Management device, settlement device and each machine device

Abstract

To appropriately support a plurality of payment methods in a game parlor.SOLUTION: An inter-machine card processing machine 10 allows purchase of prepaid value by putting cash in and purchase of prepaid value by cashless payment using a terminal device 110 which a game customer carries along. The prepaid value remained that is not used for buying balls can be refunded. To be specific, a card associated with the prepaid value is ejected from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and read by a payment machine 80, and cash payment by discharging cash or cashless payment for adding a balance for the cashless payment is performed. A card management device 40 sets and manages handling charges for payment with respect to a combination of a purchase method and the payment method. Thus, it is possible to deal with a plurality of payment methods appropriately and to charge appropriate handling charges.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management device, a settlement device, and each machine device that can appropriately handle a plurality of payment methods in an amusement facility. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, gaming establishments offer games that involve gaming media. For example, in pachinko games, gaming balls are used as gaming media, and the game is played by shooting the gaming balls into the gaming board. The gaming board is provided with a number of winning areas (winning holes), and a predetermined number of gaming balls are awarded as prize balls based on the passing of the gaming balls through the winning areas. In this way, the number of gaming media increases or decreases depending on the results of the game, and the player can exchange the acquired gaming media for prizes.

[0003] Generally, each machine is installed in a gaming machine. Each machine accepts deposits and performs a process of lending gaming media. In addition, each machine manages the number of gaming media acquired through a game as the number of possessed gaming media, and performs a replay process in which the number of possessed gaming media is subtracted to pay out gaming media (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Furthermore, when a player operates a return button on the gaming machine when the game is over, each machine associates the number of gaming media held by the machine with the card and then dispenses it. The player can present this card at a prize counter to exchange it for a prize corresponding to the associated number of gaming media held. The card is also associated with a value that can be used to lend out gaming media. Any remaining value at the end of the game can be settled at the settlement machine.

[0005] It is also being considered to provide not only cash but also various cashless payments with value that can be used to lend gaming media. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-131037 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, when value can be added in multiple ways, such as cash and cashless payment, the question arises of how to settle unused value. If value was purchased with cash payment, the remainder is usually returned in cash, and if value was purchased with cashless payment, the remainder is returned to the original balance for cashless payment. However, when value was purchased with multiple ways, there may be a demand to settle it all together in a specific way. There may also be a demand to settle it in a way different from the way it was purchased.

[0008] Furthermore, fees may be required when making cashless payments or settlements, but how to collect fees when value can be purchased in multiple ways, especially when the methods used for purchase and settlement are different, becomes an issue.

[0009] For these reasons, it has become an important issue how to realize a gaming management system and a gaming management method that can appropriately handle a plurality of payment methods in gaming establishments.

[0010] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a management device, settlement device, and each machine device that can appropriately handle multiple payment methods in an amusement facility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a management device capable of communicating with each machine device attached to a gaming machine and a settlement device capable of settling a value, the management device being ..., One of the payment methods and By this payment methodA value management means for managing the given value in association with each other, a storage means for storing a plurality of settlement methods for settling the balance of the value, and a storage means for storing the value and the previous value managed by the value management means. Memories and a setting means for setting a settlement fee for each combination with the calculation method.

[0012] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the multiple payment methods are payment by cash and cashless payment without using cash.

[0013] In the above-mentioned invention, the plurality of payment methods include a cash payment method for returning cash and a cashless payment method for adding a balance for cashless payment. in It is characterized by the fact that

[0014] The present invention is also characterized in that it is a settlement device that receives settings from the management device described in claim 1 and executes settlement processing.

[0015] The present invention is also characterized in that each machine receives settings from the management device according to claim 1 and executes lending of game media. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, a gaming establishment can appropriately handle a plurality of payment methods. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of the game management system according to this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of an amusement arcade. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine shown in FIG. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the inter-machine card processing machine. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of the card management device shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the card management device (part 1). [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the card management device (part 2). [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the settlement machine shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the settlement machine. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the purchase of prepaid value by cashless payment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the settlement of prepaid value by cashless payment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of purchasing prepaid value. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of settlement of prepaid value. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a management device, a settlement device, and each machine device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] In this specification, retained balls refer to data indicating game media or the number of game media acquired by a player in a game, which can be used again for play only on that day (before closing time). Saved balls refer to data indicating game media or the number of game media acquired by a player in a game, which can be used again for play on the following day (after closing time). Retained balls can be used by both general players and member players, and are used when the gaming machine used for play is changed (so-called machine transfer). Saved balls are usually only available to member players, and are used when acquired game media are used for play on the following day or later. A specified fee may be charged for the use of saved balls. EXAMPLES

[0020] First, the concept of the gaming management system according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of the gaming management system according to this embodiment. A gaming establishment is equipped with a plurality of gaming machines 20, and each gaming machine 20 is provided with an inter-machine card processing machine 10, which is a machine device.

[0021] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 performs various processes related to game balls, such as lending game balls, replaying held and saved balls, and counting acquired game balls and adding them to held balls, based on the player's operation. When the player finishes playing, he or she operates a return button on the gaming machine, and the inter-machine card processing machine 10 associates the number of held balls managed by the machine with a card and then discharges the card.

[0022] The card management device 40 can communicate with multiple inter-machine card processing devices 10 in the gaming facility, and manages cards by associating them with balls held, prepaid value, etc. The prepaid value is a value that can be used to lend game balls, and is added by depositing money and subtracted by lending balls.

[0023] Specifically, when the inter-machine card processor 10 accepts the insertion of a bill, it transmits deposit notification data including the amount of the bill to the card management device 40, and causes the card management device 40 to add a number corresponding to the amount to the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. Then, when a prescribed ball lending operation is performed, it transmits a ball lending request to the card management device 40, subtracts the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40, and performs a payout process of game balls in a number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value.

[0024] Furthermore, in the gaming management system according to this embodiment, prepaid value can be provided by cashless payment. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts an operation to request a deposit by cashless payment, it generates payment data, encodes it into a two-dimensional code, and displays it. The terminal device 110 carried by the player uses a camera to capture the two-dimensional code displayed by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and decodes and reads the two-dimensional code, thereby reading the payment data and making a payment. Details will be described later, but the completion of the payment by the terminal device 110 is notified to the card management device 40, and the payment amount is added to the prepaid value.

[0025] Since prepaid value can be purchased in a number of ways, such as cash payment and cashless payment, the card management device 40 manages the balance of prepaid value in association with the purchase method.

[0026] The remaining prepaid value that has not been used for ball lending can be settled. Specifically, the unused prepaid value can be settled by ejecting the card associated with the prepaid value from the inter-machine card processing device 10 and having the settlement machine 80 read it. The unused prepaid value can be settled by cash settlement by dispensing cash, or cashless settlement by adding the balance for cashless payment. Cashless settlement can be performed by encoding information related to the settlement into a two-dimensional code and displaying it on the settlement machine 80, and the terminal device 110 capturing an image of the two-dimensional code and reading it.

[0027] The card management device 40 sets and manages a settlement fee for each combination of a purchase method and a settlement method. Fig. 1 shows a case where three settlement methods, namely, cash, cashless P1, and cashless P2, are supported.

[0028] Specifically, when settling prepaid value purchased with cash with cash, the settlement fee is "none," when settling prepaid value purchased with cash with Cashless P1, the settlement fee is "1%," and when settling prepaid value purchased with cash with Cashless P2, the settlement fee is "2%."

[0029] In addition, the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P1 with cash is 2%, the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P1 with Cashless P1 is none, and the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P1 with Cashless Payment P2 is 3%.

[0030] In addition, the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P2 with cash is 2%, when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P2 with Cashless P1 is 4%, and when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P1 with Cashless Payment P2 is 1%.

[0031] In this way, by enabling the provision of prepaid value through multiple purchase methods, by having the card management device 40 associate the remaining balance of the prepaid value with the purchase method and manage it, and by making it possible to settle the remaining balance of the prepaid value through multiple settlement methods, it is possible to appropriately handle multiple payment methods. Also, by setting settlement fees for combinations of purchase methods and settlement methods, it is possible to charge appropriate fees.

[0032] Next, the system configuration of the gaming establishment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the gaming establishment. As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming establishment is equipped with a plurality of gaming machines 20 and an inter-machine card processor 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20. The inter-machine card processor 10 is connected to a communication line, which is a network within the establishment, via an island controller 30. The island controller 30, a card management device 40, a member management device 50, a prize management device 60, and a settlement machine 80 are connected to the communication line.

[0033] The gaming machine 20 is a device for playing games by shooting gaming balls into the gaming board. The gaming board of this gaming machine 20 is provided with a plurality of winning areas (winning holes), and a predetermined number of gaming balls are awarded as prize balls based on the passing of the gaming balls through the winning areas. In addition, the gaming board is provided with a predetermined number of starting areas (starting holes), and a predetermined lottery is performed based on the passing of the gaming balls through the starting areas. If the lottery is a big win, a predetermined movable member or the like is operated to increase the probability of the gaming balls passing through the winning areas or other starting areas, and other operations that are advantageous in the game are performed. The result of the lottery based on the passing of the balls through the starting holes is displayed on a special pattern display device that displays the result of the lottery. The display of the lottery result on this special pattern display device is performed in a manner that displays a fixed result after displaying a variable result for a predetermined period of time. In addition, the game board is provided with a decorative pattern display device that variably displays decorative patterns such as predetermined numbers based on the result of the lottery, and when the result of the lottery is a jackpot, a matching pattern such as (7, 7, 7) is displayed to notify the player. It is also possible to provide an area that serves both as a starting area and a winning area.

[0034] The winning area is provided with a winning sensor for detecting the passage of a game ball into the winning area, and the winning sensor detects the passage (winning) of the game ball shot into the winning area. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also has a prize ball memory for storing the number of game balls to be awarded as prize balls for each winning area.

[0035] Therefore, when the winning sensor detects the passage of a game ball into a specific winning area, the gaming machine 20 can determine the number of prize balls to be awarded based on the contents of the prize ball memory and the number of game balls that have passed through the winning area, and perform a payout process for the determined number of prize balls. Furthermore, the game balls that have been inserted are ultimately discharged from the back of the gaming board to the outside of the gaming machine, regardless of whether they have passed through the winning area or not. The game balls discharged to the outside of the gaming machine are detected by an out-ball detection device provided for each gaming machine.

[0036] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts deposits, lends game balls, and communicates with the card management device 40. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a bill inserted by a player, it transmits deposit notification data including the amount of the bill to the card management device 40, and adds a number corresponding to the amount to the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. Then, when a predetermined ball lending operation is performed, it transmits a ball lending request to the card management device 40, subtracts the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40, and performs a payout process of the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value.

[0037] Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a card, it transmits card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives data including the prepaid value, the number of held balls, and the number of saved balls from the card management device 40, it stores the received prepaid value, the number of held balls, and the number of saved balls. Then, when the number of held balls is stored, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits held ball subtraction request data to the card management device 40, thereby clearing the number of held balls managed by the card management device 40 to zero.

[0038] Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a held ball replay operation, it subtracts a predetermined number from the held ball number stored in its own machine, and performs a payout process of the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted held ball number. Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a saved ball replay operation, it transmits saved ball replay request data to the card management device 40, thereby subtracting a predetermined number from the saved ball number managed by the member management device 50, and performs a payout process of the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted saved ball number.

[0039] In addition, when the inter-machine card processing device 10 accepts a card return operation, it transmits held ball addition request data including the number of held balls managed by the device to the card management device 40, and after having the card management device 40 add the number of held balls, it transmits card ejection notification data to the card management device 40 and controls the ejection of the card.

[0040] The island controller 30 is a relay device that bundles together a group of gaming machines 20 and inter-machine card processors 10 provided on the gaming island.

[0041] The card management device 40 is a device that manages the prepaid value and number of balls held of the card as card data. When the card management device 40 receives card insertion notification data from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it manages the card ID of the inserted card in association with the device ID of the inter-machine card processing device 10, and transmits the prepaid value and number of balls associated with the card ID to the inter-machine card processing device 10. Furthermore, if the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data is the card ID of a membership card, the card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data to the member management device 50, and transmits the stored ball replay data received from the member management device 50 to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0042] In addition, when the card management device 40 receives held ball subtraction request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it clears the number of held balls to zero. In addition, when the card management device 40 receives held ball addition request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it adds the number of held balls included in the held ball addition request data to the number of held balls managed by the card management device 40.

[0043] Furthermore, when the card management device 40 receives ball loan request data from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID and transmits ball loan permission data to the inter-machine card processing device 10. When it receives saved ball replay request data, it transmits the saved ball replay request data to the member management device 50, and when the member management device 50 outputs saved ball replay data, it transmits the saved ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0044] Furthermore, when the card management device 40 receives a card ID from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls held associated with this card ID. Furthermore, when the card management device 40 receives a card ID from the settlement machine 80, it notifies the settlement machine 80 of the prepaid value associated with this card ID.

[0045] The member management device 50 is a management device that manages the member management data of members who are registered with the gaming establishment. Specifically, the device manages the number of balls, the number of points, the PIN number, the name, etc., in association with the member card ID issued to the member.

[0046] When the member management device 50 receives card insertion notification data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it transmits stored ball replay data including the number of stored balls and the PIN number associated with the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. When the member management device 50 receives stored ball replay request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it subtracts a predetermined number from the number of stored balls associated with the card ID indicated in the stored ball replay request data, and transmits stored ball replay data including the number of stored balls after the subtraction to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Note that communication between the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the member management device 50 is performed via the card management device 40.

[0047] In addition, when the member management device 50 receives an inquiry about the number of saved balls from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of saved balls corresponding to the specified card ID.

[0048] The prize management device 60 is a terminal device for prize exchange that is attached to the prize exchange counter in the game parlor, and performs the prize exchange process of exchanging acquired balls, number of saved balls, and number of held balls for prizes. A card reader that reads the card ID from the card and a prize payout device that pays out prizes are connected to this prize management device 60. When the prize management device 60 reads the card ID from a general card or a membership card (or when it reads identification data corresponding to the card ID from a mobile terminal, etc.), it transmits the card ID to the card management device 40 and requests the number of held balls for that card ID. When the number of saved balls is to be exchanged for a prize, it requests the number of saved balls from the membership management device 50.

[0049] When a card associated with a prepaid value is inserted, the settlement machine 80 transmits the card ID of the card to the card management device 40, and by receiving the response data, acquires the prepaid value associated with the card and dispenses money according to the acquired prepaid value.

[0050] Next, a description will be given of the ball lending process of the gaming system shown in Fig. 2. When a player performs a ball lending operation on the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits ball lending request data to the card management device 40. This ball lending request data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and an address or any identification data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender.

[0051] When the card management device 40 receives the ball lending request data, it subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID of the ball lending request data. Then, the card management device 40 transmits the ball lending permission data to the inter-machine card processing device 10 that sent the data. The inter-machine card processing device 10 that has received the ball lending permission data performs a payout process for the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value.

[0052] Next, a description will be given of a ball replay process when a ball is replayed in the gaming system shown in Fig. 2. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a general card or a membership card, it transmits card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. This card insertion notification data includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and data for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0053] When the card management device 40 receives card insertion notification data from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it notifies the inter-machine card processing device 10 of the number of balls held for each rate associated with the card ID in the card insertion notification data.

[0054] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 stores the number of held balls received from the card management device 40. Then, it transmits to the card management device 40 the card ID, data specifying the rate, and held ball subtraction request data indicating that the number of held balls should be cleared to zero. When the card management device 40 receives the held ball subtraction request data, it clears to zero the number of held balls for each rate specified by the card ID. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a held ball replay operation and replays the held balls, it subtracts a predetermined number from the stored held ball number and performs a payout process for the corresponding number of game balls. When performing a payout process, it performs a payout process by sending a payout command to the gaming machine for a multiple of the unit (e.g., 25 balls) that the gaming machine can pay out, and performs a payout process for the remaining number (e.g., less than 25 balls) by paying out from the nozzle unit 18a of the machine itself.

[0055] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the card return operation, it transmits held ball addition request data to the card management device 40. This held ball addition request data includes the card ID of the card to be returned, an address or any identification data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and the number of held balls for each rate.

[0056] When the card management device 40 receives the ball addition request data, it adds the number of balls included in the ball addition request data to the number of balls of each rate associated with the card ID. After that, the card processing device 10 transmits card ejection notification data to the card management device 40 and controls the ejection of the card.

[0057] Next, a description will be given of the stored ball replay process in the gaming system shown in Fig. 2. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 reads the card ID from a membership card or a mobile terminal that can be used as a membership card, it transmits card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. This card insertion notification data includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and data for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0058] The card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data received from the inter-machine card processing device 10 to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification data, it transmits the stored ball replay data including the PIN associated with the card ID in the card insertion notification data, the number of stored balls at the rate specified by the card insertion notification data, and the possible number of stored ball replays to the inter-machine card processing device 10. The possible number of stored ball replays indicates the number of balls that can be replayed. This possible number of stored ball replays is a multiple of the number of payout units of game balls in the stored ball replay. If an upper limit is set for the stored ball replay, the maximum value within the range of the number of stored balls and the upper limit becomes the possible number of stored ball replays. Note that the possible number of times stored ball replays can be performed may be used as the number of stored ball replays instead of the possible number of stored ball replays. The number of stored ball replays is the quotient obtained by dividing the number of stored balls by the number of payout units of game balls in the stored ball replay. However, if an upper limit is set for the replay of saved balls, the number of times saved balls can be replayed is limited by this upper limit.

[0059] The inter-machine card processor 10 stores the received stored ball replay data, and when the number of possible stored ball replays indicated in the stored ball replay data is 1 or more, it becomes possible to accept a stored ball replay operation.

[0060] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a saved ball replay operation for the first time after storing the saved ball replay data, it requests the player to input a PIN number and judges whether the input PIN number coincides with the PIN number shown in the saved ball replay data.

[0061] If the PIN numbers match, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits stored ball replay request data to the card management device 40. This stored ball replay request data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and data for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0062] The card management device 40 transmits the saved ball replay request data to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives the saved ball replay request data, it subtracts a predetermined value from the balance of the saved balls at the rate specified by the message among the saved balls associated with the card ID in the saved ball replay request data, and recalculates the number of saved balls that can be replayed. Then, it transmits saved ball replay data including the balance after subtraction and the number of saved balls that can be replayed to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0063] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 updates the number of stored balls stored, and performs a payout process of the number of game balls equal to the payout unit number of the stored ball replay. Also, it is determined whether the number of possible stored ball replays after the update is 1 or more. If the number of possible stored ball replays is 0, the stored ball replay operation is not accepted. If the number of possible stored ball replays after the update is 1 or more, the stored ball replay operation is accepted again. For the second and subsequent stored ball replays, the PIN number does not need to be confirmed. Note that the PIN number may be confirmed every time. Also, here, the member management device 50 subtracts the balance of the stored balls, and then the inter-machine card processing machine 10 performs the payout process of the game balls. However, the balance of the stored balls may be subtracted after the payout process of the game balls is performed based on the request for replaying the stored balls. This is because the number of possible stored ball replays is indicated in the stored ball replay data before the request for replaying the stored balls, and a situation in which a balance shortage is found after the request for replaying the stored balls is accepted does not occur.

[0064] Next, the transition from held balls to saved balls during store closing processing will be explained. During store closing processing, the card management device 40 checks the number of held balls in the card management data, and if a record exists that is associated with a number of held balls greater than zero, it notifies the member management device 50 of the number of held balls in that record along with the card ID and rate. The member management device 50 adds the number of held balls notified by the card management device 40 to the number of saved balls specified by the card ID and rate. The card management device 40 then clears the number of held balls to zero.

[0065] Next, the appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Note that Fig. 3 shows the appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 connected to the gaming machine 20 as the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The gaming machine 20 that is installed is also shown by a dashed line. Also, Fig. 3 shows the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that only accepts paper money, but it is also possible to provide a unit that has the function of accepting electronic money and coins associated with a mobile terminal or a card.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 has a status display unit 11, a bill insertion slot 12a, a display operation unit 13, a card insertion slot 14a, a card holding unit 14b, a nozzle unit 18a, and a counting unit 18b.

[0067] The status display unit 11 is, for example, composed of a multi-color LED, and displays the device status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by lighting or blinking a predetermined color. The bill insertion slot 12a is an insertion slot for various bills required for lending game balls. The display operation unit 13 is, for example, composed of a full-color touch panel type liquid crystal display, and is a device that displays operation buttons and accepts input operations via the operation buttons. Although detailed illustration of the display operation unit 13 is omitted in FIG. 3, the long side of the display operation unit 13 on the corresponding gaming machine 20 side is in the form of a flat plate attached to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by being pivoted thereto, and the angle between the front panel of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the display surface of the display operation unit 13 can be changed.

[0068] The card insertion slot 14a is an insertion slot for a card held by a player. The holding section 14b is a section for holding a mobile terminal used for membership registration, and when the mobile terminal is held over the holding section 14b, data such as the unique ID (e.g., IDm) of the mobile terminal is read from the mobile terminal. The nozzle unit 18a is a mechanism for dispensing game balls into the gaming machine 20. The nozzle unit 18a is composed of a cylindrical nozzle that is horizontally rotatably provided on the front side of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and the tip of the nozzle can be positioned in the storage section of the gaming machine. The nozzle is supplied with game media from a ball supply device in the inter-machine card processing machine that receives game media from a supply mechanism in the island where the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is installed. The counting unit 18b is a mechanism for counting game balls dropped from the lower tray of the gaming machine 20. The counting unit 18b is composed of a tray that receives game balls, a counting section that is provided at the bottom of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and counts the game balls with a counting sensor, and a counting passage section that passes the game media from the tray to the counting section. The tray and counting passage section can be removed as a unit from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 based on a predetermined operation (for example, an employee's remote control operation). The counting section has a unit structure, and by removing the counting section, tray, and counting passage section, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 can be operated without the counting function.

[0069] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 has a banknote transport unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a holding unit 14b, a communication unit 15, a memory unit 16, a control unit 17, a nozzle unit 18a, and a counting unit 18b.

[0070] The bill transport unit 12 is a transport unit that transports the bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 12a to a bill storage unit (not shown) while determining the denomination and authenticity of the bills. The display operation unit 13 is an input / output device such as a touch panel type liquid crystal display that has a function of identifying and displaying various information such as the prepaid value, number of balls held, and number of stored balls that can be used for ball lending from the accepted card, a function of displaying other information not related to the card, and a function of accepting various operations such as ball lending operations. In addition to the above-mentioned displays, the display operation unit 13 also has a function of displaying the excess or shortage of the number of cards stored and the communication status with the upper device (online / offline, etc.).

[0071] The reader / writer 14 is a device that reads the card ID from the card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a. The card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a is stored in a card storage unit (not shown) through the reader / writer 14. The holding unit 14b is an interface unit that reads various information such as the unique ID (e.g., IDm) of the mobile terminal by short-distance wireless communication when a mobile terminal or the like is held over the reader / writer 14. The reader / writer 14 also has a function of associating value data such as the balls held and prepaid value shown in the card data 16b with the card stored in the card storage unit in response to the player's return operation and issuing it as a new card. However, if the prepaid value shown in the card data 16b is 0 and the number of balls held is less than a certain number (minimum number of balls held), the card is controlled not to be returned even if a return operation is performed. This is a control to prevent losses to the gaming establishment caused by discarding cards associated with a small number of balls, and applies to cards received from outside (excluding membership cards) as well as cards stored inside in advance. The fixed number can be set, for example, so that the value of the card or the lowest priced prize in the gaming establishment is the number of balls held multiplied by the rental price per ball, but it is not limited to this and can be freely set according to the policy of the gaming establishment. Also, when controlling so that the card is not returned even if a return operation is performed, the stored balls can be paid out, but a message may be displayed to the effect that the card cannot be returned and / or a message may be displayed encouraging the user to replay the balls held.

[0072] The communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication between the gaming machine 20 and the island controller 30. The nozzle unit 18a is used for paying out some or all of the gaming balls when paying out the gaming balls by ball lending or replay. The counting unit 18b is a unit for counting the gaming balls.

[0073] The storage unit 16 is a storage device including a hard disk drive, a non-volatile memory, etc. The storage unit 16 stores the device status data 16a and the card data 16b.

[0074] The own device status data 16a is data indicating the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. This own device status data 16a includes the device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine and the game type setting. The device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine is identification data for uniquely identifying the inter-machine card processing machine 10 within the game establishment. The game type setting is data indicating the game type set in the inter-machine card processing machine 10. When game balls of multiple rates are handled within the game establishment, a game type name is set and managed for each rate, such as "Ball 1" for game balls of a 4 yen rate, "Ball 2" for game balls of a 2 yen rate, and "Ball 3" for game balls of a 1 yen rate. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 selects a rate to be used for a game from these game types and stores it as a game type setting.

[0075] The card data 16b is data related to the card being used by the player. The card data 16b includes the card ID, prepaid value, held balls, saved balls, the number of saved balls that can be replayed, etc. Data on held balls and saved balls exists for each type of game (rate). The card ID is the card ID read by the reader / writer 14. When a card is transported from a card storage section (not shown) to the card insertion port 14a and then ejected, the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during this transport. Also, when a card is transported from the card insertion port 14a to a card storage section (not shown), the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during this transport.

[0076] The control unit 17 is a control unit that controls the entire inter-machine card processing machine 10, and has a data management unit 17a, a counting processing unit 17b, a cashless payment processing unit 17c, and a cashless settlement processing unit 17d.

[0077] When a card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits card insertion notification data including the device ID of the device status data 16a and the card ID of the card data 16b to the card management device 40. When the data management unit 17a receives data including value data (at least one of the prepaid value, the number of held balls, and the number of saved balls) from the card management device 40, it updates the card data 16b with the received value data. The data management unit 17a appropriately controls the display operation unit 13 to display the prepaid value, the number of held balls, and the number of saved balls shown in the card data 16b.

[0078] Furthermore, when a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 12a, the data management unit 17a transmits to the card management device 40 deposit notification data including the amount of the inserted bill, the card ID, and the inter-machine card processor ID.

[0079] In addition, when a ball lending operation is performed by a player, the data management unit 17a transmits ball lending request data including a card ID and a device ID to the card management device 40. When ball lending permission data is received as a response to the ball lending request data, the data management unit 17a performs a payout process of a predetermined number of game balls.

[0080] In addition, when a player performs an operation to replay held balls, the data management unit 17a subtracts a predetermined number from the number of held balls indicated in the card data 16b, and performs a payout process for the corresponding number of game balls.

[0081] In addition, when the number of possible saved ball replays indicated in the card data 16b is 1 or more, the data management unit 17a displays a saved ball replay button on the display operation unit 13, and allows the saved ball replay operation to be accepted. When a saved ball replay operation is performed by a player, the data management unit 17a transmits saved ball replay request data including a card ID and a machine-to-machine card processing machine ID to the member management device 50. When saved ball replay data is received as a response to this saved ball replay request data, the number of saved balls in the card data 16b is updated, and a payout process of game balls of the payout unit number of saved ball replay is performed. In addition, when a saved ball replay operation is performed for the first time, a PIN is requested to be input, and saved ball replay request data is transmitted on the condition that it matches the PIN indicated in the card data 16b.

[0082] In addition, when a player performs a card return operation, the data management unit 17a sends held ball addition request data including the card ID, device ID, and number of held balls to the card management device 40, clears the number of held balls in the card data 16b to zero, and then sends card ejection notification data to the card management device 40 and ejects the card.

[0083] In addition, when the player performs the ball transfer operation with the member card inserted, the data management unit 17a subtracts the number of balls held indicated in the card data 16b, and transfers the held balls to the saved balls by sending the ball addition request data to the member management device 50 via the card management device 40. The ball transfer can also be performed using a mobile terminal instead of a member card. Specifically, when the number of balls held is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, and the mobile terminal is held over the holding unit 14b after the predetermined operation, the data management unit 17a subtracts the number of balls held indicated in the card data 16b, and transfers the held balls to the saved balls by sending the ball addition request data including the IDm read by the holding unit 14b.

[0084] The data management unit 17a can also perform processing related to the wagon service. The wagon service is a service in which an amusement store clerk places products such as drinks and cigarettes in a wagon and travels around the amusement store to sell them to players who are playing. In such a wagon service, payment can be made with owned balls or saved balls in addition to payment with cash or the like. When paying for the wagon service with owned balls or saved balls, the amusement store clerk issues instructions to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 through a store clerk terminal (e.g., a remote control terminal) to make the inter-machine card processing machine 10 in a state where the wagon service can be paid for. Then, information that can identify the number of owned balls or saved balls to be subtracted as compensation is input to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. This input processing is performed by inputting a numerical value through the display operation unit 13 of the inter-machine card processing machine or the operation unit of the store clerk terminal. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the input, it waits for the acceptance of an employee's recording medium (e.g., a wagon card) used for the wagon service. When the wagon card is accepted, the data management unit 17a subtracts the input number of balls held or stored from the number indicated by the card data 16b, and discharges the balls in association with the employee recording medium. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the employee recording medium without accepting the input of information that can identify the number of balls held or stored to be subtracted as a payment, it returns the employee recording medium without making a payment for the wagon service. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the input of information that can identify the number of balls held or stored to be subtracted as a payment during the payment for the wagon service, if a replay operation for the held balls or the return operation for the recording medium is accepted, the replay operation or the return operation is restricted by rejecting the replay operation or the return operation, or the payment for the wagon service is cancelled, thereby preventing the two processes from competing with each other.

[0085] When game balls are inserted into the counting unit 18b, the counting processing unit 17b causes the counting unit 18b to count the game balls, and adds the counting result to the number of held balls in the card data 16b.

[0086] The cashless payment processing unit 17c performs processing required for cashless payment. Specifically, when the cashless payment processing unit 17c receives an operation for requesting a deposit by cashless payment, it generates payment data including a payment ID that uniquely identifies the payment and the payment amount, encodes the payment data, store data, and machine data into a two-dimensional code, and displays it on the display operation unit 13. Here, the store data is data that identifies the gaming store, and the machine data is data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10. For example, the machine ID of the own machine status data 16a may be used as the machine data. The terminal device 110 carried by the player uses a camera to capture the two-dimensional code displayed on the display operation unit 13, decodes and reads the two-dimensional code, and reads the payment data to perform the payment.

[0087] The cashless settlement processing unit 17d performs processing required for cashless settlement. Specifically, when the cashless settlement processing unit 17d receives an operation requesting cashless settlement, it receives the selection of a settlement method from the cashless payment and calculates a settlement fee from the selected settlement method and the balance of the prepaid value. Then, it generates settlement data indicating various information related to settlement, encodes the settlement data into a two-dimensional code, and displays it on the display operation unit 13. The terminal device 110 carried by the player captures the two-dimensional code displayed on the display operation unit 13 with a camera, and decodes and reads the two-dimensional code to perform cashless settlement. The result of the cashless settlement is notified to the card management device 40, and the prepaid value is subtracted.

[0088] Next, an example of data stored in the memory unit 16 of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 will be described. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the memory unit 16 of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0089] The own device status data 16a shown in FIG. 5(a) indicates a state in which the ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is "3001" and "1 ball" is set as the game type of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0090] The card data 16b shown in FIG. 5(b) indicates that the ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is "1001." Here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, with a card with the first digit "1" being a general card and a card with the first digit "2" being a membership card. The card data 16b also indicates that the prepaid value is "2000 points." Here, the points of the prepaid value are each equivalent to 1 yen. The card data 16b also indicates that the number of balls held by ball 1 is "375 balls," the number of balls held by ball 2 is "500 balls," and the number of balls held by ball 3 is "2000 balls."

[0091] In addition, the card data 16b can store the PIN number, the number of replayable balls, and the number of balls for each game type as data related to the saved balls, but since FIG. 5(b) shows a state in which a general card has been accepted, these data are displayed as "-" indicating that they are not applicable. Here, the number of balls that can be replayed is stored as the number of replays that can be performed, but the number of replays that can be performed may be stored as the replay frequency. In addition, although not shown, the card management device 40 stores the ON / OFF of a "lock" flag indicating whether the card is valid or invalid, in addition to the balls held, saved balls, and prepaid value, in association with the card ID, and is turned ON by an employee when the card is discovered to be stolen. These data are also stored in the card data 16b. Furthermore, this "lock" flag can be set for each function (such as "use saved balls" and "entering"), and for example, it is possible to use the "lock" flag to prevent erroneous operation by locking only the "entering" function at the request of the player. In this specification, "joining" refers to converting the number of gaming media at one rate into the number of gaming media at another rate based on the ratio of the unit price of the gaming media and using that. As a specific example, in an inter-machine card processing device 10 associated with a 4 yen rate, the number of balls X at a 1 yen rate is used to process the payout of X x (1 yen / 4 yen) = X / 4. This "joining" function can be enabled / disabled by the member management device 50 according to the store's management policy.

[0092] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the card management device 40 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the card management device 40 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 6, the card management device 40 has a display unit 41, an input unit 42, an external network communication unit 43, a store network communication unit 44, a storage unit 45, and a control unit 46.

[0093] The display unit 41 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device. The input unit 42 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The external network communication unit 43 is an interface unit for data communication via a network outside the gaming facility. The store network communication unit 44 is an interface unit for data communication with the island controller 30, the member management device 50, the prize management device 60, and the settlement machine 80 via a communication line within the gaming facility.

[0094] The storage unit 45 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a non-volatile memory, and stores game type setting data 45a, card management data 45b, device management data 45c, and settlement fee setting data 45d.

[0095] The game type setting data 45a is data that associates the lending rate and display name with the game type. The card management data 45b is data that associates the prepaid value, the number of balls held for each game type, and the destination device ID that indicates the device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 into which the card is inserted with the card ID. The device management data 45c is data related to the devices installed in the gaming facility. This device management data 45c includes the device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine, the address of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the installation location, the gaming machine ID and model data of the gaming machine installed.

[0096] The settlement fee setting data 45d is data for managing settings related to fees when settling prepaid value. Specifically, the settlement fee setting data 45d indicates a fee set for a combination of a prepaid value purchase method and a settlement method.

[0097] The control unit 46 is a control unit that controls the entire card management device 40, and has a game type setting management unit 46a, a card management unit 46b, a device management unit 46c, a value imparting unit 46d, and a setting unit 46e. In practice, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a ROM or non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed, thereby causing the game type setting management unit 46a, the card management unit 46b, the device management unit 46c, the value imparting unit 46d, and the setting unit 46e to execute processes corresponding thereto.

[0098] The game type setting management unit 46a is a processing unit that associates the game types, rates, and display names used in the gaming establishment with each other and manages them as game type setting data 45a.

[0099] The card management unit 46b is a processing unit that manages the card management data 45b. Specifically, when the card management unit 46b receives card insertion notification data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46b sets the destination device ID of the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data to the device ID also indicated in the card insertion notification data. In addition, the card management unit 46b notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the prepaid value associated with the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data and the number of balls held for each rate as value data. In addition, if the inserted card is a member card, the card insertion notification data is sent to the member management device. When the card management unit 46b receives ball subtraction request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46b clears the number of balls held for the rate indicated in the ball subtraction request data to zero.

[0100] Furthermore, when the card management unit 46b receives ball lending request data including a card ID from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it determines whether the prepaid value associated with the card ID is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If the prepaid value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the card management unit 46b subtracts the predetermined value from the prepaid value stored in the card management data 45b, and transmits ball lending permission data including the updated prepaid value to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. On the other hand, if the prepaid value is less than the predetermined value, the card management unit 46b notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of ball lending disallowance data.

[0101] In addition, when the card management unit 46b receives deposit notification data including the amount of coins inserted, the card ID, and the device ID from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it adds the prepaid value associated with the card ID to the amount indicated in the deposit notification.

[0102] In addition, when the card management unit 46b receives the saved ball replay request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it transfers the saved ball replay request data to the member management device 50. In addition, the card management unit 46b also transfers the response data from the member management device 50 to the saved ball replay request data to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0103] In addition, when the card management unit 46b receives the ball addition request data, it adds the number of balls included in the ball addition request data to the number of balls of the corresponding rate. In addition, when the card management unit 46b receives the card ejection notification data, it erases the destination device ID of the card ID.

[0104] Furthermore, when the card management unit 46b receives a card ID from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls held for each rate associated with this card ID. Furthermore, when the card management unit 46b receives a card ID from the settlement machine 80, it notifies the settlement machine 80 of the prepaid value associated with this card ID.

[0105] The device management unit 46c is a processing unit that manages the device management data 45c. The device management unit 46c generates and updates the device management data 45c based on the device ID acquired from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the address of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the installation location, and the gaming machine ID.

[0106] The value providing unit 46d is a processing unit that purchases and settles prepaid value based on cashless payment. When the value providing unit 46d receives a payment completion notice from an external device that manages cashless payment, it identifies the card to which the money is to be deposited from various information indicated in the payment completion notice and provides the prepaid value. When the value providing unit 46d receives a settlement completion notice from an external device that manages cashless payment, it identifies the card to be settled from various information indicated in the settlement completion notice and settles the prepaid value.

[0107] The setting unit 46e is a processing unit that sets the fee for settling the prepaid value and registers it in the settlement fee setting data 45d. The setting unit 46e can set whether or not settlement is possible for a combination of a purchasing method that can be used to purchase the prepaid value and a settlement method that can be used to settle the prepaid value, and can set a settlement fee for a combination that can be settled and register it in the settlement fee setting data 45d. In addition, when the setting unit 46e receives an inquiry from the inter-machine card processor 10 or the settlement machine 80, it responds with the fee set for the combination of the specified purchasing method and settlement method.

[0108] Next, a description will be given of an example of data stored in storage unit 45 of card management device 40 shown in Fig. 6. Figs. 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams for explaining an example of data stored in storage unit 45 of card management device 40.

[0109] The game type setting data 45a shown in Fig. 7(a) associates the game type name "Ball 1" with the rate "4 yen" and the display name "4 Pachi". The game type setting data 45a also associates the game type name "Ball 2" with the rate "2 yen" and the display name "2 Pachi". The game type setting data 45a also associates the game type name "Ball 3" with the rate "1 yen" and the display name "1 Pachi".

[0110] In the card management data 45b shown in Fig. 7(b), the card ID "1001" is associated with a prepaid value of "2500", the number of held balls "1500" for ball 1, the number of held balls "2300" for ball 2, and the number of held balls "0" for ball 3. In other words, the card with the card ID "1001" is not inserted into the inter-machine card processing device 10, and the management of the held balls is performed by the card management device 40.

[0111] In addition, in the card management data 45b shown in Fig. 7(b), the card ID "1002" is associated with a prepaid value of "0", the number of balls held for each rate of "0", and the destination device ID of "3004". In other words, the card with the card ID "1002" is inserted into the inter-machine card processing device 10 with the device ID "3004", and the management of the number of balls held has been transferred to the inter-machine card processing device 10. Therefore, the number of balls held for each rate is zero.

[0112] In addition, in the card management data 45b shown in Fig. 7(b), the card ID "2002" is associated with a prepaid value of "2000", the number of balls held for each rate of "0", and the destination device ID of use of "3001". In other words, the card with the card ID "2002" is inserted into the inter-machine card processing device 10 with the device ID "3001", and the management of the balls held has been transferred to the inter-machine card processing device 10. Therefore, the number of balls held for each rate is zero.

[0113] Furthermore, the card management data 45b shown in Fig. 7(b) associates the prepaid value with the purchase method, and indicates the balance for each purchase method. Specifically, the prepaid value for card ID "1001" is "2500", which is the sum of "1000" purchased with cash and "1500" purchased with Cashless P1. Similarly, the prepaid value for card ID "2002" is "2000", which is the sum of "1000" purchased with Cashless P1 and "1000" purchased with Cashless P2.

[0114] The device management data 45c shown in Fig. 7(c) indicates that the network address of the inter-machine card processor 10 with ID "3001" is "AB.CD.EF.GH", the installation location is "Island 1-1", the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "P001", the game type is "Ball 3", and the model of the connected gaming machine 20 is "EV01". It also indicates that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

[0115] 8 indicates that the purchase method and settlement method are cash, cashless P1, and cashless P2. Specifically, the settlement fee when a prepaid value purchased with cash is settled with cash is "none," the settlement fee when a prepaid value purchased with cash is settled with Cashless P1 is "1%, and the settlement fee when a prepaid value purchased with cash is settled with Cashless P2 is "2%."

[0116] In addition, the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P1 with cash is 2%, the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P1 with Cashless P1 is none, and the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P1 with Cashless Payment P2 is 3%.

[0117] In addition, the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P2 with cash is 2%, when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P2 with Cashless P1 is 4%, and when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P1 with Cashless Payment P2 is 1%.

[0118] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the settlement machine 80 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the settlement machine 80 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 9, the settlement machine 80 has a display unit 81, an operation unit 82, a card reader 83, a currency storage unit 84, a communication unit 85, and a control unit 86.

[0119] The display unit 81 is a display output device such as a liquid crystal display. The operation unit 82 is an input device such as an operation button. Alternatively, a touch panel display that serves as both the display unit 81 and the operation unit 82 may be used.

[0120] The card reader 83 accepts general cards and membership cards and reads the card ID. The currency storage unit 84 stores currency by denomination and dispenses currency upon instruction from the control unit 86. The communication unit 85 is an interface unit for performing data communication with the card management device 40.

[0121] The control unit 86 is a control unit that controls the entire settlement machine 80, and has a settlement details determination unit 86a, a cash settlement processing unit 86b, and a cashless settlement processing unit 86c. The settlement details determination unit 86a transmits the card ID read by the card reader 83 to the card management device 40, and acquires the balance of the prepaid value and the purchase method from the card management device 40. Furthermore, the settlement details determination unit 86a accepts the selection of the settlement method, transmits the combination of the purchase method and the settlement method to the card management device 40, and acquires the setting of the settlement fee. Then, the settlement amount, settlement fee, etc. are determined as the settlement details from the balance of the prepaid value and the setting of the settlement fee.

[0122] When the selected settlement method is cash settlement, the cash settlement processing unit 86b causes the currency storage unit 84 to dispense currency in accordance with the settlement details determined by the settlement details determination unit 86a.

[0123] When the selected settlement method is cashless settlement, the cashless settlement processing unit 86c generates settlement data indicating the settlement details determined by the settlement details determination unit 86a, encodes the settlement data into a two-dimensional code, and displays it on the display unit 81. The terminal device 110 carried by the player captures the two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit 81 with a camera, and decodes and reads the two-dimensional code to perform cashless settlement. The result of the cashless settlement is notified to the card management device 40, and the prepaid value is deducted.

[0124] Next, a description will be given of the processing procedure of the settlement machine 80. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the settlement machine 80. First, the card reader 83 of the settlement machine 80 accepts a card and reads the card ID (step S101).

[0125] The settlement details determination unit 86a transmits the card ID read by the card reader 83 to the card management device 40, and acquires card data including the remaining prepaid value and the purchase method from the card management device 40 (step S102). Furthermore, the settlement details determination unit 86a accepts the selection of the settlement method (step S103), transmits the combination of the purchase method and the settlement method to the card management device 40, and acquires the setting of the settlement fee (step S104). Then, the settlement amount and the settlement fee are calculated from the remaining prepaid value and the setting of the settlement fee (step S105).

[0126] If the settlement method is cash settlement (step S106; Yes), the cash settlement processing unit 86b executes cash settlement by causing the currency storage unit 84 to dispense currency in accordance with the settlement details (step S107), and ends the process.

[0127] If the settlement method is not cash settlement (step S106; No), the cashless settlement processing unit 86c displays the settlement details as a two-dimensional code, has the code read by the terminal device 110, and adds the balance for cashless payment (step S108) to execute the cashless settlement, and then ends the processing.

[0128] Next, the purchase of prepaid value by cashless payment will be explained. Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the purchase of prepaid value by cashless payment. When purchasing prepaid value by cashless payment at the inter-machine card processing machine 10, there are cases where both the amount is selected and the payment is made at the inter-machine card processing machine 10, cases where the amount is selected at the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the payment is made at the player's terminal device 110, and cases where both the amount is selected and the payment is made at the player's terminal device 110.

[0129] In the case where both the selection of the amount and the settlement are performed by the inter-machine card processor 10, the following operations are carried out. (1) Select the amount to be deposited on the card processing machine 10 (2) Activate the code reader of the machine-to-machine card processing device 10. (3) The customer displays the two-dimensional code on his / her terminal device 110 and holds it over the card processing machine between the machines. (4) Pay with the card processing machine 10 and deposit the money.

[0130] In addition, in the case where the amount is selected at the inter-machine card processing device 10 and payment is made at the player's terminal device 110, the following operations are carried out. (1) Select the amount to be deposited on the card processing machine 10 (2) Two-dimensional code displayed on the machine-to-machine card processing device 10 (3) The two-dimensional code is read by the customer's terminal device 110. (4) Accepting a deposit operation on the customer's terminal device 110 (5) The customer pays using the terminal device 110 and deposits the money into the card processing machine between the machines.

[0131] In addition, in the case where both the selection of the amount and the payment are performed on the terminal device 110, the following operations are performed. (1) A two-dimensional code is displayed on the inter-machine card processing device 10 and read by the customer's terminal device 110. (2) The customer selects the amount to be deposited on the terminal device 110. (3) The customer's terminal device 110 accepts the deposit operation. (4) The customer pays using the terminal device 110 and deposits the money into the card processing machine between the machines.

[0132] The purchase of prepaid value by cashless payment can also be made by a ticket vending machine installed in an amusement facility. When purchasing prepaid value by cashless payment by a ticket vending machine, there are cases where both the amount is selected and the payment is made by the ticket vending machine, cases where the amount is selected by the ticket vending machine and the payment is made by the player's terminal device 110, and cases where both the amount is selected and the payment is made by the player's terminal device 110.

[0133] In the case where both the amount selection and payment are performed on the ticket machine, the following operations are performed. (1) Select the amount you want to deposit on the ticket machine (2) Activate the ticket machine code reader. (3) The customer displays the two-dimensional code on the terminal device 110 and holds it up to the ticket machine. (4) Pay at the ticket machine (5) Issue a prepaid card at the ticket machine

[0134] In addition, in the case where the amount is selected at the ticket machine and payment is made at the customer's terminal device 110, the following operations are carried out. (1) Select the amount you want to deposit on the ticket machine (2) Display the QR code on the ticket machine (3) The two-dimensional code is read by the customer's terminal device 110. (4) Accepting a deposit operation on the customer's terminal device 110 (5) Payment is made via the customer's terminal device 110 (6) Prepaid cards can be issued at ticket vending machines

[0135] In addition, in the case where both the selection of the amount and the payment are performed on the terminal device 110, the following operations are performed. (1) A two-dimensional code is displayed on the ticket vending machine and read by the customer's terminal device 110. (2) The customer selects the amount to be deposited on the terminal device 110. (3) The customer's terminal device 110 accepts the deposit operation. (4) Payment is made via the customer's terminal device 110 (5) Issue a prepaid card at the ticket machine

[0136] Next, the settlement of prepaid value by cashless payment will be explained. Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the settlement of prepaid value by cashless payment. When the settlement of prepaid value by cashless payment is performed by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, there are cases where the settlement itself is performed by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, cases where the settlement itself is performed by the terminal device 110 of the player, and cases where it is performed via the settlement machine 80.

[0137] In the case where the settlement itself is performed by the inter-machine card processing device 10, the following operations will be performed. (1) Payment operations are accepted at the inter-machine card processing machine 10 (2) The payment method is selected at the card processing machine 10 between the machines. (3) Activate the code reader of the inter-machine card processing device 10. (4) The customer displays the two-dimensional code on his / her terminal device 110 and holds it over the card processing device 10. (5) The charge is settled at the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and added to the balance for cashless payment.

[0138] In the case where the settlement itself is carried out on the player's terminal device 110, the following operations are carried out. (1) Payment operations are accepted at the inter-machine card processing machine 10 (2) The payment method is selected at the card processing machine 10 between the machines. (3) Two-dimensional code displayed on the machine-to-machine card processing device 10 (4) The two-dimensional code is read by the customer's terminal device 110. (5) Acceptance of payment operations on the customer's terminal device 110 (6) The amount is settled on the customer's terminal device 110 and added to the cashless payment balance.

[0139] In the case where the transaction goes through the settlement machine 80, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 will first carry out the following operations. (1) The card return operation is accepted at the inter-machine card processing machine 10. (2) The inter-machine card processor 10 ejects the card. Thereafter, when the dispensed card is used to settle the account at the settlement machine 80, there are cases where the settlement itself is done at the settlement machine 80, and cases where the settlement itself is done at the terminal device 110 of the player.

[0140] In the case where the settlement itself is performed by the settlement machine 80, the following operations are performed. (1) The payment machine 80 accepts the card. (2) The payment method is selected at the payment machine 80. (3) Activate the code reader of payment machine 80. (4) The customer displays the two-dimensional code on his / her terminal device 110 and holds it over the payment machine 80. (5) The amount is settled on the customer's terminal device 110 and added to the cashless payment balance.

[0141] In the case where the settlement of the card accepted by the settlement machine 80 is carried out by the player's terminal device 110, the following operations are carried out. (1) The payment machine 80 accepts the card. (2) The payment method is selected at the payment machine 80. (3) Display the 2D code on the payment machine 80 (4) The two-dimensional code is read by the customer's terminal device 110. (5) Acceptance of payment operations on the customer's terminal device 110 (6) The amount is settled on the customer's terminal device 110 and added to the cashless payment balance.

[0142] Next, a specific example of purchasing prepaid value will be described. Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of purchasing prepaid value. First, as shown in Figure 13(a), a player operates the display operation unit 13 of the inter-machine card processing device 10 to input the amount to be deposited. Figure 13(a) shows the state in which the player has input "10,000 yen."

[0143] 13(b), a two-dimensional code is displayed on the terminal device 110 of the customer and the customer holds the two-dimensional code over the inter-machine card processing device 10. This two-dimensional code contains information that identifies the account number of the cashless payment to be used.

[0144] The inter-machine card processor 10 executes the cashless payment using the cashless payment account specified by the two-dimensional code and the input deposit amount, and adds 10,000 yen to the prepaid value. Then, as shown in Fig. 13(c), the display operation unit 13 displays the completion of the deposit. The completion of the deposit is also notified to the customer's terminal device 110.

[0145] After making a deposit, the customer can use the prepaid value to lend balls. Furthermore, even if there is remaining prepaid value, the customer can make an additional deposit by cash or cashless payment to add to the prepaid value, as shown in FIG. 13(d).

[0146] Next, a specific example of prepaid value settlement will be described. Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of prepaid value settlement. First, as shown in Figure 14(a), a player operates the display operation unit 13 of the inter-machine card processing device 10 to select a settlement method. Figure 14(a) shows the state in which the player has selected "P1" from "Cash", "P1", and "P2".

[0147] 14(b), a two-dimensional code is displayed on the terminal device 110 of the player, and the player holds the terminal device 110 over the inter-machine card processor 10. This two-dimensional code contains information that identifies the account number, etc., of the cashless payment to be used for settlement.

[0148] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 obtains the settlement fee setting from the prepaid value purchase method and settlement method, and calculates the amount of the settlement fee and the settlement amount using the remaining amount of the prepaid value and the settlement fee setting. Then, the remaining amount of the prepaid value, the amount of the settlement fee, and the settlement amount are displayed on the display operation unit 13 as the settlement details. In FIG. 14(c), the remaining amount of the prepaid value "6000 yen", the amount of the settlement fee "10 yen", and the settlement amount "5990 yen" are displayed as the settlement details. In addition, this settlement details is also notified to the terminal device 110 of the player.

[0149] When the player confirms the settlement details and performs the settlement execution operation, the inter-machine card processor 10 executes the cashless settlement using the cashless payment account specified by the two-dimensional code and the settlement details, adds the settlement amount to the cashless payment balance, and resets the prepaid value to zero. Then, as shown in Figure 14 (d), the display operation unit 13 displays the completion of the settlement. The completion of the settlement is also notified to the player's terminal device 110.

[0150] Next, the use of prepaid value will be described. In this embodiment, the total amount of prepaid value and the balance for each purchase method are managed. In this state, when a ball is lent, the question arises as to which purchase method's balance to subtract from.

[0151] The first method for determining which purchase method's balance to subtract from is based on the purchase order. In other words, when prepaid value provided by multiple purchase methods is used, the balance is managed assuming that the value purchased first was used first.

[0152] The second method for determining which purchase method to deduct from the balance is based on a pre-specified priority. In other words, when pre-paid value provided by multiple purchase methods is used, the balance is managed assuming that the value purchased by the purchase method with the highest pre-specified priority was used first. The priority may be specified by the gaming facility or by the player.

[0153] Also, instead of managing the balance for each purchase method, when settling the balance of the value granted by a plurality of purchase methods, the prepaid value may be used so that the settlement fee is the smallest. For example, when a purchase of 1000 yen is made with cash and a purchase of 1000 yen is made with cashless payment P1, the total of the prepaid value is equivalent to 2000 yen. After that, when balls are lent for 1500 yen, the balance of the prepaid value becomes equivalent to 500 yen, but at this point, it is not specified whether it is the cash purchase or the purchase with cashless payment P1, and if the settlement is made with cash, the cash purchase amount equivalent to 500 yen remains, and if the settlement is made with cashless payment P1, the purchase with cashless payment P1 amount equivalent to 500 yen remains. Here, the settlement amount is limited by the original purchase amount. In other words, if a prepaid value equivalent to 1500 yen is settled with cash, the cash purchase amount is equivalent to 1000 yen, and the purchase with cashless payment P1 is equivalent to 500 yen.

[0154] As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to grant prepaid value, which is value related to gaming media, using multiple purchase methods, the balance of the prepaid value is managed in association with the purchase method, and the balance of the value can be settled using multiple settlement methods, so that it is possible to appropriately handle multiple payment methods.

[0155] Here, the multiple purchasing methods may include purchasing with cash and purchasing with a cashless payment method that does not use cash.

[0156] In addition, the multiple settlement methods may include cash settlement in which cash is returned and cashless settlement in which a balance for cashless payment is added.

[0157] In addition, by setting a settlement fee for a combination of a prepaid value purchasing method and a settlement method, an appropriate fee can be charged.

[0158] Furthermore, when value provided by multiple purchasing methods is used, the value balance can be managed assuming that the value purchased first was used first. Alternatively, when value provided by multiple purchasing methods is used, the value balance may be managed assuming that the value purchased by a purchasing method with a high pre-specified priority was used first.

[0159] In addition, when settling the balance of value provided through multiple purchase methods, the value may be used in a manner that minimizes the settlement fee.

[0160] In the above embodiment, the case where the prepaid value purchased by cash payment or cashless payment can be settled by any method has been described as an example, but the settlement method that can be used may be restricted. For example, the settlement of the prepaid value purchased by a specific cashless payment may be prohibited. The prepaid value that is prohibited from being settled is used for ball lending or used up for prize exchange.

[0161] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which a two-dimensional code is used to transfer information related to cashless payment is described as an example, but a configuration in which information related to cashless payment is transferred using short-range wireless communication, etc. may also be used.

[0162] In the above embodiment, detailed description of the form of the card, which is the medium to which the number of game media is associated, is omitted, but such cards include magnetic cards, IC cards, etc. Also, for convenience of explanation, a "card" is used as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to cases where a chip, stick, mobile terminal, etc. are used in addition to the card.

[0163] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was given in which game balls were used as the game medium, but the present invention is also applicable to the case in which medals for slot machines are used.

[0164] In addition, each configuration shown in the figure is a functional schematic, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of it can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads, usage conditions, etc. [Industrial Applicability]

[0165] As described above, the management device, settlement device, and each machine device according to the present invention are suitable for appropriately handling a plurality of payment methods in an amusement facility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0166] 10 Card Processing Machines 11 Status display section 12 Banknote transport section 12a Bill insertion slot 13 Display operation section 14 Reader / Writer 14a Card slot 14b Holding Section 15, 85 Communications Department 16, 45 Storage section 16a Device status data 16b Card Data 17, 46, 86 Control section 17a Data Management Department 17b Counting processing section 17c Cashless payment processing unit 17d, 86c Cashless payment processing section 18a Nozzle unit 18b Counting unit 20 Gaming Machines 30 Island Controller 40 Card management device 41, 81 Display section 42 Input section 43 External network communication section 44 Store Network Communication Department 45a Game type setting data 45b Card management data 45c Equipment Management Data 45d Settlement fee setting data 46a Game type setting management section 46b Card Management Department 46c Equipment management department 46d Value Addition Department 46e Settings section 50 Membership management device 60 Prize Management Device 80 Payment machine 82 Control section 83 Card Reader 84 Coin storage section 86a Settlement details determination section 86b Cash settlement processing section 110 Terminal Equipment

Claims

1. A management device capable of communicating with each machine device and a settlement device capable of settling valuables attached to the gaming machine, a value management means for managing one of a plurality of payment methods for providing the value in association with the value provided by the payment method; A storage means for storing a plurality of settlement methods for settling the balance of the valuable value; a setting means for setting a settlement fee for each combination of the value and the settlement method managed by the value management means; A management device comprising:

2. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of payment methods include a cash payment and a cashless payment that does not use cash.

3. 2. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of settlement methods include a cash settlement in which cash is returned and a cashless settlement in which a balance for cashless payment is added.

4. A settlement device that receives settings from the management device according to claim 1 and executes settlement processing.

5. 2. A machine device which receives settings from the management device according to claim 1 and executes lending of game media.

Images