Game device and game medium management system

Abstract

To provide a game device and a game medium management system capable of preventing problems when employing a temporary membership medium.SOLUTION: A device corresponding to each game machine 3 as an example of a game machine is provided corresponding to a game machine 2. The device corresponding to each game machine 3 comprises reception means (a control unit 20 and a card processing unit 22) for receiving a temporary membership card C and collection means for collecting the temporary membership card C received by the reception means. The collection means collects the temporary membership card C when the number of held balls associated with the temporary membership card C becomes zero. The temporary membership card C is valid only in the date of issue.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming device and a gaming media management system. [Background technology]

[0002] Gaming media that are acquired by a customer playing at a gaming parlor and then counted are called owned gaming media (or owned balls in the case of pachinko balls). General customers who are not registered as members of the gaming parlor can use their owned gaming media for gaming only on the day they visit. The number of owned gaming media (or owned balls in the case of pachinko balls) is linked to a general card issued to the general customer by the gaming parlor. On the other hand, members who are registered as members of the gaming parlor can use gaming media acquired through gaming as saved gaming media (or saved balls in the case of pachinko balls) for gaming from the next day onwards. The number of saved gaming media, that is, the number of saved gaming media (or saved balls in the case of pachinko balls), is linked to a membership card issued to the member by the gaming parlor.

[0003] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an inter-machine card processing machine that is provided one-to-one with each gaming machine, and a member management device that stores the number of balls stored by each member. When a member inserts their membership card into the inter-machine card processing machine and requests balls to be stored after completing authentication using a PIN, the member management device subtracts a predetermined number of balls from the number of balls stored by the member, and the inter-machine card processing machine pays out a predetermined number of pachinko balls corresponding to the saved balls to the gaming machine. This allows the member to play using the pachinko balls paid out to the gaming machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-68912 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is anticipated that members who forget their membership cards will play using temporary membership media such as temporary membership cards issued by the gaming parlor as a temporary measure. In this case, there is a risk of problems such as misuse by a third party who obtains the temporary membership media.

[0006] The present invention has been made against this background, and has as its object to provide a gaming device and a gaming medium management system that can prevent problems that occur when temporary membership media are used. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention provides a gaming device provided in association with a gaming machine, the gaming device including: a receiving means for receiving temporary membership media, which are recording media issued in association with member information and separate from the member recording media; and a collecting means for collecting the temporary membership media received by the receiving means. The temporary membership media are linked to the number of gaming media owned by the member. The collecting means collects the temporary membership media when the number of gaming media linked to the temporary membership medium becomes zero.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the temporary membership medium is valid only on the day of issue.

[0009] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the collection means collects the temporary membership medium in response to operation of an operation button when the number of owned gaming media linked to the temporary membership medium becomes zero.

[0010] In addition, one embodiment of the present invention provides a gaming media management system that manages the gaming media of the member, and includes the gaming device and a release means that releases the link between the temporary membership medium and the member information when the number of held gaming media linked to the temporary membership medium accepted by the acceptance means becomes zero. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a game media management system according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the game media management system. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram showing a table stored in a memory unit of a management device that constitutes a game media management system. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a table stored in a storage unit of the management device. [Figure 5] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display contents of the display operation unit of each machine compatible device that constitutes the game media processing system. FIG. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of the display content of a display operation unit of the individual-machine compatible device. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of the display content of a display operation unit of the individual-machine compatible device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the interior of a gaming establishment to which a gaming media management system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the gaming media management system 1. Referring mainly to FIG. 1, an example of a gaming establishment is a pachinko parlor, the interior of which is partitioned at least into a gaming hall in which a plurality of gaming machines 2 such as pachinko machines are installed, and an office for the gaming establishment's staff. The gaming media management system 1 includes a machine-specific device 3 (gaming device) provided in one-to-one correspondence with each gaming machine 2 in the gaming hall, a management device 4 provided in the office, and a card issuing terminal 5, a POS 6, and a settlement machine 7 provided in the gaming establishment, etc.

[0013] The individual machine compatible device 3 is a dedicated machine for the gaming machine 2 next to it (the one on the right when viewed from the front in FIG. 1), and is also called an "inter-machine machine", and is connected to the gaming machine 2 so that it can communicate with the gaming machine 2, and performs lending processes such as lending gaming media to players playing on the gaming machine 2. In this embodiment, the gaming media that can be used on the gaming machine 2 are pachinko balls, but they may also be medals.

[0014] A predetermined lending rate is set for the gaming media. In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, only one lending rate is set, but multiple lending rates may be set. As an example of a case where multiple lending rates are set for pachinko balls, the normal lending rate may be 4 yen / 1 ball, and the lending rate lower than the normal rate may be 1 yen / 1 ball.

[0015] There are two types of customers: members who have registered with a gaming establishment, and general customers who have not registered with a gaming establishment. Gaming establishments issue members with membership cards, which are an example of member recording media, and general customers with general cards, which are an example of recording media other than membership cards. These cards record at least a card ID, which is an example of identification information for identifying each card. In addition to membership cards and general cards, there are also prepaid cards that record a prepaid value for borrowing pachinko balls. Hereinafter, these cards may be collectively referred to simply as "cards."

[0016] Instead of having a membership card issued, members can download a dedicated application onto their mobile device, such as a smartphone, and use the mobile device as a membership card. The identification information for the mobile device itself, or the device ID, such as the identification information assigned to each application downloaded to the mobile device, serves as the card ID for the membership card.

[0017] The front of the main body 11 of the machine-compatible device 3 is provided with a bill slot 12, a display / operation unit 13, and a card slot 14. In this embodiment, the display / operation unit 13 is configured as a liquid crystal touch panel, but it may also be separated into a display unit and an operation unit. The same applies to the other display / operation units described below.

[0018] A player inserts banknotes into the banknote slot 12 or a prepaid card (not shown) purchased in advance into the card slot 14, and then presses, for example, a dispense button 16 provided on the upper tray 15 of the gaming machine 2. Then, the gaming machine 2, receiving instructions from the individual machine compatible device 3, dispenses a predetermined number of pachinko balls onto the upper tray 15 with each press of the dispense button 16, within the range of the banknotes inserted into the banknote slot 12 or within the range of the remaining points of the prepaid value recorded on the prepaid card inserted into the card slot 14. In this way, the prepaid value is an example of value that can be exchanged for pachinko balls.

[0019] A player can play on the gaming machine 2 using pachinko balls dispensed onto the upper tray 15. Newly acquired pachinko balls through play are collected in the lower tray 17 of the gaming machine 2. The individual machine compatible device 3 includes a receiving tray 18 located directly below the lower tray 17. A player can drop the pachinko balls in the lower tray 17 into the receiving tray 18 by opening the bottom of the lower tray 17. The pachinko balls that have fallen into the receiving tray 18 are sent through a passage 19 into the main body 11 of the individual machine compatible device 3.

[0020] When a player loses a game, a pachinko ball is taken into the gaming machine 2, and in response, the gaming machine 2 generates an out signal. If a player is playing on each gaming machine 2, the out signal is always generated within a predetermined time.

[0021] The individual-machine compatible device 3 includes a control unit 20 configured with a CPU, a timer, etc., a banknote processing unit 21, a card processing unit 22, a terminal processing unit 23 that processes mobile terminals, a counting unit 24 that counts pachinko balls, a storage unit 25 configured with memory, a communication I / F unit 26, and an input unit 27 as an example of input means to which an out signal generated by the gaming machine 2 is input (see FIG. 2). The display operation unit 13, the banknote processing unit 21, the card processing unit 22, the terminal processing unit 23, the counting unit 24, the storage unit 25, the communication I / F unit 26, and the input unit 27 are each electrically connected to the control unit 20.

[0022] The banknote processing unit 21 identifies and stores banknotes inserted into the banknote slot 12, or returns them to the banknote slot 12. The card processing unit 22 reads information such as prepaid value and card ID from a card inserted into the card slot 14, and ejects the inserted card from the card slot 14. Furthermore, the main body 11 of each machine compatible device 3 stores a plurality of new general cards, and the card processing unit 22 can also retrieve one of the stored general cards and issue it through the card slot 14. The card processing unit 22 may accept a card contactlessly and read card information. The terminal processing unit 23 accepts a member's mobile terminal contactlessly and reads information such as a terminal ID from the mobile terminal. When a member inserts a membership card into the card slot 14 or has the terminal processing unit 23 accept the mobile terminal, member authentication may be required, such as by entering a password on the display / operation unit 13.

[0023] The counting unit 24 is a sensor that counts the pachinko balls that have fallen into the tray 18 and then been sent to the main body 11 of the individual machine compatible device 3 via the passage 19. A known counting sensor such as a light-shielding sensor can be used as the counting unit 24. Pachinko balls that a player has acquired through play on the gaming machine 2 on that day and that have been counted by the counting unit 24 become owned balls, an example of owned gaming media. Owned balls are valid only on the day they are acquired. After the day they are acquired has passed, owned balls that a member has acquired become saved balls, an example of saved gaming media, and are deposited in the gaming parlor. Owned balls and saved balls may exist for each of the lending rates mentioned above.

[0024] In principle, a general card is linked to the number of balls held (hereinafter referred to as "number of held balls") and a prepaid value, but a member card is linked not only to the number of balls held and prepaid value, but also to the number of saved balls (hereinafter referred to as "number of saved balls"). Linking (or "associating") the number of balls held to a card means that the number of balls held is recorded on the card, or that the number of balls held is not recorded on the card but is recorded in the management device 4 in association with the card ID of the card. The same applies when the number of saved balls and prepaid value are linked to a card. Note that there are cases where prepaid value is not linked to general cards or member cards.

[0025] The storage unit 25 stores various information. The communication I / F unit 26 is an interface connected to a wired or wireless network N, and the control unit 20 can communicate with the management device 4 via the communication I / F unit 26 and the network N.

[0026] When the card inserted into the card slot 14 is linked to at least one of the number of owned balls and the number of saved balls, the player presses the payout button 28 provided on the tray 18, for example. Then, pachinko balls corresponding to the owned or saved balls held by the player are paid out through a nozzle 29 extending from the main body 11 to the upper tray 15 of the gaming machine 2. When the card inserted into the card slot 14 is linked to prepaid value, as described above, when the player presses the dispense button 16 on the upper tray 15, the gaming machine 2 dispenses a predetermined number of pachinko balls into the upper tray 15 with each press of the dispense button 16, within the range of the remaining number of points in the prepaid value. The player can play on the gaming machine 2 using the pachinko balls dispensed onto the upper tray 15.

[0027] When a player who has finished playing presses the return button 30 provided on the upper tray 15, for example, the card is ejected from the card slot 14 by the card processing unit 22 and returned to the player. The control unit 20 links the number of balls remaining at this point to the card ID or terminal ID and transmits it to the management device 4.

[0028] The management device 4 is a higher-level device in the game media management system 1, functions as an example of management means, and is composed of one or more personal computers, servers, etc. The management device 4 includes a control unit 31 composed of a CPU, a timer, etc., a communication I / F unit 32, and a storage unit 33 composed of memory (see FIG. 2). The communication I / F unit 32 and the storage unit 33 are each electrically connected to the control unit 31. The communication I / F unit 32 is an interface connected to the network N. The storage unit 33 stores various information, but in this embodiment, it stores at least a table 34 (see FIG. 3) in which member information, which is information about members, is registered.

[0029] In table 34, member information such as authentication information such as a password, the number of balls currently held and the number of saved balls held by the member, etc. are managed in association with the card ID of the member's membership card and / or the terminal ID of the member's mobile terminal (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "member ID"). The member ID itself is also part of the member information. The authentication information may include personal information about the member and image information of the member's face. The remaining number of points of prepaid value currently held by the member may also be managed in table 34 as part of the member information. The member information may also include personal identification information from the member's identification card (driver's license or My Number card), a login ID for logging in to an application distributed to the mobile terminal by an amusement parlor or the like, etc.

[0030] When multiple lending rates are set, the number of balls held and the number of saved balls are managed separately for each lending rate in table 34. An upper limit may be set for the number of saved balls that can be used on the day, and this upper limit (hereinafter referred to as the "daily upper limit") is also managed in table 34 (see the parentheses below the number of saved balls in Figure 3). The "number of saved balls" in table 34 will be explained later.

[0031] In the individual-machine compatible device 3, when the card processing unit 22 accepts the member's membership card or the terminal processing unit 23 accepts the member's mobile terminal to start playing, the control unit 20 transmits the member ID for that membership card or mobile terminal to the management device 4. In response, the control unit 31 of the management device 4 references the table 34 and notifies the individual-machine compatible device 3 that sent the information of the number of balls held and the daily upper limit (of the number of stored balls) linked to that member ID. This allows the member to play by using their balls within the range of the number of balls held notified to the individual-machine compatible device 3, or by using their stored balls within the daily upper limit notified to the individual-machine compatible device 3.

[0032] Each time a ball is used, the number of balls used or the number of stored balls may be transmitted from each machine-compatible device 3 to the management device 4, and the control unit 31 may update or subtract the corresponding number of balls held or the number of stored balls in the table 34 based on the number of balls used. Alternatively, when the control unit 31 notifies the transmitting machine-compatible device 3 of the number of balls held or the day's upper limit to start playing, the control unit 31 may reset the corresponding number of balls held in the table 34 to 0 (zero), or may update or subtract the corresponding number of stored balls in the table 34 based on the day's upper limit. In this case, when the member presses the return button 30 upon completion of play, the number of balls remaining in the balls held or the number of stored balls at the time of completion is transmitted from each machine-compatible device 3 to the management device 4, and the control unit 31 adds or updates the corresponding number of balls held or the number of stored balls in the table 34 based on the remaining number. When the gaming parlor's business hours for the day end, the control unit 31 resets the number of balls held by the member in the table 34, and adds or updates the member's stored balls based on the number of balls held. The contents of the table 34 may be displayed on a display unit 35 (see FIG. 1) such as a monitor included in the management device 4.

[0033] The card issuing terminal 5 is a terminal that mainly issues general cards (also called "held ball cards"). The card issuing terminal 5 includes a main body 41 that stores a plurality of new general cards, and on the front of the main body 41 are provided a display operation unit 42 configured with a liquid crystal touch panel or the like, an issuing port 43 for issuing general cards, and a camera 44 that photographs players accessing the display operation unit 42.

[0034] The card issuance terminal 5 includes a control unit 45 configured with a CPU, a timer, etc., a card processing unit 46, a storage unit 47 configured with memory, and a communication I / F unit 48 (see FIG. 2). The display operation unit 42, camera 44, card processing unit 46, storage unit 47, and communication I / F unit 48 are each electrically connected to the control unit 45. The card processing unit 46 takes out one new general card from the main body 41 and issues it through the issuance slot 43. The storage unit 47 stores various information. The communication I / F unit 48 is an interface connected to the network N, and the control unit 45 can communicate with the management device 4 and the like via the communication I / F unit 48 and the network N.

[0035] A player can have a general card issued from the issuing port 43 by operating the display operation unit 42 on the card issuing terminal 5. A general card immediately issued to a general customer is linked to only the number of balls held, which is 0. On the other hand, a member who does not have a membership card (assuming that they do not have a mobile terminal that can be used as a membership card) can, as a temporary measure, have a general card linked to the number of balls derived from their saved balls issued from the issuing port 43 as a temporary membership card C, which is an example of a temporary membership medium.

[0036] The balls derived from saved balls are an example of a medium derived from a saved gaming medium. The balls derived from saved balls are nominally held balls because they are linked to the temporary membership card C, but in reality they are saved balls, so the same daily upper limit applies to the balls derived from saved balls as to the saved balls. In this embodiment, the daily upper limit is common to saved balls and balls derived from saved balls, but the management device 4, etc. may be able to set separate daily upper limits for saved balls and balls derived from saved balls.

[0037] In addition to the daily limit mentioned above, restrictions on the use of saved balls include prohibiting the division of saved balls and transferring some of the balls held to a player's friends, etc., and prohibiting the addition of the number of saved balls at multiple lending rates (hereinafter referred to as "number of saved balls"). Examples of adding up saved balls include adding up the number of saved balls at multiple lending rates, and adding up the number of saved balls and the number of held balls at the same lending rate.

[0038] The POS 6 is installed at a prize exchange counter or the like in an amusement hall. A prize dispenser (not shown) is attached to the prize exchange counter. The POS 6 is connected to the network N and can communicate with at least the management device 4. As an example of the prize exchange process, when the POS 6 accepts a general card, it instructs the prize dispenser to dispense a prize within the number of balls held associated with the general card. When the POS 6 accepts a membership card, it instructs the prize dispenser to dispense a prize within the number of balls held and / or saved associated with the membership card. The POS 6 may be equipped with a camera 6A that photographs a player who comes to exchange a prize. When exchanging a prize, the POS 6 may inquire of the management device 4 about the number of balls held and saved managed by the table 34, linked to the card ID of the accepted card and image information (authentication information) of the player's face photographed by the camera 6A.

[0039] The adjustment machine 7 is a device that settles the remaining number of points of prepaid value linked to a card, and is installed, for example, near the POS 6. The adjustment machine 7 is connected to the network N and can communicate with at least the management device 4. The adjustment machine 7 is provided with a payout outlet 7A for settlement money. The adjustment machine 7 may also be provided with a camera 7B that photographs a player who comes to settle a bill. When settling a bill, the adjustment machine 7 may inquire of the management device 4 about the remaining number of points of prepaid value that is managed at the table 34 and is linked to the card ID of the accepted card or image information of the player's face photographed by the camera 7B.

[0040] The following describes a gaming media management method for temporary membership card C in such gaming media management system 1. Note that the following explanation focuses on member A, whose member ID in table 34 in Fig. 3 is "A001." Member A has 9,000 balls saved, with a daily limit of 1,500 balls, member A has 0 balls in hand, and member A has 0 remaining prepaid value.

[0041] Member A, who has forgotten his / her membership card and comes to a gaming parlor, goes to the card issuing terminal 5 and operates the display operation unit 42 to enter his / her personal information and password in order to be issued with a temporary membership card C. The control unit 45 of the card issuing terminal 5 then photographs Member A's face using the camera 44 and transmits authentication information, including the image information, personal information, and password, to the management device 4. The control unit 31 of the management device 4 then performs member authentication for Member A by comparing the transmitted authentication information with authentication information already stored in the table 34. Member authentication can be performed using password authentication or face authentication using image information.

[0042] If the member authentication is successful, the control unit 31 of the management device 4 notifies the card issuing terminal 5 of this fact and the upper limit of the number of stored balls for member A for that day (1,500 balls, see FIG. 3). In response, the control unit 45 of the card issuing terminal 5 converts stored balls within the upper limit for that day into balls derived from stored balls, and informs member A by displaying on the display operation unit 42 or the like that the number of balls derived from stored balls can be linked to temporary member card C.

[0043] When member A, who has completed member authentication, operates the display operation unit 42 to specify a number within the limit for that day (1,000 balls, as an example below) as the number of balls derived from the stored balls, the control unit 45 of the card issuing terminal 5, as an issuance step in the gaming medium management method, links the number of balls derived from the stored balls to one general card (which may be a blank card other than a general card) in the main body 41 using the card processing unit 46, and issues this general card to the issuing port 43 as a temporary membership card C. At this time, the card issuing terminal 5, control unit 45, and card processing unit 46 function as an example of issuing means. Note that the temporary membership card C may also be issued from the card slot 14 by the individual machine compatible device 3, and in this case the individual machine compatible device 3 also functions as an example of issuing means.

[0044] Linking the number of balls derived from saved balls to the temporary membership card C may refer to recording the number of balls derived from saved balls on the temporary membership card C, as in the case of linking the number of held balls to the temporary membership card C, or it may refer to recording the number of balls derived from saved balls in table 34 of the management device 4 in association with the card ID of the temporary membership card C, and in this embodiment it refers to both. When issuing the temporary membership card C linked to the number of balls derived from saved balls to the issuance port 43, the control unit 45 of the card issuing terminal 5 links the number of balls derived from saved balls to the card ID of the temporary membership card C and sends it to the management device 4. The control unit 31 of the management device 4 updates the contents of table 34 by registering the linked number of balls derived from saved balls and card ID sent in table 34 in the memory area of ​​member A, who was previously authenticated as a member.

[0045] In the memory area for member A in the updated table 34 (see Figure 4), the card ID "B001" of the temporary membership card C just issued is written alongside the pre-registered member ID (see the parentheses below member ID "A001"), the number of balls derived from saved balls specified this time of 1,000 is newly registered, and the number of saved balls is subtracted by the number of balls derived from saved balls. By storing the card ID of the temporary membership card C issued to member A in table 34 in this way, the temporary membership card C is linked to the member information of member A in table 34. In this case, the management device 4 having table 34 and the control unit 31 of the management device 4 may also be considered an example of an issuing means. The number of balls derived from saved balls is part of the member information.

[0046] Member A, who enters the store without a membership card and is issued a temporary membership card C, can play using balls derived from the saved balls that are linked to this temporary membership card C. However, the gaming media management system 1 sets restrictions on the temporary membership card C. This prevents problems with the temporary membership card C caused by member A or a third party who has obtained the temporary membership card C.

[0047] Specifically, when member A receives temporary membership card C and inserts it into the card slot 14 of the on-machine compatible device 3, the control unit 20 of the on-machine compatible device 3 reads the card ID of the temporary membership card C using the card processing unit 22. At this time, the control unit 20 and the card processing unit 22 function as an example of a reception means for receiving temporary membership card C. The control unit 20 then inquires of the management device 4 as to whether the card ID is the card ID of temporary membership card C. If the card ID is listed alongside the member ID in table 34 (see FIG. 4), the card ID is the card ID of temporary membership card C, and the management device 4 replies to that effect to the on-machine compatible device 3 that originated the inquiry.

[0048] The control unit 20 of the individual-machine compatible device 3 then displays the password entry screen 50 shown in Fig. 5 on the display operation unit 13. At this time, the control unit 20 also functions as an example of a setting means, and sets restrictions on the temporary membership card C by requiring entry of a password when accepting the temporary membership card C (an example of a setting step in a gaming medium management method). This prevents problems such as misuse of the temporary membership card C by a third party who has obtained it, in cases where member A has left or lost the temporary membership card C, for example.

[0049] The password entry screen 50 displays a message 50A prompting the player to enter a password, a password display field 50B, input keys 50C consisting of a numeric keypad or the like, an OK key 50D, and a cancel key 50E. In this embodiment, all keys with names ending in "key" are touch keys.

[0050] Member A inputs a password by operating the input keys 50C. The control unit 20 of the individual device 3 displays the password input by member A in the password display field 50B. Specifically, the password display field 50B displays a black circle indicating the input of the password, rather than the password itself. If the user inputs an incorrect password, they can touch the correction key 50F on the input keys 50C to delete the input and input the password again.

[0051] When member A touches the OK key 50D after inputting the password, the control unit 20 transmits the card ID read from the temporary membership card C and the input password to the management device 4. In response, the control unit 31 of the management device 4 performs member authentication for member A by comparing the transmitted password with the authentication information linked to the transmitted card ID in table 34. If member authentication is OK, the control unit 31 refers to table 34 (see FIG. 4) and notifies the respective machine corresponding devices 3 that sent the information of the remaining number of prepaid value points, the number of held balls, and the number of balls derived from the saved balls linked to this card ID.

[0052] Upon receiving the notification, the control unit 20 of each machine-compatible device 3 displays the member screen 51 shown in FIG. 6 on the display operation unit 13. The member screen 51 displays, for example, from the top down, the current remaining number of prepaid value, the current number of balls held, the current number of balls derived from saved balls, and the current number of available balls, which is the sum of the number of held balls and the number of balls derived from saved balls. That is, the member screen 51 displays the number of held balls and the number of balls derived from saved balls, as well as the total of these numbers. Therefore, when viewing the member screen 51, Member A can clearly understand the total number and its breakdown without confusing the held balls with the balls derived from saved balls. Furthermore, the member screen 51 also displays the usage history of the number of balls derived from saved balls. The usage history of the number of balls derived from saved balls includes the initial number of balls derived from saved balls, the number of used balls derived from saved balls (currently 0 balls), and the remaining number of balls derived from saved balls after subtracting the used number from the initial number (currently 1,000 balls).

[0053] When member A presses the payout button 28, the control unit 20 of each machine compatible device 3 pays out pachinko balls corresponding to the balls derived from the saved balls from the nozzle 29 onto the upper tray 15 of the gaming machine 2, and member A can use the balls derived from the saved balls paid out onto the upper tray 15 to play on the gaming machine 2 and acquire his / her own balls. When the balls derived from the saved balls are paid out, the control unit 20 links the number of paid out balls derived from the saved balls to the card ID of the temporary membership card C as the number of used balls and sends this to the management device 4. When the counting unit 24 finishes counting, the control unit 20 links the number of newly generated owned balls to the card ID of the temporary membership card C as the additional number of owned balls and sends this to the management device 4. Note that when both owned balls and balls derived from the saved balls exist, the control unit 20 may promote the use of the balls derived from the saved balls by prioritizing the balls derived from the saved balls and paying them out onto the upper tray 15 of the gaming machine 2.

[0054] The control unit 31 of the management device 4 subtracts or updates the number of balls derived from saved balls for member A in table 34 based on the transmitted number of used balls. The control unit 31 also adds or updates the number of balls held by member A in table 34 based on the transmitted number of additional balls held. In table 34, the number of held balls and the number of balls derived from saved balls are managed separately. Furthermore, the number of held balls and the number of balls derived from saved balls may each be managed separately in table 34 for the aforementioned lending rate.

[0055] When member A inserts a banknote into the banknote slot 12, the control unit 20 adds prepaid value equivalent to the inserted banknote, thereby updating the remaining credit points on the member screen 51. When inserting the banknote, the control unit 20 may request member A to enter a password. When member A presses the dispense button 16 while the remaining credit points are greater than zero, the gaming machine 2 dispenses a predetermined number of pachinko balls onto the upper tray 15 with each press of the dispense button 16. Member A can then play on the gaming machine 2 using the pachinko balls dispensed onto the upper tray 15 to acquire pachinko balls. The control unit 20 subtracts or updates the remaining credit points on the member screen 51 according to the number of times member A presses the dispense button 16. The updated remaining credit points are temporarily stored at least in the memory unit 25 of each machine-compatible device 3, but may also be sent to the management device 4 and reflected in the table 34.

[0056] The control unit 20 of each machine compatible device 3 into which member A's temporary membership card C is inserted updates the usage history (particularly the number used and the number remaining) of the current number of balls held, the current number of balls from saved balls, the number of available balls, and the number of balls from saved balls on the member screen 51 of the display operation unit 13, as shown in Figure 7, in accordance with member A's use of balls from saved balls and acquisition of balls in his possession.

[0057] The number of balls derived from saved balls is linked to the temporary membership card C when it is issued by the card issuing terminal 5, but cannot be additionally linked to the temporary membership card C at the individual machine compatible device 3 after it is issued. Therefore, the control unit 20 of the individual machine compatible device 3 functions as an example of a setting means, and sets a restriction on the temporary membership card C by prohibiting the linking of additional balls derived from saved balls to the temporary membership card C after it is issued (an example of a setting step in a gaming medium management method). As an example of this restriction, the control unit 20 may display a message 52 on the member screen 51 to notify member A that such a restriction has been set. Furthermore, in a case where additional linking of balls derived from saved balls is permitted by operating the display operation unit 13 when the membership card is inserted into the card slot 14 of the individual machine compatible device 3, even if member A operates the display operation unit 13 to add balls derived from saved balls while the temporary membership card C is inserted into the card slot 14, the control unit 20 may disable this operation. This restriction prevents problems such as the additional balls from being wasted if member A links additional balls from saved balls and then the linking of the member information on temporary member card C is released as described below.

[0058] The control unit 31 of the management device 4 or the control unit 45 of the card issuing terminal 5 may function as an example of a setting means for setting restrictions on the temporary membership card C. The control unit 31 may mainly issue a command to the individual machine handling device 3, causing the control unit 20 of the individual machine handling device 3 to prohibit linking of additional balls derived from saved balls to the temporary membership card C. Furthermore, when member A inserts the temporary membership card C into the issue slot 43 of the card issuing terminal 5 for a balance inquiry or the like, the control unit 45 may request member A to enter a password using the display operation unit 42 or the like, or may disable operation of the display operation unit 42 for linking of additional balls derived from saved balls. In this case, in the card issuing terminal 5, the control unit 45 and the card processing unit 46 that processes the temporary membership card C inserted into the issue slot 43 function as an example of a receiving means for accepting the temporary membership card C.

[0059] The POS 6 and the settlement machine 7 may function as an example of the reception means and the setting means. Specifically, when member A has the temporary membership card C read by the reading unit (not shown) of the POS 6 to exchange for a prize, the POS 6 may request member A to enter a password. Also, if the remaining number of points of the prepaid value linked to the temporary membership card C is greater than zero, the player can have the remaining points settled at the settlement machine 7 as described above. When member A has the temporary membership card C read by the reading unit (not shown) of the settlement machine 7 to settle the prepaid value, the settlement machine 7 may request member A to enter a password.

[0060] In the gaming media management system 1, the control unit 31 of the management device 4 functions as an example of a releasing means to release the linkage of the temporary membership card C to the membership information (release step) if any one of the following conditions is met. Specifically, the control unit 31 deletes the card ID of the temporary membership card C ("B001" in the case of member A) from the table 34. As a result, even if someone obtains the temporary membership card C from which the linkage of the membership information has been released, they cannot use it as member A's temporary membership card C, and the temporary membership card C becomes just a blank card. This prevents problems such as misuse of the temporary membership card C.

[0061] Condition (1): When the number of gaming media linked to temporary membership card C becomes zero. Note that the "number of gaming media" here refers to both the number of balls held and the number of balls derived from saved balls, which in this embodiment corresponds to the number of available balls mentioned above. Also, the "case" here may be the moment when the number of available balls becomes zero, or the moment when a certain amount of time has passed since the number of available balls became zero. The same applies to condition (2) below. Condition (2): When both the number of gaming media linked to temporary membership card C and the remaining number of prepaid points become zero.

[0062] Condition (3): When both the number of gaming media linked to the temporary membership card C and the remaining number of points of the prepaid value become zero, and the out signal of the gaming machine 2 is no longer input to the input section 27 of the individual machine compatible device 3 into which the temporary membership card C is inserted into the card slot 14. Here, "when" may be the timing when the out signal is no longer input, or the timing when a certain time has elapsed since the out signal was no longer input. Condition (4): When the business hours of the gaming establishment have ended. For example, if Member A takes away or discards Temporary Member Card C, the situation of Condition (4) is assumed.

[0063] Regarding conditions (1) to (3), the control unit 20 of the individual machine compatible device 3 that accepts the temporary membership card C may instruct the management device 4 to release the linkage of the temporary membership card C to the membership information when the number of gaming media or the remaining number of prepaid points reaches zero. In this case, the control unit 20 may be regarded as an example of a release means. When any of conditions (1) to (3) is satisfied while the temporary membership card C is inserted into the card slot 14 of the individual machine compatible device 3, the temporary membership card C may be collected into the temporary membership card slot 14 and stored as a new general card (collection means).

[0064] Furthermore, the prize exchange at POS 6 may fulfill at least condition (1), in which case POS 6 may function as an example of a release means and instruct the management device 4 to release the linkage of the membership information on the temporary membership card C. Furthermore, the prize exchange at POS 6 and the settlement of the prepaid value at the settlement machine 7 may fulfill at least condition (2), in which case POS 6 or the settlement machine 7 may function as an example of a release means and instruct the management device 4 to release the linkage of the membership information on the temporary membership card C.

[0065] Regarding condition (4), it is assumed that the control unit 31 releases the linkage of the member information when the business hours of the gaming parlor end when the number of gaming media (number of available balls) linked to the temporary membership card C is greater than zero. In this case, the control unit 31 functions as an adding unit, adding the number of available balls linked to the temporary membership card C to the number of balls stored in the table 34 of member A who used the temporary membership card C. This prevents problems such as member A losing the number of pachinko balls available linked to the temporary membership card C when the business hours of the gaming parlor end. As described above, when the conditions linked to member A's usual behavior patterns at the gaming parlor, such as conditions (1) to (4), are met, the linkage of the member information to the temporary membership card C can be released.

[0066] The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0067] For example, a deposit may be set on the temporary membership card C, assuming that the card will be taken home. For example, if the card issuing terminal 5 issues a temporary membership card C with 1,000 balls linked to it as the number of balls derived from the saved balls, a deposit of 125 balls, for example, is deducted, so that the number of balls derived from the saved balls actually linked to the temporary membership card C is 875 balls (=1,000-125). The number of balls to be deposited can be set in the management device 4, etc.

[0068] When a player inserts the temporary membership card C into the card slot 14 of the individual machine device 3, plays a game, acquires balls, and then presses the return button 30 (operation button) to end the game, the control unit 20 of the individual machine device 3 collects the temporary membership card C. The control unit 31 of the management device 4 then updates the number of balls held by the player at the table 34 to the latest number of balls held, and adds 125 balls, the amount of the deposit, to the number of balls held. The display operation unit 13 of the individual machine device 3 may display a message stating that the temporary membership card C will be collected, and a message urging the player to go to the prize exchange counter and undergo facial authentication before exchanging for a prize.

[0069] After facial recognition using a camera 6A or the like installed in the POS 6, the player can exchange the balls they have, plus the amount of their deposit, for prizes. In this way, since prizes can be exchanged even without the temporary membership card C, the player can avoid the trouble of carrying the temporary membership card C and there is no risk of losing the temporary membership card C along the way. Furthermore, even when settling the remaining prepaid value at the settlement machine 7, settlement may be possible through facial recognition using a camera 7B or the like installed in the settlement machine 7, even without the temporary membership card C.

[0070] A player who wishes to play at another gaming machine 2 may press a machine transfer button (not shown) provided separately from the return button 30 on the individual machine compatible device 3. In this case, the temporary membership card C will be returned through the card slot 14, and the player can then insert this temporary membership card C into the card slot 14 of another individual machine compatible device 3 to resume playing.

[0071] It is assumed that a player may leave the parlor holding the temporary membership card C without exchanging the balls, etc. for prizes. When this player visits the parlor next time, he or she may insert the temporary membership card C that he or she brought back from the previous visit into the issuing slot 43 of the card issuing terminal 5, and the number of balls, etc. held from the previous visit may be linked to this temporary membership card C. Alternatively, the deposit may be valid for only that day. In this case, it is assumed that the player is a member, and the number of balls, etc. held linked to the temporary membership card C that was brought back may continue to be stored in the member's memory area in table 34, and then this temporary membership card C may be initialized. The next time a member visits the parlor, the card issuing terminal 5 may issue a new temporary membership card C to the player, which may have the number of balls, etc. held from the previous visit, stored in table 34, linked to the temporary membership card C.

[0072] When a player inserts temporary membership card C into card slot 14 of each machine compatible device 3 and plays a game, resulting in both the number of balls derived from saved balls and the number of balls in hand becoming zero, control unit 20 of each machine compatible device 3 adds 125 balls in the amount of the deposit to the number of balls in hand. This allows the player to continue playing using the balls in the amount of the deposit. When the number of balls in hand that are in the amount of the deposit also becomes zero, control unit 20 collects this temporary membership card C. The 125 balls in the amount of the deposit may be added to the number of balls derived from saved balls rather than to the number of balls in hand.

[0073] When a player holding a general card has his or her identification, such as a My Number card, read by the local machine device 3, the general card may be treated as a temporary membership card C. Specifically, the player inserts the general card into the card slot 14 of the local machine device 3, then has the My Number card read by the card processing unit 22, or sets a password by operating the display operation unit 13, etc. Then, the control unit 20 of the local machine device 3 transmits the card ID of the general card, the personal identification information read from the My Number card, and the set password to the management device 4.

[0074] The personal identification information may include the player's personal information and image information of the player's face. If image information is included, a store clerk will perform visual facial authentication (hereinafter referred to as "visual inspection") by comparing the player's face with the image information, either directly or remotely. A camera 60 (see FIG. 1) for remote visual inspection may be provided on each compatible device 3. The visual inspection may be performed by a store clerk in the gaming hall, a store clerk in the office (backroom), or a third party authorized by the gaming store. The password may be a PIN set on the My Number card itself.

[0075] When the control unit 31 of the management device 4 registers the information transmitted from the individual machine compatible device 3 in the table 34, the player's provisional membership registration is completed, and the player can use member benefits. Specifically, when the provisional membership registration is completed, that is, when the player is authenticated using his / her My Number card, the player is given visit points and registered in the table 34. Thereafter, the player can save the pachinko balls he / she has acquired, and furthermore, can play using the saved balls (so-called saved ball replay) in accordance with password authentication on the display operation unit 13. In this way, a player who has been visually inspected at the time of provisional membership registration can officially register as a member using a self-service member registration machine (not shown) without subsequent identity verification by a store clerk.

[0076] If temporary membership registration using My Number cards is possible in this way, it will be possible to promote the use of My Number cards. Furthermore, since it is possible to extract players who have registered as members using My Number cards, it will be possible to analyze player trends based on the image information registered on the My Number cards.

[0077] The aforementioned facial authentication may be performed using cameras installed in various locations within the gaming establishment, such as the aforementioned cameras 44 and 60. If facial authentication of a member who has registered facial image information is completely successful, that is, in the case of complete authentication, the individual member can be identified. However, depending on the accuracy of the camera, the clarity of the captured data, etc., facial authentication may not be completely successful, that is, partial authentication may occur. In the case of partial authentication, it is not possible to identify the individual player, but it is possible to identify, for example, gender, approximate age, and whether the player is a member or a general customer.

[0078] In this way, the services that can be provided to players may differ depending on the authentication accuracy, such as full authentication and partial authentication. For example, fully authenticated members may receive benefits such as points for visiting the store and permission to replay saved balls, as well as information such as advertisements about their favorite gaming machines 2. The gaming establishment can use the information of fully authenticated members to conduct detailed analysis of play on the gaming machines 2. On the other hand, partially authenticated players do not receive the aforementioned benefits, but may receive information about their favorite gaming machines 2 based on their identified gender, age, etc. Furthermore, the gaming establishment can perform simple analysis based on gender, age, etc. Analysis based on whether the player is a member or a general customer is also possible. As a result of the analysis, it is possible to understand the tendency of which gaming machine 2 a player first plays on after entering the store.

[0079] Note that if a partially authenticated member inserts their membership card into the card slot 14 of the individual machine compatible device 3 and undergoes password authentication, the member will be treated as if they have been fully authenticated. A comparison of the analysis results for a fully authenticated player with the analysis results for a partially authenticated player may be viewable on the display unit 35 of the management device 4. The effectiveness of the information provision described above may be verified by machine learning or the like and reflected in the content of the next information provision. Note that while the focus has been placed on facial recognition for full authentication and partial authentication, the invention may also be applied to biometric authentication other than facial recognition.

[0080] The various features described above may be selected and combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1 Gaming media management system 3. Devices for each machine (gaming devices) 4 Management device 5. Card issuing terminal 6 POS 7 Payment machine 20 Control Unit 22 Card processing section 27 Input section 30 Return button (operation button) 31 Control Unit 45 Control Unit 46 Card Processing Unit C. Temporary membership card (temporary membership medium)

Claims

1. A gaming device provided in correspondence with a gaming table, a receiving means for receiving a temporary membership medium, which is a recording medium issued in association with member information that is information about the member and is a recording medium separate from the member recording medium; a collection means for collecting the temporary membership medium received by the reception means, The temporary member medium is linked to the number of gaming media held by the member, The collecting means collects the temporary membership medium when the number of owned gaming media linked to the temporary membership medium becomes zero.

2. 2. The gaming device according to claim 1, wherein the temporary membership medium is valid only on the day of issue.

3. 3. A gaming device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the collection means collects the temporary membership medium in response to operation of an operation button when the number of held gaming media linked to the temporary membership medium becomes zero.

4. A gaming media management system for managing gaming media of the members, The gaming device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A gaming medium management system including a cancellation means for canceling the link between the temporary membership medium and the member information when the number of owned gaming media linked to the temporary membership medium accepted by the acceptance means becomes zero.

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