Game system, information management device and information management method

Abstract

To provide quickly and efficiently, statistical information related to new models of game machines.SOLUTION: A management device 50 installed in a game parlor sends (S1) utilization data for each game machine to an information management device 80, and the information management device 80 accumulates (S2) pieces of utilization data received for every model of the game machines. The information management device 80 distributes (S3) on a WEB service for every 15 minutes, the accumulated utilization data for every model. A user of the WEB service accesses the WEB service on a portable terminal 90, thereby browsing the utilization data for every model. For example, according to the present invention, it is possible to browse, as a customer acquisition transition graph, a customer acquisition ratio of "Fist of the South Star" in 20th August in 2023.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming system, an information management device, and an information management method that can quickly and efficiently provide statistical information on new types of gaming machines. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, new models of gaming machines that have passed inspections by each prefecture are successively introduced to gaming establishments that offer games using gaming machines such as pachinko machines or pachislot machines. For this reason, players are highly interested in new models of gaming machines and often try to obtain various information about these new models.

[0003] Here, there is known a conventional technology (for example, see Patent Document 1) that provides an index for evaluating a gaming machine newly introduced in a gaming facility. In addition, there are also web services that allow users to view jackpot information of gaming machines online, and aggregator sites that compile jackpot information in a comprehensive manner. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-195579 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is intended for gaming establishments to evaluate the operation of gaming machines, and does not provide information about gaming machines to players. In addition, the above-mentioned WEB service provides jackpot information for each specific establishment, and does not provide macro statistical information. In addition, there is a problem that it takes time for the above-mentioned aggregation site to provide information about new models.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and aims to provide a gaming system, an information management device, and an information management method that can quickly and efficiently provide statistical information on new types of gaming machines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a gaming system having a management device that manages information related to gaming machines installed in a gaming establishment, a terminal device carried by a user, and an information management device that is installed outside the gaming establishment and is capable of communicating with the management device and the terminal device, wherein the information management device is characterized in that it comprises an information acquisition means that acquires information related to the gaming machines from the management devices installed in a plurality of gaming establishments, respectively, a storage means that stores the information related to each gaming machine acquired from the information acquisition means by model, a calculation means that calculates statistics related to the gaming machines from the information related to the gaming machines stored in the storage means, and a notification means that notifies the terminal device of the statistics related to a specific model of gaming machine calculated by the calculation means.

[0008] In addition, in the above invention, the information management device further includes a reception means for receiving from the terminal device the model type of the gaming machine to be displayed, and the notification means notifies the terminal device of statistics regarding the gaming machine of the model type received by the reception means.

[0009] In the present invention, in the above invention, the calculation means calculates an average value of the operation rate for each hour of the specific model as a statistical amount regarding the gaming machine.

[0010] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the calculation means calculates the percentage of gaming machines whose ball payout rate per hour for the specific model exceeds 100 percent.

[0011] In the above invention, the calculation means calculates a customer attendance rate for each hour of the specific model of aircraft.

[0012] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the calculation means calculates the maximum number of balls to be paid out on a specified day for the specific machine type.

[0013] The present invention also provides a gaming system having a management device that manages information related to gaming machines installed in a gaming establishment, a terminal device carried by a user, and an information management device that is installed outside the gaming establishment and is capable of communicating with the management device and the terminal device, wherein the information management device is equipped with an information acquisition means that acquires information related to the gaming machines from the management devices installed in a plurality of gaming establishments, respectively, a storage means that stores the information related to each gaming machine acquired from each gaming machine by the information acquisition means by model, and a notification means that notifies the terminal device of the information related to the gaming machines stored in the storage means, and the terminal device is equipped with a calculation means that calculates statistics related to the gaming machines from the information related to the gaming machines notified by the information management device, and a display control means that controls the display of the statistics related to the gaming machines calculated by the calculation means on a specified display unit.

[0014] The present invention is also characterized in that it comprises a management device that manages information related to gaming machines installed in an amusement facility, and an information management device capable of communicating with a terminal device carried by a user, the information management device comprising: an information acquisition means that acquires information related to the gaming machines from the management devices installed in a plurality of amusement facilities, respectively; a storage means that stores the information related to each gaming machine acquired from the information acquisition means by model; a calculation means that calculates statistics related to the gaming machines from the information related to the gaming machines stored in the storage means; and an information notification means that notifies the terminal device of the statistics related to a specific model of gaming machine calculated by the calculation means.

[0015] The present invention also provides an information management method in a gaming system having a management device that manages information related to gaming machines installed in a gaming facility, a terminal device carried by a user, and an information management device that is installed outside the gaming facility and is capable of communicating with the management device and the terminal device, the method including an information acquisition process in which the information management device acquires information related to the gaming machines from the management devices installed in a plurality of gaming facilities, respectively; a storage process in which the information management device stores the information related to each gaming machine acquired from the information acquisition process in a storage unit for each model; a calculation process in which the information management device calculates statistics related to the gaming machines from the information related to the gaming machines stored in the storage unit; and an information notification process in which the information management device notifies the terminal device of the statistics related to a specific model of gaming machine calculated by the calculation process. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, statistical information regarding new types of gaming machines can be provided quickly and efficiently. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of the gaming system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the gaming system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the inter-machine card processor and the gaming machine shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the host device status data and card data shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the management device shown in FIG. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the card management data, the device management data, and the member management data shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the operation data and the difference in number of balls data shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the information management device shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the gaming machine data and the number of gaming machines data shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the gaming machine-specific operation data shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the machine-specific operation data and the machine-specific difference in number of balls data shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram (part 1) showing an example of a display on a mobile terminal. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram (part 2) showing an example of a display on a mobile terminal. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure related to the historical data in the information management device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, a gaming system, an information management device, and an information management method according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0019] In this specification, "held balls" refers to data indicating game media acquired by a player in a game, which can be used again only on the same day (before the closing time of the game establishment). "Number of held balls" refers to the number of game media acquired by a player in a game. "Saved balls" refers to data indicating game media deposited by a player in a game establishment, which can be used again on the following day (after the closing time of the game establishment). "Saved balls" refers to the number of game media deposited by a player in a game establishment. Both regular and member players can use held balls, and are used when a game machine is moved. In principle, only member players can use saved balls, and are used when acquired game media are used to play a game machine on the following day. "Number of balls managed on a game machine" refers to the number of balls managed on a game machine that a player can use for a game.

[0020] <Gaming System Overview> First, an overview of the present gaming system will be described. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the present gaming system.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, in this gaming system, a management device 50 installed in a gaming facility transmits operation data for each gaming machine to an information management device 80 (S1), and the information management device 80 accumulates the received operation data by model (S2).

[0022] The information management device 80 distributes the accumulated operation data by model on a web service every 15 minutes (S3). A user of the web service can view the operation data by model by accessing the web service with a mobile terminal 90. For example, the customer attendance rate of the machine "Fist of the Nanto" on August 20, 2023 can be viewed as a customer attendance transition graph.

[0023] In this way, the present gaming system is configured to collect operation data for each gaming machine in an amusement facility, accumulate it by model, and distribute the accumulated operation data at predetermined time intervals, thereby enabling statistical information on new models of gaming machines to be provided quickly and efficiently.

[0024] <System configuration> Next, the system configuration of the present gaming system will be described. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the present gaming system. As shown in Figure 2, a gaming facility is equipped with a plurality of gaming machines 20 and an inter-machine card processor 10 provided in correspondence with each gaming machine 20.

[0025] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 is connected to a communication line, which is an in-store network, via the island controller 30. The island controller 30, the management device 50, the prize management device 60, and the settlement machine 70 are connected to the communication line.

[0026] The management device 50 is connected to the Internet, and an information management device 80 and a mobile terminal 90 are connected to the Internet so as to be capable of communicating with each other.

[0027] The gaming machine 20 is a device that plays games by shooting gaming balls enclosed inside the device onto a gaming board. The gaming balls are physical "balls" used in the game, and are different from "game balls" that the gaming machine 20 treats as data. The gaming board of the gaming machine 20 is provided with a plurality of winning areas (winning holes), and a predetermined number of gaming balls are awarded as prize balls based on the passing of the gaming balls through the winning areas. In addition, the gaming board is provided with a predetermined number of starting areas (starting holes), and a predetermined lottery is performed based on the passing of the gaming balls through the starting areas. If the lottery is a jackpot, a predetermined movable member or the like is operated to increase the probability of the gaming balls passing through the winning areas or other starting areas, and other operations that are advantageous in the game are performed. It is possible for there to be an area that serves as both a starting area and a winning area.

[0028] The winning area is provided with a winning sensor for detecting the passage of a game ball into the winning area, and the winning sensor detects the passage (winning) of a game ball shot into the winning area. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also has a prize ball memory for storing the number of game balls to be awarded as prize balls for each winning area, and a game ball number memory for indicating the number of game balls managed by the gaming machine. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also periodically transmits the number of game balls managed by the gaming machine to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

[0029] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a deposit from a player, it associates a prepaid value corresponding to the amount of the deposit with the identification information (card ID) of the card stored inside the machine. This prepaid value can be used to lend game balls. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 can also accept the insertion of a card associated with a prepaid value, retained balls, saved balls, etc. Then, at the end of a game, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 ejects the card associated with the prepaid value, retained balls, saved balls, etc. and returns it to the player. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 also transmits a history of operations such as deposits, card insertion, and card ejection to the management device 50.

[0030] When a predetermined number of game balls are shot onto the game board, the game machine 20 transmits out data to the inter-machine card processor 10. When a game ball passes through a winning area (so-called winning) and a predetermined number of prize balls are added to the game balls, the game machine 20 transmits safe data to the inter-machine card processor 10. Furthermore, when a special state such as a jackpot occurs during play, the game machine 20 transmits special prize data indicating the occurrence of such state to the inter-machine card processor 10.

[0031] The out data corresponds to the number of balls inserted, which is the number of balls inserted by the player onto the game board. The safe data corresponds to the number of balls won as a result of winning. Furthermore, the special prize data indicates the status of the gaming machine 20, such as a jackpot. Each piece of data is transmitted to the management device 50 via the inter-machine card processing device 10, and the management device 50 can obtain the operation history of the gaming machine 20 by accumulating the out data, safe data, and special prize data.

[0032] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts deposits, lends gaming balls, and communicates with the management device 50 and the gaming machines 20. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts bills inserted by a player, it sends a deposit notification including the amount of the deposit to the management device 50, thereby adding the prepaid value equivalent to the amount of the deposit to the prepaid value managed by the management device 50. Then, when a specified ball lending operation is performed, it sends a ball lending request to the management device 50, subtracts the prepaid value managed by the management device 50, and notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value, which is added to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine.

[0033] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a card, it sends a card insertion notification to the management device 50. Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the prepaid value, the balance of held balls, or the balance of saved balls from the management device 50, it stores the balance. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives and stores the balance of held balls, it sends a request to subtract held balls to the management device 50, thereby clearing the balance of held balls (number of held balls) managed by the management device 50 to zero.

[0034] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a held ball replay operation, it subtracts a predetermined number from the number of held balls it manages, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted held balls, and adds it to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine. In addition, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a saved ball replay operation, it sends a saved ball replay request to the management device 50, thereby subtracting a predetermined number from the number of saved balls managed by the management device 50, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted saved balls, and adds it to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine.

[0035] When the inter-machine card processor 10 accepts a card return operation, it sends a ball addition request including the number of held balls to the management device 50, and after having the management device 50 add the number of held balls, it sends a card ejection notification to the management device 50 and controls the ejection of the card. Note that if a counting operation is accepted from the gaming machine 20 before the card return operation, the number of gaming machine managed balls is added to the number of held balls.

[0036] The inter-machine card processing device 10 has a function of acquiring a gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20, and authenticating the gaming machine 20 using the acquired gaming machine ID and an authentication key received from the management device 50. This authentication is performed at the time of opening a store, etc., and the gaming machine 20 becomes available for play on condition that the authentication is successful.

[0037] When the difference in the number of balls is updated, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 notifies the management device 50 of this difference in the number of balls.

[0038] The island controller 30 is a device that bundles together a group of gaming machines 20 and inter-machine card processors 10 installed on the gaming island, and relays various information to the management device 50.

[0039] When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it manages the identification information of the inserted card (hereinafter referred to as the "card ID") in association with the inter-machine card processing device 10, and transmits the prepaid value and the remaining balls associated with the card ID to the inter-machine card processing device 10. Also, if the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification is the card ID of a membership card, it transmits the stored ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0040] In addition, when the management device 50 receives a request to subtract balls held from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it clears the balance of held balls to zero, and when it receives a request to add balls held from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it adds the number of held balls indicated in the request to add balls held to the balance of held balls.

[0041] Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a ball lending request from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID and transmits ball lending permission to the inter-machine card processing device 10. When the management device 50 receives a saved ball replay request, it transmits saved ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0042] Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a card ID from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls held associated with this card ID. Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a card ID from the settlement machine 70, it notifies the settlement machine 70 of the prepaid value associated with this card ID.

[0043] The management device 50 also acquires a gaming machine ID from the inter-machine card processor 10 and manages the gaming machines 20 installed in its own arcade. It also acquires an authentication key for authenticating the gaming machines 20 set in its own arcade from an authentication key management center (not shown) outside the arcade and distributes it to the inter-machine card processor 10.

[0044] The management device 50 also manages the member management data of the members who are registered with the gaming establishment. Specifically, the management device 50 manages the number of balls, points, PIN, name, etc., in association with the member card ID issued to the member.

[0045] When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it transmits stored ball replay data including the balance of stored balls and the PIN number corresponding to the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. In addition, when the management device 50 receives a stored ball replay request from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it subtracts a predetermined number from the balance of stored balls associated with the card ID indicated in the stored ball replay request, and transmits stored ball replay data including the balance of stored balls after the subtraction to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0046] In addition, when the management device 50 receives an inquiry about the number of stored balls from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the balance of the stored balls corresponding to the specified card ID.

[0047] 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 for acquired balls, saved balls, and held balls. A card reader that reads the card ID of a 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, it transmits the card ID to the management device 50 and requests the remaining balance of held balls for that card ID. When saved balls are to be exchanged for prizes, the management device 50 is requested to indicate the remaining balance of saved balls.

[0048] The settlement machine 70 is a device that settles the balance of the prepaid value associated with the card. When a card associated with the prepaid value is inserted, the settlement machine 70 transmits the card ID of the card to the management device 50, obtains the prepaid value associated with the card, and dispenses cash equivalent to the obtained prepaid value.

[0049] Next, the ball lending process in the gaming system according to this embodiment will be described. When a player performs a ball lending operation on the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and a ball lending request.

[0050] When the management device 50 receives a message including a ball lending request, it updates the card management data by subtracting a predetermined value (for example, 5 units, which represents 500 yen when 1 unit is 100 yen) from the prepaid value associated with the card ID in the message, and transmits ball lending permission to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that sent the message. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 that has received the ball lending permission transmits an addition signal to the gaming machine 20, requesting the addition of a number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value (for example, "125") to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine.

[0051] The gaming machine 20 that has received the addition signal adds up the number of balls managed by the gaming machine, and transmits the number of balls managed by the gaming machine after the addition to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 compares the sum of the number of balls managed by the gaming machine before the addition and the number of balls lent out with the number of balls managed by the gaming machine after the addition, and determines whether the addition of the number of balls managed by the gaming machine has been performed appropriately.

[0052] Next, the ball replay process in the gaming system according to this embodiment will be described. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a general card or a membership card, it transmits a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a card insertion notification.

[0053] When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the balance of balls held at the rate specified by the message, among the balls held associated with the card ID in the message.

[0054] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 stores the balance of held balls received from the management device 50. Then, it transmits a message to the management device 50, including information specifying the card ID and rate, and a request to subtract held balls. When the management device 50 receives the request to subtract held balls, it clears the balance of held balls specified by the card ID and rate to zero. Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a request to replay held balls, it subtracts a fixed number from the balance of held balls, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the corresponding number, and adds it to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine.

[0055] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a management transfer request from the gaming machine 20 to transfer the management of the gaming machine 20 by making the number of gaming machine managed balls of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 the balls held by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 adds the number of gaming machine managed balls indicated in the management transfer request to the balls held by the own machine. After that, when the card return operation is accepted, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits a message including a request to add the balls held to the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card to be discharged, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the balance of the balls held, and a request to add the balls held.

[0056] When the management device 50 receives the request to add the balls in hand, it updates the balance (number of balls in hand) of the balls in hand associated with the card ID in the message to the received value. After that, the card processor 10 transmits a card ejection notification to the management device 50 and controls the ejection of the card.

[0057] Next, the stored ball replay process in the gaming system according to this embodiment will be described. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a membership card, it sends a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a card insertion notification.

[0058] The management device 50 transmits stored ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the data including the PIN number associated with the card ID in the message and the remaining balance of stored balls at the rate specified by the message.

[0059] The inter-machine card processing device 10 stores the received saved ball replay data, and when the balance of saved balls indicated in the saved ball replay data is equal to or greater than the number of game ball payout units in saved ball replay (number of saved ball replay units, for example "125 balls"), it is capable of accepting a saved ball replay operation.

[0060] When the inter-machine card processor 10 receives a saved ball replay operation for the first time after storing the saved ball replay data, it requests the player to input a PIN number and checks whether the input PIN number matches the PIN number shown in the saved ball replay data.

[0061] If the PIN numbers match, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 sends a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a request to replay the stored balls.

[0062] The management device 50 subtracts a predetermined value from the balance of stored balls at the rate specified by the message among the stored balls associated with the card ID in the message, and transmits stored ball replay data including the balance after subtraction to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0063] The inter-machine card processing device 10 receives the stored ball replay data, updates the balance of stored balls, and notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the number of stored ball replay units to add it to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine. It also determines whether the updated balance of stored balls is less than the number of stored ball replay units. If the updated balance of stored ball data is equal to or greater than the number of stored ball replay units, it is possible to accept a stored ball replay operation again, and if a stored ball replay operation is accepted, it transmits a stored ball replay request. For the second or subsequent stored ball replay operations, it is not necessary to confirm the PIN. If the updated balance of stored ball data is less than the number of stored ball replay units, it is not possible to accept a stored ball replay operation.

[0064] Next, the transition from held balls to saved balls during the store closing process will be explained. The management device 50 checks the balance of held balls in the card management data during the store closing process, and if there are held balls whose balance is greater than "0", it adds the balance of the held balls to the balance of saved balls to update it. After that, the management device 50 clears the balance of the held balls to zero.

[0065] When the information management device 80 receives gaming machine data from the management device 50, it stores and updates the gaming machine data. When the information management device 80 receives operation data from the management device 50, it adds a predetermined value to the gaming machine-specific operation data based on the store ID, gaming machine ID, and data type included in the operation data.

[0066] In addition, the information management device 80 uses the operation data for each gaming machine every 15 minutes (for example, at 0 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 45 minutes past the hour) to calculate the average payout, win rate, and customer acquisition rate for each model, and stores them in the operation data for each model.

[0067] Furthermore, when the information management device 80 receives the difference in number of balls information from the management device 50, the information management device 80 stores and updates the machine-specific difference in number of balls data based on the store ID and gaming machine ID included in the difference in number of balls information.

[0068] In addition, when the information management device 80 receives an information request regarding operation information of a specified model from the mobile terminal 90 on a web service that provides operation information of gaming machines, the information management device 80 delivers operation information related to the specified model using model-specific operation data and model-specific ball difference data.

[0069] The mobile terminal 90 is a terminal that displays operation information for each model of gaming machine. When the mobile terminal 90 receives the designation of a model of gaming machine, it notifies the information management device 80 of an information request regarding the operation information of the accepted model on a WEB service that provides operation information of gaming machines. When the mobile terminal 90 receives the operation information from the information management device 80, it displays the information.

[0070] <External configuration of the inter-machine card processing device 10 and the gaming machine 20> Next, the external configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2. In the figure, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that accepts only paper money is illustrated, but a unit that can accept electronic money can also be provided.

[0071] As shown in Figure 3, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is provided with a status display unit 11 which displays the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by turning on or blinking lamps of a predetermined color, a bill insertion slot 12a which accepts various types of bills, a display operation unit 13 such as a touch panel display, and a card insertion slot 14a which accepts cards associated with a card ID.

[0072] The gaming machine 20 is provided with a gaming board, a handle 21 used to throw enclosed gaming balls onto the gaming board, and a counting button 22.

[0073] The count button 22 is an operation button for performing a management transfer, which transfers the management of the number of balls that can be dispensed from the gaming machine 20 to the inter-machine card processor 10, by subtracting the number of balls managed by the gaming machine 20 and adding the corresponding number to the balls held by the inter-machine card processor 10. In the open-type gaming machine 20 in which actual gaming balls are dispensed upon winning, this management transfer corresponds to a counting process in which the inter-machine card processor 10 counts the dispensed gaming balls and adds them to the balls held.

[0074] <Configuration of the inter-machine card processing device 10> Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 has a banknote transport unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a communication unit 15, a memory unit 16, a control unit 17, and a game management unit 18.

[0075] The bill transport unit 12 is a transport unit that transports the bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 12a to a bill storage unit (not shown) while determining the denomination and authenticity of the bills. The display operation unit 13 is an input / output device such as a touch panel display that displays various information such as value and accepts various operations such as ball lending operations.

[0076] The reader / writer 14 is a reading unit that reads a card ID from a card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a. The card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a is stored in a card storage unit (not shown) through the reader / writer 14. The communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication with the management device 50 via the island controller 30.

[0077] The storage unit 16 is a storage device including a hard disk drive, a non-volatile memory, etc. The storage unit 16 stores the device status data 16a and the card data 16b.

[0078] The own machine status data 16a is data indicating the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The own machine status data 16a includes the inter-machine card processing machine ID, the game machine ID, the game type, etc. The inter-machine card processing machine ID is identification information for uniquely identifying the inter-machine card processing machine 10 within the gaming establishment. The game type is data indicating the rate set in the inter-machine card processing machine 10. When game balls of multiple rates are handled within the gaming establishment, game type names are set and managed for each rate, such as "Ball 1" for game balls of a 4 yen rate, "Ball 2" for game balls of a 2 yen rate, and "Ball 3" for game balls of a 1 yen rate. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 selects a rate to be used for a game from these game types and stores it as the game type. The game type may be fixed for each section in which the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is installed, or may be changeable by the operation of the player.

[0079] The card data 16b is data related to the card being used by the player. The card data 16b includes a card ID, a PIN number, a prepaid value, held balls, saved balls, etc. The card ID is a card ID read by the reader / writer 14. When a card is transported from a card storage section (not shown) to the card insertion slot 14a and then ejected, the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during this transport. Also, when a card is transported from the card insertion slot 14a to a card storage section (not shown), the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during this transport. The prepaid value indicates the balance of the prepaid value that can be used for ball lending, and the held balls and saved balls indicate their respective balances.

[0080] The gaming management unit 18 is a processing unit that performs processing related to authentication and communication with the gaming machine 20. It is preferable that the gaming management unit 18 is formed on a board different from that of the control unit 17. The gaming management unit 18 has an authentication processing unit 18a, an authentication key management unit 18b, and a gaming machine status management unit 18c. In practice, these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed, causing the authentication processing unit 18a, the authentication key management unit 18b, and the gaming machine status management unit 18c to execute processes corresponding thereto.

[0081] The authentication processing unit 18a performs authentication of the gaming machine 20 using the authentication key received from the management device 50. If the authentication is successful, the authentication processing unit 18a transmits an operation permission to the gaming machine 20. If the authentication is unsuccessful, the authentication processing unit 18a prohibits the use of the gaming machine 20. Note that even if the authentication is unsuccessful, the authentication processing unit 18a may be configured to transmit an operation permission to the gaming machine 20 if it is within a predetermined period from the last successful authentication, and not transmit an operation permission to the gaming machine 20 after the predetermined period has elapsed from the last successful authentication, and to prohibit the use of the gaming machine 20.

[0082] The authentication key management unit 18b is a processing unit that manages the authentication key. A usage time is set for the authentication key, and when the cumulative operating time of the gaming machine 20 reaches the usage time of the authentication key, the authentication key becomes unusable. Specifically, the authentication key management unit 18b uses the power-on time of the board on which the game management unit 18 is formed as the operating time of the gaming machine 20, and manages the usage time of the authentication key. When the authentication key becomes unusable, the authentication key management unit 18b obtains a new authentication key from an authentication key management center outside the store via the management device 50, and updates the authentication key.

[0083] The gaming machine status management unit 18c is a processing unit that communicates with the gaming machine 20 and manages the status of the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20, transmits a request to add to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine by ball lending, transmits a request to transfer management from held balls to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine by replaying held balls, transmits a request to add to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine by replaying saved balls, receives game results such as the number of balls inserted and the number of balls paid out in the gaming machine 20, and receives a request to transfer management from the number of balls managed by the gaming machine to held balls by counting. The communication between the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 is encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

[0084] The gaming machine status management unit 18c also acquires the status set for the game, such as the current number of managed balls, start, jackpot, jackpot type, and number of lotteries of the gaming machine 20. It is desirable to set the time interval at which the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the status of the gaming machine 20 shorter than the interval at which game balls are shot (used) in the gaming machine 20. Furthermore, when the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the number of managed balls from the gaming machine 20, it passes the number of managed balls to the control unit 17.

[0085] The timing when the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires a new gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 is not limited to before opening. The acquisition of the gaming machine ID and the determination of replacement of the gaming machine 20 can be performed when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is powered on or off, during regular communication, when processing related to the number of gaming machine balls managed (ball lending, replay, counting, etc.) is performed, when returning from an offline state, etc. Also, these timings may be used in combination.

[0086] The control unit 17 is a control unit that performs overall control of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and has a data management unit 17a and a ball difference management unit 17b. In practice, these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, causing the data management unit 17a and the ball difference management unit 17b to execute the processes corresponding thereto.

[0087] The data management unit 17a is a processing unit that manages the card data 16b. When a card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits a card insertion notification including a card ID and an inter-machine card processor ID to the management device 50. When the data management unit 17a receives data including a value (at least one of a prepaid value, held balls, and saved balls) and a PIN number from the management device 50, it updates the card data 16b with the received value and PIN number.

[0088] Furthermore, when a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 12a, the data management unit 17a transmits a deposit notification to the management device 50, the notification including the amount of the inserted bill, the card ID, and the inter-machine card processor ID.

[0089] Furthermore, when a ball lending operation is performed by a player, the data management unit 17a transmits a ball lending request including the card ID and the inter-machine card processor ID to the management device 50. If permission to lend balls is received as a response to this ball lending request, the data management unit 17a instructs the gaming management unit 18 to subtract the prepaid value of the card data 16b and add a predetermined number of balls to the gaming machine managed number of balls of the gaming machine 20.

[0090] In addition, when the data management unit 17a accepts a held ball replay operation, it instructs the game management unit 18 to subtract and update the held balls in the card data 16b and add the corresponding number of balls to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine 20.

[0091] In addition, when the balance of the stored balls shown in the card data 16b is equal to or greater than the number of the stored ball replay units, the data management unit 17a displays a stored ball replay button on the display operation unit 13, and allows the stored ball replay operation to be accepted. When the stored ball replay operation is performed by the player, the data management unit 17a transmits a stored ball replay request including the card ID and the inter-machine card processor ID to the management device 50. If the data management unit 17a receives stored ball replay data in response to the stored ball replay request, it updates the balance of the stored balls in the card data 16b and instructs the gaming management unit 18 to add the number of balls corresponding to the number of the stored ball replay units to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine 20. In addition, when the stored ball replay operation is performed for the first time, the input of a PIN is requested, and the condition for transmitting a stored ball replay request is that the PIN matches the PIN shown in the card data 16b.

[0092] In addition, when the game management unit 18 receives a request to transfer game balls from the game machine 20, the data management unit 17a adds the number of balls instructed by the game management unit 18 to the held balls in the card data 16b to update it.

[0093] In addition, when the data management unit 17a accepts a card return operation, it transmits a ball addition request including the card ID, the inter-machine card processing machine ID, and the remaining balls to the management device 50. Then, after clearing the card data 16b, it transmits a card ejection notification to the management device 50 and ejects the card.

[0094] Furthermore, when the data management unit 17a receives out data, safe data, or special prize data from the gaming machine 20, the data management unit 17a adds the gaming machine ID to the received data and transmits it to the management device 50 as operation data.

[0095] The difference ball number management unit 17b is a processing unit that notifies the difference ball number information. When the difference ball number is updated, the difference ball number management unit 17b notifies the management device 50 of this difference ball number information.

[0096] Next, an example of data stored in the memory unit 16 of the inter-machine card processor 10 shown in Fig. 4 will be described. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the own device status data 16a and card data 16b shown in Fig. 4.

[0097] The own device status data 16a shown in Figure 5 (a) indicates a state in which the ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is "A101", the gaming machine ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201", and "Ball 1" is set as the game type of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0098] The card data 16b shown in FIG. 5(b) indicates that the ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processor 10 is "2015." Here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, with a card with the first digit "1" being a general card and a card with the first digit "2" being a membership card. The card data 16b also indicates that the PIN number for replaying saved balls is "1234" and the prepaid value is "0" points. Here, the prepaid value points are equivalent to 1 yen per point.

[0099] In addition, card data 16b indicates that, in terms of held balls, the balance of held balls for ball 1 is "990" balls, the balance of held balls for ball 2 is "0" balls, and the balance of held balls for ball 3 is "0" balls, and, in terms of saved balls, the balance of saved balls for ball 1 is "0" balls, the balance of saved balls for ball 2 is "0" balls, and the balance of saved balls for ball 3 is "0" balls.

[0100] <Configuration of the gaming machine 20> Next, the configuration of the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 6, the gaming machine 20 has a communication control unit 23, a performance control unit 24, a game control unit 25, and a game ball control unit 26. The communication control unit 23 is a control unit for controlling data communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10 uses encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

[0101] When the gaming machine 20 is started up, the communication control unit 23 reads out the identification information from the control CPU provided in the gaming control unit 25 and / or gaming ball control unit 26, checks whether the identification information is appropriate, and if it is appropriate, establishes communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and goes into standby mode. In the standby mode, if an operation permission is received from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the performance control unit 24, the gaming control unit 25, and the gaming ball control unit 26 are started up, making the gaming machine ready for play.

[0102] The game control unit 25 is a control unit that controls games played by the gaming machine 20. In practice, a program corresponding to the game control unit 25 is loaded into the CPU and executed, thereby causing the CPU to execute a process.

[0103] Specifically, the game control unit 25 controls the launch of game balls onto the game board by detecting handle operation, detects game balls that have entered the winning hole on the game board, obtains random numbers (random numbers from 0 to 65535, with numbers assigned to a jackpot, small jackpot, or miss within a predetermined range) using game balls that have entered the starting hole and draws lots (special and normal symbols), controls movable members (tulips, etc.) installed on the game board, controls the display of a special symbol display device installed on the game board, detects abnormalities that may be fraudulent (the front frame is open, vibration is detected, etc.) and notifies a higher-level device, etc.

[0104] A large number of obstacle pins are set on the game board, and a game ball is shot onto the game board by operating the handle, falls between the obstacle pins, and either enters a prize hole or a starting hole, or is ejected from the game board through an outlet hole without entering a prize. When a game ball enters a starting hole, a lottery is held, and if a jackpot is awarded, a jackpot game is played in which a specific prize hole on the game board is controlled to be open multiple times, and by making it easier for game balls to enter the prize hole, a prize ball is awarded to the player.

[0105] In addition, there is a special jackpot game that gives a player a special bonus game after the jackpot game ends. The special jackpot game includes a probability-varying jackpot and a time-saving jackpot. The probability-varying jackpot and the time-saving jackpot give the probability-varying game and the time-saving game as special bonus games after the jackpot, respectively. The time-saving game is a bonus game that increases the number of lotteries per unit time by shortening the fluctuation time (the time from the start of the lottery process to the display of the result) of the normal pattern lottery (the lottery for opening and closing the movable member described above) and / or the special pattern lottery (the lottery for the jackpot lottery by the winning of the game ball described above), thereby increasing the probability of winning the jackpot per unit time. This bonus game may include a normal pattern probability fluctuation that increases the probability of winning the normal pattern. The time-saving game by the time-saving jackpot ends when the number of lotteries for the special pattern lottery has been performed a predetermined number of times after the jackpot. Probability-changing games will be described later.

[0106] The game control unit 25 has a probability variation function. The probability variation function is a function that performs control to change the random number range of the jackpot used in the next lottery (generally to about 10 times) when the lottery result is a jackpot that falls within a particularly specified random number range. The probability variation game is a game in which a special symbol is drawn using the changed probability. The probability variation game continues until the next jackpot is won. In addition, the probability variation game and the time-saving game may be given at the same time. However, in order to prevent unexpected losses to the gaming facility, if a player acquires a certain number of game media after the probability variation game or the time-saving game starts, a process of stopping the game (discharging the card once and requesting a prize exchange or a machine move) may be performed. In this case, the number of game media after the probability variation game state is entered is counted by the gaming machine 20, and when the count value reaches a predetermined value, the game can be stopped by performing a game stop control such as stopping the release of game balls.

[0107] The performance control unit 24 is a control unit that controls the performance during a game, and has a performance symbol lottery unit 24a and a performance lottery unit 24b. In practice, by loading these programs into a CPU and executing them, the performance symbol lottery unit 24a and the performance lottery unit 24b will execute processes corresponding to them, respectively.

[0108] The effect pattern lottery unit 24a performs lottery (specifically, whether to stop the display at 7, 7, 7, etc.) for effect patterns (patterns to be displayed on an effect pattern display device such as a display device on the game board surface) based on the special pattern lottery in the game control unit 25.

[0109] The effect selection unit 24b selects the type of effect to be performed before the result of the selection based on the effect symbols is displayed (such as a character appearing and a reach effect). Such effects are set so that the effects selected are different from the main selection result.

[0110] The performance control unit 24 stores performance data for each performance. Furthermore, the performance control unit 24 controls the display of the performance pattern display device, and when a performance is executed, the performance data is superimposed on the background pattern data to display the performance. In addition, when the probability fluctuates, background color data different from that in the normal state is set.

[0111] The game ball control unit 26 is a control unit that controls the number of game balls managed by the game machine. In practice, a program corresponding to the game ball control unit 26 is loaded into the CPU and executed to execute the process. The game ball number management unit 26a is a management unit that manages the number of game balls, i.e., the number of game balls managed by the game machine.

[0112] Specifically, the game ball control unit 26 stores the number of game balls managed by the game machine in a game ball number memory, subtracts "1" from the number of game balls managed by the game machine each time a game ball is released, and adds the number of prize balls acquired by winning to the number of game balls managed by the game machine. Also, when the number of balls is notified by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it adds the notified number of balls to the number of game machine managed balls and transmits a confirmation signal to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 indicating that the number of balls has been added to the number of game machine managed balls. The game ball control unit 26 can also perform cleaning control of the game balls (circulating balls) enclosed in the game machine 20.

[0113] The game ball control unit 26 also periodically transmits the number of game machine balls stored in the game ball number memory to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10. In this case, the game ball control unit 26 continues updating the number of game machine balls according to the game status without clearing the contents of the game ball number memory to zero, and transmits the number of game machine balls at the time of data acquisition to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

[0114] The gaming machine 20 is also provided with a counting button 22, and a signal indicating that the counting button 22 has been pressed is input to the gaming ball control unit 26. The gaming ball control unit 26 detects the pressing of the counting button 22, and if the detection signal rises and falls within a certain period of time, it transmits a management transfer request to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 together with data on the number of gaming machine managed balls at a fixed number of times (for example, 100 balls per operation). Then, it subtracts (invalidates) the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 from the number of gaming machine managed balls. If the pressing of the counting button 22 is detected and a fall is not detected for a predetermined period of time or more after the detection signal rises, it transmits a management transfer request to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 together with data on the number of gaming machine managed balls at a fixed number of times (for example, 200 balls per 5 seconds) each time the detection signal continues to rise for a certain period of time. Then, the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-machine card processor 10 is subtracted (invalidated) from the number of balls managed by the gaming machine. When subtracting from the number of balls managed by the gaming machine, possible methods include decrementing the value to be subtracted from the value of 1 stored in memory, or updating the value stored in memory with the value after the subtraction and deleting or logically deleting the value before the subtraction to invalidate it, but there are no particular limitations as long as the value after the subtraction is in a state where it can be specified.

[0115] The game control unit 25 and the game ball control unit 26 are each configured on a separate board. The game control board on which the game control unit 25 is configured and the game ball control board on which the game ball control unit 26 is configured each have their own unique ID. The game machine 20 combines the ID of the game control board and the ID of the game ball control board and uses them as the game machine ID.

[0116] <Configuration of management device 50> Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the management device 50 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the management device 50 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 7, the management device 50 is connected to a display unit 51 and an input unit 52, and has an external network communication unit 53, a store network communication unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 56.

[0117] The display unit 51 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a display device. The input unit 52 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The external network communication unit 53 is an interface unit for data communication with the information management device 80 and an authentication key management center (not shown) via an external network. The store network communication unit 54 is an interface unit for data communication with the island controller 30, the prize management device 60, and the settlement machine 70 via a communication line within the gaming facility.

[0118] The memory unit 55 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or non-volatile memory, and stores card management data 55a, device management data 55b, member management data 55c, operation data 55d, and difference in number of balls data 55e.

[0119] The card management data 55a is data that associates the card ID with the balance of prepaid value and the balance of balls held. The device management data 55b is data related to the devices installed in the gaming facility. The member management data 55c is data that associates the card ID of the member card issued to the member with the member's name, ball information, etc.

[0120] The operation data 55d is data showing the operation status of each gaming machine in a time series. The difference in number of balls data 55e is data showing the difference in number of balls for each gaming machine.

[0121] The control unit 56 is a control unit that performs overall control of the management device 50, and has a card management unit 56a, a device management unit 56b, a member management unit 56c, an operation data management unit 56d, and a difference in number of balls management unit 56e. In reality, by loading these programs into the CPU and executing them, the processes corresponding to the card management unit 56a, the device management unit 56b, the member management unit 56c, the operation data management unit 56d, and the difference in number of balls management unit 56e are executed.

[0122] The card management unit 56a is a processing unit that manages the card management data 55a. The card management unit 56a communicates with the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the prize management device 60, and the settlement machine 70 to update the prepaid value and the balance of the balls associated with the card ID.

[0123] In addition, when the card management unit 56a receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 or a request for value associated with the card from the prize management device 60, it notifies the player of the value associated with the card and the remaining balance of balls held.

[0124] Furthermore, when the card management unit 56a receives a request for the value associated with the card from the settlement machine 70, it notifies the remaining balance of the value associated with the card.

[0125] The device management unit 56b is a processing unit that manages the device management data 55b. The device management unit 56b generates and updates the device management data 55b based on the inter-machine card processor ID, the installation location, and the gaming machine ID acquired from the inter-machine card processor 10.

[0126] Furthermore, when the device management data 55b is updated, the device management unit 56b adds the store ID of its own store to the gaming machine ID and model data included in the device management data 55b, and transmits the data to the information management device 80 as gaming machine data.

[0127] The member management unit 56c is a processing unit that manages the member management data 55c. The member management unit 56c communicates with the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the prize management device 60 to update the balance of the balls associated with the card ID. In addition, when the member management unit 56c receives a member registration request, it updates the member management data 55c to add the member.

[0128] Here, the stored ball replay process by the member management unit 56c will be explained. When the member management unit 56c receives the stored ball replay request data from the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10, it subtracts the payout unit number of the remaining balls of the payout rate from the stored balls associated with the card ID in the stored ball replay request data, and recalculates the number of possible stored ball replays. Then, it transmits the stored ball replay data including the remaining balance after subtraction and the number of possible stored ball replays to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

[0129] The operation data management unit 56d is a processing unit that manages the operation data 55d. When the operation data management unit 56d receives operation data from the inter-machine card processor 10, the operation data management unit 56d stores the operation data in the operation data 55d. Then, the operation data management unit 56d adds the store ID of the store to the received operation data and transmits it to the information management device 80.

[0130] The difference ball number management unit 56e is a processing unit that manages the difference ball number data 55e. When the difference ball number management unit 56e receives the difference ball number information from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the difference ball number information is stored in the difference ball number data 55e. Then, the difference ball number management unit 56e adds the store ID of the own store to the received difference ball number information and notifies the information management device 80.

[0131] Next, an example of data stored in the memory unit 55 of the management device 50 shown in Fig. 7 will be described. Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 are diagrams showing an example of the card management data 55a, the device management data 55b, the member management data 55c, the operation data 55d, and the difference in number of balls data 55e shown in Fig. 7.

[0132] In the card management data 55a shown in Fig. 8(a), the card ID "1001" is associated with a state in which the prepaid value is "0" points, the balance of the balls held for each rate is "0" balls, and the destination ID is "A101". In other words, the card with the card ID "1001" is inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with the device ID "A101", and the management of the balls held has been transferred to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Therefore, the balance of the balls held for each rate becomes zero.

[0133] In addition, in the card management data 55a, the card ID "2015" is associated with a state in which the prepaid value is "0" points. In addition, the states in which the balance of balls held for ball 1 is "990", the balance of balls held for ball 2 is "0", and the balance of balls held for ball 3 is "0" are associated with the card ID "2015". However, there is no association with a usage destination ID. In other words, the card with the card ID "2015" is not inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and the management of the held balls is being carried out by the management device 50.

[0134] The device management data 55b shown in Fig. 8(b) associates the following states with the inter-machine card processor 10 with the ID "A101", the installation location is "island 1-1", the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201", the gaming machine number is "11", the game type is "ball 1", the model of the gaming machine 20 is "EV01", and the serial number is "a". It also indicates that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

[0135] The device management data 55b also associates the inter-machine card processor 10 with the ID "A201" with the following states: its installation location is "island 2-1", the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B506", the gaming machine number is "21", the game type is "ball 3", the model of the gaming machine 20 is "DX03", and the serial number is "g". It also indicates that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

[0136] The member management data 55c shown in Fig. 8(c) indicates the name, the number of saved balls, etc., associated with the card ID. Specifically, the member management data 55c associates the card ID "2015" with the name "Tokutei Taro", the balance of saved balls for ball 1 being "0", the balance of saved balls for ball 2 being "0", and the balance of saved balls for ball 3 being "0".

[0137] The operation data 55d shown in Figure 9 (a) associates a state in which the gaming machine ID is "B201" and the data type is "out" with the time "11:10:14", a state in which the gaming machine ID is "B201" and the data type is "out" with the time "11:10:16", a state in which the gaming machine ID is "B201" and the data type is "safe" with the time "11:11:30", and a state in which the gaming machine ID is "B506" and the data type is "special prize (jackpot)" with the time "13:30:00".

[0138] The difference in number of balls data 55e shown in Figure 9 (b) associates the gaming machine ID "B201" with a state in which the model is "EV01" and the maximum difference in number of balls is "18,000" balls, and associates the gaming machine ID "B506" with a state in which the model is "DX03" and the maximum difference in number of balls is "8,000" balls.

[0139] <Configuration of information management device 80> Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the information management device 80 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 10 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the information management device 80 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 10, the information management device 80 is connected to a display unit 81 and an input unit 82, and has a communication unit 84, a storage unit 85, and a control unit 86.

[0140] The display unit 81 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a display device. The input unit 82 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The communication unit 84 is an interface unit for data communication with the management device 50 and the mobile terminal 90 via an external network.

[0141] The memory unit 85 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or non-volatile memory, and stores gaming machine data 85a, number of gaming machines data 85b, operation data by gaming machine 85c, operation data by machine 85d, and difference in number of balls by machine data 85e.

[0142] The gaming machine data 85a is data indicating the gaming machine ID and model of each store. The gaming machine number data 85b is data indicating the number of gaming machines of each model of each store. The gaming machine operation data 85c is data indicating the number of outs and safes of each gaming machine of each store at 15-minute intervals.

[0143] The machine-specific operation data 85d is data showing the average number of balls, winning rate, customer rate, and maximum difference in number of balls for each machine at 15-minute intervals. The machine-specific difference in number of balls data 85e is data showing the maximum difference in number of balls for each gaming machine in each store on a daily basis.

[0144] The control unit 86 is a control unit that performs overall control of the information management device 80, and has a gaming machine management unit 86a, a gaming machine specific data management unit 86b, a model specific data management unit 86c, a ball difference data management unit 86d, and a distribution unit 86e. In practice, by loading these programs into the CPU and executing them, the gaming machine management unit 86a, the gaming machine specific data management unit 86b, the model specific data management unit 86c, the ball difference data management unit 86d, and the distribution unit 86e are made to execute processes corresponding to each of them.

[0145] The gaming machine management unit 86a is a processing unit that manages the gaming machine data 85a and the gaming machine number data 85b. When the gaming machine management unit 86a receives gaming machine data from the management device 50, the gaming machine management unit 86a stores the gaming machine data in the gaming machine data 85a and updates it. Then, using the updated gaming machine data 85a, the gaming machine management unit 86a calculates the number of gaming machines of each type in each store, and stores and updates the gaming machine number data 85b.

[0146] The gaming machine data management unit 86b is a processing unit that manages the gaming machine operation data 85c. When the gaming machine data management unit 86b receives operation data from the management device 50, it adds a predetermined numerical value to the data of the gaming machine operation data 85c corresponding to the store ID, gaming machine ID, and data type included in the operation data. Specifically, it adds a predetermined numerical value to the "last 15 minutes" and "total" items of the out or safe items corresponding to the store ID and gaming machine ID, respectively.

[0147] The machine-specific data management unit 86c is a processing unit that manages the machine-specific operation data 85d. The machine-specific data management unit 86c calculates the average of the betting, the winning rate, and the customer rate for each machine every 15 minutes (for example, 0 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 45 minutes after the hour) using the machine-specific operation data 85c, and stores them in the machine-specific operation data 85d in association with the current date and time. Specifically, the machine-specific data management unit 86c calculates the average of the betting, the winning rate, and the customer rate by the following procedure.

[0148] The average of the hits is calculated by extracting the "total" value of the "out" item of the operation data by gaming machine 85c for each type of gaming machine. Then, the average of the extracted values ​​is calculated to be the average of the hits.

[0149] The winning percentage is calculated by extracting and comparing the "total" values ​​of the safe and out items in the gaming machine-specific operation data 85c for each gaming machine, and determining that the "total" value of safe is equal to or greater than the "total" value of out as a "win." The winning percentage is calculated by calculating the percentage of the number of "winning" gaming machines for each type out of the total number of machines for that type.

[0150] The customer attraction rate is extracted for each type of gaming machine when the "total" value of the "out" item in the gaming machine-specific operation data 85c is equal to or greater than 1. Then, the customer attraction rate is calculated by calculating the ratio of the number of extracted gaming machines to the total number of machines of that type.

[0151] In addition, after the machine-specific data management unit 86c calculates the average shots, the win rate, and the customer rate for each machine type and stores them in the machine-specific operation data 85d, it performs the following processing for each of the out and safe data in the gaming machine-specific operation data 85c. It subtracts the value of "45 minutes ago" from the "total" value. It then transfers the value of "30 minutes ago" to "45 minutes ago", transfers the value of "15 minutes ago" to "30 minutes ago", transfers the value of "last 15 minutes" to "15 minutes ago", and clears the value of "last 15 minutes" to zero.

[0152] The difference in number of balls data management unit 86d is a processing unit that manages the machine-specific difference in number of balls data 85e. When the difference in number of balls data management unit 86d receives difference in number of balls information from the management device 50, it stores and updates the item of the day of the machine-specific difference in number of balls data 85e corresponding to the store ID and gaming machine ID included in the difference in number of balls information. Then, it stores and updates the updated difference in number of balls in the item of the maximum difference in number of balls corresponding to the store ID and gaming machine ID in the data related to the most recent date and time of the machine-specific operation data 85d.

[0153] The distribution unit 86e is a processing unit that distributes operation information related to the model of the gaming machine. When the distribution unit 86e receives an information request for operation information of a specified model from the mobile terminal 90 on a WEB service that provides operation information of gaming machines, the distribution unit 86e distributes the operation information related to the specified model using the model-specific operation data 85d and the model-specific ball difference data 85e.

[0154] Specifically, the most recent date and time data of the machine-specific operation data 85d is used to distribute the average number of balls, customer payout rate, win rate, and maximum difference in number of balls for the specified machine, and the time series data is used to distribute the trend of the customer payout rate for the specified machine in a graph. Also, the machine-specific difference in number of balls data 85e is used to distribute the distribution of the maximum difference in number of balls (number of machines) for the specified machine in a graph. The WEB service related to the distribution of the operation information of the gaming machines is provided during a specified time period based on the business hours of the gaming establishment (for example, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.).

[0155] Next, an example of data stored in the storage unit 85 of the information management device 80 shown in Fig. 10 will be described. Figs. 11 to 13 are diagrams showing an example of the gaming machine data 85a, the gaming machine number data 85b, the gaming machine operation data 85c, the machine-specific operation data 85d, and the machine-specific ball difference data 85e shown in Fig. 10.

[0156] The gaming machine data 85a shown in FIG. 11(a) associates the machine type "EV01" with the store ID "ABC123" and the gaming machine ID "B201", the machine type "DX03" with the store ID "ABC123" and the gaming machine ID "B506", and the machine type "EV01" with the store ID "ABC456" and the gaming machine ID "D103".

[0157] The gaming machine count data 85b shown in FIG. 11(b) associates the number of gaming machines with the store ID "ABC123" and the model "EV01" when the number is "40", the number of gaming machines with the store ID "ABC123" and the model "DX03" when the number is "30", the number of gaming machines with the store ID "ABC456" and the model "EV01" when the number is "30", and the number of gaming machines with the store ID "ABC456" and the model "DX03" when the number is "20".

[0158] The operation data 85c for each gaming machine shown in Figure 12 corresponds to the store ID "ABC123" and the gaming machine ID "B201", with the model being "EV01", the out in the last 15 minutes being "400" balls, the out 15 minutes ago being "650" balls, the out 30 minutes ago being "550" balls, the out 45 minutes ago being "600" balls, the total out being "2200" balls, the safe in the last 15 minutes being "800" balls, the safe 15 minutes ago being "2000" balls, the safe 30 minutes ago being "400" balls, the safe 45 minutes ago being "300" balls, and the total safe being "3500" balls.

[0159] In addition, the gaming machine operation data 85c corresponds to the store ID "ABC123" and gaming machine ID "B506", with the model being "DX03", the out in the last 15 minutes being "300" balls, the out 15 minutes ago being "400" balls, the out 30 minutes ago being "500" balls, the out 45 minutes ago being "400" balls, the total out being "1600" balls, the safe in the last 15 minutes being "100" balls, the safe 15 minutes ago being "400" balls, the safe 30 minutes ago being "200" balls, the safe 45 minutes ago being "100" balls, and the total safe being "800" balls.

[0160] In addition, the gaming machine operation data 85c corresponds to the store ID "ABC456" and gaming machine ID "D103", the model is "EV01", the number of outs in the last 15 minutes is "0" balls, the number of outs 15 minutes ago is "0" balls, the number of outs 30 minutes ago is "0" balls, the number of outs 45 minutes ago is "0" balls, the total number of outs is "0" balls, the number of safes in the last 15 minutes is "0" balls, the number of safes 15 minutes ago is "0" balls, the number of safes 30 minutes ago is "0" balls, the number of safes 45 minutes ago is "0" balls, and the total number of safes is "0" balls.

[0161] The machine-specific operation data 85d shown in Figure 13 (a) associates the date and time "2023.8.20 14:00" and the machine type "EV01" with a state in which the average balls thrown are "2000", the win rate is "45%, the customer attraction rate is "70%, and the maximum difference in the number of balls is "16500", and associates the date and time "2023.8.20 14:00" and the machine type "DX03" with a state in which the average balls thrown are "1500", the win rate is "40%, the customer attraction rate is "60%, and the maximum difference in the number of balls is "8500".

[0162] In addition, the machine-specific operation data 85d associates the date and time "2023.8.20 14:15" and the machine "EV01" with a state in which the average balls thrown are "2100", the win rate is "47%, the customer attraction rate is "75%, and the maximum difference in the number of balls is "17000", and associates the date and time "2023.8.20 14:15" and the machine "DX03" with a state in which the average balls thrown are "1400", the win rate is "38%, the customer attraction rate is "55%, and the maximum difference in the number of balls is "9000".

[0163] The machine-specific difference in number of balls data 85e shown in Figure 13 (b) corresponds to the store ID "ABC123" and the gaming machine ID "B201", with the machine type being "EV01", the maximum difference in number of balls on "2023.8.19" being "15,000" balls, and the maximum difference in number of balls on "2023.8.20" being "18,000" balls.

[0164] In addition, the machine-specific difference in number of balls data 85e corresponds to the store ID "ABC123" and the gaming machine ID "B506", with the machine type being "DX03", the maximum difference in number of balls on "2023.8.19" being "3000" balls, and the maximum difference in number of balls on "2023.8.20" being "8000" balls.

[0165] In addition, the machine-specific difference in number of balls data 85e corresponds to the store ID "ABC456" and the gaming machine ID "D103", with the machine type being "EV01", the maximum difference in number of balls on "2023.8.19" being "9,000" balls, and the maximum difference in number of balls on "2023.8.20" being "14,000" balls.

[0166] <Example of display on mobile terminal 90> Next, a description will be given of an example of a display on the mobile terminal 90. Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 are diagrams showing an example of a display on the mobile terminal 90.

[0167] As shown in Fig. 14, the mobile terminal 90 displays the latest operating status of the specified machine. Specifically, the operating status of the machine name "Fist of the Nanto" at "August 20, 2023, 14:00" is displayed as follows: the average number of balls thrown is "2000", the customer rate is "70%," the winning rate is "45%," and the maximum difference in number of balls is "7500".

[0168] As shown in FIG. 15(a), the mobile terminal 90 displays a customer attendance transition graph for the specified machine type. Specifically, the customer attendance rate at each time on "August 20, 2023" for the machine type name "Fist of the Nanto" is displayed in a broken line graph. For example, the customer attendance rate at 9:00 is 63%, and the customer attendance rate at 10:00 is 80%.

[0169] As shown in FIG. 15(b), the mobile terminal 90 displays a distribution graph of the maximum difference in the number of balls for the specified machine type. Specifically, for each range of the maximum difference in the number of balls for the machine type name "Fist of the Nanto" on "August 20, 2023", the number of gaming machines that fall under the range is displayed in a bar graph. For example, there are 29 gaming machines with a maximum difference in the number of balls of 1000 balls or less, and there are 18 gaming machines with a maximum difference in the number of balls of 1001 balls or more and 2000 balls or less.

[0170] <Processing procedure for operation data in the information management device 80> Next, a description will be given of a processing procedure related to the historical data in the information management device 80. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure related to the historical data in the information management device 80.

[0171] As shown in FIG. 16, when the service time of the WEB service that provides the operation information of the gaming machine starts (Step S101; Yes), the information management device 80 starts measuring time (Step S102).

[0172] If game data is received from the management device 50 (step S103; Yes), the game data is stored and updated in the gaming machine-specific operation data 85c (step S104).

[0173] When the difference in the number of balls is received from the management device 50 (step S105; Yes), the difference in the number of balls is stored and updated in the machine-specific difference in the number of balls data 85e (step S106).

[0174] If 15 minutes have not yet elapsed since the start of the timer (step S107; No), the process proceeds to step S103. If 15 minutes have elapsed since the start of the timer (step S107; Yes), the average payout, win rate, and customer acquisition rate are calculated using the gaming machine-specific operation data 85c, and are stored and updated in the machine-specific operation data 85d (step S108).

[0175] If the service time of the operational data has not ended (step S109; No), the process proceeds to step S102. If the service time of the operational data has ended (step S109; Yes), the process ends.

[0176] As described above, the present gaming system is configured to collect operation data for each gaming machine in an amusement facility, accumulate the data by model, and distribute the accumulated operation data at predetermined time intervals, thereby enabling statistical information on new models of gaming machines to be provided quickly and efficiently.

[0177] In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the process of calculating the average shot, win rate, and customer capture rate from accumulated operational data is performed in an information management device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the average shot, win rate, and customer capture rate can also be configured to be calculated in a mobile terminal.

[0178] In the above embodiment, the configuration has been described in which anyone can access the WEB service that provides operation information of gaming machines without any restrictions, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be configured to allow access depending on the attributes of the user of the WEB service. For example, it may be configured to allow access only to members of gaming facilities that are affiliated with the WEB service.

[0179] In the above embodiment, the operation information of the gaming machines provided by the WEB service is uniformly distributed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the content to be distributed can be restricted according to the attributes of the user of the WEB service. For example, the information can be distributed without restrictions to paid members of the WEB service, and only part of the information can be distributed to free members.

[0180] In addition, in the above embodiment, the operation information provided by the web service is described as being configured to target gaming machines nationwide, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it can also be configured to provide operation status targeting regions, prefectures, cities, wards, towns, and villages.

[0181] In addition, each configuration illustrated in the above embodiment is merely a functional schematic, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that illustrated, and all or part of the devices can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads, usage conditions, etc. [Industrial Applicability]

[0182] The gaming system, information management device, and information management method according to the present invention are suitable for quickly and efficiently providing statistical information on new types of gaming machines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0183] 10 Card Processing Machines 11 Status display section 12 Banknote transport section 12a Bill insertion slot 13 Display operation section 14 Reader / Writer 14a Card slot 15 Communications Department 16 Memory section 16a Device status data 16b Card Data 17 Control Unit 17a Data Management Department 17b Different ball count management department 18 Gaming Management Department 18a Authentication processing section 18b Authentication key management unit 18c Gaming Machine Status Management Department 20 Gaming Machines 21 Handle 22 Count button 23 Communication control section 24 Production Control Unit 24a Design drawing lottery section 24b Production Lottery Section 25 Game control unit 26 Game ball control unit 26a Game Ball Count Management Department 30 Island Controller 50 Management device 51 Display section 52 Input section 53 External network communication section 54 Store Network Communication Department 55 Storage section 55a Card Management Data 55b Equipment Management Data 55c Membership Management Data 55d Operational Data 55e Difference in number of balls data 56 Control section 56a Card Management Department 56b Equipment management department 56c Membership Management Department 56d Operation Data Management Department 56e Different ball count management department 60 Prize Management Device 70 Payment machine 80 Information management device 81 Display section 82 Input section 84 Communications Department 85 Storage section 85a Gaming machine data 85b Number of gaming machines data 85c Operation data by gaming machine 85d Model-specific operation data 85e Machine-specific difference in number of balls data 86 Control Unit 86a Gaming Machine Management Department 86b Machine-specific data management section 86c Model-specific data management section 86d Difference in number of balls data management section 86e Distribution Department 90 Mobile Devices

Claims

1. A gaming system including a management device that manages information related to gaming machines installed in a gaming establishment, a terminal device carried by a user, and an information management device that is provided outside the gaming establishment and is capable of communicating with the management device and the terminal device, The information management device includes: An information acquisition means for acquiring information related to the gaming machines from the management device installed in each of the gaming facilities; a storage means for storing the information related to each gaming machine acquired from each gaming machine by the information acquisition means for each type of gaming machine; a calculation means for calculating statistics relating to the gaming machine from information relating to the gaming machine stored in the storage means; a notification means for notifying the terminal device of the statistics regarding the specific type of gaming machine calculated by the calculation means; A gaming system comprising:

2. The information management device includes: A reception means for receiving the type of the gaming machine to be displayed from the terminal device is further provided, The notification means includes:

2. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the statistics relating to the gaming machines of the model type accepted by the accepting means are notified to the terminal device.

3. The calculation means includes:

3. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein an average value of the operation rate for each hour of the specific model is calculated as a statistical quantity for the gaming machine.

4. The calculation means includes:

3. The gaming system according to claim 1, further comprising a step of calculating a percentage of gaming machines having a ball payout rate of more than 100 percent per time period for the specific model.

5. The calculation means includes:

3. The gaming system according to claim 1, further comprising: a customer attraction rate for each time period for the specific machine type.

6. The calculation means includes:

3. The gaming system according to claim 1, further comprising a calculation unit for calculating a maximum number of balls to be dispensed on a specified date for the specific machine type.

7. A gaming system including a management device that manages information related to gaming machines installed in a gaming establishment, a terminal device carried by a user, and an information management device that is provided outside the gaming establishment and is capable of communicating with the management device and the terminal device, The information management device includes: An information acquisition means for acquiring information related to the gaming machines from the management device installed in each of the gaming facilities; a storage means for storing the information related to each gaming machine acquired from each gaming machine by the information acquisition means for each type of gaming machine; a notification means for notifying the terminal device of information related to the gaming machine stored in the storage means; Equipped with The terminal device a calculation means for calculating a statistical amount relating to the gaming machine from the information relating to the gaming machine notified from the information management device; a display control means for controlling the display of the statistical amount related to the gaming machine calculated by the calculation means on a predetermined display unit; A gaming system comprising:

8. A management device that manages information related to gaming machines installed in a gaming establishment, and an information management device that can communicate with a terminal device carried by a user, An information acquisition means for acquiring information related to the gaming machines from the management device installed in each of the gaming facilities; a storage means for storing the information related to each gaming machine acquired from each gaming machine by the information acquisition means for each type of gaming machine; a calculation means for calculating statistics relating to the gaming machine from information relating to the gaming machine stored in the storage means; an information notifying means for notifying the terminal device of the statistics regarding the specific type of gaming machine calculated by the calculating means; An information management device comprising:

9. An information management method for a gaming system having a management device that manages information related to gaming machines installed in a gaming establishment, a terminal device carried by a user, and an information management device that is provided outside the gaming establishment and is capable of communicating with the management device and the terminal device, comprising: an information acquisition step in which the information management device acquires information related to gaming machines from the management devices installed in each of a plurality of gaming facilities; a storage step of the information management device storing the information related to each gaming machine acquired from each gaming machine in the information acquisition step in a storage unit for each type of gaming machine; a calculation step in which the information management device calculates statistics related to the gaming machine from the information related to the gaming machine stored in the storage unit; an information notifying step in which the information management device notifies the terminal device of the statistics regarding the specific type of gaming machine calculated by the calculation step; 13. An information management method comprising:

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