JP7660424B2 - Prize management system, prize storage, and prize management method in prize storage - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a prize management system, a prize storage included in the prize management system, and a prize management method in the prize storage.

The gaming media processing system disclosed in the following Patent Document 1 includes a prize management device that is attached to the prize exchange counter in the gaming parlor and performs the exchange process between gaming media such as pachinko balls and prizes, and a prize payout device that pays out special prizes. General prizes other than the special prizes are stored in a dedicated prize shelf and are taken out by the gaming parlor staff and handed over to the players.

JP 2012-157571 A

Currently, when it comes to prizes that are manually removed from the prize shelves, such as general prizes, store clerks must periodically check the inventory of prizes on the shelves, update the inventory every time a prize is added or removed, and are required to be present when the prize is handed over to the player, which places a large burden on store clerks in managing the prizes.

This invention was made against this background, and aims to provide a prize management system, a prize storage facility, and a prize management method in a prize storage facility that can reduce the burden associated with managing prizes.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a prize management system that includes a prize storage facility having a prize storage area and a prize entrance and exit, where prizes are stored in the storage area via the entrance and removed from the storage area via the exit, a detection unit that detects the insertion and removal of prizes into and from the storage area, and a management unit that manages the inventory of prizes in the storage area based on the detection results of the detection unit.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the prize management system further includes a reception unit that receives a request for a transaction related to the prize in the storage area, a confirmation unit that, when the detection unit detects the removal of a prize from the storage area after the reception unit receives a request for a removal transaction related to the removal of a prize, confirms whether the prize that is the subject of the removal transaction matches the prize removed from the storage area, and an alarm unit that notifies when the confirmation unit confirms a mismatch between the prize that is the subject of the removal transaction and the prize removed from the storage area. The alarm unit may include a store clerk alarm unit that notifies a store clerk of the game store. The prize storage may further include a signal indicator light having a light-emitting unit. When the confirmation unit confirms the mismatch, the store clerk alarm unit may notify the store clerk of the game store by emitting light from the light-emitting unit in a predetermined light-emitting pattern.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the prize management system includes a permission unit that permits removal of the prize from the storage area when the reception unit receives a request for the removal transaction. When the reception unit receives a request for a return transaction regarding the return of the prize, the permission unit may cause the notification unit to notify the notification unit prior to the return of the prize to the storage area.

In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the prize management system further includes a generation unit that generates inventory information of prizes in the prize storage facility based on the inventory of prizes managed by the management unit and the history of transactions for which requests have been accepted by the reception unit, and an output unit that outputs the inventory information .

In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, if the detection unit does not detect the removal of the prize that is the subject of the removal transaction within a specified period after the reception unit receives a request for the removal transaction, the management unit manages the prize separately from the inventory of other prizes in the storage area .

In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the prize storage has an entrance/exit that serves as both the entrance and the exit.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a prize storage may have a housing, an internal space formed inside the housing and divided into a plurality of storage areas for storing prizes, a prize entrance communicating with the plurality of storage areas, a door for opening and closing the entrance, and a door lock mechanism for locking and unlocking the door in a closed position. In the prize storage, prizes may be stored in each of the storage areas and removed from each of the storage areas through the entrance. The prize management system may include an authorization unit that unlocks the door by the door lock mechanism and permits the removal of prizes from the plurality of storage areas when a request for a removal transaction for removing prizes is received.

In addition, one embodiment of the present invention provides a prize storage facility having a prize storage area and a prize entrance and exit, where prizes are stored in the storage area via the entrance and removed from the storage area via the exit, the prize storage facility including a detection unit that detects the insertion and removal of prizes into and from the storage area, and a management unit that manages the inventory of prizes in the storage area based on the detection results of the detection unit.

In addition, one embodiment of the present invention provides a prize management method in a prize storage facility having a prize storage area and a prize entrance and exit, where prizes are stored in the storage area via the entrance and removed from the storage area via the exit, the method including a detection step for detecting the insertion and removal of prizes into and from the storage area, and a management step for managing the inventory of prizes in the storage area based on the detection results of the detection step.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, for a prize storage cabinet where prizes are stored in a storage area through an entrance and removed from the storage area through an exit, a detection unit detects the insertion and removal of prizes into and from the storage area, and a management unit manages the inventory of prizes in the storage area based on the detection results of the detection unit. With this configuration, the inventory of prizes in the storage area is automatically managed, and the inventory of prizes in the storage area is automatically updated every time a prize is inserted or removed, so that the staff of the game establishment is relieved from the burden of managing the prizes in the prize storage cabinet. Therefore, the burden of managing the prizes can be reduced.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the prize management system issues a notification when the prize that is the subject of the take-out transaction does not match the actual prize taken out of the storage area, so that the store clerk who receives the notification can rush to the prize storage and deal with the problem. With this configuration, the store clerk does not usually have to be present when the player takes out the prize from the prize storage, further reducing the burden of managing the prizes.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, in the case of a take-out transaction, the player can take out the prize from the prize storage without the presence of a store clerk, whereas in the case of a return transaction, a notification is given before the prize is returned to the storage area, so that the store clerk who receives the notification can rush to the prize storage and handle the return of the prize.

Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, inventory information of the prizes in the prize storage room is automatically generated and output, freeing store staff from the burden of preparing inventory information, thereby further reducing the burden associated with managing the prizes.

Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, if a prize that is the subject of a take-out transaction is not taken out after a specified period of time has elapsed, the prize management system manages the prize separately from the inventory of other prizes in the storage area, thereby preventing store staff from confusing the untaken prize with other prizes.

Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, prizes can be stored in and removed from the storage area through a doorway that serves as both an entrance and an exit.

A schematic perspective view of a prize storage cabinet in one embodiment of the present invention. A schematic oblique view of the prize storage cabinet with the door open. A block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a prize management system including a prize storage facility. A figure showing a table stored in the memory section of the prize storage. A schematic oblique view of a POS and prize payout device included in the prize management system. A figure showing an example of the display content of a display operation unit included in a prize storage vault.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a prize storage 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the front side. The prize storage 1 is installed in a manned or unmanned prize exchange corner in an amusement facility such as a pachinko parlor. The prize storage 1 stores prizes P (see FIG. 2), such as sweets, juice, and cigarettes, which are called general prizes. The prize storage 1 includes a housing 2, a door 3 attached to the housing 2, and a display operation unit 4 and a signal indicator light (notification unit for store clerks) 5 attached to the top surface of the housing 2 as an example of an alarm unit.

1 coincides with the left-right direction X of the prize storage 1, the direction approximately perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1 coincides with the front-rear direction Y of the prize storage 1, and the up-down direction of the paper surface of FIG. 1 coincides with the up-down direction Z of the prize storage 1. The left-right direction X and the front-rear direction Y are included in the horizontal direction. The left-right direction X includes the left side X1 and the right side X2, the front-rear direction Y includes the front side Y1 that coincides with the front side of the paper surface of FIG. 1 and the rear side Y2 that coincides with the rear side of the paper surface of FIG. 1, and the up-down direction Z includes the upper side Z1 and the lower side Z2. In addition, in figures from FIG. 2 onwards where the left-right direction X or the up-down direction Z is not shown, the left-right direction of the figure is the same as the left-right direction X, and the up-down direction of the figure is the same as the up-down direction Z (see FIG. 5, etc.).

The housing 2 is formed in a vertically long box shape. The housing 2 has a top wall 11, a bottom wall 12, a pair of left and right side walls 13, and a rear wall 14. The top wall 11 is a rectangular plate shape. The bottom wall 12 may be a plate shape similar to the top wall 11, or may be a rectangular parallelepiped that is thick in the vertical direction Z. Each of the pair of side walls 13 is a rectangular plate shape that is long in the vertical direction Z, and the side wall 13 on the left side X1 is installed between the left ends of the top wall 11 and the bottom wall 12, and the side wall 13 on the right side X2 is installed between the right ends of the top wall 11 and the bottom wall 12. The rear wall 14 is a rectangular plate shape that is long in the vertical direction Z, and is installed between the rear ends of the top wall 11 and the bottom wall 12, and is also installed between the rear ends of the pair of side walls 13. An entrance 2A is formed on the front surface of the housing 2, and is bordered by the front ends of the top wall 11, the bottom wall 12, and the pair of side walls 13 (see also FIG. 2). The entrance 2A is connected to an internal space 2B surrounded by the top wall 11, the bottom wall 12, and the pair of side walls 13 in the housing 2. The entrance 2A and the internal space 2B are both vertically long.

The housing 2 also has one or more partitions 15. The partitions 15 are plate-shaped like the top wall 11. In this embodiment, as an example, three partitions 15 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction Z in the internal space 2B. This divides the internal space 2B into multiple (specifically, four) storage areas 2C arranged side by side in the vertical direction Z. These storage areas 2C may have the same or different sizes, such as width in the left-right direction X, depth in the front-back direction Y, and height in the vertical direction Z. In this embodiment, all four storage areas 2C are the same size.

In the following, the four storage areas 2C may be distinguished by the storage area No., which is a number in parentheses, from the top Z1, as storage area 2C (1), storage area 2C (2), storage area 2C (3), and storage area 2C (4). The storage area No. is an example of identification information for identifying each storage area 2C, and is written in a visible position in the corresponding storage area 2C. The part that divides each storage area 2C from the bottom Z2 is called the placement section 2D. The placement section 2D is formed by the partition 15 or the upper surface of the bottom wall 12. The prize P is stored in each storage area 2C and placed on the placement section 2D. The type of prize P stored in each storage area 2C may be predetermined, and the set position of each type of prize P on the placement section 2D may also be predetermined, or conversely, various types of prize P may be stored randomly in each storage area 2C. Each storage area 2C may be provided with a heat retention or cold retention function depending on the prize P stored therein.

The door 3 is a vertically long plate having a size that can close the entrance 2A of the housing 2. The right end of the door 3 is connected to the housing 2 via a hinge 16 and can rotate around the hinge 16. The door 3 shown in FIG. 1 is in a closed position that closes the entrance 2A. A handle 3A is provided on the left end of the door 3. When a user grasps the handle 3A and rotates the door 3 in the closed position counterclockwise in a plan view, the door 3 is placed in an open position and exposes the entire area of the entrance 2A to the front side Y1, so that all of the internal space 2B is opened from the entrance 2A to the front side Y1 (see FIG. 2). The housing 2 is provided with a door sensor 17 (see FIG. 3) that detects whether the door 3 is in the closed position or not.

The store staff opens the door 3 to the open position and stores the prize P in each storage area 2C through the entrance 2A. In this case, the entrance 2A is the entrance for the prize P. As described later, the player opens the door 3 to the open position and removes the prize P from each storage area 2C through the entrance 2A. In this case, the entrance 2A is the exit for the prize P. In this embodiment, the entrance 2A serves as both the entrance and the exit, but the entrance and the exit may be provided separately. Note that when the door 3 is rotated from the closed position to a state where the prize P can be put in and taken out of the storage area 2C without any hindrance, it is in the open position regardless of the rotation angle. In addition, there may be multiple entrances 2A divided for each storage area 2C, and multiple doors 3 may be provided corresponding to the multiple storage areas 2C accordingly.

The cabinet 2 is provided with an electric door lock mechanism 18 (see FIG. 3) that locks and unlocks the door 3 in the closed position. An electromagnetic lock or the like can be used as the door lock mechanism 18. In addition, in the prize storage cabinet 1 in the standby state, the door 3 is always locked in the closed position. The door 3 may also be biased by a biasing member (not shown) such as a spring so that it always returns to the closed position. Furthermore, the door 3 may be automatically locked when rotated to the closed position. At least one of the door 3, the side wall 13, and the rear wall 14 may be made transparent or translucent, for example by glazing, so that users such as store staff and players can see inside the storage area 2C from outside the cabinet 2.

The display operation unit 4 is fixed to the top wall 11 of the housing 2. The display operation unit 4 is configured, for example, by a liquid crystal touch panel. The display operation unit 4 may be separated into a display unit and an operation unit. The same applies to the other display operation units described below.

An example of a signal indicator light 5 has a base part 5A fixed to the top wall 11 of the housing 2, and one or more light-emitting parts 5B stacked on the base part 5A. In this embodiment, in a signal indicator light 5 in a standby state, all light-emitting parts 5B are turned off.

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the prize storage vault 1 with the door 3 open. In the housing 2 of the prize storage vault 1, for example at the upper end of the entrance 2A, an imaging unit 19 composed of a camera or the like is provided. The imaging range of the imaging unit 19 is set to include all of the storage areas 2C within the housing 2. For this purpose, multiple imaging units 19 may be provided.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the prize management system 100, which includes the prize storage 1. The prize storage 1 further includes a control unit 20, an issuing unit 21, a reading unit 22, a memory unit 23, and an I/F unit 24. The control unit 20 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and has a built-in timer, etc. (The same applies to the other control units described below).

The control unit 20 is electrically connected to the display operation unit 4, the signal indicator light 5, the door sensor 17, the door lock mechanism 18, the imaging unit 19, the issuing unit 21, the reading unit 22, the memory unit 23, and the I/F unit 24. The control unit 20 controls the display of the display operation unit 4, and accepts operations of the display operation unit 4 by store clerks and players. The control unit 20 controls the emission of the light emitting unit 5B of the signal indicator light 5. The detection result of the door sensor 17, that is, information on the open/closed state of the door 3, is input to the control unit 20. The control unit 20 locks and unlocks the door 3 by controlling the operation of the door lock mechanism 18.

The control unit 20 receives the image capturing results of the imaging unit 19, that is, image data representing each storage area 2C. The control unit 20 can recognize the presence or absence of prizes P in each storage area 2C, the position of each prize P present, and the type and number of prizes P present, by analyzing the image capturing results of the imaging unit 19. Information (template information) required to recognize the type of prize P is stored in advance in the memory unit 23. In addition, the control unit 20 can recognize the type and number of prizes P inserted and removed from each storage area 2C by comparing the image capturing results of the imaging unit 19 at multiple times, such as before and after the door 3 is opened and closed. In this way, the control unit 20 and the imaging unit 19 function as an example of a detection unit that detects the insertion and removal of prizes P from each storage area 2C. With this configuration using image recognition, prizes P can be stored randomly in each storage area 2C, so that the prize storage facility 1 including the storage area 2C can be configured simply.

Other examples of the detection unit include a configuration using a weight sensor or a configuration using an RFID sensor. When a weight sensor is used, the placement section 2D of each storage area 2C is divided into a plurality of individual areas 2E in which a predetermined type of prize P is placed (see the placement section 2D at the bottom in FIG. 2), and a weight sensor is installed in each individual area 2E. The weight sensor detects the presence or absence of a prize P by detecting the weight in the individual area 2E in which it is installed. When an RFID sensor is used, an RFID tag is attached to each prize P, and the weight sensor detects the insertion and removal of a prize P by detecting the RFID tag of the prize P being inserted or removed. Instead of an RFID tag, a code such as a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode may be attached to each prize P, and a sensor that reads this code may be used as the detection unit instead of an RFID sensor.

The issuing unit 21 is composed of a printer and prints and issues receipts. The receipt issuing port 25 is provided, for example, near the display operation unit 4 (see Figure 1).

The reading unit 22 is provided, for example, in the vicinity of the display operation unit 4 (see FIG. 1). With regard to the reading unit 22, a receipt (a receipt for exchange for prizes that is different from the receipt issued by the issuing unit 21) that includes information such as the number of gaming media acquired by playing on a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine is issued to the player from a counting device (not shown) that counts the gaming media. This receipt may include a code that indicates information such as the number of gaming media. The number of gaming media may be associated with a card issued to the player. A card of a player who has registered as a member at an amusement facility (a so-called member customer) is called a member card, and a card of another player (a so-called general customer) is sometimes called a general card.

When a player holds a recording medium such as a receipt (a receipt for exchanging prizes) or a card over the reading unit 22, the reading unit 22 reads the number of gaming media, etc. from the recording medium. In the case of a card, for example, a card slot (not shown) may be provided around the display operation unit 4, and the reading unit 22 may read the card when the player inserts the card into the slot. Instead of a receipt or card, a communication terminal such as a smartphone owned by the player may be used, and when the player holds the communication terminal over the reading unit 22, the reading unit 22 may read the number of gaming media, etc. from the communication terminal.

The memory unit 23 stores various information (the same applies to the other memory units described below). In particular, the memory unit 23 stores a table T (see FIG. 4) that summarizes the stock quantity of each type of prize P in each storage area 2C. In table T, the type of prize P (prize name) and stock quantity in each storage area 2C are stored linked to the storage area number mentioned above. The control unit 20 updates the stock quantity, etc. based on the detection results of the insertion and removal of prize P into and from each storage area 2C using the imaging results of the imaging unit 19. In this way, the control unit 20 and the memory unit 23 function as an example of a management unit that manages the stock of prize P in each storage area 2C based on the detection results.

The I/F unit 24 is an interface that allows the control unit 20 to communicate with external devices other than the prize storage unit 1, and is connected to a network N established within the amusement facility (the same applies to the other I/F units described below). The prize management system 100 includes a management device 31, a POS 32, and a prize payout device 33 as examples of external devices.

The management device 31 may be divided into multiple servers, etc., but in this embodiment, it is described as having only one unit. The management device 31 includes a control unit 35, an I/F unit 36 electrically connected to the control unit 35, and a memory unit 37. The control unit 35 may function as an example of a detection unit instead of the control unit 20 of the prize storage 1, in which case it detects the insertion and removal of prizes P into and from each storage area 2C based on the imaging results of the imaging unit 19. The above-mentioned table T may be stored in the memory unit 37, and in this case the control unit 35 and the memory unit 37 may function as an example of a management unit that manages the inventory of prizes P in each storage area 2C based on the detection results of the detection unit.

Each of the POS 32 and the prize payout device 33 can communicate with the prize storage 1, the management device 31, etc. by being connected to the network N. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the POS 32 and the prize payout device 33. FIG. 5 shows a configuration in which the POS 32 and the prize payout device 33 are integrated, but they may be arranged separately and connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. A display operation unit 41 is provided on the front surface of the POS 32, that is, in the front area. A card slot 32A through which the player's card is inserted and removed, and a receipt issuing slot 32B through which a receipt is issued are formed on the front surface of the POS 32. The prize payout device 33 is a device that pays out card-shaped prizes Q called special prizes. A payout opening 33A and a shutter 42 that opens and closes the payout opening 33A are provided on the upper surface of the prize payout device 33. When the player or a store clerk at the request of the player inserts the card into the card slot 32A of the POS 32 and operates the display operation unit 41, the prize payout device 33 pays out the type and number of prizes Q desired by the player from the payout opening 33A in exchange for the gaming medium associated with the card.

When a player wishes to exchange his/her gaming medium for a prize P, the player has the card or receipt (strictly speaking, the code printed on the prize exchange receipt) read by the reading unit 22 of the prize storage vault 1 (see FIG. 1). The reading result of the reading unit 22 is input to the control unit 20 of the prize storage vault 1. In this case, the control unit 20 and the reading unit 22 function as an example of a reception unit that receives a request for a transaction regarding the prize P in the storage area 2C, and in particular, a request for a take-out transaction regarding the take-out of the prize P is received. The player may operate the display operation unit 4 to make the take-out request, in which case the display operation unit 4 also functions as an example of a reception unit.

The control unit 20, which has received a request for a take-out transaction, displays prize information on the display operation unit 4 regarding the type and number of exchangeable prizes P among the prizes P present in the storage area 2C. Note that there is not necessarily only one type of exchangeable prize P, and the number of prizes P is not necessarily one. Therefore, it may be possible for a player to take out multiple prizes P in a combination desired by the player from multiple types of prizes P. The control unit 20 also unlocks the door 3 by the door lock mechanism 18 by functioning as an example of an authorization unit that permits the removal of prizes P from the storage area 2C. Note that the control unit 20 may unlock the door 3 in response to an instruction from the control unit 35 of the management device 31, and in this case, the control unit 35 may be regarded as an example of an authorization unit.

Figure 6 shows the display operation unit 4 in a state where information regarding the type, number, and location of the exchangeable prize P, i.e., the prize information described above, is displayed. As an example, Figure 6 shows a state where prize information is displayed on the display operation unit 4 indicating that any one of two sweets stored in storage area 2C(1), two juices stored in storage area 2C(2), and one cigarette stored in storage area 2C(3) can be taken out.

After viewing the display contents of the display operation unit 4, the player opens the door 3, identifies the storage area 2C in which the desired prize P is stored by the storage area number written on each storage area 2C, and removes the desired prize P from the storage area 2C. Then, as described above, the control unit 20 detects the removal of the prize P from the storage area 2C based on the image capture result of the image capture unit 19. When the control unit 20 detects the removal of the prize P, it functions as an example of a confirmation unit after detection and checks whether the prize P that is the subject of the removal transaction matches the actual prize P removed from the storage area 2C based on the prize information displayed on the display operation unit 4 and the detection result. In this way, in the case of a removal transaction, the player can remove the prize P from the prize storage 1 without the presence of a store clerk. In particular, convenience is improved for players, as they can reach the prize storage 1 by following the conventional flow from the gaming corner where the gaming machines are installed to the prize exchange corner and can freely remove the prize P from the prize storage 1. Note that the control unit 35 of the management device 31 may function as a confirmation unit instead of the control unit 20.

When the control unit 20 confirms a mismatch between the prize P that is the subject of the take-out transaction and the prize P taken out from the storage area 2C, it may notify the player by displaying on the display operation unit 4 that the prize P taken out is incorrect and urging the player to return the taken-out prize P. Upon seeing this display, the player can return the prize P taken out by mistake to the storage area 2C and take out the prize P that should have been taken out.

If the door 3 is closed to the closed position with the incorrect prize P still removed, the control unit 20 causes the light-emitting unit 5B of the signal indicator light 5 to emit light in a predetermined light-emitting pattern, thereby causing the signal indicator light 5 to notify the discrepancy. The store clerk who receives the notification, i.e., the store clerk who sees the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 5B, can rush to the prize storage chamber 1 to deal with the situation. With this configuration, the store clerk does not usually have to be present when the player removes the prize P from the prize storage chamber 1, thereby reducing the burden of managing the prize P. Note that, in addition to the notification by the signal indicator light 5, notification may also be given by a notification to an intercom (a radio ; a notification unit for store clerks ) carried by the store clerk.

The store clerk who rushes to the scene upon receiving the notification will ask the remaining players about the situation and check the contents of the players' prize exchange receipts, have the reading unit 22 read the store clerk's dedicated card (such as an ID card), and then operate the display operation unit 4 to select a return transaction for returning the prize P. The control unit 20, which has accepted the request for the return transaction, unlocks the door 3, so the store clerk or the player opens the door 3 and returns the prize P to the storage area 2C. At that time, the control unit 20 may display information on the storage area 2C to which the prize P is to be returned and the return location in the storage area 2C on the display operation unit 4. When the control unit 20 detects that the prize P that is the subject of the return transaction has been returned to the storage area 2C, it adds and updates the inventory number of returned prizes P in table T of the memory unit 23, and stores the details of the returned prizes P in this inventory number as a remark in table T (see the remark for sweets in FIG. 4). Once a player has returned the prize P, they can take out the prize P that they were originally supposed to take out.

When a store staff member arrives, the player involved may have already left. For this reason, an image of the player who took out the wrong prize P may be captured by the imaging unit 19 or another imaging unit (not shown), and the resulting image data may be sent to the management device 31 together with the details of the current take-out transaction and information about the prize P that was mistakenly taken out, and may be stored in the memory unit 37.

When the control unit 20 confirms that the prize P that is the subject of the take-out transaction matches the prize P taken out of the storage area 2C, it updates the inventory quantity of the taken-out prize P in table T (see Figure 4) of the memory unit 23 by subtracting it from the inventory quantity. Then, when the player closes the door 3 and the door 3 is locked in the closed position, the current transaction ends. Note that the control unit 20 may also reconfirm whether the prize P that is the subject of the take-out transaction matches or does not match the actual prize P taken out of the storage area 2C at the timing of locking the door 3.

A player who has taken out the prize P that he or she should have taken out may be able to return the prize P through a return transaction and receive another prize of the same value, for example, during business hours on that day. In this case, the player has the card or prize exchange receipt read by the reading unit 22 of the prize storage 1, and then operates the display operation unit 4 to select the return of the prize P. The control unit 20, which has received a request for a return transaction to return the prize P in this way, causes the signal indicator light 5 to notify the mismatch by causing the light-emitting unit 5B of the signal indicator light 5 to emit light in a predetermined light-emitting pattern prior to returning the prize P to the storage area 2C. Therefore, a store employee who receives the notification can rush to the prize storage 1 and handle the return of the prize P.

Specifically, the store clerk who rushes to the scene upon receiving the notification will ask the player about the situation and confirm the contents of the player's prize exchange receipt, have the store clerk's own card read by the reading unit 22, and then operate the display operation unit 4 to select continuation of the return transaction. The control unit 20 will then unlock the door 3, so the store clerk or the player will open the door 3 and return the prize P to the storage area 2C. At that time, the control unit 20 may display information on the storage area 2C to which the prize P will be returned and the return location in that storage area 2C on the display operation unit 4. If no return destination is specified, the prize P may be returned to any vacant space in any storage area 2C. When the control unit 20 detects that the prize P that is the subject of the return transaction has been returned to the storage area 2C, it will add and update the inventory number of the returned prize P in table T of the memory unit 23, and store notes regarding the return in table T as described above (see notes regarding sweets in FIG. 4).

After returning the prize P, the player can take out another prize P from the prize storage 1 through a new take-out transaction. Alternatively, the player can ask a store clerk who arrives to operate the POS 32 to have a prize Q instead of the prize P paid out from the prize payout device 33 (see Figure 5). This set of return transaction and the subsequent new take-out transaction can be called a change transaction to change the prize P taken out in the first take-out transaction.

As described above, the prize management system 100 handles take-out transactions differently from return transactions because take-out transactions do not require the presence of a store clerk, whereas return transactions do. However, the return of prize P and the disbursement of prize Q may also be carried out by the player alone, without the presence of a store clerk.

There are cases where a player who has requested a take-out transaction by having the card or prize exchange receipt read by the reading unit 22 of the prize storage 1 leaves without taking the prize P from the storage area 2C for some reason. If the control unit 20 does not detect the removal of the prize P that is the subject of the take-out transaction within a predetermined period of time (e.g., several minutes) after accepting such a take-out transaction request, the control unit 20 treats the prize P as lost property and manages it separately from the inventory of other prizes P in the storage area 2C on the table T (see the number of cigarettes left in Figure 4). This prevents store staff from confusing the prize P that was not taken with other prizes P.

As described above, the prize management method in the prize storage vault 1 includes a detection step of detecting the insertion and removal of prizes P into and from the storage area 2C, and a management step of managing the inventory of prizes P in the storage area 2C in table T based on the detection results of the detection step. In this case, the inventory of prizes P in the storage area 2C is automatically managed by the prize management system 100, and the inventory of prizes P in the storage area 2C is automatically updated by the prize management system 100 every time a prize P is inserted or removed, so that the staff of the game arcade are relieved from the burden of managing the prizes P in the prize storage vault 1. This reduces the burden associated with managing the prizes P.

The information stored in the table T is inventory information generated based on the inventory (number of items in stock) of prizes P managed by the control unit 20 and the history of transactions (number of items left behind, notes, etc.) for which the control unit 20 has accepted requests. In this case, the control unit 20 functions as an example of a generating unit that generates inventory information of prizes P in the prize storage 1. The inventory information may also include, as transaction history, the date and time of take-out and return transactions (end date and time of transactions, etc.) and the number of prizes P related to each transaction. The inventory information is generated when a store clerk or wholesaler replenishes prizes P in the prize storage 1, or when closing the store after the game center is closed. The control unit 20 outputs the inventory information by printing it as an inventory slip using the issuing unit 21, or by externally outputting it to the management device 31, etc. using the I/F unit 24. In this case, the control unit 20 also functions as an example of an output unit that outputs inventory information. In this way, inventory information of the prizes P in the prize storage 1 is automatically generated and output, and thus the store staff is relieved of the burden of preparing inventory information, further reducing the burden of managing the prizes P. Note that the control unit 35 of the management device 31 may function as the generation unit and output unit instead of the control unit 20.

This invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, the various features described above can be combined as appropriate.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Prize storage 2A Entrance/exit 2C Storage area 4 Display operation unit 5 Signal indicator light 19 Imaging unit 20 Control unit 22 Reading unit 23 Memory unit 35 Control unit 37 Memory unit 100 Prize management system P Prize

Claims (17)

A housing; an internal space formed inside the housing, the internal space being divided into a plurality of storage areas for storing prizes; and an entrance/exit for prizes communicating with the plurality of storage areas;
a prize storage facility having a door for opening and closing the entrance and a door lock mechanism for locking and unlocking the door in a closed position, the prizes being stored in each of the storage areas and the prizes being removed from each of the storage areas through the entrance;
A detection unit that detects the insertion and removal of prizes into and from each of the storage areas;
A management unit that manages the inventory of prizes in each of the storage areas based on the detection results of the detection unit;
A reception unit that receives requests for transactions related to the prizes in the storage area;
A prize management system including a permission unit that, when the reception unit receives a request for a retrieval transaction regarding the retrieval of a prize, unlocks the door by the door lock mechanism and permits the retrieval of the prize from the multiple storage areas. a prize storage facility having a prize storage area and a prize entrance and an exit, the prizes being stored in the storage area via the entrance and removed from the storage area via the exit;
A detection unit that detects the insertion and removal of prizes into and from the storage area;
A management unit that manages an inventory of prizes in the storage area based on the detection result of the detection unit;
A reception unit that receives requests for transactions related to the prizes in the storage area;
a confirmation unit that, when the detection unit detects the removal of a prize from the storage area after the reception unit has received a request for a removal transaction regarding the removal of a prize, confirms whether the prize that is the subject of the removal transaction matches the prize removed from the storage area;
The prize management system includes a staff notification unit that notifies staff of the gaming facility when the confirmation unit confirms a mismatch between the prize that is the subject of the removal transaction and the prize removed from the storage area. The prize storage further includes a signal indicator having a light-emitting portion;
The prize management system of claim 2, wherein the store clerk notification unit notifies store clerks at the gaming facility by causing the light-emitting unit to emit light in a predetermined light-emitting pattern when the confirmation unit confirms the mismatch. a prize storage facility having a prize storage area and a prize entrance and an exit, the prizes being stored in the storage area via the entrance and the prizes being removed from the storage area via the exit;
A detection unit that detects the insertion and removal of prizes into and from the storage area;
A management unit that manages an inventory of prizes in the storage area based on the detection result of the detection unit;
A reception unit that receives requests for transactions related to the prizes in the storage area;
a confirmation unit that, when the detection unit detects the removal of a prize from the storage area after the reception unit receives a request for a removal transaction regarding the removal of a prize, confirms whether the prize that is the subject of the removal transaction matches the prize removed from the storage area;
a notification unit that notifies when the confirmation unit confirms a mismatch between the prize that is the subject of the take-out transaction and the prize taken out from the storage area;
A prize management system including: a permission unit which permits the removal of a prize from the storage area when the reception unit receives a request for the removal transaction; and a permission unit which causes the notification unit to notify prior to the return of the prize to the storage area when the reception unit receives a request for a return transaction regarding the return of the prize. a prize storage facility having a prize storage area and a prize entrance and an exit, the prizes being stored in the storage area via the entrance and removed from the storage area via the exit;
A detection unit that detects the insertion and removal of prizes into and from the storage area;
A management unit that manages an inventory of prizes in the storage area based on the detection result of the detection unit;
A reception unit that receives requests for transactions related to the prizes in the storage area;
a confirmation unit that, when the detection unit detects the removal of a prize from the storage area after the reception unit has received a request for a removal transaction regarding the removal of a prize, confirms whether the prize that is the subject of the removal transaction matches the prize removed from the storage area;
a notification unit that notifies when the confirmation unit confirms a mismatch between the prize that is the subject of the take-out transaction and the prize taken out from the storage area;
a generating unit that generates inventory information of the prizes in the prize repository based on the inventory of the prizes managed by the managing unit and the history of transactions for which the accepting unit has accepted requests;
A prize management system including an output unit that outputs the inventory information. a prize storage facility having a prize storage area and a prize entrance and an exit, the prizes being stored in the storage area via the entrance and removed from the storage area via the exit;
A detection unit that detects the insertion and removal of prizes into and from the storage area;
A management unit that manages an inventory of prizes in the storage area based on the detection result of the detection unit;
A reception unit that receives requests for transactions related to the prizes in the storage area;
a confirmation unit that, when the detection unit detects the removal of a prize from the storage area after the reception unit has received a request for a removal transaction regarding the removal of a prize, confirms whether the prize that is the subject of the removal transaction matches the prize removed from the storage area;
a notification unit that notifies when the confirmation unit confirms a mismatch between the prize that is the subject of the take-out transaction and the prize taken out from the storage area,
A prize management system in which, if the detection unit does not detect the removal of the prize that is the subject of the removal transaction within a specified period after the reception unit receives a request for the removal transaction, the management unit manages the prize separately from the inventory of other prizes in the storage area. The prize management system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the prize storage has an entrance that serves as both the entrance and the exit. A prize storage facility comprising: a housing; an internal space formed inside the housing, the internal space being divided into a plurality of storage areas for storing prizes; a prize entrance/exit communicating with the plurality of storage areas; a door for opening and closing the entrance/exit; a door lock mechanism for locking and unlocking the door in a closed position; and prizes are stored in and removed from each of the storage areas via the entrance/exit,
A detection unit that detects the insertion and removal of prizes into and from each of the storage areas;
A management unit that manages the inventory of prizes in each of the storage areas based on the detection results of the detection unit;
A reception unit that receives requests for transactions related to the prizes in the storage area;
The prize storage facility includes an authorization unit which, when the reception unit receives a request for a retrieval transaction for the retrieval of a prize, unlocks the door using the door lock mechanism and permits the retrieval of the prize from the multiple storage areas. A prize storage facility having a prize storage area, an entrance and an exit for prizes, the entrance being used to store prizes in the storage area, and the exit being used to remove prizes from the storage area,
A detection unit that detects the insertion and removal of prizes into and from the storage area;
A management unit that manages an inventory of prizes in the storage area based on the detection result of the detection unit;
A reception unit that receives requests for transactions related to the prizes in the storage area;
a confirmation unit that, when the detection unit detects the removal of a prize from the storage area after the reception unit has received a request for a removal transaction regarding the removal of a prize, confirms whether the prize that is the subject of the removal transaction matches the prize removed from the storage area;
The prize storage facility includes a staff notification unit that notifies staff of the game arcade when the confirmation unit confirms a mismatch between the prize that is the subject of the take-out transaction and the prize taken out from the storage area. A prize storage facility having a prize storage area, an entrance and an exit for prizes, the entrance being used to store prizes in the storage area, and the exit being used to remove prizes from the storage area,
A detection unit that detects the insertion and removal of prizes into and from the storage area;
A management unit that manages an inventory of prizes in the storage area based on the detection result of the detection unit;
A reception unit that receives requests for transactions related to the prizes in the storage area;
a confirmation unit that, when the detection unit detects the removal of a prize from the storage area after the reception unit has received a request for a removal transaction regarding the removal of a prize, confirms whether the prize that is the subject of the removal transaction matches the prize removed from the storage area;
a notification unit that notifies when the confirmation unit confirms a mismatch between the prize that is the subject of the take-out transaction and the prize taken out from the storage area;
The prize storage facility includes a permission unit which permits the removal of a prize from the storage area when the reception unit receives a request for the removal transaction, and a permission unit which causes the notification unit to notify prior to the return of the prize to the storage area when the reception unit receives a request for a return transaction regarding the return of the prize. A prize storage facility having a prize storage area, an entrance and an exit for prizes, the entrance being used to store prizes in the storage area, and the exit being used to remove prizes from the storage area,
A detection unit that detects the insertion and removal of prizes into and from the storage area;
A management unit that manages an inventory of prizes in the storage area based on the detection result of the detection unit;
A reception unit that receives requests for transactions related to the prizes in the storage area;
a confirmation unit that, when the detection unit detects the removal of a prize from the storage area after the reception unit has received a request for a removal transaction regarding the removal of a prize, confirms whether the prize that is the subject of the removal transaction matches the prize removed from the storage area;
a notification unit that notifies when the confirmation unit confirms a mismatch between the prize that is the subject of the take-out transaction and the prize taken out from the storage area;
a generating unit that generates inventory information of the prizes in the prize storage based on the inventory of the prizes managed by the managing unit and the history of transactions for which the accepting unit has accepted requests;
and an output unit that outputs the inventory information. A prize storage facility having a prize storage area, an entrance and an exit for prizes, the entrance being used to store prizes in the storage area, and the exit being used to remove prizes from the storage area,
A detection unit that detects the insertion and removal of prizes into and from the storage area;
A management unit that manages an inventory of prizes in the storage area based on the detection result of the detection unit;
A reception unit that receives requests for transactions related to the prizes in the storage area;
a confirmation unit that, when the detection unit detects the removal of a prize from the storage area after the reception unit has received a request for a removal transaction regarding the removal of a prize, confirms whether the prize that is the subject of the removal transaction matches the prize removed from the storage area;
a notification unit that notifies when the confirmation unit confirms a mismatch between the prize that is the subject of the take-out transaction and the prize taken out from the storage area,
A prize storage facility in which, if the detection unit does not detect the removal of the prize that is the subject of the removal transaction within a specified period after the reception unit receives a request for the removal transaction, the management unit manages the prize separately from the inventory of other prizes in the storage area. A method of managing prizes in a prize storage facility having a housing, a single internal space formed inside the housing, the internal space being divided into a plurality of storage areas for storing prizes, a prize entrance/exit communicating with the plurality of storage areas, a door for opening and closing the entrance/exit, and a door lock mechanism for locking and unlocking the door in a closed position, wherein prizes are stored in and removed from each of the storage areas via the entrance/exit,
a detection step for detecting the insertion and removal of prizes into and from each of the storage areas;
A management step of managing the inventory of prizes in each of the storage areas based on the detection results in the detection step;
A receiving step of receiving a request for a transaction regarding the prize in the storage area;
A method for managing prizes in a prize storage facility includes an authorization step of unlocking the door by the door locking mechanism and permitting the removal of prizes from the multiple storage areas when a request for a removal transaction regarding the removal of prizes is received in the reception step. A method for managing prizes in a prize storage facility having a prize storage area, an entrance and an exit for prizes, in which prizes are stored in the storage area via the entrance and taken out of the storage area via the exit, comprising:
a detection step of detecting the insertion and removal of prizes into and from the storage area;
a management step for managing an inventory of prizes in the storage area based on the detection result in the detection step;
A receiving step of receiving a request for a transaction regarding the prize in the storage area;
a confirmation step for confirming whether or not the prize that is the subject of the take-out transaction matches the prize taken out from the storage area when the detection step detects the take-out of the prize from the storage area after the reception step accepts a request for a take-out transaction for the take-out of the prize in the reception step;
The method for managing prizes in a prize storage facility includes a step of notifying store staff of an amusement facility if a mismatch between the prize that is the subject of the removal transaction and the prize removed from the storage area is confirmed in the confirmation step. A method for managing prizes in a prize storage facility having a prize storage area, an entrance and an exit for prizes, in which prizes are stored in the storage area via the entrance and taken out of the storage area via the exit, comprising:
a detection step of detecting the insertion and removal of prizes into and from the storage area;
a management step for managing an inventory of prizes in the storage area based on the detection result in the detection step;
A receiving step of receiving a request for a transaction regarding the prize in the storage area;
a confirmation step for confirming whether or not the prize that is the subject of the take-out transaction matches the prize taken out from the storage area when the detection step detects the take-out of the prize from the storage area after the reception step accepts a request for a take-out transaction for the take-out of the prize in the reception step;
a notification step of notifying when a mismatch between the prize that is the subject of the take-out transaction and the prize taken out from the storage area is confirmed in the confirmation step;
A method for managing prizes in a prize storage facility, comprising: an authorization step for permitting the removal of a prize from the storage area if a request for the removal transaction is received in the reception step; and an authorization step for notifying in the notification step prior to the return of the prize to the storage area if a request for a return transaction regarding the return of the prize is received in the reception step. A method for managing prizes in a prize storage facility having a prize storage area, an entrance and an exit for prizes, in which prizes are stored in the storage area via the entrance and taken out of the storage area via the exit, comprising:
a detection step of detecting the insertion and removal of prizes into and from the storage area;
a management step for managing an inventory of prizes in the storage area based on the detection result in the detection step;
A receiving step of receiving a request for a transaction regarding the prize in the storage area;
a confirmation step for confirming whether or not the prize that is the subject of the take-out transaction matches the prize taken out from the storage area when the detection step detects the take-out of the prize from the storage area after the reception step accepts a request for a take-out transaction for the take-out of the prize in the reception step;
a notification step of notifying when a mismatch between the prize that is the subject of the take-out transaction and the prize taken out from the storage area is confirmed in the confirmation step;
a generating step of generating inventory information of the prizes in the prize repository based on the inventory of the prizes managed in the managing step and the history of the transactions for which requests are accepted in the accepting step;
A prize management method in a prize storage facility, comprising an output step of outputting the inventory information. A method for managing prizes in a prize storage facility having a prize storage area, an entrance and an exit for prizes, in which prizes are stored in the storage area via the entrance and taken out of the storage area via the exit, comprising:
a detection step of detecting the insertion and removal of prizes into and from the storage area;
a management step for managing an inventory of prizes in the storage area based on the detection result in the detection step;
A receiving step of receiving a request for a transaction regarding the prize in the storage area;
a confirmation step for confirming whether or not the prize that is the subject of the take-out transaction matches the prize taken out from the storage area when the detection step detects the take-out of the prize from the storage area after the reception step accepts a request for a take-out transaction for the take-out of the prize in the reception step;
a notification step of notifying when a mismatch between the prize that is the subject of the take-out transaction and the prize taken out from the storage area is confirmed in the confirmation step;
A prize management method in a prize storage facility, in which if, after a request for the removal transaction is accepted in the reception step, the removal of the prize that is the subject of the removal transaction is not detected within a specified period in the detection step, the prize is managed separately from the inventory of other prizes in the storage area in the management step.

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