Game machine information provision system, game machine information management device, and game machine information provision method

Abstract

To provide a recommended machine model to be recommended to a game player when the game player plays a game on a specific game machine.SOLUTION: A QR code (R) attached to the surface of an inter-machine card processor 10 is read by a portable terminal 90 (S1), and the read data is transmitted to a machine model information management device 80 as distribution request data (S2). The QR code (R) includes a machine number. The machine model information management device 80 selects machine model data from a machine model corresponding to the machine number included in the received distribution request data and a display form set beforehand (S3), and sends it to the portable terminal 90 (S4). The portable terminal 90 displays the received machine model data (S5).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine information providing system, a gaming machine information management device, and a gaming machine information providing method that can provide a recommended model to a player when the player plays a specific gaming machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a technology is known that manages information on gaming machines installed in a gaming establishment and provides information on gaming machines such as popular models at the gaming establishment. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that stores common content, which is digital content related to information on each model of a plurality of gaming machines, extracts information on display target stores that are stores within a predetermined range from a position specified by terminal position information from among a plurality of registered stores, extracts shop-nalized content data in which only a portion of the common content is changed to content unique to the display target store, and transmits the extracted data to a mobile information terminal for display.

[0003] Here, by using the technology of Patent Document 1, it is possible to provide gaming machine information such as popular models in the area by using common content of a plurality of gaming facilities that have been registered in advance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7281853 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when displaying popular models, there is a possibility that a model of a gaming machine that is not installed in the gaming facility where the player is located may be displayed as a popular model. Also, there may be cases where gaming machine information of a gaming machine that the player prefers is not displayed.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the above-mentioned conventional technology, and aims to provide a gaming machine information providing system, a gaming machine information management device, and a gaming machine information providing method that can provide gaming machine information of a recommended model to a player when the player plays on a specific gaming machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a gaming machine information providing system having a gaming machine information management device that manages gaming machine information for a plurality of gaming machines installed in a plurality of gaming facilities, the gaming machine information management device being characterized in that it comprises a receiving means for receiving a distribution request including model identification information of a specified gaming machine from a terminal device held by a player, an identifying means for identifying a recommended model of a gaming machine related to the model identification information, and a notification means for notifying the terminal device of information relating to the recommended model identified by the identifying means.

[0008] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the terminal device reads a two-dimensional code that is affixed near the gaming machine and contains model identification information of the gaming machine and address information of the gaming machine information management device, and makes a distribution request to the gaming machine information management device that contains the model identification information contained in the read two-dimensional code.

[0009] In addition, in the above invention, the terminal device receives data including model identification information of the gaming machine and address information of the gaming machine information management device from each machine device attached to the gaming machine via short-range wireless communication, and makes a distribution request to the gaming machine information management device including the model identification information contained in the received data.

[0010] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the identification means identifies, as recommended models, from among the multiple gaming machines related to the model identification information, models of gaming machines that are not installed in the gaming facility where the player is located.

[0011] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the identification means identifies, as recommended models, from among the multiple gaming machines associated with the model identification information, models that have no available seats in the gaming establishment where the player is located.

[0012] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the identification means identifies, as a recommended model, a gaming machine among a plurality of gaming machines associated with the model identification information that has certain specifications in common with the gaming machine indicated by the model identification information.

[0013] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the identification means identifies a plurality of recommended models identified based on a plurality of gaming machines related to the model identification information, while ranking them according to a recommendation level.

[0014] In the above invention, the specifying means performs ranking based on an out average of nationwide gaming data of players playing at gaming establishments nationwide.

[0015] The present invention also provides a gaming machine information management device that manages gaming machine information for a plurality of gaming machines installed in a plurality of gaming facilities, and is characterized in that it comprises a receiving means for receiving a distribution request including model identification information of a specified gaming machine from a terminal device held by a player, an identifying means for identifying a recommended model of a gaming machine related to the model identification information, and a notification means for notifying the terminal device of information relating to the recommended model identified by the identifying means.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a gaming machine information providing method executed in a gaming machine information providing system having a gaming machine information management device that manages gaming machine information for a plurality of gaming machines installed in a plurality of gaming facilities, the method including a reception process in which the gaming machine information management device receives a distribution request including model identification information of a specified gaming machine from a terminal device held by a player, an identification process in which the gaming machine information management device identifies a recommended model of a gaming machine related to the model identification information, and a notification process in which the gaming machine information management device notifies the terminal device of information relating to the recommended model identified by the identification process. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, when a player plays a game on a specific gaming machine, a recommended model can be provided to the player. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of the gaming machine information provision system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the gaming machine information provision system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the inter-machine card processor and the gaming machine shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the host device status data and card data shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the management device shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the card management data, the device management data, the member management data, the display format data, and the operation status data shown in FIG. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the model information management device shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the type data, the game data, and the gaming machine management data shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the display format management data, the operation status data, and the ranking data shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting of installation location points according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of total point calculation according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure related to the model information management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of a gaming machine information provision system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a display pattern according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of a gaming machine information provision system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of a gaming machine information provision system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of the outline of the gaming machine information provision system according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of the outline of the gaming machine information provision system according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of the outline of the gaming machine information provision system according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of the outline of the gaming machine information provision system according to the sixth embodiment. [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram (part 3) of the outline of the gaming machine information provision system according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the gaming machine information provision system according to the seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, a gaming machine information providing system, a gaming machine information management device, and a gaming machine information providing method according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0020] In this specification, "held balls" refers to data indicating game media acquired by a player in a game, which can be used again only on the same day (before the closing time of the game establishment). "Number of held balls" refers to the number of game media acquired by a player in a game. "Saved balls" refers to data indicating game media deposited by a player in a game establishment, which can be used again on the following day (after the closing time of the game establishment). "Saved balls" refers to the number of game media deposited by a player in a game establishment. Both regular and member players can use held balls, and are used when a game machine is moved. In principle, only member players can use saved balls, and are used when acquired game media are used to play a game machine on the following day. "Number of balls managed on a game machine" refers to the number of balls managed on a game machine that a player can use for a game.

[0021] <Outline of the gaming machine information providing system according to the first embodiment> First, an outline of the gaming machine information provision system according to the present embodiment 1 will be described. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the outline of the gaming machine information provision system according to the present embodiment 1. In this gaming machine information provision system, a model information management device 80 manages model data of gaming machines.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, in the gaming machine information providing system according to the first embodiment, a QR code (registered trademark) attached to the surface of the inter-machine card processor 10 is read by a mobile terminal 90 (S1), and the read data is transmitted as distribution request data to a machine type information management device 80 (S2). The QR code (registered trademark) includes the machine number.

[0023] The model information management device 80 selects model data from the model corresponding to the machine number included in the received distribution request data and a preset display format (S3), and transmits the model data to the mobile terminal 90 (S4). The mobile terminal 90 displays the received model data (S5).

[0024] There are four display formats: a floating data-based format that displays machines with the highest average outs based on nationwide floating data; an empty machine-based format that extracts only machines that are not currently being played from the machines selected using the floating data-based format; a specifications-based format that selects machines with specifications that are highly correlated with the specifications of the gaming machine corresponding to the QR code (registered trademark); and a comprehensive judgment format that takes into account the models selected using the floating data-based format and the installation location of the machines within the gaming facility.

[0025] In this way, in the gaming machine information provision system of this embodiment 1, the model information management device selects data and display format related to the model based on information read by a mobile terminal using a QR code (registered trademark) containing the machine number, and is configured to display this as model data on the mobile terminal.Therefore, when a player plays on a specific gaming machine, a recommended model can be provided to the player.

[0026] <System configuration according to the first embodiment> Next, a description will be given of the system configuration of the gaming machine information provision system according to the present embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the gaming machine information provision system according to the present embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 2, a gaming establishment is provided with a plurality of gaming machines 20 and an inter-machine card processor 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20.

[0027] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 is connected to a communication line, which is an in-store network, via the island controller 30. The island controller 30, the management device 50, the prize management device 60, and the settlement machine 70 are connected to the communication line.

[0028] The management device 50 is connected to the Internet, and a model information management device 80 and a mobile terminal 90 are connected to the Internet so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0029] The gaming machine 20 is a device that plays games by shooting gaming balls enclosed inside the device onto a gaming board. The gaming balls are physical "balls" used in the game, and are different from "game balls" that the gaming machine 20 treats as data. The gaming board of the gaming machine 20 is provided with a plurality of winning areas (winning holes), and a predetermined number of gaming balls are awarded as prize balls based on the passing of the gaming balls through the winning areas. In addition, the gaming board is provided with a predetermined number of starting areas (starting holes), and a predetermined lottery is performed based on the passing of the gaming balls through the starting areas. If the lottery is a jackpot, a predetermined movable member or the like is operated to increase the probability of the gaming balls passing through the winning areas or other starting areas, and other operations that are advantageous in the game are performed. It is possible for there to be an area that serves as both a starting area and a winning area.

[0030] The winning area is provided with a winning sensor for detecting the passage of a game ball into the winning area, and the winning sensor detects the passage (winning) of a game ball shot into the winning area. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also has a prize ball memory for storing the number of game balls to be awarded as prize balls for each winning area, and a game ball number memory for indicating the number of game balls managed by the gaming machine. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also periodically transmits the number of game balls managed by the gaming machine to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

[0031] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a deposit from a player, it associates a prepaid value corresponding to the amount of the deposit with the identification information (card ID) of the card stored inside the machine. This prepaid value can be used to lend game balls. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 can also accept the insertion of a card associated with a prepaid value, retained balls, saved balls, etc. Then, at the end of a game, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 ejects the card associated with the prepaid value, retained balls, saved balls, etc. and returns it to the player. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 also transmits a history of operations such as deposits, card insertion, and card ejection to the management device 50.

[0032] When a predetermined number of game balls are shot onto the game board, the game machine 20 transmits out data to the inter-machine card processor 10. When a game ball passes through a winning area (so-called winning) and a predetermined number of prize balls are added to the game balls, the game machine 20 transmits safe data to the inter-machine card processor 10. Furthermore, when a special state such as a jackpot occurs during play, the game machine 20 transmits special prize data indicating the occurrence of such state to the inter-machine card processor 10.

[0033] The out data corresponds to the number of balls inserted, which is the number of balls inserted by the player onto the game board. The safe data corresponds to the number of balls won as a result of winning. Furthermore, the special prize data indicates the status of the gaming machine 20, such as a jackpot. Each piece of data is transmitted to the management device 50 via the inter-machine card processing device 10, and the management device 50 can obtain the operation history of the gaming machine 20 by accumulating the out data, safe data, and special prize data.

[0034] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts deposits, lends gaming balls, and communicates with the management device 50 and the gaming machines 20. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts bills inserted by a player, it sends a deposit notification including the amount of the deposit to the management device 50, thereby adding the prepaid value equivalent to the amount of the deposit to the prepaid value managed by the management device 50. Then, when a specified ball lending operation is performed, it sends a ball lending request to the management device 50, subtracts the prepaid value managed by the management device 50, and notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value, which is added to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine.

[0035] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a card, it sends a card insertion notification to the management device 50. Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the prepaid value, the balance of held balls, or the balance of saved balls from the management device 50, it stores the balance. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives and stores the balance of held balls, it sends a request to subtract held balls to the management device 50, thereby clearing the balance of held balls (number of held balls) managed by the management device 50 to zero.

[0036] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a held ball replay operation, it subtracts a predetermined number from the number of held balls it manages, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted held balls, and adds it to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine. In addition, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a saved ball replay operation, it sends a saved ball replay request to the management device 50, thereby subtracting a predetermined number from the number of saved balls managed by the management device 50, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted saved balls, and adds it to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine.

[0037] When the inter-machine card processor 10 accepts a card return operation, it sends a ball addition request including the number of held balls to the management device 50, and after having the management device 50 add the number of held balls, it sends a card ejection notification to the management device 50 and controls the ejection of the card. Note that if a counting operation is accepted from the gaming machine 20 before the card return operation, the number of gaming machine managed balls is added to the number of held balls.

[0038] The inter-machine card processing device 10 has a function of acquiring a gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20, and authenticating the gaming machine 20 using the acquired gaming machine ID and an authentication key received from the management device 50. This authentication is performed at the time of opening a store, etc., and the gaming machine 20 becomes available for play on condition that the authentication is successful.

[0039] The island controller 30 is a device that bundles together a group of gaming machines 20 and inter-machine card processors 10 installed on the gaming island, and relays various information to the management device 50.

[0040] When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it manages the identification information of the inserted card (hereinafter referred to as the "card ID") in association with the inter-machine card processing device 10, and transmits the prepaid value and the ball balance associated with the card ID to the inter-machine card processing device 10. Also, if the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification is the card ID of a membership card, it transmits the stored ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0041] In addition, when the management device 50 receives a request to subtract balls held from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it clears the balance of held balls to zero, and when it receives a request to add balls held from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it adds the number of held balls indicated in the request to add balls held to the balance of held balls.

[0042] Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a ball lending request from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID and transmits ball lending permission to the inter-machine card processing device 10. When the management device 50 receives a saved ball replay request, it transmits saved ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0043] Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a card ID from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls held associated with this card ID. Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a card ID from the settlement machine 70, it notifies the settlement machine 70 of the prepaid value associated with this card ID.

[0044] The management device 50 also acquires gaming machine IDs from the inter-machine card processor 10 and manages the gaming machines 20 installed in its own arcade. In addition to the gaming machine IDs, the management device 50 manages gaming machine numbers, installation locations, model data, and the like as device management data. When this device management data is updated, the management device 50 adds the store ID to the gaming machine numbers, installation locations, and model data, and transmits them to the model information management device 80 as gaming machine data.

[0045] In addition, the management device 50 obtains an authentication key for authenticating the gaming machines 20 set in its own facility from an authentication key management center (not shown) outside the gaming facility, and distributes it to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0046] The management device 50 also manages the member management data of the members who are registered with the gaming establishment. Specifically, the management device 50 manages the number of balls, points, PIN, name, etc., in association with the member card ID issued to the member.

[0047] When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it transmits stored ball replay data including the balance of stored balls and the PIN number corresponding to the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. In addition, when the management device 50 receives a stored ball replay request from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it subtracts a predetermined number from the balance of stored balls associated with the card ID indicated in the stored ball replay request, and transmits stored ball replay data including the balance of stored balls after the subtraction to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0048] In addition, when the management device 50 receives an inquiry about the number of stored balls from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the balance of the stored balls corresponding to the specified card ID.

[0049] Furthermore, when the management device 50 receives a display format related to the machine type data, it adds a store ID to this display format and transmits it as display format data to the machine type information management device 80. When the management device 50 receives operation data such as out data from the inter-machine card processor 10, it stores the operation status as "playing" in the operation status data.

[0050] In addition, when a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes) has elapsed since the time of receipt of the most recent operation data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the management device 50 updates the operation status of the operation status data corresponding to this inter-machine card processing machine 10 to "standby."

[0051] Furthermore, when the operational status data is updated, the management device 50 adds the store ID to the operational status data and transmits it to the model information management device 80.

[0052] The prize management device 60 is a terminal device for prize exchange that is attached to the prize exchange counter in the game parlor, and performs the prize exchange process for acquired balls, saved balls, and held balls. A card reader that reads the card ID of a card and a prize payout device that pays out prizes are connected to this prize management device 60. When the prize management device 60 reads the card ID from a general card or a membership card, it transmits the card ID to the management device 50 and requests the remaining balance of held balls for that card ID. When saved balls are to be exchanged for prizes, the management device 50 is requested to indicate the remaining balance of saved balls.

[0053] The settlement machine 70 is a device that settles the balance of the prepaid value associated with the card. When a card associated with the prepaid value is inserted, the settlement machine 70 transmits the card ID of the card to the management device 50, obtains the prepaid value associated with the card, and dispenses cash equivalent to the obtained prepaid value.

[0054] Next, the ball lending process in the gaming machine information system according to this embodiment will be described. When a player performs a ball lending operation on the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and a ball lending request.

[0055] When the management device 50 receives a message including a ball lending request, it updates the card management data by subtracting a predetermined value (for example, 5 units, which represents 500 yen when 1 unit is 100 yen) from the prepaid value associated with the card ID in the message, and transmits ball lending permission to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that sent the message. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 that has received the ball lending permission transmits an addition signal to the gaming machine 20, requesting the addition of a number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value (for example, "125") to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine.

[0056] The gaming machine 20 that has received the addition signal adds up the number of balls managed by the gaming machine, and transmits the number of balls managed by the gaming machine after the addition to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 compares the sum of the number of balls managed by the gaming machine before the addition and the number of balls lent out with the number of balls managed by the gaming machine after the addition, and determines whether the addition of the number of balls managed by the gaming machine has been performed appropriately.

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

[0058] When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the balance of balls held at the rate specified by the message, among the balls held associated with the card ID in the message.

[0059] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 stores the balance of held balls received from the management device 50. Then, it transmits a message to the management device 50, including information specifying the card ID and rate, and a request to subtract held balls. When the management device 50 receives the request to subtract held balls, it clears the balance of held balls specified by the card ID and rate to zero. Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a request to replay held balls, it subtracts a fixed number from the balance of held balls, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the corresponding number, and adds it to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine.

[0060] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a management transfer request from the gaming machine 20 to transfer the management of the gaming machine 20 by making the number of gaming machine managed balls of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 the balls held by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 adds the number of gaming machine managed balls indicated in the management transfer request to the balls held by the own machine. After that, when the card return operation is accepted, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits a message including a request to add the balls held to the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card to be discharged, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the balance of the balls held, and a request to add the balls held.

[0061] When the management device 50 receives the request to add the balls in hand, it updates the balance (number of balls in hand) of the balls in hand associated with the card ID in the message to the received value. After that, the card processor 10 transmits a card ejection notification to the management device 50 and controls the ejection of the card.

[0062] Next, the stored ball replay process in the gaming machine information system according to this embodiment will be described. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a membership card, it sends a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a card insertion notification.

[0063] The management device 50 transmits stored ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the data including the PIN number associated with the card ID in the message and the remaining balance of stored balls at the rate specified by the message.

[0064] The inter-machine card processing device 10 stores the received saved ball replay data, and when the balance of saved balls indicated in the saved ball replay data is equal to or greater than the number of game ball payout units in saved ball replay (number of saved ball replay units, for example "125 balls"), it is capable of accepting a saved ball replay operation.

[0065] When the inter-machine card processor 10 receives a saved ball replay operation for the first time after storing the saved ball replay data, it requests the player to input a PIN number and checks whether the input PIN number matches the PIN number shown in the saved ball replay data.

[0066] If the PIN numbers match, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 sends a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a request to replay the stored balls.

[0067] The management device 50 subtracts a predetermined value from the balance of stored balls at the rate specified by the message among the stored balls associated with the card ID in the message, and transmits stored ball replay data including the balance after subtraction to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0068] The inter-machine card processing device 10 receives the stored ball replay data, updates the balance of stored balls, and notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the number of stored ball replay units to add it to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine. It also determines whether the updated balance of stored balls is less than the number of stored ball replay units. If the updated balance of stored ball data is equal to or greater than the number of stored ball replay units, it is possible to accept a stored ball replay operation again, and if a stored ball replay operation is accepted, it transmits a stored ball replay request. For the second or subsequent stored ball replay operations, it is not necessary to confirm the PIN. If the updated balance of stored ball data is less than the number of stored ball replay units, it is not possible to accept a stored ball replay operation.

[0069] Next, the transition from held balls to saved balls during the store closing process will be explained. The management device 50 checks the balance of held balls in the card management data during the store closing process, and if there are held balls whose balance is greater than "0", it adds the balance of the held balls to the balance of saved balls to update it. After that, the management device 50 clears the balance of the held balls to zero.

[0070] The model information management device 80 is a device that manages data related to models. When the model information management device 80 receives model data, it stores the received data in the model data. When the model information management device 80 receives nationwide roaming information for each model from a roaming data management device (not shown), it stores the received data in the roaming data.

[0071] In addition, when the model information management device 80 receives gaming machine data, display format data, or operating status data from the management device 50, it stores the received data as gaming machine management data, display format management data, or operating status data.

[0072] Furthermore, when the model information management device 80 receives distribution request data from the mobile terminal 90, it identifies the model corresponding to the store ID and machine number included in the distribution request data from the gaming machine management data, and identifies the display format from the display format management data. Then, it generates ranking data according to the identified display format, extracts model data related to the ranking data, and transmits the ranking data and model data to the mobile terminal 90.

[0073] The ranking data is generated according to four display formats. Specifically, in the case of the format based on the idle data, the machines with the highest average number of outs in the national idle data are ranked, in the case of the format based on the vacant seat standard, only the machines including the gaming machines that are not currently being played are extracted and ranked from the machines selected in the format based on the idle data standard, in the format based on the specifications standard, the machines with specifications that are highly correlated with the specifications of the gaming machine corresponding to the distribution request data are ranked, and in the format based on the overall judgment, the ranking is made by the overall judgment that takes into account the machines selected in the format based on the idle data standard and the installation location of the machines in the gaming facility.

[0074] The mobile terminal 90 is a terminal that displays model data. When the mobile terminal 90 reads a QR code (registered trademark), it extracts the store ID, machine number, and address information contained in the QR code (registered trademark). Then, it transmits distribution request data including the store ID and machine number to the model information management device 80 indicated by the address information. Note that the means for acquiring the store ID, machine number, and address information is not limited to the QR code (registered trademark), and the mobile terminal 90 may acquire the store ID, machine number, and address information from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by short-range wireless communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication) with the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0075] Furthermore, when the mobile terminal 90 receives the model data and the ranking data from the model information management device 80, it displays the corresponding model data in the order of the model rankings indicated by the ranking data.

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

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

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

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

[0080] <Configuration of the inter-machine card processing device 10> Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 has a banknote transport unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a communication unit 15, a memory unit 16, a control unit 17, and a game management unit 18.

[0081] The bill transport unit 12 is a transport unit that transports the bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 12a to a bill storage unit (not shown) while determining the denomination and authenticity of the bills. The display operation unit 13 is an input / output device such as a touch panel display that displays various information such as value and accepts various operations such as ball lending operations.

[0082] The reader / writer 14 is a reading unit that reads a card ID from a card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a. The card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a is stored in a card storage unit (not shown) through the reader / writer 14. The communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication with the management device 50 via the island controller 30.

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

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

[0085] The card data 16b is data related to the card being used by the player. The card data 16b includes a card ID, a PIN number, a prepaid value, held balls, saved balls, etc. The card ID is a card ID read by the reader / writer 14. When a card is transported from a card storage section (not shown) to the card insertion slot 14a and then ejected, the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during this transport. Also, when a card is transported from the card insertion slot 14a to a card storage section (not shown), the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during this transport. The prepaid value indicates the balance of the prepaid value that can be used for ball lending, and the held balls and saved balls indicate their respective balances.

[0086] The gaming management unit 18 is a processing unit that performs processing related to authentication and communication with the gaming machine 20. It is preferable that the gaming management unit 18 is formed on a board different from that of the control unit 17. The gaming management unit 18 has an authentication processing unit 18a, an authentication key management unit 18b, and a gaming machine status management unit 18c. In practice, these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed, causing the authentication processing unit 18a, the authentication key management unit 18b, and the gaming machine status management unit 18c to execute processes corresponding thereto.

[0087] The authentication processing unit 18a performs authentication of the gaming machine 20 using the authentication key received from the management device 50. If the authentication is successful, the authentication processing unit 18a transmits an operation permission to the gaming machine 20. If the authentication is unsuccessful, the authentication processing unit 18a prohibits the use of the gaming machine 20. Note that even if the authentication is unsuccessful, the authentication processing unit 18a may be configured to transmit an operation permission to the gaming machine 20 if it is within a predetermined period from the last successful authentication, and not transmit an operation permission to the gaming machine 20 after the predetermined period has elapsed from the last successful authentication, and to prohibit the use of the gaming machine 20.

[0088] The authentication key management unit 18b is a processing unit that manages the authentication key. A usage time is set for the authentication key, and when the cumulative operating time of the gaming machine 20 reaches the usage time of the authentication key, the authentication key becomes unusable. Specifically, the authentication key management unit 18b uses the power-on time of the board on which the game management unit 18 is formed as the operating time of the gaming machine 20, and manages the usage time of the authentication key. When the authentication key becomes unusable, the authentication key management unit 18b obtains a new authentication key from an authentication key management center outside the store via the management device 50, and updates the authentication key.

[0089] The gaming machine status management unit 18c is a processing unit that communicates with the gaming machine 20 and manages the status of the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20, transmits a request to add to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine by ball lending, transmits a request to transfer management from held balls to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine by replaying held balls, transmits a request to add to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine by replaying saved balls, receives game results such as the number of balls inserted and the number of balls paid out in the gaming machine 20, and receives a request to transfer management from the number of balls managed by the gaming machine to held balls by counting. The communication between the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 is encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

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

[0091] The timing when the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires a new gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 is not limited to before opening. The acquisition of the gaming machine ID and the determination of replacement of the gaming machine 20 can be performed when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is powered on or off, during regular communication, when processing related to the number of gaming machine balls managed (ball lending, replay, counting, etc.) is performed, when returning from an offline state, etc. Also, these timings may be used in combination.

[0092] The control unit 17 is a control unit that performs overall control of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and includes a data management unit 17a. In practice, this program is loaded into the CPU and executed, thereby causing the process corresponding to the data management unit 17a to be executed.

[0093] The data management unit 17a is a processing unit that manages the card data 16b. When a card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits a card insertion notification including a card ID and an inter-machine card processor ID to the management device 50. When the data management unit 17a receives data including a value (at least one of a prepaid value, held balls, and saved balls) and a PIN number from the management device 50, it updates the card data 16b with the received value and PIN number.

[0094] Furthermore, when a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 12a, the data management unit 17a transmits a deposit notification to the management device 50, the deposit notification including the amount of the inserted bill, the card ID, and the inter-machine card processor ID.

[0095] Furthermore, when a ball lending operation is performed by a player, the data management unit 17a transmits a ball lending request including the card ID and the inter-machine card processor ID to the management device 50. If permission to lend balls is received as a response to this ball lending request, the data management unit 17a instructs the gaming management unit 18 to subtract the prepaid value of the card data 16b and add a predetermined number of balls to the gaming machine managed number of balls of the gaming machine 20.

[0096] In addition, when the data management unit 17a accepts a held ball replay operation, it instructs the game management unit 18 to subtract and update the held balls in the card data 16b and add the corresponding number of balls to the number of balls managed by the gaming machine 20.

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

[0098] In addition, when the game management unit 18 receives a request to transfer game balls from the game machine 20, the data management unit 17a adds the number of balls instructed by the game management unit 18 to the held balls in the card data 16b to update it.

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

[0100] Next, an example of data stored in the memory unit 16 of the inter-machine card processor 10 shown in Fig. 4 will be described. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the own device status data 16a and card data 16b shown in Fig. 4.

[0101] The own device status data 16a shown in Figure 5 (a) indicates a state in which the ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is "A101", the gaming machine ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201", and "Ball 1" is set as the game type of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0102] The card data 16b shown in FIG. 5(b) indicates that the ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processor 10 is "2015." Here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, with a card with the first digit "1" being a general card and a card with the first digit "2" being a membership card. The card data 16b also indicates that the PIN number for replaying saved balls is "1234" and the prepaid value is "100" points. Here, the prepaid value points are equivalent to 100 yen per point.

[0103] In addition, card data 16b indicates that, in terms of held balls, the balance of held balls for ball 1 is "990" balls, the balance of held balls for ball 2 is "0" balls, and the balance of held balls for ball 3 is "0" balls, and, in terms of saved balls, the balance of saved balls for ball 1 is "0" balls, the balance of saved balls for ball 2 is "0" balls, and the balance of saved balls for ball 3 is "0" balls.

[0104] <Configuration of the gaming machine 20> Next, the configuration of the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 6, the gaming machine 20 has a communication control unit 23, a performance control unit 24, a game control unit 25, and a game ball control unit 26. The communication control unit 23 is a control unit for controlling data communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10 uses encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

[0105] When the gaming machine 20 is started up, the communication control unit 23 reads out the identification information from the control CPU provided in the gaming control unit 25 and / or gaming ball control unit 26, checks whether the identification information is appropriate, and if it is appropriate, establishes communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and goes into standby mode. In the standby mode, if an operation permission is received from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the performance control unit 24, the gaming control unit 25, and the gaming ball control unit 26 are started up, making the gaming machine ready for play.

[0106] The game control unit 25 is a control unit that controls games played by the gaming machine 20. In practice, a program corresponding to the game control unit 25 is loaded into the CPU and executed to execute a process.

[0107] Specifically, the game control unit 25 controls the launch of game balls onto the game board by detecting handle operation, detects game balls that have entered the winning hole on the game board, obtains random numbers (random numbers from 0 to 65535, with numbers assigned to a jackpot, small jackpot, or miss within a predetermined range) using game balls that have entered the starting hole and draws lots (special and normal symbols), controls movable members (tulips, etc.) installed on the game board, controls the display of a special symbol display device installed on the game board, detects abnormalities that may be fraudulent (the front frame is open, vibration is detected, etc.) and notifies a higher-level device, etc.

[0108] A large number of obstacle pins are set on the game board, and a game ball is shot onto the game board by operating the handle, falls between the obstacle pins, and either enters a prize hole or a starting hole, or is ejected from the game board through an outlet hole without entering a prize. When a game ball enters a starting hole, a lottery is held, and if a jackpot is awarded, a jackpot game is played in which a specific prize hole on the game board is controlled to be open multiple times, and by making it easier for game balls to enter the prize hole, a prize ball is awarded to the player.

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

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

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

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

[0113] The effect selection unit 24b selects the type of effect to be performed before the result of the selection based on the effect symbols is displayed (such as a character appearing and a reach effect). Such effects are set so that the effects selected are different from the main selection result.

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

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

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

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

[0118] The gaming machine 20 is also provided with a counting button 22, and a signal indicating that the counting button 22 has been pressed is input to the gaming ball control unit 26. The gaming ball control unit 26 detects the pressing of the counting button 22, and if the detection signal rises and falls within a certain period of time, it transmits a management transfer request to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 together with data on the number of gaming machine managed balls at a fixed number of times (for example, 100 balls per operation). Then, it subtracts (invalidates) the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 from the number of gaming machine managed balls. If the pressing of the counting button 22 is detected and a fall is not detected for a predetermined period of time or more after the detection signal rises, it transmits a management transfer request to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 together with data on the number of gaming machine managed balls at a fixed number of times (for example, 200 balls per 5 seconds) each time the detection signal continues to rise for a certain period of time. Then, the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-machine card processor 10 is subtracted (invalidated) from the number of balls managed by the gaming machine. When subtracting from the number of balls managed by the gaming machine, possible methods include decrementing the value to be subtracted from the value of 1 stored in memory, or updating the value stored in memory with the value after the subtraction and deleting or logically deleting the value before the subtraction to invalidate it, but there are no particular limitations as long as the value after the subtraction is in a state where it can be specified.

[0119] The game control unit 25 and the game ball control unit 26 are each configured on a separate board. The game control board on which the game control unit 25 is configured and the game ball control board on which the game ball control unit 26 is configured each have their own unique ID. The game machine 20 combines the ID of the game control board and the ID of the game ball control board and uses them as the game machine ID.

[0120] <Configuration of management device 50> Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the management device 50 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the management device 50 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 7, the management device 50 is connected to a display unit 51 and an input unit 52, and has an external network communication unit 53, a store network communication unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 56.

[0121] The display unit 51 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a display device. The input unit 52 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The external network communication unit 53 is an interface unit for data communication with the model information management device 80 and an authentication key management center (not shown) via an external network. The store network communication unit 54 is an interface unit for data communication with the island controller 30, the prize management device 60, and the settlement machine 70 via a communication line within the gaming store.

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

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

[0124] The display format data 55d is data that indicates a format in which the model data is displayed. The operation status data 55e is data that indicates the operation status of the gaming machine.

[0125] The control unit 56 is a control unit that performs overall control of the management device 50, and has a card management unit 56a, a device management unit 56b, a member management unit 56c, a display format management unit 56d, and an operating status management unit 56e. In practice, by loading these programs into a CPU and executing them, the card management unit 56a, the device management unit 56b, the member management unit 56c, the display format management unit 56d, and the operating status management unit 56e will each execute a corresponding process.

[0126] The card management unit 56a is a processing unit that manages the card management data 55a. The card management unit 56a communicates with the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the prize management device 60, and the settlement machine 70 to update the prepaid value and the balance of the balls associated with the card ID.

[0127] In addition, when the card management unit 56a receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 or a request for value associated with the card from the prize management device 60, it notifies the player of the value associated with the card and the remaining balance of balls held.

[0128] Furthermore, when the card management unit 56a receives a request for the value associated with the card from the settlement machine 70, it notifies the remaining balance of the value associated with the card.

[0129] The device management unit 56b is a processing unit that manages the device management data 55b. The device management unit 56b generates and updates the device management data 55b based on the inter-machine card processor ID, the installation location, and the gaming machine ID acquired from the inter-machine card processor 10.

[0130] Furthermore, when the device management unit 56b updates the device management data 55b, it adds the store ID to the gaming machine number, the installation location, and the machine type data of the device management data 55b, and transmits the data to the machine type information management device 80 as gaming machine data.

[0131] The member management unit 56c is a processing unit that manages the member management data 55c. The member management unit 56c communicates with the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the prize management device 60 to update the balance of the balls associated with the card ID. In addition, when the member management unit 56c receives a member registration request, it updates the member management data 55c to add the member.

[0132] Here, the stored ball replay process by the member management unit 56c will be explained. When the member management unit 56c receives the stored ball replay request data from the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10, it subtracts the payout unit number of the remaining balls of the payout rate from the stored balls associated with the card ID in the stored ball replay request data, and recalculates the number of possible stored ball replays. Then, it transmits the stored ball replay data including the remaining balance after subtraction and the number of possible stored ball replays to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

[0133] The display format management unit 56d is a processing unit that manages the display format data 55d. When the display format management unit 56d receives a display format from the input unit 52, the display format management unit 56d stores the display format in the display format data 55d. Then, the display format management unit 56d adds a store ID to the display format and transmits it to the model information management device 80 as display format data.

[0134] The operation status management unit 56e is a processing unit that manages the operation status data 55e. When the operation status management unit 56e receives operation data such as out data from the inter-machine card processor 10, the operation status management unit 56e stores the received operation data in the operation status data 55e related to the machine number corresponding to the inter-machine card processor 10. At this time, the operation status is stored as "playing".

[0135] In addition, when a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes) has elapsed since the reception time of the most recent operation data received from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the operation status management unit 56e updates the operation status of the operation status data 55e related to the machine number corresponding to this inter-machine card processing machine 10 to "waiting".

[0136] Furthermore, when the operational status data 55e is updated, the operational status management unit 56e adds the store ID to the operational status data 55e and transmits the updated data to the model information management device 80.

[0137] Next, an example of data stored in storage unit 55 of management device 50 shown in Fig. 7 will be described. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of card management data 55a, device management data 55b, member management data 55c, display format data 55d, and operation status data 55e shown in Fig. 7.

[0138] In the card management data 55a shown in Fig. 8(a), the card ID "1001" is associated with a state in which the prepaid value is "0" points, the balance of the balls held for each rate is "0" balls, and the destination ID is "A101". In other words, the card with the card ID "1001" is inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with the device ID "A101", and the management of the balls held has been transferred to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Therefore, the balance of the balls held for each rate becomes zero.

[0139] In addition, in the card management data 55a, the card ID "2015" is associated with a state in which the prepaid value is "100" points. In addition, the states in which the balance of balls held for ball 1 is "990", the balance of balls held for ball 2 is "0", and the balance of balls held for ball 3 is "0" are associated with the card management data 55a. However, there is no association with a usage ID. In other words, the card with the card ID "2015" is not inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and the management of the balls held is being performed by the management device 50.

[0140] The device management data 55b shown in Fig. 8(b) associates the following states with the inter-machine card processor 10 with the ID "A101", the installation location is "island 1-1", the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201", the gaming machine number is "11", the game type is "ball 1", the model of the gaming machine 20 is "EV01", and the serial number is "a". It also indicates that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

[0141] The device management data 55b also associates the inter-machine card processor 10 with the ID "A201" with the following states: its installation location is "island 2-1", the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B506", the gaming machine number is "21", the game type is "ball 3", the model of the gaming machine 20 is "DX03", and the serial number is "g". It also indicates that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

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

[0143] The display format data 55d shown in Fig. 8(d) indicates that the display format is "overall judgment." The operation status data 55e shown in Fig. 8(e) associates the operation status of "playing" and the operation data of "jackpot" with the machine number "11," and associates the operation status of "waiting" and the operation data of "-" with the machine number "21."

[0144] <Configuration of model information management device 80> Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the model information management device 80 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the model information management device 80 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 9, the model information management device 80 is connected to a display unit 81 and an input unit 82, and has a communication unit 84, a storage unit 85, and a control unit 86.

[0145] The display unit 81 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a display device. The input unit 82 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The communication unit 84 is an interface unit for data communication with the management device 50, the mobile terminal 90, and a mobile data management device (not shown) via an external network.

[0146] The storage unit 85 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a non-volatile memory, and stores model data 85a, game data 85b, gaming machine management data 85c, display format management data 85d, operation status data 85e, and ranking data 85f.

[0147] The type data 85a is data showing information on the types of gaming machines. The play data 85b is data showing nationwide play information for each type. The gaming machine management data 85c is data showing the types of gaming machines installed in each gaming facility.

[0148] The display format management data 85d is data indicating the display format set for each gaming facility. The operation status data 85e is data indicating the operation status of the gaming machines in each gaming facility. The ranking data 85f is data indicating the ranking of the models to be displayed.

[0149] The control unit 86 is a control unit that performs overall control of the model information management device 80, and has a model data management unit 86a, a play data management unit 86b, a gaming machine management unit 86c, a display format management unit 86d, an operating status management unit 86e, a distribution information selection unit 86f, a correlation determination unit 86g, an installation location determination unit 86h, and a distribution unit 86i. In practice, by loading these programs into the CPU and executing them, the model data management unit 86a, the play data management unit 86b, the gaming machine management unit 86c, the display format management unit 86d, the operating status management unit 86e, the distribution information selection unit 86f, the correlation determination unit 86g, the installation location determination unit 86h, and the distribution unit 86i are caused to execute processes corresponding thereto.

[0150] The model data management unit 86a is a processing unit that manages the model data 85a. When the model data management unit 86a receives model data from the input unit 82, the model data management unit 86a stores the model data in the model data 85a.

[0151] The floating data management unit 86b is a processing unit that manages the floating data 85b. When the floating data management unit 86b receives nationwide floating information for each model from a floating data management device (not shown), the floating data management unit 86b stores the received information in the floating data 85b.

[0152] The gaming machine management unit 86c is a processing unit that manages the gaming machine management data 85c. When the gaming machine management unit 86c receives the gaming machine data from the management device 50, the gaming machine management unit 86c stores the gaming machine data in the gaming machine management data 85c.

[0153] The display format management unit 86d is a processing unit that manages the display format management data 85d. When the display format management unit 86d receives the display format data from the management device 50, the display format management unit 86d stores the display format data in the display format management data 85d.

[0154] The operating status management unit 86e is a processing unit that manages the operating status data 85e. When the operating status management unit 86e receives operating status data from the management device 50, the operating status management unit 86e stores the operating status data in the operating status data 85e.

[0155] The distribution information selection unit 86f is a processing unit that selects the model data to be distributed. When the distribution information selection unit 86f receives distribution request data from the mobile terminal 90, it identifies the model corresponding to the store ID and machine number included in the distribution request data from the gaming machine management data 85c, and identifies the display format from the display format management data 85d. Then, the following process is performed according to the identified display format.

[0156] When the display format is based on the floating data, the distribution information selection unit 86f generates a ranking of the out average of the floating data 85b in descending order, and stores the models in this ranking order in the ranking data 85f. Then, the machine model of the gaming machine management data 85c corresponding to the store ID included in the distribution request data is extracted, and data related to the machine model in the ranking data 85f that does not correspond to this machine model is deleted.

[0157] When the display format is based on vacant machines, the distribution information selection unit 86f generates ranking data 85f in the same way as when the display format is based on floating data. Then, the distribution request data extracts all machines that are "in play" in the operation status data 85e corresponding to the store ID included in the distribution request data, and deletes the data related to the machine in the ranking data 85f that corresponds to the machine.

[0158] When the display format is based on specifications, the distribution information selection unit 86f extracts models having specifications with high correlation with the specifications of the model identified as the model corresponding to the distribution request data from the model data 85a, generates a ranking in descending order of the correlation degree, and stores the ranked models in the ranking data 85f. Then, it extracts a model of the gaming machine management data 85c corresponding to the store ID included in the distribution request data, and deletes data related to models in the ranking data 85f that do not correspond to this model.

[0159] When the display format is based on the overall judgment, the distribution information selection unit 86f generates ranking data 85f in the same manner as when the display format is based on the floating data standard. Then, it passes a point judgment instruction to the correlation judgment unit 86g and the installation location judgment unit 86h. After that, when the ranking data 85f is updated by the correlation judgment unit 86g and the installation location judgment unit 86h, it adds up the correlation points and the installation location points of the ranking data 85f and stores the result in the overall point item. Then, it updates by swapping each data of the ranking data 85f so that the overall point item is in descending order.

[0160] The correlation determination unit 86g is a processing unit that determines correlation points. When the correlation determination unit 86g receives a point determination instruction from the distribution information selection unit 86f, the correlation determination unit 86g stores 5 points, 4 points, 3 points, 2 points, and 1 point for the top to fifth data in the correlation point item of the ranking data 85f, respectively.

[0161] The installation location determination unit 86h is a processing unit that determines the installation location points. When the installation location determination unit 86h receives a point determination instruction from the distribution information selection unit 86f, it determines the installation location of the machine identified as the machine corresponding to the distribution request data and the machine stored in the ranking data 85f by the gaming machine management data 85c. Then, it determines the installation location points according to the distance between the machine corresponding to the distribution request data and the machine stored in the ranking data 85f, and stores them in the item of the installation location points in the ranking data 85f. For example, if the machine is installed on the same island, it is determined to be 5 points, and if the machine is installed on the neighboring island, it is determined to be 3 points.

[0162] The distribution unit 86i is a processing unit that transmits predetermined model data to the mobile terminal 90. When the ranking data 85f is updated by the distribution information selection unit 86f, the distribution unit 86i transmits the model data related to the model stored in the ranking data 85f to the model data 85a. Then, the extracted model data and ranking data 85f are transmitted to the mobile terminal 90.

[0163] Next, an example of data stored in the storage unit 85 of the machine type information management device 80 shown in Fig. 9 will be described. Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 are diagrams showing examples of the machine type data 85a, the play data 85b, the gaming machine management data 85c, the display format management data 85d, the operation status data 85e, and the ranking data 85f shown in Fig. 9.

[0164] The model data 85a shown in FIG. 10(a) associates a state in which the jackpot is "1 / 99" and the entry rate is "40%" with the model "EV01" whose model type is "medium", and associates a state in which the jackpot is "1 / 94" and the entry rate is "50%" with the model "DX03" whose model type is "light".

[0165] The floating data 85b shown in FIG. 10(b) associates a state in which the average out is "15,600" balls with the model "EV01" whose model type is "pachinko," and associates a state in which the average out is "23,400" balls with the model "DX03" whose model type is "pachinko."

[0166] The gaming machine management data 85c shown in Figure 10 (c) associates the store ID "ABC123" and the machine number "11" with a state in which the installation location is "Island 1-1" and the machine type is "EV01", and associates the store ID "BCD456" and the machine number "31" with a state in which the installation location is "Island 3-1" and the machine type is "DX03".

[0167] The display format management data 85d shown in FIG. 11(a) associates the display format state of "overall judgment" with the store ID "ABC123" and associates the display format state of "floating data standard" with the store ID "BCD456."

[0168] The operation status data 85e shown in Figure 11 (b) associates the machine type "EV01", the operation status "in play", and the operation data "jackpot" with the store ID "ABC123" and the machine number "11", and associates the machine type "DX03", the operation status "on standby", and the operation data "-" with the store ID "BCD456" and the machine number "31".

[0169] The ranking data 85f shown in FIG. 11(c) associates, for the model "EV01," a state in which the correlation points are "5" points, the installation location points are "1" points, and the total points are "6" points, and for the model "EV02," a state in which the correlation points are "4" points, the installation location points are "3" points, and the total points are "7" points.

[0170] <An example of setting of installation location points according to the first embodiment> Next, a description will be given of an example of setting of installation location points according to the present embodiment 1. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of setting of installation location points according to the present embodiment 1.

[0171] As shown in Figure 12, the islands in which gaming machines are installed in the gaming center are divided into islands 1 to 3, and each island is divided into two smaller islands. For example, island 1 is divided into islands 1-1 and 1-2.

[0172] If the gaming machine the player is looking at is located on island 1-1, the installation location points are determined based on the relative location of the island the ranked gaming machine is installed in. For example, if the ranked gaming machine is installed on island 1 (island 1-1 or island 1-2), it is determined to be worth 5 points, if it is installed on island 2 (island 2-1 or island 2-2), it is determined to be worth 3 points, and if it is installed on island 3 (island 3-1 or island 3-2), it is determined to be worth 1 point.

[0173] <An example of total point calculation according to the first embodiment> Next, a description will be given of an example of total point calculation according to the present embodiment 1. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of total point calculation according to the present embodiment 1.

[0174] As shown in FIG. 13, when the ranking of models based on the floating data is EV01, EV02, DX03, and DX04, the correlation points are 5 points, 4 points, 3 points, and 2 points, respectively.

[0175] If the installation location points of EV01, EV02, DX03, and DX04 are 1 point, 3 points, 5 points, and 3 points, respectively, the total points calculated by adding up the correlation points and installation location points will be 6 points, 7 points, 8 points, and 5 points, respectively.

[0176] When the display format is a comprehensive evaluation, the ranking is determined using this overall point. Specifically, the ranking in the comprehensive evaluation format is DX03, EV02, EV01, DX04.

[0177] <Processing Procedure of the Model Information Management Device 80 According to the First Embodiment> Next, a description will be given of the processing procedure related to the model information management device 80 according to the present embodiment 1. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure related to the model information management device 80 according to the present embodiment 1.

[0178] As shown in FIG. 14, when the model information management device 80 receives distribution request data from the mobile terminal 90 (step S101; Yes), it identifies the model and display format corresponding to the store ID and machine number included in the distribution request data (step S102).

[0179] If the display format is based on specifications (step S103; Yes), models that have a high correlation in terms of specifications with the model identified as the model corresponding to the distribution request data are ranked (step S112), and this ranking order of models is stored in ranking data 85f.

[0180] The store ID and gaming machine management data 85c included in the distribution request data are used to identify the model installed in the store, and any models not installed in the store that do not correspond to this model are deleted from the ranking data 85f (step S113), and the process proceeds to step S111.

[0181] If the display format is not based on the specifications (step S103; No), the machine is ranked by the out average of the floating data 85b (step S104), and the machine models in this ranking order are stored in the ranking data 85f. Then, the machine models installed in the store are identified using the store ID and the gaming machine management data 85c included in the distribution request data, and the machine models not installed in the store that do not correspond to these machines are deleted from the ranking data 85f (step S105).

[0182] If the display format is based on vacant machines (step S106; Yes), a machine type with no vacant seats is extracted from the operating status of the operating status data 85e corresponding to the store ID included in the distribution request data, and this machine type is deleted from the ranking data 85f (step S114), and the process proceeds to step S111.

[0183] If the display format is based on floating data (step S106; No, step S107; Yes), the process proceeds to step S111.

[0184] If the display format is the comprehensive judgment format (step S107; No), the correlation points are judged in the order of ranking in the ranking data 85f (step S108) and stored in the ranking data 85f.

[0185] The installation location points are determined using the machine type corresponding to the distribution request data, the machine type stored in the ranking data 85f, and the gaming machine management data 85c (step S109), and are stored in the ranking data 85f.

[0186] The correlation points and the installation location points of the ranking data 85f are added together to calculate a total point, and the ranking data 85f is updated to a new ranking based on the result (step S110).

[0187] Model data relating to the models stored in the ranking data 85f is extracted from the model data 85a and transmitted to the mobile terminal 90 (step S111), and the process ends.

[0188] As described above, in the gaming machine information provision system of this embodiment 1, the model information management device selects model-related data and display format based on information read by a mobile terminal using a QR code (registered trademark) containing the machine number, and displays this as model data on the mobile terminal. Therefore, when a player plays on a specific gaming machine, a recommended model can be provided to the player.

[0189] In the above embodiment 1, a configuration has been described in which a QR code (registered trademark) affixed to the surface of an inter-machine card processing machine is read by a mobile terminal, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which a QR code (registered trademark) displayed on a display operation unit of an inter-machine card processing machine is read by a mobile terminal may also be used. The QR code (registered trademark) is not limited to being affixed to the surface of an inter-machine card processing machine, but may be affixed to the vicinity of the inter-machine card processing machine, the surface of a gaming machine, a machine lamp, a chair on which a player sits, or the vicinity thereof.

[0190] In addition, in the above embodiment 1, a configuration is described in which a QR code (registered trademark) including a machine number is read by a mobile terminal, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a QR code (registered trademark) including a model number can also be configured to be read by a mobile terminal.

[0191] In the above embodiment 1, the model information management device selects the model-related data and display format based on the information read by the mobile terminal of the QR code (registered trademark) including the machine number, and displays this as model data on the mobile terminal, but the present invention is not limited to this. Once the model information management device selects the model-related data and display format, the selected model data can also be configured to be displayed on the machine-to-machine card processor or machine lamp.

[0192] In addition, in the above embodiment 1, a configuration was described in which the availability of seats at each gaming machine is determined based on data obtained from the machine-to-machine card processing machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it can also be configured to determine the availability of seats at each gaming machine based on data obtained from the hall computer.

[0193] [Embodiment 2] Incidentally, in the above embodiment 1, a configuration was described in which the model information management device selects model-related data and a display format based on information obtained by reading a QR code (registered trademark) including a machine number with a mobile terminal, and displays this as model data on the mobile terminal, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the model information management device selects model-related data based on information obtained by reading a QR code (registered trademark) with a mobile terminal, the device can also be configured to change the content of the selected model data depending on the playing status of the gaming machine with the machine number included in the QR code (registered trademark).

[0194] In this embodiment 2, we will describe a gaming machine information provision system in which, when a model information management device selects data related to a model based on information read by a mobile terminal using a QR code (registered trademark), the content of the selected model data is changed depending on the playing status of the gaming machine with the machine number included in the QR code (registered trademark).

[0195] <Outline of the gaming machine information providing system according to the second embodiment> An explanation will be given of an outline of the gaming machine information provision system according to the present embodiment 2. Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the outline of the gaming machine information provision system according to the present embodiment 2.

[0196] As shown in Fig. 15, in the gaming machine information providing system according to the second embodiment, the QR code (registered trademark) attached to the inter-machine card processor 10 is read by the mobile terminal 90 (S11), and the read data is transmitted to the machine type information management device 180 as distribution request data (S12). Note that the QR code (registered trademark) includes the machine number.

[0197] The model information management device 180 transmits the machine number included in the distribution request data to the management device 150 by including the machine number in the operation status request data (S13). The management device 150 transmits the operation status related to the machine number included in the operation status request data as operation status response data to the model information management device 180 (S14).

[0198] The model information management device 180 selects model data according to the operational status related to the machine number included in the received operational status response data (S15). Then, the selected model data is transmitted to the mobile terminal 90 (S16). The mobile terminal 90 displays the received model data (S17). <One example of a display pattern according to the second embodiment> Next, a description will be given of an example of a display pattern according to the embodiment 2. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a display pattern according to the embodiment 2.

[0199] As shown in FIG. 16(a), in the gaming machine information providing system according to the second embodiment, the model data to be sent to the mobile terminal 90 is selected according to the operation status related to the machine number included in the distribution request data. For example, when the operation status is "normal", the display pattern is "pattern 1", when the operation status is "CZ", the display pattern is "pattern 2", when the operation status is "special prize", the display pattern is "pattern 3", and when the operation status is "time-saving", the display pattern is "pattern 4". As an example, as shown in FIG. 16(b), when the operation status is "special prize", the TOP page (pattern 1) that explains the basic specifications of the gaming machine 20 is not displayed, but a page (pattern 3) that explains the special prize state of the gaming machine 20 is selected and displayed on the mobile terminal 90. As a result, one of the effects is that the player does not need to search for the most suitable model data while checking the operation status, and in particular, even if it is a gaming machine that is being played for the first time, it is possible to concentrate on playing without complicated operations.

[0200] As described above, in the gaming machine information provision system of this embodiment 2, when the model information management device selects data related to a model based on information read from a QR code (registered trademark) by a mobile terminal, the content of the selected model data is changed depending on the playing status of the gaming machine whose machine number is included in the QR code (registered trademark). Therefore, when a player plays on a specific gaming machine, the player can be provided with model information that suits the playing status.

[0201] In the above-mentioned second embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the contents of the model data to be displayed are selected based on the information obtained by reading a QR code (registered trademark) with a mobile terminal, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the contents of the model data to be displayed to be selected using NFC (Near Field Communication) or biometric authentication.

[0202] In the above-mentioned second embodiment, the configuration in which the selected model data is displayed on a mobile terminal has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The model data to be displayed can also be configured to be divided and displayed in multiple windows, rather than being displayed on only one page. The device capable of displaying the model data is not limited to the mobile terminal 90, and the model data may be displayed on the gaming machine 20, the machine lamp, a display terminal (each machine tablet, etc.) connected to the inter-machine card processor 10 so as to be able to communicate with it, in-store signage, etc.

[0203] In the above-mentioned second embodiment, the configuration was described in which the content of the model data to be displayed is selected based on the information obtained by reading a QR code (registered trademark) with a mobile terminal, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the system so that a player or a gaming facility can select either an "optimal display mode" in which optimal model data is selected and displayed when a QR code (registered trademark) is read with a mobile terminal, or a "fixed top page display mode" in which the top page of model data is displayed regardless of the operating status. Note that when the "optimal display mode" is selected and the operating status of the gaming machine changes, the model data to be displayed on the mobile terminal may be displayed in conjunction with the operating status of the gaming machine without the need to read the QR code (registered trademark) with the mobile terminal again or update the display on the mobile terminal.

[0204] In the above-mentioned second embodiment, the model information management device selects the data related to the model based on the information read by the QR code (registered trademark) with a mobile terminal, and changes the content of the model data to be selected according to the game status of the gaming machine with the machine number included in the QR code (registered trademark). However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the game status is in a normal state, the model data to be displayed can be further changed according to the number of rotations / number of games played. For example, when the QR code (registered trademark) is read at a predetermined number of games, the ceiling number of games at which the game moves to a jackpot state or a time-saving entry state, the benefits of winning at the ceiling number of games, the investment amount required to reach the ceiling number of games, the number of zone games where the jackpot state is likely to occur, the number of games in which the jackpot state has occurred in the past, etc. can be displayed instead of the game flow.

[0205] In the above-mentioned second embodiment, the model information management device manages the model data and transmits selected model data, but the present invention is not limited to this. The management device may also be configured to manage the model data and transmit selected model data.

[0206] In addition, in the above embodiment 2, a configuration for applying the present invention to a smart pachinko machine was described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be configured to be applied to smart pachislot machines, conventional per-machine counting type pachinko machines, or pachislot machines that do not use per-machine counting type.

[0207] [Embodiment 3] In the above embodiment 1, the model information management device selects the model-related data and display format based on the information read by the mobile terminal from the QR code (registered trademark) including the model number, and displays this as model data on the mobile terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may also be configured so that a comment can be entered on the page that displays the model data when a certain condition is met.

[0208] In the third embodiment, a gaming machine information providing system will be described in which a comment can be input on a page displaying model data when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0209] <Outline of the gaming machine information providing system according to the third embodiment> An explanation will be given of an outline of the gaming machine information provision system according to the present embodiment 3. Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the outline of the gaming machine information provision system according to the present embodiment 3.

[0210] As shown in FIG. 17(a), in the gaming machine information provision system according to the third embodiment, the mobile terminal 200 reads a QR code (registered trademark) to display a top page of game instructions.

[0211] As shown in FIG. 17(b), when certain conditions are met (for example, setting the number of starts, outs, games, etc., investment amount, playing time, cashless payment, etc.), a comment input field is displayed. Before entering a comment, the user can set whether the comment entered is public or private. Then, enter the comment. If the comment is set to private, only the person who entered the comment will be able to see the comment; no one else will be able to see it. However, if the person who entered the comment changes the setting to public after setting it to private, others will be able to see the comment.

[0212] As shown in FIG. 17(c), by accessing the model data in which a comment has been entered, it is possible to check the comment.

[0213] As described above, in the gaming machine information provision system according to the third embodiment, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a comment can be input on a page that displays the model data.

[0214] In the above embodiment 3, the configuration has been described in which the comment can be confirmed by accessing the model data in which the comment was input, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration can also be such that conditions for confirming the comment can be set. For example, in order for a person other than the person who inputted the comment to confirm the comment, it may be possible to confirm the comment when a predetermined condition (for example, the number of starts, the number of outs, the number of games, etc., the investment amount, the playing time, the use of cashless payment, etc.) is satisfied.

[0215] In the above embodiment 3, a configuration was described in which a comment can be entered on a page that displays machine type data when a certain condition is met, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it can also be configured to provide a special benefit (for example, points or general prizes) to a player who has entered a comment. Note that the special benefit can only be provided when the comment is made public.

[0216] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 3, a configuration was described in which a comment can be entered on a page displaying model data when certain conditions are met, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of characters that can be entered in a comment, words that are prohibited from being used in comments, the publication period of entered comments, and deletion can also be configured so that both the store and the player can set them.

[0217] In the above third embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a comment can be input on a page that displays model data when a certain condition is met, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the system to verify the validity of the input comment. For example, it is also possible to verify whether the comment content contains any falsehoods or statements that violate public order and morals, and to automatically set the relevant comment to private or delete it.

[0218] In the above embodiment 3, the configuration is described in which the top page of the game instruction is displayed by reading the QR code (registered trademark), but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the top page of the game instruction to be displayed using NFC (Near field communication) communication or biometric authentication.

[0219] In the above third embodiment, a configuration was described in which a comment can be entered on a page that displays machine type data when a certain condition such as game results is met, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which a comment can be entered according to the attributes of the player can also be used. For example, a configuration in which a comment can be entered when a player is a member and a VIP can also be used. Note that a configuration in which a special benefit is provided to a VIP member regardless of whether the comment is public or private can also be used.

[0220] In the above third embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a comment can be confirmed by accessing the model data in which the comment has been input, but the present invention is not limited to this. A configuration may also be used in which the range of disclosure is specified when a comment is input. For example, a configuration may also be used in which the range of disclosure is limited to only specified players. Note that if multiple players have been grouped in advance, the specification operation may not be performed, and the players registered in the group may be automatically set as targets for the range of disclosure.

[0221] [Embodiment 4] Incidentally, in the above embodiment 1, a configuration was described in which the machine information management device selects data and a display format related to the machine based on information obtained by reading a QR code (registered trademark) including a machine number with a mobile terminal, and displays this as machine data on the mobile terminal, but the present invention is not limited to this. When displaying machine rankings on digital signage in a gaming facility, it is also possible to configure it so that the presence or absence of vacant seats for each machine is also displayed.

[0222] In the fourth embodiment, a gaming machine information providing system will be described which, when displaying the rankings of machines on digital signage within a gaming facility, also displays the presence or absence of vacant seats for each machine.

[0223] <Outline of the gaming machine information providing system according to the fourth embodiment> An explanation will be given of an outline of the gaming machine information provision system according to the present embodiment 4. Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram of the outline of the gaming machine information provision system according to the present embodiment 4.

[0224] As shown in Fig. 18, in the gaming machine information provision system according to the fourth embodiment, when displaying the ranking of machines on the digital signage, the machine name, the number of balls dispensed, and the presence or absence of vacant seats are displayed. If there are no vacant seats, recommended machines with vacant seats are also displayed.

[0225] For example, in the "October 10th Pachinko Ball Output Ranking", the number one ranking is "No. 1 Mountain Story", the number of balls put out is "100,000", and the current status is "In Play". Since No. 1 is in play, "No. 3 Mountain Story" is displayed as a recommendation for an empty seat.

[0226] In addition, the second place in the ranking is "100-number Fist of the Nanto," with the number of balls dispensed being "90,000," and the current status being "In Play." Since the 100-number machine is in play, a "Tap for Details" button is displayed, and by tapping this button, a list of other machines similar to the 100-number machine is displayed.

[0227] In addition, the third place in the ranking is "Number 70 Tengoku Joshi," with the number of balls dispensed being "50,000," and the current status being "Vacant."

[0228] In addition, the distinction between "playing" and "vacant" is displayed in an easily recognizable color so that it can be seen at a glance. For example, "playing" is displayed in green, and "vacant" is displayed in red. Note that as long as the distinction between "playing" and "vacant" is easily recognizable, the type and size of the letters may be different.

[0229] As described above, in the gaming machine information provision system according to the fourth embodiment, when displaying the rankings of machines on the digital signage in the gaming facility, the presence or absence of vacant seats for each machine can also be displayed.

[0230] In the above embodiment 4, the configuration was described in which the presence or absence of vacant seats for each machine is displayed when the ranking of the machines is displayed on the digital signage in the gaming facility, but the present invention is not limited to this. If a card return operation is performed on the card processing machine between machines, the digital signage in the gaming facility may be configured to display the possibility of an empty seat. Also, if an operation such as break, leaving the seat, meal, smoking, calling an employee, checking availability, etc. is performed on the card processing machine between machines or the machine lamp, a message corresponding to each operation may be displayed on the digital signage. Furthermore, a message corresponding to the in-machine state of the gaming machine, such as an error or full / empty occurrence of the gaming machine, activation of the complete function, or power off, may be displayed on the digital signage.

[0231] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 4, a configuration was described in which when displaying the rankings of machines on the digital signage within an amusement facility, the presence or absence of vacant seats for each machine is also displayed; however, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure the configuration so that a minimum number of vacant machines to be displayed can be set so that a predetermined number of vacant machines can be displayed.

[0232] In the above embodiment 4, a configuration was described in which the presence or absence of vacant seats for each machine is also displayed when the ranking of machines is displayed on the digital signage in the gaming facility, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration can also be made in which reservations can be made for vacant gaming machines on the digital signage screen. When a reservation operation is performed, the digital signage displays a message such as "reserved" that indicates that the vacant gaming machine has been reserved, and also displays a password or QR code (registered trademark) for canceling the reservation state. The inter-machine card processor and machine lamp attached to the reserved gaming machine display a message that indicates that the machine is in a reserved state, and operation is restricted until a cancellation operation based on the password or QR code (registered trademark) for canceling the reservation state is performed.

[0233] [Embodiment 5] Incidentally, in the above embodiment 1, a configuration was described in which the model information management device selects model-related data and a display format based on information read by a mobile terminal in a QR code (registered trademark) including a model number, and displays this as model data on the mobile terminal; however, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0234] It is also possible to calculate the standard value of the number of balls dispensed for each machine from the playing history of the gaming machine, and to configure the ranking based on this standard value when generating the ranking of balls dispensed. This makes it possible to create rankings without being influenced by the skill of the players or the adjustment status of the gaming machine.

[0235] In this embodiment 5, a gaming machine information providing system is described which calculates a standard value for the number of balls dispensed for each type of gaming machine from the gaming history of the gaming machine, and generates a ranking of balls dispensed based on this standard value.

[0236] <Outline of the gaming machine information providing system according to the fifth embodiment> An outline of the gaming machine information provision system according to the present embodiment 5 will be described below. Fig. 19 and Fig. 20 are explanatory diagrams showing the outline of the gaming machine information provision system according to the present embodiment 5.

[0237] As shown in FIG. 19(a), in the gaming machine information provision system according to the fifth embodiment, the gaming situation of each gaming machine is stored as gaming history data, and the reference value data for each model is calculated using this gaming history data.

[0238] For example, if the gaming status of the model "EV02" on the date "2023.10.10" is that the maximum number of balls won in a jackpot on the gaming machine with the machine number "11" is "1400" balls, and the maximum number of balls won in a jackpot on the gaming machine with the machine number "12" is "1600" balls, then the maximum value will be the base value. In other words, the base value of the model "EV02" will be "1600" balls.

[0239] As shown in Figure 19(b), if the actual number of balls dispensed on a certain day for the model "EV02" is "1500" for the gaming machine with the machine number "11" and "1700" for the gaming machine with the machine number "12," the number of balls dispensed for ranking purposes will be "1600" for both the gaming machine with the machine number "11" and the machine number "12." This is because the standard value data is used for ranking purposes.

[0240] As shown in Fig. 20, rankings using the reference value data are displayed on the digital signage 400. For example, in the ball output rankings for the machine type "Sangaku Monogatari," the No. 1 machine is ranked first, and the number of balls output on the ranking is "100,000," but the actual number of balls output is "90,000." Similarly, the No. 10 machine, which is ranked second, has the number of balls output on the ranking as "90,000," but the actual number of balls output is "92,000."

[0241] As described above, in the gaming machine information provision system of this embodiment 5, a standard value for the number of balls dispensed for each model is calculated from the playing history of the gaming machine, and when generating a ball dispense ranking, the ranking can be based on this standard value.

[0242] In the above embodiment 5, a configuration was described in which the maximum number of balls obtained in a jackpot is used as the reference value, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the reference value can also be configured so that a maximum value, average value, etc. can be set in the management device.

[0243] In addition, in the above embodiment 5, a configuration was described in which the ranking is generated based on a reference value, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure the configuration so that a reference value is calculated from the gaming history at multiple stores, and data for each machine using this reference value is compared and provided.

[0244] In addition, in the above embodiment 5, a configuration was described in which a standard value is calculated using the gaming history within an amusement facility, and when generating a ball output ranking, a ranking is based on this standard value. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure the configuration so that a standard value is calculated using gaming history within a trade area or nationwide, and rankings are performed within this trade area or nationwide.

[0245] In the above embodiment 5, the reference value of the game for each machine is calculated from the game history of the game machine, and the ranking is based on this reference value when generating the ball output ranking. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the calculation of the reference value, there is a risk that the player's own number of balls output may be compared with the number of balls output on the ranking, resulting in a positive or negative adjustment. For this reason, it is also possible to configure the ranking to be performed using another index such as points.

[0246] In the above-mentioned embodiment 5, the standard value of the game for each type of machine is calculated from the game history of the game machine, and when generating the ball payout ranking, the ranking is based on this standard value. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the ranking to be performed using actual data for the ranking within the store and the standard value for the ranking nationwide.

[0247] In addition, in the above embodiment 5, a configuration was described in which a standard value for play for each model is calculated from the play history of the gaming machine, and when generating a ball output ranking, the ranking is based on this standard value. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration can also be such that the standard value is set using the public specifications of each gaming machine.

[0248] [Embodiment 6] In the above embodiment 1, the model information management device selects the model-related data and display format based on the information read by the mobile terminal from the QR code (registered trademark) including the model number, and displays this as model data on the mobile terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to associate the membership card with an SNS account, and to display the SNS account together with the ranking.

[0249] In the sixth embodiment, a gaming machine information providing system will be described in which a membership card is associated with an SNS account, and the SNS account is also displayed when the ranking is displayed.

[0250] <Outline of the gaming machine information providing system according to the sixth embodiment> An explanation will be given of an outline of the gaming machine information provision system according to the present embodiment 6. Figs. 21 to 23 are explanatory diagrams showing an outline of the gaming machine information provision system according to the present embodiment 6.

[0251] As shown in Fig. 21(a), in the gaming machine information provision system according to the sixth embodiment, a gaming app account is associated with a membership card. Note that it may be possible to associate a membership card with an SNS account other than the gaming app.

[0252] 21(b), the management device 550 tallyes up the ball dispense information and generates a ranking. Also, the management device 550 associates the member information with the ranking information and notifies the digital signage 500 of the ranking information.

[0253] As shown in FIG. 22, the digital signage 500 displays the ranking information received from the management device 550. For example, the first place is "Mountain Story" in "Number 1", and the account name "Pachinko Lover Boy" is also displayed. Similarly, the second place is "Fist of the Nanto" in "Number 100", and the account name "Slotcas" is displayed. A QR code (registered trademark) is displayed next to the account name, and the gaming record of the member corresponding to the account name can be viewed by reading this QR code (registered trademark) with a smartphone.

[0254] A "photography mode" button is displayed at the top of the display unit of the digital signage 500. By tapping this button, it is possible to transition to a photography mode using a camera provided in the digital signage 500. Note that the mode may be automatically switched to photography mode upon detecting the player's movement, or the mode may be switched to photography mode by the player's operation of a smartphone. In addition, when a photograph is taken, the subject to be photographed may be displayed in an emphasized manner by the operation of the digital signage 500 or the smartphone.

[0255] The bottom of the display of the digital signage 500 displays "Past Rankings" and a QR code (registered trademark), and by reading this QR code (registered trademark) with a smartphone and entering personal identification information, the user can view the ranking screen from when they were ranked. At this time, it is also possible to obtain the image that was viewed.

[0256] As shown in Fig. 23, if a player is ranked high during play, the inter-machine card processor is notified, and the inter-machine card processor displays the received information. The notification may be sent to the game app of the player, or to an employee. The notification may also be sent if the player is ranked low or out of range, and the device to which the notification is sent is not limited to the inter-machine card processor, but may be sent and displayed on a machine lamp, a display terminal (each machine tablet, etc.) connected to the inter-machine card processor so as to be able to communicate with the inter-machine card processor, etc.

[0257] As described above, in the gaming machine information provision system according to the sixth embodiment, a membership card and an SNS account are associated with each other, and the SNS account can be displayed together with the rankings.

[0258] In the above embodiment 6, a configuration for associating a membership card with an SNS account was described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure the configuration for associating a membership app with an inter-machine card processing machine.

[0259] In addition, in the above embodiment 6, a configuration for displaying ranking information on digital signage was described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the ranking information can also be configured to be displayed on an inter-machine card processing machine, machine lamp, or website.

[0260] In the above-mentioned embodiment 6, the member card and the SNS account are associated, and the SNS account is displayed when the ranking is displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be configured to notify employees when a preset maximum ball output state is reached. This allows employees to quickly upload the game situation to SNS. When a preset maximum ball output state is reached, the ball output information may be automatically reflected in real time in conjunction with the ranking data posted on the gaming facility's website or SNS.

[0261] In the above-mentioned sixth embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a membership card is associated with an SNS account, and the SNS account is displayed together with the ranking when the ranking is displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which a player can set whether or not to display the SNS account. Note that some players have multiple SNS accounts, and the player may select an account to display from the multiple SNS accounts.

[0262] In the above-mentioned sixth embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the ranking screen from when the user himself / herself was ranked can be viewed by reading the QR code (registered trademark) of the past ranking with a smartphone and inputting personal identification information, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the past ranking screen to be viewed simply by reading the QR code (registered trademark) of the past ranking with a smartphone. When past ranking data is displayed in order by date, the ranking data from when the user himself / herself was ranked can be highlighted.

[0263] In the above-mentioned sixth embodiment, the configuration was described in which the gaming record of the member corresponding to the account name is viewed by reading the QR code (registered trademark) next to the account name with a smartphone, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the person in question gives permission, it can also be configured to display a QR code (registered trademark) that allows the person in question to follow the SNS on a digital signage. When a QR code (registered trademark) that allows the person in question to follow the SNS is displayed on a digital signage, the name of the SNS may be added and displayed near the QR code (registered trademark). This makes it easy to determine whether the person to be followed uses the SNS in question.

[0264] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment 6, a configuration in which the SNS account is displayed together with the ranking is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the user is ranked, the user's ranking display can be highlighted by face authentication using digital signage. The authentication method can be any biometric information such as face, voice, fingerprint, iris, fingerprint, vital data, etc., and the highlighting can be in any form as long as it is recognizable that the relevant part is highlighted, such as by lighting, decoration, slide, speech bubble, or change in color, size, or thickness of the text.

[0265] [Embodiment 7] In the above embodiment 1, the machine information management device selects the data and display format related to the machine based on the information read by the mobile terminal from the QR code (registered trademark) including the machine number, and displays this as the machine data on the mobile terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to generate a ball ranking for gaming machines that have had their settings changed, and display it on a device in the store.

[0266] In the seventh embodiment, a gaming machine information providing system will be described which generates a ball output ranking for gaming machines whose settings have been changed and displays the ranking on a device within the arcade.

[0267] <System configuration of the gaming machine information providing system according to the seventh embodiment> A description will be given of the system configuration of the gaming machine information provision system according to the seventh embodiment. Fig. 24 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the gaming machine information provision system according to the seventh embodiment.

[0268] As shown in FIG. 24, in the gaming machine information provision system according to the seventh embodiment, a plurality of gaming machines 20 and a smart unit 610 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20 are installed.

[0269] The smart unit 610 is connected to a communication line, which is an in-store network, via the island controller 30. The island controller 30, the hall computer 640, the smart unit management device 650, the ranking generation device 660, and the digital signage 670 are connected to the communication line.

[0270] The gaming machine 20 notifies the hall computer 640 of game information such as out data via the smart unit 610. When a setting change is made to the gaming machine 20, the gaming machine 20 notifies the smart unit management device 650 of the setting change information via the smart unit 610.

[0271] The smart unit management device 650 accumulates the setting change information received during a specific 24-hour period (for example, from 11:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. the next day) and manages the machine numbers for which the setting has been changed. Then, at a specific time (for example, 11:30 p.m. every day), it notifies the ranking generation device 660 of the list information of the machine numbers for which the setting has been changed.

[0272] The hall computer 640 accumulates the gaming information received from the smart unit 610, and notifies the ranking generating device 660 of the accumulated gaming information at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 10 minutes).

[0273] When the ranking generation device 660 receives the game information from the hall computer 640, it generates all-machine ranking information, which is a ranking of all gaming machines, and notifies the digital signage 670 of the information.

[0274] In addition, when the ranking generation device 660 receives machine number list information from the smart unit management device 650, it generates specific ranking information that is a ranking for the gaming machine with this machine number, and notifies the digital signage 670 of the information.

[0275] When the digital signage 670 receives the all-machine ranking information or the specific ranking information from the ranking generation device 660, it displays the received information.

[0276] As described above, in the gaming machine information providing system according to the seventh embodiment, a ball payout ranking can be generated for gaming machines whose settings have been changed, and can be displayed on a device in the parlor.

[0277] In the seventh embodiment, the ranking generation device is installed inside a game arcade, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the ranking generation device can be configured as a device connected to the internet outside the game arcade. It can also be configured as a web service by a specified server.

[0278] In addition, in the above embodiment 7, a configuration was described in which a ball payout ranking is generated for gaming machines that have had their settings changed and displayed on a device in the store, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure the configuration so that a ball payout ranking is generated for gaming machines that have not had their settings changed and displayed on a device in the store.

[0279] In the above embodiment 7, the gaming information is acquired and managed by the hall computer, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the gaming information can be acquired and managed by the smart unit management device. In this case, the ranking generation device acquires the gaming information from the smart unit management device.

[0280] In addition, in the above embodiment 7, a configuration was described in which the generated ball payout rankings are displayed on digital signage within the store, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the generated ball payout rankings can also be configured to be made public on the Web.

[0281] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to a gaming machine information providing system related to a smart pachinko that uses gaming balls as a gaming medium, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be configured to be applied to a gaming machine information providing system related to a smart pachislot. Also, the present invention can be configured to be applied to a gaming machine information providing system related to a non-smart gaming machine (CR machine).

[0282] In addition, the configurations illustrated in the above embodiments are merely functional schematics, and are not necessarily physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that illustrated, and all or part of the devices can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads, usage conditions, etc. [Industrial Applicability]

[0283] The gaming machine information providing system, gaming machine information management device, and gaming machine information providing method according to the present invention are suitable for providing a recommended model to a player when the player plays on a specific gaming machine. [Explanation of symbols]

[0284] 10 Card Processing Machines 11 Status display section 12 Banknote transport section 12a Bill insertion slot 13 Display operation section 14 Reader / Writer 14a Card slot 15 Communications Department 16 Memory section 16a Device status data 16b Card Data 17 Control Unit 17a Data Management Department 18 Gaming Management Department 18a Authentication processing section 18b Authentication key management unit 18c Gaming Machine Status Management Department 20 Gaming Machines 21 Handle 22 Count button 23 Communication control section 24 Production Control Unit 24a Design drawing lottery section 24b Production Lottery Section 25 Game control unit 26 Game ball control unit 26a Game Ball Count Management Department 30 Island Controller 50 Management device 51 Display section 52 Input section 53 External network communication section 54 Store Network Communication Department 55 Storage section 55a Card Management Data 55b Equipment Management Data 55c Membership Management Data 55d Display format data 55e Operational status data 56 Control section 56a Card Management Department 56b Equipment management department 56c Membership Management Department 56d Display format management department 56e Operation Status Management Department 60 Prize Management Device 70 Payment machine 80 Gaming machine information management device 81 Display section 82 Input section 84 Communications Department 85 Memory section 85a Model Data 85b Nomad Data 85c Gaming machine management data 85d Display format management data 85e Operational Status Data 85f Ranking Data 86 Control Unit 86a Model Data Management Section 86b Nomad Data Management Department 86c Gaming Machine Management Department 86d Display format management department 86e Operation Status Management Department 86f Distribution Information Selection Department 86g Correlation judgment section 86h Installation location determination section 86i Distribution Department 90 Mobile Devices 150 Management device 180 Model information management device 200 Mobile Devices 300 Digital Signage 400 Digital Signage 500 Digital Signage 510 Inter-machine card processing machine 550 Management device 590 Mobile Devices 610 Inter-machine card processing machine 640 Hole Computer 650 Smart Unit Management Device 660 Ranking Generator 670 Digital Signage

Claims

1. A gaming machine information providing system having a gaming machine information management device that manages gaming machine information of a plurality of gaming machines installed in a plurality of gaming facilities, The gaming machine information management device includes: A receiving means for receiving a distribution request including model identification information of a predetermined gaming machine from a terminal device held by a player; A specification means for specifying a recommended model of a gaming machine related to the model identification information; a notification means for notifying the terminal device of information related to the recommended model identified by the identification means; A gaming machine information providing system comprising:

2. The terminal device The gaming machine information providing system described in claim 1, characterized in that a two-dimensional code attached near the gaming machine and containing the model identification information of the gaming machine and address information of the gaming machine information management device is read, and a delivery request including the model identification information contained in the read two-dimensional code is made to the gaming machine information management device.

3. The terminal device The gaming machine information providing system described in claim 1, characterized in that data including model identification information of the gaming machine and address information of the gaming machine information management device is received from each machine device attached to the gaming machine via short-range wireless communication, and a distribution request including the model identification information contained in the received data is made to the gaming machine information management device.

4. The identification means is The gaming machine information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, of the multiple gaming machines related to the model identification information, models of gaming machines excluding those not installed in the gaming facility where the player is located are identified as recommended models.

5. The identification means is The gaming machine information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, of the multiple gaming machines related to the model identification information, models that have no vacant seats in the gaming facility where the player is located are identified as recommended models.

6. The identification means is The gaming machine information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, among a plurality of gaming machines related to the model identification information, a gaming machine that has certain specifications in common with the gaming machine indicated by the model identification information is identified as a recommended model.

7. The identification means is The gaming machine information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a plurality of recommended models identified based on a plurality of gaming machines related to the model identification information are identified while being ranked according to a recommendation level.

8. The identification means is 4. The gaming machine information providing system according to claim 1, wherein ranking is based on the out average of nationwide gaming data of players playing at gaming establishments nationwide.

9. A gaming machine information management device that manages gaming machine information of a plurality of gaming machines installed in a plurality of gaming facilities, A receiving means for receiving a distribution request including model identification information of a predetermined gaming machine from a terminal device held by a player; A specification means for specifying a recommended model of a gaming machine related to the model identification information; a notification means for notifying the terminal device of information related to the recommended model identified by the identification means; A gaming machine information management device comprising:

10. A gaming machine information providing method executed in a gaming machine information providing system having a gaming machine information management device that manages gaming machine information of a plurality of gaming machines installed in a plurality of gaming facilities, comprising: a receiving step of receiving a distribution request including model identification information of a predetermined gaming machine from a terminal device carried by a player by the gaming machine information management device; a step of identifying a recommended model of a gaming machine related to the model identification information by the gaming machine information management device; a notification step in which the gaming machine information management device notifies the terminal device of information related to the recommended model identified by the identification step; A gaming machine information providing method comprising:

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