Gaming medium lending machine and gaming medium lending machine management system

Abstract

To provide a gaming medium lending machine management system that allows a player to quickly locate a gaming machine the player was using, even after the player temporarily left the seat of the gaming machine and forgot which machine the player was using.SOLUTION: When the player mistakenly inserts the card the player received upon leaving into the gaming medium lending machine of another gaming machine, the display screen of the other gaming machine shows the machine number of the gaming machine to which the player should return.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming media lending machine that is attached to a pachinko machine or other gaming machine and lends out gaming media to be used on the gaming machine, a program that controls the operation of the gaming media lending machine, and a gaming media lending machine management system that manages the operation of the gaming media lending machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Pachinko parlors and other gaming establishments employ an away mode that allows a player to temporarily leave a gaming machine and reserve it for use again when the player returns. An example of the away mode is described in Patent Publication No. 2021-53192 (Patent Document 1). When a player presses the away mode button on the gaming media lending machine attached to the gaming machine, the operation of the gaming machine stops, and the display screen of the gaming media lending machine displays a message indicating that the player is away. At the same time, a card containing information identifying the gaming machine is issued from the gaming media lending machine. The player removes the card and, when he returns to the gaming machine, inserts the card into the gaming medium lending machine, allowing the gaming machine to resume operation from the state it was in before he left. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-53192 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, since there are many gaming machines of the same type in a gaming parlor, once a customer leaves a gaming machine, it is not uncommon for the customer to return and not remember where the gaming machine they were using was. Even if the display screen of the gaming media lending machine indicates that the user is away, if there are other gaming machines with the same display, it may be difficult to find the gaming machine that the user was using. The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems with conventional game media lending machines as described above, and aims to provide a game media lending machine that can reliably find a game machine in a short amount of time even when a player has left the game machine and can no longer remember where the game machine he or she was using, a game media lending machine management program that operates the game media lending machine in this manner, and a game media lending machine management system that manages the game media lending machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To achieve this object, the present invention provides a gaming medium lending machine (100) attached to a gaming machine (300) for lending gaming media to be used on the gaming machine (300), the gaming medium lending machine (100) having a display screen (142), an away mode function that, when a player leaves his / her seat, stops the operation of the gaming machine (300) used by the player and displays on the display screen (142) that the player is away, and a card issuing function that, when the player selects the away mode function, issues an away card recording information for identifying the gaming machine (300), and When a customer selects the away mode function, receives the away card, and then inserts the away card into the game media lending machine (100) of the game machine (300), the game media lending machine (100) resumes operation of the game machine (300), and when the customer inserts the away card into the game media lending machine (100) of a game machine (300) other than the game machine (300), the game media lending machine (100) of the game machine (300) other than the game machine (300) displays an error message and the machine number of the game machine (300) on its display screen (142).

[0006] The game medium lending machine (100) has a function of displaying on the display screen (142) a map (600) indicating the locations of a plurality of game machines (300) arranged in the game shop, and when the player inserts the leave card into the game medium lending machine (100) of the game machine (300) other than the game machine (300), it is preferable that the game medium lending machine (100) of the game machine (300) other than the game machine (300) displays the error message and the machine number of the game machine (300) on its display screen (142), and also displays the map (600) and the locations of the game machines (300) other than the game machine (300) and the location of the game machine (300). It is preferable that the positions of the gaming machines (300) other than the gaming machine (300) in question and the position of the gaming machine (300) in question are displayed so as to be visually distinguishable from the positions of the other gaming machines (300). It is preferable that the map (600) displays a route (610) from a gaming machine (300) other than the gaming machine (300) to the gaming machine (300).

[0007] The present invention further provides a game media lending machine management program for controlling the operation of a game media lending machine (100) attached to a game machine (300) and lending game media to be used on the game machine (300), the game media lending machine (100) comprising at least a control device (120) and a display screen (142), an away mode function for stopping the operation of the game machine (300) used by the player when the player leaves the machine and displaying on the display screen (142) that the player is away from the machine, and a card issuing function for issuing an away card recording information for identifying the game machine (300) when the player selects the away mode function, and the game media lending machine management program is installed in the control device (120). The game medium lending machine management program is stored in a storage device (122) arranged in the game machine (300), and when a player at the game machine (300) selects the away mode function, receives the away card, and then inserts the away card into the game medium lending machine (100) of the game machine (300), the game medium lending machine management program resumes operation of the game machine (300), and when the player inserts the away card into the game medium lending machine (100) of a game machine (300) other than the game machine (300), the game medium lending machine management program displays an error message and the machine number of the game machine (300) on the display screen (142) of the game medium lending machine (100) of the game machine (300) other than the game machine (300).

[0008] The game medium lending machine (100) has a function of displaying on the display screen (142) a map (600) indicating the locations of a plurality of game machines (300) arranged in the game shop, and it is preferable that when the player inserts the leave card into the game medium lending machine (100) of the game machine (300) other than the game machine (300), the game medium lending machine management program displays the error message and the machine number of the game machine (300) on the display screen (142) of the game medium lending machine (100) of the game machine (300) other than the game machine (300), and also displays the map (600) and the locations of the game machines (300) other than the game machine (300) and the location of the game machine (300). It is preferable that the gaming medium rental machine management program displays the positions of gaming machines (300) other than the gaming machine (300) in question and the position of the gaming machine (300) in question so as to be visually distinguishable from the positions of the other gaming machines (300). The gaming medium lending machine management program preferably displays on the map (600) a route (610) from the position of a gaming machine (300) other than the gaming machine (300) to the gaming machine (300).

[0009] The present invention further provides a gaming medium lending machine management system (500) including at least a plurality of gaming medium lending machines (100) attached to a plurality of gaming machines (300) respectively for lending gaming media to be used on the gaming machines (300), and a management server (200) capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from each of the plurality of gaming medium lending machines (100), wherein each of the plurality of gaming medium lending machines (100) has a display screen (142), and each of the plurality of gaming medium lending machines (100) has an away mode function for, when a player leaves his / her seat, stopping operation of the gaming machine (300) used by the player and displaying on the display screen (142) that the player is away from his / her seat, and a control server (200) for identifying the gaming machine (300) when the player selects the away mode function. and a card issuing function for issuing an away card recording information indicating the away card, wherein the management server (200) resumes operation of the gaming machine (300) when a player at the gaming machine (300) selects the away mode function, receives the away card, and then inserts the away card into the gaming medium lending machine (100) of the gaming machine (300), and when the player inserts the away card into the gaming medium lending machine (100) of a gaming machine (300) other than the gaming machine (300), the management server (200) displays an error message and the machine number of the gaming machine (300) on the display screen (142) of the gaming medium lending machine (100) of the gaming machine (300) other than the gaming machine (300).

[0010] Each of the plurality of game medium lending machines (100) has a function of displaying on the display screen (142) a map (600) indicating the locations of the plurality of game machines (300) arranged in the game shop, and when the player inserts the leave card into a game medium lending machine (100) of a game machine (300) other than the game machine (300) in question, the management server (200) preferably displays the error message and the machine number of the game machine (300) in question on the display screen (142), and also displays the map (600) and the locations of the game machines (300) other than the game machine in question and the location of the game machine (300) in question. It is preferable that the management server (200) displays the positions of the gaming machines (300) other than the gaming machine (300) in question and the position of the gaming machine (300) in question so as to be visually distinguishable from the positions of the other gaming machines (300).

[0011] It is preferable that the management server (200) displays on the map (600) a route (610) from the position of a gaming machine (300) other than the gaming machine (300) to the gaming machine (300). The gaming medium lending machine management system (500) further includes a display (510) arranged within the gaming store, and the display (510) has a function of displaying a map (600) showing the locations of a plurality of gaming machines (300) arranged within the gaming store, and when the management server (200) causes the display screen (142) of the gaming medium lending machine (100) of a gaming machine (300) other than the gaming machine (300) to display the error message and the machine number of the gaming machine (300), it is preferable that the management server (200) causes the display (510) to display the map (600) and the locations of the gaming machines (300) other than the gaming machine (300) and the location of the gaming machine (300). It is preferable that the management server (200) displays on the display (510) the positions of the gaming machines (300) other than the gaming machine (300) in question and the position of the gaming machine (300) in question so as to be visually distinguishable from the positions of the other gaming machines (300). It is preferable that the management server (200) displays on the map (600) on the display (510) a route (610) from the position of a gaming machine (300) other than the gaming machine (300) to the gaming machine (300). The reference numerals in parentheses are used only to show the correspondence with the embodiments described later, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the game media lending machine, game media lending machine management program, or game media lending machine management system of the present invention, even if a player sets the game media lending machine of a gaming machine to the away mode and then leaves his / her seat, and then mistakes another gaming machine for his / her own and inserts his / her card into the game media lending machine, the display screen of the game media lending machine of that gaming machine will show the machine number of the gaming machine to which the player should return. This allows the player to find his / her own gaming machine reliably in a short time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a gaming media rental machine management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of gaming machines that make up the gaming media lending machine management system shown in FIG. 1 lined up. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 1 is a front view of a game media lending machine constituting a game media lending machine management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a partial structure of a game media lending machine that constitutes a game media lending machine management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game media lending machine carried out in accordance with the game media lending machine management program. [Figure 9] 10 is an example of an image displayed on a display screen. [Figure 10] 10 is an example of an image displayed on a display screen. [Figure 11] 10 is an example of an image displayed on a display screen. [Figure 12] 10 is an example of an image displayed on a display screen. [Figure 13] 10 is an example of an image displayed on a display screen. [Figure 14] 10 is an example of an image displayed on a display screen. [Figure 15] 10 is an example of an image displayed on a display screen. [Figure 16] 10 is an example of an image displayed on a display screen. [Figure 17] 10 is an example of a map displayed on a display screen. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the layout of various displays within an amusement facility. [Figure 19] A block diagram of a gaming media rental machine management system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a game media rental machine management system 500 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The gaming media rental machine management system 500 consists of a plurality of gaming media rental machines 100 attached to each of a plurality of gaming machines 300 located within the gaming facility, and one management server 200.Each of the multiple gaming media rental machines 100 is connected to the management server 200 via wired or wireless connections, and is configured to be able to send and receive data between them. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of an arrangement of a plurality of gaming machines 300, and FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of gaming machines 300 are arranged in a row, for example, in a gaming facility.

[0015] 3, a game media lending machine 100 is disposed adjacent to each game machine 300. The game media lending machine 100 lends game media (e.g., pachinko balls) to be used in the game machine 300 according to the amount inserted, and also controls the operation of the game machine 300. The operation of each game media lending machine 100 is controlled by a management server 200 . 4 is a front view of the game media lending machine 100, FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a partially perspective view of FIG. The gaming media rental machine 100 is equipped with a card acceptance unit (not shown) that accepts pre-created cards, a card information reading unit (not shown) that reads out the card information stored on the accepted card, a display screen 142 (see Figure 7), and a communication unit (not shown) that sends and receives signals between the display screen 142 and the management server 200. As shown in Figure 4, the card accepting unit has a card insertion port 101, and a card inserted into the gaming media lending machine 100 through the card insertion port 101 is transported to the card information reading unit, which reads the card information stored on the card.

[0016] The card information includes, for example, the member's name and other personal information, usage history, remaining balance, etc. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a partial structure of the game media lending machine 100. As shown in FIG. The gaming machine 300 is configured as, for example, a pachinko machine. The game media lending machine 100 includes, in addition to the card receiving unit and card information reading unit, a communication unit 110, a control unit 120, an external memory 130, and an input / output unit 140, for example. The game media rental machine 100 is connected to the management server 200 via the communication unit 110, and transmits and receives data to and from the management server 200 via the communication unit 110.

[0017] The communication section 110 includes a data receiving section 111, a data transmitting section 112, and a changeover switch 113, and the communication section 110 constitutes the above-mentioned communication unit. The data receiving unit 111 demodulates the data received from the management server 200 and sends it to the control unit 120. The data transmitting unit 112 modulates the data output from the control unit 120 and sends it to the management server 200. The changeover switch 113 receives a signal from the control unit 120 and switches between transmission and reception in response to that signal. The control unit 120 is composed of a central processing unit (CPU) 121, a first memory 122 consisting of ROM, a second memory 123 consisting of RAM, an input interface 124 for transferring various commands and data input to the control unit 120 to the central processing unit 121, an output interface 125 for outputting the processing results executed by the central processing unit 121 to the outside, and a bus 126 connecting the central processing unit 121 to each of the first memory 122, the second memory 123, the input interface 124 and the output interface 125.

[0018] The first memory 122 stores various control programs executed by the central processing unit 121 and other non-rewritable data. The second memory 123 stores various data and parameters and provides an operating area for the central processing unit 121, i.e., stores data temporarily required for the central processing unit 121 to execute various control programs. The central processing unit 121 reads a program from the first memory 122 and executes the program. That is, the central processing unit 121 operates in accordance with the program stored in the first memory 122. In this embodiment, the first memory 122 stores a game media lending machine management program that controls the operation of the game media lending machine 100, and the central processing unit 121 executes the method described below in accordance with this game media lending machine management program. The input / output unit 140 is made up of an operation unit 141, a display screen 142 (see FIGS. 4 to 6), and a speaker 143.

[0019] The operation unit 141 is made up of, for example, a numeric keypad and a touch panel, and various data are input to the control unit 120 via the operation unit 141 . The display screen 142 is made up of, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays data and images sent from the control unit 120 on the screen. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the display screen 142 is rotatably supported on the main body of the game media lending machine 100 at one end of its upper and lower parts on a straight line extending vertically, and can be rotated in a horizontal plane relative to the main body of the game media lending machine 100, so that the player can rotate the display screen 142 to a position that is easy to view. If necessary, the audio data transmitted from the control unit 120 is output through a speaker 143 . The external memory 130 is a memory for the control unit 120, and the results of calculations performed by the control unit 120 and other data are stored in the external memory 130.

[0020] As described below, the gaming medium lending machine 100 having the above configuration is equipped with an away mode function that stops the operation of the gaming machine 300 when a player leaves their seat and displays a message on the display screen 142 of the gaming medium lending machine 100 indicating that the player is away from their seat, and a card issuance function that issues an away card that records information identifying the gaming machine 300 (such as the machine number of the gaming machine and the time the player left their seat) when the player selects the away mode function. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game media lending machine 100 executed in accordance with the game media lending machine management program. As mentioned above, the first memory 122 of the control unit 120 stores a game media lending machine management program, and the central processing unit 121 reads the game media lending machine management program from the first memory 122 and operates the game media lending machine 100 in accordance with the game media lending machine management program as follows. Assume that a player is playing a game on the gaming machine 300 (step S110).

[0021] In this situation, the central processing unit 121 determines whether or not there is a balance remaining on the card inserted into the game media lending machine 100 (step S120). If there is no remaining balance on the card (NO in step S120), this determination is repeated until there is a remaining balance on the card. If there is a balance remaining on the card (YES in step S120), the central processing unit 121 determines that the away mode is valid (step S130). In this situation, the player can select the away mode at any time. FIG. 9 is an example of an image displayed on the display screen 142 when there is a balance remaining on the card (YES in step S120). As shown in FIG. 9, the display screen 142 displays the remaining balance and other information, as well as an "Away / Break" icon for selecting the away mode or break mode.

[0022] The away mode is a mode that a player selects when he or she temporarily leaves the gaming machine, and the rest mode is a mode that a player selects when he or she takes a break from playing for an extended period of time (typically 40 to 60 minutes), for example to eat. When a player presses the "Away / Rest" button, an image is displayed that indicates whether to select the away mode or the rest mode. Figure 10 is an example of such an image, and if the player selects "Away," an image is displayed following the image shown in Figure 10, asking the player to reconfirm whether or not to execute the away mode, as shown in Figure 11. It is assumed that the player presses the "Away" button to select the away mode (step S140). Next, the central processing unit 121 determines whether the game media lending machine 100 is online or not (step S150). Online refers to a state in which the game media rental machine 100 is able to send and receive data with the management server 200, while offline is the opposite of online, and offline refers to a state in which the game media rental machine 100 is unable to send and receive data with the management server 200.

[0023] If the gaming medium rental machine 100 is online (YES in step S150), the central processing unit 121 sends information such as the machine number of the gaming machine 300, other unique information of the gaming machine 300, and the current time (time of leaving the seat) to the management server 200 (step S160). Next, the central processing unit 121 transmits an operation stop signal to the game media lending machine 100, and the game media lending machine 100 stops the operation of the gaming machine 300 (step S170). Thereafter, the central processing unit 121 writes the same information as that transmitted to the management server 200 onto the card, and then ejects the card from the game media lending machine 100 as an absent card (step S180). FIG. 12 is an example of an image displayed on the display screen 142 when an absent card is ejected. The player receives the dispensed card and leaves the gaming machine 300.

[0024] If the gaming medium lending machine 100 is not online (NO in step S150), i.e., if it is offline, the central processing unit 121 stores the machine number of the gaming machine 300, other unique information of the gaming machine 300, the time of leaving the machine, and other information in the external memory 130 (step S190). Furthermore, the central processing unit 121 writes the same information as that stored in the external memory 130 onto the card (step S200). Thereafter, the central processing unit 121 stops the operation of the gaming machine 300 (step S170), and ejects the card from the gaming medium lending machine 100 as an away card (step S180). The time a player can be away from the gaming machine is predetermined (for example, 30 minutes), and while the player is away from the machine, the display screen 142 displays the message "Away mode" and the remaining time allowed for the away time (Figure 13) or the time allowed for the away time exceeded (Figure 14).

[0025] The player who has returned from his business inserts the card into the gaming medium lending machine 100 to restart the operation of the gaming machine 300 (step S210). When the card is inserted, the central processing unit 121 determines whether the gaming machine 300 is in the away mode (step S220). If it is determined that the gaming machine 300 is not in the away mode (NO in step S220), the central processing unit 121 displays an error message on the display screen 142 of the gaming medium lending machine 100 (step S230). Figure 15 is an example of such an error display. The error message is, for example, "Cannot be used because another customer is playing." In other words, if another player (a player who does not have a leave-behind card) accidentally inserts a card (a card that is not a leave-behind card) into a game media lending machine 100 in leave-behind mode, such an error message will be displayed on the display screen 142 of the game media lending machine 100. Assume that a player who has an away card finds a gaming machine 300 that has an away mode displayed on the display screen 142 and inserts the away card into the gaming medium lending machine 100.

[0026] If it is determined that the gaming machine 300 is in the away mode (YES in step S220), the central processing unit 121 determines whether the gaming medium lending machine 100 is in the online state (step S240). If the game media rental machine 100 is online (YES in step S240), the central processing unit 121 sends the machine number stored on the away card to the management server 200, and the management server 200 determines whether the sent machine number matches the machine number sent when applying for away mode for the game media rental machine 100 (step S250). If the two machine numbers match (YES in step S250), the management server 200 sends a signal to that effect to the central processing unit 121 of the gaming medium lending machine 100, and the central processing unit 121 resumes operation of the gaming machine 300 (step S260).

[0027] If the game media rental machine 100 is not online (NO in step S240), the central processing unit 121 determines whether the machine number stored on the away card matches the machine number stored in the external memory 130 at the time of requesting away mode (step S270). If the two machine numbers match (YES in step S270), the central processing unit 121 resumes operation of the gaming machine 300 (step S260). If the two machine numbers do not match (NO in step S250 and NO in step S270), the central processing unit 121 displays an error message and the correct machine number on the display screen 142 (step S280). Figure 16 is an example of such a display. 16, this display indicates the type of error, for example, "machine number mismatch," and also displays the machine number of the machine to which the player should return, such as "Your machine number is 123." This situation occurs, for example, when a player finds a gaming machine 300 that is displaying the away mode and inserts an away card into the gaming media lending machine 100, but it is not his / her gaming machine 300.

[0028] After this, the above process (steps S210-S280) is repeated until the player finds his / her own gaming machine 300. As described above, according to the gaming medium rental machine management system 500 of this embodiment, even if a player sets the gaming machine 300 to the away mode and then leaves his / her seat, and then mistakenly inserts a leave card into another gaming machine 300, thinking it is his / her own gaming machine 300, the machine number of the gaming machine 300 to which he / she should return is displayed. This allows the player to reliably find his / her own gaming machine 300 in a short time. (Second embodiment) In the first embodiment, even if a player mistakenly inserts his / her leave-behind card into the gaming media lending machine 100 of another gaming machine after leaving his / her seat, the machine number of his / her gaming machine will be displayed, and he / she can use that machine number as a landmark to find his / her gaming machine. However, even if you know the machine number of your gaming machine, if you do not know your current location within the gaming parlor, you may not be able to immediately find the location of your gaming machine.

[0029] For this reason, in the gaming media rental machine management system according to this embodiment, the gaming media rental machine 100 is configured so that the player can visually grasp the location of his / her gaming machine. The gaming medium rental machine 100 in this embodiment has a function of displaying on the display screen 142 a map 600 showing the locations of a plurality of gaming machines arranged in the gaming establishment. FIG. 17 is an example of a map 600. As shown in Figure 17, the map 600 shows the layout of the counter and other areas within the gaming parlor, as well as the locations or placement status of 48 gaming machines 300, numbered 001 to 048, located within the gaming parlor. The map 600 is stored in the first memory 122, and when the central processing unit 121 displays the correct machine number to the player, it reads the map 600 from the first memory 122 and displays the map 600 on the display screen 142 together with the correct machine number.

[0030] As described above, when the away card is mistakenly inserted into the game medium lending machine 100 of another game machine instead of the player's own game machine, an error message is displayed along with the correct machine number (see step S280 in FIG. 8). At this time, the central processing unit 121 reads out the map 600 from the first memory 122 and displays the map 600 on the display screen 142, along with displaying the error and the correct machine number. Map 600 displays the location of gaming machines numbered 001 to 048, as well as the player's current location (the location of the gaming machine into which the player mistakenly inserted the leaving card) and destination (the location of the gaming machine the player was using). This allows the player to visually determine the location of the gaming machine to which they should return. The current location and destination can be displayed so that they can be visually distinguished from the locations of other gaming machines so that they can be easily seen by the player, for example, by illuminating the current location and destination, or by displaying the current location and destination in a different color from the locations of other gaming machines.

[0031] Furthermore, a route 610 from the current location to the destination can be shown by an arrow or other image on the map 600. By showing the route 610 from the current location to the destination, the customer can return to the gaming machine they were using without getting lost in the gaming parlor. In this way, according to the gaming media rental machine management system of this embodiment, a map 600 is displayed along with an error message and a machine number, and further, the map 600 displays the player's current location and destination, so that the player can visually grasp the location of the gaming machine to which he or she should return, and the player can easily find his or her way back to his or her gaming machine. Furthermore, by displaying the current location and destination so as to be visually distinguishable from the locations of other gaming machines, or by showing the route 610 from the current location to the destination with an arrow or other image, the player can return to his / her gaming machine in a short time.

[0032] (Third embodiment) In the game media lending machine management system according to the second embodiment, if an away card is mistakenly inserted into the game media lending machine 100 of another game machine 300, the map 600 is displayed on the display screen 142 of the game media lending machine 100 of that game machine along with the correct machine number. This map 600 shows the player's current location and destination, allowing the player to return to his or her own game machine, but if the map 600 is also displayed on a display screen (display) other than the display screen 142 of the game media lending machine 100 of the game machine 300 into which the away card was mistakenly inserted, it will be easier for the player to find his or her own game machine. For this reason, the gaming media lending machine management system of this embodiment is configured to display the map 600 not only on the display screen 142 of the gaming media lending machine 100 of the gaming machine 300 into which the leaving card has been mistakenly inserted, but also on all or the main display screens (displays) within the gaming establishment.

[0033] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the layout of various displays 510 in a gaming facility. As shown in FIG. 18, in addition to a group of multiple gaming machines 511 (called "islands"), a prize counter 512 and the like are also arranged inside the gaming parlor. The display 510 includes, for example, a payment machine 513, an island terminal 514, a prize counter terminal 515, and the like. The settlement machine 513 is placed at the end of several groups of gaming machines 511, the island terminal machine 514 is placed at the end of the group of gaming machines 511 or adjacent to the inner wall of the gaming facility, and the prize counter terminal machine 515 is placed adjacent to the prize counter 512. The payment machine 513, the terminal at the island 514 and the prize counter terminal 515 all have the same display function as the display screen 142 and can display various information.

[0034] FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a game media rental machine management system 500 according to this embodiment. The management server 200 is connected to each of the multiple game medium rental machines 100, as well as to the settlement machine 513, the island terminal machine 514, and the prize counter terminal machine 515 via wired or wireless connections, and is configured to be able to send and receive data between them. In the game media lending machine management system 500 of this embodiment, when a player mistakenly inserts an away card into a game media lending machine 100 of another game machine instead of his own, the management server 200 displays a map 600 on the display screen 142 of the game media lending machine 100, and also displays the map 600 on the payment machine 513, the island terminal 514 and the prize counter terminal 515, displaying the player's current location and destination.

[0035] In this way, in the game media lending machine management system 500 according to this embodiment, the map 600 is displayed not only on the display screens 142 of the game media lending machines 100 of other gaming machines, but also on the displays 510 (payment machines 513, island terminals 514, prize counter terminals 515) that are distributed throughout the gaming parlor. This allows players to check the location of their own gaming machine 300 in multiple locations, making it easy for them to return to their own gaming machine 300. In addition, the screens of the settlement machine 513, the island terminal 514 and the prize counter terminal 515 are generally larger than the display screen 142 of the gaming media lending machine 100, making it easier for players to see the location of their own gaming machine 300. The display 510 is not limited to the payment machine 513, the island terminal 514, and the prize counter terminal 515, but may include all screens for displaying information installed inside the gaming establishment. Furthermore, as in the second embodiment, the current location and destination can be displayed on the settlement machine 513, the island terminal 514 and the prize counter terminal 515 so as to be visually distinguishable from the positions of other gaming machines, or the route (path) 610 from the current location to the destination can be shown with an arrow or other image. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 100 Gaming media rental machine 121 Central Processing Unit 142 Display screen 200 Management Server 300 gaming machines 500 Gaming media rental machine management system 510 Display 600 maps 610 Route

Claims

1. A gaming medium lending machine that is attached to a gaming machine and lends gaming media to be used on the gaming machine, The gaming medium lending machine is equipped with a display screen, The gaming medium lending machine has an away mode function that, when a player leaves his / her seat, stops the operation of the gaming machine used by the player and displays on the display screen a message that the player is away from his / her seat, and a card issuing function that, when the player selects the away mode function, issues an away card recording information for identifying the gaming machine, When the player selects the away mode function, receives the away card, and then inserts the away card into the game media lending machine of the gaming machine, the game media lending machine resumes operation of the gaming machine, When the player inserts the leaving card into a game media lending machine of a game machine other than the game machine in question, the game media lending machine of the game machine other than the game machine in question displays an error message and the machine number of the game machine in question on its display screen.

2. The gaming medium rental machine has a function of displaying on the display screen a map showing the locations of a plurality of gaming machines arranged in the gaming store, A game media lending machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that when the player inserts the leave card into the game media lending machine of a game machine other than the game machine in question, the game media lending machine of the game machine other than the game machine in question displays the error message and the machine number of the game machine in question on its display screen, and also displays the map and displays the locations of the game machines other than the game machine in question and the location of the game machine in question.

3. 3. The gaming media lending machine according to claim 2, wherein the positions of the gaming machines other than the gaming machine in question and the position of the gaming machine in question are displayed so as to be visually distinguishable from the positions of the other gaming machines.

4. 3. The gaming media lending machine according to claim 2, wherein the map displays a route from a gaming machine other than the gaming machine to the gaming machine in question.

5. A game medium lending machine management program that is attached to a game machine and controls the operation of a game medium lending machine that lends game media to be used on the game machine, The gaming medium lending machine is equipped with at least a control device and a display screen, and is also equipped with an away mode function that, when a player leaves his / her seat, stops the operation of the gaming machine used by the player and displays on the display screen that the player is away from his / her seat, and a card issuing function that, when the player selects the away mode function, issues an away card that records information identifying the gaming machine, the game medium lending machine management program is stored in a storage device disposed in the control device, The game medium rental machine management program When a player of the gaming machine selects the away mode function, receives the away card, and then inserts the away card into the gaming medium lending machine of the gaming machine, the operation of the gaming machine is resumed; A game media lending machine management program characterized in that, when the player inserts the leave card into a game media lending machine of a game machine other than the game machine in question, an error message and the machine number of the game machine in question are displayed on the display screen of the game media lending machine of the game machine other than the game machine in question.

6. The gaming medium rental machine has a function of displaying on the display screen a map showing the locations of a plurality of gaming machines arranged in the gaming store, The game medium rental machine management program A game media lending machine management program as described in claim 5, characterized in that when the player inserts the leave card into a game media lending machine of a game machine other than the game machine in question, the error message and the machine number of the game machine in question are displayed on the display screen of the game media lending machine of the game machine other than the game machine in question, and the map is displayed to display the locations of the game machines other than the game machine in question and the location of the game machine in question.

7. The gaming medium lending machine management program described in claim 6, characterized in that the position of the gaming machine other than the gaming machine in question and the position of the gaming machine in question are displayed so as to be visually distinguishable from the positions of other gaming machines.

8. 7. The game media lending machine management program according to claim 6, wherein the game media lending machine management program displays on the map a route from the positions of game machines other than the game machine in question to the game machine in question.

9. A gaming medium lending machine management system including at least a plurality of gaming medium lending machines attached to each of a plurality of gaming machines and lending gaming media to be used on the gaming machines, and a management server capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from each of the plurality of gaming medium lending machines, Each of the plurality of game medium lending machines is equipped with a display screen, Each of the plurality of gaming medium lending machines has an away mode function for stopping the operation of the gaming machine used by the player when the player leaves the machine and displaying on the display screen a message indicating that the player is away from the machine, and a card issuing function for issuing an away card recording information for identifying the gaming machine when the player selects the away mode function, The management server When a player of the gaming machine selects the away mode function, receives the away card, and then inserts the away card into a gaming medium lending machine of the gaming machine, the operation of the gaming machine is resumed; A gaming media lending machine management system characterized in that when the player inserts the leave card into a gaming media lending machine of a gaming machine other than the gaming machine in question, an error message and the machine number of the gaming machine in question are displayed on the display screen of the gaming media lending machine of the gaming machine other than the gaming machine in question.

10. Each of the plurality of gaming medium lending machines has a function of displaying on the display screen a map showing the locations of the plurality of gaming machines arranged in the gaming establishment; The management server A gaming media lending machine management system as described in claim 9, characterized in that when the player inserts the leave card into a gaming media lending machine of a gaming machine other than the gaming machine in question, the error message and the machine number of the gaming machine in question are displayed on the display screen, and the map is also displayed to show the locations of the gaming machines other than the gaming machine in question and the location of the gaming machine in question.

11. The gaming media rental machine management system of claim 10, characterized in that the management server displays the positions of gaming machines other than the gaming machine in question and the position of the gaming machine in question so as to be visually distinguishable from the positions of other gaming machines.

12. 11. The gaming media rental machine management system according to claim 10, wherein the management server displays on the map a route from the positions of gaming machines other than the gaming machine in question to the gaming machine in question.

13. The gaming medium rental machine management system further includes a display disposed in the gaming store, The display has a function of displaying a map showing the locations of a plurality of gaming machines arranged within the gaming establishment, The management server A gaming media lending machine management system as described in claim 9, characterized in that when the error message and the machine number of the gaming machine are displayed on the display screen of the gaming media lending machine of the gaming machine other than the gaming machine in question, the map is displayed on the display and the positions of the gaming machines other than the gaming machine in question and the position of the gaming machine in question are displayed.

14. The gaming media rental machine management system of claim 13, characterized in that the management server displays the positions of gaming machines other than the gaming machine in question and the position of the gaming machine in question on the display so that it is visually distinguishable from the positions of other gaming machines.

15. 14. The gaming media rental machine management system according to claim 13, wherein the management server causes the display to display on the map a route from the positions of gaming machines other than the gaming machine in question to the gaming machine in question.

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