System for game parlor

Abstract

To reduce personnel cost or cost for crime prevention related to a purchasing work, stock securing or the like relative to a special prize usable as an exchange object, or to improve convenience of a player.SOLUTION: In a system for game parlor, prize information presented by prize exchange processing is taken by a portable terminal 32 of a player, and further the prize information taken by the portable terminal 32 is exchanged into value information associated with the portable terminal 32 by operation to the portable terminal 32. Thus, special prizes at least usable as an exchange object can be reduced, while obeying a so-cold three shop system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a casino system.

Background Art

[0002] In a general casino, it is normal to perform a lending process of inserting cash into a gaming device and receiving a loan of a gaming medium. However, as described in Patent Document 1 for example, a system that performs a lending process by non-cash settlement using a debit card, a credit card, or the like is also used.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In view of such a background, the applicant of the present application has proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-11793 to handle not only the lending process but also the prize exchange process by non-cash settlement. Although the proposal is significant in that it can reduce the equipment required for cash processing and the cost for crime prevention, it has not focused on special prizes that are physical prizes to be exchanged, and it is assumed that the gaming value is exchanged for special prizes in the same way as in the past and the exchanged special prizes are exchanged for monetary value. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of the labor cost and crime prevention cost related to the procurement work and inventory securing of special prizes, or the convenience of players who need to carry special prizes around.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a casino system capable of reducing the labor cost and crime prevention cost related to the procurement work and inventory securing of special prizes, or improving the convenience of players.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to the invention described in claim 1, as a prize exchange process for exchanging the game value (for example, held balls or stored balls which are game media) obtained by the player and prizes, there is provided a prize exchange means (for example, POS7) for presenting prize information indicating an electronic prize which is a virtual prize and is a prize to be exchanged, a prize information capturing means (for example, control means 33) for capturing the prize information (for example, a QR code displayed on the POS) presented by the prize exchange process by the player's mobile terminal, and a conversion means (for example, control means 33) for performing a conversion process of converting the prize information indicating the electronic prize captured by the mobile terminal by the prize information capturing means into value information indicating a non-cash value (for example, electronic money, virtual currency) associated with the mobile terminal by an operation on the mobile terminal (for example, pressing the confirmation button 34b). The prize exchange means is characterized in that it performs the prize exchange process by combining the prize information with a physical prize (for example, a special prize, a card in which an IC chip storing a prize ID or amount information capable of specifying the prize is embedded, etc.) as an exchange target. According to such a configuration, the prize information indicating an electronic prize which is a virtual prize and is a prize to be exchanged presented by the prize exchange process is captured by the player's mobile terminal, and further, the prize information indicating the electronic prize captured by the mobile terminal is converted into value information indicating a non-cash value associated with the mobile terminal by an operation on the mobile terminal. Therefore, at least the special prizes to be exchanged can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the labor costs and security costs related to the procurement work and inventory securing of the special prizes, or to improve the convenience for the player.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of a casino system. In the casino, a plurality of gaming machines 1 are installed, and corresponding to each gaming machine 1, a counting lending unit 2 and a game information display device 3 as gaming devices are installed. The gaming machine 1, the counting lending unit 2, and the game information display device 3 are connected to a relay device 4 in pairs. The relay device 4 is connected to a management device 6 via a LAN 5. In the casino, a prize exchange terminal (hereinafter referred to as POS) 7, a settlement terminal 8, and a card issuing terminal 9 are also installed, and these terminals 7 to 9 are also connected to the management device 6 via the LAN 5. The POS 7 corresponds to a prize exchange means, a value deposit means, and a selection execution means, and the settlement terminal 8 corresponds to a settlement means.

[0009] The management device 6 is installed, for example, in an office or the like within the game parlor, and is connected to a monitor 6a, a keyboard 6b, and the like. The management device 6 receives game data transmitted from the gaming machine 1, the counting lending unit 2, and the like, manages the operating status of various devices, and stores and manages the remaining deposit amount, the number of owned balls, the number of stored balls, etc. that the player owns. Although not shown in FIG. 1, for example, several hundred gaming machines 1 are subject to the management of the management device 6, and each gaming machine 1 corresponds to a gaming machine that executes a game using a game medium. Incidentally, when the gaming machine 1 is a pachinko machine, the game medium is a pachinko ball, and when the gaming machine 1 is a slot machine, the game medium is a medal.

[0010] The gaming machine 1 is, for example, a CR pachinko machine. As shown in FIG. 2, it has an operation handle 11 that constitutes a launching device for launching balls onto the game board 10, an upper tray 12, and a lower tray 13, and the game board 10 has a liquid crystal display unit 14, a start port 15, and a big winning port 16. Further, on the upper surface of the upper tray 12, there are lending buttons 17 and end buttons 18 arranged side by side left and right.

[0011] When the player operates the operation handle 11, balls are launched onto the game board 10. When the launched balls win at the start port 15, a corresponding number of balls are paid out or a jackpot lottery is conducted. In the jackpot lottery, a so-called special symbol-based symbol variation is executed on the liquid crystal display unit 14, and a jackpot occurs when the stopped-displayed symbol is a jackpot symbol. When a jackpot occurs, for example, the big winning port 16 is opened for 15 rounds.

[0012] The counting lending unit 2 is installed on the side of the gaming machine 1 and has a so-called per-unit counting function. As shown in FIG. 2, the counting lending unit 2 includes a status display unit 19 that indicates the status of the lending unit 2, the gaming machine 1, etc., a short-range wireless communication unit 20 equipped with, for example, an NFC (Near Field Communication) reader / writer, a face recognition camera 21 that includes an imaging element such as a well-known CMOS sensor or CCD sensor (the camera cover 21a is shown in FIG. 2), a touch panel type liquid crystal display unit 22 that has a function of accepting touch operations on the screen and a function of displaying various information such as the remaining deposit amount, the number of held balls, and the number of stored balls, a payout button 23 for paying out balls for one unit as the unit giving number, a payout nozzle 24 through which the paid-out balls pass, a detachable counting tray 25 located below the lower tray 13 of the gaming machine 1, etc.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3, the counting lending unit 2 has a control unit 26 as an electrical configuration. The control unit 26 is mainly composed of a microcomputer having a CPU 26a, a ROM 26b, a RAM 26c, an I / O 26d, etc., and executes the stored control program to control the operation of the counting lending unit 2. The peripheral parts connected to the control unit 26 include the above-mentioned status display unit 19, short-range wireless communication unit 20, liquid crystal display unit 22, and payout button 23, and also include an I / F unit 27 that transmits and receives various signals and various information between the management device 6 and the gaming machine 1, a touch panel 28 provided on the liquid crystal display unit 22, a payout unit 29 that pays out balls for one degree from the payout nozzle 24 when the payout button 23 is operated, a counting unit 30 that counts the number of balls flowing in from the counting tray 25, etc. The face recognition camera 21 is not connected to the control unit 26 but is connected to four image processing devices 31 as shown in FIG. 1. The image processing devices 31 are also connected to the management device 6 via the LAN 5.

[0014] The mobile terminal 32 is, for example, a smartphone or the like, stores a mobile ID that can identify the terminal, and incorporates an IC chip that can store information regarding electronic money, which is a non-cash value. As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 32 has a control unit 33 as an electrical configuration. The control unit 33 corresponds to a prize information acquisition means, a conversion means, and a suppression means. The control unit 33 is mainly composed of a microcomputer having a CPU 33a, a ROM 33b, a RAM 33c, an I / O 33d, etc., and executes the stored control program to control the operation of the mobile terminal 32. Peripheral units connected to the control unit 33 include a touch panel type liquid crystal display unit 34 having a function of receiving a touch operation on the screen and a function of displaying various types of information, a data communication unit 36 connected to a public communication line 35 including the Internet and a virtual private network (VPN), etc., a short-range wireless communication unit 37 equipped with, for example, an NFC reader / writer, a microphone 38 for inputting a transmission voice when making a call, a speaker 39 for outputting a reception voice when making a call, a camera 40 including an imaging element such as a CMOS sensor and a CCD sensor, etc.

[0015] When the player performs an installation operation of the settlement application, the mobile terminal 32 downloads and installs the settlement application from an application server (not shown) via the public communication line 35, and makes the installed settlement application executable. By executing the installed settlement application, the player can register settlement source information such as a bank account or a credit card in the settlement system 41 of the settlement center operator, and can charge a desired amount to the balance of the settlement application within a range not exceeding a preset upper limit amount.

[0016] The payment system 41 will be described. The payment system 41 includes payment institutions such as financial institutions like banks and credit sales institutions like credit companies, and includes a payment institution server 42 operated by the payment institution, a service provider server 43 operated by an external institution that has partnered with an institution providing services related to electronic money or a casino, a bank server 44 that manages the accounts of players opened at the bank, and the like. Note that in FIG. 1, only one bank server 44 is illustrated, but actually, a plurality of bank servers 44 are involved. That is, even when a player has accounts opened at a plurality of banks, the payment institution server 42 and the service provider server 43 can cooperate with the plurality of bank servers 44 to handle the situation. Also, payment may be made using a credit card or the like instead of a bank account.

[0017] The payment institution server 42 performs data communication with the bank server 44 according to the mobile ID, account number, card number, password, recharge amount, etc. transmitted from the mobile terminal 32, sets the account balance of the player associated with the mobile terminal 32 as the drawdown upper limit amount, permits the payment on the condition that there is an account balance corresponding to the recharge amount, immediately draws down the amount corresponding to the recharge amount from the player's account and transfers it to the account of the service provider as the payee to make the payment. The payment institution server 42 instructs the service provider server 43 to issue electronic money corresponding to the recharge amount. When the service provider server 43 is instructed by the payment institution server 42 to issue electronic money, it transmits the electronic money corresponding to the recharge amount to the mobile terminal 32. The mobile terminal 32 receives the electronic money from the service provider server 43 and stores the received electronic money as the balance.

[0018] The functions and operations of the counting lending unit 2 will be described in the following (1) to (6). (1) As shown in Fig. 5, the counting lending unit 2 displays a QR code on the liquid crystal display unit 22. The QR code is a registered trademark. When the mobile terminal 32 reads the QR code displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 22 with the camera 40, it executes a payment application and displays the remaining balance being charged (23,000 yen in Fig. 5), candidates for the deposit amount that can be deposited within the range of the remaining balance (1,000 yen, 5,000 yen, 10,000 yen in Fig. 5), and enables the deposit button 34a to be pressed. When a deposit amount is selected and the deposit button 34a is pressed from this state, the mobile terminal 32 accepts the selected deposit amount, transmits data that can identify the accepted deposit amount to the counting lending unit 2, and designates a deposit to the counting lending unit 2. Fig. 5 illustrates the case where 5,000 yen is accepted as the deposit amount. In addition, when the mobile terminal 32 designates a deposit to the counting lending unit 2 in this way, it notifies the settlement center operator of the settlement information that can identify the deposit amount (see Fig. 10).

[0019] (2) When the counting lending unit 2 receives data that can identify the deposit amount received by the mobile terminal 32 and is designated for deposit, it displays the remaining deposit balance, which is the deposit amount, on the liquid crystal display unit 22.

[0020] (3) When the lending button 17 of the gaming machine 1 is operated (lending operation), the counting lending unit 2 causes a number of balls corresponding to one play value (for example, 125 balls) within the range of the remaining deposit balance to be paid out from the payout mechanism inside the gaming machine 1 and performs a lending process (granting process).

[0021] (4) When the balls that have fallen from the lower tray 13 of the gaming machine 1 and are received by the counting tray 25 flow into the counting unit 30, the counting lending unit 2 counts the flowing balls, displays the counted number of balls, which is the counted ball number, on the liquid crystal display unit 22, and stores the counted ball number. (5) When the payout button 23 is operated, the counting lending unit 2 causes the payout mechanism to pay out one by one within the range of the counted ball number (number of held balls) or the stored ball number.

[0022] (6) When the end button 18 of the gaming machine 1 is operated, the counting lending unit 2 transmits the remaining deposit amount, the number of held balls, the number of stored balls, etc. to the management device 6. That is, the remaining deposit amount, the number of held balls, and the number of stored balls corresponding to the mobile terminal 32 are stored in the management device 6 in association with the mobile ID. On the other hand, the remaining amount of the electronic money stored in the mobile terminal 32 is subtracted by the amount of the deposit described in (2) above.

[0023] Also, in the counting lending unit 2, the face recognition camera 21 captures images at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 4 seconds) and transmits the captured images to the image processing device 31. The imaging field of view of the face recognition camera 21 is set to be an area including the face of the player in a state where the player is facing the gaming machine 1 directly. The image processing device 31 captures each image transmitted from the four face recognition cameras 21 at one-second intervals, analyzes the captured images to determine whether a face image of the player exists in the images, and if it is determined that a face image exists, transmits the face image to the management device 6. When the management device 6 receives a face image from the image processing device 31, it determines whether the received face image is registered in the face image database, assigns a face ID to a new player and stores it in the face image database, and manages the game data in association with the face ID.

[0024] The POS 7 is installed at a prize exchange counter where the player exchanges held balls and stored balls, which are gaming media obtained in the game, for prizes. It has a touch panel type liquid crystal display unit that has a function of receiving touch operations on the screen and a function of displaying various information, and a short-range wireless communication unit equipped with, for example, an NFC reader / writer. When the mobile terminal 32 touches the short-range wireless communication unit, the management device 6 identifies the number of held balls and the number of stored balls managed in association with the touched mobile terminal 32, and performs a prize exchange process for exchanging them for prizes based on the identified number of gaming media. The number of held balls and the number of stored balls correspond to the gaming value. Note that the held balls are the balls counted during the day, and the stored balls are the balls counted before the previous day. Also, it is not always necessary to use the mobile terminal 32, and various services may be performed by specifying the number of held balls and the number of stored balls with a membership card or a so-called general card for non-members as in the conventional manner.

[0025] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, POS7 combines special prizes and electronic prizes as exchange targets, and enables selection of how to combine the special prizes and electronic prizes as exchange targets to perform an exchange process. The special prize is a physical prize, for example, a card embedded with an IC chip storing a prize ID or amount information that can identify the prize. On the other hand, the electronic prize is an electronic virtual prize without a physical entity. When an electronic prize is designated as an exchange target, POS7 displays a QR code indicating the game value specified as the electronic prize on the liquid crystal display unit. The QR code displayed on POS7 corresponds to the prize information. That is, it presents the prize information indicating the electronic prize to be exchanged. When the mobile terminal 32 reads the QR code displayed on the liquid crystal display unit with the camera 40, it displays the breakdown of the electronic prize recorded in the read QR code and enables the confirmation button 34b to be pressed. When the confirmation button 34b is pressed from this state, the mobile terminal 32 accepts the electronic prize recorded in the QR code as an exchange target, and the prize information is associated with the payment application. That is, the prize information presented by the prize exchange process is taken in by the player's mobile terminal 32. Note that simply reading the prize information is also included in the concept of taking it in. FIG. 6 illustrates a case where three major prizes are set as exchange targets for special prizes and the equivalent of three major prizes and five minor prizes are set as exchange targets for electronic prizes.

[0026] The electronic prize associated with the payment application on the mobile terminal 32 in this way can be charged as the daily amount in the payment application by exchanging it. However, in order to comply with the three-store method and cash out outside the game arcade, it can be charged as the daily amount on the condition that the QR code displayed at the prize exchange is read. The QR code displayed at the prize exchange corresponds to the exchange permission information. Note that in order to prevent the QR code displayed at the prize exchange from being reused, it is desirable that the QR code displayed at the prize exchange be updated one by one at regular intervals (for example, daily or hourly) or at the display timing.

[0027] At a redemption center, which is a prize exchange facility provided outside the game arcade, a redemption center terminal 45 for redeeming special prizes is installed. The redemption center terminal 45 is connected to a prize counter 46 and a processor 47 so as to be capable of data communication. When a special prize received from a player is set on the prize counter 46, the prize counter 46 reads the IC chip of the set special prize, identifies the amount information, counts the number of special prizes, and transmits the identified amount information and the counted number of special prizes to the redemption center terminal 45. When the redemption center terminal 45 receives the amount information and the number of special prizes from the prize counter 46, it calculates the amount to be paid to the player based on the received amount information and the number of special prizes, accepts the player's mobile terminal 32, for example, by reading a QR code, and settles the account by adding a recharge amount or other electronic money to the accepted mobile terminal 32. Of course, the process of redeeming special prizes and settling the account by paying cash as in the past may be performed as well.

[0028] In this embodiment, since electronic prizes are the handling target, in addition to the above processing, the following configuration is provided for the redemption store terminal 45. That is, the redemption store terminal 45 has a touch panel type liquid crystal display unit having a function of receiving a touch operation on the screen and a function of displaying various kinds of information, and an operation unit including a keyboard, a mouse, etc. capable of various input operations. As shown in FIG. 7, the redemption store terminal 45 displays a QR code on the liquid crystal display unit. When the mobile terminal 32 reads the QR code displayed on the liquid crystal display unit with the camera 40, it displays the amount of the electronic prize (5100 yen corresponding to 3 large prizes and 5 small prizes in FIG. 7) and enables the exchange button 34c to be pressed. When the exchange button 34c is pressed from this state, the mobile terminal 32 charges the amount of the electronic prize as that day's amount. That is, a conversion process is performed to convert the prize information captured by the mobile terminal 32 into value information associated with the mobile terminal 32 by an operation on the mobile terminal 32. In addition, when the mobile terminal 32 charges the amount of the electronic prize as that day's amount in this way, it notifies the settlement center operator of the settlement information capable of specifying the electronic prize exchange information including the charged amount (see FIG. 10). In addition, in this embodiment, an example of a configuration is shown in which the redemption store terminal 45 capable of data communication with the prize counter 46, the processor 47, etc. and updating the charged amount of the mobile terminal 32 is provided with a function of presenting a QR code which is information for allowing an exchange charge. However, only a function of presenting information for allowing an exchange charge may be provided for the redemption store terminal 45, or a configuration may be adopted in which, without providing the redemption store terminal 45, for example, a piece of paper with information such as a QR code is pasted on the wall surface of the redemption store and placed there.

[0029] The payment terminal 8 has a touch panel type liquid crystal display unit having functions of receiving touch operations on the screen and displaying various types of information, and a short-range wireless communication unit equipped with, for example, an NFC reader / writer. The payment terminal 8 displays a QR code on the liquid crystal display unit. When the mobile terminal 32 reads the QR code displayed on the liquid crystal display unit with the camera 40, the remaining balance charged by the above-mentioned deposit designation (23,000 yen in FIG. 8), the amount for the day (5,100 yen in FIG. 8), and the payment amounts that can be settled within the range of the remaining balance (1,000 yen, 5,000 yen, and the full amount are displayed so that they can be selected, and the payment button 34d is displayed so that it can be pressed. When any of the payment amounts is selected and the payment button 34d is pressed from this state, the mobile terminal 32 receives the selected payment amount, transmits data that can identify the received payment amount to the payment terminal 8, and designates the payment. That is, cash settlement processing is performed by taking in value information associated with the player's mobile terminal. FIG. 8 illustrates the case where 5,000 yen is selected as the payment amount. Note that when the mobile terminal 32 designates the payment to the payment terminal 8 in this way, it notifies the settlement center operator of the settlement information that can identify the payment amount (see FIG. 10).

[0030] In this way, the mobile terminal 32 has the remaining balance charged by the above-mentioned deposit designation and the amount for the day when the exchange of the prize is charged. For both the remaining balance charged by the deposit designation on that day and the amount for the day when the exchange of the prize is charged on that day, settlement is possible at the payment terminal 8. On the other hand, the remaining balance charged by the deposit designation until the previous day can be deposited into the counting lending unit 2 but cannot be settled at the payment terminal 8. Also, the remaining balance charged by the deposit designation is not a balance dedicated to the game arcade but is managed via the settlement center operator, so it can be used at other game arcades, but there is an upper limit due to the deposit of the settlement center operator. Note that it is desirable to install the payment terminal 8 inside the game arcade, but it may be installed outside the game arcade such as a redemption shop. Of course, the redemption shop terminal 45 may be provided with a function of settling the charge amount like the payment terminal 8.

[0031] The upper limit of the charge amount, which is the upper limit of the remaining balance, is set at 50,000 yen in total and 25,000 yen on the same day. Also, the upper limit of electronic prize exchange, which is the upper limit of the exchange of electronic prizes, is set at 50,000 yen or unlimited, and the amount that can be exchanged on the same day is set at 25,000 yen. When the charge limit for the exchange of electronic prizes is set at a predetermined amount, the exchange amount exceeding the upper limit at the time of prize exchange will be exchanged for special prizes. Also, at the time of prize exchange processing, the player can select the storage ball processing, which is the value deposit processing of depositing the game value obtained by the player into the game hall. When storing the ball, the stored ball, which is the game value deposited in the game hall, can be used for at least one of the prize exchange processing and the awarding processing of awarding the game value that can be used for games in the game hall. Note that there is also an upper limit for storing balls, for example, 1 million balls. The awarding processing mentioned here is a concept including lending processing and replay processing, and the storage ball processing can be executed instead of or in addition to the presentation of prize information.

[0032] Figures 9 and 10 schematically show the flow of information among the settlement center operator, the game hall, the prize exchange office, and the prize wholesaler. For special prizes, reserve funds are transferred from the prize wholesaler to the prize exchange office, and special prizes are transferred from the prize exchange office to the prize wholesaler. Also, special prizes are stocked in the game hall from the prize wholesaler and the stocked amount is billed, and the game hall pays for the stocked amount. For electronic prizes, the exchange information of the electronic prizes is notified from the settlement center operator to the prize wholesaler and the exchange amount is billed, and the prize wholesaler pays the exchange amount to the settlement center operator. When an electronic prize is exchanged at the POS7 of the game hall, that is, when the prize information is presented, the game hall requests the purchase and simultaneous shipment of the electronic prize, and the requested amount is paid to the prize wholesaler.

[0033] Figures 11 and 12 show an example of the transition of the value state stored in the mobile terminal 32, and the transition of the value state will be described. Figure 11 shows the case where the upper limit of electronic prize exchange is set at a maximum of 50,000 yen, and the upper limit of the charge amount is set at a maximum of 50,000 yen in total and 25,000 yen on the same day.

[0034] Assume that as the initial state of the value status stored in the mobile terminal 32, the electronic prize is equivalent to a prize worth 5,000 yen, and the charge amount is 30,000 yen (30,000 yen for the past + 0 yen for the current day). When performing a prize exchange worth 60,000 yen from this state, out of the 60,000 yen for the prize exchange, the electronic prize portion is 45,000 yen, reaching the maximum of 50,000 yen which is the upper limit for electronic prize exchange. So, a prize equivalent to 45,000 yen is added to the prize equivalent to 5,000 yen of the electronic prize, and the electronic prize becomes a prize equivalent to 50,000 yen (maximum). Note that the 15,000 yen obtained by subtracting 45,000 yen from 60,000 yen is for exchange with special prizes.

[0035] Next, when performing a recharge for exchange, out of the prize equivalent to 50,000 yen (maximum) of the electronic prize, the portion equivalent to 20,000 yen reaches the upper limit of the charge amount of 50,000 yen. So, the portion equivalent to 20,000 yen of the prize is used for recharge for exchange, and the portion equivalent to 20,000 yen of the prize is subtracted from the prize equivalent to 50,000 yen of the electronic prize, and the electronic prize becomes a prize equivalent to 30,000 yen, and the charge amount becomes 50,000 yen (30,000 yen for the past + 20,000 yen for the current day).

[0036] Next, when a deposit of 10,000 yen is made, although the charge amount for the past cannot be settled, prepaid can be issued, so a deposit of 10,000 yen is made (prioritizing the past). 10,000 yen is subtracted from the 30,000 yen of the past portion of the 50,000 yen charge amount, and the charge amount becomes 40,000 yen (20,000 yen for the past + 20,000 yen for the current day).

[0037] Next, when settlement is performed, the 20,000 yen of the current day portion of the charge amount is cashed (only the current day portion is allowed) for settlement. 20,000 yen of the current day portion is subtracted from the 40,000 yen of the charge amount, and the charge amount becomes 20,000 yen (20,000 yen for the past + 0 yen for the current day).

[0038] Next, when a replacement charge is made, since it reaches the daily upper limit of the charge amount, which is 25,000 yen, among the prizes equivalent to 30,000 yen of the electronic prize, prizes equivalent to 25,000 yen are replaced and charged. The prizes equivalent to 25,000 yen are subtracted from the prizes equivalent to 30,000 yen of the electronic prize, and the electronic prize becomes a prize equivalent to 5,000 yen. 25,000 yen is added to the daily charge amount of 0 yen, and the charge amount becomes 450,000 yen (20,000 yen of the past + 25,000 yen of the day).

[0039] Next, when settlement is made, 25,000 yen of the daily charge amount is cashed (only the daily amount is allowed) and settlement is made. 25,000 yen of the daily amount is subtracted from the charge amount of 45,000 yen, and the charge amount becomes 20,000 yen (20,000 yen of the past + 0 yen of the day).

[0040] Next, when a replacement charge is made, since it does not reach any upper limit with the prize equivalent to 5,000 yen of the electronic prize, the prize equivalent to 5,000 yen is replaced and charged. The prize equivalent to 5,000 yen is subtracted from the prize equivalent to 5,000 yen of the electronic prize, and the electronic prize becomes a prize equivalent to 0 yen. 5,000 yen is added to the daily charge amount of 0 yen, and the charge amount becomes 25,000 yen (20,000 yen of the past + 5,000 yen of the day).

[0041] Then, when settlement is made, 5,000 yen of the daily charge amount is cashed (only the daily amount is allowed) and settlement is made. 5,000 yen of the daily amount is subtracted from the charge amount of 25,000 yen, and the charge amount becomes 20,000 yen (20,000 yen of the past + 0 yen of the day).

[0042] Figure 12 shows the case where the upper limit of electronic prize exchange is set without limit, and the upper limit of the charge amount is set to a maximum of 50,000 yen in total and 25,000 yen per day. Also in this case, assume that as the initial state of the value state stored in the mobile terminal 32, the electronic prize is a prize equivalent to 5,000 yen, and the charge amount is 30,000 yen (30,000 yen for the past + 0 yen for the current day). If a prize exchange equivalent to 60,000 yen is performed from this state, since the upper limit of electronic prize exchange is unlimited, a prize equivalent to 60,000 yen is added to the prize equivalent to 5,000 yen of the electronic prize, and the electronic prize becomes a prize equivalent to 65,000 yen.

[0043] Next, when a charge exchange is performed, since the charge amount reaches the upper limit of 50,000 yen with a prize equivalent to 20,000 yen out of the prize equivalent to 50,000 yen of the electronic prize, a prize equivalent to 20,000 yen is charged for the exchange. The prize equivalent to 20,000 yen is subtracted from the prize equivalent to 65,000 yen of the electronic prize, and the electronic prize becomes a prize equivalent to 45,000 yen, and the charge amount becomes 50,000 yen (30,000 yen for the past + 20,000 yen for the current day).

[0044] Next, when a deposit of 10,000 yen is made, although the charge amount for the past cannot be settled, since prepaid can be issued, a deposit of 10,000 yen is made (prioritizing the past), and 10,000 yen is subtracted from the 30,000 yen of the past in the charge amount of 50,000 yen, and the charge amount becomes 40,000 yen (20,000 yen for the past + 20,000 yen for the current day).

[0045] Next, when settlement is performed, 20,000 yen of the current day's charge amount is cashed (only the current day is allowed) and settlement is performed. 20,000 yen of the current day is subtracted from the charge amount of 40,000 yen, and the charge amount becomes 20,000 yen (20,000 yen for the past + 0 yen for the current day).

[0046] Next, when a charge exchange is performed, since the charge amount reaches the current day's upper limit of 25,000 yen with a prize equivalent to 25,000 yen out of the prize equivalent to 30,000 yen of the electronic prize, a prize equivalent to 25,000 yen is charged for the exchange. The prize equivalent to 25,000 yen is subtracted from the prize equivalent to 45,000 yen of the electronic prize, and the electronic prize becomes a prize equivalent to 20,000 yen. 25,000 yen is added to the current day's 0 yen of the charge amount, and the charge amount becomes 45,000 yen (20,000 yen for the past + 25,000 yen for the current day).

[0047] Next, when settlement is performed, 25,000 yen of the same-day charge amount is cashed (only the same-day amount is allowed) and settlement is carried out. 25,000 yen of the same-day amount is subtracted from 45,000 yen of the charge amount, and the charge amount becomes 20,000 yen (20,000 yen of the past amount + 0 yen of the same-day amount).

[0048] Next, when the exchange charge is carried out, since the prize equivalent to 20,000 yen of the electronic prize does not reach any of the upper limits, the prize equivalent to 20,000 yen is exchanged and charged. 20,000 yen of the prize equivalent is subtracted from the prize equivalent to 20,000 yen of the electronic prize, and the electronic prize becomes 0 yen of the prize equivalent. 20,000 yen is added to 0 yen of the same-day amount of the charge amount, and the charge amount becomes 40,000 yen (20,000 yen of the past amount + 20,000 yen of the same-day amount).

[0049] Then, when settlement is performed, 20,000 yen of the same-day charge amount is cashed (only the same-day amount is allowed) and settlement is carried out. 20,000 yen of the same-day amount is subtracted from 40,000 yen of the charge amount, and the charge amount becomes 20,000 yen (20,000 yen of the past amount + 0 yen of the same-day amount).

[0050] As described above, according to this embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained. In the casino system, the prize information presented by the prize exchange process is taken in by the player's mobile terminal 32, and further, the prize information taken in by the mobile terminal 32 is converted into value information associated with the mobile terminal 32 by an operation on the mobile terminal 32. Therefore, at least special prizes to be exchanged can be reduced while complying with the so-called three-store method. As a result, it is possible to reduce the labor costs and security costs related to the procurement work and inventory securing of the special prizes to be exchanged, or to improve the convenience for the players.

[0051] In addition, since a settlement terminal 8 that performs cash settlement processing by taking in value information associated with the player's mobile terminal 32 is provided in the game parlor, the player can settle the prize information in cash in the same manner as special prizes. Furthermore, since the settlement terminal 8 is provided in the game parlor, it is possible to improve the convenience of the players who have played the game, and compared with the conventional prize exchange office, it is possible to transfer at least a part of the storage location of the cash that is the settlement target to a game parlor where it is easier for security personnel to guard against theft as there are more employees.

[0052] In addition, it is provided with a settlement terminal 8 that performs cash settlement processing by taking in value information associated with the player's mobile terminal 32. The value information is managed separately according to whether conversion processing for converting prize information into value information or prize exchange processing related to the presentation of the prize information that is the conversion source was performed on the same day. Cash settlement processing is permitted for the value information that is managed separately on the same day, so at least the prize information that became the exchange target on the same day can be made the settlement target. Also, it is possible to suppress the settlement processing without making the prize information exchanged before the previous day the settlement target.

[0053] In addition, an upper limit is set for the player's prize information, and prize exchange processing is performed by combining the prize information and special prizes according to the conditions. For example, it is assumed that an upper limit is set for the value information when the value information associated with the player's mobile terminal 32 is managed by a settlement business operator or the like and it is necessary to pay a deposit according to the storage level of the value information. Even in this case, appropriate prize exchange processing can be performed.

[0054] In addition, the conversion processing for converting the prize information into value information associated with the player's mobile terminal 32 is suppressed until the exchange permission information provided outside the game parlor is taken in by the mobile terminal 32. For example, when converting the prize information into value information, it becomes necessary to leave the game parlor once, and conversion that complies with the three-store method can be performed.

[0055] In addition, the game values deposited in the game parlor can be used for at least one of the prize exchange process and the granting process of granting game values that can be used for games in the game parlor. The value information can be used for the granting process even in game parlors other than the game parlor where the prize information serving as the conversion source is presented. When the prize exchange process is performed, the value deposit process can be selectively executed. For example, when a player plays again at the game parlor where the player has won a prize, the player can save the balls. When the player plays at a game parlor other than the said game parlor, the player can treat it as prize information. Thus, the response during the prize exchange process can be changed according to the needs of the player.

[0056] In addition, in the present embodiment, there are the following merits for players, game parlors, prize wholesalers, and the police department. As a merit for players, it is possible to reduce the necessity of taking special prizes to the prize exchange office and exchanging them for cash, and the necessity of lining up at the prize exchange office when the store closes. Players can receive the same merits as when saving the balls, and the convenience is improved. In addition, it is also conceivable that the exchange charge from the electronic prizes on the same day can be cashed at the settlement terminal 8 in the game parlor without going to the prize exchange office, and the convenience is improved.

[0057] As a merit for the game parlor, by using the amount exchanged from the electronic prizes as the next game funds, a repeater effect can be expected. The number of special prizes to be managed for procurement can be reduced, the work of stocking and replenishing the payout machines can be reduced, labor saving of employees can be expected, and reduction of labor costs can be expected. If it is a local cashless operation that does not perform bank settlement which is a charge from an account, no settlement fee is required (only the system usage fee to the settlement business operator), and it can be realized with low operation costs. It can be realized without requiring a large-scale equipment investment, and can be realized with low introduction costs by changing the software of the counting lending unit 2, POS 7, and settlement terminal 8.

[0058] As for the merits of the prize wholesaler, it is possible to expect labor saving of the personnel required for the exchange work and cost reduction of labor costs by reducing the cash, special prizes, and the number of exchanges handled at the prize exchange. It is possible to reduce the possibility of the prize exchange being robbed, and it is possible to expect reduction of transportation risk and reduction of security staff. Since only a part or all of the conventional special prizes are replaced with electronic prizes, it is possible to secure the income of the prize commission as before. It can be realized without requiring a large-scale facility investment, and it can be realized only by preparing a terminal for managing the transaction of electronic prizes.

[0059] As for the merits of the National Police Agency, by reducing the possibility of the prize exchange suffering from robbery damage, it is possible to construct a safe gaming environment including the gaming hall and the prize exchange and provide it to the players. By continuing the operation of the same three-store system as before, it is possible to eliminate the troublesome explanation to each related party. By realizing a cashless operation with clear personal information registration and exchange history, it is possible to expect suppression of fraud and trouble. It is possible to expect a reduction in the exchange trouble between the player and the gaming hall, the fraud of prizes, and the fake prizes.

[0060] The present invention is not limited only to the above-described embodiments, and may be modified or extended as follows, or any combination of the following modification examples may be combined with the above-described embodiments, or any combination of the modification examples may be used, and a configuration that is not adopted may be provided as appropriate. Although electronic money is exemplified as the non-cash value, virtual currency may be adopted. In this case, it is necessary to download a settlement application necessary for performing the settlement of the virtual currency to the mobile terminal 32 and the gaming hall side also needs to have a configuration necessary for the settlement of the virtual currency.

[0061] In the settlement system 41, the number of types of electronic money provided by the service providing institution server 34 may be one or plural. When the number of types of electronic money provided by the service providing institution 34 is plural, the player may be able to arbitrarily select one type of electronic money from among the plural types of electronic money and use it for settlement.

[0062] The gaming machine 1 may be an enclosed gaming machine that adds and stores gaming media as electronic data without paying it out. Also, it may be, for example, a slot machine, not limited to a pachinko machine. The above numerical values are examples, and any numerical values may be adopted. Each setting value may be set by the administrator arbitrarily through operation input, may be set in advance by the manufacturer of the management device 6, or may be set by downloading setting information from a server outside (for example, the head office of a chain store, etc.). Of course, it may also be set based on past gaming information as a reference value.

[0063] When comparing with a reference value such as an upper limit, it is expressed as "reached", but "reached" may be any case that matches "reached", such as when it is equal, greater than or equal to, or exceeded. Similarly, "not reached" may be any case that matches "not reached", such as when it is less than, less than, or not exceeded. Also, although prohibition is exemplified as an example of suppression, a suppression method that makes it difficult to process compared to a case where suppression is not performed, such as allowing with the condition of authentication by an employee, may be adopted instead of just prohibition.

[0064] All the exemplified gaming information may be directly specified by the input signal or indirectly specified using an arithmetic expression. Also, although a pulse signal is exemplified as the gaming signal, a signal input such as a telegram by serial communication or the like may also be used. Numerical values, number of digits, items, etc. are examples, and any numerical values may be adopted, or items that are not adopted as appropriate may be provided. Part of the processing performed by the management device 6 may be performed by the counting lending unit 2, the gaming information display device 3, the relay device 4, etc., and the means for specifying and managing gaming information may be configured in any way.

[0065] Other electronic value information such as electronic money using NFC or the like may be adopted as the value information. When presenting information to the player's mobile terminal 32 as in the case of presenting prize information from POS7, a configuration for displaying a QR code has been exemplified, but of course, other methods such as wireless communication including NFC or wired communication may be used for presentation. Although it has been exemplified that physical prizes are to be exchanged at POS7, it is not necessarily required to use physical prizes as the exchange target. Also, when using physical prizes as the exchange target, not only special prizes but also general prizes may be used as the exchange target.

[0066] As an example of the value states stored in the mobile terminal 32, two types, electronic prizes and recharge amounts (common for deposit and cashing), have been exemplified. However, separate deposit and cashing recharge amounts may be provided, and conditions such as upper limits may be the same as in the embodiments and variations. Although it has been exemplified that the daily limit is not set for the upper limit of electronic prize exchanges, the daily limit may be set for the upper limit of electronic prize exchanges. Also, the daily limit does not necessarily need to be set for the upper limit of the recharge amount. Furthermore, no upper limit may be set at all for the value states stored in the mobile terminal 32.

[0067] Although it has been exemplified that no upper limit is set for the recharge amount or the added amount for electronic prizes, an upper limit may be set for the recharge amount or the added amount for electronic prizes. For example, the upper limit of the added amount for the recharge amount may be set to 30,000 yen, the upper limit of the added amount for the exchange recharge may be set to 100,000 yen, and the upper limit of the added amount for electronic prizes may be set to 100,000 yen.

[0068] When converting into electronic prizes, information indicating that it has been exchanged on the same day may be associated, and the condition for the exchange recharge may be that such information is associated. Also, electronic prizes may be divided into the same-day portion and the past portion, and only the same-day portion may be targeted for the exchange recharge. At POS7, the value information may be distinguished depending on whether the prize exchange process has been performed on the same day.

Explanation of Signs

[0069] In the drawings, 1 is a gaming machine, 7 is a POS (prize exchange means, value deposit means, selection execution means), 8 is a settlement terminal (settlement means), and 33 is a control unit (prize information acquisition means, conversion means, suppression means).

Claims

1. a prize exchange means for presenting prize information indicating an electronic prize, which is a virtual prize and is an object of the exchange, as a prize exchange process for exchanging the game value acquired by the player for a prize; a prize information acquisition means for acquiring the prize information presented by the prize exchange process into a mobile terminal of the player; a conversion means for converting the prize information indicating the electronic prize, which is input to the mobile terminal by the prize information input means, into value information indicating a non-cash value associated with the mobile terminal through an operation on the mobile terminal, The prize exchange means is characterized in that it performs the prize exchange process by combining the prize information with actual prizes as exchange items.

2. The amusement arcade system according to claim 1, further comprising an awarding means for performing an awarding process for awarding gaming value to a player in exchange for value information that is separately associated with the mobile terminal by the player, different from the value information converted by the conversion process.

3. An upper limit is set for the gift information that can be associated with the mobile terminal, The prize exchange means, when performing a prize exchange process for exchange items that have reached the upper limit, presents the prize information up to the upper limit, while exchanging the remaining exchange items for actual prizes, thereby performing the prize exchange process by combining exchange items based on the prize information and actual prizes.

4. An upper limit is set for value information that can be associated with the mobile terminal, 4. The game arcade system according to claim 1, wherein the conversion means restricts the conversion process according to an upper limit of the value information.

5. An amusement park system as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is equipped with an awarding means for importing value information converted by the conversion process and performing an awarding process for awarding gaming value to a player in exchange for the imported value information.

Images