Prize exchange system for gaming machines, prize exchange method, and prize exchange program

Abstract

The challenge is to provide opportunities for foreign visitors to Japan to enjoy games while preventing them from cashing out deferred payment methods. [Solution] The game machine prize exchange system 1, which provides games using a payment method, sets the type of payment method, stores game information of the game machine according to the set type, determines whether or not prize exchange is possible according to the stored game information, and performs settlement according to the prize exchange determination result. When the payment method is of the post-payment type, it manages the game information with information that can identify it, and controls the system to prevent exchange for special prizes at the time of settlement.

Description

Technical Field

[0006]

[0001] The present invention relates to a prize exchange system, a prize exchange method, and a prize exchange program for a gaming machine.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the spread of credit cards, the number of stores introducing credit card payments has been increasing. Credit card payments adopt a deferred payment method based on credit information, different from prepaid payment means such as cash and prepaid cards, and immediate payment means such as debit cards.

[0003] That is, payment by a deferred payment means such as a credit card is substantially in the form of incurring a debt (borrowing) from a credit card company. Therefore, in the case of gaming stores such as pachinko parlors and pachislot parlors, the introduction of a payment system using a deferred payment means is likely to be shunned by credit card companies. Also, the industry has self-regulated so that electronic money received by a deferred payment means such as a credit card cannot be used.

[0004] However, the number of people who do not carry cash, mainly among the younger generation, is increasing. Although they have the repayment ability, they do not carry cash, so they cannot pay the rental fee of gaming media (such as pachinko balls and medals) in gaming stores, leading to the loss of new customer opportunities such as giving up gaming in gaming stores.

[0005] Therefore, the applicant of the present application has proposed a gaming machine prize exchange system that uses a deferred payment means while preventing cash conversion, enabling the provision of games using a deferred payment means in gaming stores (Patent Document 1).

[0006] Furthermore, credit card ownership rates are higher overseas than in Japan, and naturally, foreign visitors to Japan will have more opportunities to use credit cards. Today, with the increase in inbound tourism, many foreign visitors to Japan are visiting amusement parlors, so having credit card payments, or rather, post-payment options, available at amusement parlors will not only benefit the economy but also enhance Japan's reputation by ensuring that visitors are satisfied with their gaming experience as part of their sightseeing. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7420422 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] For foreign visitors to Japan, pachinko and pachislot are popular forms of entertainment, so the inability to cash out their winnings may not be seen as a problem. This is because the experience at these arcades is considered part of the entertainment provided as part of their tourism in Japan. Furthermore, it is unlikely that simply providing foreign visitors with a post-payment option would negatively impact inbound tourism demand.

[0009] For these reasons, in order to present a system that prevents foreign visitors to Japan from cashing out of deferred payment methods, there is a need for proposals for technologies that prevent foreign visitors from cashing out of deferred payment methods, in addition to the technology described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a prize exchange system, prize exchange method, and prize exchange program for amusement machines that can provide opportunities for foreign visitors to Japan to enjoy games while preventing foreign visitors from cashing out deferred payment methods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the above objectives, one embodiment of the present invention is a prize exchange system for a gaming machine that provides games using a payment method, comprising: a setting unit for setting the type of payment method; a storage processing unit for storing game information of the gaming machine according to the type set in the setting unit; a determination unit for determining whether or not to exchange prizes according to the game information stored in the storage processing unit; and a settlement unit for performing settlement according to the prize exchange determination result.

[0012] Another embodiment of the present invention is a prize exchange method for a system that provides gaming using a gaming machine with a payment method, wherein the type of payment method is set, gaming information of the gaming machine corresponding to the set type is stored in memory, the possibility of prize exchange is determined according to the gaming information stored in memory, and settlement is performed according to the result of the determination.

[0013] Furthermore, another embodiment of the present invention is a prize exchange program for a system that provides gaming using a gaming machine with a payment method, wherein the program causes a computer to perform the following processes: setting the type of payment method, storing gaming information of the gaming machine corresponding to the set type in memory, determining whether or not to exchange prizes according to the gaming information stored in memory, and performing settlement according to the determination result. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide opportunities for foreign visitors to Japan to enjoy games while preventing them from cashing out deferred payment methods. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is an overall configuration diagram of the gaming machine prize exchange system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the overview of the game machine prize exchange system according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a functional block diagram of the management server according to this embodiment. [Figure 4]It is a diagram showing the data configuration of the management database according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a functional block configuration diagram of the pedestal machine according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a functional block configuration diagram of the ticket issuing machine according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a functional block configuration diagram of the settlement device according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing the data memory structure of the game storage medium according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a functional block configuration diagram of the settlement center according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing the data configuration of the transaction database according to this embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing the data configuration of the user database of FIG. 8 according to this embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a functional block configuration diagram of the mobile terminal according to this embodiment. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing the ticket issuing flow by the deferred payment settlement means (credit card) of the game machine prize exchange system according to this embodiment. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing the payment flow by the deferred payment settlement means (credit card) of the game machine prize exchange system according to this embodiment. [Figure 15] It is a diagram showing the settlement flow of the game storage medium of the game machine prize exchange system according to this embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] [[ID=W40]] Hereinafter, the game machine prize exchange system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. In addition, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be replaced and are easy for those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0017] The amusement machine prize exchange system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented by at least one computer system, and the amusement machine settlement method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be executed by at least one computer system included in the amusement machine prize exchange system 1. In this case, the computer system may have a amusement machine prize exchange program according to one embodiment of the present invention installed and executed, and the computer system may execute the amusement machine prize exchange method according to an embodiment of the present invention in accordance with the control of the executed amusement machine settlement program. The above-described amusement machine settlement program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium in conjunction with the computer system to allow the computer to execute the amusement machine settlement method.

[0018] Here, we will explain the payment methods used for settlement in the Gaming Machine Prize Exchange System 1. The payment methods may include prepaid payment methods, instant payment payment methods, and postpaid payment methods. Prepaid payment methods refer to payment methods that are settled using a prepaid method, such as cash and prepaid cards. Instant payment payment methods refer to payment methods that are settled using an instant payment method where the amount is immediately debited from the account, and one example of this is a debit card. There are two types of debit cards: branded debit cards and J-Debit cards. The former, branded debit cards, are branded internationally (VISA, JCB, etc.) and are instant payment payment methods, but are processed in the same way as postpaid payment methods (processing that makes special prize exchange impossible). The latter, J-Debit cards, are issued domestically and are processed as normal instant payment payment methods (processing that makes special prize exchange impossible).

[0019] A deferred payment method refers to a payment method where payment is made on a deferred basis, such as a credit card. A credit card may include contact-type IC cards, which communicate through direct contact between the card and the reader terminal of a card terminal; contactless IC cards, which communicate wirelessly between the card and the card terminal by holding the card with a built-in coil over the card terminal; and magnetic stripe cards, which have a magnetic stripe capable of encoding arbitrary information. Code-based payments, which are cashless payments linked to a credit card, are also included as deferred payment methods.

[0020] (Overall configuration of the amusement machine prize exchange system 1) Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a gaming machine prize exchange system 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The gaming machine prize exchange system 1 in Figure 1 comprises a management server 100, inter-machine machines (for example, inter-machine machines 200A and 200B are shown) which are a form of deposit terminal device, a ticket issuing machine 300 which is a form of deposit terminal device, a settlement device 400, a storage medium 500, a settlement center 20, a mobile terminal 30, and a network NW.

[0021] Figure 1 is merely an example for illustrating the invention, and the number of management servers, inter-machine machines, ticket dispensers, settlement devices, game storage media, settlement centers, and mobile terminals are not limited to those shown in Figure 1. The management server 100, inter-machine machines 200, ticket dispensers 300, settlement devices 400, and storage media 500 may be installed in the game parlor 10 that provides the games.

[0022] Here, the amusement parlor 10 is an example of a store that serves as an amusement facility where amusement machines such as pachinko and pachislot are installed, and the payment center 20 is connected to other amusement parlors, including the amusement parlor 10, via a network NW. Also, although a mobile terminal 30 is shown as an example in Figure 1, the amusement machine prize exchange system 1 is not limited to the mobile terminal 30; multiple mobile terminals are connected to the network NW.

[0023] The management server 100 may be implemented by one or more computer devices that communicate with the inter-machine machines 200, ticket dispensers 300, settlement devices 400, settlement centers 20, and mobile terminals 30 to provide commands, codes, files, content, services, etc. For example, the management server 100 may be a device that provides services (for example, a game information management service) to the inter-machine machines (for example, inter-machine machines 200A and 200B), ticket dispensers 300, settlement devices 400, settlement centers 20, and mobile terminals 30, which are connected using wireless or wired communication methods.

[0024] The inter-machine terminal 200A is a deposit terminal device installed between adjacent gaming machines that provides gaming to customers. It accepts deposits from customers, assigns the paid value described later, and lends and dispenses gaming media (pachinko balls, tokens, etc.) that can be used for gaming. It may be implemented by a computer device that can communicate with the management server 100, ticket dispenser 300, settlement device 400, settlement center 20, and mobile terminal 30 using wireless or wired communication methods.

[0025] Here, paid value consists of three types: prepaid value, spot paid value, and postpaid value. Its data management may be in monetary terms or in units corresponding to those amounts. Prepaid value refers to a tangible value associated with prepaid payment methods, allowing for the lending of gaming media and cash settlement (withdrawal). Prepaid value is granted through deposits made using prepaid payment methods such as cash or prepaid cards.

[0026] Spot paid value refers to the monetary value associated with instant payment methods, where gaming media can be lent and the amount can be settled (withdrawn) in cash (when using a J-Debit card) or not (when using a branded debit card). Spot paid value is granted upon deposit using the instant payment method of a debit card.

[0027] Postpaid value refers to a monetary value associated with a deferred payment method, where gaming media can be lent out and the payment can be settled (withdrawn) in cash (when using a credit card issued by a Japanese business) and when the payment cannot be settled (withdrawn) in cash (when using a credit card issued by a business in a country other than Japan). Postpaid value is granted upon deposit using a credit card deferred payment method.

[0028] Furthermore, lending refers to the act of lending gaming media owned by the amusement parlor to customers in exchange for deposits made by the customers. Dispensing refers to the act of dispensing (ejecting) gaming media that have already been lent by the amusement parlor or that have been acquired through gameplay from the inter-machine machine in order to be inserted into the gaming machines.

[0029] The ticket dispenser 300 is a deposit terminal device installed near the entrance or corridor of the amusement parlor 10, which accepts deposits from customers, grants prepaid value and / or lends gaming media, and issues a storage medium 500 (for example, an IC card) that stores the amount of prepaid value granted and / or the amount of gaming media lent. As an example of usage, the storage medium 500 is connected to the inter-machine unit 200A or 200B and used for lending gaming media, etc. Furthermore, the storage medium 500 is connected to the ticket dispenser 300 and the settlement device 400 and used for the above-mentioned ticket issuance and settlement.

[0030] The ticket issuing machine 300 may be implemented by a computer device that can communicate with the management server 100, the inter-machine unit 200, the payment device 400, the settlement center 20, and the mobile terminal 30 using wireless or wired communication methods.

[0031] The settlement device 400 is installed, for example, near the reception, exit, or corridor of the amusement parlor 10. If there is any remaining prepaid value after playing a game on a gaming machine, it accepts the insertion of a storage medium 500 and settles (disburses) the prepaid value stored in the storage medium 500 into cash. The above cash settlement can be applied to prepaid, immediate payment, and postpaid payment methods. However, in this embodiment, if a credit card issued by a corporation other than Japan is used for gaming with a postpaid payment method, cash settlement is not possible even if there is remaining prepaid value. The detailed mechanism will be described later.

[0032] The payment device 400 may be implemented by a computer device that can communicate with the management server 100, the inter-machine machine 200, the ticket machine 300, the settlement center 20, and the mobile terminal 30 using a wireless or wired communication method.

[0033] The storage medium 500, as detailed below, is an IC card type storage medium that can be carried by customers using the amusement parlor 10 and incorporates an IC chip 501 with data memory capable of storing and erasing information related to games, as shown in Figure 7. The storage medium 500 is also installed in and ejected from the inter-machine machine 200 and the ticket dispenser 300, and inserted into and ejected from the inter-machine machine 200, the ticket dispenser 300 and the settlement device 400. The structure of the data memory of the storage medium 500 will be described below.

[0034] The settlement center 20 may be implemented by one or more computer devices that communicate with the management server 100, inter-machine machines 200, ticket dispensers 300, settlement devices 400, and mobile terminals 30 to provide commands, codes, files, content, services, etc. For example, the settlement center 20 may be a device that uses wireless or wired communication to provide services (for example, a game machine settlement services) to the connected management server 100, inter-machine machines 200, ticket dispensers 300, settlement devices 400, and mobile terminals 30.

[0035] The mobile terminal 30 may be a portable terminal implemented by a computer device. Examples of the mobile terminal 30 include smartphones, mobile phones, PCs (personal computers), notebook PCs, tablet PCs, etc. In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 30 may mean one of a variety of physical computer devices that can communicate with the management server 100, inter-machine machines 200, ticket machines 300, settlement devices 400, and settlement centers 20 using wireless or wired communication methods. The mobile terminal 30 may be a terminal owned by a customer using the amusement parlor 10, or it may be a terminal provided by the amusement parlor 10 to a customer.

[0036] The network (NW) is not limited to any specific communication method and may include not only communication methods that utilize communication networks that can be included in the network (for example, mobile communication networks, wired internet, wireless internet, and broadcasting networks), but also short-range wireless communication between devices.

[0037] For example, a network NW may include one or more arbitrary networks such as PAN (personal area network), LAN (local area network), CAN (campus area network), MAN (metropolitan area network), WAN (wide area network), BBN (broadband network), and the Internet.

[0038] Furthermore, the network NW may include, but is not limited to, any one or more network topologies, including bus networks, star networks, ring networks, mesh networks, starbus networks, tree or hierarchical networks, etc.

[0039] (Function Overview) Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the outline of the amusement machine prize exchange system 1 according to this embodiment. Specifically, Figure 2 shows the functions processed by the management server 100. The management server 100 has a type setting unit 2 and a ticketing and storage processing unit 3 as function A1 that cooperates with the input / output of the ticketing machine 300. When issuing a storage medium 500, the type setting unit 2 obtains card information 601 of a payment card, such as a debit card or credit card 600, identifies the number therefrom (2A), and determines the country of the card issuer (corporation), i.e., the issuing country, from the identified number (2B). In the case of a debit card, if it is possible to identify whether it is a branded debit or a J-Debit, the issuing country may be managed separately as Japan or other countries based on that identification.

[0040] Furthermore, the Category Setting Unit 2 sets a settlement category as data that, if the issuing country is a country other than Japan, prevents the user from exchanging the prize for a special prize, i.e., from cashing it in, based on the user's category as a foreign visitor to Japan (2C), and sets a settlement category as data that allows the user to exchange the prize for a special prize, i.e., from cashing it in, if the issuing country is Japan (2C).

[0041] The ticketing and storage processing unit 3 executes procedures for lending gaming media in response to user operations based on card information 601 of a debit card or credit card 600, and stores the settlement type set by the type setting unit 2 in the game information 502 described later, in the IC memory of the storage medium 500 (for example, an IC card).

[0042] When a player receives a loan of game tokens for 800 in cash, in the case of pachinko, a settlement type is set as data that allows for cash conversion corresponding to the number of game tokens corresponding to the amount of cash, and this is registered in the game information 502 of the storage medium 500. In this way, the settlement type is managed in conjunction with the tokens that are loaned, making it possible to manage the game with a data structure that can track which tokens (game tokens) were used to increase or decrease the number of tokens. This management is achieved when the storage medium update unit 9 of the game machine 700 updates the storage medium 500.

[0043] The management server 100 has a storage medium update unit 9 as function A2, which cooperates with the input / output of a gaming machine (not shown). The gaming machine (not shown) has a unit into which a storage medium 500 is installed. The user inserts the storage medium 500 into this unit to read and obtain game result information, and the storage medium update unit 9 updates the game information. The management server 100 also has an update unit 4 that updates the game information it stores itself.

[0044] Furthermore, the management server 100 has an additional lending unit 5 as function A3 that cooperates with the inter-machine machine 200A, using the inter-machine machine 200A as a representative example of an inter-machine machine. The inter-machine machine 200A has a unit for mounting a storage medium 500, and the user inserts the storage medium 500 into that unit and receives additional gaming media from the additional lending unit 5 according to the payment method (prepayment type, immediate payment type, or postpayment type payment method). The additional lending unit 5 writes additional information to the storage medium 500 corresponding to type information that enables cash conversion from each payment method. If there is a payment method that cannot be used in the inter-machine machine due to legal regulations or other reasons, the additional lending unit 5 will execute using a payment method other than that one.

[0045] Furthermore, the management server 100 has a determination unit 6, a settlement unit 7, and an output unit 8 as function A4 that cooperates with the settlement device 400. The settlement device 400, although not shown in the figure, has a unit for which a storage medium 500 is attached, and the user inserts the storage medium 500 into this unit to obtain the settlement result. When the storage medium 500 is attached to the unit of the settlement device 400 and settlement is accepted by the user's operation, the management server 100 references (reads) the game information 502 and makes a determination on whether to exchange prizes according to the type. Based on the determination result, it then guides those types that can be converted to cash to exchange for general prizes or special prizes, and on the other hand, it guides those types that cannot be converted to cash to exchange for general prizes.

[0046] This information can be displayed on the display unit (touchscreen 412, described later in Figure 7) by the output unit 8, or printed out as a receipt by the print unit 460. Of course, as shown in Figure 2, it is also possible to output paper media such as general prize exchange tickets 401 or special prize exchange tickets 402. Users can check the prizes they can receive from the display unit's information display and exchange prizes by receiving a receipt or exchange ticket through the output operation. The management server 100 stores data for each storage medium and receives update information from each machine and device connected to the network NW to update the data for each storage medium.

[0047] (Functional configuration of management server 100) Figure 3 is a diagram showing the functional block configuration of the management server 100 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the management server 100 comprises an operation unit 110, a display unit 120, a storage unit 130, a communication unit 140, and a control unit 150. The operation unit 110 is a user interface used by the manager of the amusement parlor 10 for operation input, and may be equipped with input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, or it may be equipped with a device that integrates input and output functions into one, such as a touchscreen. Furthermore, the operation unit 110 may consist of the management server 100 as one device, or it may consist of two or more devices.

[0048] The display unit 120 is a user interface used to display input content entered by the administrator of the amusement parlor 10, as well as content transmitted from the inter-machine machine 200, ticket machine 300, settlement device 400, settlement center 20, and mobile terminal 30. It may be equipped with an output device such as a display, or it may be equipped with a device that integrates input and output functions into one, such as a touchscreen. The display unit 120 may consist of the management server 100 and one other device, or it may consist of two or more devices.

[0049] The memory unit 130 is a memory that stores programs for executing various control processes and functions within the control unit 150 according to this embodiment, input data, etc., and is composed of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The memory unit 230 stores the management database (hereinafter referred to as the management DB) 131. Furthermore, the memory unit 130 temporarily stores data obtained through communication with the inter-machine machine 200, ticket machine 300, payment device 400, settlement center 20, and mobile terminal 30, as well as data generated in the various processes described later.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, the management DB 131 stores game information 131A in a data structure that combines settlement type information, update ID, update date and time, paid value (number granted, number used, number settled, number held), and game medium (number lent, number paid out, number acquired, number exchanged for prizes, number held) into three types of paid (prepaid, spot paid, postpaid), linked to a card ID that identifies the storage medium 500, and is divided into three types of paid (prepaid, spot paid, postpaid).

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, for the above sets, data sets that permit the exchange (cash conversion) of general prizes and special prizes are linked to settlement type information such as prepaid ID "0", spot paid ID "1", or postpaid ID "3", while data sets that permit only general prizes and not exchange for special prizes are linked to settlement type information such as spot paid ID "2" or postpaid ID "4", and the game information 131A is managed accordingly. In this way, in the case of spot paid IDs and postpaid IDs, one ID is set from the two types of IDs.

[0052] Regarding settlement type information, it is certainly possible to manage it using flag information instead of IDs. In that case, the dataset will still be managed using three payment methods, but an additional flag item will be added. A value of "0" will indicate that exchange for general or special prizes is permitted, while a value of "1" will indicate that exchange for general prizes is permitted.

[0053] Furthermore, in order to simplify the data structure, two types of datasets can be used to link the settlement type information. The first dataset will include prepaid payment methods, instant payment methods (using J-Debit cards), and postpaid payment methods (using credit cards issued in Japan). The second dataset will include instant payment methods (using branded debit cards) and postpaid payment methods (using credit cards issued outside of Japan).

[0054] Furthermore, some users may possess credit and debit cards issued in Japan, as well as cards issued in other countries. In such cases, the solution is to add a separate dataset for management purposes.

[0055] Here, the number of paid value granted refers to the number of prepaid value granted through deposits using prepaid, instant, or postpaid payment methods. The number of paid value used refers to the number of paid value used to lend out gaming media. The number of paid value settled refers to the number of prepaid value settled into cash when paid value is settled (withdrawn). The number of prepaid value held is the number obtained by subtracting the number of prepaid value used and the number of paid value settled from the number of prepaid value granted, and represents the number of paid value that the user has available for use and settlement. The number of paid value settled is associated with the exchangeable prizes when prizes are exchanged. Furthermore, when a user uses it during gameplay, they specify which settlement type dataset to use with the gaming media, and this is reflected in the game results. In other words, since changes in the game medium are managed by linking them to each type of settlement, even if the number of items held, which are managed by spot paid IDs or postpaid IDs that indicate they cannot be exchanged for special prizes, increases, it will not be possible to cash them out based on the game results.

[0056] Next, the number of gaming media lent is the number of gaming media lent through deposits or the use of paid value. The number of gaming media dispensed is the number of gaming media dispensed into the gaming machine for gameplay. The number of gaming media acquired is the number of gaming media acquired through gameplay on the gaming machine. The number of gaming media exchanged for prizes is the number of gaming media exchanged for designated prizes. The number of gaming media held is the number obtained by adding the number of gaming media lent and the number of gaming media acquired, and subtracting the number of gaming media dispensed and the number of gaming media exchanged for prizes, and represents the number of gaming media that a user holds that are available for payout and prize exchange.

[0057] The communication unit 140 is a communication interface for wired or wireless communication with the inter-machine unit 200, ticket machine 300, payment device 400, settlement center 20, and mobile terminal 30, and communication is carried out using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

[0058] The control unit 150 controls the overall operation of the management server 100 by executing the program of this embodiment stored in the storage unit 130, and is composed of devices such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0059] In addition to the update unit 4 described above, the control unit 150 includes, as well as a game storage medium management unit 151, a deposit eligibility determination unit 152, a paid value management unit 153, a game medium management unit 154, and a settlement processing unit 155. The functions of each part of this control unit 150 are activated by programs stored in the storage unit 130 and executed by the management server 100.

[0060] The gaming storage medium management unit 151 manages the storage medium 500. For example, when the gaming storage medium management unit 151 receives a deposit request from the inter-machine machine 200, it determines whether or not a storage medium 500 is inserted into the inter-machine machine 200. If the gaming storage medium management unit 151 determines that a storage medium 500 is not inserted into the inter-machine machine 200, it issues a card ID to identify the storage medium 500 in order to issue a new storage medium 500, and instructs the inter-machine machine 200 to set the storage medium 500 built into the inter-machine machine 200 to be recordable.

[0061] If the gaming storage medium management unit 151 determines that a storage medium 500 is inserted into the inter-machine unit 200, it reads the game information 502 of the storage medium 500 inserted into the inter-machine unit 200 and obtains the card ID that has been pre-assigned to the storage medium 500 in order to identify the storage medium itself. Similarly, if a deposit request is transmitted from the ticket dispenser 300, the gaming storage medium management unit 151 issues a card ID to identify the storage medium 500 in order to issue a new storage medium 500, and instructs the ticket dispenser 300 to set the storage medium 500 built into the ticket dispenser 300 to be recordable.

[0062] As for other processing, when the gaming storage medium management unit 151 receives a request from the inter-machine unit 200 to determine whether or not the storage medium 500 needs to be returned, it refers to the management DB 131 and determines whether the paid value and the number of gaming media possessed are zero. If the gaming storage medium management unit 151 determines that the paid value and the number of gaming media possessed are not zero, it instructs the inter-machine unit 200 to return (discharge) the storage medium 500. If it determines that the paid value and the number of gaming media possessed are zero, it instructs the inter-machine unit 200 to collect and initialize the storage medium 500.

[0063] When the deposit eligibility determination unit 152 receives a deposit request from the inter-machine machine 200 and the gaming storage medium management unit 151 determines that a storage medium 500 has been inserted into the inter-machine machine 200, the unit refers to the management DB 131 associated with the card ID corresponding to the inserted storage medium 500 and determines whether or not the deposit is possible. The deposit eligibility determination unit 152 may adopt any determination criteria, for example, it may determine whether or not the deposit is possible based on the daily deposit limit or the deposit limit for each payment method. If the deposit eligibility determination unit 152 determines that the deposit is not possible, it notifies the inter-machine machine 200 that the deposit is not possible.

[0064] When the Paid Value Management Unit 153 receives a deposit request using a prepaid payment method such as cash, and the Deposit Acceptance Determination Unit 152 determines that the deposit is possible, it instructs the Inter-Machine Machine 200 or Ticket Dispenser 300 to process the granting of paid value. Specifically, the Paid Value Management Unit 153 accesses the Management DB 131, adds and updates the number of paid values ​​associated with the card ID issued or acquired by the Gaming Storage Medium Management Unit 151 according to the deposit amount, and transmits the added and updated number of prepaid values ​​to the Inter-Machine Machine 200 or Ticket Dispenser 300.

[0065] The gaming media management unit 154 instructs the inter-machine machine 200 or ticket dispenser 300 to process the lending of gaming media according to the amount deposited when the lending button 215 is pressed due to a cash deposit, or when a payment completion notification is received from the payment center 20 due to a debit card deposit or credit card deposit. For example, if the lending button 215 is pressed due to a cash deposit and the number of used paid value is obtained from the inter-machine machine 200, the gaming media management unit 154 may add and update the number of used paid value obtained to the management DB 131, and also add and update the number of gaming media lent and dispensed, and then transmit the added and updated number of gaming media lent and dispensed to the inter-machine machine 200 or ticket dispenser 300.

[0066] When the settlement processing unit 155 receives settlement processing request information from the settlement device 400, it obtains the card ID of the storage medium 500 from the received settlement processing request information. The settlement processing unit 155 then accesses the management DB 131 and stores the number of prepaid values ​​held in the settlement amount of the prepaid value associated with the obtained card ID, and instructs the settlement device 400 to pay cash for the amount corresponding to the stored settlement amount of prepaid value.

[0067] Furthermore, the settlement processing unit 155 determines whether the number of game media associated with the acquired card ID is zero. If the settlement processing unit 155 determines that the number of game media associated with the acquired card ID is zero, it instructs the settlement device 400 to retrieve and initialize the storage medium 500. If the settlement processing unit 155 determines that the number of game media associated with the acquired card ID is not zero, it instructs the settlement device 400 to record the latest information on the storage medium 500 and eject it.

[0068] (Functional configuration of the 200-unit inter-table machine) Figure 5 shows the functional block configuration of inter-machine unit 200A, a typical example of an inter-machine unit placed between adjacent gaming machines. As shown in Figure 5, the inter-machine unit 200A includes an input / output unit 210, a storage unit 230, a communication unit 240, and a control unit 250 which includes an additional lending unit 5 that cooperates with the management server 100.

[0069] The input / output unit 210 is a user interface used by customers of the amusement parlor 10 to input operation instructions. As shown in Figure 4, the input / output unit 210 includes a banknote identification unit 211, a game storage medium reader / writer 212, a touchscreen 213, a numeric keypad 214, a loan button 215, a payout button 216, a return button 217, and an alert lamp 218.

[0070] The banknote identification unit 211 identifies banknotes inserted into the inter-machine machine 200 by customers requesting cash deposits. The method for identifying banknotes may be a known method.

[0071] The gaming memory medium reader / writer 212 reads the information stored in the memory medium 500 and also records (writes) information to the memory medium 500. The method for reading and recording information to the memory medium 500 may be by known means.

[0072] In addition to inputting operations for prepaid or immediate payment methods, the touchscreen 213 accepts input of payment request information, including payment requests and payment amounts, for immediate payment methods (debit cards) and postpaid payment methods (credit cards). The touchscreen 213 also displays information on prepaid value and game media stored in the management DB 131.

[0073] The numeric keypad 214 is an input device for entering numerical values ​​such as amounts or units. For example, the numeric keypad 214 is used to input the number of paid units used for lending out gaming media.

[0074] The lending button 215 is an input device for lending out gaming media using the assigned paid value. For example, the lending button 215 may be pressed before or after the number of prepaid values ​​to be used to lend out gaming media is entered via the numeric keypad 214.

[0075] The payout button 216 is an input device for dispensing loaned game tokens or game tokens obtained through gameplay into the upper tray of the game machine. The dispensed game tokens can be used to play games on the game machine.

[0076] The return button 217 is an input device for instructing the return (discharge) of the storage medium 500 after the game has ended.

[0077] The notification lamp 218 is an output device for notifying the status of the inter-machine unit 200. For example, the notification lamp 218 may also notify whether the inter-machine unit 200 is available for use or not.

[0078] The memory unit 230 is a memory that stores programs for executing various control processes and functions within the control unit 250, input data, etc., and is composed of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The memory unit 230 also temporarily stores data obtained through communication with the management server 100, ticket machine 300, payment device 400, settlement center 20, and mobile terminal 30, as well as data generated in the various processes described later.

[0079] The communication unit 240 is a communication interface for wired or wireless communication with the management server 100, ticket machine 300, payment device 400, settlement center 20, and mobile terminal 30, and communication is carried out using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). Furthermore, when the communication unit 240 communicates with the settlement center 20 and mobile terminal 30, such as when sending and receiving payment method information (card information) necessary for settlement using various payment methods including instant payment methods (debit cards) and deferred payment methods (credit cards), the communication may be encrypted using encryption methods such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security).

[0080] The control unit 250 controls the overall operation of the inter-unit machine 200 by executing the program of this embodiment stored in the memory unit 230, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and the like.

[0081] The control unit 250 includes, as functions, a cash deposit request information acquisition unit 251, an immediate payment type and a deferred payment type deposit request information acquisition unit 252, a code generation and reading unit 253, a paid value assignment unit 254, a game medium lending unit 255, a game medium dispensing unit 256, a return requirement determination request unit 257, a game storage medium recording unit 258, a game storage medium ejection unit 259, a game storage medium initialization unit 260, and the like.

[0082] The cash deposit request information acquisition unit 251, the immediate payment type and deferred payment request information acquisition unit 252, the code generation and reading unit 253, the paid value assignment unit 254, the game medium lending unit 255 including the additional lending unit 5 mentioned above, the game medium dispensing unit 256, the return requirement determination request unit 257, the game storage medium recording unit 258, the game storage medium ejection unit 259, and the game storage medium initialization unit 260 are activated by a program stored in the storage unit 230 and executed by the inter-machine machine 200.

[0083] When cash is inserted into the inter-machine machine 200, the cash deposit request information acquisition unit 251 obtains the amount of the inserted cash from the banknote identification unit 211 and sends deposit request information, including the cash deposit request and the amount of the cash, to the management server 100. As for other processing, if the cash deposit request information acquisition unit 251 receives a notification from the management server 100 that the deposit is not possible, it returns the inserted cash.

[0084] The instant payment and deferred payment information acquisition unit 252 receives input of payment request information, including payment requests and payment amounts, using instant payment payment methods (debit cards) or deferred payment payment methods (credit cards). When a customer using the amusement parlor 10 operates the touchscreen 213 and / or the keypad 214, the unit transmits the inputted payment request information to the management server 100 and / or the payment center 20.

[0085] The code generation and reading unit 253 is responsible for part of the process of associating the inter-unit device 200 with the mobile terminal 30.

[0086] One method the code generation and reading unit 253 may use is to receive a payment code (a QR code, which is a two-dimensional code) from the payment center 20 that corresponds to the deferred payment request information acquired by the immediate payment and deferred payment request information acquisition unit 252, and display it in a readable format on the touchscreen 213 of the input / output unit 210. When the payment code QR displayed by the code generation and reading unit 253 is read by the mobile terminal 30, the inter-unit machine 200 and the mobile terminal 30 are associated.

[0087] Alternatively, the code generation and reading unit 253 may read the payment code (a QR code, which is a two-dimensional code) associated with the credit card information displayed on the mobile terminal 30. For example, the code generation and reading unit 253 may activate the reader mounted on the inter-machine unit 200, display a frame on the touchscreen 213 of the inter-machine unit 200 superimposed on the reader's reading image to align with the payment code to be read, and read the payment code when the displayed frame matches the payment code. When the payment code displayed on the mobile terminal 30 is read by the code generation and reading unit 253, the inter-machine unit 200 and the mobile terminal 30 are associated.

[0088] The payment code mentioned above may be any code, such as a two-dimensional code, a barcode, or an identification number, but is not limited to these.

[0089] The paid value granting unit 254 executes the paid value granting process when it receives a deposit via a prepaid, immediate payment, or instant payment settlement method and is instructed by the management server 100 to grant paid value. For example, the paid value granting unit 254 may receive the number of paid values ​​to be granted from the management server 100 and display the added amount on the touchscreen 213 of the input / output unit 210.

[0090] The game media lending unit 255 executes the lending process for game media according to the amount deposited when the lending button 215 is pressed after a cash deposit (prepayment type payment method) and the management server 100 instructs the lending of game media, or when payment using an immediate payment type payment method (debit card) or a post-payment type payment method (credit card payment) is completed and the management server 100 instructs the lending of game media. At that time, the additional lending unit 5 executes the additional lending process that has already been described.

[0091] In the case of a prepaid payment method, when the cash deposit lending button 215 is pressed, the game medium lending unit 255 may obtain the number of prepaid values ​​used by inputting into the numeric keypad 214 and send the obtained number of prepaid values ​​used to the management server 100. Furthermore, when the management server 100 instructs the lending of game mediums, the number of prepaid values ​​and the number of game mediums may be updated and displayed on the touchscreen 213 of the input / output unit 210.

[0092] Furthermore, in the case of instant payment or deferred payment methods, the game media lending unit 255 may receive the number of game media to be lent from the management server 100 when card payment (debit card, credit card) is completed and the management server 100 instructs it to lend game media, and update and display the received number of game media to be lent on the touchscreen 213 of the input / output unit 210.

[0093] Furthermore, the game medium lending unit 255 may instruct the game medium dispensing unit 256, which will be described later, to dispense the game medium. In this case, the game medium can be dispensed smoothly without requiring the dispensing button 216 to be pressed. Also, the game medium lending unit 255 may include the functions of the game medium dispensing unit 256, which will be described later.

[0094] The game medium dispensing unit 256 executes the process of dispensing the loaned game medium to the game machine when the loan button 215 or the dispensing button 216 is pressed. For example, when the dispensing button 216 is pressed, the game medium dispensing unit 256 may send dispensing information, including the number of game mediums to be dispensed, to the management server 100, add and display the number of game mediums dispensed on the touch screen 213 of the input / output unit 210, and dispense (discharge) the game medium so that it can be inserted into the game machine, for example from the inter-machine machine 200A. Note that a known method may be used for the dispensing mechanism for dispensing the game medium.

[0095] When the return button 217 is pressed, the return requirement determination request unit 257 requests the management server 100 to determine whether the storage medium 500 needs to be returned.

[0096] When the management server 100 determines that the storage medium 500 needs to be returned, the gaming storage medium reader / writer 212 records the latest information regarding the number of paid values ​​and the number of gaming media on the storage medium 500, which is built into or inserted into the inter-machine unit 200A and set to be recordable.

[0097] The gaming storage medium ejection unit 259 ejects the recorded storage medium 500 from, for example, the inter-machine machine 200A, when the gaming storage medium recording unit 258 has recorded information regarding the number of paid values ​​and the number of gaming media on the storage medium 500.

[0098] The game storage medium initialization unit 260 retrieves the storage medium 500 and initializes the information stored in the storage medium 500 when it is determined by the management server 100 that the storage medium 500 does not need to be returned.

[0099] (Functional configuration of ticket machine 300) Figure 6 is a diagram showing the functional block configuration of the ticket issuing machine 300 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 6, the ticket issuing machine 300 includes an input / output unit 310, a storage unit 330, a communication unit 340, a control unit 350, and the like.

[0100] The input / output unit 310 is a user interface used by customers of the amusement parlor 10 to input operation instructions. As shown in Figure 6, the input / output unit 310 includes a banknote identification unit 311, a coin identification unit 312, a game storage medium reader / writer 313, a touchscreen 314, a numeric keypad 315, an alert lamp 316, and the like.

[0101] The banknote identification unit 311 identifies banknotes inserted into the ticket dispenser 300 by a user requesting a cash deposit. The method for identifying banknotes may be a known method.

[0102] The coin identification unit 312 identifies the coins inserted into the ticket dispenser 300 by a user requesting a cash deposit. The method for identifying the coins may be a known method.

[0103] The gaming memory medium reader / writer 313 reads the information stored in the memory medium 500 and also records (writes) information to the memory medium 500. The method for reading and recording information from the memory medium 500 may be by known means.

[0104] The touchscreen 314 accepts input of deposit request information, including deposit requests and deposit amounts, using debit or credit cards. The touchscreen 314 also displays information on the paid value and game media stored in the management DB 131.

[0105] The numeric keypad 315 is an input device for entering numerical values ​​such as amounts or units. For example, the amount to be deposited into the storage medium 500 may be entered into the numeric keypad 315.

[0106] The notification lamp 316 is an output device for notifying the status of the ticket machine 300. For example, the notification lamp 316 may also notify whether the ticket machine 300 is available for use or not.

[0107] The memory unit 330 is a memory that stores programs for executing various control processes and functions within the control unit 350 according to this embodiment, input data, etc., and is composed of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The memory unit 330 also temporarily stores data obtained through communication with the management server 100, inter-machine machine 200, settlement device 400, settlement center 20, and mobile terminal 30, as well as data generated in the processes described later.

[0108] The communication unit 340 is a communication interface for wired or wireless communication with the management server 100, inter-unit 200, settlement device 400, settlement center 20, and mobile terminal 30, and communication is carried out using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). Furthermore, when the communication unit 340 communicates with the settlement center 20 and mobile terminal 30, such as when sending or receiving debit card information or credit card information, the communication may be encrypted using encryption methods such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security).

[0109] The control unit 350 controls the overall operation of the ticket dispenser 300 by executing the program of this embodiment stored in the storage unit 330, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. Functionally, the control unit 350 includes a type setting unit 2 and a ticketing and storage processing unit 3 that cooperate with the management server 100, as well as a cash deposit request information acquisition unit 351, an immediate payment type and a deferred payment type deposit request information acquisition unit 352, a code generation and reading unit 353, a paid value assignment unit 354, a game medium lending unit 355, a game storage medium recording unit 356, a game storage medium ejection unit 357, and the like.

[0110] The cash deposit request information acquisition unit 351, the immediate payment type and deferred payment type deposit request information acquisition unit 352, the code generation and reading unit 353, the paid value assignment unit 354, the game medium lending unit 355, the game storage medium recording unit 356, and the game storage medium ejection unit 357 are activated by a program stored in the storage unit 330 and executed by the ticket issuing machine 300.

[0111] When a banknote is inserted into the ticket dispenser 300 and / or coins are inserted, the cash deposit request information acquisition unit 351 obtains the amount of the inserted banknote from the banknote identification unit 311 and the amount of the inserted coin from the coin identification unit 312, and sends deposit request information including the cash deposit request and the amount to the management server 100. As for other processing, if the cash deposit request information acquisition unit 351 receives a notification from the management server 100 that the deposit is not possible, it returns the inserted banknote and / or coins.

[0112] The instant payment type and instant payment type and deferred payment type deposit request information acquisition unit 352 accepts input of deposit request information including deposit requests and deposit amounts using prepaid payment methods (debit cards) and deferred payment methods (credit cards), and transmits the input deposit request information to the management server 100 and / or payment center 20 when a customer using the amusement parlor 10 operates the touchscreen 314 and / or keypad 315.

[0113] The code generation and reading unit 353 plays a part in the process of associating the ticketing machine 300 with the mobile terminal 30, and has the same function as the code generation and reading unit 353 described above, and has a mechanism for reading payment codes.

[0114] The paid value granting unit 354 executes the paid value granting process when it receives a deposit via the various payment methods described above and is instructed by the management server 100 to grant paid value. For example, the paid value granting unit 354 may receive the number of paid values ​​to be granted from the management server 100 and instruct the game storage medium recording unit 356 to record the received number of paid values ​​to be granted on the storage medium 500. Furthermore, the paid value granting unit 354 may instruct the game storage medium discharge unit 357 to discharge the storage medium 500 recorded by the game storage medium recording unit 356 from the ticket dispenser 300.

[0115] The gaming media lending unit 355 executes the lending process for gaming media according to the amount deposited when payment by an immediate payment method (debit card payment) or a deferred payment method (credit card payment) is completed and the management server 100 instructs it to lend gaming media. For example, the gaming media lending unit 355 may receive the number of gaming media to be lent from the management server 100 and instruct the gaming storage media recording unit 356 to record the received number of gaming media to be lent on the storage medium 500.

[0116] Furthermore, the game medium lending unit 355 may instruct the game storage medium ejection unit 357 to eject the storage medium 500 recorded by the game storage medium recording unit 356 from the ticket dispenser 300. In addition, the game medium lending unit 355 may encompass the functions of the game storage medium recording unit 356 and the game storage medium ejection unit 357.

[0117] The game storage medium recording unit 356 records the number of paid values ​​to be assigned as instructed by the paid value assignment unit 354 or the number of game media to be lent as instructed by the game media lending unit 355, on the storage medium 500 which is built into the ticket issuing machine 300 and set to be recordable, using the game storage medium reader / writer 313.

[0118] The gaming memory medium ejection unit 357 ejects (issues) the memory medium 500 recorded by the gaming memory medium recording unit 356 from the ticket issuing machine 300, according to instructions from the paid value assignment unit 354 or the gaming medium lending unit 355.

[0119] (Functional configuration of payment device 400) Figure 7 shows the functional block configuration of the settlement device 400 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 7, the settlement device 400 includes an input / output unit 410, a storage unit 430, a communication unit 440, a control unit 450, a printing unit 460, and the like.

[0120] The input / output unit 410 is a user interface used by customers of the amusement parlor 10 to input operation instructions. As shown in Figure 7, the input / output unit 410 includes a gaming storage medium reader / writer 411, a touchscreen 412, a numeric keypad 413, an alert lamp 414, and the like.

[0121] The gaming memory medium reader / writer 411 reads the information stored in the memory medium 500 and also records (writes) information to the memory medium 500. The method for reading and writing to the memory medium 500 may be by known means.

[0122] The touchscreen 412 accepts settlement requests from users of the amusement parlor 10. The touchscreen 412 also displays information on the paid value and game media stored in the management DB 131, and has the functionality of the output unit 8 to display information on exchanging for general prizes or special prizes. If it is not possible to exchange for a special prize, a message to that effect will be displayed. For example, if the user uses a debit card or credit card, the message may read, "Customers using cards cannot exchange for special prizes. Please exchange for general prizes instead."

[0123] The numeric keypad 413 is an input device for entering numerical values ​​such as amounts or units. For example, the numeric keypad 413 may be used to input the amount of paid value to be withdrawn from the storage medium 500.

[0124] The notification lamp 414 is an output device for notifying the status of the payment device 400. For example, the notification lamp 414 may also notify whether the payment device 400 is available for use.

[0125] The memory unit 430 is a memory that stores programs for executing various control processes and functions within the control unit 450 according to this embodiment, input data, etc., and is composed of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The memory unit 430 also temporarily stores data obtained through communication with the management server 100, inter-machine machine 200, ticket machine 300, payment center 20, and mobile terminal 30, as well as data generated in the processes described later.

[0126] The communication unit 440 is a communication interface for wired or wireless communication with the management server 100, the inter-unit machine 200, the ticket machine 300, the payment center 20, and the mobile terminal 30, and communication is carried out using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). Furthermore, when the communication unit 440 communicates with the payment center 20 and the mobile terminal 30, such as when sending or receiving debit card information or credit card information, it may encrypt the communication using an encryption method such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security).

[0127] The control unit 450 controls the overall operation of the settlement device 400 by executing the program of this embodiment stored in the storage unit 430, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. Functionally, the control unit 450 includes a determination unit 6 and a settlement unit 7 that cooperate with the management server 100, as well as a settlement processing request unit 451, a cash dispensing unit 452, a game storage medium initialization unit 453, a game storage medium recording unit 454, a game storage medium ejection unit 455, etc. The settlement processing request unit 451, the cash dispensing unit 452, the game storage medium initialization unit 453, the game storage medium recording unit 454, and the game storage medium ejection unit 455 are activated by the program stored in the storage unit 430 and executed by the settlement device 400.

[0128] The settlement request unit 451 accepts the insertion of the storage medium 500 by the user. When the storage medium 500 is inserted into the settlement device 400, the settlement request unit 451 reads the card ID that identifies the inserted storage medium 500 using the gaming storage medium reader / writer 411. The settlement request unit 451 then sends settlement request information, which includes the card ID and settlement type information of the game information 502 that it has read, along with the settlement request, to the management server 100.

[0129] The cash disbursement unit 452, upon receiving a cash disbursement instruction from the settlement processing unit 155 of the management server 100 based on the determined value that can be converted into cash as determined by the determination results of the determination unit 6 and the settlement unit 7, disburses (returns) an amount of cash corresponding to the settlement amount of the paid value. The game storage medium initialization unit 453 retrieves the storage medium 500 and initializes the information stored in the storage medium 500 if the number of game media held in the storage medium 500 is zero.

[0130] The game storage medium recording unit 454 records the amount of paid value settled in the storage medium 500 using the game storage medium reader / writer 411 if the number of game media held in the storage medium 500 is not zero.

[0131] The game storage medium ejection unit 455 ejects the recorded storage medium 500 from the settlement device 400 when the game storage medium recording unit 454 has recorded the settlement amount of the paid value onto the storage medium 500.

[0132] (Data memory structure of storage medium 500) Figure 8 shows the data memory configuration of the storage medium 500 in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 8, the game information 502 stored in the IC chip 501 of the storage medium 500, which is the memory, has a data structure similar to the game information 131A already described, and is a data structure that combines the storage medium card ID, last update date and time, paid value (number granted, number used, number settled, number held), and game medium (number lent, number paid out, number acquired, number exchanged for prizes, number held) into a single set. The data structure in Figure 8 itself is similar to that in Figure 4, with a dataset provided corresponding to the settlement type information.

[0133] Furthermore, similar to the case in Figure 4, the game information 502 is managed as follows: datasets that allow the exchange (cash conversion) of general prizes and special prizes are linked to the settlement type information, namely prepaid ID "0", spot paid ID "1", or postpaid ID "3", while datasets that only allow exchange for general prizes and not for special prizes are linked to the settlement type information, namely spot paid ID "2" or postpaid ID "4". Alternatively, in this case as well, management could be done using flag information, or a data structure managed using two types of settlement type information.

[0134] (Functional configuration of Payment Center 20) Figure 9 is a diagram showing the functional block configuration of the payment center 20 in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 9, the payment center 20 includes an operation unit 610, a display unit 620, a storage unit 630, a communication unit 640, a control unit 650, and the like.

[0135] The operation unit 610 is a user interface used by the administrator of the settlement center 20 for inputting operations, and may be equipped with input devices such as a keyboard and mouse, or it may be equipped with a device that integrates input and output functions into one, such as a touchscreen. Furthermore, the operation unit 610 may consist of one device and the settlement center 20, or it may consist of two or more devices.

[0136] The display unit 620 is a user interface used to display input content entered by the administrator of the settlement center 20, as well as content transmitted from the management server 100, inter-unit machines 200, ticket dispensers 300, settlement devices 400, and mobile terminals 30. It may be equipped with an output device such as a display, or it may be equipped with a device that integrates input and output functions into one, such as a touchscreen. Furthermore, the display unit 620 may consist of the settlement center 20 as one device, or it may consist of two or more devices.

[0137] The storage unit 630 is a memory that stores programs for executing various control processes and functions within the control unit 650 according to this embodiment, input data, etc., and is composed of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The storage unit 630 also stores the transaction database (hereinafter referred to as the transaction DB) 631 and the user database (hereinafter referred to as the user DB) 632. Furthermore, the storage unit 630 temporarily stores data obtained through communication with the management server 100, the inter-machine machine 200, the ticket machine 300, the settlement device 400, and the mobile terminal 30, as well as data generated in the various processes described later.

[0138] As shown in Figure 10, the transaction DB631 stores transaction ID, transaction date and time, store ID, device ID, payment amount, user ID, debit card information or credit card information, etc. A transaction ID is issued for each debit card payment or credit card payment. The transaction date and time stores the date and time when the debit card payment or credit card payment processing is completed. The store ID identifies the store where the debit card payment or credit card payment was made.

[0139] The device ID identifies the device used for debit card or credit card payments when multiple deposit terminals are installed in a store. The payment amount stores the amount deposited via debit card or credit card payment. The user ID identifies the user who made the debit card or credit card payment. The debit card information stores the card information of the debit card used for payment. The credit card information stores the card information of the credit card used for payment.

[0140] As shown in Figure 11, User DB632 stores User ID, Username, Debit Card ID or Credit Card ID, Debit Card Information or Credit Card Information, Current Monthly Billing Amount, and Spending Limit. The User ID and Username identify users who use debit card or credit card payments. The Debit Card ID identifies the debit card each user uses for payment, and the Credit Card ID identifies the credit card each user uses for payment.

[0141] Debit card information stores the necessary card information for each debit card used by the user for payment, and credit card information stores the necessary card information for each credit card used by the user for payment. In the case of debit card payments, the current month withdrawal amount is the total amount of debit card payments for the current month, and if the current month withdrawal amount exceeds the deposit limit, the payment process may be prevented. In the case of credit card payments, the current month billing amount is the total amount of credit card payments for the current month, and if the current month billing amount exceeds the usage limit, the payment process may be prevented.

[0142] The communication unit 640 shown in Figure 9 is a communication interface for wired or wireless communication with the management server 100, inter-machine machine 200, ticket machine 300, payment device 400, and mobile terminal 30, and communication is performed using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). Furthermore, when the communication unit 640 communicates with the inter-machine machine 200, ticket machine 300, and mobile terminal 30, such as when sending or receiving debit card information or credit card information, the communication may be encrypted using encryption methods such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security).

[0143] The control unit 650 controls the overall operation of the settlement center 20 by executing the program of this embodiment stored in the storage unit 630, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The control unit 650 includes, as functions, a deposit request information receiving unit 651, a settlement means information acquisition unit 652, a settlement approval / failure determination unit 653, a settlement processing unit 654, and a settlement completion notification transmission unit 655. The deposit request information receiving unit 651, the settlement means information acquisition unit 652, the settlement approval / failure determination unit 653, the settlement processing unit 654, and the settlement completion notification transmission unit 655 are activated by the program of this embodiment stored in the storage unit 630 and executed in the settlement center 20.

[0144] The payment request information receiving unit 651 receives payment request information from the management server 100, including payment requests and payment amounts for each payment method. The payment request information receiving unit 651 may also receive payment information directly from, for example, the inter-machine machine 200A or the ticket machine 300, where payment request information for credit card payments has been entered.

[0145] The payment method information acquisition unit 652 acquires payment method information (card information) necessary for payment by each payment method when the payment request information receiving unit 651 receives payment request information for an immediate payment method (debit card) or a deferred payment method (credit card). For example, the payment method information acquisition unit 652 may acquire the credit card information to be used for payment processing when the credit card information is directly entered into, for example, the inter-machine machine 200A or the ticket machine 300, to which the payment request information has been entered. The same applies to debit cards.

[0146] Furthermore, when the payment request information receiving unit 651 obtains payment request information for an immediate payment method (debit card) or a deferred payment method (credit card), the payment request information receiving unit 652 may associate the inter-machine 200 or ticket issuing machine 300 into which the payment request information was entered with a mobile terminal 30 that can communicate with the payment center 20, and obtain the card information of the debit card or credit card to be used for payment processing from the associated mobile terminal 30.

[0147] One method the payment method information acquisition unit 652 may use is to generate a payment code corresponding to the payment request information, as described above, and display the payment code on, for example, the inter-unit machine 200A or the ticket dispenser 300, which has received payment request information using an immediate payment method (debit card) or a deferred payment method (credit card).

[0148] For example, when the mobile terminal 30 reads a payment code displayed on the inter-machine machine 200A or ticket machine 300, the inter-machine machine 200 or ticket machine 300, which has received payment request information via debit card or credit card, is associated with the mobile terminal 30. The payment method information acquisition unit 652 can obtain the debit card or credit card information to be used for payment processing from the associated mobile terminal 30 by sending an input screen to the mobile terminal 30 that has read the payment code corresponding to the payment request information, allowing the user to input the card information for the debit card or credit card. Note that if user registration or card registration (debit card or credit card) has been completed in advance, the payment method information acquisition unit 652 may omit sending the input screen.

[0149] Furthermore, the payment method information acquisition unit 652 may, as an alternative method, display a reading screen on, for example, the inter-machine 200A or ticket vending machine 300, which has received payment request information for an immediate payment method (debit card) or a deferred payment method (credit card). By displaying a reading screen on, for example, the inter-machine 200A or ticket vending machine 300, which has received payment request information for a debit card or credit card, the customer will display the aforementioned payment code on their mobile terminal 30, which is associated with the card information of their debit card or credit card. Then, by having, for example, the reading screen of the inter-machine 200A or ticket vending machine 300 read the displayed payment code, the card information of the debit card or credit card used for payment processing can be acquired.

[0150] The payment eligibility determination unit 653 determines whether debit card payment or credit card payment is possible, for example, in the case of a deferred payment method, based on the card information of the debit card or credit card acquired by the payment method information acquisition unit 652. For example, the payment eligibility determination unit 653 may determine whether debit card payment or credit card payment is possible by querying the debit card company or credit card company whether payment is possible.

[0151] Furthermore, the payment eligibility determination unit 653 may determine whether debit card payment or credit card payment is possible by referring to the transaction DB 631 and determining whether the current month's billing amount exceeds the usage limit. If the payment eligibility determination unit 653 determines that debit card payment or credit card payment is not possible, it sends a payment failure notification to the mobile terminal 30 and the management server 100. The management server 100 may send the received payment failure notification to the inter-machine 200 or ticket dispenser 300 into which the payment request information was entered, or the payment eligibility determination unit 653 may directly send the payment failure notification to the inter-machine 200 or ticket dispenser 300.

[0152] In the case of a deferred payment method, if the payment eligibility determination unit 653 determines that debit card payment or credit card payment is possible, the payment processing unit 654 executes the debit card payment or credit card payment based on the card information acquired by the payment method information acquisition unit 652 and the payment request information acquired by the payment request information receiving unit 651.

[0153] The payment completion notification transmission unit 655 transmits a payment completion notification to the mobile terminal 30 and the management server 100 when the debit card payment or credit card payment executed by the payment processing unit 654 is completed. The management server 100 may transmit the received payment completion notification to the inter-machine machine 200 or ticket dispenser 300 into which the payment request information was entered, or the payment completion notification transmission unit 655 may transmit the payment completion notification directly to the inter-machine machine 200 or ticket dispenser 300.

[0154] (Functional configuration of mobile terminal 30) Figure 12 shows the functional block configuration of the mobile terminal 30 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 12, the mobile terminal 30 includes an operation unit 710, a display unit 720, a storage unit 730, a communication unit 740, a control unit 750, and the like.

[0155] The operation unit 710 is a user interface used by customers of the amusement parlor 10 for inputting operations, and may be equipped with input devices such as a keyboard or mouse, or it may be equipped with a device that integrates input and output functions into one, such as a touchscreen.

[0156] The display unit 720 is a user interface used to display input content entered by customers of the amusement parlor 10, as well as content transmitted from the management server 100, inter-machine machine 200, ticket dispenser 300, settlement device 400, and settlement center 20. It may be equipped with an output device such as a display, or it may be equipped with a device that integrates input and output functions into one, such as a touchscreen.

[0157] The memory unit 730 stores programs for executing various control processes and functions within the control unit 750 according to this embodiment, input data, etc., and is composed of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The memory unit 630 also temporarily stores data obtained through communication with the management server 100, inter-machine machine 200, ticket machine 300, payment device 400, and settlement center 20, as well as data generated in the processes described later.

[0158] The communication unit 740 is a communication interface for wired or wireless communication with the management server 100, inter-machine machines 200, ticket machines 300, payment devices 400, and settlement center 20, and communication is carried out using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). Furthermore, when the communication unit 740 communicates with the inter-machine machines 200, ticket machines 300, and settlement center 20, such as when sending or receiving debit card information or credit card information, the communication may be encrypted using encryption methods such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security).

[0159] The control unit 750 controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 30 by executing the program of this embodiment stored in the storage unit 730, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The functions of the control unit 750 include a code generation and reading unit 751 and a payment method information transmission unit 752. The code generation and reading unit 751 and the payment method information transmission unit 752 are activated by the program stored in the storage unit 730 and executed by the mobile terminal 30.

[0160] The code generation and reading unit 751 is responsible for a part of the process of associating the inter-machine terminal 200 or ticket machine 300, which has received deposit request information via debit card or credit card, with the mobile terminal 30.

[0161] One method the code generation and reading unit 751 may use is to read the payment code, as described above, that corresponds to the payment request information displayed on the inter-machine 200 or ticket dispenser 300 into which the payment request information has been entered. For example, the code generation and reading unit 751 may activate the camera mounted on the mobile terminal 30, display a frame on the display unit 720 of the mobile terminal 30 superimposed on the camera's captured image to align with the payment code to be read, and read the payment code when the displayed frame matches the payment code.

[0162] The code generation and reading unit 751 reads the payment code corresponding to the deposit request information, which links the inter-machine 200 or ticket dispenser 300, into which the deposit request information for debit or credit cards has been entered, with the mobile terminal 30, and allows the card information for the debit or credit card to be obtained.

[0163] Alternatively, the code generation and reading unit 751 may display a payment code, as described above, associated with the card information of a debit or credit card used for payment, on the display unit 720 of the mobile terminal 30. When the inter-machine 200 or ticket dispenser 300 that has received the payment request information reads the payment code displayed on the mobile terminal 30, the inter-machine 200 or ticket dispenser 300 that has received the payment request information is associated with the mobile terminal 30, and the card information of the debit or credit card can be obtained.

[0164] In the case of a deferred payment method, the payment method information transmission unit 752 transmits the card information of the debit card or credit card used for payment processing to the payment center 20. For example, the payment method information transmission unit 752 may display an input screen on the display unit 720 in which the card information of the debit card or credit card received from the payment center 20 can be entered, and transmit the card information of the debit card or credit card entered on the displayed input screen to the payment center 20.

[0165] Next, we will explain the operation when using a deferred payment method, using Figures 13, 14, and 15. (Flow of issuing game storage media via credit card deposit) In the ticketing flow, the main functions are the same for both debit cards and credit cards, so the following explanation will use credit cards as an example. Figure 13 shows an example of the ticketing flow for the storage medium 500 when a credit card is deposited into the amusement machine prize exchange system 1 according to this embodiment. Note that this flow may be applied not only to credit cards but also to deposits made using other deferred payment methods.

[0166] The following description outlines the sequence of the ticket machine 300, the management server 100, and the payment center 20. First, the immediate payment and deferred payment request information acquisition unit 352 of the ticket machine 300 receives input for a credit card payment request (step S11). Users of the amusement parlor 10 select the credit card payment button by operating the touchscreen 314 of the ticket machine 300.

[0167] When a payment request for immediate payment or deferred payment is entered, the immediate payment and deferred payment information acquisition unit 352 displays an amount selection screen on the touchscreen 314 and accepts the selection of the payment amount (step S12). The immediate payment and deferred payment information acquisition unit 352 may also accept input of the payment amount via the numeric keypad 315.

[0168] The immediate payment and deferred payment request information acquisition unit 352 transmits payment request information, including the entered credit card payment request and the payment amount, to the management server 100 (step S13). Alternatively, the immediate payment and deferred payment request information acquisition unit 352 may transmit the credit card payment request information to the settlement center 20.

[0169] In the management server 100, when the gaming storage medium management unit 151 receives credit card deposit request information from the ticket machine 300, it issues a card ID to identify the storage medium 500 in order to issue a new storage medium 500 (step S21). The gaming storage medium management unit 151 may instruct the ticket machine 300 to set the storage medium 500 built into the ticket machine 300 so that it can be recorded.

[0170] The gaming storage medium management unit 151 transmits the credit card deposit request information received from the ticket dispenser 300 and the device ID that identifies the ticket dispenser 300 to the settlement center 20 (step S22).

[0171] In the payment center 20, the payment request information receiving unit 651 receives payment request information and a device ID via credit card from the management server 100 (step S31). Then, the payment method information acquisition unit 652 of the payment center 20 requests credit card information such as the card number from the payment request information received by the payment request information receiving unit 651, and sends an input screen for this information (step S31).

[0172] At the ticket machine 300, credit card information is entered and transmitted to the payment center 20 (step S14). In this embodiment, with the user's permission, the first six digits of the card number are transmitted to the management server 100 as an identification number to identify the issuer, and the management server 100 determines the country based on that identification number (acquisition of country information: step S23).

[0173] Here, the settlement processing at the settlement center 20 (step S32) is a general process, so the details are omitted, but if the settlement result is approved, the settlement center 20 notifies the ticket machine 300 and the management server 100 that the settlement is complete (step S33). Although not shown in the diagram, if the settlement result is rejected, a notification of the settlement rejection is sent.

[0174] In the management server 100, when generating game information, if it is determined from the country information of the credit card obtained in step S23 that the issuing country (the country of the company issuing the card) is Japan, the settlement type information is set to postpaid ID "3" which allows cash withdrawal. On the other hand, if it is determined that the issuing country is a foreign country, the settlement type information is set to postpaid "4" which does not allow cash withdrawal. In the case of a debit card, if cash withdrawal is possible, the spot paid ID is set to "1", and if cash withdrawal is not possible, the spot paid ID is set to "2". Furthermore, corresponding to the flags of each settlement type information, update ID, update date and time, paid value, and game medium information are generated and stored in the management DB 131 as game information 131A (step S24).

[0175] Next, the management server 100 transmits the generated game information to the ticket dispenser 300 (step S25). When the ticket dispenser 300 receives the game information (step S15), it writes it to the initialized storage medium 500 for storage (step S16), and the storage medium 500 is then issued to the user (step S17). The structure of this ticket issuance is publicly known and will therefore be omitted.

[0176] Furthermore, if credit card information has been registered in advance, the payment method information transmission unit 752 may omit displaying the input screen and transmit the pre-registered credit card information or identification information that identifies the card information to the payment center 20. In the ticket dispenser 300, the game media lending unit 355 performs the lending process of game media according to the amount deposited. Specifically, the game media lending unit 355 receives the number of game media to be lent from the management server 100 and instructs the game storage media recording unit 356 to record the received number of game media to be lent in the storage medium 500. The game storage media recording unit 356 of the ticket dispenser 300 records the added and updated number of game media to be lent in the storage medium 500 which is built into the ticket dispenser 300 and set to be recordable.

[0177] In the ticket dispenser 300, the game medium lending unit 355 instructs the game memory medium dispensing unit 357 to dispense the memory medium 500 recorded by the game memory medium recording unit 356 from the ticket dispenser 300. The game memory medium dispensing unit 357 of the ticket dispenser 300 dispenses (dispenses) the memory medium 500 on which the number of game media to be lent has been recorded. By inserting the dispensed memory medium 500 into the inter-machine machine 200, the lent game media can be dispensed into the game machine and played.

[0178] In this embodiment, code payment is also included as a deferred payment method. In the case of code payment, although not shown in the figures, as already explained, payment is made using a QR code as the payment code via the mobile terminal 30.

[0179] (Credit card payment flow for machine 200) Since the main functions of the deposit flow are the same for both debit cards and credit cards, the following explanation will use credit cards as an example. Figure 14 shows an example of the deposit flow using a credit card in a representative inter-machine 200A of the gaming machine prize exchange system 1 according to this embodiment. Note that this flow may also be applied to deposits made using other deferred payment methods besides credit cards.

[0180] The difference between the inter-machine machine 200A and the ticket dispenser 300 mentioned above lies in the fact that it does not issue a new storage medium 500, but rather updates the game information stored in the storage medium 500. Therefore, the following explanation will only describe the differences.

[0181] In the inter-machine machine 200A, the instant payment and deferred payment request information acquisition unit 252 accepts input of a credit card payment request (step S41). Users of the amusement parlor 10 select the credit card payment button by operating the touchscreen 213 of the inter-machine machine 200A.

[0182] In the inter-unit machine 200A, when a payment request for immediate payment or deferred payment is entered, the immediate payment and deferred payment information acquisition unit 252 displays an amount selection screen on the touchscreen 213 and accepts the selection of the payment amount (step S42). The immediate payment and deferred payment information acquisition unit 252 may also accept input of the payment amount via the numeric keypad 214.

[0183] In the inter-machine 200A, the immediate payment and deferred payment request information acquisition unit 252 transmits payment request information, including the input credit card payment request and the payment amount, to the management server 100 (step S43). Alternatively, the immediate payment and deferred payment request information acquisition unit 252 may transmit the payment request information to the settlement center 20.

[0184] In the management server 100, when the gaming storage medium management unit 151 receives a deposit request information via credit card from the inter-machine machine 200A, it determines whether or not the storage medium 500 is inserted into the inter-machine machine 200A by querying the inter-machine machine 200. This is an embodiment that enables new issuance in the inter-machine machine 200A, similar to the ticket issuing machine 300 described above.

[0185] If the gaming storage medium management unit 151 of the management server 100 determines that no storage medium 500 is inserted into the inter-machine unit 200, it issues a card ID to identify the storage medium 500 in order to issue a new storage medium 500, and instructs the inter-machine unit 200A to set the storage medium 500 that is pre-installed in the inter-machine unit 200A into a recordable state.

[0186] Next, in the management server 100, if the gaming storage medium management unit 151 determines that a storage medium 500 is inserted into the inter-machine unit 200, it issues and obtains a card ID to identify the storage medium 500 inserted into the inter-machine unit 200. If a card ID has already been issued, the process moves to the next step S22.

[0187] In the management server 100, the deposit eligibility determination unit 152, when the gaming storage medium management unit 151 determines that a storage medium 500 has been inserted into the inter-machine 200, refers to the game information in the management DB 131 associated with the card ID corresponding to the inserted storage medium 500 and determines whether or not a deposit is possible.

[0188] On the management server 100, if the deposit eligibility determination unit 152 determines that a deposit is not possible, it sends a notification of the deposit failure to the inter-machine machine 200. By imposing restrictions on credit card deposits by the deposit eligibility determination unit 152, the gambling instincts of users at the amusement parlor 10 can be prevented from being stimulated. This restriction may be checked by setting a flag in the game information, or by querying the payment center 20.

[0189] In the management server 100, the gaming storage medium management unit 151 transmits the credit card deposit request information received from the inter-machine 200 and the device ID that identifies the inter-machine 200 to the settlement center 20 (step S22). Note that the settlement process at the settlement center 20 is the same as the settlement process using the ticket machine 300 (steps S31 to S33), so the explanation is omitted. Similarly, the settlement process at the management server 100 is the same as the settlement process using the ticket machine 300 (steps S23 to S25), so the explanation is omitted.

[0190] In this way, when the inter-machine unit 200A receives game information (step S45), the game media dispensing unit 256 in the inter-machine unit 200A accepts the press of the dispensing button 216. Then, when the game media dispensing unit 256 accepts the press of the dispensing button 216, it sends the number of game media to be dispensed to the management server 100. Furthermore, in the management server 100, the game media management unit 154 accesses the management DB 131, adds and updates the number of game media to be dispensed that are associated with the card ID issued or acquired by the game storage media management unit 151, and sends the added and updated number of game media to the inter-machine unit 200.

[0191] In the inter-machine unit 200, the game medium dispensing unit 256 adds and displays the number of game mediums dispensed on the touchscreen 213 of the input / output unit 210. The game medium dispensing unit 256 then dispenses (ejects) game mediums from the inter-machine unit 200 to the game machines, corresponding to the added number of game mediums received from the management server 100. With the game mediums dispensed, the game machines are ready to play (step S46). Then, the inter-machine unit 200A and the management server 100 respectively perform updates to the game information (steps S47 and S26).

[0192] From the steps described above, unlike cash deposits, when using a credit card, no payable value that can be settled (withdrawn) is assigned to the cash; instead, gaming media can be directly provided. Finally, the provided gaming media can be dispensed (discharged) into the gaming machine. The same effect can be obtained with a debit card.

[0193] (Settlement flow of the storage medium 500 in the settlement device 400) Figure 15 shows an example of the settlement flow of the storage medium 500 in the settlement device 400 of the amusement machine prize exchange system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0194] In the settlement device 400, the settlement processing request unit 451 accepts the insertion of the storage medium 500 (step S51). When the storage medium 500 is inserted into the settlement device 400, the game storage medium reader / writer 411 reads the card ID of the inserted storage medium 500, and the settlement processing request unit 451 transmits settlement processing request information, including the card ID read by the game storage medium reader / writer 411 and the settlement processing request, to the management server 100 (step S52). In this case, the settlement processing request is a request for prize exchange or the like.

[0195] In the management server 100, the settlement processing unit 155 obtains the card ID from the received settlement processing request information, accesses the management DB 131 to refer to the game information, and updates the game information for the matching card ID. To do this, it stores the number of paid values ​​held in the settlement amount of the paid value associated with the obtained card ID, and instructs the settlement device 400 to pay out cash for the amount corresponding to the stored settlement amount of paid value (step S61).

[0196] The management server 100 analyzes the game results from the game information (step S62), and based on the game results, it creates a settlement method that allows exchange for general prizes or special prizes in the case of prepaid ID "0", spot paid ID "1", or postpaid "3", and presents it to the settlement device 400. On the other hand, it creates a settlement method that allows exchange for general prizes only in the case of spot paid ID "2" or postpaid "4", and presents it to the settlement device 400 (step S63). In this embodiment, settlement methods are created according to the various settlement methods and according to ID management, for each settlement type information.

[0197] In response, the settlement device 400 displays the presented settlement method on, for example, the touchscreen 412, and instructs the user to select a settlement method (step S54). If multiple settlement methods are displayed, the user can select each one individually. The management server 100 sends instructions to the settlement device 400, such as outputting an exchange voucher (general prize exchange voucher or special prize exchange voucher indicating prizes that can be exchanged for points, etc.), returning cash, or modifying the storage medium, according to the instruction selected from the presented settlement methods (step S64).

[0198] In the settlement device 400, output processing is performed according to the instructions, such as displaying the settlement result on the touchscreen 412 or printing and issuing an exchange ticket (step S55), and finally, the storage medium is initialized and retrieved (step S56). Of course, it is also possible to continue using the game results based on the game information after a partial settlement, but the details of that are omitted.

[0199] Regarding cashing out, the settlement device 400 analyzes the game results from the game information and, only if the prize type information is Prepaid ID "0", Spot Paid ID "1", or Post Paid ID "3", the cash dispensing unit 452 can dispense (return) an amount of cash corresponding to the amount of prepaid value settled.

[0200] Furthermore, since this embodiment focuses on the issue of cash conversion, the following functions can also be added. In the management server 100, the settlement processing unit 155 analyzes the game results, accesses the management DB 131, and determines whether the number of game media associated with the acquired card ID is zero or not. If the settlement processing unit 155 determines that the number of game media associated with the acquired card ID is zero, it instructs the settlement device 400 to retrieve and initialize the storage medium 500. That is, the game storage medium initialization unit 453 retrieves the storage medium 500 and initializes the information stored in the storage medium 500.

[0201] In the management server 100, if the settlement processing unit 155 determines that the number of game media associated with the acquired card ID is not zero, it instructs the settlement device 400 to record the latest information on the storage medium 500 and then eject it. In the settlement device 400, the game storage medium recording unit 454 records the settlement amount of the prepaid value on the storage medium 500 using the game storage medium reader / writer 411. Then, the game storage medium ejection unit 455 of the settlement device 400 ejects the storage medium 500 that has been recorded by the game storage medium recording unit 454 from the settlement device 400. Since the ejected storage medium 500 has game media recorded on it, it can be used for prize exchange.

[0202] As a result, in the settlement flow for the memory medium 500, cash settlement is only possible if the prize type information stored in the memory medium 500 is Prepaid ID "0", Spot Paid ID "1", or Post Paid ID "3". For Spot Paid ID "2" or Post Paid ID "4", cash settlement (withdrawal) is not possible when the game medium is directly lent via credit card, thus preventing foreign visitors to Japan from cashing out using debit cards or credit cards.

[0203] As explained above, this embodiment makes it possible to provide foreign visitors to Japan with opportunities to enjoy games while preventing them from cashing out instant payment and deferred payment methods. In this way, the game arcade scene is positioned as entertainment as part of tourism to Japan, and the realization of instant payment and deferred payment methods that prevent games from being played for the purpose of cashing out makes it possible to continue to support inbound demand.

[0204] Furthermore, for the lending of pachinko balls using the post-payment payment method, the country information of the corporation (business operator) issuing the credit card is identified, and settlement type information is managed separately from lending using the pre-payment and immediate payment payment methods, categorized as a country other than Japan. This makes it possible to accurately manage (including data updates) changes in the number of balls electronically, and prevents the mixing of game results (game information) from all payment methods at the time of final settlement. In particular, since settlement type information is the key to data management in both the management server 100 and the storage medium 500, the inter-machine machines (inter-machine machines 200A, etc.), ticket dispensers 300, and settlement devices 400 within the amusement parlor 10 do not require a large-scale mechanism for various decisions linked to the balls.

[0205] Furthermore, regarding prize exchange, while special prizes cannot be exchanged, general prizes can be exchanged, so there will be no decrease in satisfaction with the game results (game information) when using the deferred payment method.

[0206] Furthermore, the settlement device 400 settles game results (game information) obtained using post-payment methods separately from game results (game information) obtained using pre-payment or immediate payment methods. In particular, when using post-payment methods, if the settlement type information indicates the use of a credit card issued by a corporation in a country other than Japan, the system can guide players to exchange for general prizes rather than special prizes by displaying a message or printing a receipt indicating that cash exchange is not possible.

[0207] In the embodiment described above, if a credit card owned by a foreign visitor to Japan was provided by an overseas corporation, it was managed by a flag. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the card may be managed by other information that can identify the type of settlement, such as an ID.

[0208] Finally, a modified example of the gaming machine prize exchange system 1 according to the present invention will be described.

[0209] In the above embodiment, a gaming machine prize exchange system 1 was illustrated as one that acquires card information necessary for payment by debit card or credit card via a payment code. However, the gaming machine prize exchange system 1 may also acquire card information for a credit card used for payment by having the credit card directly inserted into a deposit terminal device (inter-machine machine 200, ticket dispenser 300) when the debit card or credit card is a contact-type IC card. The same applies to code payments using a mobile terminal.

[0210] Specifically, in the amusement machine prize exchange system 1, the deposit terminal device further includes a card terminal into which a credit card can be inserted, and the payment method information acquisition unit 652 of the payment center 20 may acquire the card information of the credit card from the card terminal into which the credit card is inserted when it acquires deposit request information from the deposit terminal device.

[0211] Furthermore, if the credit card is a contactless IC card, the gaming machine prize exchange system 1 may acquire the card information of the credit card to be used for payment by NFC (Near Field Communication) when the credit card is held over a deposit terminal device (inter-machine machine 200, ticket dispenser 300). Specifically, in the gaming machine prize exchange system 1, the credit card has an IC chip that stores the card information necessary for payment, the deposit terminal device further has a reader that electromagnetically reads the card information from the IC chip, and the payment means information acquisition unit 652 of the payment center 20 may acquire the card information of the credit card from the reader that reads the IC chip when it acquires deposit request information from the deposit terminal device.

[0212] Furthermore, the amusement machine prize exchange system 1 may acquire credit card information to be used for payment by NFC (Near Field Communication) when the mobile terminal 30 is held over a deposit terminal device (inter-machine machine 200, ticket dispenser 300). Specifically, in the amusement machine prize exchange system 1, the mobile terminal 30 further comprises an IC chip that stores the card information necessary for credit card payment, the deposit terminal device further comprises a reader capable of electromagnetically reading the IC chip, and the payment means information acquisition unit 652 of the payment center 20 may acquire the credit card information from the reader that reads the IC chip when it acquires deposit request information from the deposit terminal device.

[0213] Furthermore, the Gaming Machine Prize Exchange System 1 may also be applied when remotely operated via the internet. That is, it may also be applied when a user of a Gaming Machine remotely operates all or part of the Gaming Machine Prize Exchange System (for example, the Gaming Machine, Inter-machine Machine, Ticket Dispenser, and Settlement Device) via the internet from a smartphone, mobile phone, PC, notebook PC, tablet PC, etc.

[0214] The technical scope of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0215] Furthermore, some or all of the above configurations, functions, and processes may be implemented in hardware, for example, by designing them as integrated circuits. Alternatively, the above configurations and functions may be implemented in software by having the processor interpret and execute programs that implement each function. Information such as programs, tables, and files that implement each function can be stored in memory, hard disks, SSDs (Solid State Drives), or other recording media such as IC cards, SD cards, and DVDs.

[0216] Furthermore, the configurations of the various functions, processes, and databases described above are merely examples. The configurations of the various functions, processes, and databases can be changed to the optimal configuration from the standpoint of the performance, processing efficiency, and communication efficiency of the hardware and software provided by these devices.

[0217] Furthermore, the configuration of the database (schema, etc.) that stores the various types of data mentioned above can be flexibly modified from the perspective of efficient resource utilization, improved processing efficiency, improved access efficiency, and improved search efficiency. [Explanation of symbols]

[0218] 1. Gaming machine prize exchange system 2. Type setting section 3. Ticketing and Storage Processing Unit 4 Update section 5. Additional Loan Section 6 Judgment section 7 Settlement Department 8 Output section 9 Storage medium update section 10 Amusement parlors 20 Payment Center 30 Mobile devices 100 Management Servers 110,610,710 Operation unit 120,620,720 Display section 130,230,330,430,630,730 Storage section 131,631 Management DB 131A,502 Gaming Information 140,240,340,440,640,740 Communications Department 150, 250, 350, 450, 650, 750 Control Unit 200A,200B machine between machines 210,310,410 Input / output section 300 ticket machines 400 Payment device 500 storage medium 501 IC chips 601 Card Information 632 User DB

Claims

1. A prize exchange system for a gaming machine that provides games using payment methods, A setting unit for setting the type of payment method, A storage processing unit that stores game information for the gaming machine according to the type set in the setting unit, A determination unit that determines whether or not a prize can be exchanged according to the game information stored in the memory processing unit, A settlement unit that performs settlement according to the result of the prize exchange determination, A prize exchange system for gaming machines equipped with [features / equipment].

2. The prize exchange system for a gaming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the setting unit identifies country information associated with each payment method when the payment method is an immediate payment method or a deferred payment method, and sets a type for determining whether or not the prize exchange is possible according to the country information.

3. The prize exchange system for a gaming machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the setting unit sets a type that makes prize exchange impossible when the identified issuing country is other than Japan.

4. The prize exchange system for a gaming machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the setting unit sets a category that allows the exchange of general prizes and prohibits the exchange of special prizes when the identified issuing country is other than Japan.

5. The prize exchange system for a gaming machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the memory processing unit writes and stores game information corresponding to the type on a storage medium.

6. The prize exchange system for a gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the machine has a ticket issuing machine that issues the aforementioned storage medium, and the ticket issuing machine writes the game information to the storage medium using the setting unit and the storage processing unit.

7. The prize exchange system for a gaming machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the ticket issuing machine writes information to the storage medium for lending gaming media in accordance with the type corresponding to the payment method.

8. The prize exchange system for a gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the machine has an inter-machine device that writes information for lending a gaming medium to the storage medium using the payment means, and the inter-machine device stores the information in the storage medium in a manner corresponding to the type of information stored in the storage medium.

9. The prize exchange system for a gaming machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the determination unit determines whether or not a prize can be exchanged according to the type stored in the storage medium.

10. Furthermore, the prize exchange system for a gaming machine according to claim 9 is characterized by having an output unit that displays and outputs the determination result according to the type determined by the determination unit.

11. Furthermore, the prize exchange system for a gaming machine according to claim 9 is characterized by having an output unit that prints out the determination result according to the type determined by the determination unit.

12. The prize exchange system for a gaming machine according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the system has a settlement device, and the settlement device performs settlement by the determination unit and the settlement unit.

13. The prize exchange system for a gaming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the type set in the setting unit is identification information.

14. The prize exchange system for a gaming machine according to claim 13, characterized in that the type set in the setting unit is flag information.

15. The prize exchange system for a gaming machine according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it has a management server and updates the gaming information in accordance with the type corresponding to the payment method.

16. The prize exchange system for a gaming machine is characterized in that the management server has a control unit that controls the entire process of the setting unit, the storage processing unit, the determination unit, and the settlement unit.

17. The prize exchange system for a gaming machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the deferred payment method is credit card payment and the immediate payment method is debit card payment.

18. The prize exchange system for a gaming machine according to claim 17, characterized in that the setting unit obtains a debit card or credit card number in order to set the type of payment method, and identifies the country information of the business operator that issues the card from the number as country information associated with the payment method.

19. A method for exchanging prizes in a system that provides gaming using a gaming machine with a payment method, A prize exchange method comprising setting the type of payment method, storing the game results of the gaming machine according to the set type in memory, determining whether or not to exchange prizes according to the game information stored in memory, and performing settlement according to the result of the prize exchange determination.

20. A prize exchange program for a system that provides gaming using amusement machines via payment methods, A prize exchange program that causes a computer to perform the following processes: setting the type of payment method, storing game information of the gaming machine corresponding to the set type in memory, determining whether or not to exchange prizes according to the game information stored in memory, and performing settlement according to the result of the prize exchange determination.

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