Game machine settlement system, game machine settlement method and game machine settlement program

Abstract

To provide a game machine settlement system capable of acquiring new customers using deferred settlement means, while preventing cashing by the deferred settlement means.SOLUTION: A game machine settlement system includes: a deposit request information acquisition part for acquiring deposit request information including a deposit request and a deposit amount by deferred settlement means; a settlement means information acquisition part, when the deposit request information acquisition part acquires the deposit request information, acquiring settlement means information required for settlement by the deferred settlement means; a settlement processing part for executing the settlement based on the settlement means information acquired by the settlement means information acquisition part and the deposit request information acquired by the deposit request information acquisition part; and a game medium lending part, when the settlement executed by the settlement processing part has been completed, lending game media corresponding to the deposit amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine settlement system, a gaming machine settlement method, and a gaming machine settlement program. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional electronic money payment system is described in Patent Document 1. In the electronic money payment system described in Patent Document 1, electronic money is managed for each charge (deposit) method, such as cash, credit card, bank transfer, etc., and while deposits using a credit card are possible, payment with the balance of electronic money deposited by credit card is prohibited when paying for rental fees for gaming media in an amusement parlor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP2008-090751A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, with the spread of credit cards, an increasing number of stores are introducing credit card payment methods. Unlike prepaid payment methods such as cash and prepaid cards, and immediate payment methods such as debit cards, credit card payments are made after the fact based on credit information. In other words, payments made with deferred payment methods such as credit cards are in effect a form of debt to the credit card company. For this reason, in the case of gaming establishments such as pachinko parlors and pachislot parlors, credit card companies tend to shy away from the introduction of payment systems using deferred payment methods. In addition, the industry itself has voluntarily imposed restrictions so that electronic money deposited with deferred payment methods such as credit cards cannot be used.

[0005] However, the number of people, especially among the younger generation, who do not carry cash is increasing, and as a result, even if they have the ability to repay, they are unable to pay the fees for gaming media (pachinko balls, medals, etc.) at gaming parlors because they do not have cash on hand, which causes them to give up playing at gaming parlors, resulting in the loss of new customer opportunities.

[0006] Furthermore, even for the elderly, playing at an amusement parlor is expected to have a preventive effect against dementia because it stimulates the brain, but when playing with cash, there is a concern that it may encourage gambling, as players can deposit unlimited amounts with their own money. However, with deferred payment methods such as credit cards, it is possible to set a spending limit, which leads to the provision of a safer gaming environment.

[0007] In the electronic money payment system described in Patent Document 1, although it is possible to deposit electronic money by credit card (post-paid payment means) at gaming establishments, payment for rental of gaming media is prohibited using the balance of electronic money deposited by the post-paid payment means, so gaming media cannot be rented by payment by the post-paid payment means, and there is a problem that new customers who use the post-paid payment means cannot be acquired. Also, in the electronic money payment system described in Patent Document 1, since electronic money is granted by the post-paid payment means, there is a problem that the post-paid payment means can be converted into cash (withdrawn) at the settlement machine installed in the gaming establishment.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a gaming machine payment system that can attract new customers who use deferred payment methods while preventing cashing out through deferred payment methods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention is a gaming machine payment system comprising a deposit request information acquisition unit that acquires deposit request information including a deposit request by a post-paid payment means and a deposit amount, a payment method information acquisition unit that acquires payment method information required for payment by the post-paid payment means when the deposit request information acquisition unit acquires the deposit request information, a payment processing unit that executes the payment based on the payment method information acquired by the payment method information acquisition unit and the deposit request information acquired by the deposit request information acquisition unit, and a gaming medium lending unit that executes a gaming medium lending process according to the deposit amount when the payment executed by the payment processing unit is completed. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the gaming machine payment system of the present invention, it is possible to prevent cashing out using deferred payment means, while obtaining new customers who use deferred payment means. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a gaming machine payment system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of a management server according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3 is a diagram showing a data configuration of the management database of FIG. 2 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a machine for separating machines according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the ticket issuing machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] A diagram showing the data memory structure of a game storage medium according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a payment center according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 is a diagram showing a data configuration of the transaction database of FIG. 8 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10]9 is a diagram showing a data configuration of the user database of FIG. 8 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a mobile terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] A diagram showing the flow of issuing tickets using a prepaid payment method (cash) in the gaming machine payment system of this embodiment. [Figure 13] A diagram showing the flow of issuing tickets using a post-paid payment method (credit card) in the gaming machine payment system of this embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a deposit flow by advance payment means (cash) in the gaming machine payment system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the flow of depositing money using a postpaid payment method (credit card) in the gaming machine payment system according to this embodiment. [Figure 16] A diagram showing the return flow of a gaming storage medium in the gaming machine payment system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 17] A diagram showing the settlement flow for gaming storage media in the gaming machine payment system of this embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen when requesting a deposit by a deferred payment method (credit card) in the gaming machine payment system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen when selecting the amount to be deposited by a postpaid payment method (credit card) in the gaming machine payment system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 20] A figure showing an example of an operation screen that displays a payment code in the gaming machine payment system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 21] A figure showing an example of an operation screen after the gaming medium lending process in the gaming machine payment system of this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The gaming machine settlement system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In addition, the components in the following embodiment include those that are easily replaceable by a person skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0013] The gaming machine payment system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be realized by at least one computer system, and the gaming machine payment method according to the embodiment of the present invention may be executed by at least one computer system included in the gaming machine payment system 1. At this time, a gaming machine payment program according to an embodiment of the present invention may be installed and executed in the computer system, and the computer system may execute the gaming machine payment method according to the embodiment of the present invention according to the control of the executed gaming machine payment program. The above-mentioned gaming machine payment program may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium in combination with the computer system to cause the computer to execute the gaming machine payment method.

[0014] Here, the payment means used for the payment in the gaming machine payment system 1 will be described. The payment means may include a prepaid payment means, an immediate payment means, and a deferred payment means. The prepaid payment means refers to a payment means that performs payment in a prepaid manner, such as cash, a prepaid card, and a cash card. The immediate payment means refers to a payment means that performs payment in an immediate manner in which the amount is immediately debited from an account, such as a debit card. The deferred payment means refers to a payment method that performs payment in a deferred manner, such as a credit card. The credit card may include a contact IC card that directly contacts the card and the reader terminal of the card terminal to communicate, a contactless IC card that wirelessly communicates between the card and the card terminal by holding a card with a built-in coil over the card terminal, and a magnetic card that has a magnetic stripe that can encode any information.

[0015] (Overall configuration of gaming machine payment system 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a gaming machine payment system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The gaming machine payment system 1 in FIG. 1 includes a management server 100, a machine-to-machine 200 which is one aspect of a deposit terminal device, a ticket issuing machine 300 which is one aspect of a deposit terminal device, a settlement device 400, a gaming storage medium 500, a settlement center 600, a mobile terminal 700, and a network NW. FIG. 1 is merely an example for explaining the invention, and the number of management servers, the number of machine-to-machine 200, the number of ticket issuing machines, the number of settlement devices, the number of gaming storage media, the number of settlement centers, and the number of mobile terminals are not limited to those shown in FIG. The management server 100, the machine-to-machine 200, the ticket issuing machine 300, the settlement device 400, and the gaming storage medium 500 may be installed in a gaming establishment S that provides games.

[0016] The management server 100 may be realized by one or more computer devices that communicate with the inter-machine machines 200, the ticket issuing machines 300, the settlement device 400, the settlement center 600, and the mobile terminals 700 to provide instructions, codes, files, contents, services, etc. For example, the management server 100 may be a device that uses a wireless or wired communication method to provide services (for example, a game information management service) to the inter-machine machines 200, the ticket issuing machines 300, the settlement device 400, the settlement center 600, and the mobile terminals 700 that are connected to it.

[0017] The inter-machine machine 200 is a deposit terminal device that is installed between multiple gaming machines PM that provide games, accepts deposits from users C, grants prepaid value, and lends and pays out gaming media (pachinko balls, medals, etc.) that can be used for games, and may be realized by a computer device that can communicate with the management server 100, ticket issuing machine 300, settlement device 400, settlement center 600, and mobile terminals 700 using wireless or wired communication methods.

[0018] Here, the prepaid value refers to a valuable value that can be used to lend game media and can be settled (withdrawn) into cash. The prepaid value can be provided by depositing cash, cash cards, prepaid cards, and other advance payment means, or debit cards and other immediate payment means. The prepaid value may be an amount or a number of points corresponding to the amount.

[0019] In addition, "lending" refers to lending gaming media owned by the gaming establishment to a customer in exchange for a deposit made by the customer, and "paying out" refers to paying out (discharging) gaming media already lent by the gaming establishment or gaming media acquired through playing from a machine between machines in order to insert the gaming media into the gaming machine.

[0020] The ticket issuing machine 300 is a deposit terminal device that is installed near the entrance or in a hallway of the gaming facility S, accepts deposits from customers C, grants prepaid value and / or lends gaming media, and issues gaming storage media 500 that stores the amount of prepaid value granted and / or the number of gaming media lent, and may be realized by a computer device that can communicate with the management server 100, the inter-machine machine 200, the settlement device 400, the payment center 600, and the mobile terminals 700 using wireless or wired communication methods.

[0021] The settlement device 400 is a terminal device that is installed near an exit or in a hallway of the gaming facility S, and accepts the insertion of a gaming storage medium 500 when any prepaid value remaining after playing on the gaming machine PM remains, and settles (withdraws) the prepaid value stored in the gaming storage medium 500 into cash, and may be realized by a computer device that can communicate with the management server 100, the inter-machine machine 200, the ticket issuing machine 300, the settlement center 600, and the mobile terminal 700 using a wireless or wired communication method.

[0022] The gaming storage medium 500 is a card-type storage medium that can be carried by a customer C who uses the gaming establishment S and has an IC chip with a data memory capable of storing information related to games. The gaming storage medium 500 is built into and ejected from the inter-machine unit 200 and the ticket issuing machine 300, and is inserted into and ejected from the inter-machine unit 200, the ticket issuing machine 300, and the settlement device 400. The structure of the data memory provided in the gaming storage medium 500 will be described later.

[0023] The settlement center 600 may be realized by one or more computer devices that communicate with the management server 100, the inter-machine machines 200, the ticket issuing machines 300, the settlement device 400, and the mobile terminals 700 to provide instructions, codes, files, contents, services, and the like. For example, the settlement center 600 may be a device that uses wireless or wired communication to provide services (as an example, gaming machine settlement services) to the connected management server 100, the inter-machine machines 200, the ticket issuing machines 300, the settlement device 400, and the mobile terminals 700.

[0024] The mobile terminal 700 may be a portable terminal realized by a computer device. Examples of the mobile terminal 700 include a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PC (personal computer), a notebook PC, a tablet PC, and the like. In the embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminal 700 may mean one of various physical computer devices that can communicate with the management server 100, the inter-machine machine 200, the ticket issuing machine 300, the settlement device 400, and the settlement center 600 using a wireless or wired communication method. The mobile terminal 700 may be a terminal owned by a customer C who uses the game establishment S, or may be a terminal provided to the customer C by the game establishment S.

[0025] The network NW is not limited in the communication method, and may include not only a communication method using a communication network that the network NW can include (for example, a mobile communication network, a wired Internet, a wireless Internet, a broadcasting network, etc.) but also short-range wireless communication between devices. For example, the network NW may include any one or more of networks such as a personal area network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), a campus area network (CAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a broadband network (BBN), and the Internet. Furthermore, the network NW may include any one or more of network topologies including, but not limited to, a bus network, a star network, a ring network, a mesh network, a star bus network, a tree or hierarchical network, etc.

[0026] (Functional configuration of management server 100) Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a functional block configuration of the management server 100 in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the management server 100 includes an operation unit 110, a display unit 120, a storage unit 130, a communication unit 140, and a control unit 150.

[0027] The operation unit 110 is a user interface used by the manager of the gaming facility S to input operations, and may include input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, or may include a device that integrates input and output functions into one, such as a touch screen. The operation unit 110 may be configured as one device together with the management server 100, or may be configured as two or more devices.

[0028] The display unit 120 is a user interface used to display the contents of inputs input by the manager of the gaming establishment S and the contents of transmissions from the inter-machine machine 200, the ticket issuing machine 300, the settlement device 400, the settlement center 600, and the mobile terminal 700, and may be equipped with an output device such as a display, or may be equipped with a device that integrates the functions for input and output into one, such as a touch screen. Moreover, the display unit 120 may be configured as one device together with the management server 100, or may be configured as two or more devices.

[0029] The storage unit 130 stores programs for executing various control processes and functions in the control unit 150, input data, etc., and is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The storage unit 230 also stores a management database 131. Furthermore, the storage unit 130 temporarily stores data communicated with the inter-machine device 200, the ticket issuing machine 300, the settlement device 400, the settlement center 600, and the mobile terminal 700, and data generated in each process described below.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the management database 131 stores a card ID that identifies the gaming storage medium 500, an update ID, the update date and time, the number of prepaid values ​​granted, used, owned, and settled, and the number of gaming media loaned, paid out, acquired, owned, and exchanged for prizes.

[0031] Here, the amount of granted prepaid value is the amount of prepaid value granted by depositing using a prepaid payment method such as cash. The amount of used prepaid value is the amount of prepaid value used to lend gaming media. The amount of settled prepaid value is the amount of prepaid value settled into cash when the prepaid value is settled into cash (withdrawn). The amount of owned prepaid value is the amount obtained by subtracting the amount of used prepaid value and the amount of settled prepaid value from the amount of granted prepaid value, and is the amount of prepaid value that the user possesses that can be used and settled.

[0032] Next, the number of gaming media loaned is the number of gaming media loaned by depositing money or using prepaid value. The number of gaming media paid out is the number of gaming media paid out to a gaming machine for playing. The number of gaming media acquired is the number of gaming media acquired by playing on a gaming machine. The number of gaming media exchanged for prizes is the number of gaming media exchanged for specified prizes. The number of gaming media in possession is the number obtained by adding the number of gaming media loaned and the number of gaming media acquired, subtracting the number of gaming media paid out and the number of gaming media exchanged for prizes, and is the number of gaming media in possession that can be paid out and exchanged for prizes by the user.

[0033] Returning to Figure 2, the communication unit 140 is a communication interface for wired or wireless communication with the inter-machine machine 200, the ticket issuing machine 300, the settlement device 400, the payment center 600, and the mobile terminal 700, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

[0034] The control unit 150 controls the overall operation of the management server 100 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 130, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. Functions of the control unit 150 include a game storage medium management unit 151, a deposit possibility determination unit 152, a prepaid value management unit 153, a game medium management unit 154, and a settlement processing unit 155. The game storage medium management unit 151, the deposit possibility determination unit 152, the prepaid value management unit 153, the game medium management unit 154, and the settlement processing unit 155 are started by a program stored in the storage unit 130 and executed by the management server 100.

[0035] The gaming storage medium management unit 151 manages the gaming storage medium 500. For example, when the gaming storage medium management unit 151 receives a deposit request from the inter-machine 200, it judges whether or not the gaming storage medium 500 is inserted in the inter-machine 200. When it judges that the gaming storage medium 500 is not inserted in the inter-machine 200, the gaming storage medium management unit 151 issues a card ID for identifying the gaming storage medium 500 in order to newly issue the gaming storage medium 500, and instructs the inter-machine 200 to set the gaming storage medium 500 built in the inter-machine 200 to be recordable. When it judges that the gaming storage medium 500 is inserted in the inter-machine 200, the gaming storage medium management unit 151 acquires a card ID for identifying the gaming storage medium 500 inserted in the inter-machine 200. Similarly, when a deposit request is transmitted from the ticket issuing machine 300, the game storage medium management unit 151 issues a card ID for identifying the game storage medium 500 in order to issue a new game storage medium 500, and instructs the ticket issuing machine 300 to set the game storage medium 500 built into the ticket issuing machine 300 so that it can be recorded. As another process, when the game storage medium management unit 151 receives a request from the inter-machine machine 200 to determine whether or not the game storage medium 500 needs to be returned, it refers to the management database 131 and determines whether or not the prepaid value and the number of game media held are zero. If the game storage medium management unit 151 determines that the prepaid value and the number of game media held are not zero, it instructs the inter-machine machine 200 to return (eject) the game storage medium 500, and if it determines that the prepaid value and the number of game media held are zero, it instructs the inter-machine machine 200 to collect and initialize the game storage medium 500.

[0036] When a deposit request is received from the inter-machine machine 200 and the gaming storage medium management unit 151 has determined that the gaming storage medium 500 is inserted in the inter-machine machine 200, the deposit permission determination unit 152 refers to the management database 131 linked to the card ID corresponding to the inserted gaming storage medium 500 and determines whether or not deposit is possible. The deposit permission determination unit 152 may employ any determination criterion, and may determine whether or not deposit is possible based on, for example, a daily deposit limit or a deposit limit for each payment method. When the deposit permission determination unit 152 determines that deposit is not possible, it notifies the inter-machine machine 200 that deposit is not possible.

[0037] When a deposit request is received by a prepaid payment means such as cash, and when the deposit permission determination unit 152 determines that deposit is possible, the prepaid value management unit 153 instructs the inter-machine machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300 to perform a prepaid value granting process. Specifically, the prepaid value management unit 153 accesses the management database 131, adds and updates the granted number of prepaid values ​​linked to the card ID issued or acquired by the gaming storage medium management unit 151 according to the amount of deposit, and transmits the added and updated granted number of prepaid values ​​to the inter-machine machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300.

[0038] When the lending button 215 is pressed by a cash deposit or when a payment completion notice is received from the payment center 600 by a credit deposit, the game media management unit 154 instructs the inter-machine machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300 to perform a lending process of game media according to the deposited amount. For example, when the lending button 215 is pressed by a cash deposit and the game media management unit 154 obtains the number of uses of prepaid value from the inter-machine machine 200, the game media management unit 154 may add / update the obtained number of uses of prepaid value to the management database 131, add / update the number of lent game media and the number of payouts, and transmit the added / updated number of lent game media and the number of payouts to the inter-machine machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300.

[0039] When the settlement processing unit 155 receives settlement processing request information from the settlement device 400, it acquires the card ID of the gaming storage medium 500 from the received settlement processing request information. Then, the settlement processing unit 155 accesses the management database 131, stores the number of possessed prepaid values ​​in the settlement number of prepaid values ​​linked to the acquired card ID, and instructs the settlement device 400 to dispense cash in an amount corresponding to the settlement number of the stored prepaid values. Furthermore, the settlement processing unit 155 determines whether the number of possessed gaming media linked to the acquired card ID is zero. When the settlement processing unit 155 determines that the number of possessed gaming media linked to the acquired card ID is zero, it instructs the settlement device 400 to collect and initialize the gaming storage medium 500. When the settlement processing unit 155 determines that the number of game media linked to the acquired card ID is not zero, it instructs the settlement device 400 to record the latest information of the game storage medium 500 and to eject the medium.

[0040] (Functional configuration of the inter-machine 200) Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a functional block configuration of the inter-machine 200 of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the inter-machine 200 includes an input / output unit 210, a storage unit 230, a communication unit 240, and a control unit 250.

[0041] The input / output unit 210 is a user interface used by a customer C of the gaming establishment S to input operation instructions. As shown in Fig. 4, the input / output unit 210 includes a bill validator unit 211, a gaming storage medium reader / writer 212, a touch screen 213, a numeric keypad 214, a loan button 215, a payout button 216, a return button 217, and a notification lamp 218.

[0042] The bill validator unit 211 validates bills inserted into the inter-unit unit 200 by a customer C who is requesting a cash deposit. The method for validating bills may be any known method.

[0043] The game storage medium reader / writer 212 reads information stored in the game storage medium 500 and records (writes) information to the game storage medium 500. The method of reading and recording information on the game storage medium 500 may be performed by known means.

[0044] The touch screen 213 accepts input of deposit request information including a deposit request using a postpaid payment method (credit card) and the deposit amount. The touch screen 213 also displays information on the prepaid value and game media stored in the management database 131.

[0045] The numeric keypad 214 is an input device for inputting numerical values ​​such as an amount, a degree, etc. The numeric keypad 214 is used to input, for example, the amount of prepaid value used for lending game media.

[0046] The lending button 215 is an input device for lending game media using the granted prepaid value. For example, the lending button 215 may be pressed before or after the number of prepaid values ​​to be used for lending game media is input by the numeric keypad 214.

[0047] The payout button 216 is an input device for paying out loaned game media or game media acquired through a game onto the upper tray of the gaming machine PM. The paid-out game media can be used for playing on the gaming machine PM.

[0048] The return button 217 is an input device for instructing the return (discharge) of the game storage medium 500 after the game is over.

[0049] The notification lamp 218 is an output device for notifying the state of the inter-machine 200. For example, the notification lamp 218 may notify the state of the inter-machine 200 as to whether it is usable or not.

[0050] The storage unit 230 stores programs for executing various control processes and each function in the control unit 250, input data, etc., and is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The storage unit 230 also temporarily stores data communicated with the management server 100, the ticket issuing machine 300, the settlement device 400, the settlement center 600, and the mobile terminal 700, and data generated in each process described below.

[0051] The communication unit 240 is a communication interface for wired or wireless communication with the management server 100, the ticket issuing machine 300, the settlement device 400, the settlement center 600, and the mobile terminal 700, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). When communicating with the settlement center 600 and the mobile terminal 700, such as when transmitting and receiving payment method information (card information) required for settlement using a postpaid payment method (credit card), the communication unit 240 may encrypt the communication using an encryption method such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security).

[0052] The control unit 250 controls the overall operation of the inter-machine machine 200 by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 230, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The functions of the control unit 250 include a cash deposit request information acquisition unit 251, a deferred payment type deposit request information acquisition unit 252, a code generation and reading unit 253, a prepaid value imparting unit 254, a game medium lending unit 255, a game medium dispensing unit 256, a return necessity determination request unit 257, a game storage medium recording unit 258, a game storage medium ejection unit 259, and a game storage medium initialization unit 260. The cash deposit request information acquisition unit 251, the deferred payment type deposit request information acquisition unit 252, the code generation reading unit 253, the prepaid value granting unit 254, the game medium lending unit 255, the game medium dispensing unit 256, the return necessity determination request unit 257, the game storage medium recording unit 258, the game storage medium ejection unit 259, and the game storage medium initialization unit 260 are started up by a program stored in the memory unit 230 and executed in the inter-machine machine 200.

[0053] When cash is inserted into the inter-machine device 200, the cash deposit request information acquisition unit 251 acquires the amount of the inserted cash from the banknote validator unit 211, and transmits deposit request information including the cash deposit request and the amount to the management server 100. As another process, when the cash deposit request information acquisition unit 251 receives a notification from the management server 100 that the deposit is not possible, it returns the inserted cash.

[0054] The postpaid deposit request information acquisition unit 252 accepts input of deposit request information including a deposit request using a postpaid payment method (credit card) and the amount to be deposited, and transmits the entered deposit request information to the management server 100 and / or payment center 600 when a customer C using the amusement facility S operates the touch screen 213 and / or the numeric keypad 214 to input information.

[0055] The code generating and reading unit 253 plays a part in the process of associating the inter-machine 200 with the mobile terminal 700 .

[0056] As a first embodiment, the code generating and reading unit 253 may receive a payment code QR corresponding to the deposit request information acquired by the postpaid deposit request information acquiring unit 252 from the payment center 600, and display the same readably on the touch screen 213 of the input / output unit 210. The payment code QR displayed by the code generating and reading unit 253 is read by the mobile terminal 700, whereby the inter-machine 200 and the mobile terminal 700 are associated with each other.

[0057] As a second embodiment, the code generation reading unit 253 may read a payment code QR associated with card information of a credit card displayed on the mobile terminal 700. For example, the code generation reading unit 253 may activate a reader mounted on the inter-machine device 200, display a frame for matching the payment code QR to be read on the touch screen 213 of the inter-machine device 200 in a state superimposed on a read image of the reader, and read the payment code QR when the displayed frame matches the payment code QR. The inter-machine device 200 and the mobile terminal 700 are associated with each other by the code generation reading unit 253 reading the payment code QR displayed on the mobile terminal 700.

[0058] Here, the payment code QR may be any code, such as a two-dimensional code, a barcode, or an identification number, but it goes without saying that it is not limited to these.

[0059] The prepaid value granting unit 254 executes a prepaid value granting process when a deposit is received by a prepaid payment means such as cash, and when an instruction to grant prepaid value is received from the management server 100. For example, the prepaid value granting unit 254 may receive the amount of granted prepaid value from the management server 100, and cause the touch screen 213 of the input / output unit 210 to add up and display the amount.

[0060] The game media lending unit 255 executes a game media lending process according to the deposit amount when the lending button 215 is pressed by a cash deposit and lending of game media is instructed by the management server 100, or when payment by a postpaid payment means (credit card payment) is completed and lending of game media is instructed by the management server 100. For example, when the lending button 215 is pressed by a cash deposit, the game media lending unit 255 may obtain the number of uses of prepaid value by inputting to the numeric keypad 214, and transmit the obtained number of uses of prepaid value to the management server 100. Furthermore, when lending of game media is instructed by the management server 100, the touch screen 213 of the input / output unit 210 may update and display the number of prepaid values ​​and the number of game media. Furthermore, when credit card payment is completed and the management server 100 instructs lending of game media, the game media lending unit 255 may receive the number of game media to be lent from the management server 100 and update and display the received number of game media to be lent on the touch screen 213 of the input / output unit 210. Furthermore, the game media lending unit 255 may instruct the game media payout unit 256 described later to pay out game media. In this case, the game media can be smoothly paid out without the need to press the payout button 216. Furthermore, the game media lending unit 255 may include the function of the game media payout unit 256 described later.

[0061] When the lending button 215 or the payout button 216 is pressed, the game media payout unit 256 executes a process of paying out the loaned game media to the game machine PM. For example, when the payout button 216 is pressed, the game media payout unit 256 may transmit payout information including the number of game media to be paid out to the management server 100, add up and display the number of game media to be paid out on the touch screen 213 of the input / output unit 210, and pay out (discharge) the game media from the inter-machine 200 so that they can be inserted into the game machine PM. Note that a known method may be adopted as the discharge mechanism for discharging the game media.

[0062] When the return button 217 is pressed, the return necessity determination request unit 257 requests the management server 100 to determine whether the game storage medium 500 needs to be returned.

[0063] When the management server 100 determines that the game storage medium 500 needs to be returned, the game storage medium recording unit 258 records the latest information regarding the prepaid value and the number of game media in the game storage medium 500 that is built into or inserted into the inter-machine machine 200 and set in a recordable state, using the game storage medium reader / writer 212.

[0064] When the gaming storage medium recording unit 258 has recorded information relating to the prepaid value amount and the number of gaming media in the gaming storage medium 500 , the gaming storage medium ejection unit 259 ejects the recorded gaming storage medium 500 from the inter-machine machine 200 .

[0065] When the management server 100 determines that the game storage medium 500 does not need to be returned, the game storage medium initialization unit 260 collects the game storage medium 500 and initializes the information stored in the game storage medium 500.

[0066] (Functional configuration of ticket issuing machine 300) Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a functional block configuration of the ticket issuing machine 300 of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 5, the ticket issuing machine 300 includes an input / output unit 310, a storage unit 330, a communication unit 340, and a control unit 350.

[0067] The input / output unit 310 is a user interface used by a customer C of the gaming establishment S to input operation instructions. As shown in Fig. 5, the input / output unit 310 includes a bill validator unit 311, a coin validator unit 312, a gaming storage medium reader / writer 313, a touch screen 314, a numeric keypad 315, and an alarm lamp 316.

[0068] The bill validator unit 311 validates bills inserted into the ticket issuing machine 300 by a customer C who is requesting a cash deposit. The method of validating bills may be any known method.

[0069] The coin validator unit 312 identifies coins inserted into the ticket dispenser 300 by a customer C who is requesting a cash deposit. The coins may be identified by any known method.

[0070] The game storage medium reader / writer 313 reads information stored in the game storage medium 500 and records (writes) information to the game storage medium 500. The method of reading and recording on the game storage medium 500 may be performed by known means.

[0071] The touch screen 314 receives input of deposit request information including a deposit request by credit card and the amount to be deposited. The touch screen 314 also displays information on the prepaid value and game media stored in the management database 131.

[0072] The numeric keypad 315 is an input device for inputting numerical values ​​such as an amount of money, a degree, etc. The numeric keypad 315 may be used to input, for example, an amount to be deposited into the game storage medium 500.

[0073] The notification lamp 316 is an output device for notifying the status of the ticket dispenser 300. For example, the notification lamp 316 may notify the status of whether the ticket dispenser 300 is usable or not.

[0074] The storage unit 330 stores programs for executing various control processes and each function in the control unit 350, input data, etc., and is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The storage unit 330 also temporarily stores data communicated with the management server 100, the inter-machine device 200, the settlement device 400, the settlement center 600, and the mobile terminal 700, and data generated in each process described below.

[0075] The communication unit 340 is a communication interface for wired or wireless communication with the management server 100, the inter-machine machine 200, the settlement device 400, the settlement center 600, and the mobile terminal 700, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). When communicating with the settlement center 600 and the mobile terminal 700, such as when transmitting and receiving credit card information, the communication unit 340 may encrypt the communication using an encryption method such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security).

[0076] The control unit 350 controls the overall operation of the ticket issuing machine 300 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 330, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. Functions of the control unit 350 include a cash deposit request information acquisition unit 351, a deferred payment type deposit request information acquisition unit 352, a code generation and reading unit 353, a prepaid value granting unit 354, a game medium lending unit 355, a game storage medium recording unit 356, and a game storage medium ejection unit 357. The cash deposit request information acquisition unit 351, the deferred payment type deposit request information acquisition unit 352, the code generation and reading unit 353, the prepaid value granting unit 354, the game medium lending unit 355, the game storage medium recording unit 356, and the game storage medium ejection unit 357 are started by a program stored in the storage unit 330 and executed in the ticket issuing machine 300.

[0077] When banknotes and / or coins are inserted into the ticket issuing machine 300, the cash deposit request information acquisition unit 351 acquires the deposit amount of the inserted banknotes from the banknote validator unit 311 and the deposit amount of the inserted coins from the coin validator unit 312, and transmits deposit request information including the cash deposit request and the deposit amount to the management server 100. As another process, when the cash deposit request information acquisition unit 351 receives a notification from the management server 100 that deposit is not possible, it returns the inserted banknotes and / or the inserted coins.

[0078] The postpaid deposit request information acquisition unit 352 accepts input of deposit request information including a deposit request using a postpaid payment method (credit card) and the amount to be deposited, and transmits the entered deposit request information to the management server 100 and / or payment center 600 when a customer C using the amusement facility S operates the touch screen 314 and / or the numeric keypad 315 to input information.

[0079] The code generating and reading unit 353 is responsible for a part of the process of associating the ticket issuing machine 300 with the mobile terminal 700 .

[0080] As a first embodiment, the code generating and reading unit 353 may receive a payment code QR corresponding to the deposit request information acquired by the postpaid deposit request information acquiring unit 352 from the payment center 600, and display it in a readable manner on the touch screen 314 of the input / output unit 310. The payment code QR displayed by the code generating and reading unit 353 is read by the mobile terminal 700, whereby the ticket issuing machine 300 and the mobile terminal 700 are associated with each other.

[0081] As a second embodiment, the code generating and reading unit 353 may read a payment code QR associated with card information of a credit card displayed on the mobile terminal 700. For example, the code generating and reading unit 353 may activate a reader mounted on the ticket issuing machine 300, display a frame for matching the payment code QR to be read on the touch screen 314 of the ticket issuing machine 300 superimposed on a read image of the reader, and read the payment code QR when the displayed frame matches the payment code QR. The code generating and reading unit 353 reads the payment code QR displayed on the mobile terminal 700, whereby the ticket issuing machine 300 and the mobile terminal 700 are associated with each other.

[0082] The prepaid value granting unit 354 executes a prepaid value granting process when it receives a deposit by a prepaid payment means such as cash and is instructed by the management server 100 to grant a prepaid value. For example, the prepaid value granting unit 354 may receive the number of granted prepaid values ​​from the management server 100, and instruct the gaming storage medium recording unit 356 to record the received number of granted prepaid values ​​in the gaming storage medium 500. Furthermore, the prepaid value granting unit 354 may instruct the gaming storage medium ejection unit 357 to eject the gaming storage medium 500 recorded by the gaming storage medium recording unit 356 from the ticket issuing machine 300.

[0083] When the payment by the postpaid payment means (credit card payment) is completed and the management server 100 instructs the lending of the game media, the game media lending unit 355 executes the lending process of the game media according to the deposit amount. For example, the game media lending unit 355 may receive the number of game media to be lent from the management server 100 and instruct the game storage medium recording unit 356 to record the received number of game media to be lent in the game storage medium 500. Furthermore, the game media lending unit 355 may instruct the game storage medium ejection unit 357 to eject the game storage medium 500 recorded by the game storage medium recording unit 356 from the ticket issuing machine 300. Moreover, the game media lending unit 355 may include the functions of the game storage medium recording unit 356 and the game storage medium ejection unit 357.

[0084] The gaming storage medium recording unit 356 records the number of prepaid values ​​to be granted as instructed by the prepaid value granting unit 354 or the number of gaming media to be lent as instructed by the gaming medium lending unit 355, in the gaming storage medium 500 built into the ticket issuing machine 300 and set in a recordable manner, using the gaming storage medium reader / writer 313.

[0085] The gaming storage medium ejection unit 357 ejects (issues) the gaming storage medium 500 recorded by the gaming storage medium recording unit 356 from the ticket issuing machine 300 in response to an instruction from the prepaid value providing unit 354 or the gaming medium lending unit 355 .

[0086] (Functional configuration of settlement device 400) Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a functional block configuration of the settlement device 400 of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 6, the settlement device 400 includes an input / output unit 410, a storage unit 430, a communication unit 440, and a control unit 450.

[0087] The input / output unit 410 is a user interface used by a customer C of the gaming establishment S to input operation instructions. As shown in FIG. 6, the input / output unit 410 includes a gaming storage medium reader / writer 411, a touch screen 412, a numeric keypad 413, and a notification lamp 414.

[0088] The game storage medium reader / writer 411 reads information stored in the game storage medium 500 and records (writes) information to the game storage medium 500. The method of reading and recording information on the game storage medium 500 may be performed by known means.

[0089] The touch screen 412 accepts input of a payment request from a customer C of the gaming facility S. In addition, the touch screen 412 may display information on the prepaid value and gaming media stored in the management database 131.

[0090] The numeric keypad 413 is an input device for inputting numerical values ​​such as an amount of money, a degree, etc. The numeric keypad 413 may be used to input, for example, a prepaid value to be withdrawn from the gaming storage medium 500.

[0091] The notification lamp 414 is an output device for notifying the status of the settlement device 400. For example, the notification lamp 414 may notify the status of whether the settlement device 400 is available for use.

[0092] The storage unit 430 stores programs for executing various control processes and each function in the control unit 450, input data, etc., and is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The storage unit 430 also temporarily stores data communicated with the management server 100, the inter-machine device 200, the ticket issuing machine 300, the settlement center 600, and the mobile terminal 700, and data generated in each process described below.

[0093] The communication unit 440 is a communication interface for wired or wireless communication with the management server 100, the inter-machine device 200, the ticket issuing machine 300, the settlement center 600, and the mobile terminal 700, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). When communicating with the settlement center 600 and the mobile terminal 700, such as when transmitting and receiving credit card information, the communication unit 440 may encrypt the communication using an encryption method such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security).

[0094] The control unit 450 controls the overall operation of the settlement device 400 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 430, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. Functions of the control unit 450 include a settlement request unit 451, a cash withdrawal unit 452, a game storage medium initialization unit 453, a game storage medium recording unit 454, and a game storage medium ejection unit 455. The settlement request unit 451, the cash withdrawal unit 452, the game storage medium initialization unit 453, the game storage medium recording unit 454, and the game storage medium ejection unit 455 are started by a program stored in the storage unit 430 and executed by the settlement device 400.

[0095] The settlement processing request unit 451 accepts insertion of the gaming storage medium 500 by the user C. When the gaming storage medium 500 is inserted into the settlement device 400, the settlement processing request unit 451 reads a card ID that identifies the inserted gaming storage medium 500 with the gaming storage medium reader / writer 411. Then, the settlement processing request unit 451 transmits settlement processing request information including the read card ID and a settlement processing request to the management server 100.

[0096] When the cash withdrawal unit 452 receives a cash withdrawal instruction from the settlement processing unit 155 of the management server 100, it withdraws (returns) cash in an amount corresponding to the settlement amount of the prepaid value.

[0097] When the number of game media held in the game storage medium 500 is zero, the game storage medium initialization unit 453 collects the game storage medium 500 and initializes the information stored in the game storage medium 500.

[0098] When the number of game media held in the game storage medium 500 is not zero, the game storage medium recording unit 454 records the settlement amount of the prepaid value in the game storage medium 500 by the game storage medium reader / writer 411.

[0099] When the gaming storage medium recording unit 454 records the settlement number of the prepaid value in the gaming storage medium 500 , the gaming storage medium ejection unit 455 ejects the recorded gaming storage medium 500 from the settlement device 400 .

[0100] (Data memory structure of the gaming storage medium 500) Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a data memory configuration of the gaming storage medium 500 of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 7, the gaming storage medium 500 stores a card ID, a last update date and time, the number of granted prepaid values, the number of used prepaid values, the number of settled prepaid values, the number of possessed prepaid values, the number of loaned gaming media, the number of paid-out gaming media, the number of acquired gaming media, the number of exchanged gaming media for prizes, and the number of possessed gaming media.

[0101] (Functional configuration of settlement center 600) Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a functional block configuration of the payment center 600 in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 8, the payment center 600 includes an operation unit 610, a display unit 620, a storage unit 630, a communication unit 640, and a control unit 650.

[0102] The operation unit 610 is a user interface used by the administrator of the settlement center 600 to input operations, and may include input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, or may include a device that integrates input and output functions into one, such as a touch screen. Furthermore, the operation unit 610 may be configured as one device together with the settlement center 600, or may be configured as two or more devices.

[0103] The display unit 620 is a user interface used to display the contents of inputs input by the administrator of the settlement center 600 and the contents of transmissions from the management server 100, the inter-machine device 200, the ticket issuing machine 300, the settlement device 400, and the mobile terminal 700, and may be equipped with an output device such as a display, or may be equipped with a device that integrates input and output functions into one, such as a touch screen. Moreover, the display unit 620 may be configured as one device together with the settlement center 600, or may be configured as two or more devices.

[0104] The storage unit 630 stores programs for executing various control processes and each function in the control unit 650, input data, etc., and is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The storage unit 630 also stores a transaction database 631 and a user database 632. Furthermore, the storage unit 630 temporarily stores data communicated with the management server 100, the inter-machine device 200, the ticket issuing machine 300, the settlement device 400, and the mobile terminal 700, and data generated in each process described below.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 9, the transaction database 631 stores a transaction ID, transaction date and time, store ID, device ID, payment amount, user ID, and credit card information. A transaction ID is issued for each credit card payment. The transaction date and time stores the date and time when the credit card payment process is completed. The store ID identifies the store where the credit card payment was made. The device ID identifies the device where the credit card payment was made if multiple deposit terminal devices are installed in a store. The payment amount stores the amount deposited through the credit card payment. The user ID identifies the user who made the credit card payment. The credit card information stores card information for the credit card used for the payment.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 10, the user database 632 stores a user ID, a user name, a credit card ID, credit card information, the current month's billing amount, and a usage limit. The user ID and user name identify a user who uses credit card payment. The credit card ID identifies the credit card used by each user for payment. The credit card information stores card information required for payment for each credit card used by the user for payment. The current month's billing amount is the total amount of credit card payments for the current month, and if the current month's billing amount exceeds the usage limit, the payment process may not be executed.

[0107] 8, the communication unit 640 is a communication interface for wired or wireless communication with the management server 100, the inter-machine machine 200, the ticket issuing machine 300, the settlement device 400, and the mobile terminal 700, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). When communicating with the inter-machine machine 200, the ticket issuing machine 300, and the mobile terminal 700, such as when transmitting and receiving credit card information, the communication unit 640 may encrypt the communication using an encryption method such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security).

[0108] The control unit 650 controls the overall operation of the payment center 600 by executing the programs stored in the memory unit 630, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. Functions of the control unit 650 include a deposit request information receiving unit 651, a payment method information acquiring unit 652, a payment feasibility determining unit 653, a payment processing unit 654, and a payment completion notice sending unit 655. The deposit request information receiving unit 651, the payment method information acquiring unit 652, the payment feasibility determining unit 653, the payment processing unit 654, and the payment completion notice sending unit 655 are started up by the programs stored in the memory unit 630 and executed in the payment center 600.

[0109] The deposit request information receiving unit 651 receives deposit request information including a deposit request by a postpaid payment method (credit card) and a deposit amount from the management server 100. The deposit request information receiving unit 651 may receive the deposit information directly from the inter-machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300 to which the deposit request information by credit card has been input.

[0110] When the deposit request information receiving unit 651 receives deposit request information by a postpaid payment means (credit card), the payment method information acquiring unit 652 acquires payment method information (card information) required for payment by the postpaid payment means (credit card). For example, the payment method information acquiring unit 652 may acquire the card information of the credit card used for the payment process by directly inputting the card information of the credit card into the inter-machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300 into which the deposit request information is input.

[0111] Furthermore, when the deposit request information receiving unit 651 acquires deposit request information by a post-paid payment method (credit card), the payment method information acquisition unit 652 may associate the inter-machine machine 200 or ticket issuing machine 300 to which the deposit request information was input with a mobile terminal 700 that can communicate with the payment center 600, and acquire card information of the credit card to be used for payment processing from the associated mobile terminal 700.

[0112] As a first embodiment, the payment method information acquisition unit 652 may generate a payment code QR corresponding to the deposit request information, and display the payment code QR on the inter-machine machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300 to which the deposit request information by a postpaid payment method (credit card) has been input. The inter-machine machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300 to which the deposit request information by a credit card has been input is associated with the mobile terminal 700 by the mobile terminal 700 reading the payment code QR displayed on the inter-machine machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300. The payment method information acquisition unit 652 can acquire the card information of the credit card used for the payment process from the associated mobile terminal 700 by transmitting an input screen for inputting the card information of the credit card to the mobile terminal 700 that has read the payment code QR corresponding to the deposit request information. Note that the payment method information acquisition unit 652 may omit transmitting the input screen when the user registration or the credit card registration has been performed in advance.

[0113] As a second embodiment, the payment method information acquisition unit 652 may display a reading screen on the inter-machine machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300 to which the deposit request information for a postpaid payment method (credit card) has been input. When the reading screen is displayed on the inter-machine machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300 to which the deposit request information for a credit card has been input, the customer C causes the mobile terminal 700 to display a payment code QR associated with the card information of the credit card. Then, by having the reading screen of the inter-machine machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300 read the displayed payment code QR, the card information of the credit card used for the payment process can be acquired.

[0114] The payment possibility determination unit 653 determines whether or not credit card payment is possible based on the card information of the credit card acquired by the payment method information acquisition unit 652. For example, the payment possibility determination unit 653 may determine whether or not credit card payment is possible by inquiring of whether or not payment is possible to a credit card company. The payment possibility determination unit 653 may also determine whether or not credit card payment is possible by referring to the transaction database 631 and determining whether or not the billing amount for the current month exceeds the upper limit of usage. If the payment possibility determination unit 653 determines that credit card payment is not possible, it transmits a payment failure notice to the mobile terminal 700 and the management server 100. The management server 100 may transmit the received payment failure notice to the inter-machine machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300 to which the deposit request information was input, or the payment possibility determination unit 653 may directly transmit the payment failure notice to the inter-machine machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300.

[0115] If the payment feasibility determination unit 653 determines that credit card payment is possible, the payment processing unit 654 executes credit card payment based on the card information acquired by the payment method information acquisition unit 652 and the deposit request information acquired by the deposit request information receiving unit 651.

[0116] When the credit card payment executed by the payment processing unit 654 is completed, the payment completion notification sending unit 655 sends a payment completion notification notifying that the credit card payment has been completed to the mobile terminal 700 and the management server 100. Note that the management server 100 may send the received payment completion notification to the inter-machine machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300 into which the deposit request information was input, or the payment completion notification sending unit 655 may directly send the payment completion notification to the inter-machine machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300.

[0117] (Functional configuration of the mobile terminal 700) Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a functional block configuration of the mobile terminal 700 of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 11, the mobile terminal 700 includes an operation unit 710, a display unit 720, a storage unit 730, a communication unit 740, and a control unit 750.

[0118] The operation unit 710 is a user interface used by customers C of the gaming facility S to input operations, and may be equipped with input devices such as a keyboard and mouse, or may be equipped with a device that integrates input and output functions into one, such as a touch screen.

[0119] The display unit 720 is a user interface used to display the input contents entered by a customer C of the gaming establishment S and the contents transmitted from the management server 100, the inter-machine machine 200, the ticket issuing machine 300, the settlement device 400, and the payment center 600, and may be equipped with an output device such as a display, or may be equipped with a device that integrates input and output functions into one, such as a touch screen.

[0120] The storage unit 730 stores programs for executing various control processes and each function in the control unit 750, input data, etc., and is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The storage unit 630 also temporarily stores data communicated with the management server 100, the inter-machine device 200, the ticket issuing machine 300, the settlement device 400, and the settlement center 600, and data generated in each process described below.

[0121] The communication unit 740 is a communication interface for wired or wireless communication with the management server 100, the inter-machine machine 200, the ticket issuing machine 300, the settlement device 400, and the settlement center 600, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). When communicating with the inter-machine machine 200, the ticket issuing machine 300, and the settlement center 600, such as when transmitting and receiving credit card information, the communication unit 740 may encrypt the communication using an encryption method such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security).

[0122] The control unit 750 controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 700 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 730, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. Functions of the control unit 750 include a code generation and reading unit 751, and a payment method information transmission unit 752. The code generation and reading unit 751 and the payment method information transmission unit 752 are activated by a program stored in the storage unit 730 and executed by the mobile terminal 700.

[0123] The code generating and reading unit 751 plays a part in the process of associating the mobile terminal 700 with the inter-unit machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300 to which the credit card deposit request information has been input.

[0124] As a first embodiment, the code generation reading unit 751 may read a payment code QR corresponding to the deposit request information displayed on the inter-machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300 to which the deposit request information has been input. For example, the code generation reading unit 751 may start a camera mounted on the mobile terminal 700, display a frame for matching the payment code QR to be read on the display unit 720 of the mobile terminal 700 in a state where the frame is superimposed on an image captured by the camera, and read the payment code QR when the displayed frame matches the payment code QR. When the code generation reading unit 751 reads the payment code QR corresponding to the deposit request information, the inter-machine 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300 to which the deposit request information by credit card has been input is associated with the mobile terminal 700, and the card information of the credit card can be obtained.

[0125] As a second embodiment, the code generating and reading unit 751 may display a payment code QR associated with card information of a credit card used for payment on the display unit 720 of the mobile terminal 700. When the payment code QR displayed on the mobile terminal 700 is read by the inter-machine unit 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300 to which the deposit request information has been input, the inter-machine unit 200 or the ticket issuing machine 300 to which the deposit request information has been input is associated with the mobile terminal 700, and the card information of the credit card can be obtained.

[0126] The payment method information transmitting unit 752 transmits card information of the credit card used for payment processing to the payment center 600. For example, the payment method information transmitting unit 752 may display on the display unit 720 an input screen into which the credit card information received from the payment center 600 can be input, and transmit the credit card information input on the displayed input screen to the payment center 600.

[0127] (Flow of issuing gaming storage media by cash deposit) Next, the operation of the gaming machine payment system 1 configured as above will be described. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a flow of issuing a gaming storage medium 500 by cash deposit in the gaming machine payment system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. This flow may be applied not only to cash, but also to deposits by advance payment means such as prepaid cards and cash cards, and immediate payment means such as debit cards.

[0128] In step S101, the cash deposit request information acquisition unit 351 of the ticket issuing machine 300 accepts a cash deposit by inserting bills and / or coins.

[0129] In step S102, the cash deposit request information acquisition unit 351 of the ticket issuing machine 300 acquires the deposit amount of the inserted banknotes and / or coins based on the type of banknote identified by the banknote recognition machine unit 311 and the type of coin identified by the coin recognition machine unit 312.

[0130] In step S103, the cash deposit request information acquisition unit 351 of the ticket issuing machine 300 transmits to the management server 100 deposit request information including a cash deposit request and the amount to be deposited.

[0131] In step S104, the gaming storage medium management unit 151 of the management server 100 issues a card ID for identifying the gaming storage medium 500 in order to issue the gaming storage medium 500. The gaming storage medium management unit 151 may instruct the ticket issuing machine 300 to set the gaming storage medium 500 built in the ticket issuing machine 300 so that it is recordable.

[0132] In step S105, the prepaid value management unit 153 of the management server 100 accesses the management database 131, adds and updates the amount of prepaid value linked to the card ID issued by the gaming storage medium management unit 151 according to the amount of deposit, and transmits the added and updated amount of prepaid value to the ticket issuing machine 300, thereby instructing the ticket issuing machine 300 to perform the prepaid value adding process.

[0133] In step S106, the prepaid value granting unit 354 of the ticket issuing machine 300 executes a prepaid value granting process. Specifically, the prepaid value granting unit 354 receives the number of granted prepaid values ​​from the management server 100, and instructs the game storage medium recording unit 356 to record the received number of granted prepaid values ​​in the game storage medium 500. The game storage medium recording unit 356 of the ticket issuing machine 300 records the number of granted prepaid values ​​in the game storage medium 500 that is built into the ticket issuing machine 300 and set in a recordable manner.

[0134] In step S107, the prepaid value imparting unit 354 of the ticket issuing machine 300 instructs the game storage medium ejection unit 357 to eject the game storage medium 500 on which the number of imparted prepaid values ​​is recorded from the ticket issuing machine 300. The game storage medium ejection unit 357 of the ticket issuing machine 300 issues (ejects) the game storage medium 500 on which the game storage medium recording unit 356 has recorded the number of imparted prepaid values ​​from the ticket issuing machine 300. When the issued game storage medium 500 is inserted into the inter-machine machine 200, the imparted prepaid value can be used to lend game media. When the issued game storage medium 500 is inserted into the settlement device 400, the imparted prepaid value can be settled (withdrawn) into cash.

[0135] (Flow of issuing gaming storage media by credit card payment) 13 is a diagram showing an example of a flow of issuing a gaming storage medium 500 by credit card deposit in the gaming machine payment system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. This flow may be applied not only to a credit card deposit but also to a postpaid payment method other than a credit card.

[0136] In step S201, the postpaid deposit request information acquisition unit 352 of the ticket issuing machine 300 accepts the input of a deposit request by credit card. A customer C of the gaming facility S operates the touch screen 314 of the ticket issuing machine 300 to select the deposit button by credit card.

[0137] In step S202, when a deposit request by credit card is input, the postpaid deposit request information acquisition unit 352 of the ticket issuing machine 300 displays an amount selection screen on the touch screen 314 and accepts the selection of the deposit amount. The postpaid deposit request information acquisition unit 352 may also accept the input of the deposit amount via the numeric keypad 315.

[0138] In step S203, the postpaid deposit request information acquisition unit 352 of the ticket issuing machine 300 transmits deposit request information including the input credit card deposit request and the deposit amount to the management server 100. The postpaid deposit request information acquisition unit 352 may transmit the credit card deposit request information to the settlement center 600.

[0139] In step S204, when the gaming storage medium management unit 151 of the management server 100 receives the credit card deposit request information from the ticket issuing machine 300, it issues a card ID for identifying the gaming storage medium 500 in order to issue a new gaming storage medium 500. The gaming storage medium management unit 151 of the management server 100 may instruct the ticket issuing machine 300 to set the gaming storage medium 500 built in the ticket issuing machine 300 so that it is recordable.

[0140] In step S205, the game storage medium management unit 151 of the management server 100 transmits the credit card deposit request information received from the ticket issuing machine 300 and the device ID for identifying the ticket issuing machine 300 to the settlement center 600.

[0141] In step S206, the deposit request information receiving unit 651 of the payment center 600 receives the credit card deposit request information and the device ID from the management server 100. Then, the payment method information acquiring unit 652 of the payment center 600 generates a payment code QR corresponding to the credit card deposit request information received by the deposit request information receiving unit 651, and transmits the payment code QR to the ticket issuing machine 300 into which the credit card deposit request information has been input. The payment method information acquiring unit 652 may transmit the payment code QR to the ticket issuing machine 300 via the management server 100.

[0142] In step S207, the code generating and reading unit 353 of the ticket issuing machine 300 receives the payment code QR corresponding to the credit card deposit request information from the payment center 600, and displays it on the touch screen 314 of the input / output unit 310 of the ticket issuing machine 300 so that it can be read.

[0143] In step S208, a payment application is started by the user C in the mobile terminal 700 capable of communicating with the payment center 600. Then, the code generation and reading unit 751 of the mobile terminal 700 starts the camera mounted on the mobile terminal 700 and reads the payment code QR. The payment code QR may include a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for accessing an input screen for inputting credit card information.

[0144] In step S209, the payment method information acquisition unit 652 of the payment center 600 causes the mobile terminal 700 that has read the payment QR code to display an input screen on which credit card information can be input.

[0145] In step S210, the payment method information transmitting unit 752 of the mobile terminal 700 displays on the display unit 720 an input screen on which the credit card information received from the payment center 600 can be input, and transmits the credit card information input on the displayed input screen to the payment center 600. Note that if the credit card information has been registered in advance, the payment method information transmitting unit 752 may omit displaying the input screen, and transmit the pre-registered credit card information or identification information for identifying the card information to the payment center 600.

[0146] In step S211, the payment availability determination unit 653 of the payment center 600 determines, based on the card information of the credit card acquired by the payment method information acquisition unit 652, whether or not the credit card payment is available with the credit card.

[0147] In step S212, if the payment possibility determination unit 653 of the payment center 600 determines that the credit card payment is not possible, it transmits a payment impossibility notice to the mobile terminal 700 and the management server 100, and ends the process.

[0148] In step S213, if the payment possibility determination unit 653 determines that credit card payment is possible, the payment processing unit 654 of the payment center 600 executes credit card payment based on the card information acquired by the payment method information acquisition unit 652 and the credit card deposit request information acquired by the deposit request information receiving unit 651. The payment processing unit 654 may store the payment information of the executed credit card payment in the transaction database 631 and the user database 632.

[0149] In step S214, when the credit card payment executed by the payment processing unit 654 is completed, the payment completion notification sending unit 655 of the payment center 600 sends a payment completion notification to the mobile terminal 700 and the management server 100 to notify that the credit card payment has been completed.

[0150] In step S215, when the game media management unit 154 of the management server 100 receives a settlement completion notice from the settlement center 600, it instructs the ticket issuing machine 300 to perform a lending process of game media according to the deposited amount. Specifically, the game media management unit 154 accesses the management database 131, adds and updates the number of lent game media linked to the card ID issued by the game storage medium management unit 151 according to the deposited amount by credit card, and transmits the added and updated number of lent game media to the ticket issuing machine 300.

[0151] In step S216, the game medium lending unit 355 of the ticket issuing machine 300 executes a process of lending game media according to the amount of the deposit. Specifically, the game medium lending unit 355 receives the number of lent game media from the management server 100, and instructs the game storage medium recording unit 356 to record the received number of lent game media in the game storage medium 500. The game storage medium recording unit 356 of the ticket issuing machine 300 records the added and updated number of lent game media in the game storage medium 500 built in the ticket issuing machine 300 and set in a recordable manner.

[0152] In step S217, the game medium lending unit 355 of the ticket issuing machine 300 instructs the game storage medium ejection unit 357 to eject the game storage medium 500 recorded by the game storage medium recording unit 356 from the ticket issuing machine 300. The game storage medium ejection unit 357 of the ticket issuing machine 300 issues (ejects) the game storage medium 500 on which the number of lent game media is recorded from the ticket issuing machine 300. By inserting the issued game storage medium 500 into the inter-machine machine 200, the lent game medium can be paid out to the game machine PM and played.

[0153] (Cash deposit flow at machine 200) 14 is a diagram showing an example of a cash deposit flow at the inter-machine machine 200 of the gaming machine payment system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. This flow may be applied not only to cash deposits, but also to deposits by advance payment means such as prepaid cards and cash cards, and immediate payment means such as debit cards.

[0154] In step S301, the cash deposit request information acquisition unit 251 of the inter-machine machine 200 accepts a cash deposit by inserting a bill.

[0155] In step S302, the cash deposit request information acquisition unit 251 of the inter-machine unit 200 acquires the deposit amount of the inserted banknote based on the type of banknote recognized by the banknote recognition unit 211.

[0156] In step S303, the cash deposit request information acquisition unit 251 of the inter-machine 200 transmits to the management server 100 deposit request information including a cash deposit request and the amount to be deposited.

[0157] In step S304, when the gaming storage medium management unit 151 of the management server 100 receives cash deposit request information from the inter-machine machine 200, it determines whether or not a gaming storage medium 500 is inserted into the inter-machine machine 200 by inquiring of the inter-machine machine 200.

[0158] In step S305, if the gaming storage medium management unit 151 of the management server 100 determines that the gaming storage medium 500 is not inserted in the inter-machine machine 200, it issues a card ID that identifies the gaming storage medium 500 in order to issue a new gaming storage medium 500, and instructs the inter-machine machine 200 to set the gaming storage medium 500 built into the inter-machine machine 200 so that it is recordable.

[0159] In step S306, if the gaming storage medium management unit 151 of the management server 100 determines that the gaming storage medium 500 is inserted into the inter-machine machine 200, it obtains a card ID for identifying the gaming storage medium 500 inserted into the inter-machine machine 200.

[0160] In step S307, when the gaming storage medium management unit 151 determines that the gaming storage medium 500 is inserted into the inter-machine machine 200, the deposit possibility determination unit 152 of the management server 100 refers to the management database 131 linked to the card ID corresponding to the inserted gaming storage medium 500, and determines whether or not deposit is possible.

[0161] In step S308, if the deposit possibility determination unit 152 of the management server 100 determines that the deposit is not possible, it transmits a notification of the impossibility of the deposit to the inter-machine 200. By setting a limit on the cash deposit by the deposit possibility determination unit 152, it is possible to prevent the gambling spirit of the customer C of the gaming establishment S from being aroused.

[0162] In step S309, if the cash deposit request information acquisition unit 251 of the inter-machine 200 receives a notification from the deposit permission / prohibition determination unit 152 of the management server 100 that the deposit is not possible, it returns the inserted cash.

[0163] In step S310, the prepaid value management unit 153 of the management server 100 accesses the management database 131, adds and updates the amount of prepaid value linked to the card ID issued by the game storage medium management unit 151 according to the amount of deposit, and transmits the added and updated amount of prepaid value to the inter-machine machine 200, thereby executing the prepaid value addition process.

[0164] In step S311, the prepaid value granting unit 254 of the inter-machine 200 receives the updated number of granted prepaid value from the management server 100, and adds and displays the number of granted prepaid value on the touch screen 213 of the input / output unit 210. By the prepaid value granting unit 254 adding and displaying the number of granted prepaid value, it is possible to make it easier for the customer C to recognize that prepaid value has been granted.

[0165] In step S312, the game medium lending section 255 of the inter-machine 200 accepts pressing of the lending button 215.

[0166] In step S313, when the game media lending unit 255 of the inter-machine 200 receives a press of the lending button 215, it obtains the number of uses of the prepaid value by inputting it into the numeric keypad 214, and transmits the obtained number of uses of the prepaid value to the management server 100.

[0167] In step S314, when the game media management unit 154 of the management server 100 receives the number of uses of prepaid value from the inter-machine machine 200, it accesses the management database 131, adds and updates the number of game media loaned and paid out linked to the card ID issued or acquired by the game storage medium management unit 151 and the number of uses of prepaid value based on the loan request information, and sends the added and updated number of game media loaned and paid out and the number of uses of prepaid value to the inter-machine machine 200, thereby instructing the loaning process of the game media.

[0168] In step S315, the game media lending unit 255 of the inter-machine 200 executes a game media lending process according to the amount of deposit. Specifically, it receives the updated number of lent and paid out game media and the number of used prepaid value from the management server 100, and displays them on the touch screen 213 of the input / output unit 210. Note that the game media lending unit 255 may display the number of owned game media and the number of owned prepaid value on the touch screen 213 of the input / output unit 210, instead of the number of lent and paid out game media and the number of used prepaid value.

[0169] In step S316, the game medium lending unit 255 of the inter-machine 200 instructs the game medium dispensing unit 256 to dispense game media. The game medium dispensing unit 256 dispenses (ejects) game media corresponding to the number of game media to be dispensed from the inter-machine 200 to the game machine PM. By dispensing the game media, the game machine PM is ready for play.

[0170] Through the above steps, when depositing money by a prepaid payment method such as cash, a prepaid value that can be settled (withdrawn) into cash is first provided according to the amount of the deposit. The provided prepaid value then goes through a gaming medium lending process, and is finally paid out (discharged) to the gaming machine. (Credit card payment flow for machine 200)

[0171] 15 is a diagram showing an example of a credit card deposit flow at the inter-machine 200 of the gaming machine payment system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. This flow may be applied not only to credit cards, but also to deposits by deferred payment means other than credit cards.

[0172] In step S401, the postpaid deposit request information acquisition unit 252 of the inter-machine 200 accepts the input of a deposit request by credit card. A customer C of the gaming establishment S operates the touch screen 213 of the inter-machine 200 to select the deposit button by credit card.

[0173] In step S402, when a deposit request by credit card is input, the postpaid deposit request information acquisition unit 252 of the inter-machine 200 displays an amount selection screen on the touch screen 213 and accepts the selection of the deposit amount. The postpaid deposit request information acquisition unit 252 may accept the input of the deposit amount via the numeric keypad 214.

[0174] In step S403, the postpaid type deposit request information acquisition unit 252 of the inter-machine 200 transmits deposit request information including the input credit card deposit request and the deposit amount to the management server 100. The postpaid type deposit request information acquisition unit 252 may transmit the deposit request information to the settlement center 600.

[0175] In step S404, when the gaming storage medium management unit 151 of the management server 100 receives credit card deposit request information from the inter-machine machine 200, it determines whether or not a gaming storage medium 500 is inserted into the inter-machine machine 200 by inquiring of the inter-machine machine 200.

[0176] In step S405, if the gaming storage medium management unit 151 of the management server 100 determines that the gaming storage medium 500 is not inserted in the inter-machine machine 200, it issues a card ID that identifies the gaming storage medium 500 in order to issue a new gaming storage medium 500, and instructs the inter-machine machine 200 to set the gaming storage medium 500 built into the inter-machine machine 200 so that it is recordable.

[0177] In step S406, if the gaming storage medium management unit 151 of the management server 100 determines that the gaming storage medium 500 is inserted into the inter-machine machine 200, it obtains a card ID for identifying the gaming storage medium 500 inserted into the inter-machine machine 200.

[0178] In step S407, when the gaming storage medium management unit 151 determines that the gaming storage medium 500 is inserted into the inter-machine machine 200, the deposit possibility determination unit 152 of the management server 100 refers to the management database 131 linked to the card ID corresponding to the inserted gaming storage medium 500, and determines whether or not deposit is possible.

[0179] In step S408, if the deposit possibility determination unit 152 of the management server 100 determines that the deposit is not possible, it transmits a notification of the impossibility of the deposit to the inter-machine 200. By the deposit possibility determination unit 152 setting a limit on the deposit by credit card, it is possible to prevent the gambling spirit of the customer C of the gaming establishment S from being aroused.

[0180] In step S409, the game storage medium management unit 151 of the management server 100 transmits to the settlement center 600 the credit card deposit request information received from the inter-machine machine 200 and the device ID for identifying the inter-machine machine 200.

[0181] In step S410, the deposit request information receiving unit 651 of the settlement center 600 receives the credit card deposit request information and the device ID from the management server 100. Then, the payment method information acquiring unit 652 of the settlement center 600 generates a payment code QR corresponding to the credit card deposit request information acquired by the deposit request information receiving unit 651, and transmits the payment code QR to the inter-machine device 200 to which the credit card deposit request information was input. The payment method information acquiring unit 652 may transmit the payment code QR to the inter-machine device 200 via the management server 100.

[0182] In step S411, the code generating and reading unit 253 of the inter-machine 200 receives a payment code QR corresponding to the credit card deposit request information from the payment center 600, and displays it readably on the touch screen 213 of the input / output unit 210 of the inter-machine 200.

[0183] In step S412, the customer C starts a payment application on the mobile terminal 700. Then, the code generating and reading unit 751 of the mobile terminal 700 starts a camera mounted on the mobile terminal 700 and reads the payment code QR. The payment code QR may include a uniform resource locator (URL) for accessing an input screen for inputting credit card information.

[0184] In step S413, the payment method information acquisition unit 652 of the payment center 600 causes the mobile terminal 700 that has read the payment QR code to display an input screen on which credit card information can be input.

[0185] In step S414, the payment method information transmitting unit 752 of the mobile terminal 700 displays on the display unit 720 an input screen into which the credit card information received from the payment center 600 can be input, and transmits the credit card information input on the displayed input screen to the payment center 600. Note that if the credit card information has been registered in advance, the payment method information transmitting unit 752 may omit displaying the input screen and transmit the pre-registered credit card information to the payment center 600.

[0186] In step S415, the payment availability determination unit 653 of the payment center 600 determines, based on the card information of the credit card acquired by the payment method information acquisition unit 652, whether or not the credit card payment is available with the credit card.

[0187] In step S416, if the payment possibility determination unit 653 of the payment center 600 determines that the credit card payment is not possible, it transmits a payment impossibility notice to the mobile terminal 700 and the management server 100, and ends the process.

[0188] In step S417, if the payment possibility determination unit 653 determines that credit card payment is possible, the payment processing unit 654 of the payment center 600 executes credit card payment based on the card information acquired by the payment method information acquisition unit 652 and the credit card deposit request information acquired by the deposit request information receiving unit 651. The payment processing unit 654 stores the payment information of the executed credit card payment in the transaction database 631 and the user database 632.

[0189] In step S418, when the credit card payment executed by the payment processing unit 654 is completed, the payment completion notification sending unit 655 of the payment center 600 sends a payment completion notification to the mobile terminal 700 and the management server 100 to notify that the credit card payment has been completed.

[0190] In step S419, when the game media management unit 154 of the management server 100 receives a settlement completion notice from the settlement center 600, it instructs the inter-machine machine 200 to perform a game media lending process. Specifically, the game media management unit 154 accesses the management database 131, adds and updates the number of lent game media linked to the card ID issued by the game storage medium management unit 151 according to the amount of the deposit by credit card, and transmits the added and updated number of lent game media to the inter-machine machine 200.

[0191] In step S420, the game media lending unit 255 of the inter-machine 200 executes a process of lending game media according to the amount of the deposit. Specifically, the game media lending unit 255 receives the incremented and updated number of lent game media from the management server 100, and adds and displays the number of lent game media on the touch screen 213 of the input / output unit 210. By the game media lending unit 255 adding and displaying the number of lent game media, it is possible to make the user C easily realize that the game media has been lent.

[0192] In step S421, the game media payout section 256 of the inter-machine 200 accepts pressing of the payout button 216.

[0193] In step S422, when the game media payout section 256 of the inter-machine 200 receives a press of the payout button 216, the game media payout section 256 transmits to the management server 100 the number of game media to be paid out.

[0194] In step S423, the game media management unit 154 of the management server 100 accesses the management database 131, increments and updates the number of game media paid out linked to the card ID issued or acquired by the game storage medium management unit 151, and transmits the incremented and updated number of game media paid out to the inter-machine machine 200.

[0195] In step S424, the game media payout unit 256 of the inter-machine machine 200 adds and displays the number of game media to be paid out on the touch screen 213 of the input / output unit 210. Then, the game media payout unit 256 of the inter-machine machine 200 pays out (discharges) game media equivalent to the added amount of the payout number of game media received from the management server 100 from the inter-machine machine 200 to the game machine PM. By the payment of the game media, the game machine PM is prepared for play.

[0196] Through the above steps, when depositing with a credit card, unlike depositing with cash, a prepaid value that can be settled (withdrawn) into cash is not given, and gaming media can be directly loaned. Then, the loaned gaming media can be finally paid out (discharged) to the gaming machine.

[0197] (Flow of returning the gaming storage medium 500 in the machine 200) FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a return flow of the gaming storage medium 500 in the inter-machine 200 of the gaming machine settlement system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0198] In step S501, the return necessity determination request unit 257 of the inter-machine 200 accepts pressing of the return button 217.

[0199] In step S502, when the return necessity determination request unit 257 of the intermediate machine 200 receives a press of the return button 217, it transmits a determination request as to whether the game storage medium 500 needs to be returned to the management server 100.

[0200] In step S503, when the gaming storage medium management unit 151 of the management server 100 receives a request to determine whether or not the gaming storage medium 500 needs to be returned from the return necessity determination request unit 257 of the inter-machine machine 200, it refers to the management database 131 and determines whether or not the prepaid value of the card ID linked to the gaming storage medium 500 and the number of gaming media held are zero.

[0201] In step S504, if the gaming storage medium management unit 151 of the management server 100 determines that the prepaid value of the card ID linked to the gaming storage medium 500 and the number of gaming media held are not zero, it transmits the latest information of the management database 131 to the inter-machine machine 200 and instructs the inter-machine machine 200 to return (eject) the gaming storage medium 500.

[0202] In step S505, when the gaming storage medium recording unit 258 of the inter-machine machine 200 receives an instruction to return the gaming storage medium 500 from the management server 100, it records the latest information regarding the prepaid value and the number of gaming media in the gaming storage medium 500 that is built into or inserted into the inter-machine machine 200 and set to be recordable, using the gaming storage medium reader / writer 212.

[0203] In step S506, the gaming storage medium ejection unit 259 of the inter-machine 200 ejects the gaming storage medium 500 that records the latest information on the prepaid value amount and the number of gaming media from the inter-machine 200. The ejected gaming storage medium 500 can be used for cash settlement or prize exchange at the settlement device 400.

[0204] In step S507, if the gaming storage medium management unit 151 of the management server 100 determines that the prepaid value of the card ID linked to the gaming storage medium 500 and the number of gaming media held are zero, it instructs the inter-machine 200 to collect and initialize the gaming storage medium 500.

[0205] In step S508, the game storage medium initialization unit 260 of the inter-machine 200 collects the game storage medium 500 and initializes the information stored in the game storage medium 500.

[0206] (Settlement flow of the gaming storage medium 500 in the settlement device 400) FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a settlement flow of the gaming storage medium 500 in the settlement device 400 of the gaming machine settlement system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0207] In step S601, the settlement process request unit 451 of the settlement device 400 accepts the insertion of the game storage medium 500.

[0208] In step S602, when the gaming storage medium 500 is inserted into the settlement device 400, the gaming storage medium reader / writer 411 of the settlement device 400 reads the card ID of the inserted gaming storage medium 500. Then, the settlement process request unit 451 of the settlement device 400 transmits settlement process request information including the card ID read by the gaming storage medium reader / writer 411 and a settlement process request to the management server 100.

[0209] In step S603, the settlement processing unit 155 of the management server 100 acquires a card ID from the received settlement processing request information, accesses the management database 131, stores the number of prepaid value possessed in the settlement number of prepaid value linked to the acquired card ID, and instructs the settlement device 400 to withdraw cash in an amount corresponding to the stored settlement number of prepaid value.

[0210] In step S604, the cash dispensing unit 452 of the settlement device 400 dispenses (returns) cash in an amount corresponding to the settled amount of the prepaid value.

[0211] In step S605, the settlement processing unit 155 of the management server 100 accesses the management database 131, and determines whether or not the number of game media held that are linked to the acquired card ID is zero.

[0212] In step S606, if the settlement processing unit 155 of the management server 100 determines that the number of game media linked to the acquired card ID is zero, it instructs the settlement device 400 to collect and initialize the game storage medium 500.

[0213] In step S607, the game storage medium initialization unit 453 of the settlement device 400 collects the game storage medium 500 and initializes the information stored in the game storage medium 500.

[0214] In step S608, if the settlement processing unit 155 of the management server 100 determines that the number of game media linked to the acquired card ID is not zero, it instructs the settlement device 400 to record and eject the latest information of the game storage medium 500.

[0215] In step S609, the gaming storage medium recording unit 454 of the settlement device 400 records the settlement number of the prepaid value in the gaming storage medium 500 by the gaming storage medium reader / writer 411. Then, the gaming storage medium ejection unit 455 of the settlement device 400 ejects the gaming storage medium 500 recorded by the gaming storage medium recording unit 454 from the settlement device 400. The ejected gaming storage medium 500 can be used for prize exchange because it has a gaming medium recorded therein.

[0216] As a result of the above steps, in the settlement flow for the gaming storage medium 500, only the prepaid value stored in the gaming storage medium 500 is settled into cash, so that credit card deposits in which the gaming medium is directly loaned are not settled (withdrawn) into cash, thereby preventing the conversion of credit cards into cash.

[0217] (Example of the screen display of the machine 200 when paying by credit card) Next, examples of displays on the touch screen 213 of the inter-machine 200 when a payment is made by credit card will be described with reference to Figs.

[0218] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the touch screen 213 of the inter-machine 200 when requesting a deposit by credit card. As shown in FIG. 18, the touch screen 213 displays at least a recorded information screen 213A and a credit card deposit button 213B. The recorded information screen 213A may display information regarding the prepaid value and the number of game media, for example, the number of prepaid values ​​granted, the number of game media lent, and the number of game media paid out. The credit card deposit button 213B accepts a request for deposit by credit card. When the credit card deposit button 213B is tapped, the screen transitions to an amount selection screen.

[0219] Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the touch screen 213 of the machine 200 that displays an amount selection screen for selecting the amount to be deposited by credit card. As shown in Fig. 19, the touch screen 213 displays amount selection buttons 213C to 213E. The amount to be deposited is selected by tapping each of the amount selection buttons 213C to 213E.

[0220] Fig. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the touch screen 213 of the inter-machine 200 displaying the payment code QR. As shown in Fig. 20, the touch screen 213 displays the payment code QR corresponding to the deposit request information including a request for deposit by credit card and the amount to be deposited.

[0221] 21 is a diagram showing an example of the touch screen 213 of the inter-machine 200 when the credit card payment is completed. As shown in FIG. 21, the number of lent game media is added up and displayed on the record information screen 213A of the touch screen 213.

[0222] (effect) The gaming machine payment system 1 of this embodiment comprises a deposit request information acquisition unit 251, 351 that acquires deposit request information including a deposit request (credit card) using a post-paid payment means (credit card) (credit card deposit button 213B) and a deposit amount (amount selection buttons 213C to 213E), a payment method information acquisition unit 652 that acquires payment method information (card information) required for payment using a post-paid payment means when the deposit request information acquisition unit 251, 351 acquires the deposit request information, a payment processing unit 654 that executes payment based on the payment method information acquired by the payment method information acquisition unit 652 and the deposit request information acquired by the deposit request information receiving unit 651, and a gaming medium lending unit 255, 355 that executes a loan process of gaming media according to the deposit amount when the payment executed by the payment processing unit 654 is completed. As a result, when a deposit is made using a deferred payment method, a prepaid value that can be converted into cash is not given, and game media that can be exchanged for prizes are lent, so that it is possible to acquire new customers who use deferred payment methods while preventing the conversion to cash using the deferred payment method.

[0223] The gaming machine payment system 1 according to this embodiment further includes a gaming storage medium 500 capable of storing at least the number of gaming media lent by the gaming medium lending unit 255, 355, and when the payment executed by the payment processing unit 654 is completed, the gaming medium lending unit 255, 355 records the number of lent gaming media corresponding to the deposit amount (amount selection buttons 213C to 213E) in the gaming storage medium 500. As a result, when a deposit is made using a deferred payment method, the number of prepaid values ​​that can be settled into cash is not recorded in the gaming storage medium, but the number of lent gaming media that can be exchanged for prizes is recorded, so that it is possible to acquire new customers who use deferred payment methods while reliably preventing the amount from being converted into cash using deferred payment methods.

[0224] The gaming machine settlement system 1 according to this embodiment includes a deposit terminal device (inter-machine machine 200, ticket issuing machine 300) having a deposit request information acquisition unit 251, 351 and a gaming medium lending unit 255, 355, and a settlement center 600 having a payment method information acquisition unit 652 and a settlement processing unit 654, and further includes a mobile terminal 700 capable of reading a payment code QR corresponding to the deposit request information. When the payment method information acquisition unit 652 acquires deposit request information from the deposit terminal device (inter-machine machine 200, ticket issuing machine 300), it displays the payment code QR on the deposit terminal device (inter-machine machine 200, ticket issuing machine 300) and acquires the payment method information of the deferred payment method from the mobile terminal 700 that reads the payment code QR. As a result, a customer who uses a gaming establishment can make a payment by a deferred payment method using a mobile terminal owned by the customer, so that the gaming establishment does not need to introduce a reading device or the like that reads the payment method information of the deferred payment method, and the introduction cost can be reduced. Furthermore, as long as one has a mobile terminal, payment can be made by deferred payment means regardless of whether one is a member of the gaming establishment or not, so that the establishment can further acquire new customers who use deferred payment means.

[0225] The gaming machine payment system 1 of this embodiment includes a deposit terminal device (machine interchanging machine 200, ticket issuing machine 300) having a deposit request information acquisition unit 251, 351 and the gaming medium lending unit 255, 355, and a payment center 600 having a payment method information acquisition unit 652 and a payment processing unit 654, and further includes a mobile terminal 700 capable of displaying a payment code QR associated with payment method information of a post-paid payment method, and when the payment method information acquisition unit 652 acquires deposit request information from the deposit terminal device (machine interchanging machine 200, ticket issuing machine 300), it displays a reading screen on the deposit terminal device (machine interchanging machine 200, ticket issuing machine 300) that can read the payment code QR, and acquires credit card information by having the payment code QR displayed by the mobile terminal 700 be read on the reading screen. This allows patrons of gaming establishments to make payments using deferred payment methods on their own mobile terminals, eliminating the need for gaming establishments to install reading devices for reading payment method information on deferred payment methods, thereby reducing installation costs. Furthermore, as long as a patron has a mobile terminal, payment can be made using deferred payment methods regardless of whether they are members of the gaming establishment or not, so new customers who use deferred payment methods can be acquired.

[0226] Finally, a modification of the gaming machine settlement system 1 according to the present invention will be described.

[0227] In the above embodiment, the gaming machine payment system 1 is exemplified to acquire card information required for payment by credit card via the payment code QR, but the gaming machine payment system 1 may also acquire card information of the credit card used for payment by directly inserting the credit card into the deposit terminal device (the inter-machine machine 200, the ticket issuing machine 300) when the credit card is a contact IC card. Specifically, in the gaming machine payment system 1, the deposit terminal device further has a card terminal into which a credit card can be inserted, and the payment method information acquisition unit 652 of the payment center 600 may acquire the card information of the credit card from the card terminal into which the credit card is inserted when it acquires deposit request information from the deposit terminal device.

[0228] Furthermore, in the gaming machine payment system 1, when the credit card is a contactless IC card, the credit card may be held over a deposit terminal device (the inter-machine device 200, the ticket issuing machine 300) to obtain card information of the credit card used for payment by a Near Field Communication (NFC) method. Specifically, in the gaming machine payment system 1, the credit card has an IC chip that stores card information required for payment, the deposit terminal device further has a reader that electromagnetically reads the card information from the IC chip, and the payment method information acquisition unit 652 of the payment center 600 may obtain the card information of the credit card from the reader that reads the IC chip when it obtains deposit request information from the deposit terminal device.

[0229] Furthermore, the gaming machine payment system 1 may obtain card information of a credit card used for payment by a near field communication (NFC) method by holding the mobile terminal 700 over a deposit terminal device (the inter-machine machine 200, the ticket issuing machine 300). Specifically, in the gaming machine payment system 1, the mobile terminal 700 may further include an IC chip that stores card information required for payment by credit card, the deposit terminal device may further include a reader that can electromagnetically read the IC chip, and the payment method information acquisition unit 652 of the payment center 600 may obtain the card information of the credit card from the reader that reads the IC chip when it obtains deposit request information from the deposit terminal device.

[0230] The gaming machine settlement system 1 may also be applied to a case where the gaming machine settlement system is remotely operated online. That is, the gaming machine settlement system may also be applied to a case where a user of the gaming machine remotely operates the whole or part of the gaming machine settlement system (for example, the gaming machine, the machine-to-machine machine, the ticket issuing machine, and the settlement device) via the Internet from a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PC, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, or the like.

[0231] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0232] 1. Gaming machine payment system 100 Management Server 110 Operation section 120 Display section 130 Storage section 131 Management Database 140 Communications Department 150 Control section 151 Gaming storage media management unit 152 Deposit Approval Determination Department 153 Prepaid Value Management Department 154 Gaming Media Management Department 155 Settlement Processing Unit 200 machine 210 Input / output section 211 Bill validator unit 212 Gaming storage medium reader / writer 213 Touch Screen 213A Record Information Screen 213B Credit card deposit button 213C~E Amount selection button 214 Numeric keypad 215 Loan button (loan ball button) 216 Payout button (replay button) 217 Return button 218 Notification lamp 230 Storage section 240 Communications Department 250 Control section 251 Cash Deposit Request Information Acquisition Unit 252 Deferred payment type deposit request information acquisition unit 253 Code Generation and Reading Unit 254 Prepaid Value Addition Department 255 Gaming Media Rental Department 256 Gaming media dispensing unit 257 Return Necessity Judgment Request Section 258 Gaming storage medium recording unit 259 Game storage medium ejection section 260 Game storage medium initialization unit 300 Ticket Machine 310 Input / output section 311 Bill validator unit 312 Coin Identifier Unit 313 Gaming storage medium reader / writer 314 Touchscreen 315 Numeric Keypad 316 Notification Lamp 330 Storage section 340 Communications Department 350 Control section 351 Cash Deposit Request Information Acquisition Department 352 Deferred payment type deposit request information acquisition unit 353 Code Generation and Reading Unit 354 Prepaid Value Addition Department 355 Gaming Media Rental Department 356 Gaming storage medium recording unit 357 Gaming storage medium ejection section 400 Payment device 410 Input / output section 411 Gaming storage medium reader / writer 412 Touchscreen 413 Numeric keypad 414 Notification Lamp 430 Storage section 440 Communications Department 450 Control Unit 451 Settlement Processing Request Unit 452 Cash Withdrawal Department 453 Game storage medium initialization unit 454 Gaming storage medium recording unit 455 Game storage medium ejection section 500 Gaming storage media 600 Payment Center 610 Operation unit 620 Display section 630 Storage section 631 Trade Database 632 User Database 640 Communications Department 650 Control Unit 651 Deposit request information receiving unit 652 Payment method information acquisition unit 653 Payment Approval Determination Department 654 Payment Processing Unit 655 Payment completion notification sending unit 700 Mobile Devices 710 Operation unit 720 Display section 730 Storage section 740 Communications Department 750 Control Unit 751 Code Generation and Reading Unit 752 Payment method information transmission unit PM Gaming Machine QR payment code S Amusement Store C Customer

Claims

[Claim 1] The invention described herein.

Images