prize receipt information collation request to the amusement shop prize management terminal 20 (step A16). At this time, the merchandise management terminal 60 transmits a verification request for the premium receipt information to the supervising company (step A17).

  In response to the collation request, the prize management terminal 20 collates whether or not the prize receipt information registered in the terminal matches the information transmitted from the merchandise management terminal 60. If there is no problem with the matching result, the prize management terminal 20 transmits a matching result indicating that the matching result = OK to the merchandise management terminal 60 (step A18). At this time, the matching result is also transmitted from the merchandise management terminal 60 to the controlling company (step A19). Since the prize receipt information is also transmitted to the supervising company when the premium receipt is issued (step A12), the information of the supervising company can be referred to if there is any problem.

  When the merchandise management terminal 60 receives the collation result indicating that the collation result = OK, the merchandise management terminal 60 transmits a temporary settlement information update request to the prize management terminal 20 of the amusement store (step S20). Then, in response to the update request, the premium management terminal 20 updates the provisional settlement information that has already been registered, and transmits information related to provisional settlement information update = OK indicating that fact to the merchandise management terminal 60 (step) A21).

When the merchandise management terminal 60 receives the information related to provisional settlement information update = OK, the merchandise management terminal 60 also stores the provisional settlement information in its own terminal (step A22) and issues a provisional settlement certificate to the player. (Step A23). Further, the merchandise management terminal 60 transmits the provisional settlement information to the supervising company (step A24).
Further, when the amusement store A and the convenience store A are offline, for example, after the amusement store is closed, the amusement store temporarily makes a temporary settlement based on only the information recorded in the product management terminal 60 as described above. Information can be stored or provisional payment certificates can be issued.

  As described above, when the merchandise management terminal 60 performs the process related to the provisional payment only with the own terminal, the merchandise management terminal 60 renews the provisional settlement information when the game store A and the convenience store A are online. An update request is transmitted to the prize management terminal 20 of the amusement store (step S25). Then, in response to the update request, the premium management terminal 20 updates the provisional settlement information that has already been registered, and transmits information related to provisional settlement information update = OK indicating that fact to the merchandise management terminal 60 (step) A26).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the premium information database attached to the premium management terminal 20 in the amusement store will be described. This premium information database may be provided as a part of the amusement shop member information database 51 or separately. The prize information database is provided with a data table for managing the “prize information history” for each amusement store. This data table is set so that it can be displayed on the screen and printed as a form of the form shown in FIG.

  In the prize information history, prize exchanges at the game shop are recorded in time series. In other words, in the prize information history, the receipt number, the time, the usage type, the serial number, the number of balls, the payment, and the payment information for each prize exchange are listed in the order of the serial numbers arranged in ascending order with the latest prize exchange on the upper side. Recorded in series. Such a prize information history may be managed not only at an amusement store but also at a convenience store or a headquarters company as a partner store.

  Among the items of the prize information history, a serial number for each premium receipt is recorded in the “receipt No” column, and an issue time for each premium receipt is recorded in the “time” column. In the “use type” column, “general” is recorded in the case of general prize exchange, and “special” in the case of special prize exchange, as the type of prize exchange. In the “Serial No” column, the serial number that is different for each premium receipt is recorded. In the “number of balls to be counted” column, the number of prize balls (the result of counting the possession balls), which is the prize information recorded for each prize receipt, is recorded.

  Also, in the “Payment” column, the record of the presence / absence of premium exchange or temporary payment is “-” if no premium exchange or temporary payment has been made at the affiliated store, and “Temporary payment has already been made”. “Temporary” is recorded as “completed” when the prize has already been exchanged. In the “Payment” column, as a record of whether payment has been made or not, if the payment for the free gift exchange ((i) in FIG. 1) has not been made yet, “No”, the free gift exchange has already been carried out at the affiliated store If it is, “Done” is recorded.

  In FIG. 13, for example, in serial number 1, since the “settlement” field is “provisional” and the “payment” field is “not yet”, the provisional settlement has already been performed, but the prize exchange has not yet been performed and the payment is also performed. Indicates a state that is not. In serial number 2, since the “settlement” field is “completed” and the “payment” field is also “completed”, the gift exchange has already been performed and the payment has been performed. Of the recorded patterns in the “settlement” column and “payment” column, there is no situation in which payment has been completed even though temporary payment has not been made, and although not shown in the figure, payment has not been made even though temporary payment has been completed. There can be a situation.

  Such a prize information history is updated every day that is a business day of an amusement store, and in principle, when prize exchange (including provisional settlement) is not performed during the day, that is, in the “settlement” column. The data with “−” remains as invalid. However, it may be set so that the payment expiration date (for example, within 3 days after issuance) is uniquely set at the amusement store and the issued prize receipt is treated as valid during that period.

  Also, at the amusement store, when it is possible to make a provisional payment at the prize management terminal 20, or when a provisional payment terminal is installed so that the provisional payment can be made, similar to the above-described prize information database. You may set so that it may be managed. In this case, the prize information database manages the number of unreplaced balls of the entire amusement store (with a prize receipt issued but with a settlement of “-”). On the other hand, if it is less than a predetermined number, it may be instructed to make a temporary payment at a game store. As a result, it is possible to disperse provisional settlement locations and avoid congestion.

  Next, an operation for selecting a temporary settlement place will be described with reference to FIG. A pachinko machine 2 that is a gaming machine shown in FIG. 14 is provided with a card unit (CR unit) 3 that can communicate with the pachinko machine 2. This card unit 3 lends a predetermined number of game balls to be used for a game by inserting a membership card or inserting a banknote and performing a predetermined operation. A touch panel type display device 4 is provided on the front surface of the card unit 3, and the player can display various information and perform various operations on the display device 4.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, on the standby screen of the display device 4, a “game information browsing” button for instructing game information browsing, a “temporary settlement location selection” button for instructing selection of a temporary settlement location, a wagon A “wagon service” button for instructing a service and a “TV” button for instructing a television broadcast are displayed. Here, when the player selects (touches) the “provisional settlement location selection” button, the premium information database shown in FIG. 13 described above is accessed and information relating to the provisional settlement location is searched. During such a search, as shown in FIG. 14B, an hourglass indicating a waiting state is displayed on the screen of the display device 4.

  Thereafter, when the search for the temporary settlement place is completed, the searched temporary settlement place (for example, convenience store A) is specifically displayed as shown in (c) of FIG. The reference searched here can be arbitrarily set in the order of the closest distance to the game store. Alternatively, in order to disperse the temporary settlement locations, different stores may be sequentially selected to instruct temporary settlement at the stores. In the premium information database shown in FIG. 13, information related to partner stores such as a plurality of convenience stores is also stored and managed as a temporary settlement place.

  Furthermore, in the screen of (c) in FIG. 14, processing at the selected temporary settlement place may be reserved. For example, if the player selects (touches) the “Temporary Settlement Place Reservation” button on the same screen, a reservation number or the like is given, and based on the reservation number, the presented temporary settlement place is presented. Only allow provisional settlement with priority. As a result, it is possible to disperse provisional settlement locations and avoid congestion.

  Next, referring to FIG. 15, explanation will be given on online reservation for provisional settlement and prize exchange. FIG. 15 is a screen transition diagram showing a flow of operations for performing online reservation for provisional settlement and prize exchange on the display screen of the terminal. The terminal here is not limited to the merchandise management terminal 60, but may be another computer such as a player's own personal computer. The terminal is connected to the premium information database (FIG. 13) via a communication line such as the Internet. For example).

  When the player accesses a predetermined address at the terminal, as shown in FIG. 15 (a), a message to the effect that provisional payment is made and a prize receipt is read is displayed on the display screen of the terminal. Therefore, when the player reads the prize receipt or instead inputs the serial number recorded on the prize receipt from the keyboard or the like of the terminal, it is recorded on the prize receipt as shown in FIG. You can call up free gift receipt information.

  At this time, on the display screen of the terminal, the “receipt” button for instructing summation and the “OK” button not instructing summation are displayed together with the gift receipt information. These buttons give instructions similar to those in the case of FIG. 7B described above. However, when the display screen is not a touch panel, the buttons can be selected from the keyboard or the like of the terminal. Here, when the “OK” button is selected, the screen shifts to a display screen shown in FIG. When the “summation” button is selected, the process proceeds to the display screen shown in FIG. 15C after performing the same processing as in FIGS. 7E to 7I described above.

  On the display screen shown in FIG. 15 (c), a message that a temporary settlement certificate is issued and a message that recommends exchanging premiums at a partner store by the deadline are displayed. During such display, a “store purchase” button for instructing to exchange prizes at partner stores and a “net” for instructing reservations on the net from a terminal owned by the player (operable at any timing). The “Reserve” button is displayed. When the “store purchase” button is selected here, as shown in FIG. 15D, a message that a temporary settlement certificate is issued and a message that recommends exchanging premiums at the partner store by the deadline are displayed. During such display, an hourglass indicating a waiting state is displayed. Thereafter, a temporary settlement certificate is issued as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the “net reservation” button is selected on the display screen shown in FIG. 15C, a reservation number is issued and a prize selection home page is accessed as shown in FIG. 15F. Will be displayed. Next, as shown in FIG. 15 (g), a message that a temporary settlement certificate is issued and that a prize exchange on the homepage is recommended by the deadline are displayed. During such display, an hourglass indicating a waiting state is displayed.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15 (h), a temporary settlement certificate is issued. In the temporary settlement certificate, a reservation number is recorded in addition to the premium receipt information and the serial number, similar to the certificate issued in FIG. The player can make an online reservation for prize exchange based on the reservation number. If the terminal does not have a dedicated issuing means, the temporary payment certificate displayed on the display screen of the terminal may be appropriately printed by a printer or the like. The same applies to the case of FIG.

  In addition, it is not simply possible to make online reservations for provisional payments or giveaway exchanges. For example, when exchanging giveaways, when presenting giveaway information that can be exchanged at the present time, there is no desired giveaway In addition, the provisional payment may be switched to the online reservation. In addition, a desired prize may be reserved in advance, and information such as “how many balls have reached the required number of balls” may be presented. Further, finally, provisional settlement may be performed at the time of issuing a prize receipt at the amusement store.

According to the present embodiment described above, there are the following effects.
If the prize exchange system 1 enables the exchange of prizes at the affiliated store, the player selects a store that has the product (prize) he / she wants from among the affiliated stores, and the player wishes to do so. Products can be exchanged and earned as prizes. For this reason, it is possible to exchange general prizes with a very high degree of freedom, and it is possible to respond precisely to the needs of the player.

In addition, the amusement store can omit the display space for prizes, and the affiliated stores can also be expected to attract players who gather at the amusement store.
In addition, if the player counts after the game ends and makes a temporary settlement for the time being, it will be possible to exchange premiums at a later date, so even a player with limited time may have time to spare at a later date. Slow prizes can be selected, which can be a factor in promoting the exchange of general prizes.

Next, the background of the above-described effect will be described below.
In Patent Document 1 described above, in order to reduce the work burden when exchanging prizes, the maximum number or fraction of exchange designated prizes with respect to the number of acquired balls is calculated and exchanged for prizes. Since it is necessary to register the general prize and the equivalent number of balls in advance in the store, the work becomes complicated, and the number of general prizes available at the amusement store is limited. Often, a player cannot provide the prize that he or she really wants.

  In addition, there are many things that do not require fine prizes (for example, juice, sweets, etc.) resulting from fraction exchange, and in most cases, they become luggage or are wasted. Therefore, the general prize exchange at the amusement store is very low in the degree of freedom, such as having to choose from a certain thing, you have to get something you do not need, so the player's interest in general prize exchange is not much It was not expensive. Therefore, it is better to exchange for special prizes and cash, and the present situation is that general prize exchange is not promoted.

  Furthermore, since the prize exchange was performed on the same day as the game, the situation of the player varies, such as playing a game just before closing the store or playing a game in a short time. In order for such a limited time player to exchange prizes as described above after the game is over, the act (input of various information, selection from pre-arranged prizes, etc.) itself Was one of the causes of refraining from exchanging general prizes.

The following inventive concept is derived from the configuration of the present embodiment described above.
A prize exchange system 1 in which a player can use a game value acquired at a game store for prize exchange,
A recording medium issuing means capable of issuing a predetermined recording medium for exchanging prizes based on the gaming value acquired by the player at the amusement store;
Premium exchange means capable of exchanging premiums based on the recording medium issued by the recording medium issuing means;
Provisional settlement processing means capable of performing provisional settlement related to the gift exchange based on the recording medium issued by the recording medium issuing means,
The provisional settlement processing means
Authentication means for authenticating whether or not the recording medium for making the provisional payment is valid;
Processing means capable of performing processing related to provisional settlement when the authentication means authenticates the recording medium.
Issuing means capable of issuing a provisional settlement certification medium indicating that the provisional settlement has been properly performed,
Based on the temporary settlement certification medium issued by the issuing means, the premium exchange is configured such that the premium exchange by the premium exchange means can be performed for a predetermined period after the temporary settlement. System 1.

  Here, the “recording medium issuing means” corresponds to the prize management terminal 20 in the amusement shop, and the “predetermined recording medium” is a prize receipt. The “prize exchanging means” corresponds to the merchandise management terminal 60 in the affiliated store, but the function of the prize exchanging means may be added to the prize management terminal 20 as described above. The “provisional payment processing means” corresponds to the product management terminal 60 in the affiliated store, and the function of the temporary payment processing means may be added to the prize management terminal 20 in the same manner. The specific components of these means are the same for the following inventive concept.

As another inventive concept, the following inventive concept is also derived.
The prize exchange means is:
A prize exchange system 1 configured such that when there are a plurality of provisional settlement certification media, the prize exchange can be performed by adding the plurality of provisional settlement certification media.

  According to the prize exchange system 1 described above, after the player obtains a prize receipt for exchanging prizes according to the counting result of the possessed ball by the prize management terminal 20 of the game shop, the tie-up is made based on the prize receipt. The merchandise management terminal 60 in the store makes it possible to make provisional payments related to prize exchange. A provisional settlement certificate is issued on condition that the provisional settlement has been legitimately performed.

  Based on the temporary settlement certificate, the player can exchange prizes for a predetermined period of time, for example, six months, not limited to the day of the game on which the premium receipt is issued. In particular, when there are a plurality of temporary settlement certificates, it is possible to exchange the desired temporary gift certificates by adding the temporary settlement certificates.

An inventive concept subordinate to the inventive concept is expressed as follows.
The premium exchange means and the provisional payment processing means are provided in an affiliated store that can communicate with the amusement store,
The game store is provided with the recording medium issuing means,
The authentication means includes
When the game store and the partner store are communicable, the authentication is performed based on information on the recording medium issued at the game store,
When the game store and the partner store are incapable of communication, it is configured to perform the authentication independently,
After the original authentication, when the gaming store and the affiliated store become communicable, the authentication can be performed based on information on the recording medium issued at the gaming store. A prize exchange system 1 characterized by being configured.

  When the prize exchange system 1 authenticates whether or not the prize receipt for making a provisional payment is valid, if the amusement shop and the affiliated store are online, the affiliated store Authentication is performed based on information in the store. On the other hand, when performing the authentication, if the amusement store and the affiliated store are offline where communication is not possible, the affiliated store will authenticate independently and authenticate with the information at the amusement store when online later. .

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention can be modified or added without departing from the scope of the present invention. included. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the gaming machine is described as a normal pachinko machine, but the present invention can also be applied to a slot machine that uses medals as gaming media. Here, specific types of pachinko machines and slot machines are not particularly limited.

In the above embodiment, the provisional payment can be made only in the case of the general prize exchange. However, if the promotion of the exchange of the general prize is not taken into consideration, the provisional payment may be made for the special prize exchange. it can.
In the above-described embodiment, the provisional settlement process and the issuance of the provisional settlement certificate are performed by the merchandise management terminal 60 so as to be combined with the free gift exchange process. You may comprise so that the terminal only for temporary payment which performs a series of processes relevant to payment may be prepared separately.

  In the above-described embodiment, the online reservation for provisional settlement and prize exchange has been described with reference to FIG. It is also conceivable that the processing can be limited to information confirmation processing (see FIG. 9) that does not involve game value information movement.

  In the embodiment, the recording medium for exchanging the prize is a prize receipt. In addition to such a paper medium, for example, a bar code or a bar code is displayed on the display unit of the prize management terminal (POS point for amusement shop) 20. Displaying the QR code, etc., the player captures the barcode or QR code with the camera of the mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or smartphone, and displays the captured barcode or QR code on the display unit of the mobile terminal. Then, it may be configured to read with a scanner such as a merchandise management terminal (store POS) 60 of a partner store and issue a provisional settlement certification medium.

  Here, the temporary payment certification medium may be a temporary payment certificate that is a paper medium such as the receipt described above, but the product management terminal (POS for store) is not printed out as the temporary payment certificate of such a paper medium. ) A provisional settlement certification medium issued by 60 etc. may be transmitted as data to the player's portable terminal.

In addition, a scanner such as a merchandise management terminal (POS for store) 60 connects a mobile terminal to the merchandise management terminal (POS for shop) 60 or the like (wirelessly) without reading a barcode or QR code displayed on the mobile terminal. Alternatively, a provisional settlement certification medium may be issued and recorded by communication.
At the time of prize exchange based on the provisional settlement certification medium, information on the provisional settlement certification medium displayed on the portable terminal by the merchandise management terminal (POS for store) 60 or the like is read with a scanner or the like, and prize exchange is performed based on the inputted prize information or the like. Is possible.

  Furthermore, the present prize exchange system 1 can be adopted at a game store regardless of whether or not a ball storage system that can deposit a ball possessed by a player as a storage ball that can be used at a later date is stored at a game store. In addition, provisional settlement by the present prize exchange system 1 is information for identifying a player other than member information on a prize receipt or provisional settlement certificate even for a non-member who does not own a membership card of a game shop (at the time of issuance) It can be applied by recording the serial number of

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  The prize exchange system according to the present invention can be widely applied to amusement stores that allow the player to use the game value acquired at the amusement shop for prize exchange regardless of the presence or absence of a storage system or a membership system.

1 ... Premium exchange system 10 ... Counter 11 ... Card R / W
12 ... Printer 20 ... Premium management terminal (POS for game shops)
21 ... Barcode reader 22 ... Receipt ticketing machine 30 ... Hall management computer terminal 40 ... Printer 41 ... Router 50 ... Amusement store (member management) server 60 ... Product management terminal (POS for stores)
61 ... Barcode reader 62 ... Receipt ticketing machine

Claims (2)

A prize exchange system that allows a player to use the gaming value acquired at an amusement store for prize exchange,
A recording medium issuing means capable of issuing a predetermined recording medium for exchanging prizes based on the gaming value acquired by the player at the amusement store;
Premium exchange means capable of exchanging premiums based on the recording medium issued by the recording medium issuing means;
Provisional settlement processing means capable of performing provisional settlement related to the gift exchange based on the recording medium issued by the recording medium issuing means,
The provisional settlement processing means
Authentication means for authenticating whether or not the recording medium for making the provisional payment is valid;
Processing means capable of performing processing related to provisional settlement when the authentication means authenticates the recording medium.
Issuing means capable of issuing a provisional settlement certification medium indicating that the provisional settlement has been properly performed,
Based on the temporary settlement certification medium issued by the issuing means, the premium exchange is configured such that the premium exchange by the premium exchange means can be performed for a predetermined period after the temporary settlement. system. The premium exchange means and the provisional payment processing means are provided in an affiliated store that can communicate with the amusement store,
The game store is provided with the recording medium issuing means,
The authentication means includes
When the game store and the partner store are communicable, the authentication is performed based on information on the recording medium issued at the game store,
When the game store and the partner store are incapable of communication, it is configured to perform the authentication independently,
After the original authentication, when the gaming store and the affiliated store become communicable, the authentication can be performed based on information on the recording medium issued at the gaming store. The premium exchange system according to claim 1, wherein the premium exchange system is configured.