Member management system, prize management device and member registration method

Abstract

To efficiently perform member registration and prize exchange if a game customer, who is waiting for prize exchange arrives when member registration is performed in a prize management device.SOLUTION: If a game customer A starts member registration (S1), a self prize management device 60 receives an input of member information in a display operation part 63. If another game customer forms a queue to exchange prizes while member registration is performed by the game customer A, a camera 61 detects the queue after the game customer A (S2). The member information received by the self prize management device 60 is notified to a worker's operation terminal 120 (S3), and the device receiving the member information is switched to the worker's operation terminal 120. Then, a worker is notified that the device receiving the member information has been switched through an intercom system 110 (S4).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a member management system, a prize management device, and a member registration method that can efficiently carry out member registration and prize exchange when a player waiting to exchange a prize arrives while member registration is being performed on a prize management device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, the prize counters at gaming establishments are equipped with prize management devices known as POS (Point Of Sales), which exchange the number of gaming media acquired by players for prizes (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] This prize management device is used not only for the prize exchange described above, but also when a non-member player registers as a new member. In the case of a manned counter where an employee is in charge of prize exchange, the employee will register the player as a member while explaining and confirming the input items, etc. This allows for a smooth member registration process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-060322 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when a player registers as a member at a prize management device installed at an unmanned counter, it takes more time to input membership information than at a manned counter, resulting in the problem of long queues of players wanting to exchange prizes at the prize management device.

[0006] In particular, the number of players wanting to exchange prizes increases sharply just before closing time, and it is possible that a player may not be able to exchange prizes for other players due to membership registration in the prize management device, and may not be able to exchange prizes by the time the amusement facility closes. Also, if a player who is currently registering as a member cancels his / her membership registration to allow other players to exchange their prizes, he / she may end up going home without receiving member services. Therefore, how to solve such problems is an important issue.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and aims to provide a membership management system, prize management device, and membership registration method that can efficiently carry out membership registration and prize exchange when a player waiting to exchange a prize arrives while membership registration is being performed on the prize management device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a membership management system having a prize management device that performs prize exchange for the number of gaming media acquired by a player and registers customers who visit an amusement facility as members, the prize management device comprising a prize exchange means that performs prize exchange for the number of gaming media associated with the identification information of a storage medium, a membership information notification means that accepts the input of a player's membership information and notifies other input devices of the completed input membership information, an imaging means that captures images of players waiting to exchange for prizes, a determination means that identifies the number of players waiting to exchange for prizes based on images captured by the imaging means, and a control means that controls the transfer of the membership information being input to another input device when the determination means determines that the number of players waiting to exchange for prizes is equal to or greater than a predetermined number while the player's membership information is being input.

[0009] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the control means controls the member information that is in the process of being input to be transferred to another input device, and then allows other players to exchange the information for prizes.

[0010] In addition, in the above invention, the other input device is characterized in that it comprises a reception means for receiving member information notified by the member information notification means or the control means, and a member registration processing means for receiving additional input of the member information received by the reception means and making a member registration request to the member management device including the member information that has already been input.

[0011] In the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, the other input device is an employee operation terminal.

[0012] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the prize management device further includes a notification means for notifying the user if membership information that is in the process of being input is transferred to another input device by the control means.

[0013] The present invention also provides a prize management device that performs prize exchange for the number of gaming media acquired by a player and registers customers who visit an amusement facility as members, and is characterized in that it comprises a prize exchange means that performs prize exchange for the number of gaming media associated with the identification information of a storage medium, a membership information notification means that accepts the input of a player's membership information and notifies another input device of the completed input membership information, an imaging means that captures images of players waiting to exchange for prizes, a determination means that identifies the number of players waiting to exchange for prizes based on images captured by the imaging means, and a control means that, when the number of players waiting to exchange for prizes reaches or exceeds a predetermined number as determined by the determination means while the player's membership information is being input, controls the transfer of the membership information that was being input to another input device.

[0014] The present invention also relates to a membership registration method in a membership management system having a prize management device which performs prize exchange for the number of gaming media acquired by a player and registers customers who visit an amusement facility as members, and which includes a prize exchange process in which the prize management device performs prize exchange for the number of gaming media associated with the identification information of a storage medium, a membership information notification process in which the prize management device accepts the input of the player's membership information and notifies another input device of the completed input membership information, an imaging process in which an imaging device captures images of players waiting to exchange for prizes, an identification process in which the prize management device identifies the number of players waiting to exchange for prizes based on the images captured by the imaging process, and a control process in which the prize management device controls the membership information being input to be transferred to another input device when the number of players waiting to exchange for prizes becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined number as a result of the identification process while the player's membership information is being input. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, when a player waiting to exchange a prize arrives while member registration is being performed in the prize management device, member registration and prize exchange can be carried out efficiently. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of a member management system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the member management system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the self-service prize management device and the card collection machine shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the self prize management device shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the prize inventory data, the holding value data, and the member registration data shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the employee-operated terminal shown in FIG. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the member registration data shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the self prize management device of embodiment 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating a process procedure related to member registration according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating a process procedure related to member registration according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of a member management system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of a member management system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of an overview of a member management system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic explanatory diagram (part 2) of the member management system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of a member management system according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating an overview of a member management system according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic explanatory diagram (part 2) of the member management system according to the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] [Embodiment 1] The member management system, prize management device, and member registration method according to the first embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0018] 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 playable balls that a player can use for a game. Furthermore, a "prize" is a prize that can be exchanged for the number of gaming media acquired by a player.

[0019] <Overview of the member management system according to the first embodiment> First, an overview of the member management system according to the present embodiment 1 will be described. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the member management system according to the present embodiment 1.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, when a player A starts membership registration (S1), the self prize management device 60 accepts input of membership information on the display operation section 63.

[0021] If other players form a queue to exchange prizes while Player A is registering as a member, the camera 61 detects the queue behind Player A (S2). The member information accepted by the self prize management device 60 is notified to the employee operation terminal 120 (S3), and the device that accepts member information is switched to the employee operation terminal 120. In this way, when a queue of players is detected, the device that accepts member information can be switched without any operation. Then, a notification that the device that accepts member information has been switched is sent to the intercom 110 worn by the employee (S4).

[0022] In this way, in the membership management system of this embodiment 1, if a player is registering as a member on the self-prize management device and other players form a queue, the device that accepts membership registrations is switched to an employee-operated terminal and the employee is notified.Therefore, if a player arrives waiting to exchange a prize while registering as a member on the prize management device, membership registration and prize exchange can be carried out efficiently.

[0023] <System configuration> Next, the system configuration of the member management system according to the present embodiment 1 will be described. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the member management system according to the present embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 2, a gaming establishment is equipped with a plurality of gaming machines 20 and an inter-machine card processor 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20. The inter-machine card processor 10 is connected to a communication line, which is a network within the establishment, via an island controller 30. The island controller 30, a management device 50, a self-prize management device 60, a prize payout device 80, a settlement machine 90, and a wireless router 100 are connected to the communication line.

[0024] The self-service prize management device 60 is communicatively connected to the card collection machine 70. The intercom 110 and the employee operation terminal 120 are connected to the wireless router 100 by short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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 has a prize ball memory for storing the number of game balls to be awarded as prize balls for each winning area, and a playable number memory for indicating the number of balls managed by the gaming machine. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also periodically transmits the number of balls managed by the gaming machine to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0027] 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 a card ID 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, possessed 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, possessed 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 deposit, card insertion, and card ejection to the management device 50.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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 as operating information.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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. Also, 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] The between-machine card processor 10 performs various display controls based on the state of the gaming machine 20, and transmits the state of the gaming machine 20 to the management device 50. The between-machine card processor 10 stores the number of gaming machine balls notified by the gaming machine 20, and periodically notifies the management device 50 of the number of gaming machine balls and the number of balls held.

[0036] 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.

[0037] When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it manages the card ID of the inserted card 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] The management device 50 also acquires a gaming machine ID from the inter-machine card processor 10 and manages the gaming machines 20 installed in its own arcade. It also acquires an authentication key for authenticating the gaming machines 20 set in its own arcade from an authentication key management center (not shown) outside the arcade and distributes it to the inter-machine card processor 10.

[0041] The management device 50 also manages the member management data of the members who are registered with the gaming establishment. When the management device 50 receives the member registration data from the employee operation terminal 120, it issues a unique member ID, associates this member ID with the received member registration data, and stores it in the member management data. In addition, the management device 50 uses this member management data to manage saved balls and points.

[0042] Furthermore, 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. Furthermore, 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.

[0043] In addition, when the management device 50 receives queue occurrence information or input completion information from the self prize management device 60, it transmits audio data corresponding to the respective information to the intercom 110.

[0044] The self-service prize management device 60 is a device that controls prize exchange during self-service operation and performs member registration processing. When the self-service prize management device 60 receives prize inventory data from the prize payout device 80, it stores the received data in the prize inventory data.

[0045] Furthermore, when the self prize management device 60 receives a card ID and the number of held balls from the card collection machine 70, it requests the management device 50 for the balance of held and saved balls associated with this card ID. When the self prize management device 60 receives the balance of held and saved balls associated with the card ID from the management device 50, it checks whether the balance matches the number of held balls received from the card collection machine 70, and stores the balance of held and saved balls in the holding value data.

[0046] Furthermore, when the self prize management device 60 receives an exchange instruction, it notifies the management device 50 of a ball withdrawal notice including the number of balls required for prize exchange. Then, it transmits the number of balls held after withdrawal to the card collection machine 70. Note that if the card inserted in the card collection machine 70 is a normal card and the number of balls held after withdrawal is "0", it notifies the card collection machine 70 of a card collection instruction.

[0047] In addition, when the self prize management device 60 has finished transmitting the number of balls held after receiving the exchange instruction or notifying the card collection instruction, it issues a receipt on which the name of the prize to be exchanged and the number of prizes are printed. Then, it notifies the prize payout device 80 of the payout instruction.

[0048] In addition, when the self prize management device 60 receives a member registration start operation, it displays a member registration screen on the display operation unit and receives input of member information. Then, when the member information is received, the member information is stored in the member registration data.

[0049] In addition, when the self prize management device 60 receives member information from a mobile terminal not shown, it displays this member information on the display operation unit and stores it in the member registration data.

[0050] Furthermore, when the self prize management device 60 receives an input completion operation from the display operation unit, it transmits the member registration data to the employee operation terminal 120 and notifies the management device 50 of the input completion information. Then, a standby screen is displayed on the display operation unit.

[0051] Furthermore, if the self prize management device 60 detects a queue of players while displaying the member registration screen on the display operation section, it transmits member registration data to the employee operation terminal 120 and notifies the management device 50 of queue occurrence information. Then, a standby screen is displayed on the display operation section.

[0052] The card collection machine 70 is a device that reads and collects cards. When the card collection machine 70 accepts a card, it reads the card ID and the number of balls held, and transmits them to the self prize management device 60.

[0053] In addition, when the card collection machine 70 receives the number of balls held from the self prize management device 60, it writes this number of balls held onto a card, and when it receives an instruction to collect the card, it collects the inserted card into a storage section not shown.

[0054] The prize payout device 80 is a device that pays out prizes. If the number of prizes in stock changes, the prize payout device 80 transmits the current number of prizes in stock to the self prize management device 60 as prize stock data.

[0055] Furthermore, when the prize payout device 80 receives a payout instruction from the self prize management device 60, it pays out the prize related to this payout instruction.

[0056] The settlement device 90 is a device that settles the balance of the prepaid value associated with the card. When the settlement device 90 accepts a card ID, it notifies the management device 50 of a request for the balance of the prepaid value associated with this card ID. When the settlement device 90 receives the balance of the prepaid value associated with the card from the management device 50, it performs settlement processing.

[0057] The wireless router 100 connects to the intercom 110 and the employee operation terminal 120 using short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). It relays communications between the management device 50 and the intercom 110 and employee operation terminal 120, as well as communications between the self prize management device 60 and the employee operation terminal 120. The intercom 110 is worn by an employee, receives audio data from the management device 50 via the wireless router 100, and outputs this audio data from a speaker.

[0058] The employee operation terminal 120 is a device for employees to register as members. When the employee operation terminal 120 receives member registration data from the self prize management device 60, it stores the received data as member registration data and displays it on the display operation unit.

[0059] Furthermore, when the employee operation terminal 120 receives member information from the display operation unit, it stores the received information in the member registration data and updates it.

[0060] Furthermore, when the employee operation terminal 120 receives an input completion operation from the display operation unit, it continues to receive an input of a PIN number. Then, the employee operation terminal 120 includes the received PIN number in the member registration data and transmits it to the management device 50.

[0061] Next, a description will be given of the ball lending process in the member management system according to the present embodiment 1. 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] Next, the held ball replay process in the member management system according to the present embodiment 1 will be described. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a general card or a member 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] Next, the stored ball replay process in the member management system according to the present embodiment 1 will be described. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a member card or reads identification information corresponding to the card ID from a mobile terminal that can be used as a member 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 in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 (or identification information corresponding to the card ID read from the mobile terminal), 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] <External configuration of the self-service prize management device 60 and the card collection machine 70> Next, a description will be given of the external configuration of the self-service prize management device 60 and the card collection machine 70 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the self-service prize management device 60 and the card collection machine 70 shown in Fig. 2.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 3, the self-service prize management device 60 is a small computer operated by a player and is placed on a table of a prize counter installed at a predetermined position in the gaming establishment. The self-service prize management device 60 is connected to a card collecting machine 70, a camera 61, and a receipt issuing unit 62, and has a display operation unit 63.

[0079] The card collection machine 70 is a device that reads and collects cards. When a card is inserted, the card collection machine 70 reads the card ID and notifies the self-prize management device 60. When the card collection machine 70 receives a card collection instruction from the self-prize management device 60, it collects the inserted card into a storage unit (not shown).

[0080] The camera 61 is an input device that captures an image of the area behind the player operating the display operation unit 63. The receipt issuing unit 62 is a thermal printer or the like, and issues various receipts, such as receipts on which information specifying the selected prize is printed. The display operation unit 63 is an input / output device, such as a liquid crystal touch panel, that is used by the player.

[0081] <Configuration of the self-service prize management device 60> Next, the configuration of the self prize management device 60 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the self prize management device 60 shown in Fig. 2. Note that a description of the functional parts of the self prize management device 60 shown in Fig. 3 will be omitted.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 4, the self-prize management device 60 is connected to a camera 61 and a receipt issuing unit 62, and has a display operation unit 63, a communication unit 65, a memory unit 66, and a control unit 67. Although not shown here, a store clerk tag reader that reads the identification code of a store clerk tag carried by a store clerk can also be provided. The employee operating the self-prize management device 60 is identified by such identification code. Also, a mobile terminal reader that reads the ID from the mobile terminal of a registered player can also be provided.

[0083] The communication unit 65 is an interface unit for the self prize management device 60 to communicate with the management device 50, the prize payout device 80, and the employee operation terminal 120 via a communication line, and also to communicate with a mobile terminal (not shown) owned by a player using short-distance wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). It is also an interface unit for communicating with the card collection machine 70.

[0084] The memory unit 66 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or non-volatile memory, and stores prize inventory data 66a, holding value data 66b, and member registration data 66c.

[0085] The prize inventory data 66a is data for managing the inventory of prizes in the attached prize payout device 80. The held value data 66b is data indicating the value associated with the card read by the card collection machine 70. The member registration data 66c is data indicating information relating to the member that is temporarily stored for member registration.

[0086] The control unit 67 is a control unit that controls the entire self-prize management device 60, and includes a prize inventory management unit 67a, a holding value management unit 67b, a prize exchange control unit 67c, a receipt issuing processing unit 67d, a prize payout control unit 67e, a member information reception unit 67f, a queue detection unit 67g, a member information notification unit 67h, an employee notification unit 67i, and a member registration unit 67j. In practice, the programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (not shown), and these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed, thereby causing the prize inventory management unit 67a, the holding value management unit 67b, the prize exchange control unit 67c, the receipt issuing processing unit 67d, the prize payout control unit 67e, the member information reception unit 67f, the queue detection unit 67g, the member information notification unit 67h, the employee notification unit 67i, and the member registration unit 67j to execute processes corresponding to each of them.

[0087] The prize inventory management unit 67a is a processing unit that manages the prize inventory data 66a. When the prize inventory management unit 67a receives the prize inventory data from the prize payout device 80, the prize inventory management unit 67a stores the received data in the prize inventory data 66a.

[0088] The holding value management unit 67b is a processing unit that manages the holding value data 66b. When the holding value management unit 67b receives a card ID from the card collection machine 70, it requests the management device 50 for the balance of the held balls and the saved balls associated with this card ID.

[0089] In addition, when the holding value management unit 67b receives the balance of held balls and saved balls associated with the card ID from the management device 50, it stores the balance of held balls and saved balls in the holding value data 66b.

[0090] The prize exchange control unit 67c is a processing unit that controls the prize exchange. The prize exchange control unit 67c calculates the number of prizes that can be exchanged for each prize using the balance of the held balls and / or saved balls stored in the holding value data 66b, and displays an exchange result screen including the number of prizes on the display operation unit 63.

[0091] Furthermore, when the prize exchange control unit 67c receives an exchange instruction on the exchange result screen displayed on the display operation unit 63, it notifies the management device 50 of a ball withdrawal notification including the number of balls required for prize exchange. Then, it transmits the number of balls held after withdrawal to the card collection machine 70. Note that if the card inserted in the card collection machine 70 is a normal card and the number of balls held after withdrawal is "0", it notifies the card collection machine 70 of a card collection instruction.

[0092] The receipt issuing processing unit 67d is a processing unit that issues a receipt for the prize exchange. When the prize exchange control unit 67c finishes sending the number of balls held after withdrawal or notifying the card collection instruction, the receipt issuing processing unit 67d issues a receipt on which the name of the prize to be exchanged and the number of prizes are printed.

[0093] The prize payout control unit 67e is a processing unit that controls the payout of prizes. When the receipt issuing processing unit 67d has finished issuing a receipt, the prize payout control unit 67e notifies the prize payout device 80 of a payout instruction. When the prize exchange control unit 67c has finished sending the number of balls held after withdrawal, the display operation unit 63 displays a card removal request screen.

[0094] The member information accepting unit 67f is a processing unit that manages the member registration data 66c. When the member information accepting unit 67f accepts a member registration start operation, it displays a member registration screen on the display operation unit 63 and accepts input of member information. Then, when the member information is accepted, the member information is stored in the member registration data 66c.

[0095] Furthermore, when member information receiving section 67f receives member information from a mobile terminal (not shown), it displays this member information on display operation section 63 and also stores it in member registration data 66c.

[0096] Furthermore, when the member information receiving unit 67f receives an input completion operation from the display operation unit 63, it passes input completion information to the member information notification unit 67h and the employee notification unit 67i.

[0097] The queue detection unit 67g is a processing unit that detects a queue. The queue detection unit 67g identifies the number of players waiting to exchange for prizes based on the video image received from the camera 61. If the identified number of players does not decrease after a predetermined time has elapsed, the queue occurrence information is passed to the member information notification unit 67h and the employee notification unit 67i.

[0098] The member information notification unit 67h is a processing unit that transmits the member registration data 66c based on a predetermined condition. When the member information notification unit 67h receives queue occurrence information from the queue detection unit 67g, the member information notification unit 67h transmits the member registration data 66c to the employee operation terminal 120. Then, the display operation unit 63 displays a standby screen.

[0099] The member information notification unit 67h may display the remaining time until the display is switched when the standby screen is displayed on the display operation unit 63. The player may be allowed to select whether or not to switch the display. In this case, if a request to switch the display is accepted, a message indicating that the display will be switched may be displayed.

[0100] Furthermore, the member information notification unit 67h transmits the member registration data 66c to the employee operating terminal 120 upon receiving input completion information from the member information acceptance unit 67f.

[0101] The employee notification unit 67i is a processing unit that notifies employees of information to be notified. When the employee notification unit 67i receives queue occurrence information from the queue detection unit 67g, the employee notification unit 67i notifies the management device 50 of the queue occurrence information. When the employee notification unit 67i receives input completion information from the member information reception unit 67f, the employee notification unit 67i notifies the management device 50 of the input completion information.

[0102] The member registration unit 67j is a processing unit that performs member registration processing. When the member registration unit 67j receives confirmation completion information from the employee operation terminal 120, the member registration unit 67j displays a PIN registration screen on the display operation unit 63.

[0103] Furthermore, when member registration unit 67j receives input of a PIN on the PIN registration screen, it stores the PIN in member registration data 66c and transmits this member registration data 66c to management device 50. Then, display operation unit 63 displays a standby screen.

[0104] Next, an example of data stored in the memory unit 66 of the self prize management device 60 shown in Fig. 4 will be described. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the prize inventory data 66a, the holding value data 66b, and the member registration data 66c shown in Fig. 4.

[0105] The prize inventory data 66a shown in Figure 5 (a) associates, for prize code "0001", a state in which the prize name is "grand prize", the group code is "01", the storage capacity is "100", and the stock quantity is "20", for prize code "0002", a state in which the prize name is "medium prize", the group code is "01", the storage capacity is "300", and the stock quantity is "150", and for prize code "0003", a state in which the prize name is "small prize", the group code is "01", the storage capacity is "500", and the stock quantity is "230".

[0106] The holding value data 66b shown in Figure 5 (b) indicates a state in which the card ID is "2001", the number of balls held by ball 1 is "1000", the number of balls held by ball 2 is "0", the number of balls held by ball 3 is "0", the number of saved balls for ball 1 is "0", the number of saved balls for ball 2 is "0", and the number of saved balls for ball 3 is "0".

[0107] Membership registration data 66c shown in FIG. 5(c) indicates that the name is "Takken Taro," the age is "45," the sex is "male," and the address is "Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo...."

[0108] <Configuration of employee operation terminal 120> Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the employee operation terminal 120 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the employee operation terminal 120 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 6, the employee operation terminal 120 has a display operation unit 123, a communication unit 125, a storage unit 126, and a control unit 127.

[0109] The communication unit 125 is an interface unit that enables the employee operation terminal 120 to communicate with the management device 50 and the self prize management device 60 via the wireless router 100. The memory unit 126 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or non-volatile memory, and stores member registration data 126a. The member registration data 126a is data indicating information related to a member that is temporarily stored in order to register the member.

[0110] Control unit 127 is a control unit that controls the entire employee operating terminal 120, and has member information accepting unit 127a and member registration unit 127b. In practice, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (not shown), and these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, causing member information accepting unit 127a and member registration unit 127b to execute processes corresponding to each of them.

[0111] The member information receiving unit 127a is a processing unit that manages the member registration data 126a. When the member information receiving unit 127a receives the member registration data from the self prize management device 60, the member information receiving unit 127a stores the received data in the member registration data 126a and displays the data on the display operation unit 123.

[0112] In addition, when the member information receiving unit 127a receives an operation to complete confirmation of the displayed member information, it notifies the self prize management device 60 of the confirmation completion information.

[0113] Furthermore, when member information receiving unit 127a receives member information from display operation unit 123, it stores the received information in member registration data 126a and updates it.

[0114] Furthermore, member information accepting unit 127a displays a PIN registration screen when it accepts an input completion operation from display operation unit 123. Then, when it accepts input of a PIN, it stores this PIN in member registration data 126a and passes a member registration instruction to member registration unit 127b.

[0115] Member registration unit 127b is a processing unit that performs member registration processing. When member registration unit 127b receives a member registration instruction from member information reception unit 127a, member registration unit 127b transmits member registration data 126a to management device 50.

[0116] Next, a description will be given of an example of data stored in the storage unit 126 of the employee operating terminal 120 shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the member registration data 126a shown in Fig. 6.

[0117] The member registration data 126a shown in FIG. 7 indicates that the name is “Takken Taro”, the age is “45”, the gender is “male”, the address is “Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo...”, and the PIN is “1234”.

[0118] <An example of display on the self prize management device 60 according to embodiment 1> Next, an example of a display on the self prize management device 60 according to this embodiment 1 will be described. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the self prize management device 60 according to this embodiment 1. Here, an example of a display when switching the display related to member registration to the employee operation terminal 120 on the display operation unit 63 of the self prize management device 60 will be described.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 8(a), when switching the display regarding member registration, the message "The operating device will be switched" is displayed.

[0120] In addition, as shown in Fig. 8(b), the remaining time until the screen changes can be displayed in countdown format. Specifically, it displays "The device you are controlling will change. Time remaining: 5 seconds."

[0121] Also, as shown in Fig. 8(c), it is possible to display a screen that allows the player to select whether to switch screens. Specifically, it is possible to display "Would you like to switch the operating terminal?" and to display a "Switch" button and a "Continue operation" button. If the "Switch" button is pressed, it will display "Transferring data to employee-operated terminal" as shown in Fig. 8(d).

[0122] <Processing procedure for member registration according to the first embodiment> Next, a description will be given of a processing procedure related to member registration according to the present embodiment 1. Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 are flowcharts showing a processing procedure related to member registration according to the present embodiment 1.

[0123] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, after the self prize management device 60 accepts an operation to start membership registration (step S101; Yes), if it receives membership information from a mobile terminal not shown (step S102; Yes), it displays the received membership information on the display operation unit 63 (step S104).

[0124] If the member information has not been received from the mobile terminal (not shown) (step S102; No), a member registration screen is displayed on the display operation unit 63 (step S103).

[0125] If a queue of players is detected from the image received from the camera 61 (step S105; Yes), the queue occurrence information is notified to the management device 50 (step S108), and the member registration data 66c is transmitted to the employee operation terminal 120 (step S109). Then, a waiting screen is displayed (step S114).

[0126] In step S105, if no queue of players is detected (step S105; No) and completion of input of member information is accepted (step S106; Yes), the input completion information is notified to the management device 50 (step S107), and the member registration data 66c is transmitted to the employee operation terminal 120 (step S110). In step S106, if completion of input of member information is not accepted (step S106; No), the process proceeds to step S105.

[0127] When the employee operation terminal 120 receives member registration data from the self prize management device 60, it stores the received member registration data in the member registration data 126a and displays it (step S111). Then, when it accepts that the input member information has been confirmed (step S115; Yes), it notifies the self prize management device 60 of the confirmation completion information (step S116).

[0128] If the confirmation of the entered member information is not accepted (step S115; No) but the entry of the member information is accepted (step S117; Yes), the PIN registration screen is displayed. If the entry of the member information is not accepted in step S117 (step S117; No), the process proceeds to step S115.

[0129] If the PIN is accepted on the PIN registration screen (step S118; Yes), this PIN is stored in member registration data 126a, and this member registration data 126a is transmitted to management device 50 (step S119).

[0130] When the self-service prize management device 60 receives confirmation completion information from the employee operation terminal 120, it displays a PIN registration screen. When the PIN is accepted (step S112; Yes), it stores the PIN in the member registration data 66c and transmits the member registration data 66c to the management device 50 (step S113). Then, it displays a standby screen (step S114) and ends the process.

[0131] As described above, in the membership management system of this embodiment 1, if a player is registering as a member on the self-prize management device and other players form a queue, the device that accepts membership registrations is switched to an employee-operated terminal and the employee is notified.Therefore, if a player arrives waiting to exchange a prize while registering as a member on the prize management device, membership registration and prize exchange can be carried out efficiently.

[0132] In the above embodiment 1, the configuration in which the received member information is notified to the management device has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure the management device to notify the member information to a mobile device carried by the employee. It is also possible to configure the mobile device carried by the employee to notify the entered information even before the entry of the member information is completed.

[0133] [Embodiment 2] In the above embodiment 1, the configuration was described in which the player inputs the member information in the self-service prize management device and the employee performs the member registration operation, but the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be configured so that the player can change the member information without the intervention of an employee by authenticating himself / herself.

[0134] In the second embodiment, a member management system will be described in which a player can change member information without going through an employee by authenticating himself / herself.

[0135] <Overview of the member management system according to the second embodiment> An overview of the member management system according to the second embodiment will be described below. Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the member management system according to the second embodiment.

[0136] As shown in Figure 11, the self-prize management device displays a "Change Member Information" button on the standby screen. When this "Change Member Information" button is pressed, a message is displayed encouraging the insertion of a membership card. The "Change Member Information" button may be configured to be displayed when the insertion of a membership card is detected.

[0137] When the member card is inserted, a member information change screen is displayed. Then, when an item to be changed is selected, an identity authentication screen is displayed. Here, identity authentication is performed using a My Number card, driver's license, face image, bone structure detection, fingerprints, voiceprints, irises, vital data, etc., or a combination of these. The identity authentication method can be set by the store for each item of member information to be changed.

[0138] If the user authentication is successful, the change to the member information is accepted, and if a change operation is performed, the change is stored and updated in the member information. Then, the screen transitions to the standby screen.

[0139] As described above, in the member management system according to the second embodiment, a player can change member information without going through an employee by authenticating himself / herself.

[0140] In the above embodiment 2, a configuration was described in which a player can authenticate himself / herself and change membership information without the need for an employee, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration may also be such that when a change is made to membership information, a notification of this is sent to a management device, a manned prize management device, or a hall computer.

[0141] In the above embodiment 2, a configuration was described in which the player authenticates himself and changes the member information without the intervention of an employee, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to set an expiration date for the PIN and notify the player of a request to change the PIN before the expiration date has passed. Also, it is possible to display to the player the date and time when the member information was last changed.

[0142] In the above embodiment 2, a configuration was described in which a player authenticates himself / herself and changes member information without the intervention of an employee, but the present invention is not limited to this, and some member information items can be configured to be changed without authentication. For example, a PIN can be changed by inputting the current PIN, and changes to the game storage medium (such as replay restrictions and entry restrictions) can be made with authentication.

[0143] In addition, in the above embodiment 2, a configuration was described in which identity authentication is performed after selecting an item to change in member information, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure the configuration so that identity authentication is performed first, and then the items of member information that can be changed are displayed.

[0144] [Embodiment 3] Incidentally, in the above embodiment 1, a configuration was described in which a player inputs member information into the self-prize management device and an employee performs the member registration operation, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0145] When a player inputs member information into the self-service prize management device, an image of the player's face is captured and compared with the registered face image by an employee, and if the player does not face the camera directly, an appropriate face image cannot be captured. For this reason, when capturing a face image of a player in the self-service prize management device, a display can be configured to display a warning to the player to face the camera directly.

[0146] In this third embodiment, a membership management system is described which displays a notice to the player to face the camera when capturing a facial image of the player using the self-service prize management device.

[0147] <Overview of the member management system according to the third embodiment> An overview of the member management system according to the present embodiment 3 will be described. Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the member management system according to the present embodiment 3. The self-prize management device of this member management system has a player display operation unit operated by a player and an employee display operation unit operated by an employee.

[0148] As shown in Figure 12, when a player enters membership information on the player display operation unit, the camera of the self prize management device captures an image of the player, and the captured facial image and a pre-registered facial image are displayed on the employee display operation unit.

[0149] The employee compares these two facial images to determine whether they are the same person, but if the player is not facing the camera, this determination cannot be made properly. For this reason, by pressing the "camera gaze button" displayed on the employee display operation unit, the message "Please face forward" is displayed on the player display operation unit. The display form is not limited to simple guidance text, and may be in various forms such as advertisements and promotions that are presumed to be of interest to the target player based on his / her gaming history, display of information on the date of the introduction of new machines, display of marks and illustrations that attract interest, and audio output prepared by the store. In addition, the trigger for displaying the message "Please face forward" on the display operation unit for players is not limited to an employee's operation, but may be configured so that the program of the self prize management device, camera, higher-level management device, etc. determines the face recognition rate and automatically displays the message if the recognition rate does not meet specified conditions.

[0150] By having the player face the camera, it becomes easy to compare the facial image captured by the camera and displayed on the employee display operation unit with the registered facial image. The camera may be configured to recognize the direction of the player's face and posture, and change the angle of the camera itself to face the player.

[0151] As described above, in the member management system of this embodiment 3, when a facial image of a player is captured by the self prize management device, a display can be displayed to alert the player to face the camera directly.

[0152] [Embodiment 4] Incidentally, in the above embodiment 1, a configuration was described in which a player inputs member information into the self-prize management device and an employee performs the member registration operation, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0153] When the prize exchange process is completed in the self-service prize management device and the required data is written to the card, a write error may occur. For this reason, if a write error occurs in the self-service prize management device, the self-service prize management device may be configured to write the required data to another new card.

[0154] In this embodiment 4, a membership management system is described in which, if a writing error occurs in the self prize management device when writing to a card, the self prize management device can write the required data to another new card.

[0155] <Overview of the member management system according to the fourth embodiment> An overview of the member management system according to the embodiment 4 will be described below. Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the overview of the member management system according to the embodiment 4.

[0156] As shown in Figure 13, in a conventional self-service prize management device 60, if card B is inserted and a prize is exchanged, and then a writing error occurs when writing data to card B, the required data is written to another new card, card C, in the prize management device 200 operated by an employee. At this time, the data to be written is manually entered by the employee into the prize management device 200. Note that in the case of a writing error with a general card, the new card is a 0 yen, 0 piece card.

[0157] As shown in Fig. 14, in the self prize management device 300 of this embodiment 4, card B is inserted to exchange for a prize, and if a writing error occurs when writing data to card B, the self prize management device 300 writes the required data to another new card, card C. At this time, the self prize management device 300 holds the information of card B.

[0158] As described above, in the member management system of this embodiment 4, if a writing error occurs on a card in the self prize management device, the self prize management device can write the required data to another new card.

[0159] In the above embodiment 4, a configuration was described in which if a writing error occurs in the card in the self-prize management device, the self-prize management device writes the required data to another new card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if another new card is inserted into the self-prize management device, it can also be configured to request a login to confirm whether or not the user has card transfer authority.

[0160] [Embodiment 5] In the above embodiment 1, the player inputs the member information into the self-service prize management device, and the employee performs the member registration operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The self-service prize management device can also be configured to display a message to the player when the player inserts a card.

[0161] In the fifth embodiment, a member management system will be described which displays a message to a player when the player inserts a card into a self-service prize management device.

[0162] <Outline of the member management system according to the fifth embodiment> An overview of the member management system according to the fifth embodiment will be described below. Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the member management system according to the fifth embodiment.

[0163] As shown in FIG. 15(a), if an employee has entered lost property information into the management device 500, when a card related to the lost property is inserted into the self prize management device 400, the management device 500 notifies the self prize management device 400 of the lost property information, and the self prize management device 400 displays the lost property information. For example, it displays "You have left something behind." It may also be configured to display the date and time of the customer's last visit, the name of the gaming machine that was played on, the machine number, the weather, the temperature, etc., together with the lost property information.

[0164] As shown in FIG. 15(b), the inter-machine card processing device 10 notifies the management device 500 of game information as appropriate, and the management device 500 accumulates this game information and manages the game results of each player. When a card is inserted into the self-prize management device 400, the management device 500 notifies the self-prize management device 400 of message information according to the game results related to this card, and the self-prize management device 400 displays this message information. For example, it displays "Congratulations on the explosion." In addition, it may be configured to display the ranking of acquired game media in the store based on the number of game media acquired by the player, income and expenditure information for a specified period (weekly, monthly, yearly), etc. together with the message information.

[0165] The message displayed on the self prize management device 400 may be a message according to the attributes of the player or the visiting situation of the player. For example, it may be displayed as "Luck may be waiting for you, Virgo" or "Thank you for always visiting us."

[0166] As described above, in the member management system according to the fifth embodiment, a message can be displayed to the player when the player inserts a card into the self-service prize management device.

[0167] In the above embodiment 5, a configuration has been described in which a message is displayed to a player when a card is inserted into the self-prize management device; however, the present invention is not limited to this, and other devices capable of self-operation (machine-to-machine card processing machines, machine lamps, tablets communicatively connected to machine-to-machine card processing machines, vending machines, store visit point awarding machines, data disclosure machines, island end counting machines, etc.) can also be configured to display a message to a player.

[0168] [Embodiment 6] In the above embodiment 1, the player inputs the member information in the self-service prize management device, and the employee performs the member registration operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the face image managed by the face recognition system to correspond to the member information managed by the application server, and to manage it as new customer information.

[0169] In the sixth embodiment, a member management system will be described in which face images managed by a face authentication system are associated with member information managed by an application server and managed as new customer information.

[0170] <Overview of the member management system according to the sixth embodiment> An overview of the member management system according to the sixth embodiment will be described below. Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the overview of the member management system according to the sixth embodiment.

[0171] As shown in FIG. 16, the face images managed by the face authentication system and the member information managed by the application server are associated with each other in the data fusion device, and are stored and managed in a new customer master.

[0172] For example, a face image, an application UUID "123456", a member ID "456789", a name "Tenkaku Taro" and attributes "30s, male, resident in Tokyo" are associated and managed in the new customer master.

[0173] As shown in FIG. 17, the data fusion device associates a face image with member information based on a combination of the application UUID and face image acquired at the same time.

[0174] Specifically, if there is information with an acquisition date of "2023.11.1", an app UUID of "123456, 234567", and facial image information of "Facial Image 1, Facial Image 2", and information with an acquisition date of "2023.11.2", an app UUID of "123456, 345678", and facial image information of "Facial Image 1, Facial Image 3", the correspondence between the app UUID and the facial image information will be as follows.

[0175] The facial image information for the application UUID "123456" is "Facial image 1," the facial image information for the application UUID "234567" is "Facial image 2," and the facial image information for the application UUID "345678" is "Facial image 3."

[0176] As described above, in the membership management system of this embodiment 6, facial images managed by the face recognition system can be associated with membership information managed by the application server, and managed as new customer information.

[0177] In the above embodiment 6, a configuration has been described in which a facial image managed by the facial recognition system is associated with membership information managed by the application server and managed as new customer information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if a facial image detected by the facial recognition system is managed as new customer information, the system may be configured to notify the application server that this customer has been detected.

[0178] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, a configuration in which the present invention is applied to a smart pachinko machine that uses game balls as a game medium has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be configured to be applied to a smart pachislot machine.

[0179] 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]

[0180] The member management system, prize management device, and member registration method of the present invention are suitable for efficiently carrying out member registration and prize exchange when a player waiting to exchange a prize arrives while member registration is being performed on the prize management device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0181] 10 Card Processing Machines 20 Gaming Machines 30 Island Controller 50 Management device 60 Self-prize management device 61 Camera 62 Receipt Issuance Department 63 Display operation section 65 Communications Department 66 Memory section 66a Prize inventory data 66b Holding Value Data 66c Membership Registration Data 67 Control Unit 67a Prize Inventory Management Department 67b Holding Value Management Department 67c Prize exchange control unit 67d Receipt issuing processing unit 67e Prize payout control unit 67f Member Information Reception Department 67g Queue detector 67h Member Information Notification Department 67i Employee Notification Department 67j Membership Registration Department 70 Card Collection Machine 80 Prize payout device 90 Payment machine 100 Wireless Router 110 Income 120 Employee operation terminal 123 Display operation section 125 Communications Department 126 Storage section 126a Membership registration data 127 Control Unit 127a Member Information Reception Department 127b Membership Registration Department 200 Prize Management Device 300 Self-prize management device 400 Self-prize management device 500 Management device

Claims

1. A membership management system having a prize management device that performs prize exchange of the number of game media acquired by a player and performs membership registration of customers who visit a gaming facility, The prize management device includes: a prize exchange means for exchanging the number of game media associated with the identification information of the storage medium for a prize; a member information notification means for receiving input of member information of a player and notifying other input devices of the member information that has been input; An imaging means for capturing images of players waiting to exchange for prizes; A determination means for determining the number of players waiting to exchange prizes based on the image captured by the imaging means; a control means for controlling the transfer of the member information being input to another input device when the number of players waiting to exchange for prizes reaches a predetermined number or more by the identification means while the member information of the player is being input; A membership management system comprising:

2. The control means 2. The member management system according to claim 1, further comprising a control means for allowing other players to exchange the member information for a prize after the member information being input is transferred to another input device.

3. The other input device is a receiving means for receiving the member information notified by the member information notifying means or the control means; a member registration processing means for receiving additional input of the member information received by the receiving means and for making a member registration request including the member information that has been completely input to a member management device; 2. The member management system according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. The other input device is 4. The member management system according to claim 1, wherein the member management system is an employee-operated terminal.

5. The prize management device includes:

4. The member management system according to claim 1, further comprising a notification means for notifying the user when the member information being input is transferred to another input device by the control means.

6. A prize management device that exchanges game media acquired by a player for prizes and registers customers who visit a game establishment as members, a prize exchange means for exchanging the number of game media associated with the identification information of the storage medium for a prize; a member information notification means for receiving input of member information of a player and notifying other input devices of the member information that has been input; An imaging means for capturing images of players waiting to exchange for prizes; A determination means for determining the number of players waiting to exchange prizes based on the image captured by the imaging means; a control means for controlling the transfer of the member information being input to another input device when the number of players waiting to exchange for prizes reaches a predetermined number or more by the identification means while the member information of the player is being input; A prize management device comprising:

7. A member registration method in a member management system having a prize management device that performs prize exchange of the number of game media acquired by a player and performs member registration of customers who visit a gaming facility, comprising: a prize exchange process in which the prize management device exchanges the number of game media associated with the identification information of the storage medium for a prize; a member information notification step in which the prize management device receives input of the member information of the player and notifies other input devices of the member information that has been input; an imaging step of imaging an image of a player waiting to exchange a prize by an imaging device; a step of the prize management device identifying the number of players waiting to exchange prizes based on the image captured by the imaging step; a control step of controlling the prize management device to transfer the member information being input to another input device when the number of players waiting to exchange for prizes reaches a predetermined number or more in the process of inputting the member information of the player by the identification step; A member registration method comprising:

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