System for game parlor

Abstract

To enable exchange of the number of game media for prizes even if there is a deposit balance whose adjustment limit is expired in a configuration for enabling a player to continuously settle the deposit balance recorded in a recording medium and exchange the number of game media for prizes by his / her own operation.SOLUTION: An adjustment device 8 can execute prize exchange processing (S3, S4:NO, S6:YES, S7 to S9) without adjusting a deposit balance (S3) even if a general card whose adjustment limit of the deposit balance is expired is inserted (S1, S2:YES). Thus, a player can perform prize exchange processing only by his / her own operation so that the convenience of the player can be enhanced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for an amusement park. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, an increasing number of gaming parlors have adopted so-called self-POS systems that allow players to perform the prize exchange operation themselves in order to reduce the burden on employees, and allow players to carry out the prize exchange process for the gaming media recorded on the card themselves. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-065788 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In addition to such self-service POS, a configuration that integrates a self-service POS with a settlement device so that the settlement process of the deposit balance recorded on the card can also be carried out simultaneously is also attracting attention.In such a configuration, after the settlement process of the card inserted into the settlement device is carried out, the prize exchange process is carried out consecutively without returning the card, improving convenience for the player. However, some gaming arcades set a settlement deadline that enables the settlement process of the deposit balance recorded on the card. In such arcades, settlement processes cannot be performed with cards whose settlement deadline has expired, and the player's settlement process and prize exchange process cannot be carried out consecutively, so there is a need for improvement in this regard.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide an amusement arcade system that enables the player to continuously settle the deposit balance recorded on a recording medium and exchange the number of gaming media for prizes by operating the player himself, even if there is a deposit balance whose settlement deadline has expired. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention of claim 1 comprises an issuing means (e.g., counting and lending unit 2) for issuing to a player a recording medium (e.g., general card 9) capable of recording corresponding deposit information indicating the deposit balance for receiving a loan of a gaming value (e.g., deposit balance information capable of identifying the deposit balance indicating the deposit balance deposited in counting and lending unit 2) and gaming value information indicating the gaming value acquired by playing (e.g., acquired value information capable of identifying the gaming value acquired by the player on the same day) (e.g., when the return button 31 of the gaming machine 1 is operated, the deposit balance, the number of balls held, and the date of deposit are recorded in correspondence with the ID of the general card 9 and issued in response to the operation of the return button 31); a settlement means (e.g., settlement device 8) capable of executing a settlement process (e.g., control unit 48, banknote dispensing unit 50, coin dispensing unit 51) of dispensing currency based on the deposit information recorded in the recording medium; and a prize exchange means (e.g., POS terminal 7) capable of executing a prize exchange process (e.g., S22, S23) based on the gaming value information recorded in the recording medium. The recording medium records settlement period information (e.g., a deposit date) indicating a period during which the deposit balance can be settled, a recording medium reading means (e.g., card R / W 53) that receives the recording medium and reads the deposit information, game value information, and settlement period information recorded on the recording medium; a settlement period determination means (e.g., S103) that determines whether or not the settlement period in which the deposit balance can be settled (e.g., the period in which cash settlement and ball lending can be made from the deposit date) has expired based on the settlement period information read by the recording medium reading means; and a money dispensing means (e.g., a control unit 48, a banknote dispensing unit 50, a coin payout unit 51), a game value information transmitting means (e.g., the control unit 48) which executes a game value information transmitting process (e.g., S5) for transmitting the game value information read by the recording medium reading means to the prize exchange device, a game value information transmission process limiting means (e.g., the control unit 48) which limits the game value information transmission process (e.g., limits the transmission of information regarding the held balls recorded on the general card 9 to the POS terminal 7) in a currency payout suppression state (e.g., S105) in which the currency payout means suppresses the payout of currency, an operation accepting means which accepts a release operation for releasing the restriction on the game value information transmission process by the game value information transmission process limiting means (e.g., the player agrees not to settle the deposited balance), and a restriction release means (e.g., the control unit 48) which releases the restriction by accepting the release operation by the player via the operation accepting means.

[0007] With this configuration, even if a recording medium is inserted whose settlement deadline for the deposit balance has expired, the prize exchange process can be executed without settling the deposit balance, allowing the player to perform the prize exchange process with just his or her own operations, thereby increasing convenience for the player. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of an amusement park system according to one embodiment; [Diagram 2] Front view of a pachinko game machine and a counting rental unit [Diagram 3] Functional block diagram of the counting unit [Figure 4] Perspective view of the prize exchange counter [Diagram 5] Functional block diagram of settlement device [Figure 6] Perspective view of a POS terminal [Figure 7] POS terminal function block diagram [Figure 8] Front view of a leftover coin exchange ticket [Figure 9] FIG. 13 shows a standby screen of the settlement device. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 shows a card reading screen of the settlement device. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a payment dispensing screen of the payment device. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a prize exchange confirmation screen of the settlement device. [Figure 13] A diagram showing the ball information transmission screen of a POS terminal [Figure 14] A diagram showing the special prize quantity confirmation screen on the POS terminal [Figure 15] A diagram showing the final confirmation screen of a POS terminal [Figure 16] A diagram showing the period during which cash settlement is possible and the period during which balls can be lent [Figure 17] A flowchart showing the operation of the game medium information transmission processing limiting means [Figure 18] Flowchart showing settlement period determination processing [Figure 19] Figure showing the confirmation screen [Figure 20] A flowchart showing the operation of the recording medium return unit. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 shows a display of a return notification DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of the game center system, and the game center system is configured as a part of the game center system. A number of game machines 1 are installed in the game center, and a counting and lending unit 2 and a game information display device 3 are installed corresponding to each game machine 1. A number of each of the game machines 1, the counting and lending unit 2, and the game information display device 3 are connected to a relay device 4. The relay device 4 is connected to a management device 6 via a LAN 5.

[0010] The management device 6 receives game signals transmitted from gaming machine side equipment such as the gaming machine 1 and the counting rental unit 2, and manages game data for each gaming machine 1 and personal data for each registered member player. Although detailed illustration is omitted, for example, several hundred gaming machines are installed in an amusement center, and multiple gaming machine islands with different rental prices (rental unit prices) of gaming media are formed. Figure 1 shows an example of a 4 yen pachinko island where the rental price of balls as a gaming medium is 4 yen, and a 1 yen pachinko island where the rental price is 1 yen.

[0011] Cards for identifying the gaming value acquired by a player include a general card 9 (recording medium) as a general recording medium shown in Fig. 3, and a membership card 10 as a membership recording medium. The general card 9 is issued to an unspecified number of players as a card valid only for that day. An IC chip 9a built into the general card 9 records a general ID that can identify the card 9, as well as deposit balance information that can identify the deposit information showing the deposit balance deposited in the counting and lending unit 2, and acquired value information that can identify the number of balls held per lending unit price, that is, the gaming value acquired by the player during that day.

[0012] The membership card 10 is a card that is valid until a preset expiration date (e.g., three years) and is issued to a player who has registered as a member in advance. The number of balls held and the number of balls saved corresponding to the membership card 10 are stored for each loan price in the member's account of the management device 6. The IC chip 10a built into the membership card 10 records a member ID that can identify the member of the card 10 as information that can identify the deposit balance and the gaming value of the member's account.

[0013] The management device 6 is equipped with a control unit including a CPU and a memory unit (not shown), a transmission / reception unit, output units such as a monitor 13 and a printer (not shown), and operation units such as a keyboard 14 and a mouse (not shown), and manages the operating status of various devices in the amusement facility, such as the gaming machine equipment, POS terminal 7 (prize exchange device, exchanged prize identification means, prize information transmission means, return notification means), and settlement device 8 (recording medium reading means, settlement period determination means, currency payout means, gaming medium information transmission means, gaming medium information transmission processing limiting means, limit release means, recording medium return means), and manages the amount of gaming value and deposit balance for each player based on various signals received from various devices.

[0014] The gaming machine 1 shown in Fig. 2 is a CR pachinko machine, and has an operating handle 16, an upper tray 17, and a lower tray 18 that constitute a launching device that launches balls onto a board 15, and also has a liquid crystal display unit 19, a starting hole 20, and a big prize hole 21 on the board 15. When a player operates the operating handle 16, a ball is launched onto the board 15, and if the ball enters the starting hole 20, a number of balls corresponding to the winning is paid out and a big prize lottery is held. In the big prize lottery, a pattern change is performed on the liquid crystal display unit 19 based on a so-called special pattern, and a big prize occurs when the stopped and displayed pattern is a big prize pattern. When a big prize occurs, the big prize hole 21 is opened for, for example, 15 rounds.

[0015] Depending on the progress of the game, such as the player shooting balls and winning into the starting port 20 and the big prize port 21, the equipment on the gaming machine outputs various gaming signals, such as an out signal that can identify the number of out balls indicating the number of gaming media inserted into the gaming machine 1, a safe signal that can identify the number of safe balls indicating the number of gaming media paid out from the gaming machine 1 as a result of winning, and a status signal that can identify the big win state that has occurred on the gaming machine 1.

[0016] The counting and lending unit 2 has a status display unit 22 that shows the current operating status, a bill insertion slot 23 into which bills are inserted, a touch panel type liquid crystal display unit 24 that accepts operation input from the player and displays various data such as the deposit balance, the number of balls held, and the number of balls stored, a payout button 25 for paying out one unit of balls (equivalent to 500 yen), a payout nozzle 26 through which the paid out balls pass, a remote control light receiving unit 27 that receives (receives light from) a signal from a remote control carried by an employee, a card insertion slot 28 into which a general card 9 or a member card 10 is inserted, and a counting tray 29 detachably connected to the lower tray 18 of the gaming machine 1. The counting and lending unit 2 is capable of detecting the operation of a lending button 30 and a return button 31 provided on the gaming machine 1.

[0017] 3 shows a functional block diagram of the counting and lending unit 2. The counting and lending unit 2 is configured with a control unit 32 configured with a microcomputer having a CPU 32a, a ROM 32b, a RAM 32c, and an I / O 32d, and peripheral units connected to the control unit 32. The peripheral parts include an I / F unit 33 which transmits and receives various signals and information between the management device 6 and the gaming machine 1, a banknote processing unit 34 which determines the authenticity of banknotes inserted into the banknote insertion slot 23, an LCD display unit 24, a touch panel 35 provided on the LCD display unit 24, a card R / W 36 which reads and writes various information recorded on the general card 9 or membership card 10 inserted into the card insertion slot 28, a card stock unit 37 which can store up to 10 general cards 9, a remote control light receiving unit 27, a payout button 25, a payout unit 38 which pays out one unit of balls (for example, 500 yen) from the payout nozzle 26 when the payout button 25 is operated, and a counting unit 39 which counts the balls flowing in from the counting tray 29.

[0018] The counting loan unit 2 has the following functions: (1) When a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 23, the denomination of the inserted bill (in units of 1000 yen) is stored, and the inserted amount (deposit balance) is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 24. (2) When the loan button 30 of the gaming machine 1 is operated, a loan process is performed in which the number of balls equivalent to one time (500 yen) is paid out from the payout unit 38 within the range of the deposit balance in response to the operation of the loan button 30. If the counting loan unit 2 is installed on a 4-yen pachinko island, 125 balls are paid out, and if the counting loan unit 2 is installed on a 1-yen pachinko island, 500 balls are paid out. At this time, a signal indicating that one time's worth of balls has been paid out is transmitted from the gaming machine 1 to the counting loan unit 2, so that one time's worth of balls (500 yen) is subtracted from the deposit balance displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 24, and a sales signal indicating the number of loaned balls, which can be specified, is transmitted to the management device 6. This sales signal is transmitted as one pulse each time one time's worth of balls is paid out, so that the management device 6 specifies one pulse as the sales amount of 500 yen.

[0019] (3) When the balls that fall from the lower tray 18 of the gaming machine 1 are received in the counting tray 29, the balls received in the counting tray 29 flow into the counting unit 39, whereby a counting process is performed to count the balls, which are gaming media (game value), and the counted number of balls held is displayed on the LCD display unit 24. (4) When the payout button 25 is operated, a number of balls equivalent to one time (500 yen) within the range of the number of balls held or the number of saved balls (in the case of the membership card 10) is paid out from the payout section 38 in accordance with the operation of the payout button 25.

[0020] (5) When the return button 31 of the gaming machine 1 is operated, the deposit balance and the number of balls held at that time are recorded on the general card 9 according to the operation of the return button 31, and the general card 9 is issued. If the member card 10 is inserted into the card insertion port 28, the deposit balance is recorded on the member card 10, and the number of balls held is sent to the management device 6 on the condition that the PIN number is entered, and the member card 10 is issued. When the general card 9 or member card 10 is issued, an issuance signal that can identify the information recorded on these cards 9, 10 (deposit balance and number of balls held) is sent to the management device 6 along with the general ID and member ID, so that the management device 6 also stores and manages the information recorded on the cards 9, 10. If neither of the cards 9, 10 is inserted into the card insertion port 28, one of the general cards 9 stocked in the card stock section 37 is paid out, and the deposit balance and number of balls held are recorded by the card R / W 36 and issued.

[0021] (6) When the general card 9 is inserted into the card insertion slot 28, the credit balance and the number of balls held recorded on the general card 9 are read by the card R / W 36 and displayed on the liquid crystal display 24. When the general card 9 is accepted, the loan / return process is performed within the credit balance and the number of balls held recorded on the general card 9.

[0022] (7) When the member card 10 is inserted into the card insertion slot 28, the credit balance recorded on the member card 10 is read by the card R / W 36 and displayed on the LCD display 24, and also displays the number of held balls and the number of saved balls stored in the member's account in the management device 6, provided that a PIN number is entered. When the member card 10 is accepted, the loan / return process is carried out within the range of the credit balance recorded on the member card 10 and the number of held balls and the number of saved balls in the member's account.

[0023] Now, although the general card 9 needs to be collected when the player finishes playing, in the case of a self-service system, there is a risk that a player may take the general card 9 home maliciously or carelessly, resulting in a loss for the gaming parlor, so even in a self-service system, the general card 9 is reliably collected. As for the member card 10, since it does not need to be collected even in a self-service system, the conventional settlement device 8 and POS terminal 7 (not shown) perform settlement processing and prize exchange processing.

[0024] A configuration for reliably collecting the general card 9 even in a self-service system will be described below. A prize exchange counter 40 shown in Fig. 4 is installed in one corner of the game center. This prize exchange counter 40 is for carrying out settlement processing and prize exchange processing for general cards 9, and is configured by combining a settlement device 8, a POS terminal 7, a prize payout device 41 (prize payout means), and a leftover prize corner 42 (see Fig. 1). In the case of this embodiment, the POS terminal 7 and the prize payout device 41 are stored in a single housing 43 and are configured as an integrated unit, and the leftover prize corner 42 is arranged on the housing 43.

[0025] 1, the POS terminal 7, the settlement device 8, and the prize payout device 41 are connected to the management device 6 via a LAN 5. In addition, the POS terminal 7 and the prize payout device 41 are directly connected, and the settlement device 8 and the POS terminal 7 are directly connected. First, a description will be given of the settlement device 8. As shown in Fig. 4, the settlement device 8 is provided with a touch panel type display unit 44, a card insertion slot 45, a bill return slot 46, and a coin return slot 47.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 5, the settlement device 8 is composed of a control unit 48 consisting of a microcomputer having a CPU 48a, ROM 48b, RAM 48c, and I / O 48d, a display unit 44 connected to the control unit 48, a touch panel 49 arranged on the display unit 44, a banknote dispensing unit 50 that dispenses banknotes to the banknote return port 46, a coin dispensing unit 51 that dispenses coins to the coin return port 47, an alarm lamp unit 52 for notifying the status or abnormality of the settlement device 8, a card R / W 53 for reading information from a general card 9 inserted into the card insertion port 45, a stock unit 54 that collects the general card 9 located on the card R / W 53, as well as an I / F unit 55 for transmitting and receiving various signals and various information between the management device 6 and the POS terminal 7.

[0027] When the general card 9 is inserted into the card insertion slot 45, the settlement device 8 reads the deposit balance recorded on the inserted general card 9 with the card R / W 53, displays the read deposit balance on the display unit 44, and executes a settlement process to return the card in cash such as bills or coins from each return slot 46, 47, and then collects the general card 9 into the stock unit 54. At this time, if the number of balls held is recorded on the inserted general card 9, the settlement device 8 executes a transmission process (game medium information transmission process) to transmit held ball information (game medium information) indicating the number of balls held (number of game media) to the POS terminal 7, and then collects the card. When the settlement device 8 handles the deposit balance and held balls recorded on the general card 9, it processes them after checking them against the deposit balance and held balls previously stored by the management device 6 corresponding to the general card 9.

[0028] Next, the configuration of the POS terminal 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 6, the POS terminal 7 is composed of a main body 56 and a touch panel type display 57 that can communicate with the main body 56. The display 57 displays the information necessary for prize exchange and executes a predetermined prize exchange process in response to touch operations by the player.

[0029] 7 shows a functional block diagram of the POS terminal 7. The POS terminal 7 includes a control unit 58 configured by a microcomputer having a CPU 58a, a ROM 58b, a RAM 58c, and an I / O 58d, a display unit 57 connected to the control unit 58, a touch panel 59 arranged on the display unit 57, and an I / F unit 60 for transmitting and receiving various signals and various information between the management device 6, the settlement device 8, and the prize payout device 41.

[0030] The POS terminal 7 identifies the type and number of special prizes based on the ball information sent from the settlement device 8, and instructs the prize payout device 41 to pay out the special prizes. The prize payout device 41 stores multiple types of special prizes in a prize stock section (not shown) inside the main body, and automatically pays out the special prizes in response to a payout instruction from the POS terminal 7. The special prizes are resin cards with built-in IC chips, and come in three denominations: 5,000 yen, 1,000 yen, and 200 yen. If any leftover balls are generated when the prize exchange is completed, a leftover ball exchange ticket 61 shown in FIG. 8 is issued. The leftover ball exchange ticket 61 is printed with leftover ball exchange information indicating the unit amount of leftover balls and their number (amount), and a message indicating the type and number of leftover ball prizes that can be selected within the amount range.

[0031] Next, a method of operation when a player wishes to settle the account and exchange the general card 9 for a prize will be described. The player first moves to the settlement device 8 constituting the prize exchange counter 40. The settlement device 8 displays a standby screen shown in FIG. 9 on the display unit 44. A message prompting the player to insert the general card 9 is displayed on this standby screen.

[0032] When a player inserts a general card 9 into the settlement device 8, the settlement device 8 reads the deposit balance recorded on the inserted general card 9 and displays the card reading screen of Fig. 10. This card reading screen displays the deposit balance and settlement amount (= deposit balance) read from the general card 9, and if there are balls recorded on the general card 9, a message indicating that there are balls is displayed, and further displays a "Cancel" button 62 and a "Settlement" button 63. If the read general card 9 does not have a recorded credit balance, the message "No credit balance" is displayed.

[0033] When the player touches the "Settlement" button 63, the settlement device 8 executes a settlement process to pay out the remaining deposit amount to the player, and displays the settlement payout screen of Fig. 11. The settlement payout screen displays the remaining deposit amount, the settlement amount, and the payout amount (= settlement amount), as well as a message warning the player not to forget to take the settlement amount. If the read general card 9 does not record any held balls, the deposit balance recorded on the general card 9 is initialized to 0 and then collected into the stock section 54.

[0034] Next, if the read general card 9 has balls recorded on it, the settlement device 8 displays a message encouraging the player to exchange for a prize, as shown in the prize exchange confirmation screen of Figure 12, and also displays a ``Cancel'' button 62 and a ``Prize Exchange'' button 64. When the player touches the "prize exchange" button 64, a transmission process is executed to read the number of balls held from the general card 9 and transmit it to the POS terminal 7, and the deposit balance and number of balls held recorded on the general card 9 are initialized to 0 before being collected into the stock section 54. Then, a message prompting the player to perform an operation on the POS terminal 7 is displayed, as shown in the held ball information transmission screen of Fig. 13. The held ball information transmission screen of Fig. 13 is automatically erased in 10 seconds, and the standby screen of Fig. 9 is displayed.

[0035] As described above, when a player who has completed the settlement process at the settlement device 8 wishes to continue with the prize exchange, the player is transferred to the POS terminal 7. The POS terminal 7 displays the special prize number confirmation screen of Fig. 14 based on the held ball information transmitted from the settlement device 8. This special prize number confirmation screen displays a message prompting a confirmation operation, ball unit price, held ball / end ball information indicating held balls and end balls, special prize information indicating the number of each exchangeable special prize, a "call attendant" button 65, and a "confirm" button 66.

[0036] A large special prize is worth 5,000 yen, a medium special prize is worth 1,000 yen, and a small special prize is worth 200 yen. For example, the calculation of the number of special prizes is as follows: 4 yen pachinko = 1915 balls (7,660 yen) = 1,250 balls x 1 + 250 balls x 2 + 50 balls x 3 + 15 balls = large special prize (5,000 yen) x 1 + medium special prize (1,000 yen) x 2 + small special prize (200 yen) x 3 + end ball (60 yen).

[0037] When the player presses the "Confirm" button 66, the POS terminal 7 displays the final confirmation screen of Fig. 15. This final confirmation screen displays a message prompting the player to confirm, prize information indicating the number of each exchangeable special prize and each end ball prize, and a "Confirm" button 67 instead of the "Confirm" button 66.

[0038] When the player touches the "Confirm" button 67, the POS terminal 7 executes a prize information transmission process for transmitting prize information to the prize payout device 41. The prize payout device 41 executes a prize payout process for paying out to the player the corresponding number of special prizes that were the subject of exchange in the exchange process based on the prize information transmitted from the POS terminal 7, and issues a leftover ball exchange ticket 61 as shown in FIG. 7 if there are leftover balls.

[0039] When a player receives the leftover ball exchange ticket 61, he or she proceeds to the leftover ball prize corner 42 and selects the desired leftover ball prize corresponding to the information recorded on the leftover ball exchange ticket 61. The leftover ball prize corner 42 is unmanned, and players are free to choose prizes within the exchangeable range and take them home. The leftover ball prizes include miscellaneous goods and sweets, and are categorized on display shelves (A to E) according to price. The leftover ball prizes are categorized as follows: A is a general prize worth 100 yen, B is a general prize worth 50 yen, C is a general prize worth 10 yen, D is a general prize worth 5 yen, and E is a general prize worth 1 yen. In this manner, the player can settle the remaining deposit at the settlement device 8, exchange the balls acquired at the POS terminal 7 for special prizes, and exchange the end balls for end ball prizes at the end ball prize corner 42.

[0040] Incidentally, many gaming parlors define the period during which cash settlement is possible and the period during which ball lending is possible (settlement period information) for the deposit balance recorded on the general card 9, and many gaming parlors allow cash settlement only on the day the cash is deposited. The period during which cash settlement is possible can be set in advance by the management device 6. For example, the deposit date is recorded on the general card 9, and the period during which cash settlement and ball lending are possible can be set by setting the number of days from the deposit date during which cash settlement and ball lending are possible.

[0041] In the example shown in Fig. 16, the period during which cash settlement is possible is set to one day from the date of deposit, and the period during which ball lending is possible is set to seven days. Even if the deposit balance is recorded on the general card 9 but cash settlement is not made on the day of deposit, ball lending is possible from the next day onwards, but cash settlement is not possible. For this reason, settlement processing cannot be performed on a general card 9 whose settlement deadline has expired, and prize exchange processing cannot be performed consecutively.

[0042] For these reasons, in this embodiment, the prize exchange process can be executed even with a general card 9 whose settlement period has expired. That is, when a general card 9 is inserted and the deposit balance recorded on the general card 9 exceeds the settlement period, the settlement device 8 restricts the payout of currency, and further restricts the transmission of information on the held balls recorded on the general card 9 to the POS terminal 7 by the game medium information transmission processing restriction means. On the other hand, if the player agrees not to settle the deposit balance by the restriction release means, the held ball information is transmitted to the POS terminal 7 to execute the prize exchange. By providing the game medium information transmission processing restriction means and the restriction release means in this way, it becomes possible to execute the prize exchange process even for a general card 9 whose settlement period has expired.

[0043] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, the game medium information transmission process limiting means executes a settlement period determination process for determining whether or not the settlement period has expired (S1). As shown in Fig. 18, in the settlement period determination process, a recording medium is read to obtain the deposit information recorded on the inserted general card 9 (S101), and the deposit information is obtained (S102). Next, it is determined (settlement period determination means) whether the deposit balance corresponding to the obtained deposit information is within the settlement period (S103). If it is within the settlement period (S103: YES), the money corresponding to the deposit balance is paid out (S104). If the settlement period has passed (S103: NO), a money payout suppression state is set to suppress the payout of money (S105).

[0044] 17, when the settlement device 8 judges that the settlement period has expired by the settlement period judgment process described above (S2: YES), it restricts the game medium information transmission process that transmits the held ball information (game medium information) recorded on the general card 9 to the POS terminal 7 (S3). As a result, prize exchange based on the held ball information is not performed. At this time, the display unit 44 of the settlement device 8 displays a confirmation screen as shown in Fig. 19. The confirmation screen displays a message informing the user that the settlement period has passed and that the remaining balance cannot be settled, and asks whether to continue with the prize exchange, as well as a "Yes" button 68, a "No" button 69, and a "Call attendant" button 70 that can be operated by the touch panel.

[0045] When the player touches the "Yes" button 68, the restriction is released and the ball information (game medium information) recorded on the general card 9 is sent to the POS terminal 7 (S5). This enables the POS terminal 7 to exchange for prizes based on the ball information. When the "No" button 69 is touched (when the restriction release means does not accept the restriction release), after confirming that the "Call Attendant" button 70 has not been touched (S6: NO), the restriction is released and the general card 9 (recording medium) is returned to end the processing by the settlement device 8 (S10).

[0046] On the other hand, if the player touches the "call attendant" button 70 (S6: YES), an attendant (game facility employee) can be called. When the called attendant performs a specified restriction release operation on the settlement device 8, the restriction release operation is accepted (S7) and currency corresponding to the deposited balance is paid out (S8). This makes it possible to settle the balance even if the deposited balance has exceeded the settlement period. After the deposited balance has been settled, the ball information recorded on the general card 9 is sent to the POS terminal 7 (S9). This allows the player to continue with the prize exchange process. In consideration of the security of the gaming facility, the management device 6 may be configured to display a screen informing that an employee has performed an operation to release the restriction.

[0047] Now, if it is made possible to exchange a general card 9 on which a deposit balance is recorded when the settlement period has expired for a prize, when the prize payout process is executed through prize exchange, it is necessary to return the general card 9 on which the deposit balance is recorded to the player, so a recording medium return means is provided.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 20, when held ball information is sent from the settlement device 8 to the POS terminal 7 (S21), the POS terminal 7 identifies a prize corresponding to the held ball information (S22). The POS terminal 7 sends prize information regarding the identified prize to the prize payout device (S23). When the prize payout device receives the prize information, it performs a payout process for the prize corresponding to the prize information (S24). When the prize is paid out, the held ball information (game medium information) recorded on the general card 9 is updated (S25), and the settlement device 8 returns the general card 9 on which the deposited balance is recorded (recording medium return process).

[0049] In the above manner, the general card 9 can be returned to the player, but if the player does not notice the return of the general card 9, it is expected that the player will go home without notifying the player. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, a return notification means is provided for displaying a return notification on the display unit of the POS terminal 7. That is, the return notification means displays, as a return notification, a message to warn the player not to forget to take the general card 9. This can reliably prevent the player from forgetting to take the general card 9. The return notification means may be configured to notify by voice in addition to or instead of the display on the display unit. In this case, the POS terminal 7 is configured to have an output unit that outputs voice.

[0050] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. The settlement device 8 is capable of executing the prize exchange process without settling the remaining balance even when a general card 9 whose settlement deadline for the remaining balance has expired is inserted, so that the player can carry out the prize exchange process by operating it himself / herself, thereby increasing the convenience for the player. After the prize exchange process is executed, the general card 9 with the credit balance is returned to the player, so that the player can play on the gaming machine again using the general card 9 with the credit balance, thereby improving the convenience for the player.

[0051] When returning the general card 9 with a credit balance to the player after the execution of the prize exchange process, the player is notified of the fact that the card will be returned, so that the player can be prevented from forgetting to take the general card 9 and convenience for the player can be improved. Even when a general card 9 whose settlement period for the deposited balance has expired is inserted, the balance can be settled by an operation by an employee, so that the request of the player can be met and the convenience of the player can be improved.

[0052] (Other embodiments) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be modified or expanded as follows, or each modified example can be combined with the above-described embodiment, or each modified example can be combined. The settlement period for the deposit balance is not limited to this embodiment, and may be set arbitrarily by the arcade manager. For example, the settlement period may be set to 7 days, and the ball lending period may be set to 30 days. In addition, if the ball lending period is exceeded, ball lending may be restricted and ball lending may be limited to business days through the operation of arcade employees.

[0053] When a general card 9 that has exceeded the settlement period is inserted, the transmission of game medium information from the settlement device 8 to the POS terminal 7 is restricted, and the restriction is lifted by the player at the settlement device 8, but the game medium information may be transmitted to the POS terminal 7 without accepting the lifting of the restriction by the player. Even in this case, the recording medium is returned when the prize exchange process is completed, and a return notification is issued. When the return notification means is being executed in the POS terminal 7, the settlement device 8 may be configured to perform a similar notification. In that case, the notification may be performed on a display unit or a notification lamp unit of the settlement device 8.

[0054] The deposit balance information and ball holding information are recorded directly on the card, but they may also be linked to the card ID, recorded in a management device, and read out from the management device each time. Although the settlement period information is the date of deposit of the currency, the number of days that have passed since the deposit may be used as the settlement period information instead of the date of deposit. (Regarding the operation to release the restriction) The arcade may be set in advance to not allow the settlement of the remaining balance of the card that has exceeded the settlement period. In that case, the "call attendant" button 70 may not be displayed or may be inactive. Also, when an employee releases the restriction, the ball information may be sent to the POS terminal without paying out any money.

[0055] The settlement device 8 is designed to always perform settlement processing when there is a deposit balance, but it may be configured to not perform settlement processing depending on the player's selection (selection means), and to only perform prize exchange by transmitting the ball information held to the POS terminal 7. In this case, since it is necessary to update the ball information recorded on the general card 9 in response to the prize exchange processing, the settlement device 8 is configured to receive the ball information held at the end of the prize exchange processing from the POS terminal 7, rewrite the ball information on the general card 9, and return the general card 9.

[0056] The settlement device 8 may be configured to accept the membership card 10 and execute settlement processing and prize exchange processing. In this case, the membership card 10 is always returned to the player regardless of the deposit balance and the number of balls held. As in the past, a separate prize exchange counter that can be operated by employees may be provided. The settlement device 8, the POS terminal 7, and the prize dispensing device 41 may be housed in a single housing and configured as an integrated unit.

[0057] The extra prizes are given out in a so-called buffet style, allowing players to freely take home prizes of their choice, but employees may also hand them out to players according to their wishes. The types of prizes are limited to two types: special prizes and end-of-lot prizes. However, prizes other than end-of-lot prizes may also be prepared. The type of the special prize is not limited to that in the present embodiment, and may be of any shape and amount. Similarly, the type of the end prize may be of any shape and amount. A prize payout device may be installed to automatically pay out end prizes in the same way as special prizes.

[0058] The rental unit price of the gaming media can be set arbitrarily by the gaming arcade within the range stipulated by the rules. The rental unit price is not limited to two types, and may be three or more types. Although a gaming machine of the type that pays out actual gaming media in response to winning has been exemplified, an enclosed gaming machine that awards points instead of paying out gaming media may also be used. Although a pachinko machine is exemplified as the gaming machine, a slot machine may be used. Also, although balls are exemplified as the gaming medium, medals may be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] In the drawing, 7 is a POS terminal (prize exchange device, exchanged prize identification means, prize information transmission means, return notification means), 8 is a settlement device (recording medium reading means, settlement period determination means, currency dispensing means, game medium information transmission means, game medium information transmission processing limiting means, limit release means, recording medium return means), and 9 is a general card (recording medium).

Claims

1. In a gaming facility system having a prize payout device capable of executing a payout process for paying out prizes that are the subject of an exchange process to a player, an issuing means for issuing to a player a recording medium capable of recording deposit information indicating a deposit balance for receiving a loan of a gaming value and gaming value information indicating a gaming value acquired through a game in association with each other; a settlement means capable of executing a settlement process of dispensing money based on the deposit information recorded on the recording medium; a prize exchange means capable of executing a prize exchange process based on the game value information recorded on the recording medium; The recording medium records settlement period information indicating a period during which the remaining deposit can be settled, a recording medium reading means for receiving the recording medium and reading the deposit information, the gaming value information, and the settlement period information recorded on the recording medium; a settlement period determination means for determining whether or not the settlement period during which the deposit balance can be settled has expired based on the settlement period information read by the recording medium reading means; a money dispensing means for dispensing money based on the deposit information corresponding to the deposit balance when it is determined by the settlement period determination means that the settlement period of the deposit balance has not been exceeded, and for suppressing the dispensing of money based on the deposit information corresponding to the deposit balance when it is determined that the settlement period of the deposit balance has been exceeded; a game value information transmitting means for executing a game value information transmitting process for transmitting the game value information read by the recording medium reading means to the prize exchange device; a game value information transmission process limiting means for limiting the game value information transmission process in a money payout suppressed state in which the money payout means suppresses the payout of money; an operation receiving means for receiving a release operation for releasing the restriction on the gaming value information transmission process by the gaming value information transmission process limiting means; a restriction release means for releasing the restriction by accepting the release operation by the player through the operation acceptance means; A system for an amusement park comprising:

2. the operation receiving means receives a return operation for returning the recording medium by a player, 2. The game arcade system according to claim 1, wherein the restriction removing means removes the restriction and returns the recording medium when the player performs the return operation using the operating means.

3. 3. The game arcade system according to claim 1, wherein the operation receiving means receives a call operation by a player to call an employee of the game arcade.

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