Prize exchange system, prize managing device, and prize exchange method

Abstract

To efficiently stop exchange transactions when collecting a storage medium by attaching a predetermined collection box to a prize managing device.SOLUTION: When a card A having a value of 1000 balls at a 4 Yen / ball rate is inserted into a card collection machine 70, a self prize managing device 60 displays the value. When a card addition button is depressed in the self prize managing device 60, the card collection machine 70 collects the card A. Then, when a card B having a value of 500 balls at a 4 Yen / ball rate is inserted into the card collection machine 70, the self prize managing device 60 displays a total value (for example, 1500 balls at a 4 Yen / ball rate) of the value of the card A and the value of the card B. Then the card collection machine 70 writes back the total value of the value to the card B. When a transaction suspension button is depressed in the self prize managing device 60, the card B inserted into the card collection machine 70 is returned.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a prize exchange system, a prize management device, and a prize exchange method that can efficiently stop an exchange transaction when a designated collection box is attached to the prize management device to collect storage media. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in gaming establishments such as pachinko parlors, the number of game media acquired by a player through a game is associated with a storage medium such as a card, and the storage medium is brought to a prize counter. When the player hands over the storage medium to an employee at the prize counter, the employee operates the counter to exchange the number of game media associated with the storage medium for a prize.

[0003] Thus, traditionally, prize exchange was carried out by employees, but recently, an operation in which the number of gaming media is exchanged for prizes by the players themselves (hereinafter referred to as "self-operation") has been carried out. In this self-operation, the players themselves carry out a series of processes, from reading the storage media, selecting the prize, and receiving the prize. This reduces the burden on employees and allows the prize exchange to be carried out efficiently. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that displays a maximum number of special prizes that can be exchanged with the balls held that correspond to a general card when a self-operated POS accepts the general card. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-065787 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 has a problem that after the general card is automatically collected in a collection box attached to the self-service POS, it becomes impossible to stop the exchange transaction in which the number of game media is exchanged for a prize. This problem becomes apparent especially when the number of game media associated with multiple general cards is exchanged for a prize. In such a case, it is not desirable for self-service operation to have a store clerk intervene.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and aims to provide a prize exchange system, prize management device, and prize exchange method that can efficiently stop an exchange transaction when a designated collection box is attached to the prize management device to collect storage media. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a prize exchange system having a management device that manages the number of gaming media acquired through play on a gaming machine in association with identification information of a storage medium, and a prize management device that exchanges at least the number of gaming media associated with the identification information of the storage medium for prizes, wherein the prize management device is characterized in that it comprises a storage means that stores the number of gaming media associated with the identification information of the storage medium obtained from the management device, a collection control means that collects the storage media in a designated collection section, and a return means that, if a designated exchange cancellation operation is accepted after the storage medium associated with the number of gaming media stored in the storage means has been collected in the collection section, returns the number of gaming media stored in the storage means in association with the designated storage medium.

[0008] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that when the return means receives a new general-purpose storage medium with no associated number of gaming media, it treats the specified exchange cancellation operation as having been accepted and returns the number of gaming media stored in the storage means in association with the general-purpose storage medium.

[0009] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that when the return means accepts a member's storage medium to be provided to a member registered with the gaming facility, it assumes that the specified exchange cancellation operation has been accepted and returns the number of gaming media stored in the storage means in association with the member's storage medium.

[0010] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that when the return means accepts member identification information and authentication information set for a member registered with the gaming facility, it assumes that the specified exchange cancellation operation has been accepted and transfers the number of gaming media stored in the storage means to the accumulated gaming media in the member's storage medium.

[0011] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that when the storage means receives multiple storage media obtained from the management device, it stores the total number of gaming media associated with the identification information of each storage medium, and when the return means receives a predetermined write-back operation, it treats the predetermined exchange cancellation operation as having been received and returns the number of gaming media stored in the storage means in association with the last storage medium received.

[0012] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that when the return means accepts a specified receipt issuing operation, it assumes that the specified exchange cancellation operation has been accepted and issues a receipt on which the number of gaming media stored in the memory means is printed.

[0013] The present invention also provides a prize management device that is communicatively connected to a management device that manages the number of gaming media acquired through play on a gaming machine in association with identification information of a storage medium, and exchanges at least the number of gaming media associated with the identification information of the storage medium for a prize, and is characterized in that it comprises a storage means for storing the number of gaming media associated with the identification information of the storage medium obtained from the management device, a collection control means for collecting the storage media in a designated collection section, and a return means for returning the number of gaming media stored in the storage means in association with the designated storage medium if a designated exchange cancellation operation is accepted after the storage medium associated with the number of gaming media stored in the storage means has been collected in the collection section.

[0014] The present invention also relates to a prize exchange method in a prize exchange system having a management device that manages the number of gaming media acquired through play on a gaming machine in association with identification information of a storage medium, and a prize management device that exchanges at least the number of gaming media associated with the identification information of the storage medium for a prize, the method including a storage step in which the prize management device stores in a memory unit the number of gaming media associated with the identification information of the storage medium obtained from the management device, a collection control step in which the prize management device collects the storage medium in a designated collection unit, and a return step in which, if a designated exchange cancellation operation is received by the prize management device after the storage medium associated with the number of gaming media stored in the memory unit has been collected in the collection unit, the prize management device returns the number of gaming media stored in the memory unit in association with the designated storage medium. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, when a designated collection box is attached to the prize management device to collect storage media, the exchange transaction can be efficiently stopped. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of the prize exchange system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the prize exchange system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the inter-machine card processor 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. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the host 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 self prize management device shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the prize inventory data and the holding value data shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the self prize management device of embodiment 1. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the prize exchange process using the general card in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of the prize exchange system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of the prize exchange system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of the prize exchange system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of the prize exchange system relating to embodiment 5. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of the prize exchange system according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 18]FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of the prize exchange system according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of an overview of the prize exchange system according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of an overview of the prize exchange system according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram (part 3) of an overview of the prize exchange system according to the eighth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] [Embodiment 1] The prize exchange system, the prize management device, and the prize exchange method according to the first embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0018] In this specification, "held balls" refers to data indicating game media acquired by a player in a game, which can be used again only on the same day (before the closing time of the game establishment). "Number of held balls" refers to the number of game media acquired by a player in a game. "Saved balls" refers to data indicating game media deposited by a player in a game establishment, which can be used again on the following day (after the closing time of the game establishment). "Saved balls" refers to the number of game media deposited by a player in a game establishment. Both regular and member players can use held balls, and are used when a game machine is moved. In principle, only member players can use saved balls, and are used when acquired game media are used to play a game machine on the following day. "Number of balls managed on a game machine" refers to the number of playable balls that a player can use for a game. Furthermore, a "prize" is a prize that can be exchanged for the number of gaming media acquired by a player.

[0019] <Outline of the prize exchange system according to the first embodiment> First, an overview of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 1 will be described. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 1.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 1, when a card A having a value of 1000 balls is inserted into a card collecting machine 70 connected to the self-prize management device 60, the self-prize management device 60 displays this value. At this time, a card add button and a transaction cancel button are displayed.

[0021] When the card addition button is pressed on the self prize management device 60, the card collection machine 70 collects card A. Then, when card B, which has a value of 500 balls for 4 pachinko, is inserted into the card collection machine 70, the self prize management device 60 displays the total value of card A and card B (for example, 1500 balls for 4 pachinko). Then, the card collection machine 70 writes this total value back to card B.

[0022] When the transaction cancel button is pressed on the self-prize management device 60, the card B inserted in the card collection machine 70 is returned. The total value of the cards accepted by the card collection machine 70 (for example, 1500 balls for a 4-gaming machine) is written on this card B.

[0023] In this way, in the prize exchange system of this embodiment 1, if a transaction is canceled during a prize exchange process using the value of a general card, the value managed by the self-prize management device is written back to the card and returned, so that when a designated collection box is attached to the prize management device to collect the storage medium, the exchange transaction can be efficiently canceled.

[0024] <System configuration> Next, the system configuration of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 2, a gaming establishment is equipped with a plurality of gaming machines 20 and a machine-to-machine card processor 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20. The machine-to-machine card processor 10 is connected to a communication line, which is a network within the establishment, via an island controller 30. The island controller 30, a management device 50, a self-service prize management device 60, a card collection device 70, a prize payout device 80, and a settlement device 90 are connected to the communication line. The self-service prize management device 60, the card collection device 70, and the prize payout device 80 are in one-to-one correspondence.

[0025] The gaming machine 20 is a device that plays games by shooting gaming balls enclosed inside the device onto a gaming board. The gaming balls are physical "balls" used in the game, and are different from "game balls" that the gaming machine 20 treats as data. The gaming board of the gaming machine 20 is provided with a plurality of winning areas (winning holes), and a predetermined number of gaming balls are awarded as prize balls based on the passing of the gaming balls through the winning areas. In addition, the gaming board is provided with a predetermined number of starting areas (starting holes), and a predetermined lottery is performed based on the passing of the gaming balls through the starting areas. If the lottery is a jackpot, a predetermined movable member or the like is operated to increase the probability of the gaming balls passing through the winning areas or other starting areas, and other operations that are advantageous in the game are performed. It is possible for there to be an area that serves as both a starting area and a winning area.

[0026] The winning area is provided with a winning sensor for detecting the passage of a game ball into the winning area, and the winning sensor detects the passage (winning) of a game ball shot into the winning area. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 has a prize ball memory for storing the number of game balls to be awarded as prize balls for each winning area, and a playable number memory for indicating the number of balls managed by the gaming machine. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also periodically transmits the number of balls managed by the gaming machine to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0027] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a deposit from a player, it associates a prepaid value corresponding to the amount of the deposit with a card ID 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 a prepaid value, possessed balls, saved balls, etc. Then, at the end of a game, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 ejects the card associated with the prepaid value, possessed 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 deposit, card insertion, and card ejection to the management device 50.

[0028] When a predetermined number of game balls are shot onto the game board, the game machine 20 transmits out data to the inter-machine card processor 10. 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 game 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 game machine 20 transmits special prize data indicating the occurrence of such state to the inter-machine card processor 10.

[0029] The out data corresponds to the number of balls inserted, which is the number of balls inserted by the player onto the game board. The safe data corresponds to the number of balls won as a result of winning. Furthermore, 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 as operating information.

[0030] 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 amount of the deposit to the management device 50, thereby adding the prepaid value equivalent to the amount of the deposit to the prepaid value managed by the management device 50. Then, when a specified 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.

[0031] 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 prepaid value, the balance of held balls, or the balance of saved balls from the management device 50, it stores the balance. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives and stores the balance of held balls, it sends a request to subtract held balls to the management device 50, thereby clearing the balance of held balls (number of held balls) managed by the management device 50 to zero.

[0032] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts 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. Also, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts 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.

[0033] When the inter-machine card processor 10 accepts a card return operation, it sends a ball addition request including the number of held balls to the management device 50, and after having the management device 50 add the number of held balls, 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 accepted from the gaming machine 20 before the card return operation, the number of gaming machine managed balls is added to the number of held balls.

[0034] The inter-machine card processing device 10 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 at the time of opening a store, etc., and the gaming machine 20 becomes available for play on condition that the authentication is successful.

[0035] The between-machine card processor 10 performs various display controls based on the state of the gaming machine 20, and transmits the state of the gaming machine 20 to the management device 50. The between-machine card processor 10 stores the number of gaming machine balls notified by the gaming machine 20, and periodically notifies the management device 50 of the number of gaming machine balls and the number of balls held.

[0036] 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.

[0037] When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it manages the card ID of the inserted card in association with the inter-machine card processing device 10, and transmits the prepaid value and the ball balance associated with the card ID to the inter-machine card processing device 10. Also, if the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification is the card ID of a membership card, it transmits the stored ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0038] 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 held balls 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 held balls indicated in the request to add balls held to the balance of held balls.

[0039] 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.

[0040] The management device 50 also acquires a gaming machine ID from the inter-machine card processor 10 and manages the gaming machines 20 installed in its own arcade. It also acquires an authentication key for authenticating the gaming machines 20 set in its own arcade from an authentication key management center (not shown) outside the arcade and distributes it to the inter-machine card processor 10.

[0041] The management device 50 also manages the member management data of the members who are registered with the gaming establishment. Specifically, the management device 50 manages the number of balls, points, PIN number, name, etc., in association with the card ID of the member card issued to the member.

[0042] Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 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 machine 10. Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a stored ball replay request from the inter-machine card processing machine 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 machine 10.

[0043] In addition, the management device 50 communicates with the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the self-prize management device 60 and the settlement machine 90 to update the balance of at least one of the prepaid value, held balls and saved balls associated with the card ID.

[0044] In addition, when the management device 50 receives a request for the balance of at least one of the held balls and saved balls associated with the card from the self prize management device 60, it notifies the balance of at least one of the held balls and saved balls associated with the card.

[0045] Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a request for the balance of the prepaid value associated with the card from the settlement machine 90, it notifies the balance of the prepaid value associated with the card.

[0046] Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a value update request from the self prize management device 60, it updates data related to the value based on this value update request. At this time, if a PIN number is included in the value update request, the update process is performed on the condition that the PIN number matches.

[0047] The self prize management device 60 is a device that controls the prize exchange. When the self prize management device 60 receives prize inventory data from the prize payout device 80, it stores the received data.

[0048] In addition, when the self prize management device 60 receives a card ID from the card collection machine 70, it requests the management device 50 for the balance of held and saved balls associated with the card ID, and when it receives the balance of held and saved balls associated with the card ID from the management device 50, it adds and stores the balance of held and saved balls to the holding value data and displays an exchange confirmation screen.

[0049] Furthermore, when prize exchange is selected on the exchange confirmation screen, the self prize management device 60 notifies the card collection machine 70 of a card collection instruction and notifies the prize payout device 80 of a payout instruction. Then, the held value data is cleared to zero.

[0050] In addition, when receipt issuance is selected on the exchange confirmation screen, the self prize management device 60 notifies the card collection machine 70 of a card collection instruction, prints the total number of held balls and saved balls in the held value data on a receipt, and issues it as a counting receipt. Then, the held value data is cleared to zero.

[0051] In addition, if adding a card is selected on the exchange confirmation screen, the self prize management device 60 notifies the card collection machine 70 of a card collection instruction and displays a card addition screen.

[0052] Furthermore, if writing back to the card or canceling the transaction is selected on the exchange confirmation screen, the self prize management device 60 notifies the management device 50 of a value update request including the card ID and held value data of the card being inserted into the card collection machine 70. Then, the held value data is cleared to zero.

[0053] Furthermore, if "Forgotten membership card" is selected on the card addition screen, the self prize management device 60 accepts the card ID and PIN of the membership card. Then, it notifies the management device 50 of the accepted card ID and PIN, as well as a value update request including the held value data. Then, it clears the held value data to zero.

[0054] Furthermore, when the self prize management device 60 receives the card ID of a membership card or a general card not associated with any value from the card collection machine 70 while displaying the card addition screen, it notifies the management device 50 of a value update request including the received card ID and held value data. Then, it clears the held value data to zero.

[0055] The card collection machine 70 is a device for collecting general cards related to the prize exchange process. When a card is inserted, the card collection machine 70 reads the card ID from the card and notifies the self prize management device 60 of the card ID.

[0056] Furthermore, when the card collection machine 70 receives a write-back instruction from the self-prize management device 60, it writes back the number of held balls included in this write-back instruction to the inserted card. When the card collection machine 70 receives a card collection instruction from the self-prize management device 60, it withdraws the held balls from the inserted card, clearing them to zero, and collects the card.

[0057] The prize payout device 80 is a device that pays out prizes. If the number of prizes in stock changes, the prize payout device 80 notifies the self prize management device 60 of the current number of prizes in stock as prize stock data.

[0058] Furthermore, when the prize payout device 80 receives a payout instruction from the self prize management device 60, it pays out a prize based on this payout instruction.

[0059] The settlement device 90 is a device that settles the balance of the prepaid value associated with the card. When the settlement device 90 accepts a card ID, it notifies the management device 50 of a request for the balance of the prepaid value associated with this card ID. When the settlement device 90 receives the balance of the prepaid value associated with the card from the management device 50, it performs settlement processing.

[0060] Next, a description will be given of the ball lending process in the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 1. When a player performs a ball lending operation on the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits 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.

[0061] 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 transmits ball lending permission to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that sent the message. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 that has received the ball lending permission transmits an addition signal to the gaming machine 20, requesting the addition of a number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value (for example, "125") to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine.

[0062] The gaming machine 20 that has received the addition signal adds up the number of balls managed by the gaming machine, and transmits the number of balls managed by the gaming machine after the addition 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 out 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 has been performed appropriately.

[0063] Next, a description will be given of the ball replay process in the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 1. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a general card or a membership card, it transmits 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] 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 balls held at the rate specified by the message, among the balls held associated with the card ID in the message.

[0065] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 stores the balance of held balls received from the management device 50. Then, it transmits 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.

[0066] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a management transfer request from the gaming machine 20 to transfer the management of the gaming machine 20 by making the number of gaming machine managed balls of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 the balls held by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 adds the number of gaming machine managed balls indicated in the management transfer request to the balls held by the own machine. After that, when the card return operation is accepted, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits a message including a request to add the balls held to the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card to be discharged, 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, the balance of the balls held, and a request to add the balls held.

[0067] 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 associated with the card ID in the message to the received value. After that, the card processor 10 transmits a card ejection notification to the management device 50 and controls the ejection of the card.

[0068] Next, the stored ball replay process in the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 1 will be described. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a membership card or reads identification information corresponding to the card ID from a mobile terminal that can be used as a membership card, it transmits 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 (or identification information corresponding to the card ID read from the mobile terminal), 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.

[0069] The management device 50 transmits stored ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the data including the PIN number associated with the card ID in the message and the remaining balance of stored balls at the rate specified by the message.

[0070] The inter-machine card processing device 10 stores the received saved ball replay data, and when the balance of saved balls indicated in the saved ball replay data is equal to or greater than the number of game ball payout units in saved ball replay (number of saved ball replay units, for example "125 balls"), it is capable of accepting a saved ball replay operation.

[0071] When the inter-machine card processor 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 PIN number and checks whether the input PIN number matches the PIN number shown in the saved ball replay data.

[0072] 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 in 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 stored balls.

[0073] 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 inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0074] 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 to add it 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 is possible to accept a stored ball replay operation again, and if a stored ball replay operation is accepted, it transmits a stored ball replay request. For the second or subsequent stored ball replay operations, it is not necessary to confirm the PIN. If the updated balance of stored ball data is less than the number of stored ball replay units, it is not possible to accept a stored ball replay operation.

[0075] Next, the transition from held balls to saved balls during the store closing process will be explained. 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 the held balls to the balance of saved balls to update it. After that, the management device 50 clears the balance of the held balls to zero.

[0076] <External configuration of the inter-machine card processing device 10 and the gaming machine 20> Next, the external configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2. In the figure, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that accepts only paper money is illustrated, but a unit that can accept electronic money can also be provided.

[0077] As shown in Figure 3, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is provided with a status display unit 11 which displays the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by turning on or blinking lamps of a predetermined color, a bill insertion slot 12a which accepts various types of bills, a display operation unit 13 such as a touch panel display, and a card insertion slot 14a which accepts cards associated with a card ID.

[0078] The gaming machine 20 is provided with a gaming board, a handle 21 used to throw enclosed gaming balls onto the gaming board, and a counting button 22.

[0079] The count button 22 is an operation button for performing a management transfer, which transfers the management of the number of balls that can be dispensed from the gaming machine 20 to the inter-machine card processor 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 processor 10. In the open-type gaming machine 20 in which actual gaming balls are dispensed upon winning, this management transfer corresponds to a counting process in which the inter-machine card processor 10 counts the dispensed gaming balls and adds them to the balls held.

[0080] <Configuration of the inter-machine card processing device 10> Next, a description will be given of 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.

[0081] The bill transport unit 12 is a transport unit that transports the bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 12a to a bill storage unit (not shown) while determining the denomination and authenticity of the bills. 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.

[0082] 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) through 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.

[0083] The storage unit 16 is a storage device including a hard disk drive, a non-volatile memory, etc. The storage unit 16 stores the device status data 16a and the card data 16b.

[0084] The own machine status data 16a is data indicating the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The own machine status data 16a includes the inter-machine card processing machine ID, the game machine ID, the game type, etc. The inter-machine card processing machine ID is identification information for uniquely identifying the inter-machine card processing machine 10 within the gaming establishment. The game type is data indicating the rate set in the inter-machine card processing machine 10. When game balls of multiple rates are handled within the gaming establishment, game type names are set and managed for each rate, such as "Ball 1" for game balls of a 4 yen rate, "Ball 2" for game balls of a 2 yen rate, and "Ball 3" for game 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 game type may be fixed for each section in which the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is installed, or may be changeable by the operation of the player.

[0085] The card data 16b is data related to the card being used by the player. The card data 16b includes a card ID, a PIN number, a prepaid value, held balls, saved balls, etc. The card ID is a 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 by 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 by 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 their respective balances.

[0086] The gaming management unit 18 is a processing unit that performs processing related to authentication and communication with the gaming machine 20. It is preferable that the gaming management unit 18 is formed on a board different 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, these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed, causing the authentication processing unit 18a, the authentication key management unit 18b, and the gaming machine status management unit 18c to execute processes corresponding thereto.

[0087] The authentication processing unit 18a performs authentication of 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 from the last successful authentication, and not transmit an operation permission to the gaming machine 20 after the predetermined period has elapsed from the last successful authentication, and to prohibit the use of the gaming machine 20.

[0088] The authentication key management unit 18b is a processing unit that manages the authentication key. A usage time is set for the 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 game management unit 18 is formed as the operating time of the gaming machine 20, and manages 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 store via the management device 50, and updates the authentication key.

[0089] 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 to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine by ball lending, transmits a request to transfer management from held balls to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine by replaying held balls, transmits a request to add to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine by replaying saved balls, 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 by counting. The communication between the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 is encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

[0090] The gaming machine status management unit 18c also acquires the status set for the game, such as the current number of managed balls, start, jackpot, jackpot type, and number of lotteries of the gaming machine 20. It is desirable to set the time interval at which the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the status of the gaming machine 20 shorter than the interval at which game balls are shot (used) in the gaming machine 20. Furthermore, when the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the number of managed balls from the gaming machine 20, it passes the number of managed balls to the control unit 17.

[0091] 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 acquisition of the gaming machine ID and the determination of replacement of the gaming machine 20 can be performed when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is powered on or off, during regular 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. Also, these timings may be used in combination.

[0092] The control unit 17 is a control unit that performs overall control of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. In practice, the process is executed by loading a program corresponding to the control unit 17 into the CPU and executing it. The data management unit 17a is a processing unit that manages the card data 16b.

[0093] Specifically, 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. In addition, 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.

[0094] 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, the notification including the amount of the inserted bill, the card ID, and the inter-machine card processor ID.

[0095] 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 processor ID to the management device 50. If permission to lend balls is received as a 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.

[0096] In addition, when the data management unit 17a accepts a held ball replay operation, 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 gaming machine 20.

[0097] In addition, when the balance of the stored balls shown in the card data 16b is equal to or greater than the number of the stored ball replay units, the data management unit 17a displays a stored ball replay button on the display operation unit 13, and allows the stored ball replay operation to be accepted. When the stored ball replay operation is performed by the player, the data management unit 17a transmits a stored ball replay request including the card ID and the inter-machine card processor ID to the management device 50. If the data management unit 17a receives stored ball replay data in response to the stored ball replay request, it updates the balance of the stored balls in the card data 16b and instructs the gaming management unit 18 to add the number of balls corresponding to the number of the stored ball replay units to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine 20. In addition, when the stored ball replay operation is performed for the first time, the input of a PIN is requested, and the condition for transmitting a stored ball replay request is that the PIN matches the PIN shown in the card data 16b.

[0098] 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.

[0099] In addition, when the data management unit 17a accepts a card return operation, it transmits a ball addition request including the card ID, the inter-machine card processing machine ID, and the remaining balls to the management device 50. Then, after clearing the card data 16b, it transmits a card ejection notification to the management device 50 and ejects the card.

[0100] 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.

[0101] The own device status data 16a shown in Figure 5 (a) indicates a state in which 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 the game type of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is "Ball 1".

[0102] The card data 16b shown in FIG. 5(b) indicates that the ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processor 10 is "2015." Here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, with a card with the first digit "1" being a general card and a card 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 "0" points. Here, the prepaid value points are equivalent to 100 yen per point.

[0103] In addition, 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.

[0104] <Configuration of the 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.

[0105] When the gaming machine 20 is started up, the communication control unit 23 reads out the identification information from the control CPU provided in the gaming control unit 25 and / or gaming 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, the gaming control unit 25, and the gaming ball control unit 26 are started up, making the gaming machine ready for play.

[0106] 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.

[0107] 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 a jackpot, small jackpot, or miss within a predetermined range) using game balls that have entered the starting hole and draws lots (special and normal symbols), controls movable members (tulips, etc.) installed on the game board, controls the display of a special symbol display device installed on the game board, detects abnormalities that may be fraudulent (the front frame is open, vibration is detected, etc.) and notifies a higher-level device, etc.

[0108] A large number of obstacle pins are set on the game board, and a game ball is shot onto the game board by operating the handle, falls between the obstacle pins, and either enters a prize hole or a starting hole, or is 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 specific prize hole on the game board is controlled to be open multiple times, and by making it easier for game balls to enter the prize hole, a prize ball is awarded to the player.

[0109] In addition, there is a special jackpot game that gives a player a special bonus game after the jackpot game ends. The special jackpot game includes a probability-varying jackpot and a time-saving jackpot. The probability-varying jackpot and the time-saving jackpot give the probability-varying game and the time-saving game as special bonus games after the jackpot, respectively. The time-saving game is a bonus game that increases the number of lotteries per unit time by shortening the fluctuation time (the time from the start of the lottery process to the display of the result) of the normal pattern lottery (the lottery for opening and closing the movable member described above) and / or the special pattern lottery (the lottery for the jackpot lottery by the winning of the game ball described above), thereby increasing the probability of winning the jackpot per unit time. This bonus game may include a normal pattern probability fluctuation that increases the probability of winning the normal pattern. The time-saving game by the time-saving jackpot ends when the number of lotteries for the special pattern lottery has been performed a predetermined number of times after the jackpot. Probability-changing games will be described later.

[0110] The game control unit 25 has a probability variation function. The probability variation function is a function that performs control to change the random number range of the jackpot used in the next lottery (generally to about 10 times) when the lottery result is a jackpot that falls within a particularly specified random number range. The probability variation game is a game in which a special symbol is drawn using the changed probability. The probability variation game continues until the next jackpot is won. In addition, the probability variation game and the time-saving game may be given at the same time. However, in order to prevent unexpected losses to the gaming facility, if a player acquires a certain number of game media after the probability variation game or the time-saving game starts, a process of stopping the game (discharging the card once and requesting a prize exchange or a machine move) may be performed. In this case, the number of game media after the probability variation game state is entered is counted by the gaming machine 20, and when the count value reaches a predetermined value, the game can be stopped by performing a game stop control such as stopping the release of game balls.

[0111] The performance control unit 24 is a control unit that controls the performance during a game, and has a performance symbol lottery unit 24a and a performance lottery unit 24b. In practice, by loading these programs into a CPU and executing them, the performance symbol lottery unit 24a and the performance lottery unit 24b will execute processes corresponding to them, respectively.

[0112] The effect pattern lottery unit 24a performs lottery (specifically, whether to stop the display at 7, 7, 7, etc.) for effect patterns (patterns to be displayed on an effect pattern display device such as a display device on the game board surface) based on the special pattern lottery in the game control unit 25.

[0113] 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 and a reach effect). Such effects are set so that the effects selected are different from the main selection result.

[0114] The performance control unit 24 stores performance data for each performance. Furthermore, the performance control unit 24 controls the display of the performance pattern display device, and when a performance is executed, the performance data is superimposed on the background pattern data to display the performance. In addition, when the probability fluctuates, background color data different from that in the normal state is set.

[0115] The game ball control unit 26 is a control unit that controls the number of balls managed by the game machine. In practice, a program corresponding to the game ball control unit 26 is loaded into the CPU and executed to execute the process. The playable number management unit 26a is a management unit that manages the playable number, i.e., the number of balls managed by the game machine.

[0116] Specifically, the game ball control unit 26 stores the number of game balls managed by the game machine in a playable number memory, subtracts "1" from the number of game balls managed by the game machine each time a game ball is released, and adds the number of prize balls acquired by winning to the number of game balls managed by the game 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 game balls managed by the game machine, and transmits a confirmation signal to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 indicating that the number of balls has been added to the number of game balls managed by the game machine. The game ball control unit 26 can also perform cleaning control of the game balls (circulating balls) enclosed in the game machine 20.

[0117] The game ball control unit 26 also periodically transmits the number of game machine balls stored in the playable number memory to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10. In this case, the game ball control unit 26 continues updating the number of game machine balls according to the game status without clearing the contents of the playable number memory to zero, and transmits the number of game machine balls at the time of data acquisition to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

[0118] 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 detection signal rises and falls within a certain period of time, it transmits a management transfer request to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 together with data on the number of gaming machine managed balls at a fixed number of times (for example, 100 balls per operation). Then, it subtracts (invalidates) the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 from the number of gaming machine managed balls. If the pressing of the counting button 22 is detected and a fall is not detected for a predetermined period of time or more after the detection signal rises, it transmits a management transfer request to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 together with data on the number of gaming machine managed balls at a fixed number of times (for example, 200 balls per 5 seconds) each time the detection signal continues to rise for a certain period of time. Then, the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-machine card processor 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 is in a state where it can be specified.

[0119] 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 game machine 20 combines the ID of the game control board and the ID of the game ball control board and uses them as the game machine ID.

[0120] <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.

[0121] The display unit 51 is a display device such as a liquid crystal 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 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, the self prize management device 60, and the settlement machine 90 via a communication line within the gaming store.

[0122] The storage unit 55 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a non-volatile memory, and stores card management data 55a, device management data 55b, and member management data 55c.

[0123] The card management data 55a is data that associates the card ID with the balance of prepaid value and the balance of balls held. The device management data 55b is data related to the devices installed in the gaming facility. 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, ball information, etc.

[0124] The control unit 56 is a control unit that performs overall control of the management device 50, and has a card management unit 56a, a device management unit 56b, and a member management unit 56c. In practice, by loading these programs into a CPU and executing them, the card management unit 56a, the device management unit 56b, and the member management unit 56c will each execute a corresponding process.

[0125] 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 self-prize management device 60, and the settlement machine 90 to update the prepaid value and the balance of the balls associated with the card ID.

[0126] In addition, when the card management unit 56a receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it notifies the prepaid value and remaining balls associated with the card.

[0127] In addition, when the card management unit 56a receives a request for the balance of held balls associated with a card from the self prize management device 60, it notifies the balance of held balls associated with the card.

[0128] Furthermore, when the card management unit 56a receives a request for the balance of the prepaid value associated with the card from the settlement machine 90, it notifies the balance of the prepaid value associated with the card.

[0129] Furthermore, when the card management unit 56a receives a value update request from the self prize management device 60, it updates the card management data 55a based on this value update request.

[0130] 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.

[0131] 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 self-prize management device 60 to update the balance of the balls associated with the card.

[0132] In addition, when the member management unit 56c receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it notifies the remaining balance of stored balls and the PIN number associated with the card.

[0133] In addition, when the member management unit 56c receives a request for the balance of saved balls associated with the card from the self prize management device 60, it notifies the balance of saved balls associated with the card.

[0134] Furthermore, when the member management unit 56c receives a value update request from the self-prize management device 60, it updates the member management data 55c based on this value update request. At this time, if a password is included in the value update request, the update process is performed on the condition that the password matches.

[0135] Furthermore, when the member management unit 56c receives a member registration request, it updates the member management data 55c to add the member.

[0136] Here, the stored ball replay process by the member management unit 56c will be explained. When the member management unit 56c receives the stored ball replay request data from the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10, it subtracts the payout unit number of the remaining balls of the payout rate from the stored balls associated with the card ID in the stored ball replay request data, and recalculates the number of possible stored ball replays. Then, it transmits the stored ball replay data including the remaining balance after subtraction and the number of possible stored ball replays to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

[0137] Next, a description will be given of an example of data stored in storage unit 55 of management device 50 shown in Fig. 7. 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.

[0138] The card management data 55a shown in Fig. 8(a) associates a state in which the prepaid value is "0" points, the balance of the balls held for each rate is "0", and the destination ID is "A101" with the card ID "1001". 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.

[0139] Furthermore, the card management data 55a associates the card ID "2015" with a prepaid value of "0" points, the remaining balls in ball 1 are "990", the remaining balls in ball 2 are "0", and the remaining balls in ball 3 are "0". However, there is no association with a usage ID. In other words, the card with the card ID "2015" is not inserted into the inter-machine card processing device 10, and the balls in ball are managed by the management device 50.

[0140] The device management data 55b shown in Fig. 8(b) associates the inter-machine card processor 10 with the ID "A101" with the following states: its 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.

[0141] The device management data 55b also associates the inter-machine card processor 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.

[0142] The member management data 55c shown in Fig. 8(c) indicates the name, the number of saved balls, etc., associated with the card ID. Specifically, the member management data 55c associates the card ID "2015" with the name "Tokutei Taro", the balance of saved balls for ball 1 being "0", the balance of saved balls for ball 2 being "0", and the balance of saved balls for ball 3 being "0".

[0143] <Configuration of the self-service prize management device 60> Next, the configuration of the self prize management device 60 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the self prize management device 60 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 9, the self prize management device 60 is connected to a receipt issuing unit 62, and has a display operation unit 64, a communication unit 65, a memory unit 66, and a control unit 67.

[0144] The receipt issuing unit 62 is a device such as a thermal printer, and issues various receipts, such as receipts on which information specifying the selected prize is printed. The display operation unit 64 is an input / output device such as a liquid crystal touch panel. The communication unit 65 is an interface unit that allows the self-service prize management device 60 to communicate with the management device 50, the card collection machine 70, and the prize payout device 80 via a communication line.

[0145] The memory unit 66 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or non-volatile memory, and stores prize inventory data 66a and holding value data 66b.

[0146] The prize inventory data 66a is data for managing the inventory of prizes in the prize payout device 80. The held value data 66b is data indicating the value associated with the card read by the card collection machine 70.

[0147] The control unit 67 is a control unit that controls the entire self-prize management device 60, and has a prize inventory management unit 67a, a held value management unit 67b, a prize exchange control unit 67c, a receipt issuance processing unit 67d, a card addition control unit 67e, and a held value write-back processing unit 67f. In practice, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (not shown), and these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, thereby causing the prize inventory management unit 67a, the held value management unit 67b, the prize exchange control unit 67c, the receipt issuance processing unit 67d, the card addition control unit 67e, and the held value write-back processing unit 67f to execute processes corresponding to each of them.

[0148] The prize inventory management unit 67a is a processing unit that manages the prize inventory data 66a. When the prize inventory management unit 67a receives the prize inventory data from the prize payout device 80, the prize inventory management unit 67a stores the received data in the prize inventory data 66a.

[0149] The holding value management unit 67b is a processing unit that manages the holding value data 66b. When the holding value management unit 67b receives a card ID from the card collection machine 70, it requests the management device 50 for the balance of the held balls and the saved balls associated with the card ID.

[0150] Furthermore, when the held value management unit 67b receives the balance of held balls and saved balls associated with the card ID from the management device 50, it adds and stores the balance of held balls and saved balls to the held value data 66b, and displays an exchange confirmation screen on the display operation unit 64. It then notifies the card recovery machine 70 of a write-back instruction including the number of held balls in the held value data 66b. The exchange confirmation screen displays the total number of held balls and saved balls in the held value data 66b, and the number of prizes and excess balls that can be exchanged using this total number.

[0151] The prize exchange control unit 67c is a processing unit that controls the prize exchange. When prize exchange is selected on the exchange confirmation screen displayed on the display operation unit 64, the prize exchange control unit 67c notifies the card collection machine 70 of a card collection instruction, and notifies the prize payout device 80 of a payout instruction including the prize code and the number of the prize displayed on the exchange confirmation screen. Then, the number of leftover balls is passed to the receipt production processing unit 67d, and the holding value data 66b is cleared to zero.

[0152] The receipt issuing processor 67d is a processor that issues a counting receipt. When receipt issuing is selected on the exchange confirmation screen displayed on the display operation unit 64, the receipt issuing processor 67d notifies the card collector 70 of a card collection instruction, prints the total number of held balls and saved balls in the held value data 66b on a receipt, and issues it as a counting receipt. Then, the held value data 66b is cleared to zero.

[0153] In addition, when the receipt issuing processing unit 67d receives the number of odd balls from the prize exchange control unit 67c, it prints the number of odd balls on a receipt and issues it as an odd ball receipt.

[0154] The card addition control unit 67e is a processing unit that performs control when a card is added and processed in the card collection machine 70. When "add card" is selected on the exchange confirmation screen displayed on the display operation unit 64, the card addition control unit 67e notifies the card collection machine 70 of a card collection instruction and displays a card addition screen on the display operation unit 64.

[0155] The held value write-back processing unit 67f is a processing unit that writes back the value of the held value data 66b to the card. When writing back to the card or canceling the transaction is selected on the exchange confirmation screen displayed on the display operation unit 64, the held value write-back processing unit 67f notifies the management device 50 of a value update request including the card ID and held value data 66b of the card being inserted into the card collection machine 70. Then, a card removal request screen is displayed on the display operation unit 64, and the held value data 66b is cleared to zero.

[0156] Furthermore, when "Forgotten membership card" is selected on the card addition screen displayed on the display operation unit 64, the held value write-back processing unit 67f accepts the card ID and PIN of the membership card and queries the management device 50 about this membership card ID. Then, when a PIN is received from the management device 50, if this PIN matches the PIN accepted on the card addition screen, the held value write-back processing unit 67f notifies the management device 50 of a value update request including the held value data 66b. Furthermore, when a successful update is received from the management device 50, the held value data 66b is cleared to zero.

[0157] Furthermore, when the held value write-back processing unit 67f receives the card ID of a membership card or a general card not associated with any valuable from the card collection machine 70 while displaying a card addition screen on the display operation unit 64, it notifies the management device 50 of a valuable update request including the received card ID and held value data 66b, and notifies the card collection machine 70 of a write-back instruction including the number of held balls in the held value data 66b. Then, it displays a card removal request screen on the display operation unit 64, and clears the held value data 66b to zero.

[0158] Next, an example of data stored in the storage unit 66 of the self prize management device 60 shown in Fig. 9 will be described. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the prize inventory data 66a and the holding value data 66b shown in Fig. 9.

[0159] The prize inventory data 66a shown in Figure 10 (a) associates, for prize code "0001," a state in which the prize name is "grand prize," the group code is "01," the storage capacity is "100," and the stock quantity is "20," for prize code "0002," a state in which the prize name is "medium prize," the group code is "01," the storage capacity is "300," and the stock quantity is "150," and for prize code "0003," a state in which the prize name is "small prize," the group code is "01," the storage capacity is "500," and the stock quantity is "230."

[0160] The holding value data 66b shown in Figure 10 (b) indicates a state in which the number of balls held by ball 1 is "1000", the number of balls held by ball 2 is "0", the number of balls held by ball 3 is "0", the number of saved balls for ball 1 is "0", the number of saved balls for ball 2 is "0", and the number of saved balls for ball 3 is "0".

[0161] <An example of display on the self prize management device 60 according to embodiment 1> Next, an example of the display on the self prize management device 60 according to this embodiment 1 will be described. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the display on the self prize management device 60 according to this embodiment 1. Here, an example of an exchange confirmation screen and a card addition screen displayed on the self prize management device 60 will be described.

[0162] As shown in FIG. 11(a), the exchange confirmation screen displays the balance of owned and saved balls associated with the card, and prizes that can be exchanged with this balance. For example, it displays that the total balance of owned and saved balls for a "4 yen pachinko" game is "2180", the number of exchange balls that can be exchanged for prizes is "2150", and the remaining balls that will be left as end balls are "30". It also displays that the prizes that can be exchanged with the "2150" exchange balls are "1" grand prize, "3" medium prizes, and "2" small prizes.

[0163] Additionally, to receive instructions such as whether or not to continue the exchange process, the following buttons are displayed: "Exchange," "Add Card," "Issue Receipt," "Write Back to Card," and "Cancel Transaction." Pressing the "Exchange" button performs the exchange process for the displayed prize. Pressing the "Add Card" button accepts the addition of a card via the card collection machine 70. Pressing the "Issue Receipt" button issues a counting receipt relating to the balance of held and saved balls. Pressing the "Write Back to Card" or "Cancel Transaction" button writes the balance of held and saved balls back to the card inserted in the card collection machine 70.

[0164] As shown in FIG. 11(b), the card addition screen displays a message prompting the user to insert a general card. For example, it displays "Please insert a general card." In addition, if a membership card or a general card with no associated value is accepted, it displays a message indicating that the balance of held and saved balls stored in the self prize management device 60 will be written back to the accepted card. Specifically, it displays "When you insert a membership card or a general card with no value, the value will be written back to the card."

[0165] In addition, a "Forgotten Member Card" button is displayed, and when this button is pressed, the self prize management device 60 accepts the card ID and PIN of the membership card, and updates the member management data 55c of the management device 50 with the stored value as saved balls. Specifically, the following process is performed.

[0166] The self prize management device 60 queries the management device 50 for the accepted membership card ID. The management device 50 notifies the self prize management device 60 of the PIN number associated with the membership card ID. If the received PIN number matches the accepted PIN number, the self prize management device 60 notifies the management device 50 of a request to update the valuable value of the held value data 66b. The management device 50 notifies the self product management device 50 of the processing result of the valuable value update request, and if the self prize management device 60 receives a successful update, it clears the held value data 66b to zero.

[0167] <Procedure for prize exchange process using a general card according to the first embodiment> Next, a description will be given of the procedure of the prize exchange process using a general card according to the present embodiment 1. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the prize exchange process using a general card according to the present embodiment 1.

[0168] 12, when the self prize management device 60 receives a card ID from the card collection machine 70 that has accepted a general card (step S101; Yes), it acquires the value associated with this card ID from the management device 50, adds it to the held value data 66b indicating the stored value, and stores it (step S102). Then, it displays an exchange confirmation screen (step S103).

[0169] If the prize exchange is accepted on the exchange confirmation screen (step S104; Yes), a card collection instruction to collect the inserted card is sent to the card collection machine 70 (step S105). When the card collection machine 70 receives the card collection instruction, it withdraws the balls held in the inserted card, clears them to zero, and collects the card.

[0170] The self prize management device 60 notifies the prize payout device 80 of a payout instruction for carrying out the prize exchange process (step S106), and then ends the process.

[0171] When the self prize management device 60 accepts receipt issuance on the exchange confirmation screen (step S104; No, step S107; Yes), it notifies the card collection machine 70 of a card collection instruction to collect the inserted card (step S108). When the card collection machine 70 receives the card collection instruction, it withdraws the balls held in the inserted card, clears them to zero, and collects the card.

[0172] The self prize management device 60 issues the contents of the held value data 66b on a receipt (step S109), and then ends the processing.

[0173] If the exchange confirmation screen accepts writing back to the card (step S107; No, step S110; Yes), a card removal request screen is displayed (step S121), and the process ends.

[0174] If the cancellation of the transaction is accepted on the exchange confirmation screen (step S110; No, step S111; Yes), a card removal request screen is displayed (step S121), and the process ends.

[0175] If the card addition has not been accepted on the exchange confirmation screen (step S111; No, step S112; No), the process proceeds to step S104.

[0176] If the exchange confirmation screen accepts the addition of a card (step S111; No, step S112; Yes), a card collection instruction to collect the inserted card is sent to the card collection machine 70 (step S113), and the card addition screen is displayed (step S114). When the card collection machine 70 receives the card collection instruction, it withdraws the balls held in the inserted card, clears them to zero, and collects the card.

[0177] If the self prize management device 60 receives a message on the card addition screen that the member card has been forgotten (step S115; Yes), it accepts the card ID and PIN of the member card, and updates the member management data 55c of the management device 50 with the stored value as saved balls (step S116), and then ends the process. Specifically, the member management data 55c is updated as follows:

[0178] The self prize management device 60 queries the management device 50 for the accepted membership card ID. The management device 50 notifies the self prize management device 60 of the PIN number associated with the membership card ID. If the received PIN number matches the accepted PIN number, the self prize management device 60 notifies the management device 50 of a request to update the valuable value of the held value data 66b. The management device 50 notifies the self product management device 50 of the processing result of the valuable value update request, and if the self prize management device 60 receives a successful update, it clears the held value data 66b to zero.

[0179] When the card addition screen is displayed, the self prize management device 60 accepts an additional card from the card collection machine 70, and if this additional card is a general card with associated value (step S117; Yes), it obtains the value of this card, adds it to the held value data 66b indicating the stored value, and stores it (step S118).Then, it writes the stored value back to the card in the held value data 66b (step S119), and proceeds to step S103.

[0180] While the card addition screen is displayed, an additional card is accepted by the card collection machine 70. If this additional card is a membership card or a general card with no associated value (step S117; No), the value stored in the held value data 66b is written back to the card being inserted into the card collection machine 70 (step S120), a card removal request screen is displayed (step S121), and the process ends.

[0181] As described above, in the prize exchange system of this embodiment 1, if a transaction is canceled during a prize exchange process using the value of a general card, the value managed by the self-prize management device is written back to the card and returned, so that when a designated collection box is attached to the prize management device to collect the storage medium, the exchange transaction can be efficiently canceled.

[0182] In the above embodiment 1, the self-service prize management device has been described as accepting card writing and receipt issuing processes while the exchange confirmation screen is displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the card writing and receipt issuing processes can be configured to be limited to operations exclusively for employees. Also, it can be configured so that the amusement facility can set whether these are exclusively for employees or can be operated by players as well.

[0183] In the above embodiment 1, when a general card with no associated value is received while the card addition screen is displayed on the self-service prize management device, a configuration is described in which the value is written back to the card, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the process of writing back the value to a general card with no associated value can be configured to be limited to an operation exclusively for employees. Also, it can be configured so that the game establishment can set whether the operation is exclusive to employees or can be operated by players as well.

[0184] [Embodiment 2] Incidentally, in the above embodiment 1, a configuration was described in which if a transaction is canceled during the prize exchange process using the value of a general card, the value managed by the self prize management device is written back to the card and returned, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0185] A player can keep the balls he or she has acquired by linking them to a general card or a member card, or by keeping them as receipts that have been issued. Furthermore, members can keep the balls they have acquired as saved balls to use on another day. In this way, a player can keep the number of balls he or she has acquired in multiple forms, but when exchanging balls for prizes, the operation of specifying the number of balls to be used for prize exchange becomes complicated, which lengthens the operation time, and there is a concern that erroneous operation may occur.

[0186] To solve this problem, the present invention can be configured to restrict the form in which a player can exchange for prizes depending on the form in which the player holds the number of balls he or she has acquired. In this embodiment 2, a prize exchange system that can restrict the form in which a player can exchange for prizes depending on the form in which the player holds the number of balls or medals he or she has acquired will be described.

[0187] <Outline of the prize exchange system according to the second embodiment> An overview of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 2 will be described below. Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 2.

[0188] As shown in FIG. 13, the prize exchange system according to the second embodiment is divided into patterns 1 to 4 as patterns for restricting the value that can be exchanged for prizes.

[0189] In pattern 1, only the balance of balls or medals associated with the general card or receipt that has been read in advance can be exchanged for prizes. In pattern 1, prize exchange based on the value associated with the membership card is prohibited.

[0190] In pattern 2, only the remaining balls or medals won on the day of play can be exchanged for prizes. In pattern 2, prize exchange with saved balls or medals won on the day is permitted, but prize exchange with saved balls or medals won up to the previous day is prohibited.

[0191] In pattern 3, only the balance of balls or medals on a general card, receipt, or membership card can be exchanged for prizes. In pattern 3, the exchange of saved balls or saved medals associated with a membership card for prizes is prohibited.

[0192] In pattern 4, all balls or medals can be exchanged for prizes. In other words, when exchanging for prizes, there are no restrictions on the use of the acquired value, regardless of the form in which the value is held.

[0193] As described above, in the prize exchange system of this embodiment 2, the form in which a prize can be exchanged can be restricted depending on the number of balls or medals a player has acquired and the form in which they hold them.

[0194] In the above embodiment 2, the configuration was described in which the form in which the player can exchange for prizes is limited depending on the number of balls or medals that the player has acquired, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of prizes proposed for prize exchange can be changed depending on the status of the devices related to the prize management device. For example, if the prize payout device does not have medium prizes in stock, it can be configured to propose only prizes other than medium prizes.

[0195] In the above embodiment 2, the configuration was described in which the form in which the player can exchange for prizes is limited according to the form in which the player holds the number of balls or medals he has acquired, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it can also be configured to suggest prize exchanges that take into account the ease of use of the player. For example, if the number of prizes to be exchanged is 11 or more, it would be difficult to hold them all at once, so it can be configured to suggest prize exchanges so that the number of prizes to be exchanged is 10 or less.

[0196] [Embodiment 3] Incidentally, in the above embodiment 1, a configuration was described in which if a transaction is canceled during the prize exchange process using the value of a general card, the value managed by the self prize management device is written back to the card and returned, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0197] Some players are reluctant to operate the self-service prize management device themselves. It is thought that there are many players who cannot operate the device themselves. The challenge for game establishments is how to get such players to use the self-service prize management device.

[0198] To solve this problem, the present invention can be configured to issue bonus points to players who use the self-service prize management device. In the third embodiment, a prize exchange system that issues bonus points to players who use the self-service prize management device will be described.

[0199] <Outline of the prize exchange system according to the third embodiment> An overview of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 3 will be described below. Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 3.

[0200] As shown in Fig. 14, in the prize exchange system according to the third embodiment, the store PC 110 is used to set extraction conditions, which are conditions for granting a bonus, in the extraction condition information DB. For example, conditions are set such that the utilization rate of the self-service prize management device is 50% or more, or the number of visits to the store is 10 or more. On the other hand, settings can be made to exclude players who exchange less than 2000 yen for a prize in one go or who are registered as suspicious persons such as nuisance perpetrators from being eligible for bonuses.

[0201] In addition, the contents of the privilege to be granted are set in the privilege information DB using the store PC 110. For example, the contents of the privilege to be granted include issuing a parking ticket, issuing privilege points, and issuing a URL where special information about the game arcade can be viewed.

[0202] The prize exchange system uses a prize exchange log information DB, which stores the history of prize exchanges, an extraction condition information DB, and a bonus information DB to perform an extraction process to extract players who are eligible to receive bonuses and the bonus contents, and stores the results in the extractor information DB as extractor information.

[0203] When the self prize management device 100 accepts a card, if the card matches the extractor information in the extractor information DB, the prize exchange system issues the set prize. For example, 10 points are printed on a receipt as prize points.

[0204] As described above, in the prize exchange system according to the third embodiment, bonus points can be issued to a player who uses the self-service prize management device.

[0205] In the above embodiment 3, a configuration for issuing bonus points to players who use a self-service prize management device has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be configured to be applied to self-service equipment other than a self-service prize management device.

[0206] [Embodiment 4] Incidentally, in the above embodiment 1, a configuration was described in which if a transaction is canceled during the prize exchange process using the value of a general card, the value managed by the self prize management device is written back to the card and returned, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0207] When players exchange their prizes using the prize management device, the leftover balls are exchanged for inexpensive sweets, etc., but many players feel that the return is insufficient, even though the leftover balls are also valuable items that they have won. How to address such customer dissatisfaction is an issue.

[0208] To solve this problem, the present invention can be configured to issue end-of-game points for end-of-game balls and exchange them for prizes according to the number of points acquired. In this embodiment 4, a prize exchange system is described that issues end-of-game points for end-of-game balls and exchanges them for prizes according to the number of points acquired.

[0209] <Outline of the prize exchange system according to the fourth embodiment> An overview of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 4 will be described below. Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 4.

[0210] As shown in Fig. 15(a), in the prize exchange system according to the fourth embodiment, when a leftover ball occurs, the leftover ball points according to the rate and the number of leftover balls are printed on a receipt and issued. Specifically, in a 4-yen pachinko machine, 4 points are issued for one leftover ball, and in a 1-yen pachinko machine, 1 point is issued for one leftover ball. For example, 5 leftover ball points are issued for 5 leftover balls in a 1-yen pachinko machine.

[0211] The issued receipt will display the number of points that can be exchanged for prizes and the expiration date. For example, it may be printed that the number of points required to exchange for a prize is 100 points, and that the expiration date is six months from the date of issue. The expiration date can be set by the game establishment.

[0212] As shown in Fig. 15(b), when the end ball points reach a predetermined number of points, they are exchanged for a prize. For example, 100 points are exchanged for a prize.

[0213] As described above, in the prize exchange system according to the fourth embodiment, leftover ball points are issued for leftover balls, and the leftover balls can be exchanged for prizes according to the number of points acquired.

[0214] [Embodiment 5] Incidentally, in the above embodiment 1, a configuration was described in which if a transaction is canceled during the prize exchange process using the value of a general card, the value managed by the self prize management device is written back to the card and returned, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0215] When exchanging prizes at the self-service prize management device, the age of the player must be verified for items such as cigarettes, and employees must verify the age each time. While the introduction of the self-service prize management device has reduced the burden on employees, the age verification process remains, so the burden on employees has not been reduced sufficiently.

[0216] To solve this problem, the present invention can be configured to link a member card with a My Number card to make the age verification process of a player more efficient. In this embodiment 5, a prize exchange system that links a member card with a My Number card to make the age verification process of a player more efficient will be described.

[0217] <Outline of the prize exchange system according to the fifth embodiment> An overview of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 5 will be described below. Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 5.

[0218] As shown in Fig. 16(a), in conventional prize exchange systems, since the membership card is not linked to the My Number card, when exchanging the value associated with the membership card for cigarettes in the self-prize management device 60, the player must self-declare the prize exchange for cigarettes and have an employee verify the player's age. In this self-declaration, when the player selects cigarettes, a confirmation screen is displayed asking whether the player is an adult, and the player self-declares by selecting that he or she is an adult on that screen.

[0219] As shown in Figure 16 (b), in the prize exchange system of this embodiment 5, the membership card is linked to the My Number card, so that if a player is 20 years of age or older, when exchanging a prize for cigarettes using the value associated with the membership card in the self prize management device 200, the prize exchange for cigarettes can be read unconditionally, and there is no need for an employee to verify the player's age.

[0220] As described above, in the prize exchange system of this embodiment 5, the age verification process for players can be made more efficient by linking the membership card with the My Number card.

[0221] In the above embodiment 5, a configuration was described in which the age verification process for players is made more efficient by linking the membership card to a My Number card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it can also be configured to provide services based on age group or birthday using the information on the My Number card linked to the membership card.

[0222] [Embodiment 6] Incidentally, in the above embodiment 1, a configuration was described in which if a transaction is canceled during the prize exchange process using the value of a general card, the value managed by the self prize management device is written back to the card and returned, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0223] When exchanging prizes with a general card at the self-service prize management device, cigarettes and other items are not displayed as eligible prizes for exchange because it is not possible to verify the age of the player. Although it is possible to verify age without the involvement of an employee by using a My Number card, presenting the My Number card every time a prize is exchanged raises concerns that the card may be lost.

[0224] To solve this problem, the present invention can be configured to verify age using a membership card linked to a My Number card when a prize is exchanged on a self-service prize management device. In this embodiment 5, a prize exchange system is described in which age verification is performed using a membership card linked to a My Number card when a prize is exchanged on a self-service prize management device.

[0225] <Outline of the prize exchange system according to the sixth embodiment> An overview of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 6 will be described below. Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 6.

[0226] As shown in FIG. 17, in the prize exchange system according to the sixth embodiment, when the self prize management device 300 accepts a general card, only prizes that can be exchanged even by players under the age of 20 are displayed.

[0227] When the self prize management device 300 receives a membership card linked to the My Number card of a player aged 20 or over, it displays cigarettes and alcohol as exchangeable prizes. If cigarettes are selected, it prints "cigarettes" on the counting receipt and issues it.

[0228] As described above, in the prize exchange system of this embodiment 6, when prize exchange is performed at the self-prize management device, age verification can be performed using a membership card linked to a My Number card.

[0229] [Embodiment 7] Incidentally, in the above embodiment 1, a configuration was described in which if a transaction is canceled during the prize exchange process using the value of a general card, the value managed by the self prize management device is written back to the card and returned, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0230] When exchanging a prize for cigarettes using the self-prize management device, it is necessary to go through the prize exchange screen for special prizes, etc., and then display the exchange screen for cigarettes and verify age using a My Number card, etc. This procedure is problematic for players who want to exchange only for cigarettes, as it is burdensome and time-consuming to operate.

[0231] In order to solve this problem, the present invention can be configured so that when a specific prize such as cigarettes is exchanged in a self-service prize management device, the specific prize can be easily exchanged using a My Number card. In this embodiment 7, a prize exchange system is described that allows a specific prize such as cigarettes to be easily exchanged using a My Number card in a self-service prize management device.

[0232] <Outline of the prize exchange system according to the seventh embodiment> An outline of the prize exchange system according to the seventh embodiment will be described below. Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the outline of the prize exchange system according to the seventh embodiment.

[0233] As shown in Fig. 18, in the prize exchange system according to the seventh embodiment, when the self-service prize management device 400 receives the My Number card of a player aged 20 or older, it displays prizes that can be exchanged by the player aged 20 or older. The player selects a displayed prize (for example, one cigarette).

[0234] Once the card is accepted, the prize redemption is completed by subtracting the value of the selected prize from the value associated with the card, and a counted receipt is issued.

[0235] As described above, in the prize exchange system of this embodiment 7, when exchanging a specific prize such as cigarettes at the self-prize management device, the specific prize can be easily exchanged using a My Number card.

[0236] In the above embodiment 7, a configuration was described in which age verification is performed using a My Number card, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure age verification to be performed using a driver's license with an embedded IC.

[0237] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 7, a configuration was described in which a prize exchange screen for cigarettes or the like is displayed once age verification has been performed to verify that the player is 20 years of age or older. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration may also be such that in addition to cigarettes, beverages such as coffee that are preferred during play are also displayed.

[0238] In addition, in the above embodiment 7, a configuration was described in which a prize exchange screen for cigarettes, etc. is displayed once age verification has confirmed that the person is 20 years of age or older. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for beverages and other items that can be exchanged for prizes by people under the age of 20, the configuration can also be such that a prize exchange screen for beverages is displayed simply by touching the operation screen of the self-prize management device.

[0239] [Embodiment 8] Incidentally, in the above embodiment 1, a configuration was described in which if a transaction is canceled during the prize exchange process using the value of a general card, the value managed by the self prize management device is written back to the card and returned, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0240] The balls acquired in a game can be saved and used the next day or later if the card is a member card, but they can only be used on the day if the card is a general card. Therefore, the balance of balls on a general card must be exchanged for prizes on the same day. Many players worry about losing money if they forget to exchange the balls on their general card for prizes.

[0241] To solve this problem, the present invention can be configured to link the acquired balls to the My Number card by registering the My Number card in the card processing machine between the machines when the game ends. In this embodiment 8, a prize exchange system is described that links the acquired balls to the My Number card by registering the My Number card in the card processing machine between the machines when the game ends.

[0242] <Outline of the prize exchange system according to the eighth embodiment> An outline of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 8 will be described below. Figures 19 to 21 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the outline of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment 8.

[0243] As shown in Figure 19, in the prize exchange system of this embodiment 8, if a My Number card that is not linked to a membership card is held over the machine-to-machine card processing machine 500 after a game is completed, the balls won during the game will be linked to this My Number card.

[0244] When the self prize management device 600 receives the My Number card, it exchanges the prizes based on the balls tied to the My Number card. By linking the My Number card to a membership card, the balls acquired on the day can be transferred to the saved balls and can be used on the following day.

[0245] As shown in Fig. 20, when the individual number card linked to the member card is held over the inter-machine card processing device 500 after the game is over, the balls acquired during the game are linked to the individual number card. At this time, the number of balls acquired is also linked to the member card.

[0246] When the self prize management device 600 accepts a My Number card or a membership card, it exchanges prizes based on the held balls and saved balls linked to the My Number card or the membership card.

[0247] As shown in FIG. 21(a), if a game is stopped during play due to a problem with the gaming machine 20 or the like, by holding the My Number card over the inter-machine card processing device 500, the balls acquired during the game will be linked to this My Number card.

[0248] As shown in Fig. 21(b), when another device (for example, the self-prize management device 600) accepts the My Number card, it performs processes such as prize exchange based on the balls tied to the My Number card. If the My Number card is not tied to a membership card, the balls acquired on the day can be transferred to the saved balls by linking it to the membership card, and can be used on the following day.

[0249] As described above, in the prize exchange system of this embodiment 8, by registering the My Number card in the machine-to-machine card processing machine at the end of a game, the My Number card can be linked to the balls that have been won.

[0250] In the above embodiment 8, the My Number card is registered in the card processor between the machines at the end of the game, and the My Number card is linked to the balls that have been acquired, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the My Number card is registered as a general card, it can be configured to provide member services such as giving points to the My Number card.

[0251] In the above embodiment 8, the My Number card is registered in the card processing device between the machines at the end of the game, and the My Number card is linked to the balls that have been acquired, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the prize management device receives a My Number card linked to a membership card, it can be configured to identify the linked membership card and provide the same services as the membership card (for example, combined exchange of saved balls or fractional saved balls).

[0252] In addition, in the above embodiments 1 to 8, a configuration in which the present invention is applied to a smart pachinko machine that uses game balls as game media has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be configured to be applied to a smart pachislot machine that uses medals as game media.

[0253] In addition, in the above embodiments 1 to 8, a smart pachinko machine has been used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to cases where a gaming machine equipped with a counter on each machine is used.

[0254] In addition, the configurations illustrated in the above embodiments are merely functional schematics, and are not necessarily physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the form of 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 according to various loads, usage conditions, etc. [Industrial Applicability]

[0255] The prize exchange system, prize management device, and prize exchange method of the present invention are suitable for efficiently canceling an exchange transaction when a designated collection box is attached to the prize management device to collect storage media. [Explanation of symbols]

[0256] 10 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 section 17a Data Management Department 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 drawing lottery section 24b Production Lottery Section 25 Game control unit 26 Game ball control unit 26a Playable Number Management Department 30 Island Controller 50 Management device 51 Display section 52 Input section 53 External network communication section 54 Store Network Communication 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 60 Self-prize management device 62 Receipt Issuance Department 64 Display operation section 65 Communications Department 66 Memory section 66a Prize inventory data 66b Holding Value Data 67 Control Unit 67a Prize Inventory Management Department 67b Holding Value Management Department 67c Prize exchange control unit 67d Receipt issuing processing unit 67e Card addition control section 67f Holding value write-back processing unit 70 Card Collection Machine 80 Prize payout device 90 Payment machine 100 Self-prize management device 110 Store PC 200 Self-prize management device 300 Self-prize management device 400 Self-prize management device 500 card processing machines 600 Self-prize management device

Claims

1. A prize exchange system having a management device that manages the number of game media acquired through play on a game machine by associating the number with identification information of a storage medium, and a prize management device that exchanges at least the number of game media associated with the identification information of the storage medium for prizes, The prize management device includes: a storage means for storing the number of game media associated with the identification information of the storage medium acquired from the management device; a collection control means for collecting the storage medium in a predetermined collection section; a return means for returning the number of game media stored in the storage means in association with the predetermined storage medium when a predetermined exchange cancellation operation is accepted after the storage medium associated with the number of game media stored in the storage means is collected in the collection section; A prize exchange system comprising:

2. The return means is The prize exchange system described in claim 1, characterized in that when a new general-purpose storage medium to which no number of gaming media is associated is received, the specified exchange cancellation operation is deemed to have been accepted, and the number of gaming media stored in the storage means is returned in association with the general-purpose storage medium.

3. The return means is The prize exchange system described in claim 1, characterized in that when a member's storage medium to be given to a member registered with the gaming establishment is accepted, the specified exchange cancellation operation is deemed to have been accepted, and the number of gaming media stored in the storage means is returned in association with the member's storage medium.

4. The return means is The prize exchange system described in claim 1, characterized in that when member identification information and authentication information set for a member registered with the gaming establishment are accepted, the specified exchange cancellation operation is deemed to have been accepted, and the number of gaming media stored in the storage means is transferred to the accumulated gaming media in the member's storage medium.

5. The storage means includes: When a plurality of storage media are received from the management device, a total value of the number of game media associated with the identification information of each storage medium is stored; The return means is The prize exchange system described in claim 1, characterized in that when a specified write-back operation is accepted, the specified exchange cancellation operation is deemed to have been accepted, and the number of gaming media stored in the storage means is returned in association with the last storage medium accepted.

6. The return means is The prize exchange system described in claim 1, characterized in that when a specified receipt issuance operation is accepted, the specified exchange cancellation operation is deemed to have been accepted, and a receipt is issued on which the number of gaming media stored in the memory means is printed.

7. A prize management device is communicably connected to a management device that manages the number of game media acquired through a game on a game machine in association with identification information of a storage medium, and exchanges at least the number of game media associated with the identification information of the storage medium for prizes, a storage means for storing the number of game media associated with the identification information of the storage medium acquired from the management device; a collection control means for collecting the storage medium in a predetermined collection section; a return means for returning the number of game media stored in the storage means in association with the predetermined storage medium when a predetermined exchange cancellation operation is accepted after the storage medium associated with the number of game media stored in the storage means is collected in the collection section; A prize management device comprising:

8. A prize exchange method in a prize exchange system having a management device that manages the number of game media acquired through play on a game machine by associating the number with identification information of a storage medium, and a prize management device that exchanges at least the number of game media associated with the identification information of the storage medium for prizes, comprising: A storage step in which the prize management device stores in a storage unit the number of game media associated with the identification information of the storage medium acquired from the management device; A collection control process in which the prize management device collects the storage medium in a predetermined collection section; a return step of returning the number of game media stored in the storage unit in association with the predetermined storage medium when the prize management device accepts a predetermined exchange cancellation operation after the storage medium associated with the number of game media stored in the storage unit is collected in the collection unit; A method of exchanging prizes, comprising:

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