Game system, each-machine device, ticketing machine, and prize management device

Abstract

To support cashless payments, while suppressing burdens on game halls.SOLUTION: An inter-machine card processor 10 encodes payment data, game hall data, and game machine data into a two-dimensional code and displays the code (s1). A terminal device 110 reads the two-dimensional code (s2) and transmits a payment request including the payment data and the game hall data to a payment device 100 (s3). The terminal device 110 receives a payment completion notice from the payment device 100 (s4) and transmits a credit request to a card management device 40 (s5). Based on the payment completion notice (s4a) and the credit request from the payment device 100, the card management device 40 executes credit processing and gives a prepaid value (s6) and then sends a notice to the inter-machine card processor 10 (s7).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming system, each machine, a ticket vending machine, and a prize management device that can properly and efficiently settle valuables when an amusement establishment introduces cashless payment. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, gaming establishments offer games that involve gaming media. For example, in pachinko games, gaming balls are used as gaming media, and the game is played by shooting the gaming balls into the gaming board. The gaming board is provided with a number of winning areas (winning holes), and a predetermined number of gaming balls are awarded as prize balls based on the passing of the gaming balls through the winning areas. In this way, the number of gaming media increases or decreases depending on the results of the game, and the player can exchange the acquired gaming media for prizes.

[0003] Generally, each machine is installed in a gaming machine. Each machine accepts deposits and performs a process of lending gaming media. In addition, each machine manages the number of gaming media acquired through a game as the number of possessed gaming media, and performs a replay process in which the number of possessed gaming media is subtracted to pay out gaming media (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Furthermore, when a player operates a return button on the gaming machine when the game is over, each machine associates the number of gaming media held by the machine with the card and then dispenses it. The player can present this card at a prize counter to exchange it for a prize corresponding to the associated number of gaming media held. The card is also associated with a value that can be used to lend out gaming media. Any remaining value at the end of the game can be settled at the settlement machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-131037 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the conventional technology, when a user enters a store and starts playing for the first time, the user must deposit cash into each machine and be provided with valuables that can be used to rent gaming media. As various cashless payments are widely used, it is inconvenient for users to be required to have cash to start playing, so there is a demand for the ability to start playing using cashless payments that do not use cash. In particular, the settlement of valuables when using cashless payments is also an issue.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a gaming system, individual machine devices, ticket vending machines, and prize management device that can properly and efficiently settle valuables when an amusement establishment introduces cashless payment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a gaming system having each machine device attached to a gaming machine, characterized in that it comprises a reception means for receiving a storage medium, a determination means for determining whether the value associated with the storage medium received by the reception means is for a cashless payment, and a display control means for displaying refund payment information on a designated display unit when the determination means determines that the value is for the cashless payment and a refund operation for the value is accepted.

[0009] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention further includes a generation means for generating payment information including a payment amount and payment identification information corresponding to the cashless payment value when a refund operation for the value is accepted, and the display control means controls the display of the payment information generated by the generation means on the display unit when the determination means determines that the payment information is the cashless payment value and a refund operation for the value is accepted.

[0010] In addition, in the above invention, the generation means generates the payment information consisting of a two-dimensional code including the payment amount corresponding to the value of the cashless payment and the payment identification information when a refund operation of the value is accepted. In addition, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, it further includes a terminal device that reads the payment information displayed on the display unit and executes the refund payment process when a refund destination account is selected. The present invention is also characterized in that each machine device attached to a gaming machine comprises a reception means for receiving a storage medium, a determination means for determining whether the value associated with the storage medium received by the reception means is for a cashless payment, and a display control means for displaying refund payment information on a specified display unit when the determination means determines that the value is for the cashless payment and a refund operation for the value is received. The present invention is also characterized in that it provides a ticket vending machine that issues storage media that can be accepted by each machine device attached to a gaming machine, comprising: a reception means for accepting the storage medium; a determination means for determining whether the value associated with the storage medium accepted by the reception means is for a cashless payment; and a display control means for displaying refund payment information on a specified display unit when the determination means determines that the value is for the cashless payment and a refund operation for the value is accepted. The present invention also relates to a prize management device for performing prize exchange processing, and is characterized in that it comprises a reception means for receiving a storage medium, a determination means for determining whether the value associated with the storage medium received by the reception means is for a cashless payment, and a display control means for displaying refund payment information on a designated display unit when the determination means determines that the value is for a cashless payment and a refund operation for the value is received. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, when an amusement establishment introduces cashless payment, settlement of valuables can be carried out appropriately and efficiently. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of the game management system according to this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of an amusement arcade. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the inter-machine card processing machine. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of the terminal device shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in a storage unit of a terminal device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of the card management device shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the card management device (part 1). [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the card management device (part 2). [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for cashless payment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a refund process by cashless payment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration for transmitting a deposit request to a card management device via an inter-machine card processing device. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which the card management device performs a deposit process based on a deposit request from a terminal device. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which the card management device performs a deposit process based on a deposit request from an inter-machine card processing machine. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the removal of restrictions using a two-dimensional code. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the gaming system, each machine device, ticket vending machine, and prize management device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] In this specification, retained balls refer to data indicating game media or the number of game media acquired by a player in a game, which can be used again for play only on that day (before closing time). Saved balls refer to data indicating game media or the number of game media acquired by a player in a game, which can be used again for play on the following day (after closing time). Retained balls can be used by both general players and member players, and are used when the gaming machine used for play is changed (so-called machine transfer). Saved balls are usually only available to member players, and are used when acquired game media are used for play on the following day or later. A specified fee may be charged for the use of saved balls. EXAMPLES

[0015] First, the concept of the gaming management system according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of the gaming management system according to this embodiment. A gaming establishment is equipped with a plurality of gaming machines 20, and each gaming machine 20 is provided with an inter-machine card processing machine 10, which is a machine device.

[0016] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 performs various processes related to game balls, such as lending game balls, replaying held and saved balls, and counting acquired game balls and adding them to held balls, based on the player's operation. When the player finishes playing, he or she operates a return button on the gaming machine, and the inter-machine card processing machine 10 associates the number of held balls managed by the machine with a card and then discharges the card.

[0017] The card management device 40 can communicate with multiple inter-machine card processing devices 10 in the gaming facility, and manages cards by associating them with balls held, prepaid value, etc. The prepaid value is a value that can be used to lend game balls, and is added by depositing money and subtracted by lending balls.

[0018] Specifically, when the inter-machine card processor 10 accepts the insertion of a bill, it transmits deposit notification data including the amount of the bill to the card management device 40, and causes the card management device 40 to add a number corresponding to the amount to the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. Then, when a prescribed ball lending operation is performed, it transmits a ball lending request to the card management device 40, subtracts the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40, and performs a payout process of game balls in a number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value.

[0019] Furthermore, in the gaming management system shown in FIG. 1, prepaid value can be provided by cashless payment. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives an operation requesting a deposit by cashless payment, it generates payment data including a payment ID and a payment amount. The payment ID is data that uniquely identifies the payment, and may be determined, for example, by the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The payment amount indicates the amount of deposit by cashless payment, and may be determined, for example, by a player's specification. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 encodes the generated payment data, store data, and machine data into a two-dimensional code and displays it (s1). The store data is data that identifies the gaming store, and the machine data is data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0020] The terminal device 110 carried by the player uses a camera to capture the two-dimensional code displayed by the inter-machine card processing device 10, and obtains the payment data, store data, and machine data by decode and reading the two-dimensional code (s2).

[0021] The terminal device 110 stores the payment data, the store data, and the machine data. The terminal device 110 adds information necessary for the payment, such as an account used for the payment, to the payment data, and transmits a payment request including the payment data and the store data to the payment device 100, thereby performing the payment process (s3).

[0022] The payment device 100 that has received the payment request executes the payment by subtracting the payment amount from the account indicated in the payment data of the payment request, and notifies the completion of the payment to the terminal device 110 that made the request and the card management device 40 of the gaming facility indicated in the store data of the payment request.

[0023] Specifically, the payment device 100 sends a payment completion notice including the payment ID to the terminal device 110 (s4), and sends a payment completion notice including the payment ID and the payment amount to the card management device 40 (s4a).

[0024] When the terminal device 110 receives the payment completion notice, it transmits a deposit request to the card management device 40 (s5). The deposit request may be transmitted, for example, via a wireless communication network provided in the gaming establishment. The deposit request also includes the payment ID and the machine data.

[0025] When the card management device 40 receives a payment completion notice from the payment device 100 and a deposit request from the terminal device 110, it performs a deposit process and grants prepaid value (s6). Specifically, when the card management device 40 receives a payment completion notice and a deposit request with the same payment ID, it identifies the inter-machine card processing device 10 by the machine data of the deposit request, performs a deposit process for the payment amount in the payment completion notice for that inter-machine card processing device 10, and grants the prepaid value. After that, the card management device 40 notifies the inter-machine card processing device 10 of the completion of deposit and the granting of the prepaid value (s7).

[0026] In this way, the inter-machine card processors 10, which are each machine device attached to the gaming machine 20, output payment data indicating information related to payment as a two-dimensional code, and the terminal device 110 carried by the player acquires the payment data and performs payment processing. Then, when payment processing is performed, the card management device 40 identifies each corresponding machine device and grants prepaid value. With this configuration, prepaid value can be granted based on the cashless payment performed by the terminal device 110, rather than each inter-machine card processor 10 performing cashless payment. This makes it possible to accommodate cashless payments while reducing the burden on gaming establishments.

[0027] Next, the system configuration of the gaming establishment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the gaming establishment. As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming establishment is equipped with a plurality of gaming machines 20 and an inter-machine card processor 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20. The inter-machine card processor 10 is connected to a communication line, which is a network within the establishment, via an island controller 30. The island controller 30, a card management device 40, a member management device 50, a prize management device 60, and a settlement machine 80 are connected to the communication line.

[0028] The gaming machine 20 is a device for playing games by shooting gaming balls into the gaming board. The gaming board of this gaming machine 20 is provided with a plurality of winning areas (winning holes), and a predetermined number of gaming balls are awarded as prize balls based on the passing of the gaming balls through the winning areas. In addition, the gaming board is provided with a predetermined number of starting areas (starting holes), and a predetermined lottery is performed based on the passing of the gaming balls through the starting areas. If the lottery is a big win, a predetermined movable member or the like is operated to increase the probability of the gaming balls passing through the winning areas or other starting areas, and other operations that are advantageous in the game are performed. The result of the lottery based on the passing of the balls through the starting holes is displayed on a special pattern display device that displays the result of the lottery. The display of the lottery result on this special pattern display device is performed in a manner that displays a fixed result after displaying a variable result for a predetermined period of time. In addition, the game board is provided with a decorative pattern display device that variably displays decorative patterns such as predetermined numbers based on the result of the lottery, and when the result of the lottery is a jackpot, a matching pattern such as (7, 7, 7) is displayed to notify the player. It is also possible to provide an area that serves both as a starting area and a winning area.

[0029] The winning area is provided with a winning sensor for detecting the passage of a game ball into the winning area, and the winning sensor detects the passage (winning) of the game ball shot into the winning area. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also has a prize ball memory for storing the number of game balls to be awarded as prize balls for each winning area.

[0030] Therefore, when the winning sensor detects the passage of a game ball into a specific winning area, the gaming machine 20 can determine the number of prize balls to be awarded based on the contents of the prize ball memory and the number of game balls that have passed through the winning area, and perform a payout process for the determined number of prize balls. Furthermore, the game balls that have been inserted are ultimately discharged from the back of the gaming board to the outside of the gaming machine, regardless of whether they have passed through the winning area or not. The game balls discharged to the outside of the gaming machine are detected by an out-ball detection device provided for each gaming machine.

[0031] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts deposits, lends game balls, and communicates with the card management device 40. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a bill inserted by a player, it transmits deposit notification data including the amount of the bill to the card management device 40, and adds a number corresponding to the amount to the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. Then, when a predetermined ball lending operation is performed, it transmits a ball lending request to the card management device 40, subtracts the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40, and performs a payout process of the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value.

[0032] Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a card, it transmits card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives data including the prepaid value, the number of held balls, and the number of saved balls from the card management device 40, it stores the received prepaid value, the number of held balls, and the number of saved balls. Then, when the number of held balls is stored, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits held ball subtraction request data to the card management device 40, thereby clearing the number of held balls managed by the card management device 40 to zero.

[0033] Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a held ball replay operation, it subtracts a predetermined number from the held ball number stored in its own machine, and performs a payout process of the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted held ball number. Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a saved ball replay operation, it transmits saved ball replay request data to the card management device 40, thereby subtracting a predetermined number from the saved ball number managed by the member management device 50, and performs a payout process of the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted saved ball number.

[0034] In addition, when the inter-machine card processing device 10 accepts a card return operation, it transmits held ball addition request data including the number of held balls managed by the device to the card management device 40, and after having the card management device 40 add the number of held balls, it transmits card ejection notification data to the card management device 40 and controls the ejection of the card.

[0035] The island controller 30 is a relay device that bundles together a group of gaming machines 20 and inter-machine card processors 10 provided on the gaming island.

[0036] The card management device 40 is a device that manages the prepaid value and number of balls held of the card as card data. When the card management device 40 receives card insertion notification data from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it manages the card ID of the inserted card in association with the device ID of the inter-machine card processing device 10, and transmits the prepaid value and number of balls associated with the card ID to the inter-machine card processing device 10. Furthermore, if the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data is the card ID of a membership card, the card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data to the member management device 50, and transmits the stored ball replay data received from the member management device 50 to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0037] In addition, when the card management device 40 receives held ball subtraction request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it clears the number of held balls to zero. In addition, when the card management device 40 receives held ball addition request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it adds the number of held balls included in the held ball addition request data to the number of held balls managed by the card management device 40.

[0038] Furthermore, when the card management device 40 receives ball loan request data from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID and transmits ball loan permission data to the inter-machine card processing device 10. When it receives saved ball replay request data, it transmits the saved ball replay request data to the member management device 50, and when the member management device 50 outputs saved ball replay data, it transmits the saved ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0039] Furthermore, when the card management device 40 receives a card ID from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls held associated with this card ID. Furthermore, when the card management device 40 receives a card ID from the settlement machine 80, it notifies the settlement machine 80 of the prepaid value associated with this card ID.

[0040] The member management device 50 is a management device that manages the member management data of members who are registered with the gaming establishment. Specifically, the device manages the number of balls, the number of points, the PIN number, the name, etc., in association with the member card ID issued to the member.

[0041] When the member management device 50 receives card insertion notification data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it transmits stored ball replay data including the number of stored balls and the PIN number associated with the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. When the member management device 50 receives stored ball replay request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it subtracts a predetermined number from the number of stored balls associated with the card ID indicated in the stored ball replay request data, and transmits stored ball replay data including the number of stored balls after the subtraction to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Note that communication between the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the member management device 50 is performed via the card management device 40.

[0042] In addition, when the member management device 50 receives an inquiry about the number of saved balls from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of saved balls corresponding to the specified card ID.

[0043] The prize management device 60 is a terminal device for prize exchange that is attached to the prize exchange counter in the game parlor, and performs the prize exchange process of exchanging acquired balls, number of saved balls, and number of held balls for prizes. A card reader that reads the card ID from the card and a prize payout device that pays out prizes are connected to this prize management device 60. When the prize management device 60 reads the card ID from a general card or a membership card (or when it reads identification data corresponding to the card ID from a mobile terminal, etc.), it transmits the card ID to the card management device 40 and requests the number of held balls for that card ID. When the number of saved balls is to be exchanged for a prize, it requests the number of saved balls from the membership management device 50.

[0044] When a card associated with a prepaid value is inserted, the settlement machine 80 transmits the card ID of the card to the card management device 40, and by receiving the response data, acquires the prepaid value associated with the card and dispenses money according to the acquired prepaid value.

[0045] Next, a description will be given of the ball lending process of the gaming system shown in Fig. 2. When a player performs a ball lending operation on the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits ball lending request data to the card management device 40. This ball lending request data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and an address or any identification data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender.

[0046] When the card management device 40 receives the ball lending request data, it subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID of the ball lending request data. Then, the card management device 40 transmits the ball lending permission data to the inter-machine card processing device 10 that sent the data. The inter-machine card processing device 10 that has received the ball lending permission data performs a payout process for the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value.

[0047] Next, a description will be given of a ball replay process when a ball is replayed in the gaming system shown in Fig. 2. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a general card or a membership card, it transmits card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. This card insertion notification data includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and data for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0048] When the card management device 40 receives card insertion notification data from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it notifies the inter-machine card processing device 10 of the number of balls held for each rate associated with the card ID in the card insertion notification data.

[0049] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 stores the number of held balls received from the card management device 40. Then, it transmits to the card management device 40 the card ID, data specifying the rate, and held ball subtraction request data indicating that the number of held balls should be cleared to zero. When the card management device 40 receives the held ball subtraction request data, it clears to zero the number of held balls for each rate specified by the card ID. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a held ball replay operation and replays the held balls, it subtracts a predetermined number from the stored held ball number and performs a payout process for the corresponding number of game balls. When performing a payout process, it performs a payout process by sending a payout command to the gaming machine for a multiple of the unit (e.g., 25 balls) that the gaming machine can pay out, and performs a payout process for the remaining number (e.g., less than 25 balls) by paying out from the nozzle unit 18a of the machine itself.

[0050] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the card return operation, it transmits held ball addition request data to the card management device 40. This held ball addition request data includes the card ID of the card to be returned, an address or any identification data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and the number of held balls for each rate.

[0051] When the card management device 40 receives the ball addition request data, it adds the number of balls included in the ball addition request data to the number of balls of each rate associated with the card ID. After that, the card processing device 10 transmits card ejection notification data to the card management device 40 and controls the ejection of the card.

[0052] Next, a description will be given of the stored ball replay process in the gaming system shown in Fig. 2. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 reads the card ID from a membership card or a mobile terminal that can be used as a membership card, it transmits card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. This card insertion notification data includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and data for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0053] The card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data received from the inter-machine card processing device 10 to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification data, it transmits the stored ball replay data including the PIN associated with the card ID in the card insertion notification data, the number of stored balls at the rate specified by the card insertion notification data, and the possible number of stored ball replays to the inter-machine card processing device 10. The possible number of stored ball replays indicates the number of balls that can be replayed. This possible number of stored ball replays is a multiple of the number of payout units of game balls in the stored ball replay. If an upper limit is set for the stored ball replay, the maximum value within the range of the number of stored balls and the upper limit becomes the possible number of stored ball replays. Note that the possible number of times stored ball replays can be performed may be used as the number of stored ball replays instead of the possible number of stored ball replays. The number of stored ball replays is the quotient obtained by dividing the number of stored balls by the number of payout units of game balls in the stored ball replay. However, if an upper limit is set for the replay of saved balls, the number of times saved balls can be replayed is limited by this upper limit.

[0054] The inter-machine card processor 10 stores the received stored ball replay data, and when the number of possible stored ball replays indicated in the stored ball replay data is 1 or more, it becomes possible to accept a stored ball replay operation.

[0055] When the inter-machine card processor 10 receives a saved ball replay operation for the first time after storing the saved ball replay data, it requests the player to input a PIN number and judges whether the input PIN number coincides with the PIN number shown in the saved ball replay data.

[0056] If the PIN numbers match, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits stored ball replay request data to the card management device 40. This stored ball replay request data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and data for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0057] The card management device 40 transmits the saved ball replay request data to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives the saved ball replay request data, it subtracts a predetermined value from the balance of the saved balls at the rate specified by the message among the saved balls associated with the card ID in the saved ball replay request data, and recalculates the number of saved balls that can be replayed. Then, it transmits saved ball replay data including the balance after subtraction and the number of saved balls that can be replayed to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0058] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 updates the number of stored balls stored, and performs a payout process of the number of game balls equal to the payout unit number of the stored ball replay. Also, it is determined whether the number of possible stored ball replays after the update is 1 or more. If the number of possible stored ball replays is 0, the stored ball replay operation is not accepted. If the number of possible stored ball replays after the update is 1 or more, the stored ball replay operation is accepted again. For the second and subsequent stored ball replays, the PIN number does not need to be confirmed. Note that the PIN number may be confirmed every time. Also, here, the member management device 50 subtracts the balance of the stored balls, and then the inter-machine card processing machine 10 performs the payout process of the game balls. However, the balance of the stored balls may be subtracted after the payout process of the game balls is performed based on the request for replaying the stored balls. This is because the number of possible stored ball replays is indicated in the stored ball replay data before the request for replaying the stored balls, and a situation in which a balance shortage is found after the request for replaying the stored balls is accepted does not occur.

[0059] Next, the transition from held balls to saved balls during store closing processing will be explained. During store closing processing, the card management device 40 checks the number of held balls in the card management data, and if a record exists that is associated with a number of held balls greater than zero, it notifies the member management device 50 of the number of held balls in that record along with the card ID and rate. The member management device 50 adds the number of held balls notified by the card management device 40 to the number of saved balls specified by the card ID and rate. The card management device 40 then clears the number of held balls to zero.

[0060] Next, the appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Note that Fig. 3 shows the appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 connected to the gaming machine 20 as the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The gaming machine 20 that is installed is also shown by a dashed line. Also, Fig. 3 shows the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that only accepts paper money, but it is also possible to provide a unit that has the function of accepting electronic money and coins associated with a mobile terminal or a card.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 has a status display unit 11, a bill insertion slot 12a, a display operation unit 13, a card insertion slot 14a, a card holding unit 14b, a nozzle unit 18a, and a counting unit 18b.

[0062] The status display unit 11 is, for example, composed of a multi-color LED, and displays the device status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by lighting or blinking a predetermined color. The bill insertion slot 12a is an insertion slot for various bills required for lending game balls. The display operation unit 13 is, for example, composed of a full-color touch panel type liquid crystal display, and is a device that displays operation buttons and accepts input operations via the operation buttons. Although detailed illustration of the display operation unit 13 is omitted in FIG. 3, the long side of the display operation unit 13 on the corresponding gaming machine 20 side is in the form of a flat plate attached to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by being pivoted thereto, and the angle between the front panel of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the display surface of the display operation unit 13 can be changed.

[0063] The card insertion slot 14a is an insertion slot for a card held by a player. The holding section 14b is a section where a mobile terminal used for membership registration is held over, and when the mobile terminal is held over the holding section 14b, data such as the unique ID (e.g., IDm) of the mobile terminal is read from the mobile terminal. The nozzle unit 18a is a mechanism for dispensing game balls into the gaming machine 20. The nozzle unit 18a is made of a cylindrical nozzle that is horizontally rotatably provided on the front side of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and the tip of the nozzle can be positioned in the storage section of the gaming machine. The nozzle is supplied with game media from a ball supply device in the inter-machine card processing machine that receives game media from a supply mechanism in the island where the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is installed. The counting unit 18b is a mechanism for counting game balls dropped from the lower tray of the gaming machine 20. The counting unit 18b is composed of a tray that receives game balls, a counting section that is provided at the bottom of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and counts the game balls with a counting sensor, and a counting passage section that passes the game media from the tray to the counting section. The tray and counting passage section can be removed as a unit from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 based on a predetermined operation (for example, an employee's remote control operation). The counting section has a unit structure, and by removing the counting section, tray, and counting passage section, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 can be operated without the counting function.

[0064] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 has a banknote transport unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a holding unit 14b, a communication unit 15, a memory unit 16, a control unit 17, a nozzle unit 18a, and a counting unit 18b.

[0065] The bill transport unit 12 is a transport unit that transports the bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 12a to a bill storage unit (not shown) while determining the denomination and authenticity of the bills. The display operation unit 13 is an input / output device such as a touch panel type liquid crystal display that has a function of identifying and displaying various information such as the prepaid value, number of balls held, and number of stored balls that can be used for ball lending from the accepted card, a function of displaying other information not related to the card, and a function of accepting various operations such as ball lending operations. In addition to the above-mentioned displays, the display operation unit 13 also has a function of displaying the excess or shortage of the number of cards stored and the communication status with the upper device (online / offline, etc.).

[0066] The reader / writer 14 is a device that reads the card ID from the card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a. The card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a is stored in a card storage unit (not shown) through the reader / writer 14. The holding unit 14b is an interface unit that reads various information such as the unique ID (e.g., IDm) of the mobile terminal by short-distance wireless communication when a mobile terminal or the like is held over the reader / writer 14. The reader / writer 14 also has a function of associating value data such as the balls held and prepaid value shown in the card data 16b with the card stored in the card storage unit in response to the player's return operation and issuing it as a new card. However, if the prepaid value shown in the card data 16b is 0 and the number of balls held is less than a certain number (minimum number of balls held), the card is controlled not to be returned even if a return operation is performed. This is a control to prevent losses to the gaming establishment caused by discarding cards associated with a small number of balls, and applies to cards received from outside (excluding membership cards) as well as cards stored inside in advance. The fixed number can be set, for example, so that the value of the card or the lowest priced prize in the gaming establishment is the number of balls held multiplied by the rental price per ball, but it is not limited to this and can be freely set according to the policy of the gaming establishment. Also, when controlling so that the card is not returned even if a return operation is performed, the stored balls can be paid out, but a message may be displayed to the effect that the card cannot be returned and / or a message may be displayed encouraging the user to replay the balls held.

[0067] The communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication between the gaming machine 20 and the island controller 30. The nozzle unit 18a is used for paying out some or all of the gaming balls when paying out the gaming balls by ball lending or replay. The counting unit 18b is a unit for counting the gaming balls.

[0068] The storage unit 16 is a storage device including a hard disk drive, a non-volatile memory, etc. The storage unit 16 stores the device status data 16a, the card data 16b, and the payment data 16c.

[0069] The own device status data 16a is data indicating the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. This own device status data 16a includes the device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine and the game type setting. The device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine is identification data for uniquely identifying the inter-machine card processing machine 10 within the game establishment. The game type setting is data indicating the game type set in the inter-machine card processing machine 10. When game balls of multiple rates are handled within the game establishment, a game type name is set and managed for each rate, such as "Ball 1" for game balls of a 4 yen rate, "Ball 2" for game balls of a 2 yen rate, and "Ball 3" for game balls of a 1 yen rate. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 selects a rate to be used for a game from these game types and stores it as a game type setting.

[0070] The card data 16b is data related to the card being used by the player. The card data 16b includes the card ID, prepaid value, held balls, saved balls, and the number of saved balls that can be replayed. Data on held balls and saved balls exists for each type of game (rate). The card ID is the card ID read by the reader / writer 14. When a card is transported from a card storage section (not shown) to the card insertion port 14a and then ejected, the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during this transport. Also, when a card is transported from the card insertion port 14a to a card storage section (not shown), the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during this transport. The payment data 16c indicates data related to payment, such as a payment ID and a payment amount.

[0071] The control unit 17 is a control unit that controls the entire inter-machine card processing machine 10, and has a data management unit 17a, a counting processing unit 17b, a payment data generation unit 17c, an encoding processing unit 17d, a payment data output processing unit 17e, and a refund processing unit 17f.

[0072] When a card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits card insertion notification data including the device ID of the device status data 16a and the card ID of the card data 16b to the card management device 40. When the data management unit 17a receives data including value data (at least one of the prepaid value, the number of held balls, and the number of saved balls) from the card management device 40, it updates the card data 16b with the received value data. The data management unit 17a appropriately controls the display operation unit 13 to display the prepaid value, the number of held balls, and the number of saved balls shown in the card data 16b.

[0073] Furthermore, when a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 12a, the data management unit 17a transmits to the card management device 40 deposit notification data including the amount of the inserted bill, the card ID, and the inter-machine card processor ID.

[0074] In addition, when a ball lending operation is performed by a player, the data management unit 17a transmits ball lending request data including a card ID and a device ID to the card management device 40. When ball lending permission data is received as a response to the ball lending request data, the data management unit 17a performs a payout process of a predetermined number of game balls.

[0075] In addition, when a player performs an operation to replay held balls, the data management unit 17a subtracts a predetermined number from the number of held balls indicated in the card data 16b, and performs a payout process for the corresponding number of game balls.

[0076] In addition, when the number of possible saved ball replays indicated in the card data 16b is 1 or more, the data management unit 17a displays a saved ball replay button on the display operation unit 13, and allows the saved ball replay operation to be accepted. When a saved ball replay operation is performed by a player, the data management unit 17a transmits saved ball replay request data including a card ID and a machine-to-machine card processing machine ID to the member management device 50. When saved ball replay data is received as a response to this saved ball replay request data, the number of saved balls in the card data 16b is updated, and a payout process of game balls of the payout unit number of saved ball replay is performed. In addition, when a saved ball replay operation is performed for the first time, a PIN is requested to be input, and saved ball replay request data is transmitted on the condition that it matches the PIN indicated in the card data 16b.

[0077] In addition, when a player performs a card return operation, the data management unit 17a sends held ball addition request data including the card ID, device ID, and number of held balls to the card management device 40, clears the number of held balls in the card data 16b to zero, and then sends card ejection notification data to the card management device 40 and ejects the card.

[0078] In addition, when the player performs the ball transfer operation with the member card inserted, the data management unit 17a subtracts the number of balls held indicated in the card data 16b, and transfers the held balls to the saved balls by sending the ball addition request data to the member management device 50 via the card management device 40. The ball transfer can also be performed using a mobile terminal instead of a member card. Specifically, when the number of balls held is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, and the mobile terminal is held over the holding unit 14b after the predetermined operation, the data management unit 17a subtracts the number of balls held indicated in the card data 16b, and transfers the held balls to the saved balls by sending the ball addition request data including the IDm read by the holding unit 14b.

[0079] The data management unit 17a can also perform processing related to the wagon service. The wagon service is a service in which an amusement store clerk places products such as drinks and cigarettes in a wagon and travels around the amusement store to sell them to players who are playing. In such a wagon service, payment can be made with owned balls or saved balls in addition to payment with cash or the like. When paying for the wagon service with owned balls or saved balls, the amusement store clerk issues instructions to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 through a store clerk terminal (e.g., a remote control terminal) to make the inter-machine card processing machine 10 in a state where the wagon service can be paid for. Then, information that can identify the number of owned balls or saved balls to be subtracted as compensation is input to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. This input processing is performed by inputting a numerical value through the display operation unit 13 of the inter-machine card processing machine or the operation unit of the store clerk terminal. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the input, it waits for the acceptance of an employee's recording medium (e.g., a wagon card) used for the wagon service. When the wagon card is accepted, the data management unit 17a subtracts the input number of balls held or stored from the number indicated by the card data 16b, and discharges the balls in association with the employee recording medium. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the employee recording medium without accepting the input of information that can identify the number of balls held or stored to be subtracted as a payment, it returns the employee recording medium without making a payment for the wagon service. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the input of information that can identify the number of balls held or stored to be subtracted as a payment during the payment for the wagon service, if a replay operation for the held balls or the return operation for the recording medium is accepted, the replay operation or the return operation is restricted by rejecting the replay operation or the return operation, or the payment for the wagon service is cancelled, thereby preventing the two processes from competing with each other.

[0080] When game balls are inserted into the counting unit 18b, the counting processing unit 17b causes the counting unit 18b to count the game balls, and adds the counting result to the number of held balls in the card data 16b.

[0081] The payment data generating unit 17c is a processing unit that generates payment data indicating information related to a payment. The payment data includes a payment ID and a payment amount. The payment ID is data that uniquely identifies a payment. The payment amount indicates the amount of money deposited by cashless payment.

[0082] When the payment data generation unit 17c receives an operation requesting a deposit by cashless payment, it determines a payment ID, generates payment data 16c with the deposit amount specified by the player as the payment amount, and stores the data in the memory unit 16.

[0083] The encoding processing unit 17d is a processing unit that encodes the settlement data 16c, the store data, and the machine data into a two-dimensional code. The store data is data for identifying the gaming store, and the machine data is data for identifying the inter-machine card processing machine 10. As the machine data, for example, the machine ID of the own machine status data 16a may be used.

[0084] The payment data output processing unit 17e displays and outputs the two-dimensional code generated by the encoding processing unit 17d on the display operation unit 13. That is, the payment data output processing unit 17e outputs the store data and the machine data together with the payment data 16c.

[0085] The refund processing unit 17f is a processing unit that refunds the prepaid value by cashless payment. When the refund processing unit 17f receives a refund operation requesting a refund by cashless payment, it sets the amount of the refund payment to the amount corresponding to the prepaid value indicated in the card data 16b. Then, it determines a payment ID, encodes the refund payment data including the payment ID and the refund payment amount into a two-dimensional code and displays it on the display operation unit 13, and clears the prepaid value to zero. The player can receive a refund for the cleared prepaid value by reading the two-dimensional code with the terminal device 110 to obtain the refund payment data and executing the refund payment process.

[0086] Next, an example of data stored in the memory unit 16 of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 will be described. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the memory unit 16 of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0087] The own device status data 16a shown in FIG. 5(a) indicates a state in which the ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is "3001" and "1 ball" is set as the game type of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0088] The card data 16b shown in FIG. 5(b) indicates that the ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is "1001." Here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, with a card whose first digit is "1" being a general card and a card whose first digit is "2" being a membership card. The card data 16b also indicates that the prepaid value is "2000 points." Here, the points of the prepaid value are each equivalent to 1 yen. The card data 16b also indicates that the number of balls held by ball 1 is "375 balls," the number of balls held by ball 2 is "500 balls," and the number of balls held by ball 3 is "2000 balls."

[0089] In addition, the card data 16b can store the PIN number, the number of replayable balls, and the number of balls for each game type as data related to the saved balls, but since FIG. 5(b) shows a state in which a general card has been accepted, these data are displayed as "-" indicating that they are not applicable. Here, the number of balls that can be replayed is stored as the number of replays that can be performed, but the number of replays that can be performed may be stored as the replay frequency. In addition, although not shown, the card management device 40 stores the ON / OFF of a "lock" flag indicating whether the card is valid or invalid, in addition to the balls held, saved balls, and prepaid value, in association with the card ID, and is turned ON by an employee when the card is discovered to be stolen. These data are also stored in the card data 16b. Furthermore, this "lock" flag can be set for each function (such as "use saved balls" and "entering"), and for example, it is possible to use the "lock" flag to prevent erroneous operation by locking only the "entering" function at the request of the player. In this specification, "joining" refers to converting the number of gaming media at one rate into the number of gaming media at another rate based on the ratio of the unit price of the gaming media and using that. As a specific example, in an inter-machine card processing device 10 associated with a 4 yen rate, the number of balls X at a 1 yen rate is used to process the payout of X x (1 yen / 4 yen) = X / 4. This "joining" function can be enabled / disabled by the member management device 50 according to the store's management policy.

[0090] The payment data 16c shown in FIG. 5(c) indicates that the payment ID, which is identification information that uniquely identifies the payment, is "A001" and the amount is "10000".

[0091] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the terminal device 110 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal device 110 shown in Fig. 1. The terminal device 110 is, for example, a smartphone, and has a display operation unit 111, a speaker 112, a camera 113, a communication unit 114, a storage unit 115, a control unit 116, and the like.

[0092] The display operation unit 111 is an input / output interface that performs display output and operation input, such as a touch panel display. The speaker 112 is an output interface that performs audio output. The camera 113 is an imaging device used to capture an image of a two-dimensional code displayed on the display operation unit 13 of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The communication unit 114 is a communication interface for data communication with the card management device 40, the settlement device 100, etc. via a predetermined network such as the Internet.

[0093] The storage unit 115 is a storage device such as a non-volatile memory, and stores various programs as well as user data 115a, payment management data 115b, etc. The user data 115a is various data related to the user of the terminal device 110, and may include the name, address, email address, and financial institution account. The payment management data 115b is data for managing cashless payment, and associates various information acquired from the inter-machine card processor 10 with the processing status.

[0094] The control unit 116 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and realizes the functions of a decryption processing unit 116a, a payment processing unit 116b, and the like by reading out a predetermined program from the storage unit 115 and executing it.

[0095] The decoding processor 116a is a processor that decodes the two-dimensional code when the camera 113 captures the two-dimensional code to obtain payment data, machine data, and store data. The decoding processor 116a associates the processing data with the payment data, machine data, and store data obtained by decoding, and registers them in the payment management data 115b. The processing data includes a reading date and time indicating the date and time when the two-dimensional code is read, a payment request date and time indicating the date and time when a payment request is sent to the payment device 100, a payment completion date and time indicating the date and time when a notice of payment completion is received from the payment device 100, and a deposit request date and time indicating the date and time when a deposit request is made to the card management device 40. At the time of registration by the decoding processor 116a, only the reading date and time is registered, and the payment request date and time, the payment completion date and time, and the deposit request date and time are appropriately registered by the payment processor 116b.

[0096] The payment processing unit 116b is a processing unit that executes payment processing based on the payment data. When the payment management data 115b is registered, the payment processing unit 116b adds information necessary for payment, such as an account used for payment, to the payment data, and transmits a payment request including the payment data and store data to the payment device 100, thereby executing the payment processing.

[0097] When the payment processing unit 116b transmits the payment request, it registers the payment request date and time of the payment management data 115b. After that, when it receives a notice of completion of the payment from the payment device 100, the payment processing unit 116b transmits a deposit request to the card management device 40. Specifically, the payment processing unit 116b identifies the corresponding payment management data 115b based on the payment ID included in the payment completion notice of the payment management data 115b, and registers the payment completion date and time of the identified payment management data 115b. Then, it transmits a deposit request including the machine data and the payment ID of the identified payment management data 115b to the card management device 40, and registers the deposit request date and time of the payment management data 115b. This deposit request is transmitted, for example, using a wireless communication network provided in the game establishment.

[0098] When a payment request is made for a payment related to a refund, the payment processing unit 116b notifies the completion of the refund by displaying on the display operation unit 111 or the like after registering the payment completion date and time, and then ends the process.

[0099] Here, the determination of the account to be used for settlement will be explained. The account to be used for settlement may be, for example, an account stored in the user data 115a. If there are multiple accounts available for use, the account may be determined by the player's selection operation, or the account to be used may be set in advance. It is also possible to set conditions to select the account to be used.

[0100] Next, a description will be given of an example of data stored in the storage unit 115 of the terminal device 110. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit 115 of the terminal device 110.

[0101] 7 associates payment data, store data, machine data, and processing data. The payment data includes a payment ID, an account, an amount, etc. The processing data includes a receipt date and time, a payment date and time, and a payment date and time.

[0102] FIG. 7 shows that the payment ID of the payment data is "A001", the amount is "10000", and the account is "Bank B Branch C Ordinary Account 123456". It also shows that the store data is "Store ID: Y012" and the machine data is "Machine ID: 3001". It also shows that the read date and time of the processed data is "2019 / 01 / 10 13:31", the payment request date and time of the processed data is "2019 / 01 / 10 13:32", the payment completion date and time of the processed data is "2019 / 01 / 10 13:33", and the deposit request date and time of the processed data is "2019 / 01 / 10 13:34".

[0103] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the card management device 40 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the card management device 40 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 8, the card management device 40 has a display unit 41, an input unit 42, an external network communication unit 43, a store network communication unit 44, a storage unit 45, and a control unit 46.

[0104] The display unit 41 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device. The input unit 42 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The external network communication unit 43 is an interface unit for data communication via a network outside the gaming facility. The store network communication unit 44 is an interface unit for data communication with the island controller 30, the member management device 50, the prize management device 60, and the settlement machine 80 via a communication line within the gaming facility.

[0105] The storage unit 45 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a non-volatile memory, and stores game type setting data 45a, card management data 45b, device management data 45c, and payment processing data 45d.

[0106] The game type setting data 45a is data that associates the lending rate and display name with the game type. The card management data 45b is data that associates the prepaid value, the number of balls held for each game type, and the destination device ID that indicates the device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 into which the card is inserted with the card ID. The device management data 45c is data related to the devices installed in the gaming facility. This device management data 45c includes the device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine, the address of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the installation location, the gaming machine ID and model data of the gaming machine installed.

[0107] The payment processing data 45d is data that manages deposits by cashless payments and the provision of prepaid value at game establishments. Specifically, the payment processing data 45d is data that associates a payment ID, a payment amount, machine data, a payment completion notification date and time, a deposit request reception date and time, and a value provision date and time.

[0108] The control unit 46 is a control unit that controls the entire card management device 40, and has a game type setting management unit 46a, a card management unit 46b, a device management unit 46c, and a value imparting unit 46d. In practice, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a ROM or non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed, causing the game type setting management unit 46a, the card management unit 46b, the device management unit 46c, and the value imparting unit 46d to execute processes corresponding thereto.

[0109] The game type setting management unit 46a is a processing unit that associates the game types, rates, and display names used in the gaming establishment with each other and manages them as game type setting data 45a.

[0110] The card management unit 46b is a processing unit that manages the card management data 45b. Specifically, when the card management unit 46b receives card insertion notification data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46b sets the destination device ID of the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data to the device ID also indicated in the card insertion notification data. In addition, the card management unit 46b notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the prepaid value associated with the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data and the number of balls held for each rate as value data. In addition, if the inserted card is a member card, the card insertion notification data is sent to the member management device. When the card management unit 46b receives ball subtraction request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46b clears the number of balls held for the rate indicated in the ball subtraction request data to zero.

[0111] Furthermore, when the card management unit 46b receives ball lending request data including a card ID from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it determines whether the prepaid value associated with the card ID is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If the prepaid value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the card management unit 46b subtracts the predetermined value from the prepaid value stored in the card management data 45b, and transmits ball lending permission data including the updated prepaid value to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. On the other hand, if the prepaid value is less than the predetermined value, the card management unit 46b notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of ball lending disallowance data.

[0112] In addition, when the card management unit 46b receives deposit notification data including the amount of coins inserted, the card ID, and the device ID from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it adds the prepaid value associated with the card ID to the amount indicated in the deposit notification.

[0113] In addition, when the card management unit 46b receives the saved ball replay request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it transfers the saved ball replay request data to the member management device 50. In addition, the card management unit 46b also transfers the response data from the member management device 50 to the saved ball replay request data to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0114] In addition, when the card management unit 46b receives the ball addition request data, it adds the number of balls included in the ball addition request data to the number of balls of the corresponding rate. In addition, when the card management unit 46b receives the card ejection notification data, it erases the destination device ID of the card ID.

[0115] Furthermore, when the card management unit 46b receives a card ID from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls held for each rate associated with this card ID. Furthermore, when the card management unit 46b receives a card ID from the settlement machine 80, it notifies the settlement machine 80 of the prepaid value associated with this card ID.

[0116] The device management unit 46c is a processing unit that manages the device management data 45c. The device management unit 46c generates and updates the device management data 45c based on the device ID acquired from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the address of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the installation location, and the gaming machine ID.

[0117] The value granting unit 46d is a processing unit that deposits money and grants prepaid value based on cashless payment. When the value granting unit 46d receives a payment completion notice from the payment device 100, it registers the payment ID and payment amount of the payment completion notice in the payment processing data 45d. In addition, when the value granting unit 46d receives a deposit request from the terminal device 110, it registers the payment ID and machine data of the deposit request in the payment processing data 45d.

[0118] Then, when both a payment completion notice and a deposit request having the same payment ID are received, the value granting unit 46d identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by the machine data of the deposit request, performs a deposit process for the payment amount in the payment completion notice for that inter-machine card processing machine 10, and grants the prepaid value. Thereafter, the value granting unit 46d notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the completion of deposit and the granting of the prepaid value.

[0119] Next, a description will be given of an example of data stored in storage unit 45 of card management device 40 shown in Fig. 9. Figs. 9 and 10 are explanatory diagrams for explaining an example of data stored in storage unit 45 of card management device 40.

[0120] The game type setting data 45a shown in Fig. 9(a) associates the game type name "Ball 1" with the rate "4 yen" and the display name "4 Pachi". The game type setting data 45a also associates the game type name "Ball 2" with the rate "2 yen" and the display name "2 Pachi". The game type setting data 45a also associates the game type name "Ball 3" with the rate "1 yen" and the display name "1 Pachi".

[0121] In the card management data 45b shown in Fig. 9(b), the card ID "1001" is associated with a prepaid value of "2500", the number of held balls for ball 1 "1500", the number of held balls for ball 2 "2300", and the number of held balls for ball 3 "0". In other words, the card with the card ID "1001" is not inserted into the inter-machine card processing device 10, and the management of the held balls is performed by the card management device 40.

[0122] In addition, in the card management data 45b shown in Fig. 9(b), the card ID "1002" is associated with a prepaid value of "500", the number of balls held for each rate of "0", and the destination device ID of "3004". In other words, the card with the card ID "1002" is inserted into the inter-machine card processing device 10 with the device ID "3004", and the management of the number of balls held has been transferred to the inter-machine card processing device 10. Therefore, the number of balls held for each rate is zero.

[0123] In addition, in the card management data 45b shown in Fig. 9(b), the card ID "2002" is associated with a prepaid value of "2000", the number of balls held for each rate "0", and the destination device ID "3001". In other words, the card with the card ID "2002" is inserted into the inter-machine card processing device 10 with the device ID "3001", and the management of the balls held has been transferred to the inter-machine card processing device 10. Therefore, the number of balls held for each rate is zero.

[0124] The device management data 45c shown in Fig. 9(c) indicates that the network address of the inter-machine card processor 10 with ID "3001" is "AB.CD.EF.GH", the installation location is "Island 1-1", the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "P001", the game type is "Ball 3", and the model of the connected gaming machine 20 is "EV01". It also indicates that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

[0125] The payment processing data 45d shown in Figure 10(d) is data that associates a payment ID, a payment amount, machine data, a payment completion notification date and time, a deposit request reception date and time, and a value added date and time. Figure 10(d) shows a state in which the payment ID is "A001", the payment amount is "10000", the machine data is "machine ID:3001", the payment completion notification date and time is "2019 / 01 / 10 13:33", the deposit request reception date and time is "2019 / 01 / 10 13:34", and the value added date and time is "2019 / 01 / 10 13:35".

[0126] Next, the processing procedure for cashless payment will be described. Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure for cashless payment. First, when the payment data generating unit 17c of the inter-machine card processor 10 accepts an operation for requesting a deposit by cashless payment, it determines a payment ID and generates payment data with the deposit amount designated by the player as the payment amount (step S101). The encoding processing unit 17d encodes the payment data, store data, and machine data into a two-dimensional code (step S102), and the payment data output processing unit 17e displays and outputs the two-dimensional code on the display operation unit 13 (step S103).

[0127] When the camera 113 of the terminal device 110 captures the two-dimensional code displayed on the display operation unit 13 of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the decoding processing unit 116a of the terminal device 110 reads the two-dimensional code (step S201), decodes the read two-dimensional code (step S202), acquires each piece of data, and stores it in the memory unit 115 (step S203).

[0128] The payment processing unit 116b adds information necessary for payment, such as the account used for payment, to the payment data, and transmits a payment request including the payment data and store data to the payment device 100, thereby performing payment processing (step S204). After that, the payment processing unit 116b receives a notice of completion of payment from the payment device 100 (step S205), and transmits a deposit request including the payment ID and the machine data to the card management device 40 (step S206).

[0129] The value granting unit 46d of the card management device 40 receives a payment completion notice from the payment device 100 (step S301) and registers the payment ID and payment amount of the payment completion notice in the payment processing data 45d. Then, when both a payment completion notice and a deposit request with the same payment ID are received, the value granting unit 46d identifies machine data from the payment completion notice and the deposit request (step S302), performs a deposit process for the payment amount of the payment completion notice for the inter-machine card processing device 10 indicated by the identified machine data, and grants prepaid value (step S303). Thereafter, the value granting unit 46d notifies the inter-machine card processing device 10 of the deposit completion and the grant of prepaid value (step S304), and ends the process.

[0130] Next, the refund process by cashless payment will be described. Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the refund process by cashless payment. When the refund processing unit 17f of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a refund operation requesting a refund by cashless payment (s21), it sets the amount corresponding to the prepaid value shown in the card data 16b as the payment amount (s22). Then, it determines a payment ID, encodes the refund payment data including the payment ID and the refund payment amount into a two-dimensional code and displays it on the display operation unit 13 (s23), and clears the prepaid value to zero.

[0131] Thereafter, terminal device 110 reads the two-dimensional code (s24) and acquires the payment data for the refund. Payment processing unit 116b of terminal device 110 then selects the account to which the refund is to be made (s25) and executes the payment process for the refund (S26).

[0132] In the explanation so far, we have taken as an example a configuration in which a wireless communication network is set up in the gaming establishment and the terminal device 110 transmits a deposit request to the card management device 40 via the wireless communication network, but the transmission path for the deposit request can be changed as appropriate.

[0133] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which a deposit request is sent to the card management device 40 via the inter-machine card processing device 10. In the configuration shown in FIG. 13, the inter-machine card processing device 10 converts the payment data and the store data into a two-dimensional code (s1b). That is, in this configuration, the machine data does not need to be included in the two-dimensional code. Then, when the terminal device 110 receives a payment completion notice from the payment device 100 (s4), it sends a payment completion notice including a payment ID to the inter-machine card processing device 10 (s4b). When the inter-machine card processing device 10 receives the payment completion notice, it sends a deposit request including the payment ID and the machine data to the card management device 40 (s5b). If the sender of the deposit request is used as the machine data, the inter-machine card processing device 10 only needs to send a deposit request including the payment ID. Other operations are the same as those in FIG. 1, and therefore will not be described.

[0134] In addition, in the explanation so far, the card management device 40 has been mainly configured to perform deposit processing using a payment completion notification from the payment device 100 and a deposit request from the terminal device 110, but a payment completion notification from the payment device 100 is not necessarily required.

[0135] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which the card management device 40 performs a deposit process based on a deposit request from the terminal device 110. In the configuration shown in FIG. 14, the inter-machine card processing device 10 converts the payment data and the machine data into a two-dimensional code (s1c). That is, in this configuration, the store data does not need to be included in the two-dimensional code. Then, when the terminal device 110 receives a payment completion notice from the payment device 100 (s4), it transmits a deposit request including the payment amount and the machine data to the card management device 40 (s5c). The card management device 40 performs a deposit process and gives a prepaid value based on the machine data and the payment amount indicated in the deposit request (s6c). Other operations are the same as those in FIG. 1, so their explanations will be omitted.

[0136] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which the card management device 40 performs a deposit process based on a deposit request from the inter-machine card processing device 10. In the configuration shown in FIG. 15, the inter-machine card processing device 10 converts the payment data into a two-dimensional code (s1d). That is, in this configuration, the machine data and the store data do not need to be included in the two-dimensional code. Then, when the terminal device 110 receives a payment completion notice from the payment device 100 (s4), it transmits a payment completion notice including a payment ID to the inter-machine card processing device 10 (s4d). When the inter-machine card processing device 10 receives the payment completion notice, it transmits a deposit request including the payment amount and machine data to the card management device 40 (s5d). If the sender of the deposit request is used as the machine data, the inter-machine card processing device 10 only needs to transmit a deposit request including the payment amount. Other operations are the same as those in FIG. 14, and therefore will not be described.

[0137] Next, restrictions on player operations will be described. The inter-machine card processing device 10 can request a PIN number or the like for certain operations such as returning a card, and can return the card on condition that the correct PIN number is received. It is also possible to switch to a break mode in which all operations are temporarily prohibited when a player leaves his seat, and to cancel the break mode on condition that the correct PIN number is received.

[0138] Here, the inter-machine card processor 10 can release the restriction by using the payment data in place of a PIN. The payment data acquired by the payment data generation unit 17c is displayed as a two-dimensional code on the display operation unit 13, read by the terminal device 110, and used for depositing money by cashless payment. The payment data 16c that has been used in this way cannot be used again for payment, but by leaving the used payment data 16c in the storage unit 16, the payment ID can be used in place of a PIN.

[0139] In other words, a player who reads the two-dimensional code from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with the terminal device 110 and makes a cashless payment can display the two-dimensional code on the terminal device 110 and hold it up to the camera installed in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 to have it read, thereby returning the card or canceling the break mode.

[0140] Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the lifting of restrictions by a two-dimensional code. In Fig. 16, first, the inter-machine card processor 10 generates payment data including a payment ID and a payment amount, and encodes and displays the payment data, store data, and machine data into a two-dimensional code (s1). The terminal device 110 captures the two-dimensional code displayed by the inter-machine card processor 10 with a camera, and obtains the payment data, store data, and machine data by decoded and reading the two-dimensional code (s2).

[0141] In Fig. 16, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 then starts restricting operations (s31). The terminal device 110 then displays a two-dimensional code (s32) and holds it up to the camera of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, which reads the two-dimensional code (s33). The inter-machine card processing machine 10 decodes the two-dimensional code and releases the restriction on the condition that the obtained payment ID matches a payment ID previously generated by the machine itself (s34).

[0142] In this way, when restricting and lifting operations, a camera can be provided in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and the control unit 17 of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 can be provided with a restriction unit that restricts operations and a reading unit that reads the two-dimensional code.

[0143] As described above, in this embodiment, the inter-machine card processor 10, which is each machine device attached to the gaming machine 20, outputs payment data as payment information indicating information related to payment, the terminal device 110 carried by the player acquires the payment data and performs payment processing, and when payment processing is performed, the card management device 40 or the like identifies each corresponding machine device and provides prepaid value, which is value related to the gaming medium. With this configuration, the inter-machine card processor 10 does not perform each cashless payment, but it is possible to provide prepaid value based on the cashless payment performed by the terminal device 110. This makes it possible to accommodate cashless payments while reducing the burden on gaming establishments.

[0144] In addition, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 outputs payment data including a payment ID as payment identification information that identifies the payment, store data as gaming store identification information that identifies the gaming store, and machine data as machine identification information that identifies each machine, and the terminal device sends a payment request including the payment data and store data to the payment device, and when payment processing is performed, the payment device notifies the card management device 40, which is the management device of the gaming store identified by the store data, of the payment ID, and when payment processing is performed, the terminal device 110 notifies the card management device 40 of the payment ID and machine data, and the card management device 40 identifies each machine using the payment ID notified from the payment device and the payment ID and machine data notified from the terminal device 110.

[0145] In addition, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 further outputs machine data as machine identification information that identifies each machine device, and when payment processing is performed, the terminal device 110 notifies the machine data to a card management device 40, which is the management device of the amusement facility, and the card management device 40 can be configured to identify each machine device using the machine data notified from the terminal device 110.

[0146] In addition, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 displays and outputs a code that encodes information including payment data, and the terminal device 110 can obtain the payment data by optically reading and decode the code.

[0147] It is also possible for the inter-machine card processor 10 to be configured to restrict the player's operations and to release the restrictions when it reads a code that was previously output.

[0148] In addition, the inter-machine card processing device 10 subtracts the prepaid value and outputs refund data indicating information relating to the refund of the subtracted prepaid value, thereby making it possible to make a refund by cashless payment.

[0149] Furthermore, when terminal device 110 reads the refund data and receives the refund, it is possible to select the refund destination from among a plurality of accounts.

[0150] In the above embodiment, a configuration has been exemplified in which the prepaid value is refunded through cashless payment, but if a refund through cashless payment cannot be made for some reason, such as a communication error, it is also possible to return the card associated with the prepaid value and have the payment settled at the settlement machine 80.

[0151] In addition, although not described in the above embodiment, if an upper limit is set for the prepaid value that can be associated with one card, the amount of deposit may be set within the range determined by the current prepaid value and the upper limit. For example, if the upper limit is 11,000 yen and the remaining prepaid value is equivalent to 3,000 yen, the acceptable amount of deposit may be set to 8,000 yen or less.

[0152] In this embodiment, a case where a cashless payment is used to purchase a prepaid value at the inter-machine card processing machine 10 has been described, but other devices may be configured to perform cashless payment. For example, a ticket vending machine that sells cards to which a prepaid value is added by currency or debit payment may be configured to support cashless payment. Also, the prize management device 60 may be configured to support cashless payment.

[0153] Also, a minimum amount may be set for the use of cashless payment, and the use of cashless payment may be restricted for amounts below the minimum amount.

[0154] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which a two-dimensional code is used to transfer information related to cashless payment, but the configuration may also be such that information related to cashless payment is transferred using short-range wireless communication, for example.

[0155] Furthermore, when the prepaid value is a mixture of a cash deposit amount and a cashless payment amount, if the settlement is performed at a settlement machine, the cash deposit amount can be settled with cash, and the cashless payment amount can be refunded to the account. Alternatively, both the cash deposit amount and the cashless payment amount can be refunded in cash or refunded to the account. Also, it is possible to selectively settle only either the cash deposit amount or the cashless payment amount. Also, it is possible to set either the cash deposit amount or the cashless payment amount as non-settleable.

[0156] In the above embodiment, detailed description of the form of the card, which is the medium to which the number of game media is associated, is omitted, but such cards include magnetic cards, IC cards, etc. Also, for convenience of explanation, a "card" is used as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to cases where a chip, stick, mobile terminal, etc. are used in addition to the card.

[0157] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was given in which game balls were used as the game medium, but the present invention is also applicable to the case in which medals for slot machines are used.

[0158] In addition, each configuration shown in the figure is a functional schematic, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of it can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads, usage conditions, etc. [Industrial Applicability]

[0159] As described above, the gaming system, each machine device, ticket vending machine and prize management device of the present invention are suitable for appropriately and efficiently settling valuables when gaming establishments introduce cashless payment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0160] 10 Card Processing Machines 11 Status display section 12 Banknote transport section 12a Bill insertion slot 13, 111 Display operation section 14 Reader / Writer 14a Card slot 14b Holding Section 15, 114 Communications Department 16, 45, 115 storage section 16a Device status data 16b Card Data 16c Payment Data 17, 46, 116 Control section 17a Data Management Department 17b Counting processing section 17c Payment data generation unit 17d Encoding processing section 17e Payment data output processing section 17f Refund Processing Department 18a Nozzle unit 18b Counting unit 20 Gaming Machines 30 Island Controller 40 Card management device 41 Display section 42 Input section 43 External network communication section 44 Store Network Communication Department 45a Game type setting data 45b Card management data 45c Equipment Management Data 45d Payment processing data 46a Game type setting management section 46b Card Management Department 46c Equipment management department 46d Value Addition Department 50 Membership management device 60 Prize Management Device 80 Payment machine 100 Payment Device 110 Terminal Equipment 112 Speaker 113 Camera 115a User Data 115b Payment Management Data 116a Decryption processing unit 116b Payment processing unit

Claims

1. A gaming system having each machine device attached to a gaming machine, A receiving means for receiving a storage medium; a determination means for determining whether the value associated with the storage medium accepted by the acceptance means is a cashless payment; a display control means for displaying payment information of the refund on a predetermined display unit when the determination means determines that the payment is the cashless payment amount and a refund operation of the value is accepted; A gaming system comprising:

2. The cashless payment method further includes a generating unit that generates, when a refund operation of the value is accepted, the payment information including a payment amount and payment identification information corresponding to the value of the cashless payment, The gaming system described in claim 1, characterized in that the display control means controls the display of the payment information generated by the generation means on the display unit when the determination means determines that the value is the amount of the cashless payment and a refund operation for the value is accepted.

3. The generating means includes: When a refund operation for the value is accepted, the payment information is generated, which is composed of a two-dimensional code including the payment amount corresponding to the value of the cashless payment and the payment identification information.

3. The gaming system according to claim 2.

4. A gaming system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a terminal device which reads the payment information displayed on the display unit and, when a refund account is selected, executes the refund payment process.

5. Each machine device attached to the gaming machine, A receiving means for receiving a storage medium; a determination means for determining whether the value associated with the storage medium accepted by the acceptance means is a cashless payment; a display control means for displaying payment information of the refund on a predetermined display unit when the determination means determines that the payment is the cashless payment amount and a refund operation of the value is accepted; Each stand device is characterized by comprising:

6. A ticket vending machine that issues a storage medium that can be accepted by each machine device attached to a gaming machine, A receiving means for receiving the storage medium; a determination means for determining whether the value associated with the storage medium accepted by the acceptance means is a cashless payment; a display control means for displaying payment information of the refund on a predetermined display unit when the determination means determines that the payment is the cashless payment amount and a refund operation of the value is accepted; A ticket vending machine comprising:

7. A prize management device for performing a prize exchange process, A receiving means for receiving a storage medium; a determination means for determining whether the value associated with the storage medium accepted by the acceptance means is a cashless payment; a display control means for displaying payment information of the refund on a predetermined display unit when the determination means determines that the payment is the cashless payment amount and a refund operation of the value is accepted; A prize management device comprising:

Images