Game system

Abstract

To provide a game system enabling cashless settlement in which a valuable value is imparted to a game device from a mobile terminal owned by a player without changing the hardware of the game device installed corresponding to a game machine.SOLUTION: In a game system 1, a management function unit 100, which links and manages a mobile terminal 40 owned by a player and a recording medium 50, mediates between deposits and withdrawals to the account of the mobile terminal 40 and to a game device 12 in which a recording medium 50 linked to the mobile terminal 40 is inserted, thereby virtually connecting the mobile terminal 40 and the game device 12, and enabling cashless settlement in which a valuable values is imparted from the mobile terminal 40 to the game device 12 without changing hardware of the game device 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming system including a gaming machine capable of being played using gaming value, a gaming device that is installed in correspondence with the gaming machine, accepts the recording medium owned by a player, stores valuable value corresponding to the recording medium, converts the valuable value into the gaming value and grants it to the gaming machine, and a management function unit that is capable of communicating with the gaming device and has at least a function of managing information relating to the valuable value. [Background technology]

[0002] Cashless payments using two-dimensional codes such as barcodes and QR codes (registered trademarks) are becoming widespread. When using them, a payment app is launched on a mobile device such as a smartphone, and the two-dimensional code is displayed on the payee's reader, or the payee's two-dimensional code is read, completing the payment. Cashless payments, which do not require the direct handover of cash, are highly convenient. A gaming management system has been proposed that makes such cashless payments available in gaming establishments (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the gaming management system described in Patent Document 1, the information required for payment is generated as payment data on a terminal device carried by a player, a two-dimensional code encoding this payment data is read by an inter-machine card processing machine, the payment data is transmitted from the inter-machine card processing machine to a card management device, and the card management device transmits the received payment data, etc. to the payment device, thereby carrying out the payment process. As a result, a deposit process for the payment amount is carried out in the inter-machine card processing machine, so that a prepaid value is added to the prepaid card inserted by the player into the inter-machine card processing machine, and the player can receive balls using the prepaid value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-130575 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the gaming management system described in Patent Document 1, in order to enable cashless payment, the inter-machine card processing machine needs to have a function for reading two-dimensional codes, but existing inter-machine card processing machines do not have a built-in two-dimensional code reader. Therefore, in order to use the gaming management system described in Patent Document 1 in an amusement facility, it is necessary to install an inter-machine card processing machine with a built-in two-dimensional code reader or the like in advance, and changing the hardware of the inter-machine card processing machine or replacing the inter-machine card processing machine itself is a heavy burden on the amusement facility. Note that adding a processing function for cashless payment to the inter-machine card processing machine or card management device can be done with a relatively light burden such as a software update.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming system that enables cashless payment in which value is added to a gaming device from a mobile terminal carried by a player, without making hardware changes to the gaming device installed in correspondence with the gaming machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a gaming system according to the present invention includes a gaming machine capable of playing games using a gaming value, a gaming device installed in correspondence with the gaming machine, receiving a recording medium owned by a player, storing a valuable value corresponding to the recording medium, converting the valuable value into the gaming value and granting it to the gaming machine, and a management function unit capable of communicating with the gaming device and having at least a function of managing information relating to the valuable value, wherein the gaming device includes a recording medium identification information transmitting means for transmitting recording medium identification information, which is unique identification information of the recording medium, to the management function unit when the gaming device receives the recording medium owned by a player, and the management function unit includes a recording medium identification information receiving means for receiving the recording medium identification information transmitted from the recording medium identification information transmitting means of the gaming device, and a portable terminal identification information, which is unique identification information of a portable terminal owned by a player, and a management function unit for linking the recording medium identification information of the recording medium owned by the player to the recording medium identification information of the recording medium owned by the player. the management information transmitting means for transmitting information based on the management information corresponding to the recording medium identification information received by the recording medium identification information receiving means to the gaming device which is the sender of the recording medium identification information; and, if the management information corresponding to the recording medium identification information of the recording medium accepted by the gaming device is managed by the management means, a virtual connection control means for virtually connecting the portable terminal and the gaming device by at least mediating processing between the portable terminal and the gaming device regarding the movement of the value included in the management information, wherein the virtual connection control means of the management function unit makes the portable terminal and the gaming device targets for a virtual connection, and then grants part or all of the value included in the management information to the corresponding gaming device based on the establishment of a predetermined value granting condition.

[0008] In the above invention, the virtual connection control means of the management function unit may receive a request for providing valuable information from the gaming device, and may set the condition for providing valuable information as receiving approval for the request for providing valuable information from the mobile terminal.

[0009] In the above invention, the virtual connection control means of the management function unit may receive a request for providing valuable information from the mobile terminal, and the condition for providing valuable information may be that the gaming device grants approval for the request for providing valuable information.

[0010] In the above invention, the virtual connection control means of the management function unit may receive a value imparting request from the mobile terminal, and may set the value imparting condition as receiving approval for the value imparting request from the mobile terminal.

[0011] In the above-mentioned invention, the virtual connection control means of the management function unit may set the value imparting condition to be receiving a value imparting instruction from the mobile terminal.

[0012] In the above invention, the gaming device further includes a transfer instruction means for instructing the stored value to be transferred to management as the management information of the management function unit, and the virtual connection control means of the management function unit may, after making the mobile terminal and the gaming device the subject of a virtual connection, upon receiving a transfer instruction from the transfer instruction means of the gaming device, add the transferred value for which the transfer instruction was received to the corresponding value of the management information, and instruct the gaming device that sent the transfer instruction to erase the transferred value.

[0013] In the above invention, the gaming device further includes an automatic transition instruction means for instructing, based on the satisfaction of a predetermined automatic transition condition, to transition the stored value to management in the management information of the management function unit, and the virtual connection control means of the management function unit may, after making the mobile terminal and the gaming device the subject of a virtual connection, upon receiving a transition instruction from the automatic transition instruction means of the gaming device, add the transition value for which the transition instruction has been received to the corresponding value in the management information, and instruct the gaming device, which is the source of the transition instruction, to erase the value that has already been transferred.

[0014] In the above-mentioned invention, the automatic transition instruction means of the gaming device may set the automatic transition condition as being that the gaming value managed by the gaming machine is equal to or greater than / exceeds a predetermined judgment value. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the gaming system of the present invention, the virtual connection control means of the management function unit virtually connects the portable terminal and the gaming device, and based on the satisfaction of predetermined value granting conditions, a part or all of the value contained in the management information is granted to the corresponding gaming device, thereby making it possible to make a cashless payment in which value is granted to the gaming device from the portable terminal carried by the player without making any hardware changes to the gaming device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a gaming system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] A functional block diagram showing the general functions of the gaming machine, gaming device, and management function unit. [Diagram 3] 1A is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a management table managed by a cashless center, and FIG. 1B is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a management table managed by a relay device. [Figure 4] 13 is a communication sequence diagram between a gaming device, a relay device, a cashless center, a portable terminal, and a registration machine, showing an example of registering a link between a membership card and a portable terminal using the registration machine. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1A is a diagram showing the transition of the display screen on the registration machine during the process of registering the association between the membership card and the mobile terminal with the registration machine, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the transition of the display screen on the mobile terminal during the process of registering the association between the membership card and the mobile terminal with the registration machine. [Figure 6] This is a communication sequence diagram between a gaming device, a relay device, a cashless center, a portable terminal, and a registration machine, showing an example of registering a link between a general card and a portable terminal using a registration machine. [Figure 7]1A and 1B are diagrams showing the transition of display screens on a registration machine during the process of registering an association between a general card and a mobile terminal, respectively. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a gaming system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] A communication sequence diagram between the gaming device, the relay device, the cashless center, the portable terminal, and the registration machine, showing the process of making a virtual connection between the card inserted in the gaming device and the portable terminal. [Figure 10] 1A is a diagram showing the transition of the display screen on the gaming device during the process of establishing a virtual connection between the card inserted in the gaming device and the mobile terminal, and FIG. 1B is a conceptual diagram showing the display screen displayed on the mobile terminal after the virtual connection between the card inserted in the gaming device and the mobile terminal is completed. [Figure 11] This is a communication sequence diagram between a gaming device, a relay device, a cashless center, a portable terminal, and a registration machine, showing the process of ending a game and terminating the virtual connection after a virtual connection is established between a card inserted into the gaming device and a portable terminal. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is an image diagram of a display screen that is displayed on the mobile terminal after the game is ended and the virtual connection is terminated. [Figure 13] An image showing an example of a management table for a mobile terminal account managed by the cashless center. [Figure 14] This is a communication sequence diagram between the gaming device, relay device, cashless center, mobile terminal, and registration machine, showing the process of making a cashless deposit by approving a value provision request from the gaming device with a mobile terminal. [Figure 15] 1A is a diagram showing the transition of a display screen on a gaming device in the process of making a cashless deposit by accepting a request for providing valuable information from the gaming device with a mobile terminal. 1B is a diagram showing the transition of a display screen on a mobile terminal in the process of making a cashless deposit by accepting a request for providing valuable information from the gaming device with the mobile terminal. [Figure 16]This is a communication sequence diagram between the gaming device, the relay device, the cashless center, the portable terminal, and the registration machine, showing the process of making a cashless deposit by having the gaming device approve a request for providing valuable information from the portable terminal. [Figure 17] 1A is a diagram showing the transition of a display screen on a gaming device in the process of making a cashless deposit by accepting a request for providing valuable information from a portable terminal with the gaming device. 1B is a diagram showing the transition of a display screen on a portable terminal in the process of making a cashless deposit by accepting a request for providing valuable information from the portable terminal with the gaming device. [Figure 18] This is a communication sequence diagram between the gaming device, the relay device, the cashless center, the mobile terminal, and the registration machine, showing the process of making a cashless deposit by approving a value grant request from the mobile terminal at the mobile terminal. [Figure 19] 1A is a diagram showing the transition of a display screen on a gaming device in the process of making a cashless deposit by accepting a request for providing valuable information from a mobile terminal with the mobile terminal. 1B is a diagram showing the transition of a display screen on a mobile terminal in the process of making a cashless deposit by accepting a request for providing valuable information from the mobile terminal with the mobile terminal. [Figure 20] A communication sequence diagram between the gaming device, relay device, cashless center, portable terminal, and registration machine, showing the process of making a cashless deposit by receiving a value provision instruction from a portable terminal. [Figure 21] 1A is a diagram showing the transition of a display screen on a gaming device during a process of making a cashless deposit by receiving a valuable-value providing instruction from a mobile terminal, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the transition of a display screen on a mobile terminal during a process of making a cashless deposit by receiving a valuable-value providing instruction from the mobile terminal. [Figure 22] This is a communication sequence diagram between a gaming device, a relay device, a cashless center, a mobile terminal, and a registration machine, showing the process of performing a cashless charge in which the card balance managed by the gaming device is transferred and added to the balance of the mobile terminal upon instruction from the gaming device. [Diagram 23] FIG. 13 is an image diagram showing an example of a management table for automatic charge settings managed by the relay device. [Figure 24] This is a communication sequence diagram between a gaming device, a relay device, a cashless center, a mobile terminal, and a registration machine, showing the process of automatically performing cashless charging when the automatic transition condition set for the gaming device is met. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a communication sequence diagram between a gaming device, a relay device, a cashless center, a mobile terminal, and a registration machine, showing the process of automatically performing a cashless charge when a card return operation is performed on the gaming device. [Figure 26] 1 is a communication sequence diagram between a gaming device, a relay device, a cashless center, a portable terminal, and a registration machine, showing a first example of a process for automatically releasing the association between a portable terminal and a general card. FIG. [Figure 27] 13 is a communication sequence diagram between a gaming device, a relay device, a cashless center, a portable terminal, and a registration machine, showing a second example of a process for automatically releasing the association between a portable terminal and a general card. FIG. [Figure 28] This is a communication sequence diagram between a gaming device, a relay device, a cashless center, a portable terminal, and a registration machine, showing a first example of a process of maintaining the binding between a portable terminal and a general card while suspending automatic release of the binding. [Figure 29] This is a communication sequence diagram between a gaming device, a relay device, a cashless center, a portable terminal, and a registration machine, showing a second example of a process of maintaining the binding between a portable terminal and a general card while suspending automatic release of the binding. [Diagram 30] This is a communication sequence diagram between a gaming device, a relay device, a cashless center, a portable terminal, and a registration machine, showing a third example of a process of maintaining the binding between a portable terminal and a general card while suspending automatic release of the binding. [Diagram 31] A communication sequence diagram between the gaming device, the relay device, the cashless center, the portable terminal, and the registration machine, showing the process of releasing the link between the portable terminal and the membership card by operating the gaming device. [Diagram 32]This is a communication sequence diagram between an amusement device, a relay device, a cashless center, a mobile terminal, and a registered charging machine, showing a first example of the process of charging a mobile terminal account from a registered charging machine, which is a registered machine equipped with a cash charging function. [Diagram 33] This is a transition diagram of the display screen on a first example of a registered charge machine during the process of charging a mobile terminal account from the registered charge machine. [Diagram 34] This is a communication sequence diagram between an amusement device, a relay device, a cashless center, a mobile terminal, and a registered charging machine, showing a second example of the process of charging a mobile terminal account from a registered charging machine, which is a registered machine equipped with a cash charging function. [Diagram 35] This is a transition diagram of the display screen on a second example of a registered charge machine during the process of charging a mobile terminal account from the registered charge machine. [Diagram 36] This is a communication sequence diagram between the settlement machine, the relay device, the cashless center, and the mobile terminal, showing the process of performing cashless charging in which the balance of a membership card is transferred to the settlement machine and added to the balance of a mobile terminal. [Figure 37] 11 is a communication sequence diagram between the settlement machine, the relay device, the cashless center, and the mobile terminal, showing the process of settling the balance of a membership card with cash at the settlement machine. FIG. [Figure 38] This is a communication sequence diagram between the settlement machine, the relay device, the cashless center, and the mobile terminal, showing the process of performing cashless charging in which the balance of a general card is transferred at the settlement machine and added to the balance of the mobile terminal. [Figure 39] 11 is a communication sequence diagram between the settlement machine, the relay device, the cashless center, and the mobile terminal, showing the process of settling the balance of a general card with cash at the settlement machine. FIG. [Diagram 40] A communication sequence diagram between the gaming device, the relay device, the cashless center, and the mobile terminal, showing the process of registering the link between the membership card and the mobile terminal on the gaming device. [Diagram 41] 13 is an image diagram showing an example of a management table for preventing addiction managed by the cashless center. [Diagram 42]This is a communication sequence diagram between the gaming device, relay device, cashless center, mobile terminal, and registration machine, showing the process of issuing a deterrent notification when a judgment condition for preventing addiction is met (reaching the upper limit of visits to the store). [Diagram 43] FIG. 13 is an image diagram of a display screen on a mobile device showing a deterrent notification based on reaching the upper limit of the number of visits. [Diagram 44] This is a communication sequence diagram between a gaming device, a relay device, a cashless center, a mobile terminal, and a registration machine, showing the process of issuing a deterrent notification when a judgment condition for preventing addiction is met (reaching the upper limit of spending money or the upper limit of playing time). [Diagram 45] 1A is a conceptual diagram of a display screen on a mobile device showing a deterrent notification based on reaching the upper limit of the amount of money used, and FIG. 1B is a conceptual diagram of a display screen on a mobile device showing a deterrent notification based on reaching the upper limit of playing time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Next, an embodiment of a gaming system 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, the gaming system 1 can be used by connecting a plurality of gaming stores 10 to a cashless center 20. Each gaming store 10 has introduced a prepaid system for lending gaming media, and is also connected to a prepaid settlement center 30.

[0018] In each gaming establishment 10, a plurality of gaming machines 11 are installed, and a gaming device 12 is provided in association with each gaming machine 11, and a game can be played on the gaming machine 11 using a gaming medium that is assigned as a gaming value by a gaming value assigning function of the gaming device 12. In addition, a settlement machine 13 and a registration machine 14 are installed in the gaming establishment 10, and are connected to a relay device 16 (described in detail later) and a management device 17 (a device that comprehensively manages the gaming machines 11 and the gaming devices 12) via a HUB 15. Although omitted in FIG. 1, the gaming establishment 10 is also equipped with a recording medium issuing machine that issues prepaid cards and prepaid coins that record valuable values ​​consumed for the assignment of gaming value, a member management device that manages various information of regular members whose personal information has been identified, a prize exchange POS, and the like.

[0019] The gaming machines 11 installed in the gaming establishment 10 are classified into pachinko machines and pachislot machines, depending on the gaming media used for the game. In pachinko machines, gaming balls are used as gaming media, and the game is played by shooting the gaming balls into the gaming board. The gaming board is provided with a plurality of winning areas (winning holes), and when a gaming ball passes through a winning area as the game progresses, a predetermined number of gaming balls are given to the player as prize gaming media, and are counted as the number of acquired gaming media. On the other hand, in pachislot machines, gaming medals are used as gaming media, and the reels are rotated by inserting the gaming medals, and the reels stop when a stop button is operated or time passes. Then, if the stopped state of the reel patterns corresponds to a prize, a predetermined number of gaming medals are given to the player as prize gaming media, and are counted as the number of acquired gaming media. A gaming device 12 capable of controlling the lending of gaming balls as gaming media is connected to a pachinko machine using gaming balls as gaming media, and a gaming device 12 capable of controlling the lending of gaming medals as gaming media is connected to a pachislot machine using gaming medals as gaming media.

[0020] In addition, in the gaming machine 11, the number of gaming media consumed in a game and the number of gaming media acquired as a result of the game are not limited to a method of actually counting and managing physical gaming balls or gaming medals, but may also be a method of treating the number of gaming media consumed and the number of gaming media acquired as electronic information and counting and managing them through calculations.

[0021] Also, the mobile terminal 40 (a device with an electronic money payment function such as a smartphone or tablet terminal) owned by a player who visits the gaming establishment 10 can be linked to the recording medium 50 inserted into the gaming device 12 for use by the registration machine 14. The recording medium 50 can electronically record prepaid value managed by the prepaid payment center 30, and includes, for example, an IC card 51 that can be inserted into the gaming device 12 connected to a pachinko machine for use, and an IC coin 52 that can be inserted into the gaming device 12 connected to a pachislot machine for use. The recording medium 50 includes a member card owned by a player whose personal information is specified as a member card that can be used at a specific gaming establishment 10 or its affiliated establishments, and a general card that is issued to an unspecified player at the gaming establishment 10 and is limited to use on the day. If the mobile terminal 40 owned by the player is linked to the recording medium 50, a cashless deposit that can add value to the recording medium 50 by using the payment function of the mobile terminal 40 can be made as described later. In order to enable cashless deposit, the processing operation of the management function unit 100 realized by the cashless center 20 and the relay device 16 is important.

[0022] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a schematic configuration of the gaming machine 11, the gaming device 12, and the management function unit 100 (the relay device 16 and the cashless center 20) will be described.

[0023] The gaming machine 11 includes a control unit 11a for controlling the game and a gaming device communication unit 11b for communicating with the gaming device 12. Various types of game information that are generated or change as the game progresses are output from the gaming machine 11 to the gaming device 12, and rental information for renting gaming media that can be used for the game is output from the gaming device 12 to the gaming machine 11.

[0024] The gaming device 12 that receives the game information from the gaming machine 11 includes a control unit 12a that controls main functions such as lending of a gaming medium, a gaming machine communication unit 12b that communicates with the gaming machine 11, a relay device communication unit 12c that controls communication with the relay device 16, and a recording medium reception unit 12d that receives the inserted recording medium 50, reads information from the recording medium 50, and writes updated information to the recording medium 50. The gaming device 12 receives the recording medium 50 owned by the player, stores a value corresponding to the recording medium 50, converts the value into a game value, and grants it to the gaming machine 11. The value corresponding to the recording medium 50 can be obtained from a management device 17 that manages the value, etc., using recording medium identification information (e.g., a card ID) that is unique identification information of the recording medium 50. The gaming device 12 has a function as a recording medium identification information transmission means that transmits the card ID of the recording medium 50 to the management function unit 100 when it receives the recording medium 50 owned by the player. Conversion from valuable value to gaming value is carried out when, for example, a ball loan request is received from a player, valuable value is consumed within the range of the possessed valuable value, and gaming media equivalent to the consumed valuable value is provided to the gaming machine 11. Note that, although physical gaming media may be supplied from the gaming device 12 to the gaming machine 11, the gaming machine 11 that has received electronic lending information from the gaming device 12 may simply perform a process of adding the number of gaming media based on the lending information as usable gaming media.

[0025] Furthermore, the gaming device 12 receives a charge amount (amount of money in the account of the mobile terminal 40, which will be described later) that can be used to provide a valuable value from the relay device 16 of the management function unit 100 as payment information, on the condition that the recording medium 50 owned by the player and the mobile terminal 40 are linked and registered. Furthermore, the amount consumed by using a part or all of the charge amount to provide a gaming medium to the gaming machine 11 is transmitted from the gaming device 12 to the relay device 16 as payment information. Note that the gaming device 12 may have a function of a playability determination means that determines whether or not the gaming machine 11 is playable based on the game information from the gaming machine 11, and may allow the reception of the recording medium 50 only when it is determined that the gaming machine is playable, and may prohibit the reception of the recording medium 50 when it is determined that the gaming machine is not playable.

[0026] The relay device 16 includes a control unit 16a that performs processing within the gaming establishment 10 related to linking registration between the portable terminal 40 and the recording medium 50 owned by the player and cashless charging, an information management unit 16b that stores, updates and appropriately manages various information necessary for the control processing in the control unit 16a, a center communication unit 16c that communicates with the cashless center 20, and a gaming device communication unit 16d that controls communication with the gaming device 12. When the relay device 16 receives linking information from the cashless center 20, it transmits a completion notification to the corresponding registration device 14 indicating that linking between the recording medium 50 inserted in the registration device 14 installed in the gaming establishment 10 and the portable terminal 40 has been completed.

[0027] The cashless center 20 is capable of communicating with each relay device 16 installed in a plurality of gaming facilities 10, and is also capable of communicating with a mobile terminal 40 owned by a player. The cashless center 20 includes a control unit 21 that performs overall processing related to linking registration between a mobile terminal 40 owned by a player and a recording medium 50, cashless charging, etc., an information management unit 22 that stores, updates, and appropriately manages various information required for control processing in the control unit 21, a relay device communication unit 23 that communicates with the relay device 16 of each gaming facility 10, and a mobile terminal communication unit 24 that controls communication with the mobile terminal 40. The cashless center 20 manages information required for electronic transactions using mobile terminal identification information (e.g., a mobile terminal ID) that is unique identification information of the mobile terminal 40, and manages deposits and withdrawals to and from an account assigned to the mobile terminal 40. When a player who owns this mobile terminal 40 deposits money into an account at the cashless center 20, a cashless deposit to the gaming device 12 becomes possible so that the cashless balance can be used as the value of the recording medium 50. Then, settlement information including the amount spent by the gaming device 12 to provide gaming media to the gaming machine 11 is transmitted from the gaming device 12 to the cashless center 20 via the relay device 16. In addition, the cashless center 20 transmits settlement information including the amount deposited from the mobile terminal 40 and available for cashless deposit to the gaming device 12 via the relay device 16.

[0028] The management function unit 100, which functions through the cooperation of these relay devices 16 and the cashless center 20, virtually connects the gaming device 12 with a recording medium 50 inserted therein to the mobile terminal 40, making it possible to borrow gaming media to be used in the gaming machine 11 from the gaming device 12 on a cashless basis.

[0029] For this reason, the management function unit 100 has the function of serving as a recording medium identification information receiving means for receiving recording medium identification information (card ID) transmitted from the gaming device 12 by cooperation between the control unit 16a of the relay device 16 and the gaming device communication unit 16d.

[0030] The management function unit 100 also has a function as a management means for managing management information that links mobile terminal identification information (mobile ID), which is unique identification information of the mobile terminal 40 owned by the player, with the card ID of the recording medium 50 owned by the player, and includes a value (cashless balance in the account) corresponding to the mobile terminal 40. In the cashless center 20, the control unit 21 and the information management unit 22 work together to function as management means, and manage the management information, for example, in a management table as shown in FIG. 3(A). In the relay device 16, the control unit 16a and the information management unit 16b work together to function as management means, and manage the management information, for example, in a management table as shown in FIG. 3(B). The management table for managing the management information in the cashless center 20 or the relay device 16 may be generated to include necessary items in conjunction with a database of member cards, a database of issuance of general cards, a database for managing registered mobile terminals, and the like.

[0031] The management function unit 100 also has a function as a management information transmitting means for transmitting information based on management information corresponding to the card ID of the recording medium 50 received by the recording medium identification information receiving means to the gaming device 12 that is the sender of the card ID. The management function unit 100 manages management information at the cashless center 20 outside the gaming establishment 10 and at the relay device 16 installed inside the gaming establishment 10, respectively, and therefore functions as a management information transmitting means by cooperation between the control unit 21 and relay device communication unit 23 of the cashless center 20, and the control unit 16a and gaming device communication unit 16d of the relay device 16. Note that although the function of the relay device 16 may be provided in the cashless center 20, it is more efficient to perform distributed processing by the relay device 16 installed in each gaming establishment 10.

[0032] Furthermore, if management information corresponding to the card ID of the recording medium 50 accepted by the gaming device 12 is managed by the management means, the management function unit 100 at least has a function as a virtual connection control means for virtually connecting the portable terminal 40 and the gaming device 12 by mediating the processing between the portable terminal 40 and the gaming device 12 regarding the transfer of the valuable contained in the management information. The control unit 21 and relay device communication unit 23 of the cashless center 20 capable of communicating with the portable terminal 40, and the control unit 16a and gaming device communication unit 16d of the relay device 16 connected to the registration machine 14 installed in the gaming facility 10 work together to function as the virtual connection control means.

[0033] Here, an example of a process for linking the portable terminal 40 and the recording medium 50 owned by the player will be described.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the process of linking a registered recording medium 50 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a member card) with a mobile terminal 40. When a member card is inserted into the registration machine 14, the registration machine 14 displays a two-dimensional code for mobile terminal registration (see FIG. 5(A)). This two-dimensional code includes the card ID of the inserted member card, the store ID indicating this gaming facility 10, and the member card PIN number set at the time of member registration. When a mobile terminal 40 that is ready to be linked with a member card (for example, a cashless service application has been launched) reads the two-dimensional code displayed on the registration machine 14 and performs a linking operation in which the player inputs an appropriate member card PIN number (see FIG. 5(B)), the card ID and store ID contained in the read two-dimensional code and the mobile terminal ID of the mobile terminal 40 itself are transmitted to the cashless center 20. Note that communication from the mobile terminal 40 to the cashless center 20 is performed via a public communication network using a mobile phone company's carrier communication or Wi-Fi (registered trademark), etc.

[0035] When the cashless center 20 receives the card ID, store ID, and mobile terminal ID from the mobile terminal 40, it adds a record linking the card ID and the mobile terminal ID as management information, and thereafter, the link can be managed by the card ID or the mobile terminal ID. The management information including this linking information is transmitted to the relay device 16 of the gaming facility 10 corresponding to the received store ID, and is added as a management target in the management table of the relay device 16, and the linking is managed. After executing the linking management process, the cashless center 20 transmits a message of completion of the process and the card ID that is the linking target to the mobile terminal 40, and the completion is displayed on the mobile terminal 40 (see FIG. 5(B)). After executing the linking management process, the relay device 16 transmits a message of completion of the process and the mobile terminal ID that is the linking target to the registration machine 14, and the completion is displayed on the registration machine 14 (see FIG. 5(A)), and the membership card is returned to the player.

[0036] 6 is a sequence diagram showing the process of linking a recording medium 50 (hereinafter simply referred to as a general card) that is not registered as a member with a mobile terminal 40. When cash is inserted into the registration machine 14, the registration machine 14 displays a two-dimensional code for mobile terminal registration (see FIG. 7(A)). This two-dimensional code includes the card ID of the general card to be issued and the store ID indicating this gaming facility 10. When the mobile terminal 40 is ready to be linked with a general card (for example, when a cashless service application is launched), the two-dimensional code displayed on the registration machine 14 is read, and when the player agrees to link with the general card (see FIG. 7(B)), the card ID and store ID included in the read two-dimensional code and the mobile terminal ID of the mobile terminal 40 itself are transmitted to the cashless center 20.

[0037] When the cashless center 20 receives the card ID, store ID, and mobile terminal ID from the mobile terminal 40, it adds a record linking the card ID and the mobile terminal ID as management information, and thereafter, the link can be managed by the card ID or the mobile terminal ID. The management information including this linking information is transmitted to the relay device 16 of the game facility 10 corresponding to the received store ID, and is added as a management target in the management table of the relay device 16, and the linking is managed. After executing the linking management process, the cashless center 20 transmits a message of completion of the process and the card ID that is the linking target to the mobile terminal 40, and the completion is displayed on the mobile terminal 40 (see FIG. 7(B)). After executing the linking management process, the relay device 16 transmits a message of completion of the process and the mobile terminal ID that is the linking target to the registration machine 14, and the completion is displayed on the registration machine 14 (see FIG. 7(A)), and a general card is issued.

[0038] As described above, the registration machine 14 plays an important role in linking the mobile terminal 40 with the recording medium 50. Therefore, as in the gaming system 1' of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 8, instead of providing a relay device 16 in each gaming facility 10, a registration machine 14' with a built-in relay function may be used, and the registration machine 14' and the cashless center 20 may function as a management function unit 100'.

[0039] If the portable terminal 40 and the recording medium 50 are linked using the registration devices 14, 14', it becomes possible to virtually connect the gaming device 12 and the portable terminal 40. The sequence diagram of FIG. 9 shows the process of virtually connecting the gaming device 12 and the portable terminal 40. First, when the recording medium 50 (which may be a membership card or a general card) is inserted into the gaming device 12, the gaming device 12 transmits the card ID read out to the relay device 16, and the relay device 16 checks whether or not there is a portable terminal 40 linked to this card ID in the management table. If there is no corresponding portable terminal 40, an error occurs and the virtual connection is not established. On the other hand, if the corresponding portable terminal 40 is registered, a virtual connection is established between the gaming device 12 that is the sender of the card ID and the portable terminal 40, and by transmitting portable terminal information (portable terminal ID) to the gaming device 12, information on the portable terminal currently connected to the gaming device 12 is displayed (see FIG. 10(A)). Next, the relay device 16 transmits the mobile terminal ID and store information (store ID, machine number of the gaming device 12 to be virtually connected, model name of the corresponding gaming machine 11, etc.) to the mobile terminal 40, thereby displaying on the mobile terminal 40 that the game is being played (see FIG. 10(B)).

[0040] In this way, when the recording medium 50 is inserted into the gaming device 12, a display indicating that the connection is complete is displayed on the gaming device 12 and the portable terminal 40. Therefore, for a player who does not understand the processing performed by the relay device 16 or the cashless center 20, inserting the recording medium 50 linked to the portable terminal 40 into the gaming device 12 gives the player the impression that the portable terminal 40 and the gaming device 12 are directly connected.

[0041] After the portable terminal 40 and the gaming device 12 are virtually connected as described above, a game can be started on the gaming machine 11 as shown in the sequence diagram of Fig. 11. When a game is ended after playing on the gaming machine 11, the gaming device 12 transmits game information to the relay device 16 and the cashless center 20, and the cashless center 20 transmits the game information to the portable terminal 40, and the portable terminal 40 displays the end of the game (see Fig. 12). The game information includes the amount of money used and the playing time during the game when the recording medium 50 linked to the portable terminal 40 is inserted into the gaming device 12, so that the game history can be confirmed on the portable terminal 40 and can be used for income and expenditure management.

[0042] The virtual connection between the mobile terminal 40 and the gaming device 12 can be started and ended easily without burdening the player. A major advantage of the virtual connection between the mobile terminal 40 and the gaming device 12 is that if an account that can be deposited in the cashless center 20 is opened using the electronic money handling function of the mobile terminal 40, the cashless balance of the account can be withdrawn and used as a value for ball lending, making it possible to make a cashless payment without putting cash into the gaming device 12. For this purpose, the virtual connection control means of the management function unit 100 grants a part or all of the value contained in the management information to the corresponding gaming device 12 based on the establishment of a predetermined value granting condition after making the mobile terminal 40 and the gaming device 12 the target of the virtual connection. The cashless balance of the mobile terminal 40 is constantly managed as management information by the cashless center 20 and the relay device 16. However, since high security is required for financial institutions and PIN numbers that enable the owner of the mobile terminal 40 to handle electronic money, these are managed, for example, as a mobile terminal account management table as shown in Figure 13, and this is referenced when depositing money into the mobile terminal account from a registered financial institution.

[0043] Here, a specific example of cashless deposit from the cashless balance of the mobile terminal account to the gaming device 12 will be described.

[0044] The communication sequence diagram shown in FIG. 14 shows a case where the condition for providing valuable value is set to be that the mobile terminal 40 accepts a valuable value providing request from the gaming device 12. As described above, by inserting a recording medium 50 (membership card or general card) into the gaming device 12, a virtual connection between the gaming device 12 and the mobile terminal 40 linked to the recording medium 50 is completed. After that, when a cashless deposit request operation is performed on the gaming device 12 (see FIG. 15(A)), the gaming device 12 randomly generates a deposit code and transmits the mobile terminal ID and the deposit code to the relay device 16. The relay device 16, which has received this, transmits information including the mobile terminal ID, store ID, machine number, and deposit code to the cashless center 20. The cashless center 20, which has received this, notifies the mobile terminal 40 corresponding to the mobile terminal ID of the store name, machine number, cashless balance, and deposit code.

[0045] On the screen of the mobile terminal 40 that has received this notification, a selection of the deposit amount and a deposit code input field for security purposes are displayed (see FIG. 15(B)), and the player is prompted to perform a cashless deposit authorization operation. Then, when the player selects the deposit amount and correctly inputs the deposit code that the gaming device 12 has generated and displayed on the screen to perform a cashless deposit authorization operation, the deposit amount and the mobile terminal ID are transmitted from the mobile terminal 40 to the cashless center 20, and the cashless center 20 that has received this transmits the machine number, the deposit amount, and the mobile terminal ID to the relay device 16, thereby instructing the execution of the cashless deposit. The relay device 16 that has received this transmits the deposit amount and the mobile terminal ID to the gaming device 12 that has requested the cashless deposit, thereby prompting the execution of the cashless deposit, and the gaming device 12 that has received this executes the cashless deposit. The amount deposited cashlessly is then managed in the gaming device 12, and is consumed each time a ball loan request is received from the player, and an equivalent amount of gaming media is provided to the gaming machine 11.

[0046] When the cashless deposit to the gaming device 12 is completed as described above, completion information is transmitted from the gaming device 12 to the relay device 16, and the relay device 16 updates the cashless balance in the management information of the corresponding mobile terminal 40 that is the virtual connection target, and transmits the completion information to the cashless center 20. The cashless center 20 that receives this also updates the cashless balance in the management information of the corresponding mobile terminal 40 that is the virtual connection target, and transmits the completion information to the mobile terminal 40. The mobile terminal 40 that receives this displays a deposit completion screen including the cashless balance (mobile balance), card balance, etc. (see FIG. 15(B)).

[0047] The cashless deposit amount may be immediately deposited in the prepaid card, but once deposited in the prepaid card, it becomes the prepaid company's sales and is sent to the prepaid settlement center 30, so that the settlement of the card balance becomes complicated. Therefore, if the cashless deposit amount is managed in the gaming device 12, and the requested amount (but not less than a predetermined minimum deposit amount) is deposited in the prepaid card every time a ball lending request is received from a player, and the deposited amount is immediately consumed for ball lending, the amount deposited in the cashless deposit becomes a deposit in the gaming device 12, and the cashless charge process of returning the remaining amount not used for ball lending back to the mobile phone account becomes easy. However, the amount managed by the gaming device 12 by cashless deposit is also displayed as the card balance deposited in the prepaid card.

[0048] In addition, in the above-mentioned cashless deposit process, for security reasons, the deposit code generated by the gaming device 12 is input to the mobile terminal 40, but this is not limiting, and any known existing security method may be adopted. For example, the passcode set when registering the mobile terminal 40 and the PIN used by the registered financial institution may be managed by the cashless center 20, and the passcode and PIN input to the mobile terminal 40 in the cashless deposit permission operation may be checked by the cashless center 20. Furthermore, only when the virtual connection control means of the management function unit 100 sets the mobile terminal 40 and the gaming device 12 as targets for virtual connection and the playability determination means of the gaming device 12 determines that the gaming machine 11 is playable, the value of the management information corresponding to the recording medium 50 accepted by the gaming device 12 (the cashless balance of the mobile terminal 40 linked to this recording medium 50) may be granted to the gaming device 12. By setting such deposit conditions, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a cashless deposit is made in vain to a recording medium 50 inserted into a gaming device 12 corresponding to an inoperable gaming machine 11.

[0049] The communication sequence diagram shown in FIG. 16 shows a case where the gaming device 12 is set to accept a request for providing valuable value from the mobile terminal 40 as a condition for providing valuable value. As described above, by inserting a recording medium 50 (membership card or general card) into the gaming device 12, a virtual connection between the gaming device 12 and the mobile terminal 40 linked to the recording medium 50 is completed. After that, when a cashless deposit request operation is performed on the mobile terminal 40, a screen prompting input of the deposit amount is displayed (see FIG. 17(B)). When the deposit amount is selected, the mobile terminal 40 randomly generates a deposit code and transmits the deposit amount, the mobile terminal ID, and the deposit code to the cashless center 20. The cashless center 20, which has received this, transmits information including the machine number, the deposit amount, the mobile terminal ID, and the deposit code of the gaming device 12 that is the target of the virtual connection to the relay device 16 of the target gaming facility 10. The relay device 16, which has received this, notifies the target gaming device 12 of the deposit amount, the mobile terminal ID, and the deposit code.

[0050] On the screen of the gaming device 12 that has received this notification, a deposit code input field for security purposes is displayed (see FIG. 17(A)), and the player is prompted to perform a cashless deposit permission operation. Then, when the player selects the amount to be deposited and correctly inputs the deposit code generated by the mobile terminal 40 to perform the cashless deposit permission operation, the gaming device 12 transmits the deposit amount and the mobile terminal ID to the relay device 16, and the gaming device 12 that has received this transmits the deposit amount, the mobile terminal ID, the store ID, and the machine number to the cashless center 20, requesting the execution of the cashless deposit. The cashless center 20 that has received this executes the cashless deposit, and transmits the machine number, the deposit amount, and the mobile terminal ID to the relay device 16 of the target gaming store 10 to prompt the execution of the cashless deposit. The relay device 16 that has received this executes the cashless deposit, and transmits the deposit amount and the mobile terminal ID to the target gaming device 12, and the gaming device 12 that has received this executes the cashless deposit. When a cashless deposit is made, the relay device 16, the cashless center 20, and the mobile terminal 40 perform the above-mentioned completion process based on the completion information from the gaming device 12.

[0051] In the above-mentioned cashless deposit process, for security reasons, the deposit code generated by the mobile terminal 40 is input into the gaming device 12, but this is not limiting and any known existing security method may be adopted. For example, the passcode set when registering the mobile terminal 40 and the PIN used by the registered financial institution may be managed by the cashless center 20, and the passcode and PIN input into the gaming device 12 during the cashless deposit authorization operation may be checked by the cashless center 20.

[0052] The communication sequence diagram shown in FIG. 18 shows a case where the condition for providing valuable value is set to be that the portable terminal 40 accepts a request for providing valuable value from the portable terminal 40. As described above, by inserting a recording medium 50 (membership card or general card) into the gaming device 12, a virtual connection between the portable terminal 40 linked to the recording medium 50 and the gaming device 12 is completed. After that, when a cashless deposit request operation is performed on the portable terminal 40, a screen prompting the player to input the deposit amount is displayed (see FIG. 19(B)), and when the deposit amount is selected, the deposit amount and the portable terminal ID are transmitted to the cashless center 20. The cashless center 20, which receives this, acquires a deposit code set when the portable terminal 40 is registered, and transmits the deposit code to the target portable terminal 40. The portable terminal 40, which receives this deposit code, displays a screen for inputting the deposit code, and prompts the player to input the deposit code.

[0053] When the player performs a cashless deposit permission operation by correctly inputting the deposit code on the mobile terminal 40, the deposit amount and the mobile terminal ID are transmitted from the mobile terminal 40 to the cashless center 20, and the cashless center 20, which receives this, transmits the machine number, the deposit amount, and the mobile terminal ID to the relay device 16, thereby instructing the execution of the cashless deposit. The relay device 16, which receives this, prompts the execution of the cashless deposit by transmitting the deposit amount and the mobile terminal ID to the gaming device 12, which is the destination of the cashless deposit, and the gaming device 12, which receives this, executes the cashless deposit (see FIG. 19(A)). When the cashless deposit is executed, the relay device 16, the cashless center 20, and the mobile terminal 40 perform the above-mentioned completion process based on the completion information from the gaming device 12.

[0054] In the cashless deposit processing described above, for security reasons, a deposit code registered in advance is sent from the cashless center 20 to the mobile terminal 40, and the validity of the deposit code is checked by the mobile terminal 40. However, it is also possible, for example, to send a deposit code entered by a player from the mobile terminal 40 to the cashless center 20, and have the cashless center 20 check the entered deposit code against the registered deposit code.

[0055] The communication sequence diagram shown in Fig. 20 illustrates a case where the condition for providing valuable information is set to receive a valuable information providing request from the mobile terminal 40. Since the mobile terminal 40 is owned by the player and is registered at the gaming establishment 10 as being linked to the recording medium 50 owned by the player, the mobile terminal 40 whose management information is managed by the management function unit 100 as a virtual connection management subject can be regarded as being in the possession of a genuine player, and the convenience of the gaming system 1, 1' can be improved by omitting the permission operation and making it possible to easily perform the cashless deposit operation.

[0056] As described above, by inserting the recording medium 50 (membership card or general card) into the gaming device 12, a virtual connection between the mobile terminal 40 linked to this recording medium 50 and the gaming device 12 is completed. After that, when a cashless deposit request operation is performed on the mobile terminal 40, a screen prompting input of the deposit amount is displayed (see FIG. 21(B)), and when the deposit amount is selected, the deposit amount and the mobile terminal ID are transmitted to the cashless center 20. The cashless center 20, which receives this, transmits the machine number, the deposit amount, and the mobile terminal ID to the relay device 16, thereby instructing the execution of the cashless deposit. The relay device 16, which receives this, transmits the deposit amount and the mobile terminal ID to the gaming device 12, which is the cashless deposit destination, to prompt the execution of the cashless deposit, and the gaming device 12, which receives this, executes the cashless deposit (see FIG. 21(A)). When the cashless deposit is executed, the relay device 16, the cashless center 20, and the mobile terminal 40 execute the above-mentioned completion process based on the completion information from the gaming device 12.

[0057] As described above, according to the gaming system 1, 1', the virtual connection control means of the management function unit 100 virtually connects the portable terminal 40 and the gaming device 12, and when a predetermined value granting condition is met, a part or all of the value (cashless balance) contained in the management information is granted to the corresponding gaming device 12, thereby enabling cashless payment in which value is granted to the gaming device 12 from the portable terminal 40 possessed by the player without making any hardware changes to the gaming device 12.

[0058] Although cashless deposit can be conveniently performed to deposit money from the gaming device 12 to the recording medium 50 as a prepaid card in a cashless manner, the remaining balance on the prepaid card at the end of the game requires a process such as cash settlement at the settlement machine 13, which is cumbersome. Therefore, if the cashless balance managed by the gaming device 12 could be returned to the account of the mobile terminal 40, the usability of the gaming system 1, 1' would be further improved. For example, the gaming device 12 is equipped with a transfer instruction means for instructing the management function unit 100 to transfer the stored value to be managed as management information, and the virtual connection control means of the management function unit 100 makes the mobile terminal 40 and the gaming device 12 the subject of a virtual connection, and then, upon receiving a transfer instruction from the transfer instruction means of the gaming device 12, adds the transferred value for which the transfer instruction was received to the value of the corresponding management information, and instructs the gaming device 12, which is the sender of the transfer instruction, to erase the transferred value.In this manner, the cashless balance managed by the gaming device 12 can be returned to the account of the mobile terminal 40.

[0059] The communication sequence diagram shown in Fig. 22 illustrates the process of performing cashless charging, in which the card balance managed by the gaming device 12 is transferred and added to the balance of the mobile terminal 40 in response to an instruction from the gaming device 12. In other words, since the balance that has not been deposited in the recording medium 50 as a prepaid card is not treated as sales at the prepaid settlement center 30, it is possible to restore the cashless balance of the mobile terminal 40 by performing a cashless charging process from the gaming device 12 to the account of the mobile terminal 40 managed by the cashless center 20.

[0060] For example, when a player performs a cashless charge operation while there is a card balance managed by the gaming device 12, the card ID and the card balance are transmitted to the relay device 16, and the relay device 16 updates the cashless balance of the corresponding mobile terminal 40, and transmits the mobile terminal ID, store ID, machine number, and card balance to the cashless center 20. The cashless center 20 receives this, updates the cashless balance of the corresponding mobile terminal 40, and transmits the management information to the relay device 16. The relay device 16 receives this, and transmits completion information to the corresponding gaming device 12. The gaming device 12 receives this, and clears the card balance returned by the cashless charge, and transmits completion information to the relay device 16. Based on the completion information from the gaming device 12, the relay device 16 and the cashless center 20 confirm the completion of the process, and the mobile terminal 40 that received the transaction information from the cashless center 20 displays the transaction information including the cashless balance updated with the amount returned from the gaming device 12 on its screen.

[0061] Furthermore, if the process of returning the cashless balance managed by the gaming device 12 to the account of the mobile terminal 40 can be performed automatically when a specific condition is met, the convenience will be further improved. For example, the gaming device 12 includes an automatic transfer instruction means for instructing the stored value to be transferred to management by the management information of the management function unit 100 based on the establishment of a predetermined automatic transfer condition, and the virtual connection control means of the management function unit 100 adds the transferred value that has been instructed to be transferred to the value of the corresponding management information based on the transfer instruction received from the automatic transfer instruction means of the gaming device 12 after the mobile terminal 40 and the gaming device 12 are subject to virtual connection, and instructs the gaming device 12, which is the sender of the transfer instruction, to erase the transferred value. In this case, the cashless balance managed by the gaming device 12 can be returned to the account of the mobile terminal 40 based on the establishment of the automatic transfer condition. If the player can set for himself whether or not to perform such automatic charging, the convenience can be further improved. For example, an automatic charge setting management table such as that shown in FIG. 23 is managed by the relay device 16 (or the cashless center 20), and the gaming device 12 into which the corresponding recording medium 50 is inserted performs automatic charge under conditions according to the setting type of the automatic charge setting.

[0062] The communication sequence diagram in Fig. 24 shows a process in which "number of gaming media ≧predetermined number" (for example, automatic charge setting 1) is set as the automatic transition condition for the gaming device 12, and cashless charging is automatically performed when the automatic transition condition is established. This automatic charge setting 1 has as its automatic transition condition that the gaming value managed by the gaming machine 11 is equal to or exceeds a predetermined judgment value, and when there is an abundance of gaming media available for use in the gaming machine 11, there is no need to consume the card balance to receive ball loans, so it is convenient to set this to avoid using up any more of the card balance.

[0063] When a virtual connection is established by inserting a card, a cashless deposit is made, there is a cashless balance managed by the gaming device 12, and the set automatic charge condition is established, the gaming device 12 transmits a card ID and a card balance to the relay device 16 for automatic charging. The relay device 16, upon receiving this, identifies the mobile terminal 40 linked to this card ID, adds the card balance from the gaming device 12 to the cashless balance, updates the card balance, and transmits the mobile terminal ID, store ID, machine number, and card balance to the cashless center 20. The cashless center 20, upon receiving this, adds the card balance to the cashless balance of the corresponding mobile terminal, updates it, and transmits completion information to the relay device 16. The relay device 16, upon receiving this, transmits the completion information to the gaming device 12 that requested the cashless charge, and the gaming device 12, upon receiving this, clears the card balance and transmits the completion information to the relay device 16. Based on the completion information from the gaming device 12, the relay device 16 and the cashless center 20 confirm the completion of the processing, and the mobile terminal 40 which has received the transaction information from the cashless center 20 displays the transaction information on its screen, including the cashless balance updated with the amount returned from the gaming device 12.

[0064] The timing for determining whether the automatic transfer condition is satisfied is not particularly limited and may be set arbitrarily. For example, the number of game media may be determined at the timing when game information is received from the gaming machine 11, and the automatic charge condition may be determined, or the number of game media may be determined at the timing when the player presses the count button of the gaming machine 11 and the gaming device 12 completes counting, and the automatic charge condition may be determined.

[0065] 25 shows a process in which an automatic transfer condition (for example, automatic charge setting 2) is set when a card return operation is performed on the gaming device 12, and cashless charge is automatically performed when the automatic transfer condition is met. This automatic charge setting 2 automatically returns the card balance of the gaming device 12 to the cashless balance of the mobile terminal 40 when play is terminated on the gaming machine 11 connected to the gaming device 12 into which the recording medium 50 is inserted, which is convenient because it is not necessary to take the trouble of transferring the card balance before returning the card.

[0066] When a virtual connection is established by inserting a card, a cashless deposit is made, there is a cashless balance managed by the gaming device 12, and an automatic charge condition is established by executing a card return operation, the gaming device 12 transmits a card ID and a card balance to the relay device 16 for automatic charge. The relay device 16, upon receiving this, identifies the mobile terminal 40 linked to this card ID, adds the card balance from the gaming device 12 to the cashless balance, updates the card balance, and transmits the mobile terminal ID, store ID, machine number, and card balance to the cashless center 20. The cashless center 20, upon receiving this, adds the card balance to the cashless balance of the corresponding mobile terminal, updates it, and transmits completion information to the relay device 16. The relay device 16, upon receiving this, transmits the completion information to the gaming device 12 that requested the cashless charge, and the gaming device 12, upon receiving this, clears the card balance, ejects the recording medium 50 that was inserted, and transmits the completion information to the relay device 16. Based on the completion information from the gaming device 12, the relay device 16 and the cashless center 20 confirm the completion of the processing, and the mobile terminal 40 which has received the transaction information from the cashless center 20 displays the transaction information on its screen, including the cashless balance updated with the amount returned from the gaming device 12.

[0067] Another automatic charge condition may be the occurrence of an advantageous state such as a jackpot that allows a player to obtain a large gaming profit in a relatively short time in playing on the gaming machine 11 without converting the value into a gaming medium by a ball lending operation after charging the gaming device 12. For example, the gaming device 12 includes a gaming machine advantageous state determination means for determining whether or not an advantageous state that is advantageous to a player has occurred on the gaming machine 11 based on information about the gaming machine 11 received by the gaming machine information receiving means, and the virtual connection control means of the management function unit 100 is configured to add the value remaining in the gaming device 12 to the value of the management information corresponding to the recording medium 50 and to instruct the corresponding gaming device 12 to erase the value if the gaming machine advantageous state determination means determines that the gaming machine 11 is in an advantageous state before the granted value is converted into a gaming value in the gaming device 12 after making the mobile terminal 40 and the gaming device 12 the targets of virtual connection. When an advantageous state occurs during play on the gaming machine 11, the gaming medium, which is the gaming value, is obtained as gaming profit, so there is no need to consume the card balance to receive balls, as with the automatic charge setting 1 described above.

[0068] As described above, when the recording medium 50 linked to the portable terminal 40 is ejected from the gaming device 12, the gaming device 12 that is the target of the virtual connection no longer exists, and therefore management information for maintaining the virtual connection is no longer necessary. Therefore, unnecessary information (e.g., store ID and machine number) is deleted from the corresponding record in the management table of the relay device 16 or the cashless center 20, and the link between the portable terminal 40 and the recording medium 50 is maintained. Note that if the recording medium 50 linked to the portable terminal 40 is a membership card and the player can leave the gaming facility 10 while still in possession of the card, the link between the portable terminal 40 and the recording medium 50 may be maintained, but if the recording medium 50 linked to the recording medium 50 is a general card, the link must be released and the general card must be collected at the gaming facility 10 so that the card is not taken out of the facility. If such a link release process can be performed automatically, the convenience of general customers who are not members can be improved.

[0069] The communication sequence diagram of FIG. 26 shows a first example of a process for automatically canceling the association between the mobile terminal 40 and a general card. When the cashless balance is consumed and the balance becomes zero in the gaming device 12 into which the recording medium 50 (general card) already associated with the mobile terminal 40 is inserted, it is presumed that the user has no intention of receiving further ball loans in order to continue playing on the gaming machine 11. Therefore, when a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) has elapsed since the balance of the gaming device 12 became zero, the gaming device 12 transmits a card ID to the relay device 16 to request cancellation of association, assuming that the condition for canceling association is met. The relay device 16, upon receiving this, deletes a record including the corresponding card ID from the management table, performs a process for canceling association, and transmits the card ID for canceling association to the cashless center 20. The cashless center 20, upon receiving this, deletes a record including the corresponding card ID from the management table, performs a process for canceling association, and transmits a result of the cancellation of association to the mobile terminal 40. As a result, a message is displayed on the screen of the portable terminal 40 indicating that the link with the recording medium 50, which is a general card, has been released, and the player, having confirmed that the link has been released, can then leave the gaming machine 11.

[0070] The communication sequence diagram of FIG. 27 shows a second example of the process of automatically canceling the association between the mobile terminal 40 and a general card. When the cashless balance is consumed in the gaming device 12 into which the recording medium 50 (general card) already associated with the mobile terminal 40 is inserted, and the balance becomes zero, and the player inserts cash into the gaming device 12 to continue playing on the gaming machine 11, it is presumed that the player has no intention of using the cashless deposit from the account of the mobile terminal 40. Therefore, when cash is deposited into the gaming device 12, the gaming device 12 transmits a card ID to the relay device 16, assuming that the association release condition is met. The relay device 16, upon receiving this, deletes the record including the corresponding card ID from the management table, performs association release processing, and transmits the card ID to the cashless center 20 for association release. The cashless center 20, upon receiving this, deletes the record including the corresponding card ID from the management table, performs association release processing, and transmits the association release result to the mobile terminal 40. As a result, a message is displayed on the screen of the portable terminal 40 indicating that the link with the recording medium 50, which is a general card, has been released, and the player, having confirmed that the link has been released, can then leave the gaming machine 11.

[0071] However, even after the balance of the gaming device 12 becomes zero, the player may wish to maintain the link between the mobile terminal 40 and the recording medium 50. For example, as shown in the communication sequence diagram of FIG. 28, if a counting process is executed before a predetermined time has elapsed after the balance becomes zero yen, the gaming device 12 does not request to release the link and continues the link. Also, as shown in the communication sequence diagram of FIG. 29, if an out is detected by the gaming machine 11 before a predetermined time has elapsed after the balance becomes zero yen, the gaming device 12 does not request to release the link and continues the link. Also, as shown in the communication sequence diagram of FIG. 30, if a cashless deposit operation is performed before a predetermined time has elapsed after the balance becomes zero yen, the gaming device 12 does not request to release the link and continues the link.

[0072] On the other hand, when the recording medium 50, which is a membership card, and the mobile terminal 40 are linked, it is desirable to release the link based on the player's expression of intent to release the link. The communication sequence diagram of FIG. 31 shows the process of releasing the link between the mobile terminal 40 and the recording medium 50, which is a membership card, by operating the gaming device 12. When the player performs a link release operation on the gaming device 12, the gaming device 12 transmits a card ID to the relay device 16 to request release of the link. The relay device 16, which receives this, deletes the record including the corresponding card ID from the management table, performs a link release process, and transmits the card ID for link release to the cashless center 20. The cashless center 20, which receives this, deletes the record including the corresponding card ID from the management table, performs a link release process, and transmits the result of the link release to the mobile terminal 40. As a result, the screen of the mobile terminal 40 displays that the link with the recording medium 50, which is a membership card, has been released, and the player can confirm that the link release has been performed as desired.

[0073] The cashless deposit to the gaming device 12 described above cannot be used if there is no charge balance in the account of the mobile terminal 40, and it is necessary to charge the mobile terminal account of the cashless center 20 in advance using the electronic money payment function of the mobile terminal 40. However, if it is possible to charge the mobile terminal account without using a deposit process from a financial institution, the convenience of the gaming system 1, 1' can be further improved. For example, a registered charge machine having a cash charge function in the registration machine 14 is installed in the gaming facility 10, and a first example of a process of charging the mobile terminal account of the mobile terminal 40 linked to the recording medium 50 using this registered charge machine is shown in the communication sequence diagram of FIG. 32. When the recording medium 50 is inserted into the registered charge machine, the card ID is transmitted to the relay device 16, which checks the mobile terminal 40 linked to this card ID and transmits the cashless balance of the corresponding mobile terminal account to the registered charge machine. Next, the registered charge machine displays a screen that displays the balance of the corresponding account and prompts the user to insert cash for charging (see FIG. 33). When cash is inserted into a registered charge machine and a charge amount is selected, the charge request amount is transmitted to the relay device 16, which in turn updates the balance in the mobile terminal account and transmits the updated mobile terminal balance and a message indicating completion of processing to the registered charge machine. When the charge is complete, the recording medium 50 is returned from the registered charge machine. In addition, in conjunction with the update of the mobile terminal balance, the relay device 16 transmits the updated amount, the store ID, and the mobile terminal ID to the cashless center 20, and the balance in the mobile terminal account is also updated in the cashless center 20.

[0074] The communication sequence diagram shown in Fig. 34 shows a second example of the process of charging a mobile terminal account from a registered charging machine, which is a registered machine equipped with a cash charging function, and charging a mobile terminal account can be performed only with the mobile terminal 40 without using the recording medium 50 linked to the mobile terminal 40. First, the two-dimensional code displayed on the registered charging machine is read by the mobile terminal 40, and the registered charging machine ID and the mobile terminal ID are transmitted to the cashless center 20. The charge link number contained in the two-dimensional code is displayed on the mobile terminal 40, and the cashless center 20 identifies the relay device 16 based on this registered charging machine ID, and transmits the registered charging machine ID and the mobile terminal ID to the identified relay device 16. The relay device 16 that receives this waits for charging to be performed by the registered charging machine in the store.

[0075] On the other hand, the mobile terminal 40 that reads the two-dimensional code from the registered charge machine displays the charge link number included in the two-dimensional code on the screen, and prompts the player to enter the correct charge link number on the charge link number input screen displayed on the registered charge machine. When the player manually inputs the charge link number into the registered charge machine, inserts cash, and selects the charge amount (see FIG. 35), the registered charge machine ID and the charge request amount are transmitted to the relay device 16, and the relay device 16 that receives this transmits the balance of the mobile terminal account, and transmits the updated mobile terminal balance and a message of processing completion to the registered charge machine. When the charge is completed, the registered charge machine displays the completion of the charge. In addition, in conjunction with the update of the mobile terminal balance, the relay device 16 transmits the updated amount, the store ID, and the mobile terminal ID to the cashless center 20, and the balance of the mobile terminal account is also updated in the cashless center 20. The cashless center 20 may notify the mobile terminal 40 of the processing completion so that the mobile terminal 40 can also confirm the completion of the charge.

[0076] Next, several examples will be shown of how the card balance recorded on the recording medium 50 is settled by the settlement machine 13.

[0077] The communication sequence diagram in FIG. 36 shows the process of cashless charging, in which the balance of the recording medium 50, which is a membership card, is transferred to the balance of the mobile terminal 40 in the settlement machine 13. When the membership card is inserted into the settlement machine 13, the card ID and the card balance are transmitted to the relay device 16, and the relay device 16, which receives this, checks the mobile terminal 40 linked to the recording medium 50 registered with the card ID, and transmits the mobile terminal ID and the mobile terminal balance to the settlement machine 13. The settlement machine 13, which receives this, displays the settlement method selectable together with the cashless balance of the mobile terminal 40. When the player selects cashless settlement, the settlement machine 13 transmits a message to the relay device 16 urging the player to perform cashless settlement, and the relay device 16, which receives this, updates the balance in the mobile terminal account of the corresponding mobile terminal 40 (overwriting the recorded cashless balance with the amount obtained by adding the card balance). The mobile terminal balance is updated in the cashless center 20 in a similar manner, a settlement execution screen is displayed on the mobile terminal 40, and the membership card is ejected from the settlement machine 13 upon completion of the settlement process.

[0078] The communication sequence diagram of FIG. 37 shows the process of cash settlement of the balance of the recording medium 50, which is a membership card, in the settlement machine 13. When the membership card is inserted into the settlement machine 13, the card ID and the card balance are transmitted to the relay device 16, and the relay device 16, which receives this, checks the mobile terminal 40 linked to the recording medium 50 registered with the card ID, and transmits the mobile terminal ID and the mobile terminal balance to the settlement machine 13. The settlement machine 13, which receives this, displays the settlement method selectable together with the cashless balance of the mobile terminal 40. When the player selects cash settlement, the settlement machine 13 transmits a message to the relay device 16 urging the execution of cash settlement, and the relay device 16, which receives this, completes the cash settlement by not updating the balance in the mobile terminal account of the corresponding mobile terminal 40. The settlement machine 13, which receives a message of completion of processing from the relay device 16, ejects the membership card and ejects cash. Since there is no change in the cashless balance in the mobile terminal account of the mobile terminal 40, there is no need to synchronize with the cashless center 20. However, if the settlement amount etc. is recorded as gaming history, information regarding cash settlement can also be sent to the cashless center 20.

[0079] The communication sequence diagram of FIG. 38 shows the process of cashless charging, in which the balance of the recording medium 50, which is a general card, is transferred to the balance of the mobile terminal 40 in the settlement machine 13. When a general card is inserted into the settlement machine 13, the card ID and the card balance are transmitted to the relay device 16, and the relay device 16, which receives this, checks the mobile terminal 40 linked to the recording medium 50 registered with the card ID, and transmits the mobile terminal ID and the mobile terminal balance to the settlement machine 13. The settlement machine 13, which receives this, displays the settlement method selectable together with the cashless balance of the mobile terminal 40. When the player selects cashless settlement, the settlement machine 13 transmits a message to the relay device 16 urging the player to perform cashless settlement, and the relay device 16, which receives this, updates the balance in the mobile terminal account of the corresponding mobile terminal 40, and releases the link between the mobile terminal 40 and the recording medium 50. Similarly, the mobile terminal balance is updated and the link is released at the cashless center 20, a settlement execution screen is displayed on the mobile terminal 40, and the settlement machine 13 collects the general card upon completion of the settlement process.

[0080] The communication sequence diagram in Fig. 39 shows the process of cash settlement of the balance of the recording medium 50, which is a general card, in the settlement machine 13. When a general card is inserted into the settlement machine 13, the card ID and the card balance are transmitted to the relay device 16, and the relay device 16, which receives this, checks the mobile terminal 40 linked to the recording medium 50 registered with the card ID, and transmits the mobile terminal ID and the mobile terminal balance to the settlement machine 13. The settlement machine 13, which receives this, displays the settlement method selectable together with the cashless balance of the mobile terminal 40. When the player selects cash settlement, the settlement machine 13 transmits a message to the relay device 16 urging the execution of cash settlement, and the relay device 16, which receives this, releases the link without updating the balance in the mobile terminal account of the corresponding mobile terminal 40, and transmits the mobile terminal ID and the mobile terminal balance to the cashless center 20 to notify the cash settlement. As a result, the cashless center 20 also releases the link without updating the balance in the mobile terminal account of the corresponding mobile terminal 40, and sends a message of link release to the mobile terminal 40. As a result, a message is displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal 40 indicating that the link with the recording medium 50 has been released. Meanwhile, the settlement machine 13, which has received a message of processing completion from the relay device 16, collects the general card and dispenses cash.

[0081] The linking of the portable terminal 40 and the recording medium 50 described above was performed using the registration machine 14 or the registration charge machine, but if the linking operation can be performed on the gaming device 12, it is possible to start playing on the gaming machine 11 right away, which is very convenient.

[0082] The communication sequence diagram shown in FIG. 40 shows the process of registering the association between the recording medium 50, which is a membership card, and the mobile terminal 40 in the gaming device 12. First, when the player inserts the membership card into the gaming device 12 and performs the registration operation according to the screen display of the gaming device 12, the gaming device 12 transmits the card ID to the relay device 16 and prompts the start of the registration process. The relay device 16, which receives this, starts the registration process, generates a two-dimensional code including the card ID and the store ID, and transmits this two-dimensional code information to the gaming device 12. The two-dimensional code displayed on the gaming device 12 that receives this is read by the mobile terminal 40, and the machine number and the name of the gaming store in which the gaming device 12 into which the recording medium 50 to be associated is inserted are displayed. When the player confirms that there is no mistake and performs the registration operation, the mobile terminal 40 transmits the mobile terminal ID, the store ID, and the card ID to the cashless center 20, and the cashless center 20 generates management information for managing the mobile terminal 40 and the recording medium 50 by associating them, and the association process is executed. When the linking process is completed, the cashless center 20 transmits the linking information to the relay device 16, so that similar management information is generated in the relay device 16 and linking management is performed. When the cashless center 20 completes the linking process, it transmits completion information to the mobile terminal 40, so that a linking completion screen is displayed on the mobile terminal 40, and the relay device 16, which has started to perform linking management, transmits completion information to the gaming device 12, so that a linking completion screen is displayed on the gaming device 12.

[0083] Furthermore, since the gaming system 1,1' can be applied to multiple gaming establishments 10, when a player who is the owner of the mobile terminal 40 visits a gaming establishment 10 in which the gaming system 1,1' has been introduced, the gaming history at each gaming establishment 10 can be recorded and centrally managed at the cashless center 20, which can be used to prevent addiction.

[0084] In order to prevent addiction, it is considered effective to limit the number of visits to the gaming establishment 10, the amount of money used for gaming, and the gaming time. Therefore, if a management table for addiction prevention as shown in FIG. 41 is managed in the cashless center 20 and the number of visits, the amount of money used, and the gaming time of a player who owns a specific mobile terminal 40 are cumulatively managed among the information obtained from the relay device 16 of each establishment, it can be used for raising awareness to prevent addiction. Since there are various conditions set for addiction prevention, it is desirable to be able to set any judgment period (weekly, monthly, etc.) so that various conditions can be set, and to monitor multiple conditions in parallel.

[0085] FIG. 42 is a communication sequence diagram showing a process of performing a deterrent notification when a judgment condition for preventing addiction is satisfied (reaching the upper limit of visits). When the card ID of the recording medium 50 inserted into the gaming device 12 of a certain gaming establishment 10 is transmitted from the gaming establishment 12 to the relay device 16, the relay device 16 checks the mobile terminal 40 linked to this card ID and transmits the mobile terminal information to the gaming establishment 12, so that the mobile terminal information is displayed on the gaming establishment 12. Meanwhile, the cashless center 20 that has received the mobile terminal ID and the store information from the relay device 16 checks whether the mobile terminal ID is registered in the addiction prevention management table, and if the mobile terminal ID is registered, judges whether the judgment condition is satisfied based on the judgment condition that has been set. For example, when the number of visits reaches the upper limit of the judgment condition due to entry into this gaming establishment 10, the cashless center 20 detects that the upper limit of visits has been reached. Then, the cashless center 20 notifies the mobile terminal 40 that the upper limit has been reached, and causes the mobile terminal to display the information (see FIG. 43). By displaying a deterrent notification screen on the mobile terminal 40, the player is urged to exercise self-restraint.

[0086] FIG. 44 is a communication sequence diagram showing the process of performing a deterrent notification when a judgment condition for preventing addiction is satisfied (reach of the upper limit of the amount of money used or the upper limit of the playing time is reached). When the card ID of the recording medium 50 inserted into the gaming device 12 of a certain gaming establishment 10 is transmitted from the gaming device 12 to the relay device 16, the relay device 16 checks the mobile terminal 40 linked to this card ID and transmits the mobile terminal information to the gaming device 12, so that the mobile terminal information is displayed on the gaming device 12. Meanwhile, the cashless center 20 that receives the mobile terminal ID and store information from the relay device 16 checks whether the mobile terminal ID is registered in the addiction prevention management table, and if the mobile terminal ID is registered, judges whether the judgment condition based on the set judgment condition is satisfied. For example, the judgment condition is that the amount of money used is equal to or more than a predetermined amount or the playing time is equal to or more than a predetermined time, and if the condition has not yet been met, the cashless center 20 transmits store information to the mobile terminal 40, and the mobile terminal 40 displays "playing". After that, the game is started on the gaming machine 11, and the player plays the game while using cashless payment. When the game ends, the amount of money used and the game time at that time are determined, and the game information is transmitted from the gaming device 12 to the relay device 16. This game information is transmitted to the cashless center 20, and the amount of money used and the game time in the addiction prevention management table are updated. Then, when either the amount of money used or the game time reaches the upper limit, the cashless center 20 detects that the game upper limit has been reached. For example, when the amount of money used exceeds the upper limit, the mobile terminal 40 is notified that the amount of money used has been reached and the mobile terminal displays this (see FIG. 45(A)). When the game time exceeds the upper limit, the mobile terminal 40 is notified that the game time has been reached and the mobile terminal displays this (see FIG. 45(B)). In this way, by displaying a deterrent notification screen on the mobile terminal 40, the player is encouraged to exercise self-restraint.

[0087] The above describes the gaming system according to the present invention based on an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the scope of the rights encompasses all gaming systems that can be realized as long as the configuration described in the claims is not changed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1 Gaming System 10. Amusement stores 11 Gaming machines 12 Gaming devices 16 Repeater 20 Cashless Center 40 Mobile Devices 50 Recording media 100 Management Function Department

Claims

1. a gaming machine capable of playing games using gaming value; a gaming device that is installed in correspondence with the gaming machine, receives a recording medium owned by a player, stores a value corresponding to the recording medium, converts the value into a gaming value, and grants the gaming machine; a management function unit capable of communicating with the gaming device and having a function of managing at least information relating to the value; A gaming system including: the gaming device includes a recording medium identification information transmission means for transmitting, when the gaming device receives the recording medium owned by a player, recording medium identification information which is unique identification information of the recording medium to the management function unit; The management function unit includes: a recording medium identification information receiving means for receiving the recording medium identification information transmitted from the recording medium identification information transmitting means of the gaming device; a management means for managing management information that links portable terminal identification information, which is unique identification information of a portable terminal owned by a player, with recording medium identification information of the recording medium owned by the player, the management information including the valuable corresponding to the portable terminal; a management information transmitting means for transmitting information based on the management information corresponding to the recording medium identification information received by the recording medium identification information receiving means to the gaming device which is the source of the recording medium identification information; a virtual connection control means for virtually connecting the portable terminal and the gaming device by mediating at least a process between the portable terminal and the gaming device regarding a transfer of the value included in the management information, if the management information corresponding to the recording medium identification information of the recording medium accepted by the gaming device is managed by the management means; Equipped with A gaming system characterized in that the virtual connection control means of the management function unit makes the mobile terminal and the gaming device the targets of a virtual connection, and then, based on the satisfaction of predetermined value granting conditions, grants part or all of the value contained in the management information to the corresponding gaming device.

2. The gaming system described in claim 1, characterized in that the virtual connection control means of the management function unit receives a request for value provision from the gaming device and sets the condition for the value provision as receiving approval for the request for value provision from the mobile terminal.

3. The gaming system described in claim 1, characterized in that the virtual connection control means of the management function unit receives a request for providing valuable information from the mobile terminal and sets the condition for providing valuable information as receiving approval for the request for providing valuable information from the gaming device.

4. The gaming system described in claim 1, characterized in that the virtual connection control means of the management function unit receives a value-granting request from the mobile terminal and sets the value-granting condition as receiving approval for the value-granting request from the mobile terminal.

5. 2. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the virtual connection control means of the management function section sets the condition for providing the valuable value as being that the virtual connection control means receives a valuable value providing instruction from the mobile terminal.

6. The gaming device further includes a transfer instruction means for instructing the management function unit to transfer the stored value to the management information, the virtual connection control means of the management function unit, after making the portable terminal and the gaming device targets for virtual connection, adds the transferred value for which the transfer instruction has been received to the value of the corresponding management information based on a transfer instruction received from the transfer instruction means of the gaming device, and instructs the gaming device that has sent the transfer instruction to erase the transferred value; 6. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the gaming system further comprises:

7. The gaming device further includes an automatic transition instruction means for instructing the management of the stored value to be transitioned to the management information of the management function unit when a predetermined automatic transition condition is satisfied, the virtual connection control means of the management function unit, after making the portable terminal and the gaming device targets for virtual connection, adds the transferred value for which the transfer instruction has been received to the value of the corresponding management information based on a transfer instruction received from the automatic transfer instruction means of the gaming device, and instructs the gaming device that has sent the transfer instruction to erase the transferred value; 6. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the gaming system further comprises:

8. The gaming system according to claim 7, characterized in that the automatic transition instruction means of the gaming device sets the automatic transition condition as being that the gaming value managed by the gaming machine is equal to or exceeds a predetermined judgment value.

Images