Game management system, each-machine device, and game management method

Abstract

To impose restrictions on payments made through a payment application smoothly and efficiently when a player borrows the game machine management game medium number using the payment application that operates on a terminal device possessed by the player.SOLUTION: A player operates an inter-machine card processor 10 to display an application payment screen including a QR code (R) (S1). The QR code (R) is read by a portable terminal 90 (S2), and payment request information including a payment request amount of 10,000 yen is notified to a payment server 80 (S3). The payment server 80 determines whether payment is possible using the received payment request amount and a payment-available amount corresponding to a user ID (S4). When the payment server 80 determines that payment is impossible, it notifies a management device 50 of unsettled information including the payment-available amount (S5). The inter-machine card processor 10 displays a deposit selection screen according to the payment-available amount included in the unsettled information received via the management device 50 (S6).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming management system, each machine, and a gaming management method that can smoothly and efficiently impose restrictions on payments made using a payment app when a player borrows a number of gaming media managed by the gaming machine using a payment app running on a terminal device owned by the player. [Background technology]

[0002] In the past, at gaming establishments such as pachinko parlors, when a game started, a player deposited money into each machine, received prepaid value that could be used to rent out the number of gaming media managed by the gaming machine, and used this prepaid value to rent out the number of gaming media managed by the gaming machine. Recently, as various cashless payment methods have become widely used, conventional technology has become known that allows a game to be started using cashless payment without using money to start a game.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a gaming management system in which payment data, store data, and machine data are encoded into a two-dimensional code and displayed on each machine, the two-dimensional code is read by the customer's terminal device, a payment request including the payment data and store data is sent to the payment device, the terminal device receives a payment completion notification from the payment device and sends a deposit request to each machine, and a card management device processes the deposit based on the payment completion notification and deposit request from the payment device, assigns prepaid value, and notifies each machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-130576 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 allows cashless payments without any restrictions as long as there is an app balance in the payment app, so it is desirable to impose certain restrictions on app payments by gamers.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the above-mentioned conventional technology, and aims to provide a gaming management system, each machine device, and gaming management method that can smoothly and efficiently impose restrictions on payments made using a payment app when a player borrows a number of gaming media managed by the gaming machine using a payment app running on a terminal device owned by the player. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a gaming management system having individual machine devices attached to gaming machines installed in an amusement parlor, each of which is equipped with a reception means for controlling the display of multiple selectable deposit amounts on a designated display unit and accepting the selection operation of a designated deposit amount, and a control means for, when the selection operation of a designated deposit amount is accepted by the reception means, displaying code information on the display unit including the deposit amount requested for payment by a payment app running on a terminal device held by the player, and, if payment of the deposit amount cannot be executed because it exceeds a designated upper limit amount for a designated period, controlling the display unit to selectably display deposit amounts that are less than or equal to the available amount for payment.

[0008] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the terminal device is equipped with a reading means for reading code information including at least gaming facility identification information that uniquely identifies the gaming facility, each machine device identification information that uniquely identifies each machine device, and the amount deposited, and the payment app makes an app payment request to a specified payment server including the code information read by the reading means and the identification information of the payment app.

[0009] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the payment server is provided with a storage means for storing the identification information of the payment app, the app balance, and the available amount in correspondence with each other, and a notification means for, when a payment request is received from the terminal device, notifying the management device of the gaming facility corresponding to the gaming facility identification information of app payment rejection information including the identification information of each machine device and the available amount if the deposit amount is less than the available amount corresponding to the identification information of the payment app stored in the storage means.

[0010] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that, when the management device receives the app payment rejection information, it notifies each machine device identified by the machine device identification information included in the app payment rejection information of the available amount.

[0011] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that when the deposit amount cannot be settled because it exceeds a specified upper limit amount for a specified period, the control means either hides the deposit amount that cannot be settled or displays it as unselectable.

[0012] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the control means displays the deposit amount of the available amount in a selectable manner when the payment of the deposit amount cannot be executed because it exceeds a specified upper limit amount for a specified period.

[0013] The present invention is also characterized in that each machine device attached to a gaming machine installed in an gaming parlor is equipped with a reception means that controls the display of multiple selectable deposit amounts on a specified display unit and accepts the selection operation of the specified deposit amount, and when the selection operation of the specified deposit amount is accepted by the reception means, controls the display unit to display code information including the deposit amount requested for payment by a payment app running on a terminal device held by the player, and controls the display unit to selectably display deposit amounts that are less than or equal to the available amount for payment if payment of the deposit amount cannot be executed because it exceeds a specified upper limit amount for a specified period.

[0014] The present invention also provides a gaming management method in a gaming management system having individual machine devices attached to gaming machines installed in an amusement parlor, comprising a reception process in which each machine device controls the display of a plurality of selectable deposit amounts on a designated display unit and accepts a selection operation for a designated deposit amount, and a control process in which, when each machine device accepts the selection operation for a designated deposit amount through the reception process, the display unit is controlled to display code information including the deposit amount requested for payment by a payment app running on a terminal device held by the player, and, if payment of the deposit amount cannot be executed because it exceeds a designated upper limit amount for a designated period, the display unit is controlled to selectably display a deposit amount that is less than or equal to the available amount that can be paid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, when a player receives a loan of a number of gaming media managed by a gaming machine using a payment app running on a terminal device owned by the player, restrictions can be imposed on payments made using the payment app smoothly and efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of the game management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the game management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine and the gaming machine shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the device status data and card data shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the management device shown in FIG. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the card management data, the device management data, and the member management data shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the payment server shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the gaming usage upper limit data, the user management data, and the balance data shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 1) showing an example of a display in the inter-machine card processing machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram (part 2) showing an example of a display in the inter-machine card processing machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram (part 3) showing an example of a display in the inter-machine card processing machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating a processing procedure related to cashless payment according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating a processing procedure related to cashless payment according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a management device according to a modified example. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the settlement amount data shown in FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a display on an inter-machine card processing machine according to a modified example. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of the game management system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of a gaming management system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of a game management system according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, the gaming management system, each machine device, and gaming management method according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0018] In this specification, "reserved balls" refers to data indicating gaming media acquired by a player through gaming, which can only be used again for gaming on the same day (before the gaming establishment's closing time). "Number of retained balls" refers to the number of gaming media acquired by a player through gaming. "Saved balls" refers to data indicating gaming media deposited by a player at a gaming establishment, which can be used again for gaming from the next day onwards (after the gaming establishment's closing time). "Saved balls" refers to the number of gaming media deposited by a player at a gaming establishment. Reserved balls are available to both regular players and member players, and are used when a gaming machine is moved, for example. In principle, only member players can use saved balls, and are used when acquired gaming media are used to play a gaming machine from the next day onwards. "Number of managed gaming machine balls" refers to the number of managed gaming machine balls available for a player to use for gaming.

[0019] <Outline of the gaming management system according to the first embodiment> First, an overview of the gaming management system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the gaming management system according to the first embodiment. In this gaming management system, a prepayment cashless payment service is provided by a payment server 80. In order for a user to make a cashless payment, it is a prerequisite that the user deposit money into the payment server 80 in advance. Furthermore, with regard to cashless payment for playing games, a daily upper limit is set in the payment server 80.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1(a), in the gaming management system according to the first embodiment, a player operates the inter-machine card processing machine 10 to display an application payment screen including a QR code (registered trademark) (S1).

[0021] For example, if you want to deposit 10,000 yen, a QR code (registered trademark) containing the requested payment amount of 10,000 yen is generated and displayed. This QR code (registered trademark) also contains the store ID and the machine-to-machine card processing machine ID.

[0022] The QR code (registered trademark) is read by the mobile terminal 90 (S2), and payment request information including the requested payment amount of 10,000 yen is notified to the payment server 80 (S3). This payment request information also includes the cashless payment user ID, store ID, and machine-to-machine card processing machine ID.

[0023] The payment server 80 determines whether or not the payment is possible based on the received payment request amount and the available payment amount corresponding to the user ID (S4). For example, if the payment request amount is 10,000 yen and the available payment amount is 4,000 yen, the payment is determined to be impossible.

[0024] If the settlement server 80 determines that the settlement is not possible, it notifies the management device 50 of unsettled information including the settleable amount (S5).

[0025] As shown in Figure 1(b), the inter-machine card processing machine 10 displays a deposit selection screen (S6) according to the available payment amount included in the outstanding payment information received via the management device 50. For example, if the available payment amount is 4,000 yen, selection buttons for "3,000 yen" and "1,000 yen" are displayed as the deposit amount.

[0026] In this way, in the gaming management system of this embodiment 1, when a cashless payment request is made to deposit money into the machine-to-machine card processing machine, if the requested payment amount exceeds the payable amount, the payment is not made and unpaid information including the payable amount is notified to the machine-to-machine card processing machine, and the machine-to-machine card processing machine is configured to display a deposit selection screen according to this payable amount.Therefore, when a player receives a loan of the number of gaming media managed by the gaming machine using a payment app running on a terminal device held by the player, restrictions can be imposed on payments using the payment app smoothly and efficiently.

[0027] <System configuration according to the first embodiment> Next, we will explain the system configuration of the gaming management system according to this embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the gaming management system according to this embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 2, a gaming facility is equipped with a plurality of gaming machines 20 and an inter-machine card processing machine 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20.

[0028] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 is connected to a communication line, which is an in-store network, via an island controller 30. The island controller 30, a management device 50, a prize management device 60, and a settlement machine 70 are connected to the communication line.

[0029] The management device 50 is connected to the Internet, and a payment server 80 and a mobile terminal 90 are connected to the Internet so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0030] The gaming machine 20 is a device in which game balls enclosed within the device are shot onto a game board. These game balls are physical "balls" used in the game, and are different from the "game balls" that the gaming machine 20 treats as data. The game board of the gaming machine 20 is provided with multiple prize areas (prize openings), and a predetermined number of game balls are awarded as prize balls when a game ball passes through a prize area. The game board is also provided with a predetermined number of start areas (start openings), and a predetermined lottery is held when a game ball passes through a start area. If the lottery results in a jackpot, a predetermined movable member or the like is activated, thereby increasing the probability of the game ball passing through the aforementioned prize area or another start area, thereby providing an advantage in the game. An area may also serve as both a start area and a prize area.

[0031] Each of the winning areas is provided with a winning sensor for detecting the passage of a gaming ball into the winning area, and the winning sensor detects the passage (winning) of a gaming ball shot into the winning area. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also has a prize ball memory for storing the number of gaming balls to be awarded as prize balls for each winning area, and a gaming ball number memory for indicating the number of gaming balls managed by the gaming machine. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also periodically transmits the number of gaming balls managed by the gaming machine to the machine-to-machine card processing device 10.

[0032] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a deposit from a player, it associates prepaid value corresponding to the amount of the deposit with the identification information (card ID) of the card stored inside the machine. This prepaid value can be used to lend game balls. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 can also accept the insertion of a card associated with prepaid value, owned balls, saved balls, etc. Then, at the end of a game, it ejects the card associated with prepaid value, owned balls, saved balls, etc. and returns it to the player. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 also transmits a history of operations such as deposits, card insertions, and card ejections to the management device 50.

[0033] When a predetermined number of game balls are shot onto the game board, the gaming machine 20 transmits out data to the inter-machine card processor 10. Furthermore, when a game ball passes through a winning area (so-called winning) and a predetermined number of prize balls are added to the game balls, the gaming machine 20 transmits safe data to the inter-machine card processor 10. Furthermore, when a special state such as a jackpot occurs during play, the gaming machine 20 transmits special prize data indicating the occurrence of such state to the inter-machine card processor 10.

[0034] The out data corresponds to the number of balls inserted, which is the number of balls inserted by the player onto the gaming board. The safe data corresponds to the number of balls won as a result of winning. The special prize data indicates the status of the gaming machine 20, such as a jackpot. Each piece of data is transmitted to the management device 50 via the inter-machine card processing device 10, and the management device 50 can obtain the operation history of the gaming machine 20 by accumulating the out data, safe data, and special prize data.

[0035] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts deposits, lends gaming balls, and communicates with the management device 50 and the gaming machines 20. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts bills inserted by a player, it sends a deposit notification including the deposit amount to the management device 50, thereby adding the prepaid value equivalent to the deposit amount to the prepaid value managed by the management device 50. Then, when a predetermined ball lending operation is performed, it sends a ball lending request to the management device 50, subtracts the prepaid value managed by the management device 50, and notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value, which is added to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine.

[0036] Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a card, it sends a card insertion notification to the management device 50. Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the balance of prepaid value, held balls, or saved balls from the management device 50, it stores the balance. Then, when it receives and stores the balance of held balls, it sends a held ball subtraction request to the management device 50, thereby clearing the balance of held balls (number of held balls) managed by the management device 50 to zero.

[0037] Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a held ball replay operation, it subtracts a predetermined number from the number of held balls it manages, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted held balls, and adds it to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine. Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a saved ball replay operation, it sends a saved ball replay request to the management device 50, thereby subtracting a predetermined number from the number of saved balls managed by the management device 50, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted saved balls, and adds it to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine.

[0038] Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing device 10 receives a card return operation, it sends a ball addition request including the number of balls held to the management device 50, and after having the management device 50 add the number of balls held, it sends a card ejection notification to the management device 50 and controls the ejection of the card. Note that if a counting operation is received from the gaming machine 20 before the card return operation, the number of balls managed by the gaming machine is added to the number of balls held.

[0039] The inter-machine card processing device 10 also has a function of acquiring a gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 and authenticating the gaming machine 20 using the acquired gaming machine ID and an authentication key received from the management device 50. This authentication is performed during opening processing, etc., and the gaming machine 20 becomes available for play on the condition that the authentication is successful.

[0040] In addition, when a deposit amount is selected on the deposit selection screen for cashless deposit, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 displays the selected deposit amount as the requested payment amount, and encodes the store ID, inter-machine card processing machine ID, and requested payment amount into a QR code (registered trademark) and displays it.

[0041] Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives payment completion information from the management device 50, it displays a message that the cashless payment has been completed. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives outstanding payment information from the management device 50, it displays a deposit selection screen according to the payable amount included in the outstanding payment information.

[0042] The island controller 30 is a device that bundles together a group of gaming machines 20 and inter-machine card processors 10 installed on the gaming island, and relays various information to the management device 50.

[0043] When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it manages the identification information of the inserted card (hereinafter referred to as "card ID") in association with the inter-machine card processing device 10, and transmits the prepaid value and the balance of held balls associated with the card ID to the inter-machine card processing device 10. In addition, if the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification is the card ID of a membership card, it transmits stored ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0044] In addition, when the management device 50 receives a request to subtract balls held from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it clears the balance of balls held to zero, and when it receives a request to add balls held from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it adds the number of balls held indicated in the request to add balls held to the balance of balls held.

[0045] Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a ball lending request from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID and transmits ball lending permission to the inter-machine card processing device 10. When the management device 50 receives a saved ball replay request, it transmits saved ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0046] Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a card ID from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls held that are associated with this card ID. Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a card ID from the settlement machine 70, it notifies the settlement machine 70 of the prepaid value that is associated with this card ID.

[0047] The management device 50 also acquires gaming machine IDs from the inter-machine card processing device 10 and manages the gaming machines 20 installed in its own parlor. It also acquires authentication keys for authenticating the gaming machines 20 set in its own parlor from an authentication key management center (not shown) outside the parlor, and distributes the authentication keys to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0048] The management device 50 also manages the member management data of members who have registered with the gaming establishment. Specifically, the management device 50 manages the number of balls, points, PIN number, name, etc. in association with the member card ID issued to the member.

[0049] When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it transmits stored ball replay data including the balance of stored balls and the PIN number corresponding to the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification to the inter-machine card processing device 10. Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a stored ball replay request from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it subtracts a predetermined number from the balance of stored balls associated with the card ID indicated in the stored ball replay request, and transmits stored ball replay data including the balance of stored balls after the subtraction to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0050] Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives an inquiry about the number of stored balls from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the balance of stored balls corresponding to the specified card ID.

[0051] Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives payment completion information from the payment server 80, it adds a value equivalent to the payment amount included in this payment completion information to the prepaid value, and then notifies the inter-machine card processor 10 corresponding to the inter-machine card processor ID included in the payment completion information of the payment completion information and the remaining balance of the prepaid value.

[0052] Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives unsettled information from the settlement server 80, it notifies the unsettled information to the inter-machine card processor 10 corresponding to the inter-machine card processor ID included in the unsettled information.

[0053] The prize management device 60 is a terminal device for prize exchange installed next to the prize exchange counter in the gaming facility, and performs the prize exchange process for won balls, saved balls, and held balls. This prize management device 60 is connected to a card reader that reads the card ID of the card and a prize payout device that pays out prizes. When the prize management device 60 reads the card ID from a general card or a membership card, it transmits the card ID to the management device 50 and requests the remaining balance of held balls for that card ID. Furthermore, when saved balls are to be exchanged for prizes, it requests the remaining balance of saved balls from the management device 50.

[0054] The settlement machine 70 is a device that settles the balance of the prepaid value associated with the card. When a card associated with prepaid value is inserted, the settlement machine 70 transmits the card ID of the card to the management device 50, obtains the prepaid value associated with the card, and dispenses cash equivalent to the obtained prepaid value.

[0055] Next, we will explain the ball lending process in the gaming management system according to this embodiment. When a player performs a ball lending operation on the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 sends a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and a ball lending request.

[0056] When the management device 50 receives a message including a ball lending request, it updates the card management data by subtracting a predetermined value (for example, 5 units, which represents 500 yen when 1 unit is 100 yen) from the prepaid value associated with the card ID in the message, and sends a ball lending permission to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that sent the permission. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 that has received the ball lending permission sends an addition signal to the gaming machine 20 requesting that a number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value (for example, "125") be added to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine.

[0057] The gaming machine 20 that receives the addition signal adds up the number of balls managed by the gaming machine and transmits the added number of balls managed by the gaming machine to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 compares the sum of the number of balls managed by the gaming machine before the addition and the number of balls lent with the number of balls managed by the gaming machine after the addition, and determines whether the addition of the number of balls managed by the gaming machine was performed appropriately.

[0058] Next, the held ball replay process in the gaming management system according to this embodiment will be explained. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a general card or a membership card, it sends a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a card insertion notification.

[0059] When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the balance of the balls held at the rate specified by the message, among the balls held associated with the card ID in the message.

[0060] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 stores the balance of held balls received from the management device 50. Then, it sends a message to the management device 50 including information specifying the card ID and rate, and a request to subtract held balls. When the management device 50 receives the request to subtract held balls, it clears the balance of held balls specified by the card ID and rate to zero. Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a request to replay held balls, it subtracts a fixed number from the balance of held balls, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the corresponding number, and adds it to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine.

[0061] When the inter-machine card processing device 10 receives a management transfer request from the gaming machine 20 to transfer its management by making the number of gaming machine managed balls of the gaming machine 20 the balls held by the inter-machine card processing device 10, it adds the number of gaming machine managed balls indicated in the management transfer request to the balls held by its own device. After that, when it accepts a card return operation, it sends a message including a request to add held balls to the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card to be discharged, an address or arbitrary identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing device 10 that sent it, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing device 10, the balance of held balls, and a request to add held balls.

[0062] When the management device 50 receives the request to add the balls in hand, it updates the balance (number of balls in hand) of the balls in hand at the rate specified by the message to the received value among the balls in hand associated with the card ID in the message. After that, the inter-machine card processing device 10 sends a card ejection notification to the management device 50 and controls the ejection of the card.

[0063] Next, the stored ball replay process in the gaming management system according to this embodiment will be explained. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a membership card, it sends a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a card insertion notification.

[0064] The management device 50 transmits stored ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing machine 10, which includes the PIN associated with the card ID in the message and the balance of stored balls at the rate specified by the message.

[0065] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 stores the received saved ball replay data, and is able to accept a saved ball replay operation if the balance of saved balls indicated in the saved ball replay data is equal to or greater than the payout unit number of game balls in saved ball replay (saved ball replay unit number, for example, "125 balls").

[0066] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a saved ball replay operation for the first time after storing the saved ball replay data, it requests the player to input a password and checks whether the input password matches the password shown in the saved ball replay data.

[0067] If the PIN numbers match, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 sends a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a request to replay the saved balls.

[0068] The management device 50 subtracts a predetermined value from the balance of stored balls at the rate specified by the message among the stored balls associated with the card ID in the message, and transmits stored ball replay data including the balance after subtraction to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

[0069] The inter-machine card processing device 10 receives the stored ball replay data, updates the balance of stored balls, and notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the number of stored ball replay units, causing it to be added to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine. It also determines whether the updated balance of stored balls is less than the number of stored ball replay units. If the updated balance of stored ball data is equal to or greater than the number of stored ball replay units, it can accept another stored ball replay operation, and if it accepts a stored ball replay operation, it sends a stored ball replay request. For the second or subsequent stored ball replay operation, there is no need to confirm the PIN. If the updated balance of stored ball data is less than the number of stored ball replay units, it cannot accept a stored ball replay operation.

[0070] Next, we will explain the transition from held balls to saved balls during the store closing process. The management device 50 checks the balance of held balls in the card management data during the store closing process, and if there are held balls whose balance is greater than "0", it adds the balance of those held balls to the balance of saved balls and updates them. After that, the management device 50 clears the balance of those held balls to zero.

[0071] The payment server 80 is a device that performs payment processing related to cashless payment. When the payment server 80 receives the game usage upper limit, the payment server 80 stores the game usage upper limit in game usage upper limit data.

[0072] Furthermore, upon receiving information about the user, the settlement server 80 issues a unique user ID, and stores the received information about the user and the user ID in association with each other in the user management data.

[0073] Furthermore, when the settlement server 80 receives a user ID and a deposit amount from a deposit machine (not shown), it adds the deposit amount to the balance in the balance data corresponding to this user ID.

[0074] The deposit machine is a device for depositing money into the payment server 80. When the deposit machine receives a user ID of the cashless payment service and a deposit of cash, it notifies the payment server 80 of the user ID and the deposit amount.

[0075] When the balance or available amount in the balance data is updated, the settlement server 80 compares the balance and available amount related to the updated data, and stores the smaller value as the available amount in the balance data to update it.

[0076] Furthermore, when the payment server 80 receives payment request information from the mobile terminal 90, it performs the next payment process using the payment request amount included in the payment request information and the available payment amount in the balance data.

[0077] If the requested payment amount is less than the available payment amount, the requested payment amount is subtracted from the balance and available balance in the balance data, and payment completion information including the inter-machine card processing machine ID and the payment amount is notified to the management device 50.

[0078] If the requested payment amount exceeds the available payment amount, the management device 50 is notified of unpaid information including the inter-machine card processor ID and the available payment amount.

[0079] The mobile terminal 90 is a terminal that reads the QR code (registered trademark) related to cashless payment and notifies the payment request information to the payment server 80. The mobile terminal 90 reads the QR code (registered trademark) displayed by the inter-machine card processor 10, and notifies the payment server 80 of the store ID, inter-machine card processor ID, and payment request amount included in this QR code (registered trademark) as payment request information.

[0080] <External Configuration of the Inter-machine Card Processing Machine 10 and the Gaming Machine 20> Next, we will explain the external configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2. In this figure, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that accepts only paper money is shown, but it is also possible to provide a unit that can accept electronic money.

[0081] As shown in Figure 3, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is provided with a status display unit 11 that displays the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by lighting or flashing a lamp of a predetermined color, a bill insertion slot 12a that accepts various types of bills, a display operation unit 13 such as a touch panel display, and a card insertion slot 14a that accepts cards associated with a card ID.

[0082] The gaming machine 20 is provided with a gaming board, a handle 21 used to release enclosed gaming balls onto the gaming board, and a counting button 22.

[0083] The count button 22 is an operation button for transferring the management of the number of balls that can be dispensed from the gaming machine 20 to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by subtracting the number of balls managed by the gaming machine 20 and adding the corresponding number to the balls held by the inter-machine card processing machine 10. In the open gaming machine 20 in which actual gaming balls are dispensed upon winning, this management transfer corresponds to the counting process in which the inter-machine card processing machine 10 counts the dispensed gaming balls and adds them to the balls held.

[0084] <Configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10> Next, we will explain the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 has a banknote transport unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a communication unit 15, a memory unit 16, a control unit 17, and a game management unit 18.

[0085] The banknote transport unit 12 is a transport unit that transports banknotes inserted through the banknote insertion slot 12a to a banknote storage unit (not shown) while determining the denomination and authenticity of the banknotes. The display operation unit 13 is an input / output device such as a touch panel display that displays various information such as value and accepts various operations such as ball lending operations.

[0086] The reader / writer 14 is a reading unit that reads a card ID from a card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a. The card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a is stored in a card storage unit (not shown) via the reader / writer 14. The communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication with the management device 50 via the island controller 30.

[0087] The storage unit 16 is a storage device including a hard disk drive, a nonvolatile memory, etc. The storage unit 16 stores device status data 16a and card data 16b.

[0088] The own machine status data 16a is data indicating the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. This own machine status data 16a includes a store ID, an inter-machine card processing machine ID, a gaming machine ID, a game type, etc. The store ID is identification information for uniquely identifying the own store among the stores registered in the payment server 80. The inter-machine card processing machine ID is identification information for uniquely identifying the inter-machine card processing machine 10 within the gaming store. The game type is data indicating the rate set in the inter-machine card processing machine 10. When gaming balls of multiple rates are handled within the gaming store, a game type name is set and managed for each rate, such as "Ball 1" for gaming balls of a 4-yen rate, "Ball 2" for gaming balls of a 2-yen rate, and "Ball 3" for gaming balls of a 1-yen rate. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 selects a rate to be used for a game from these game types and stores it as the game type. The type of game may be fixed for each section in which the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is installed, or may be changeable by the player's operation.

[0089] The card data 16b is data relating to the card being used by the player. The card data 16b includes the card ID, PIN number, prepaid value, held balls, saved balls, etc. The card ID is the card ID read by the reader / writer 14. When a card is transported from a card storage section (not shown) to the card insertion slot 14a and then ejected, the card data 16b is updated with the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during this transport. Also, when a card is transported from the card insertion slot 14a to a card storage section (not shown), the card data 16b is updated with the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during this transport. The prepaid value indicates the balance of the prepaid value that can be used for ball lending, and the held balls and saved balls indicate the respective balances.

[0090] The gaming management unit 18 is a processing unit that performs processing related to authentication and communication with the gaming machine 20. It is desirable that this gaming management unit 18 be formed on a different board from that of the control unit 17. The gaming management unit 18 has an authentication processing unit 18a, an authentication key management unit 18b, and a gaming machine status management unit 18c. In practice, by loading and executing these programs into a CPU (Central Processing Unit), the authentication processing unit 18a, the authentication key management unit 18b, and the gaming machine status management unit 18c will execute processes corresponding to each of them.

[0091] The authentication processing unit 18a authenticates the gaming machine 20 using the authentication key received from the management device 50. If the authentication is successful, the authentication processing unit 18a transmits an operation permission to the gaming machine 20. If the authentication is unsuccessful, the authentication processing unit 18a prohibits the use of the gaming machine 20. Note that even if the authentication is unsuccessful, the authentication processing unit 18a may be configured to transmit an operation permission to the gaming machine 20 if it is within a predetermined period since the last successful authentication, and not transmit an operation permission to the gaming machine 20 after the predetermined period has elapsed since the last successful authentication, and to prohibit the use of the gaming machine 20.

[0092] The authentication key management unit 18b is a processing unit that manages authentication keys. A usage time is set for each authentication key, and when the cumulative operating time of the gaming machine 20 reaches the usage time of the authentication key, the authentication key becomes unusable. Specifically, the authentication key management unit 18b uses the power-on time of the board on which the gaming management unit 18 is formed as the operating time of the gaming machine 20 to manage the usage time of the authentication key. When the authentication key becomes unusable, the authentication key management unit 18b obtains a new authentication key from an authentication key management center outside the parlor via the management device 50 and updates the authentication key.

[0093] The gaming machine status management unit 18c is a processing unit that communicates with the gaming machine 20 and manages the status of the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20, transmits a request to add balls to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine when balls are loaned, transmits a request to transfer management from held balls to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine when held balls are replayed, transmits a request to add balls to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine when saved balls are replayed, receives game results such as the number of balls inserted and the number of balls paid out in the gaming machine 20, and receives a request to transfer management from the number of balls managed by the gaming machine to held balls when counted. Such communication between the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 is encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

[0094] Furthermore, the gaming machine status management unit 18c further acquires the status set for the game, such as the current number of managed gaming balls of the gaming machine 20, start, jackpot, jackpot type, number of lotteries, etc. The time interval at which the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the status of the gaming machine 20 is preferably set shorter than the interval at which gaming balls are released (used) in the gaming machine 20. Furthermore, once the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the number of managed gaming balls from the gaming machine 20, it passes the number of managed gaming balls to the control unit 17.

[0095] The timing when the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires a new gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 is not limited to before opening. The gaming machine status management unit 18c can acquire a gaming machine ID or determine whether to replace the gaming machine 20 when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is powered on or off, during periodic communication, when processing related to the number of gaming machine balls managed (ball lending, replay, counting, etc.) is performed, when returning from an offline state, etc. Furthermore, these timings may be used in combination.

[0096] The control unit 17 is a control unit that performs overall control of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and includes a data management unit 17a and a cashless payment display control unit 17b. In practice, these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, causing the data management unit 17a and the cashless payment display control unit 17b to execute their respective corresponding processes.

[0097] The data management unit 17a is a processing unit that manages the card data 16b. When a card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits a card insertion notification including the card ID and the inter-machine card processor ID to the management device 50. Furthermore, when the data management unit 17a receives data including a value (at least one of prepaid value, held balls, and saved balls) and a PIN number from the management device 50, it updates the card data 16b with the received value and PIN number.

[0098] Furthermore, when a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 12a, the data management unit 17a transmits a deposit notification to the management device 50, which includes the amount of the inserted bill, the card ID, and the inter-machine card processor ID.

[0099] Furthermore, when a ball lending operation is performed by a player, the data management unit 17a transmits a ball lending request including the card ID and the inter-machine card processing machine ID to the management device 50. If permission to lend balls is received in response to this ball lending request, the data management unit 17a instructs the gaming management unit 18 to subtract the prepaid value of the card data 16b and add a predetermined number of balls to the gaming machine managed number of balls of the gaming machine 20.

[0100] In addition, when the data management unit 17a receives an operation to replay the held balls, it instructs the game management unit 18 to subtract and update the held balls in the card data 16b and add the corresponding number of balls to the number of balls managed by the game machine 20.

[0101] Furthermore, if the balance of saved balls indicated in the card data 16b is equal to or greater than the number of saved ball replay units, the data management unit 17a displays a saved ball replay button on the display operation unit 13, making it possible to accept a saved ball replay operation. When a saved ball replay operation is performed by a player, the data management unit 17a transmits a saved ball replay request including the card ID and the machine-to-machine card processor ID to the management device 50. If saved ball replay data is received in response to this saved ball replay request, the data management unit 17a updates the saved ball balance in the card data 16b and instructs the gaming management unit 18 to add the number of balls corresponding to the number of saved ball replay units to the number of gaming machine-managed balls of the gaming machine 20. Note that when a saved ball replay operation is performed for the first time, the input of a PIN is required, and a match with the PIN indicated in the card data 16b is a condition for transmitting a saved ball replay request.

[0102] In addition, when the game management unit 18 receives a request to transfer game balls from the game machine 20, the data management unit 17a adds the number of balls instructed by the game management unit 18 to the held balls in the card data 16b to update it.

[0103] Furthermore, when the data management unit 17a receives a card return operation, it sends a ball addition request including the card ID, the machine-to-machine card processing machine ID, and the remaining ball balance to the management device 50. Then, after clearing the card data 16b, it sends a card ejection notification to the management device 50 and ejects the card.

[0104] The cashless payment display control unit 17b is a processing unit that controls the display related to cashless payment. When "Cashless Deposit" is selected on the menu screen, the cashless payment display control unit 17b displays a deposit selection screen on the display operation unit 13. Then, when a deposit amount is selected, the selected deposit amount is used as the requested payment amount, and the store ID, inter-machine card processor ID, and requested payment amount from the device status data 16a are encoded into a QR code (registered trademark) and displayed on the display operation unit 13.

[0105] Furthermore, when the cashless payment display control unit 17b receives payment completion information from the management device 50, it displays on the display operation unit 13 that the cashless payment has been completed.

[0106] Furthermore, when the cashless payment display control unit 17b receives outstanding payment information from the management device 50, it displays a deposit selection screen corresponding to the payable amount included in the outstanding payment information on the display operation unit 13. For example, if the payable amount is 3,000 yen, selection buttons for "3,000 yen" and "1,000 yen" are displayed.

[0107] Next, an example of data stored in the memory unit 16 of the inter-machine card processor 10 shown in Fig. 4 will be described. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the own device status data 16a and card data 16b shown in Fig. 4.

[0108] The own device status data 16a shown in Figure 5(a) indicates a state in which the store ID of the own store is "ABC123", the ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is "A101", the gaming machine ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201", and "Ball 1" is set as the game type of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0109] The card data 16b shown in FIG. 5(b) indicates that the ID of the card inserted into the machine-to-machine card processing device 10 is "2015." Note that here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, with cards with the first digit "1" being a general card and cards with the first digit "2" being a membership card. The card data 16b also indicates that the PIN number for replaying saved balls is "1234" and the prepaid value is "100" points. Note that here, the prepaid value points are equivalent to 100 yen per point.

[0110] Furthermore, card data 16b indicates that, in terms of held balls, the balance of held balls for ball 1 is "990" balls, the balance of held balls for ball 2 is "0" balls, and the balance of held balls for ball 3 is "0" balls, and, in terms of saved balls, the balance of saved balls for ball 1 is "0" balls, the balance of saved balls for ball 2 is "0" balls, and the balance of saved balls for ball 3 is "0" balls.

[0111] <Configuration of gaming machine 20> Next, the configuration of the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 6, the gaming machine 20 has a communication control unit 23, a performance control unit 24, a game control unit 25, and a game ball control unit 26. The communication control unit 23 is a control unit for controlling data communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10 uses encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

[0112] When the gaming machine 20 is started up, the communication control unit 23 reads the identification information from the control CPU provided in the game control unit 25 and / or game ball control unit 26, checks whether the identification information is appropriate, and if it is appropriate, establishes communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and goes into standby mode. In the standby mode, if an operation permission is received from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the performance control unit 24, game control unit 25, and game ball control unit 26 are started up and the gaming machine is ready to play.

[0113] The game control unit 25 is a control unit that controls games played by the gaming machine 20. In practice, a program corresponding to the game control unit 25 is loaded into the CPU and executed to execute a process.

[0114] Specifically, the game control unit 25 controls the launch of game balls onto the game board by detecting handle operation, detects game balls that have entered the winning hole on the game board, obtains random numbers (random numbers from 0 to 65535, with numbers assigned to indicate a big win, small win, or loss within a predetermined range) using game balls that have entered the starting hole and draws lots (special and normal patterns), controls movable parts (tulips, etc.) installed on the game board, controls the display of special pattern display devices installed on the game board, detects abnormalities that may indicate fraud (the front frame is open, vibrations are detected, etc.) and notifies the higher-level device, etc.

[0115] A large number of obstacle pins are set on the game board, and game balls launched onto the game board by operating the handle fall between the obstacle pins and either enter a prize hole or a starting hole, or are ejected from the game board through an outlet hole without entering a prize. When a game ball enters a starting hole, a lottery is held, and if a jackpot is awarded, a jackpot game is played in which a predetermined prize hole on the game board is controlled to be open multiple times, and by making it easier for game balls to enter these prize holes, prize balls are awarded to the player.

[0116] Furthermore, jackpot games include bonus jackpot games that grant players a specified bonus game after the jackpot game ends. Bonus jackpot games include probability-changing jackpots and time-saving jackpots. Probability-changing jackpots and time-saving jackpots grant probability-changing and time-saving games as bonus games, respectively, after a jackpot. Time-saving games are bonus games that increase the number of draws per unit time by shortening the fluctuation time (the time from the start of the lottery process to the display of the results) of the normal pattern lottery (the lottery for opening and closing the movable member described above) and / or the special pattern lottery (the jackpot lottery resulting from the winning of a game ball described above), thereby increasing the number of draws per unit time and increasing the probability of winning a jackpot per unit time. This bonus game may also include normal pattern probability fluctuation, which increases the probability of winning a normal pattern. Time-saving games resulting from a time-saving jackpot end when the special pattern lottery has been drawn a specified number of times after the jackpot. Probability-changing games will be described later.

[0117] The game control unit 25 has a probability variation function. This function controls the random number range for the next jackpot lottery (typically by approximately 10 times) when the lottery result falls within a specific random number range for the jackpot. The probability variation game involves drawing a special symbol using this changed probability. The probability variation game continues until the next jackpot is won. The probability variation game and time-saving game may be simultaneously offered. However, to prevent unexpected losses to the gaming parlor, if a player acquires a certain number of game media after the probability variation game or time-saving game has started, the game may be stopped (the player's card may be temporarily ejected and the player may be requested to exchange for a prize or move to another machine). In this case, the gaming machine 20 counts the number of game media after the probability variation game state has begun, and when this count reaches a predetermined value, game stop control is performed, such as stopping the release of game balls.

[0118] The effect control unit 24 is a control unit that controls the effects during play, and has an effect symbol lottery unit 24a and an effect lottery unit 24b. In practice, by loading these programs into the CPU and executing them, the effect symbol lottery unit 24a and the effect lottery unit 24b will execute processes corresponding to them, respectively.

[0119] The effect pattern lottery unit 24a performs lottery (specifically, whether to stop the display at 7, 7, 7) for effect patterns (patterns to be displayed on effect pattern display devices such as display devices on the game board) based on the special pattern lottery in the game control unit 25.

[0120] The effect selection unit 24b selects the type of effect to be performed before the result of the selection based on the effect symbols is displayed (such as a character appearing to perform a reach effect). The effect is set so that the effect selected differs depending on the main selection result.

[0121] The effect control unit 24 stores effect data for each effect. Furthermore, the effect control unit 24 controls the display of the effect pattern display device, and when an effect is executed, the effect data is superimposed on the background pattern data to display the effect. Furthermore, when the probability fluctuates, background color data different from that in the normal state is set.

[0122] The gaming ball control unit 26 is a control unit that controls the number of gaming balls managed by the gaming machine. In practice, a program corresponding to the gaming ball control unit 26 is loaded into the CPU and executed to execute the process. The gaming ball count management unit 26a is a management unit that manages the number of gaming balls, i.e., the number of gaming balls managed by the gaming machine.

[0123] Specifically, the gaming ball control unit 26 stores the number of gaming balls managed by the gaming machine in a gaming ball number memory, subtracts "1" from the number of gaming balls managed by the gaming machine each time a gaming ball is released, and adds the number of prize balls won by winning to the number of gaming balls managed by the gaming machine. Also, when the number of balls is notified by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it adds the notified number of balls to the number of gaming machine balls managed by the gaming machine, and sends a confirmation signal to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 indicating that the number has been added to the number of gaming machine balls managed. The gaming ball control unit 26 can also control the cleaning of the gaming balls (circulating balls) enclosed in the gaming machine 20.

[0124] Furthermore, the gaming ball control unit 26 periodically transmits the number of gaming machine balls managed, which is stored in the gaming ball count memory, to the machine-to-machine card processing unit 10. In this case, the gaming ball control unit 26 continues to update the number of gaming machine balls managed depending on the game status without clearing the contents of the gaming ball count memory to zero, and transmits the number of gaming machine balls managed at the time of data acquisition to the machine-to-machine card processing unit 10.

[0125] The gaming machine 20 is also provided with a counting button 22, and a signal indicating that the counting button 22 has been pressed is input to the gaming ball control unit 26. The gaming ball control unit 26 detects the pressing of the counting button 22, and if the time from when the detection signal rises to when it falls is less than a certain time, it sends a management transfer request to the inter-machine card processor 10 along with data on the number of gaming machine balls managed in increments of a certain number (for example, 100 balls per operation). Then, it subtracts (invalidates) the number of balls that have been transferred to the inter-machine card processor 10's management from the number of gaming machine balls managed. Furthermore, if the pressing of the counting button 22 is detected and no fall is detected for a predetermined time or more after the detection signal rises, it sends a management transfer request to the inter-machine card processor 10 along with data on the number of gaming machine balls managed in increments of a certain number (for example, 200 balls per 5 seconds) each time the detection signal remains high for a certain time. Then, the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-machine card processing device 10 is subtracted (invalidated) from the number of balls managed by the gaming machine. When subtracting from the number of balls managed by the gaming machine, possible methods include decrementing the value to be subtracted from the value of 1 stored in memory, or updating the value stored in memory with the value after the subtraction and deleting or logically deleting the value before the subtraction to invalidate it, but there are no particular limitations as long as the value after the subtraction can be identified.

[0126] The game control unit 25 and the game ball control unit 26 are each configured on a separate board. The game control board on which the game control unit 25 is configured and the game ball control board on which the game ball control unit 26 is configured each have their own unique ID. The gaming machine 20 combines the ID of the game control board and the ID of the game ball control board and uses this as the gaming machine ID.

[0127] <Configuration of management device 50> Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the management device 50 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the management device 50 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 7, the management device 50 is connected to a display unit 51 and an input unit 52, and has an external network communication unit 53, a store network communication unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 56.

[0128] The display unit 51 is a display device such as an LCD panel or a display device. The input unit 52 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The external network communication unit 53 is an interface unit for data communication with the settlement server 80 and an authentication key management center (not shown) via an external network. The store network communication unit 54 is an interface unit for data communication with the island controller 30, prize management device 60, and settlement machine 70 via communication lines within the gaming store.

[0129] The storage unit 55 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or nonvolatile memory, and stores card management data 55a, device management data 55b, and member management data 55c.

[0130] The card management data 55a is data that associates the card ID with the balance of prepaid value and the balance of owned balls, etc. The device management data 55b is data related to the devices installed in the gaming facility, and the member management data 55c is data that associates the card ID of the member card issued to the member with the member's name, information on the number of balls saved, etc.

[0131] The control unit 56 is a control unit that performs overall control of the management device 50, and includes a card management unit 56a, a device management unit 56b, a member management unit 56c, and a cashless deposit control unit 56d. In practice, by loading and executing these programs into a CPU, the card management unit 56a, the device management unit 56b, the member management unit 56c, and the cashless deposit control unit 56d will execute their respective corresponding processes.

[0132] The card management unit 56a is a processing unit that manages the card management data 55a. The card management unit 56a communicates with the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the prize management device 60, and the settlement machine 70 to update the prepaid value and the balance of the balls held that are associated with the card ID.

[0133] In addition, when the card management unit 56a receives a card insertion notification from the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 or a request for the value associated with the card from the prize management device 60, it notifies the player of the value associated with the card and the remaining balance of balls held.

[0134] Furthermore, when the card management unit 56a receives a request for the value associated with the card from the settlement machine 70, it notifies the remaining balance of the value associated with the card.

[0135] The device management unit 56b is a processing unit that manages the device management data 55b. The device management unit 56b generates and updates the device management data 55b based on the inter-machine card processor ID, the installation location, and the gaming machine ID acquired from the inter-machine card processor 10.

[0136] The member management unit 56c is a processing unit that manages the member management data 55c. The member management unit 56c communicates with the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the prize management device 60 to update the balance of the balls associated with the card ID. Furthermore, when the member management unit 56c receives a member registration request, it updates the member management data 55c to add the member.

[0137] Here, the stored ball replay processing by the member management unit 56c will be explained. When the member management unit 56c receives stored ball replay request data from the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10, it deducts the balance of stored balls at the payout rate from the stored balls associated with the card ID in the stored ball replay request data by the payout unit number, and recalculates the number of stored balls that can be replayed. Then, it sends stored ball replay data including the balance after subtraction and the number of stored balls that can be replayed to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

[0138] The cashless deposit control unit 56d is a processing unit that performs deposit processing by cashless payment. When the cashless deposit control unit 56d receives payment completion information from the payment server 80, it adds the prepaid value equivalent to the payment amount included in the payment completion information to the prepaid value in the card management data 55a. Then, it notifies the inter-machine card processor 10 corresponding to the inter-machine card processor ID included in the payment completion information of the payment completion information and the remaining prepaid value in the card management data 55a.

[0139] Furthermore, when the cashless deposit control unit 56d receives unsettled information from the settlement server 80, it notifies the unsettled information to the inter-machine card processor 10 corresponding to the inter-machine card processor ID included in the unsettled information.

[0140] Next, an example of data stored in storage unit 55 of management device 50 shown in Fig. 7 will be described. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of card management data 55a, device management data 55b, and member management data 55c shown in Fig. 7.

[0141] In the card management data 55a shown in Figure 8(a), the card ID "1001" is associated with a state in which the prepaid value is "0" points, the balance of the balls held for each rate is "0" balls, and the destination ID is "A101". In other words, the card with the card ID "1001" is inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with the device ID "A101", and the management of the balls held has been transferred to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Therefore, the balance of the balls held for each rate becomes zero.

[0142] Furthermore, in the card management data 55a, the card ID "2015" is associated with a state in which the prepaid value is "100" points. Furthermore, the states in which the balance of balls held for ball 1 is "990", the balance of balls held for ball 2 is "0", and the balance of balls held for ball 3 is "0" are associated with the card ID "2015". However, there is no association with the destination ID. In other words, the card with the card ID "2015" is not inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and the management of the balls held is performed by the management device 50.

[0143] 8(b), the device management data 55b associates the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with the ID "A101" with the following states: the installation location is "Island 1-1," the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201," the gaming machine number is "11," the game type is "Ball 1," the model of the gaming machine 20 is "EV01," and the serial number is "a." It also indicates that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

[0144] The device management data 55b also associates the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with the ID "A201" with the following states: its installation location is "Island 2-1", the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B506", the gaming machine number is "21", the game type is "Ball 3", the model of the gaming machine 20 is "DX03", and the serial number is "g". It also indicates that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

[0145] Member management data 55c shown in Fig. 8(c) indicates the name, saved balls, etc. associated with the card ID. Specifically, member management data 55c associates the card ID "2015" with the name "Takken Taro," the saved ball balance for ball 1 being "0," the saved ball balance for ball 2 being "0," and the saved ball balance for ball 3 being "0."

[0146] <Configuration of payment server 80> Next, we will explain the configuration of the payment server 80 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the payment server 80 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 9, the payment server 80 is connected to a display unit 81 and an input unit 82, and has a communication unit 84, a storage unit 85, and a control unit 86.

[0147] The display unit 81 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a display device. The input unit 82 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The communication unit 84 is an interface unit for communicating data with the management device 50, the mobile terminal 90, and a deposit machine (not shown) via an external network.

[0148] The storage unit 85 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or nonvolatile memory, and stores game use upper limit data 85a, user management data 85b, and balance data 85c.

[0149] The gaming usage limit data 85a is data indicating the maximum amount that can be used for gaming in one day. The user management data 85b is data indicating information about users of the cashless payment service. The balance data 85c is data indicating the balance for each user of the cashless payment service.

[0150] The control unit 86 is a control unit that performs overall control of the settlement server 80, and has an upper limit setting unit 86a, a user management unit 86b, a deposit control unit 86c, a settleable amount calculation unit 86d, and a payment control unit 86e. In practice, by loading these programs into a CPU and executing them, the upper limit setting unit 86a, the user management unit 86b, the deposit control unit 86c, the settleable amount calculation unit 86d, and the payment control unit 86e will execute the processes corresponding to them.

[0151] The upper limit setting unit 86a is a processing unit that manages the game use upper limit data 85a. When the upper limit setting unit 86a receives a game use upper limit from the input unit 82, the upper limit setting unit 86a stores the game use upper limit in the game use upper limit data 85a.

[0152] Furthermore, when the store closing process is started, the upper limit setting unit 86a stores and updates the game use upper limit of the game use upper limit data 85a to the entire available amount of the balance data 85c.

[0153] The user management unit 86b is a processing unit that manages the user management data 85b. When the user management unit 86b receives information about a user from the input unit 82, it issues a unique user ID and stores the received information about the user and the user ID in association with each other in the user management data 85b.

[0154] The deposit control unit 86c is a processing unit that performs deposit processing related to the cashless payment service. When the deposit control unit 86c receives a user ID and a deposit amount from a deposit machine (not shown), it adds the deposit amount to the balance in the balance data 85c corresponding to this user ID and updates it.

[0155] The payable amount calculation unit 86d is a processing unit that calculates the payable amount. When the balance data 85c is updated by the deposit control unit 86c or the payment control unit 86e, the payable amount calculation unit 86d compares the balance and the usable amount related to the updated data, and stores the smaller numerical value as the payable amount to update it.

[0156] The payment control unit 86e is a processing unit that performs payment processing related to the cashless payment service. When the payment control unit 86e receives payment request information from the mobile terminal 90, it performs payment processing using the user ID, store ID, inter-machine card processor ID, and payment request amount included in the payment request information. Specifically, it compares the payment request amount with the payment available amount corresponding to the user ID in the balance data 85c, and performs the following processing depending on the result.

[0157] If the requested payment amount is less than the available payment amount, the requested payment amount is subtracted from the balance and available payment amount, respectively, to update the balance data 85c, and payment completion information including the machine-to-machine card processing machine ID and payment amount is notified to the management device 50 corresponding to the store ID.

[0158] If the requested payment amount exceeds the available payment amount, the management device 50 corresponding to the store ID is notified of outstanding payment information including the inter-machine card processor ID and the available payment amount.

[0159] Next, an example of data stored in the storage unit 85 of the settlement server 80 shown in Fig. 9 will be described. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of game usage upper limit data 85a, user management data 85b, and balance data 85c shown in Fig. 9.

[0160] The game use upper limit data 85a shown in FIG. 10(a) indicates that the game use upper limit is "10,000" yen.

[0161] The user management data 85b shown in FIG. 10(b) associates the user ID "RS4020" with the name "Takken Taro" and the user ID "RS4035" with the name "Kaihatsu Hanako."

[0162] The balance data 85c shown in Figure 10(c) associates user ID "RS4020" with a balance of "30,000" yen, a usable amount of "4,000" yen, and a payable amount of "4,000" yen, and associates user ID "RS4035" with a balance of "5,000" yen, a usable amount of "8,000" yen, and a payable amount of "5,000" yen.

[0163] <Example of display on the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to the first embodiment> Next, a description will be given of an example of a display on the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to the present embodiment 1. Figures 11 to 13 are diagrams showing an example of a display on the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to the present embodiment 1.

[0164] As shown in Figure 11, when "Cashless Deposit" is selected on the menu screen, the inter-machine card processor 10 displays a deposit selection screen. Specifically, buttons for "10,000 yen," "5,000 yen," "3,000 yen," and "1,000 yen" are displayed. When the "10,000 yen" button is selected, a QR code (registered trademark) containing the requested payment amount of 10,000 yen is displayed. After the player reads this QR code (registered trademark) with the mobile terminal 90, the player notifies the payment server 80 of payment request information including the requested payment amount of 10,000 yen.

[0165] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the payment completion information from the management device 50, it displays a message indicating that the payment has been completed, as shown in Figure 12(a). Specifically, it displays "Payment completed."

[0166] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives unsettled information from the management device 50, it displays a deposit selection screen indicating that the payment has been suspended and corresponding to the available payment amount included in the unsettled information. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12(b), it displays "Payment suspended due to exceeding the usage limit. Available payment amount: 4000 yen." Then, of the deposit amount selection buttons shown in FIG. 11, it displays "3000 yen" and "1000 yen" selection buttons, which correspond to amounts below 4000 yen.

[0167] Note that the full amount of the settlement amount may be automatically set as the deposit amount. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 13, after the message "Payment has been suspended due to the usage limit being exceeded. Settlement amount: 4000 yen" is displayed, a QR code (registered trademark) with the requested payment amount of 4000 yen is displayed. After the player reads this QR code (registered trademark) with the mobile terminal 90, the player notifies the payment server 80 of the payment request information including the requested payment amount of 4000 yen.

[0168] <Cashless payment processing procedure according to the first embodiment> Next, a description will be given of the processing procedure for cashless payment according to the present embodiment 1. Figures 14 and 15 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure for cashless payment according to the present embodiment 1.

[0169] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, when the payment server 80 receives payment request information from the mobile terminal 90 (step S101; Yes), it compares the payment request amount included in the payment request information with the payment available amount in the balance data 85c (step S102).

[0170] If the requested payment amount exceeds the available payment amount (step S102; No), the management device 50 is notified of outstanding payment information including the available payment amount (step S103). Upon receiving the outstanding payment information, the management device 50 notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the outstanding payment information (step S104).

[0171] When the inter-machine card processor 10 receives the outstanding payment information, it displays a deposit selection screen according to the available payment amount included in the outstanding payment information (step S105), and then ends the process.

[0172] In step S102, if the requested payment amount is equal to or less than the available payment amount (step S102; Yes), payment completion information including the payment amount is notified to the management device 50 (step S201).

[0173] When the management device 50 receives the payment completion information, it adds the payment amount included in the payment completion information to the prepaid value in the card management data 55a (step S202), and then notifies the inter-machine card processor 10 of the prepaid value and the payment completion information (step S203).

[0174] When the inter-machine card processor 10 receives the payment completion information and the prepaid value, it displays the fact that the payment has been completed and the remaining balance of the prepaid value (step S204), and ends the process.

[0175] As described above, in the gaming management system of this embodiment 1, when a cashless payment request is made to deposit money into the machine-to-machine card processing machine, if the requested payment amount exceeds the payable amount, the payment is not made and unpaid information including the payable amount is notified to the machine-to-machine card processing machine, and the machine-to-machine card processing machine is configured to display a deposit selection screen according to this payable amount.Therefore, when a player receives a loan of the number of gaming media managed by the gaming machine using a payment app running on a terminal device held by the player, restrictions can be imposed on payments using the payment app smoothly and efficiently.

[0176] In the above embodiment 1, when the inter-machine card processing machine receives outstanding payment information from the management device, a configuration has been described in which only the selection buttons for deposit amounts that are equal to or less than the payable amount included in this outstanding payment information are displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this. Selection buttons for deposit amounts that are equal to or less than the payable amount can also be displayed so that they are selectable, and selection buttons for deposit amounts that exceed the payable amount can be masked and made unselectable.

[0177] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, when the inter-machine card processing machine receives outstanding payment information from the management device, a configuration was described in which only a selection button for the deposit amount that is equal to or less than the payable amount included in this outstanding payment information is displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this. If there is no selection button for the deposit amount equivalent to the payable amount, it is also possible to configure the display to include buttons for deposit amounts equivalent to this payable amount. For example, if the payable amount is 4,000 yen, selection buttons for "4,000 yen," "3,000 yen," and "1,000 yen" are displayed.

[0178] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, a configuration was described in which a deposit amount selection button is displayed according to the payment amount when cashless payment is made at an inter-machine card processing machine, but the present invention is not limited to this. When cashless payment is made at another device such as a ticket vending machine, a configuration in which a deposit amount selection button is displayed according to the payment amount can also be used.

[0179] In the first embodiment, a configuration was described in which a deposit amount selection button is displayed according to the payment amount when a cashless payment is made at a machine-to-machine card processing machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The management device can also be configured to restrict the use of cashless payments at machine-to-machine card processing machines and payment machines within a store. Specifically, payment settings can be configured as "dual operation," which allows both cash and cashless payments, "cash operation," which allows only cash payments, or "cashless payment operation," which allows only cashless payments. Furthermore, when "cash operation" and "cashless payment operation" are configured, the target time period can also be set. For example, if "cashless payment operation," with a start time of "17:00" and an end time of "22:45," and "dual operation" are simultaneously configured in the management device, both cash and cashless payments are permitted from opening until 17:00. After 17:00, cash is prohibited and only cashless payments are permitted.

[0180] [Variations] Incidentally, in the above embodiment 1, when a cashless payment request is made to deposit money into the inter-machine card processing machine, if the requested payment amount exceeds the payable amount, the payment is not made and unpaid information including the payable amount is notified to the inter-machine card processing machine, and the inter-machine card processing machine displays a deposit selection screen according to this payable amount. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0181] In the gaming management system according to the first embodiment, even if the requested payment amount exceeds the available payment amount, and the player makes a cashless payment by displaying a deposit selection screen according to the available payment amount, and then the same player makes a cashless payment again, all deposit amount selection buttons are displayed. Therefore, there is a risk that the player will again select a deposit amount button that exceeds the available payment amount.

[0182] To solve this problem, when the payment available amount is received from the payment server, the payment available amount can be managed and a deposit selection screen corresponding to the latest payment available amount can be displayed.

[0183] In this modified example, a gaming management system will be described that, when it receives the payable amount from the payment server, manages this payable amount and displays a deposit selection screen according to the latest payable amount.

[0184] <Configuration of management device 100> The configuration of the management device 100 according to this modification will be described. Fig. 16 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the management device 100 according to this modification. As shown in Fig. 16, the management device 100 is connected to a display unit 51 and an input unit 52, and has an external network communication unit 53, a store network communication unit 54, a storage unit 110, and a control unit 120. Note that a description of functional units similar to those of the management device 50 shown in Fig. 7 will be omitted.

[0185] The storage unit 110 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or nonvolatile memory, and stores card management data 55a, device management data 55b, member management data 55c, and payment amount data 111. The payment amount data 111 is data indicating the payment amount for cashless payment corresponding to the card ID.

[0186] The control unit 120 is a control unit that performs overall control of the management device 100, and has a card management unit 56a, a device management unit 56b, a member management unit 56c, a cashless deposit control unit 56d, and a settlement amount management unit 121. In practice, by loading these programs into a CPU and executing them, the card management unit 56a, the device management unit 56b, the member management unit 56c, the cashless deposit control unit 56d, and the settlement amount management unit 121 will execute their respective corresponding processes.

[0187] The payable amount management unit 121 is a processing unit that manages the payable amount data 111. When the payable amount management unit 121 receives unsettled information from the payment server 80, it identifies the corresponding card ID from the card management data 55a using the inter-machine card processor ID included in the unsettled information. Then, it associates the identified card ID with the payable amount included in the unsettled information and stores the associated card ID in the payable amount data 111.

[0188] Furthermore, when payment completion information is received from the payment server 80, the payable amount management unit 121 uses the inter-machine card processor ID included in the payment completion information to identify the corresponding card ID from the card management data 55a, and then updates the payable amount data 111 corresponding to the identified card ID by subtracting the payment amount included in the payment completion information from the payable amount.

[0189] Next, an example of data stored in the storage unit 110 of the management device 100 shown in Fig. 16 will be described. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the payable amount data 111 shown in Fig. 16.

[0190] The payment amount data 111 shown in FIG. 17 indicates that the payment amount for card ID "2015" is "4000" yen, and that the payment amount for card ID "2033" is "0" yen.

[0191] <Example of display on the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to the modified example> Next, an example of a display on the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to this modified example will be described. Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to this modified example.

[0192] As shown in FIG. 18, when "Cashless Deposit" is selected on the menu screen, the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 displays a deposit selection screen according to the payment amount. For example, if the payment amount is 4,000 yen, buttons for "3,000 yen" and "1,000 yen" are displayed. If the "3,000 yen" button is selected, a QR code (registered trademark) containing the requested payment amount of 3,000 yen is displayed. After the player reads this QR code (registered trademark) with the mobile terminal 90, the player notifies the payment server 80 of payment request information including the requested payment amount of 3,000 yen. Note that the display of the payment amount is not limited to displaying buttons for candidate amounts; for example, a numeric keypad may be displayed along with the payment amount, allowing the player to input the desired deposit amount.

[0193] As described above, in the gaming management system of this modified example, when the payment available amount is received from the payment server, the system manages this payment available amount and displays a deposit selection screen according to the latest payment available amount. Therefore, when a player receives a loan of a gaming machine-managed number of gaming media using a payment app running on a terminal device owned by the player, restrictions can be smoothly and efficiently imposed on payments made using the payment app.

[0194] [Embodiment 2] Incidentally, in the above embodiment 1, when a cashless payment request is made to deposit money into the inter-machine card processing machine, if the requested payment amount exceeds the payable amount, the payment is not made and unpaid information including the payable amount is notified to the inter-machine card processing machine, and the inter-machine card processing machine displays a deposit selection screen according to this payable amount. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0195] After linking the membership card and cashless app in the inter-machine card processing machine, if a deposit is made using the cashless app at the ticket machine, the deposit process can be automatically performed on the inter-machine card processing machine into which the membership card is inserted.

[0196] In this embodiment 2, we will describe a gaming management system that automatically processes deposits to the machine-to-machine card processing machine into which the membership card is inserted, once the membership card and cashless app are linked in the machine-to-machine card processing machine and a deposit is made using the cashless app at the ticket vending machine.

[0197] <Outline of the gaming management system according to the second embodiment> An outline of the gaming management system according to the second embodiment will be described below. Fig. 19 is an explanatory diagram of the outline of the gaming management system according to the second embodiment.

[0198] 19, in the gaming management system according to the second embodiment, the membership card is inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 200, and the inter-machine card processing machine 200 and the mobile terminal 300 communicate with each other, thereby linking the membership card with the cashless app (S11). Note that the configuration may be such that the membership card and the cashless app are linked in advance (for example, by registering membership card information within the cashless app), so that the linking can be achieved without the need for communication between the inter-machine card processing machine 200 and the mobile terminal 300.

[0199] When the mobile terminal 300 communicates with the ticket vending machine 400 and performs a deposit process using the ticket vending machine 400 and the cashless app (S12), the deposited amount is automatically reflected in the balance of the inter-machine card processing machine 200 into which the linked membership card is inserted (S13). For example, if a deposit process of 10,000 yen is performed in the ticket vending machine 400, 10,000 yen is added to the balance of the inter-machine card processing machine 200 into which the linked membership card is inserted.

[0200] As described above, in the gaming management system of this embodiment 2, after linking the membership card and cashless app in the machine-to-machine card processing machine, if a deposit is made using the cashless app at the ticket vending machine, the deposit process can be automatically performed on the machine-to-machine card processing machine into which the membership card is inserted.

[0201] In the second embodiment described above, after linking a membership card with a cashless app in an inter-machine card processing machine, if a deposit is made using the cashless app at a ticket vending machine, a deposit is automatically processed at the inter-machine card processing machine into which the membership card is inserted. However, the present invention is not limited to this. After linking a general card with a cashless app in an inter-machine card processing machine, if a deposit is made using the cashless app at a ticket vending machine, a deposit can also be automatically processed at the inter-machine card processing machine into which the linked general card is inserted. When an automatic deposit process is performed at an inter-machine card processing machine into which a linked general card is inserted, the inter-machine card processing machine may be prohibited from accepting additional deposits, returning the card, lending, counting, checking, etc., until the player who performed the deposit process is identified (e.g., by mobile device authentication, biometric authentication, PIN authentication, etc.). This makes it possible to prevent the theft of the general card between the time the player returns to the inter-machine card processing machine after the automatic deposit process.

[0202] [Embodiment 3] Incidentally, in the above embodiment 1, when a cashless payment request is made to deposit money into the inter-machine card processing machine, if the requested payment amount exceeds the payable amount, the payment is not made and unpaid information including the payable amount is notified to the inter-machine card processing machine, and the inter-machine card processing machine displays a deposit selection screen according to this payable amount. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0203] When a user reserves a gaming machine by depositing money in advance using a reservation app that allows cashless payment, the reservation app can be configured to process the user's seating at the reserved gaming machine on the reserved date, so that the amount deposited in advance is reflected in the balance.

[0204] In this embodiment 3, we will explain a gaming management system in which, when a gaming machine is reserved by making a deposit in advance using a reservation app that allows cashless payment, the amount deposited in advance is reflected in the balance by performing a seating process using the reservation app at the reserved gaming machine on the reserved date.

[0205] <Outline of the gaming management system according to the third embodiment> An outline of the gaming management system according to the third embodiment will be described below. Fig. 20 is an explanatory diagram of the outline of the gaming management system according to the third embodiment.

[0206] 20(a), in the gaming management system according to the third embodiment, a gaming machine is reserved by depositing money in advance using a reservation app on the mobile terminal 500 (S21). For example, on April 10, 2024, a user reserves machine number 1 at Parlor ABC for April 11, 2024, and deposits 10,000 yen.

[0207] As shown in FIG. 20(b), on the reservation date (for example, April 11, 2024), the reserved gaming machine is in a reserved state (S22). For example, the inter-machine card processing machine 600 displays "Reservation in progress. Only the person who made the reservation can play." The display may be displayed on the display unit of the gaming machine or on a machine lamp provided on the top of the gaming machine. At this time, a QR code (registered trademark) is also displayed. The displayed content may be a password entry screen, a barcode, or the like, in addition to the QR code (registered trademark).

[0208] The player who has made the reservation reads the QR code (registered trademark) displayed on the inter-machine card processor 600 using the reservation app on the mobile terminal 500 and performs seating processing (S23). This seating processing causes the reservation app system to notify the host device of the inter-machine card processor 600 that the player has sat down, the reservation status is cancelled, and the amount deposited in advance is reflected in the balance of the inter-machine card processor 600 (S24). For example, the balance becomes 10,000 yen.

[0209] As described above, in the gaming management system of this embodiment 3, when a gaming machine is reserved by depositing money in advance using a reservation app that allows cashless payment, the amount deposited in advance can be reflected in the balance by performing a seating process using the reservation app at the reserved gaming machine on the reserved date.

[0210] In the above-described third embodiment, a configuration was described in which the reservation status is cancelled by reading the QR code (registered trademark) displayed by the machine-to-machine card processing machine with a mobile terminal and performing seating processing, but the present invention is not limited to this. A configuration is also possible in which a card storing reservation information and the amount deposited is issued through communication between the ticket vending machine and the mobile terminal, and the reservation status is cancelled by inserting this card into the machine-to-machine card processing machine of the reserved gaming machine. It is also possible to set a management device or the like so that only membership cards can be used to reserve gaming machines using the above cards.

[0211] In the third embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the QR code (registered trademark) displayed by the inter-machine card processing device is read by a mobile terminal to perform seating processing, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the inter-machine card processing device to read a QR code (registered trademark) displayed on a mobile terminal to perform seating processing.

[0212] Furthermore, in the above-described third embodiment, a configuration was described in which a mobile terminal reads a QR code (registered trademark) displayed by the machine-to-machine card processor to perform seating processing, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the reserved gaming machine is not released even after a predetermined time has passed after the store opens on the reserved date, a message encouraging the user to visit the store can be sent to the reservation app. After this notification, if a predetermined time has passed, the reservation status can be automatically released. Note that a menu or button that allows the reservation status to be canceled may be provided in the message encouraging the user to visit the store, allowing the player who made the reservation to cancel the reservation by their own operation. Note that if the reservation status is automatically released, a notification may be sent to employees or other players using the reservation app.

[0213] [Embodiment 4] Incidentally, in the above embodiment 1, when a cashless payment request is made to deposit money into the inter-machine card processing machine, if the requested payment amount exceeds the payable amount, the payment is not made and unpaid information including the payable amount is notified to the inter-machine card processing machine, and the inter-machine card processing machine displays a deposit selection screen according to this payable amount. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0214] After linking the cashless app with the card ID, when making a deposit using cashless payment at the machine-to-machine card processing machine, the machine can be configured to allow the deposit only if the card ID of the card inserted into the machine-to-machine card processing machine is linked.

[0215] In this embodiment 4, we will describe a gaming management system that, after linking a cashless app with a card ID, allows a deposit via cashless payment at an inter-machine card processing machine only if the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine is linked.

[0216] <Outline of the gaming management system according to the fourth embodiment> An outline of the gaming management system according to the present embodiment 4 will be described below. Fig. 21 is an explanatory diagram of the outline of the gaming management system according to the present embodiment 4.

[0217] As shown in FIG. 21(a), in the gaming management system according to the fourth embodiment, a deposit settlement process is performed using the cashless app on the ticket vending machine 800 and the mobile terminal 700, and a card associated with the deposited amount is issued. At this time, the mobile terminal ID and the card ID are linked (S31). Note that the device that is linked in the deposit settlement process using the cashless app on the mobile terminal 700 is not limited to the ticket vending machine 800, but may be any in-store device such as a prize management device or a cashier, and the device using the cashless app is not limited to the mobile terminal 700, but may be a terminal device worn on the body of a player (a so-called wearable device), etc.

[0218] As shown in FIG. 21(b), after inserting a card into the inter-machine card processor 900, the mobile terminal 700 communicates with the inter-machine card processor 900, thereby linking the cashless app with the gaming machine (S32). At this time, the mobile terminal 700 displays the linked card ID and the gaming machine number. Note that the information displayed on the mobile terminal 700 is not limited to the linked card ID and gaming machine number, but may also be the linked card ID and the ID of the inter-machine card processor 900. Furthermore, the information displayed on the mobile terminal 700 may be displayed on a device installed in the gaming parlor, such as the inter-machine card processor 900 or a machine lamp.

[0219] If the card ID and gaming machine number are displayed on the mobile terminal 700, a deposit via the cashless app to the inter-machine card processing machine 900 is permitted (S33). When settling using the mobile terminal ID and a card, the settlement is permitted on the condition that the mobile terminal ID and the card ID are linked.

[0220] Furthermore, in the inter-machine card processing machine 900, when the balance of the card becomes zero, the association between the mobile terminal ID and the card ID may be maintained until a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed, and the association may be terminated once the predetermined time has elapsed. Note that the predetermined time may be changeable by an employee operating the management device or the prize management device.

[0221] In addition, in the inter-machine card processing machine 900, when the card balance becomes zero, the link between the mobile terminal ID and the card ID may be maintained until certain conditions are met (for example, detecting a change of player, leaving the seat, or a break, detecting the insertion of an unlinked card, detecting the insertion of a bill, or detecting that no out / safe has occurred within a certain period of time).

[0222] Furthermore, while the inter-machine card processing device 900 maintains the link between the mobile terminal ID and the card ID, it prohibits the acceptance of other cards. However, other cards may be permitted to be accepted as long as they are linked to the same mobile terminal ID. If another card is inserted while the acceptance of other cards is prohibited, the fact that the acceptance of other cards is prohibited and the reason for the prohibition may be displayed on the display unit of the inter-machine card processing device 900, and may be displayed at all times regardless of whether another card has been inserted. Furthermore, if another card is inserted while the acceptance of other cards is prohibited, a notification may be sent to the employee terminal.

[0223] As described above, in the gaming management system of this embodiment 4, after linking the cashless app with the card ID, when making a deposit by cashless payment at the machine-to-machine card processing machine, the deposit can be permitted only if the card ID of the card inserted into the machine-to-machine card processing machine is linked.

[0224] In the above fourth embodiment, after linking the cashless app with the card ID, when a deposit is made by cashless payment at the inter-machine card processing machine, a configuration has been described in which the deposit is permitted only if the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine is linked, but the present invention is not limited to this. In a cashless ticket vending machine that does not issue a card after deposit, if a deposit is made using the cashless app, a digital card can be attached to the mobile terminal, and the inter-machine card processing machine can read this digital card, thereby permitting the inter-machine card processing machine to permit the deposit by cashless payment.

[0225] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the present invention has been described as being applied to a machine-to-machine card processing machine for smart pachinko machines that use game balls as game media, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be configured to be applied to a machine-to-machine card processing machine for smart pachislot machines. Also, the present invention can be configured to be applied to a machine-to-machine card processing machine for non-smart gaming machines (CR machines).

[0226] Furthermore, the configurations illustrated in the above embodiments are merely functional schematics and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that illustrated, and all or part of the devices can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc. [Industrial Applicability]

[0227] The gaming management system, each machine device, and gaming management method of the present invention are suitable for smoothly and efficiently imposing restrictions on payments made using a payment app when a player receives a loan of a gaming machine-managed number of gaming media using a payment app running on a terminal device owned by the player. [Explanation of symbols]

[0228] 10 machine-to-machine card processing machines 11 Status display section 12 Banknote transport section 12a Bill insertion slot 13 Display operation section 14 Reader / Writer 14a Card slot 15 Communications Department 16 Memory section 16a Device status data 16b Card Data 17 Control Unit 17a Data Management Department 17b Cashless payment display control unit 18 Gaming Management Department 18a Authentication processing section 18b Authentication key management unit 18c Gaming Machine Status Management Department 20 Gaming machines 21 Handle 22 Count button 23 Communication control section 24 Production Control Unit 24a Design lottery section 24b Production Lottery Section 25 Game control unit 26 Game ball control unit 26a Game Ball Management Department 30 Island Controller 50 Management device 51 Display section 52 Input section 53 External Network Communication Section 54 Store Network Communications Department 55 Storage section 55a Card Management Data 55b Equipment Management Data 55c Membership Management Data 56 Control Unit 56a Card Management Department 56b Equipment management department 56c Membership Management Department 56d Cashless deposit control unit 60 Prize Management Device 70 Payment machine 80 Payment Server 81 Display section 82 Input section 84 Communications Department 85 Storage section 85a Gaming usage limit data 85b User management data 85c Balance Data 86 Control Unit 86a Upper limit setting section 86b User Management Department 86c Deposit Control Unit 86d Settlement amount calculation section 86e Payment Control Unit 90 Mobile Devices 100 Management device 110 Storage section 111 Settlement amount data 120 control section 121 Settlement Amount Management Department 200 card processing machines 300 mobile devices 400 Ticket Machine 500 mobile devices 600 card processing machines 700 mobile devices 800 Ticket Machine 900 card processing machines

Claims

1. A gaming management system having each machine device attached to a gaming machine installed in a gaming facility, Each of the platform devices is an acceptance means for controlling a plurality of selectable deposit amounts to be displayed on a predetermined display unit and accepting an operation to select a predetermined deposit amount; a control means for controlling the display of code information including the deposit amount requested for payment by a payment application running on a terminal device held by the player when the reception means receives a selection operation for the predetermined deposit amount, and for controlling the display to selectably display deposit amounts equal to or less than the available payment amount when payment of the deposit amount cannot be executed because it exceeds a predetermined upper limit for a predetermined period; A gaming management system comprising:

2. The terminal device a reading means for reading code information including at least gaming facility identification information that uniquely identifies the gaming facility, each machine identification information that uniquely identifies each machine, and the deposit amount; The payment app is An application payment request including the code information read by the reading means and the identification information of the payment application is sent to a predetermined payment server.

2. The gaming management system according to claim 1, wherein:

3. The payment server a storage means for storing the identification information of the payment application, the application balance, and the available amount in association with each other; a notification means for notifying a gaming facility management device corresponding to the gaming facility identification information of application payment rejection information including the identification information of each machine and the available amount if the deposit amount is less than the available amount corresponding to the identification information of the payment application stored in the storage means when a payment request is received from the terminal device; 3. The game management system according to claim 2, further comprising:

4. The management device The gaming management system according to claim 3, characterized in that, when the application payment rejection information is received, the available amount is notified to each machine identified by the machine identification information included in the application payment rejection information.

5. The control means A gaming management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that when the deposit amount cannot be settled because it exceeds a specified upper limit for a specified period, the deposit amount that cannot be settled is not displayed or is displayed as unselectable.

6. The control means A gaming management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that when the deposit amount cannot be settled because it exceeds a specified upper limit for a specified period, the deposit amount of the available amount is displayed in a selectable manner.

7. Each machine device attached to a gaming machine installed in a gaming facility, an acceptance means for controlling a plurality of selectable deposit amounts to be displayed on a predetermined display unit and accepting an operation to select a predetermined deposit amount; a control means for controlling the display of code information including the deposit amount requested for payment by a payment application running on a terminal device held by the player when the reception means receives a selection operation for the predetermined deposit amount, and for controlling the display to selectably display deposit amounts equal to or less than the available payment amount when payment of the deposit amount cannot be executed because it exceeds a predetermined upper limit for a predetermined period; Each stand device is characterized by comprising:

8. A gaming management method in a gaming management system having each machine device attached to a gaming machine installed in a gaming facility, an acceptance step in which each of the machine devices controls a predetermined display unit to display a plurality of selectable deposit amounts, and accepts a selection operation of a predetermined deposit amount; a control step of controlling each machine device to display code information including the deposit amount requested for payment by a payment application running on a terminal device held by the player on the display unit when the machine device receives a selection operation for the predetermined deposit amount in the receiving step, and controlling the display unit to selectably display deposit amounts equal to or less than the available amount that can be paid when payment of the deposit amount cannot be executed because it exceeds a predetermined upper limit for a predetermined period; A game management method comprising:

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